Yay! So glad you enjoyed Homebody. It is such a sweet little book. I also listened to it on audiobook but I would love to see the graphic novel as well. I gave up on Caledonian Road. I might try it again sometime but it is not a priority. Sad because I did love Mayflies so much. Listened to “The Unboxing of a Black Girl” yesterday (another very short audiobook) and started “The Friday Afternoon Club” by Griffin Dunne. I’m not a huge fan of celebrity books but it’s pretty good. Of course the son of Dominick Dunne and the nephew of Joan Didion is bound to have some interesting stories.
Griffin Dunne is the focus of this week’s NY Times Book Review podcast episode, and I can’t wait to listen. I have a hold on the book at my library for July. Somehow, I had never made the connection that he’s part of THAT Dunne family.
Griffin Dunne was interviewed on the NPR podcast Fresh Air, too. Search for the JUN 10th episode. I prefer the NPR interview vs the NYT interview having just finished listening to the latter.
Greg! I have so many thoughts! First, I was very skeptical when I heard that The Guncle was getting a sequel and your review has solidified my fears. I’ll not prioritize that one. I did place a hold on In Tongues at my library so looking forward to that. Lastly, I watched Lindy from Lindy’s Magpie Reads yesterday and she spoke about the production excellence of the audiobook for Gender Queer (I loved the physical book.) It sounds just like what you said about Homebody - sounds of footsteps, bird song, etc… I will now plan to listen to both! Hugs to you and Joel as you honor and remember Guinness. Be well. ❤
I’ve heard that Gender Queer has a great audiobook. I do think Guncle Abroad is worth reading, but probably not worth prioritizing. It feels like silly fun while the first was more. Thank you and be well, too!
💯 agree on Gunckle abroad review. 1st half I was rolling my eyes. I love the central characters so much I pushed on. I would have liked more time with new characters
The Guncle sounds great. Just checked my library and it's out but I will put a hold on it. Has anyone read "In the time of our History "by Susanne Pari? I found it on the new release shelf of my library and couldn't put it down. A story of a family of immigrants from Iran--many POV's etc. Great read.
I would like to see Michael B. Jordan cast as the lead in James. Also, although I have not finished The Guncle Abroad, I am enjoying it. I don’t expect it to be better than The Guncle, because that’s a bit of a high bar.
I'm so glad that I did it all backwards and read the Guncle Abroad before the Guncle. I really had fun with the Guncle Abroad and now I'll have an even better experience with the Guncle 😊!
I agree that “In Tongues” 👅had many interesting observations. I probably wouldn’t have even noticed this book if you hadn’t showed it to us previously so thanks for that. I’ve just placed a hold on an audio copy of “Homebody” so thanks for that, as well. I’m currently reading “Code Dependent: Living in the Shadow of AI” and it’s freaking me out a little.
Perceival Everett hinted at the movie in an interview I saw from Politics and Prose. I am eager to see that. I finished My Government Means to Kill Me by Rasheed Newson. I enjoyed the story. I think that there were actually two stories. I was shocked that it actually mentioned Fred Trump. Did you hear that Barnes and Noble bought out Tattered Covers? Enjoy your reading.
I did see the Tattered Cover news-I mentioned it on Instagram in a story but it didn’t make it over here I guess. My Government Means to Kill Me is an interesting book. Happy reading!
Love the T-shirt as a tribute to Guinness. I totally understand parasocial relationships with content providers, but I found myself in this parasocial relationship with the dogs too! Mostly with Jaimie but now with Teddy! I feel so weird! Love the snores❤
I'm on the fence about In Tongues. I'm curious enough that I may check it out. I have really been loving graphic memoirs lately, so I will definitely check out Homebody.
Our spice levels must differ considerably, when you said spice level for In Tongues, my first thought was, oh it didn’t really have much of anything, and you said high, lol.
Well, I'll probably pass on "The Guncle Abroad" unless I manage to find it in a Little Free Library. Sounds like I might be too disappointed with the story (considering how much I loved the first book) to willingly spend my money on it, LOL.
I've not read The Guncle (but have it in my TBR) or TGA, but I think a parent remarrying after the death of the other parent is next level compared to divorced parents remarrying. Which is not to say that divorced parents remarrying is nothing, but feel that there is a fairly large, quantifiable difference between the two experiences, especially if the kids are fairly young, as they look to be from the cover illustration of The Guncle. Homebody sounds interesting, I'll check it out.
I agree that remarrying after the death of a parent is next-level--I think the problem is all in the presentation for The Guncle Abroad. And a big part of the presentation problem is that the reader doesn't get to meet Livia until the book is halfway through, and even then she doesn't get the level of development you would hope. It feels like a great set-up for a sequel, but the execution falls a bit flat--for me, at least.
