All 13 of My January Reads Reviewed
Look. I know we are nearly halfway through February, but I read thirteen books (some were actually short stories) in January, and by god, like any good millennial who is “chronically online” I intend to make content out of a hobby! So, here are the thirteen (mostly) books I read in January and what I thought.
1- The Nineties by Chuck Klosterman
A Book written by essayist Chuck Klosterman sets out to reckon and reexamine a decade that doesn’t feel all that long ago while still being further in the past than many of us want to admit. From grunge to slacker cinema, the author leaves no stone unturned in his sometimes comical examination of the era dominated by Gen-X and their ethos of trying not to look like they’re trying too hard because to look like you’re “trying” is paramount to selling out and, in the 90s, there was nothing worse than being a sellout. And to sell out is the greatest sin. Klosterman posits the 90s began with the fall of the Berlin wall and ended with the tragic fall of the Twin towers. The book’s last line hauntingly closes with the passage that hit me like a gut punch: “The Flights were hijacked, the planes crashed into buildings, 2,977 people died, and the nineties collapsed with the skyscrapers.” At times the book is dense but never dry. The book comprises 12 extensive essays, bookended with smaller essays with complimentary themes. The pieces touch on everything from the hysteria behind Y2k to the Tyson and Holiefied rematch that ended in the latter losing his ear. An event I was alive for but misremembered nonetheless. Klosterman forces the reader to reevaluate our memories of a decade that, at times, at least for myself, often feels like it had little in the way of lasting impact on the future generation besides the rise of internet use. However, nothing could be farther from the truth, and to quote George R. R. Martin’s Blood & Fire: The seeds of war are oft planted during times of peace. A sometimes comedic but always poignant, deep dive into the film, the music, the television, and the politics that defined an era that sometimes feels more harmonious in hindsight than it genuinely was. Great read. 4 stars.
2 - What Good Girls Do by Jonathan Butcher
One of the most disturbing books I’ve ever read, so trigger warning for everything. This is a split narrative between a young girl who has been held captive and a woman whose house the abused girl finds herself in. This one is dark and not for everyone, but I haven’t stopped thinking about it since I finished it. 3 stars.
3 - The Night of the Gun by David Carr
This memoir by the late David Carr was pretty bleak at times but depicted an honest (I can speak from experience) portrayal of recovery. I highly recommend it—unless you’re sensitive to the depiction of heavy drug and alcohol use. 4 stars.
4 - Writing Past Dark by Bonnie Friedman
The first book for writers exploring the emotional side of writing--dealing with everything from envy to guilt to the dreaded writer’s block. This is a vibrant and significant book on the craft of writing. Found it exactly when i needed it. 4 stars.
5 - Cinema Speculation by Quentin Tarantino
This book feels like Tarantino has personally cornered you to rant about his favorite movies of the late 60s thru the 70s and how they impacted his life. So, your mileage may vary depending on how annoying you find the motormouthed director. While I enjoyed it, I wanted a bit more memoir. Also, this book can sometimes get in the weeds with films I have never heard of, which could be a good thing for some, but it left me slightly disappointed. 3 stars.
6 - Filthy Secrets by Jonathan Butcher
Another disgusting tale by Butcher, but this time it’s a short story. Helena is bored with her marriage, job, and life until, one day, she discovers a unique and disturbing way to make things interesting again. This is a vile piece of writing, yet I haven’t stopped thinking about it, and I think I enjoyed it. So, I wonder what that says about me. Yet, I did leave it wishing it was a bit longer and had more character development. 3 stars.
7 - The Slob by Aron Beauregard
Violent. Disturbing. Poorly written. I could only make it to about 50%, not because of the content but because of how bad the prose was. It could have used another pass or two. I hate saying this because, based on their social media presence, the author seems really nice, but this was not for me. 1 star.
8 - Silver Screen Fiend by Patton Oswalt
Remember what I said about Tarantino’s book? The same here, but in reverse. I wanted a bit more discussion of film and a little less memoir. Still, Patton’s writing has some authentic charm, and I enjoyed my time. 3 stars.
9 - Only the Stain Remains by Ross Jeffery
A dark tale of revenge and abuse from a Bram Stoker winner, so I was expecting a lot from this one, but sadly, the hype was too high for me, and I ended up disappointed. 2 stars.
10 - Hell Hound by Ken Greenhall
This is a brilliant and dark novel strolling around in cheap killer animal books clothing. I can’t get over how much I enjoyed this thought-provoking book about a sociopathic bull terrier who moves from household to household in search of his perfect master only to become under the ownership of a twisted nazi teenager who may be more deranged than the dog. I loved this book and am now a lifelong Greenhall fan. 5 stars.
11 - Eewwwe by D.J. Doyle
It’s like if Kevin Smith’s ‘Tusk’ and ‘The Human Centipede’ had a child, and it was far more deranged and disgusting. This will NOT be for everyone, hell, I can’t say it was for me, but it was well written, and I’m not angry that I read it. However, it’s a premise that I’m glad was only sustained for a short story and not longer. 3 stars.
12 - True Crime by Samantha Kolesnik
True Crime by Samantha Kolesnik was SO close to being a perfect read for me. The writing is terrific, and the characters are engaging. However, the book’s first half is far more successful than the second half. Still, I love Kolesnik’s prose, and I’m a big fan. I will be reading more from this author. 4 stars.
13 - Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby
Wow… this book! Razorblade Tears is like True Detective meets Lethal Weapon with a dash of a Quentin Tarantino film (Kill Bill, maybe?) and a splash of Sons of Anarchy. I’m not being hyperbolic; this is easily the best thriller I’ve read in years! S.A Cosby’s prose is potent, his characters feel like full-fledged living, breathing people that leap off the page, and his storytelling prowess kept me so engaged and unable to put this book down. The story is not only well crafted, but it’s also a profoundly thoughtful and emotional journey that will tear your heart out. I loved this book, and it was easily my favorite read of January. 5 stars.
So that was my January. I doubt I will get as much reading done in February, but who knows,
Enough about me, how about you? What are you reading now? What releases are you excited about? Reach out and let me know!
