The World's Common Tater

I only managed to read three books last month. This is because I was reading an 800-page book that is taking me too long to read. I took a break from that one to read the other two books for my book clubs. One of those was audio. I am hoping to finish the 800 pager today or tomorrow and then have a better reading March.

1. Daisy Jones & the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Told in the form of interviews, Daisy Jones and the Six tracks the rise and fall of the iconic rock band and their beautiful lead singer.

I loved this book. I loved the interview format. It was fun to see the events from the perspective of each member of the band instead of getting the story from one person. It was a quick, fun read. I’m looking forward to the TV show adaptation that is coming next month.

2. Be Free or Die: The Amazing Story of Robert Smalls’ Escape from Slavery to Union Hero by Cate Lineberry

The true story of Robert Smalls, a slave who became a hero after he stole a Confederate ship and took it to the Union. He was a pilot on the boat. He and a group of other slaves took the boat on a night when all of the white officers left. They smuggled their families on and sailed to the Union line of ships to surrender it. Smalls then became a pilot for the Union and later a congressman.

I enjoyed the story of Smalls. I wish there was more of his story and a little less of the tangents on the war in general. I did learn some things I didn’t know and think someone should make a movie about Smalls.

3. Now Is Not the Time to Panic by Kevin Wilson

Frankie and Zeke create a poster while bored over the summer. Zeke draws the picture, and Frankie comes up with the words. They post them all over town. It creates a panic in town after people think they were placed by a satan worshipping cult. In the present, a reporter calls Frankie to confirm that she was the one who created the posters.

It was fine, I guess, I didn’t really buy the premise of the panic. I didn’t care much about the characters. The phase that we were supposed to think was genius or profound seemed dumb to me. It was an easy read, though, so it has that going for it.

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I’m not that stressed about only reading three books this month. I am disappointed that I only loved one of the three and tolerated the other two. March should be better. I am enjoying the book I’m reading now. I have books I want to read on my TBR shelf. I chose the book for my community book club this month. That should all add up to better reading.