I have the audiobook of The Guncle Abroad and will get to it at some point. Yours isn’t the first somewhat disappointed review I’ve seen. Kind of a bummer. I’ve got no real impetus to listen to it right now. As soon as you mentioned the religious angle, In Tongues was an immediate no for me. There are few things that anger me more than religion being used as a weapon. I’m not religious, but if someone else is, it’s fine if they keep it to themselves and don’t use their “values” to judge others. Way too much of that happening in this country and around the world today. Homebody sounds great. I will definitely listen or get it from the library! I got three great books this week, one at my local and two from the UK. I finished The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley at 3:15 AM. I loved it. Just a really fun thriller. About to start The Chamber by Will Dean. Another thriller. I’ve read a bunch of his books. Last is Private Rites by Julia Armfield, who wrote Our Wives Under the Sea, which I loved. It sounds very different from that one but still great. I enjoyed the lengthy video. It really helps me understand what you’re reading and why you react the way you do to what you read!
IDK Greg. I get the feeling that you didn't like the Gungle Abroad. I'm going to trust the vibe I get from your review and pass on it. I loved The Guncle so much that I don't want to be disappointed.
When you said that Patrick from “The Guncle Abroad” had “dropped caftans completely,” I yelled, “Revoke his gay card!”🤣
👏🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️🥂👏
lol
Woaaa! I hope James the film makes and soon!
It will be an interesting adaptation!
In Tongues 🥰🥰🥰. Thanks for the shout out, darling ❤
You’re perpetually two steps ahead of me! Just like with Small Joys. ❤️🥂
Yay! So glad you enjoyed Homebody. It is such a sweet little book. I also listened to it on audiobook but I would love to see the graphic novel as well.
I gave up on Caledonian Road. I might try it again sometime but it is not a priority. Sad because I did love Mayflies so much.
Listened to “The Unboxing of a Black Girl” yesterday (another very short audiobook) and started “The Friday Afternoon Club” by Griffin Dunne. I’m not a huge fan of celebrity books but it’s pretty good. Of course the son of Dominick Dunne and the nephew of Joan Didion is bound to have some interesting stories.
I agree with you that "The Friday Afternoon Club" is a good book. I was surprised by how many great ancedotes and stories he tells.
Griffin Dunne is the focus of this week’s NY Times Book Review podcast episode, and I can’t wait to listen. I have a hold on the book at my library for July. Somehow, I had never made the connection that he’s part of THAT Dunne family.
@@SupposedlyFunThx, will listen to that too. I also have it on hold.
Griffin Dunne was interviewed on the NPR podcast Fresh Air, too. Search for the JUN 10th episode.
I prefer the NPR interview vs the NYT interview having just finished listening to the latter.
I absolutely loved The Guncle and I had a good time with The Guncle Abroad but it didn't blow me away. It was a nice palate cleanser though. 🙂
It's still a fun book--palate cleanser is a fun way to describe it.
“First, a shoutout to my tee shirt…” 😂😂
😂
Greg! I have so many thoughts! First, I was very skeptical when I heard that The Guncle was getting a sequel and your review has solidified my fears. I’ll not prioritize that one. I did place a hold on In Tongues at my library so looking forward to that. Lastly, I watched Lindy from Lindy’s Magpie Reads yesterday and she spoke about the production excellence of the audiobook for Gender Queer (I loved the physical book.) It sounds just like what you said about Homebody - sounds of footsteps, bird song, etc… I will now plan to listen to both! Hugs to you and Joel as you honor and remember Guinness. Be well. ❤
I’ve heard that Gender Queer has a great audiobook. I do think Guncle Abroad is worth reading, but probably not worth prioritizing. It feels like silly fun while the first was more. Thank you and be well, too!
💯 agree on Gunckle abroad review. 1st half I was rolling my eyes. I love the central characters so much I pushed on. I would have liked more time with new characters
I agree--it feels like we barely get to know Livia and Palmina.
The Guncle sounds great. Just checked my library and it's out but I will put a hold on it. Has anyone read "In the time of our History "by Susanne Pari? I found it on the new release shelf of my library and couldn't put it down. A story of a family of immigrants from Iran--many POV's etc. Great read.
I would like to see Michael B. Jordan cast as the lead in James.
Also, although I have not finished The Guncle Abroad, I am enjoying it. I don’t expect it to be better than The Guncle, because that’s a bit of a high bar.
Michael B. Jordan would be interesting casting.
I'm so glad that I did it all backwards and read the Guncle Abroad before the Guncle. I really had fun with the Guncle Abroad and now I'll have an even better experience with the Guncle 😊!
I agree that “In Tongues” 👅had many interesting observations. I probably wouldn’t have even noticed this book if you hadn’t showed it to us previously so thanks for that. I’ve just placed a hold on an audio copy of “Homebody” so thanks for that, as well. I’m currently reading “Code Dependent: Living in the Shadow of AI” and it’s freaking me out a little.
