So many good books to talk about! Let’s start off with the book I got my husband for Valentine’s Day: Oh. It’s You (Love Poems by Cats). I think this is my favorite poem in the book:
Let’s analyze this one! I love how the weight management food was “angrily” horked up on the, apparently, brand new carpet that was just unfurled. A+, cat! (The author of this collection is actually Francesco Marciuliano).
Moving on- it’s time to talk about Sky Daddy.
The main character in this book is a young woman who has a sexual attraction to airplanes, an obsession so intense that she believes her destiny is to “marry” one, i.e. die in plane crash.
I know! That sounds so weird, it’s terrible. But that’s not all the book is about. It seems to me that this woman has Asperger’s. and to be clear I’m not just calling “Aspergers” because of the plane thing. I’m looking at how she takes things very literally, fails to pick up on social cues, and is continuously watching to see how other people do things. This story is about how she manages a job, friendships, dating, all while attempting to keep her airplane obsession a secret.
This character is so likable, and you’re rooting really hard for her. Even the airplane obsession- well, we all have our things. Hers is a little weirder than most, but we can get past that. The book is funny and touching. For a long time I could not figure out how the author was going to end it in a satisfying way, but she does! Highly recommend.
Next I read this:
It’s a police procedural, and the main character has… Asperger’s. Does every book have a main character with Asperger’s??? This time, it’s woven into the story, as in he and the people around him are aware of his diagnosis. George is a brilliant detective, but incredibly irritating to his coworkers because of his lack of social skills.
The mystery- who killed the dentist- is interesting but not fascinating. The more interesting parts of this book for me were the glimpses into George’s personal life, his relationships with his father and coworkers. There are more books in this series, and I would be happy to read on… eventually. I have so many good books waiting for me, I don’t want to repeat any authors right now.
Speaking of books waiting for me… GUESS WHAT JUST ARRIVED!!!!
I’m so excited! I feel like everyone has read this but me, and I want to get in on the fun. I’m diving into it as soon as I finish this post (and I can already say that I read and loved the first paragraph).
Have I convinced you to read Sky Daddy?
If you have a cat, how often do they throw up?- Foxy and Sylvie never throw up. Muffin will throw up if I give her a little too much food, and it’s almost always on the carpet.
33 Responses
I haven’t had a cat in decades, but my dog experience is that like your experience, they are different. Genevieve never barfed, but she had diarrhea all over the place. Mulder never had diarrhea, but he started barfing within a week of when we got him. Let me tell you, we need new carpet.
I think I put Sky Daddy on hold…and I loved Inhale Exhale! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
I really think you’ll like Sky Daddy. And yes- a new carpet is probably in order : )
OK, I started Sky Daddy today, and I am loving it. I’m kind of rooting for her to get in a plane crash, except for all of the other people that would have to die. I’ve been listening while doing other things, so I’m already 1/2 though.
Okay, you have convinced me to try Sky Daddy. It sounds a little weird, and I don’t read much general fiction, but your description intrigued me! And The Dentist is going on my
list as well- mystery, police procedural, those are my jam!
My medium hair cat does barf up a hair ball occasionally; my big guy binges and purges when he has a hairball, so it’s easy to find- he’s so thoughtful. Actually, a big uptick in barfing last summer clued me into the fact that they both had fleas.( unexpected for my indoor kitties). I don’t love the clean up, but that’s what resolve pet expert carpet cleaner is for.
My cats never have hair balls! I wonder why- maybe your cats have longer hair. And- fleas can make them barf? I didn’t know that.
I hope you like the books!
Fleas cause them to overgroom.
SKY DADDY!!!! I am so here for this book. I don’t reread books very often, but I think that I might pick up the audio version for a road trip. The Dentist sounds worth a read. Between you and me, I rarely care or remember the why and the who did it part of mysteries. I’m just in it for the journey.
I’m taking my time with Inhale, Exhale. I’m in a very chill reading mood right now, so I’m only about halfway through a book that would normally just have taken me a few days to read. What can I say, I don’t want it to end.
