Reading Wrap Up for April and May Plans

April was a weird, mostly awful month for us--but we got some reading done! We'll tell you about it and all the things we want to read in May. Expand for more information. 👇
Further Viewing 🎥
Last Month’s Wrap-Up: • Reading Wrap-Up for Ma...
My Pulitzer Prize for Fiction Predictions: • Pulitzer Prize Predict...
My Pulitzer Deep Dive on The Netanyahus: • Why Did The Netanyahus...
Queer TBR Tackle Info: • The 2023 Queer TBR Tackle
Titles Mentioned 📚
A Man Called Ove, Fredrick Backman
If I Survive You, Jonathan Escoffery
Christmas Wish List, N.R. Walker
Merry Christmas Cupid, N.R. Walker
Rumpole Rests His Case, John Mortimer
A Lesson in Dying, Ann Cleeves
The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street, Helene Hanff
The Netanyahus: An Account of a Minor and Ultimately Even Negligible Episode in the History of a Very Famous Family, by Joshua Cohen
Becoming Ted, Matt Cain
Empire of Ice and Stone, Buddy Levy
The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck
City of Night, John Rechy
Arthur and Teddy Are Coming Out, Ryan Love
Whose Names Are Unknown, Sanora Babb
The Furrows, Namwali Serpell
The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois, Honorée Fannone Jeffers
So Big, Edna Ferber
The National Geographic Concise Atlas of the World
My husband made a cookbook! Check it out here:
www.blurb.com/...
But wait, there's more!
Email: supposedlyfungreg-at-gmail.com
Storygraph: app.thestorygr...
Instagram: / supposedlyfun
Twitter: / supposedlyfun
Website: supposedlyfun....

[@awebofstories]

Even though April was a harder reading month for you, I still really enjoy the wrap ups you two do together. Please let Joel know that he won the internet today with, "We need more bisexual lumberjack books."

[@SupposedlyFun]

🤣😂🤣😂 And it's true, too!

[@Nina_DP]

Not gonna lie, the image of two grown men having to switch beds because the dog refuses to is kinda fabulous. All hail Queen Jamie!

[@SupposedlyFun]

Absolutely! 😂🤣👸🏼

[@spexi513]

I can never comment just once - the excitement over the National Geographic book = 🥰

[@SupposedlyFun]

I love how Joel loves the atlas!

[@AthynVixen]

Aww lovely to see you guys talk about Arthur and Teddy so much. I was the one who recommended it - though I haven't read Albert Entwistle, I thought you guys would like this about an older gentleman coming out. Great to see Joel interested too. Hope you both enjoy :)

[@SupposedlyFun]

I'm really looking forward to it!

[@marciajohansson769]

I know you mentioned this book in a previous video but Oh my goodness. I can't wait to hear your review on "My Government Means to Kill Me" by Rasheed Newson. I am an almost 65 year old white woman that remembers much of what went on during the AIDS epidemic and how poorly the Reagan Administration handled the Crisis. The book pulled me in very quickly and was fast paced read that educated and enlightened me throughout the entire novel. I in no way can judge the quality of the writing or the accuracy of a young, black gay man's experience but I was swept up by the story and hope others take the time to read this book. I thought it was eye opening and one of the most memorable reads I have had this year.

[@SupposedlyFun]

Ahhhh that has me even more excited to read it! Thank you for the feedback on it.

[@Phillybookfairy]

I’ve loved everything Backman writes!

[@SupposedlyFun]

I would definitely try more.

[@alldbooks9165]

The lumberjack cinnamon bun combo sounds fabulous. ❤️😍

[@SupposedlyFun]

It was a delight! 🥰☕️

[@athertonca]

Thanks for the monthly reading wrap up. Like you, Greg, I enjoy the early Pulitzer Prize winners for novel more than I thought I would. I now have Scarlet Sister Mary by Julia Peterkin and Dragon’s Teeth by Upton Sinclair. If you have any words of wisdom to share about either of these books, I’d be interested to hear.

