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September 14, 2022

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Why I’m Leaving Bookstagram (For Now)

It was around two in the morning and I was lying in bed, thinking about how I haven’t posted on bookstagram in a while. I remember shaming myself for not posting reviews, which would mean I would lose followers, which would mean …

Which would mean …

Wait a damn minute.

Which would mean nothing.

I sat up to adjust my pillow (and my priorities) and realized something that’s been a long time coming: I wasn’t interested in bookstagram anymore. It served its purpose, and it is time to move on.

A little history

I joined bookstagram in July 2019. I realized that I was posting a lot of photos of the books I was reading, and all of a sudden, people were following me and asking me for book recommendations. I thought, “wait a second … maybe I can turn this into a thing!” After some quick research, I learned that bookstagram was, in fact, already a very big thing. I decided to take the plunge and made the switch. I grew my followers from 300 to 1,000 in four months. It was so exciting! I made friends, joined an engagement group, and felt my creative itch go away.

Then, COVID hit. Soon, everyone was isolated and forced to stay indoors. All I had was my husband, my cat, my books, and a tiny screen that connected me with thousands of bookworms around the world. Throughout the darkest times of the pandemic, I would turn to my little corner of the internet for support. Like everyone else, bookworms were looking for empathy, for laughs, for an escape.

Bookstagram really did that for me, and I am super grateful for that. I have made friends who have become lifers. They have been there for me more than some family members. When I was pregnant with my daughter, presents from the book community came pouring in. I was absolutely floored. There are people from bookstagram who I talk to every day, and I honestly cannot imagine my life without their light and humor and presence.

OK, so, why are you quitting?

I wouldn’t necessarily say that I am calling it quits, but, I’ve decided that I need to take a break from the ol’ bookstagram. But that doesn’t mean that I will stop reading. Oh, no no. Reading I will be doing. But updating my page regularly and contributing to a space that I am no longer interested in? That I will not be doing!

Between my job, taking care of Nora, traveling for work, and other responsibilities, the immense pressure and stress that I feel to post just isn’t worth it. I don’t feel like fighting the algorithm. I feel like I have nothing unique to contribute to the space, and I do not have the capacity or interest to try. There are so many incredibly creative minds on bookstagram — from their engaging reels and insightful book reviews to their book challenges and intricate photos. They are amazing, but I am just not one of them. They are kickin’ butt, so go follow them!

I want to be present in my own life instead of scrolling on a phone. I want my daughter to see me reading books, not screens (kindles don’t count!) I want to be with my daughter, soak in every moment because time is a thief. Bookstagram was stealing that time from me, so I am saying goodbye.

So will you still write about books on here?

Yes! Among other things. I toyed with the idea of making and distributing my own newsletter (I might still do this …) but, for now, I will continue to update my blog with book reviews, monthly wrap ups and TBRs, postpartum posts, and other life updates. My interest is writing, and while bookstagram offers an outlet to write and reach a wider audience, I am happy with my smaller corner of the world, writing my thoughts on a blank screen with little to no character restraints 🙂

So, thank you for following along. If I found you on bookstagram (or if you found me on bookstagram), I am happy to stay connected with you. Thank you for your support and friendship during the darkest of times as well as the brightest.

Be well, all. And onward.

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August 1, 2022

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August Hopefuls

It’s hard to believe that summer is winding down, yet here we are. It’s funny; I’m usually excited for spooky season to begin, but with a baby, I want time to slow down. Let’s keep the summer for a while longer.

Before Nora, I was able to read 6 books a month. Now, I am happy to average 3. So this month, I will aim for 4 books and see how it goes! Here’s what I plan to read this month:

The It Girl by Ruth Ware

I’ve always enjoyed Ruth Ware’s books, so I am looking forward to this one. It does seem a little cliche in the plot, but wondering if I need cliche right now and something easy to read. This one is top of the list for August.

The Winners by Fredrik Backman

I was lucky enough to get an ARC (advanced reader’s copy) of The Winners, the last book in Backman’s Beartown series. I cried when I got it, no joke. I anticipate reading this one slowly, so it might make the August list, might not. Regardless, I know it’s going to be heart-wrenching and amazing.

Adult Assembly Required by Abbi Waxman

I really liked this author’s book, The Bookish Life of Nina Hill, so I expect this one to be just as cute and quirky.

City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments #1) by Cassandra Clare

Here I go. I am starting Cassandra Clare’s Shadowhunter Chronicles. I found this website that says to read the first three in The Mortal Instruments and to move on to the others. We shall see.

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July 31, 2022

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July Wrap-Up

What a fun month! I continued to navigate working from home, full-time mom-ing, and I also started a fun 365 Days of Movement challenge where I dedicate time to moving every day! We also went to the beach for a week, and Nora crushed her first family vacation!

I read three books in July, and DNFd a fair few. Bleh. Anyways, here is what I read this month!

