Mini Reviews: Dress Your Family in Corduroy by David Sedaris and The Marriage Betrayal by Shalini Bo
3.5****
This was my first book by David Sedaris and though there were some stories that spoke to me more than others, all in all, I enjoyed it and would read more by the author. Yes, he came across as kind of cranky and irritating at times, but I think that is probably part of his charm. he doesn't seem to put up a facade, which makes for entertaining reading. I very rarely read collections of anecdotes like this, because I already know a number will stand out and others will not, and I tend to prefer one cohesive story. That being said, I knew what I was getting into, and I can see Sedaris' appeal. He is chatty, yet very observant and doesn't shy away from anything. Overall, this book was a good introduction to this author's work and I'm curious to see how I like "Calypso" in the near future.
4****
I've read almost every book by this author, so I was excited to get my hands on her latest, The Marriage Betrayal. The premise sounded intriguing and Boland has a knack for exploring what happens to ordinary people in less than ordinary situations. It wasn't quite as gripping as I hoped it would be, and I guessed the ending and a number of twists and turns, which slightly took away from my reading pleasure. It also bothered me that the word "mousy" was used rather often to describe women, which I think wasn't necessary. It's not a bad book by any means and I read it over the course of three days, but it's not my favorite by Boland either. That being said, it was entertaining as a holiday read and I will continue to read her books in the future.
Thanks to Bookouture for providing a copy of The Marriage Betrayal in exchange for an honest review.
Publication Date: July 8, 2019