That’s high praise, when you don’t want a book to end! I read the first five chapters last night but eventually had to give in to sleep.
Nicole’s book arrived but I have 2 library holds that are due soon that I have to get through first. And then I will dig in! The only thing that would make it better is if my copy was signed! But I hope to meet Nicole someday and maybe I will bring my book and have her sign it. 🙂
I was thinking the airplane book was not for me but your description makes me want to give it a shot!
Right now I am reading a book called ‘the beauty of your face’ which is about a Palestinian family living in the US. It’s very sad and heavy as it involves a school shooting, but it is very well done.
You read a lot of difficult books! More than me- I usually keep my books on the lighter side.
Maybe Nicole needs to do a book tour, then we can all get our books signed!
I agree that I didn’t want to read Sky Daddy (I think Birchie said it’s not safe for Elisabeth), but this is making it sound so tempting!!!
I am almost out of books to read. I paused most of my holds because we’re going away so I’m down to one book left in my library stack but it’s not very enticing. But I’ve been sick and/or busy all week, so it’s okay. I haven’t had a lot of time to read. I did finish Inhale Exhale (I read it in less than 24 hours, so good!!! As I knew it would be!), and also In Light of All Darkness (a non-fiction account of the Polly Klass kidnapping) which Stephany had recommended and was very well written.
Yes, that’s a tricky situation- you’re going out of town soon, so you don’t want to mess with the library. Do your thrift stores sell secondhand books? Maybe you could pick up a couple there! The thought of being book-less is filling me with anxiety.
Oh thank you Jenny, I hope you enjoy it! It’s not your usual genre but hopefully you will still like it!
SKY DADDY. Oh, I loved that so much that I have preordered the paperback version so I can have it in my house for rereading at any time!
Yes, I don’t usually read romances BUT I love the writing on your blog, so I can’t imagine I won’t like this book. And, so far so good- I’m a few chapters in and enjoying it!
You definitely make Sky Daddy sound less bizarre than originally thought … but I will probably NOT run out and grab a copy, LOL! A library pickup maybe one day, when more of the TBR is knocked back and/or the right weird mode strikes? 🙂
Cats and vomit … in my past experience, it strongly depends on the cat. I’ve had cats who never threw up unless it was absolutely the last resort (like child, the hairball really MUST come out) – and River, the big baby, would need lots of cuddles afterward, he hates it so bad. Meanwhile the ditziest cat I ever had would throw up almost religiously – including on the bed, while I was in it. She had a very bad habit of not only eating her own fluff but *hunting down dustbunnies in the house to eat* … she also ate a hole in the wall getting at the sheetrock as a kitten. She was not a smart cat. Very beautiful, but very dumb. I think short haired cats definitely puke less though, which is good info to have.
Ha, okay at least Muffin has never throw up in the bed. And I guess I should feel lucky that she’s short haired- it could be worse.
I’m so sorry, but I’m not into Sky Daddy. Ha!
Oh, Zelda the Cat. Once it gets warmer again, she’ll be puking once or twice or three times a week. She sheds SO MUCH and she’s a long-haired cat and the hairballs are so gross. I brush her every single bloody morning, but the end results is weekly puking instead of daily. I don’t think I’m ever going to have a short-haired cat again (Zelda has ruined me and now I want my cats to feel like petting clouds), but there are definite advantages to short-hairs.
The dog rarely barfs, but when she doesn’t feel good, it comes out the other end. Frankly, I’d rather have the barf. Why do we have pets? We end up talking about bodily fluids TOO MUCH.
Ha ha… it’s the same when you have kids. Suddenly you’re talking about poop all the time. Yes, I would definitely rather deal with throwup!
The cat poem is hilarious. I do not have pet cats, but I’m very entertained by this book. My answer to the how often does you cat throw up question would be edited to read like this: How often do babies and tots in your care throw up? (on the carpet in the family room) Often. I have a 9.5 month old who has a terrible case of reflux and it has improved but she will still randomly puke a little puddle as she crawls around. Ugh. I refuse to replace my furniture and carpet until I’m done babysitting – but then grandchildren, God willing.