The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun

What I liked:

  • This book was pretty darn funny!
  • The inside scoop on reality TV — ‘cuz we know it’s not real.
  • Inclusivity: LGBTQ, diverse characters, neurodiversity, and mental health.

What I didn’t like:

  • Honestly, nothing. I loved it! 🙂

Trigger Warnings: anxiety, panic attacks, depression, conversations about OCD and mental illness, drinking, alcoholism, familial estrangement, homophobia and racism (challenged)

Finlay Donovan is Killing It: A Mystery by Elle Cosimano

What I liked:

  • This book was super quippy and fun!
  • The plot/idea behind the book is wildly entertaining.
  • That this book is a series!

What I didn’t like:

  • The main character is “eh.” She makes a lot of obvious mistakes that can lead her to trouble but she somehow gets away with it? Not very realistic.
  • Some of the book was too detail heavy, and could have benefitted from some editing to focus on plot movements rather than mundane “tell not show” details.

Trigger Warnings: misogyny, rape, sexual assault, domestic abuse, cheating, nonconsenual drugging

Beautiful Little Fools by Jillian Cantor

What I liked:

  • A different, feminist take on The Great Gatsby.
  • Thoroughly researched, interesting characters.
  • Clean, shifting perspectives.
  • Entertaining book with a killer ending.

What I didn’t like:

  • Some parts were too top heavy with Daisy’s backstory, but other than that, a solid book!

Trigger Warnings: domestic violence, adultery, war, gun violence, sexual assault, homophobia, abuse, alcoholism, death of a family member, death of a parent, car violence, murder

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July 13, 2022

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Book Review | Lessons in Chemistry

“Children, set the table. Your mother needs a moment to herself.”

This line immediately grabbed my attention as I picked up Bonnie Garmus’s debut novel, Lessons in Chemistry. I had recently joined a new book club, a goal I’ve had for some time now, so I was looking forward to reading this book and meeting some new bookworms in my area.

A little about Lessons in Chemistry (from the book jacket): Chemist Elizabeth Zott would be the first to point out that there is no such thing as an average woman. But it’s the early 1960s and her all-male team at Hastings Research Institute takes a very unscientific view of equality. Except for one: Calvin Evans, the lonely, brilliant, Nobel Prize-nominated grudge holder who falls in love with — of all things — her mind. True chemistry results.

Like science, though, life is unpredictable. Which is why a few years later Elizabeth Zott finds herself not only a single mother but also the reluctant star of America’s most beloved cooking show, “Supper at Six.” Elizabeth’s unusual approach to cooking (“combine one tablespoon acetic acid with a pinch of sodium chloride”) proves revolutionary. But as her following grows, not everyone is happy. Because, as it turns out, Elizabeth isn’t teaching women to cook. She’s daring them to change the status quo.

My review

I read somewhere that it took Garmus 10 years to write this book, and it shows. Her writing is deliberate, quirky, and smart. I loved the matter-of-fact narration and her storytelling. I was instantly hooked and knew I was going to enjoy this book about feminism and motherhood. As a new mom, I was all about it!

Elizabeth Zott is such an interesting and fabulous character. She is brilliant, sharp-tongued, and clearly advanced when it comes to cultural norms. It was frustrating reading this book sometimes. The writer, who sprinkles in free indirect discourse throughout her prose, demonstrates how men perceived Zott. Even more frustrating was the women who did not support her. Some parts were hard to read, especially since we still live in a world where women do not have autonomy over their bodies and their livelihood. There are some other trigger warnings, which I list at the bottom of the post.

One of the novel’s biggest strengths was its side characters. While I was not a Calvin fan, I did enjoy Mad (their daughter), Harriet (the neighbor/nanny/babysitter/stand-in grandmother), and Six-Thirty, the sweet and smart dog. They really made the book special.

OK. Some dislikes.

The book opens with promise talking about Zott on her television show and its success, but then it takes a turn and brings readers through her entire backstory. This includes her education, early career, meeting Calvin, losing Calvin, and getting the television gig. While I appreciate a good backstory and its importance to setting up the plot and character development, it was very convoluted. There wasn’t enough balance and could have benefitted from some cuts. Rowing is cool, I guess? But I wanted more of the present and the television show, which was the real draw of the book.

Another dislike. Does she have to be hot? Like. Can’t she just be a regular woman? Not this stunningly hot, brilliant chemist? Just an average looking working mom would have made it a little more realistic.

Overall, it was an enjoyable book that I zoomed through. But what I liked more was meeting this group of ladies!

Some trigger warnings if you want to read … and I would have appreciated an author’s note at the beginning about these (proceed with caution because there are spoilers):

  • rape
  • sexism
  • suicide
  • homophobia
  • cult
  • death of parents
  • death of loved one
  • assault
  • domestic violence
  • incarcerated parent
  • almost death of pet