I hope you enjoy Homebody! I saw Code Dependent’s audio somewhere and thought about it for a moment-I’m glad I held off for my stress level right now.
I adore “the way” you are 💚
Perceival Everett hinted at the movie in an interview I saw from Politics and Prose. I am eager to see that. I finished My Government Means to Kill Me by Rasheed Newson. I enjoyed the story. I think that there were actually two stories. I was shocked that it actually mentioned Fred Trump.
Did you hear that Barnes and Noble bought out Tattered Covers?
Enjoy your reading.
I did see the Tattered Cover news-I mentioned it on Instagram in a story but it didn’t make it over here I guess. My Government Means to Kill Me is an interesting book. Happy reading!
Grown ass people not speaking directly to one another as a plot device is a huge pet peeve of mine!
I'm glad I'm not alone!
Love the T-shirt as a tribute to Guinness. I totally understand parasocial relationships with content providers, but I found myself in this parasocial relationship with the dogs too! Mostly with Jaimie but now with Teddy! I feel so weird! Love the snores❤
I feel like a lot of people subscribed after Guinness was already gone-but I’m glad so many people got to know Jamie and now Teddy. ❤️❤️
I’ve read lots this month but finished nothing. I’m doing a Shawn Mooney month. Too many books all at once.
I tried reading like that after I joined BookTube and had to stop because it was stressing me out. 😂🤣
I'm on the fence about In Tongues. I'm curious enough that I may check it out. I have really been loving graphic memoirs lately, so I will definitely check out Homebody.
I hope you like Homebody! In Tongues definitely won’t be for everyone but I (clearly) found it fascinating.
I loved In Tongues so much! Best of the month for me.
It's so good!
Our spice levels must differ considerably, when you said spice level for In Tongues, my first thought was, oh it didn’t really have much of anything, and you said high, lol.
What I’ve learned navigating conversations around romance: those who are concerned with spice levels would not agree with you.
@@SupposedlyFunI appreciate mentions of spice levels in reviews. I have Victorian sensibilities 😂
Well, I'll probably pass on "The Guncle Abroad" unless I manage to find it in a Little Free Library. Sounds like I might be too disappointed with the story (considering how much I loved the first book) to willingly spend my money on it, LOL.
It is a fun book, but it lacks the heft of the original.
I've not read The Guncle (but have it in my TBR) or TGA, but I think a parent remarrying after the death of the other parent is next level compared to divorced parents remarrying. Which is not to say that divorced parents remarrying is nothing, but feel that there is a fairly large, quantifiable difference between the two experiences, especially if the kids are fairly young, as they look to be from the cover illustration of The Guncle.
Homebody sounds interesting, I'll check it out.
I agree that remarrying after the death of a parent is next-level--I think the problem is all in the presentation for The Guncle Abroad. And a big part of the presentation problem is that the reader doesn't get to meet Livia until the book is halfway through, and even then she doesn't get the level of development you would hope. It feels like a great set-up for a sequel, but the execution falls a bit flat--for me, at least.
I have the audiobook of The Guncle Abroad and will get to it at some point. Yours isn’t the first somewhat disappointed review I’ve seen. Kind of a bummer. I’ve got no real impetus to listen to it right now.
As soon as you mentioned the religious angle, In Tongues was an immediate no for me. There are few things that anger me more than religion being used as a weapon. I’m not religious, but if someone else is, it’s fine if they keep it to themselves and don’t use their “values” to judge others. Way too much of that happening in this country and around the world today.
Homebody sounds great. I will definitely listen or get it from the library!
I got three great books this week, one at my local and two from the UK. I finished The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley at 3:15 AM. I loved it. Just a really fun thriller. About to start The Chamber by Will Dean. Another thriller. I’ve read a bunch of his books. Last is Private Rites by Julia Armfield, who wrote Our Wives Under the Sea, which I loved. It sounds very different from that one but still great.
I enjoyed the lengthy video. It really helps me understand what you’re reading and why you react the way you do to what you read!
You go ahead and say you hate something! I mean if people have trouble with that, they don't "get it". 😛
🤗 🥂
The Guncle was sweet and genuine, the Guncle Abroad was an artificial sweetner!
To be fair, if people were able to have open honest conversations with each other counselors would go out of business.
Very true. 😂🤣
Hypothetical: would you read The Guncle In Love? I feel like this book could end with a third.
I would read a third installment, but I do think my expectations would be much more measured. I do think there’s room for a third.
IDK Greg. I get the feeling that you didn't like the Gungle Abroad. I'm going to trust the vibe I get from your review and pass on it. I loved The Guncle so much that I don't want to be disappointed.
I really did like it, lol! But I think Guncle Abroad is silly fun and Guncle was more than just that. Silly fun can be great, though!
Lori Copeland
You’re not making me want to read this book that just came available from the library. Privilege hits my boring button.
Mine too.