I’m not sure about Sky Daddy. It doesn’t sound like it’s for me, but your description and Birchie considering listening to it for another round? Tempting.
I would say, if Sky Daddy falls into your lap at some point, give it a try.
Yes- babies and toddlers will also ruin the carpet! You might have quite a while to go before you can replace anything. That’s okay- babies are more important than new carpets.
Okay, Jenny, I may need to read Sky Daddy.
My cat doesn’t throw up… YET. He has very long hair, so I am anticipating that he will start hacking up hairballs at any point. Okay, also, I am wrong: he did throw up once. It was shortly after we moved the palm trees indoors last fall and he loves to eat them. They are non toxic to cats, so I feel like it’s okay, but he may have overdone it because he ended up barfing. On the carpet, of course. We have so much hard flooring and he definitely chose the carpet.
Yes, almost our whole house has tile floor, except for an area rug in the living room, and that’s somehow where Muffin usually manages to throw up.
I think you would like Sky Daddy!
Yes I want to read Sky Daddy.
Never heard of Exhale but I’ll add it to my list.
I’ve had cats that threw u p all the time but they were outdoor cats.
My two now never do.. Yay!
Inhale Exhale was written by Nicole who blogs over at https://girlinaboyhouse.com/. It’s a romance, which I don’t usually read, but Nicole’s writing on her blog is really funny so I’m pretty sure I’ll like this book!
You’re lucky with your cats- I’m tired of cleaning up car puke.
The phenomenon of people being sexually/romantically attracted to objects is SO ODD. The book sounds good, though. I think quite a few books do have proganoists with Aspergers, and it often adds a depth to the narrative if it’s done well. It’s useful for neurotypical people to have to think through the way other people process the world. I have a dog, and fortunately she does not throw up often, except when she somehow ingests pot.
Yes, and this one was definitely done well.
Keep the pot away from your dog : ) !!!
😀 the cat poem! I have one cat who either hurls on the carpet or stands at the top of the stairs to projectile. Always a fun time with Leo.
The other two Asperger’s character books sound actually really interesting! Reading is something I’d love to have energy for, I feel like I have one main goal of reading this year and that’s to finish the book I started last year…
I’ve definitely had periods of my life where reading didn’t happen. I’m happy to be at a time where I can make it happen again- reading definitely makes my happy.
Ha ha… the top of the stairs is definitely NOT a good place to throw up. How do they manage to do it to us???
You know I loved Sky Daddy!
So I will not be reading Sky Daddy or The Dentist lol! I am deathly afraid of flying (I do it, but it freaks me out so badly), so I don’t like to even think about the C-word!! I am also not a fan of dentists. I can’t risk that they might talk about teeth!
I don’t have a cat, but my mom’s cat throws up every time I babysit. Thanks, Chloe. Thanks.
I just finished I, Medusa by Ayana Gray (not what i expected, but I liked it), Murder Takes A Vacation by Laura Lippman (it’s for a new book club and I didn’t really enjoy it), and I just started The Lost Apothecary.
I love your review of Sky Daddy! I think you have convinced me to at the very least add it to my TBR and decide from there. I’ve heard it’s great on audio, so I may try it that way.
I haven’t read Nicole’s book yet, but it’s coming up for me in March!
My cats loooove barfing on a brand-new rug, sigh.
I checked Sky Daddy out from the library, but then ended up not reading it because I had a back log– I think I’ll join Stephany and go with the audio book
I thought that Sky Daddy was quite weird, but I did enjoy it even so, in the end. Like you said, the idea is a bit ridiculous, but you are rooting for her, all the same. We all have our things indeed. Speaking of Asperger’s, did you ever read The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night? If so, I’d be interested to hear what you thought of it.
My cat only puked mostly once he got older. I would find a pile of undigested kibble around the house from time to time. Poor gato.