[@SupposedlyFun]

I haven't read either of those yet, so unfortunately I don't have any wisdom to offer. I'm looking forward to Scarlet Sister Mary but I'm a bit nervous about Dragon's Teeth because I don't quite know what to expect. I would love to hear your thoughts on both when you finish!

[@aneweliseonlife]

I have been struggling with school and work so only read 1)Boulder: which because I have nephews and love it, but also felt so much empathy for the MC as someone in the queer community 2) Animal Truth &other stories by Sharona Muir: eco fabulist short stories, so weird, inspiring and interesting! And 3)Night in the Living Rez: slow confusing start but in the end really vibed with it! Thank you so much for your reviews! Hope you and Joel continue to do well, and giving all my love to Jamie. Also I feel you with the politics 😢

[@SupposedlyFun]

Thank you so much! I’m glad you also liked Night of the Living Rez and Boulder. Animal Truth sounds interesting!

[@ameliareads589]

I would watch these videos even when none of you would have read a book at all. It is always such a joy to see you both together and I'm looking forward to this video every month! And all the best to Jamie!

[@SupposedlyFun]

Thank you so much! It's always fun to film with Joel.

[@cmleidi]

I hope May is a better month for you. I've so enjoyed your Pulitzer Prize videos as I've never understood what they are looking for or how they get to a final winner. I tried to read The Netanyahus but I DNF-ed after about forty pages. I couldn't continue as I felt the whole thing had a snide undertone that was troubling. I'm afraid to admit that I found The Grapes of Wrath tiresome and too preachy. Sending positive thoughts to Jamie (sp?).

[@SupposedlyFun]

Thank you! There are a lot of people who enjoyed The Netanyahus more than I did, but it definitely was not something I enjoyed. I am liking The Grapes of Wrath, though--although I admit it feels a touch repetitive.

[@mickyboymick8219]

Greg, by the time you would have finished The Grapes of Wrath, it would have changed its title to that of The Vintage Wine of Wrath. 😀🍷 I finished Becoming Ted on audiobook, some 10 days or so and thoroughly loved it. Like The Guncle, it has some very funny moments and also some serious subject matter. It was easy reading with loveable and memorable characters. It is thoroughly recommended.

[@SupposedlyFun]

Vintage Wine of Wrath 😂🤣 Joel is almost done with Becoming Ted and I can’t wait to read it myself.

[@mickyboymick8219]

@@SupposedlyFun I have no doubt at all that both of you shall enjoy the book. I am now reading something a little more heavy - Black Cake - Charmaine Wilkerson. It’s about a group of children, who’s mother has passed away but has left them a Black Cake in the freezer that is full of tradition from their homeland in Caribbean. The children will eventually learn why the cake is there.

[@SupposedlyFun]

@@mickyboymick8219 I read Black Cake last year. It will be interesting to see what you think. I liked the beginning but felt more muted by the end. I'll say no more!

[@Phillybookfairy]

That Atlas is epic - adding it to my tbr!

[@SupposedlyFun]

It's so cool!

[@readandre-read]

Thanks for another great wrap-up - you two somehow read a lot despite the circumstances. Albert Entwhistle sustained me during a tough trip last year so I hope to read Becoming Ted.

[@SupposedlyFun]

Thank you! It’s been a wild 2023 already.

[@100onBooks]

Always love seeing you two and, after seeing some elephants in the Masai Mara over the weekend, I hope Joel gets to see a herd soon because they are stunning up close. I hope you both have a good reading month and that Jamie stays on the up and up x

[@SupposedlyFun]

Thank you so much. I worry that Joel would just rapture if he ever sees an elephant in person. 😉

[@philnasmith9755]

In the late seventies I also bought Helene Hanff’s APPLE OF MY EYE and UNDERFOOT IN SHOW BUSINESS and Q’s LEGACY - all of which I enjoyed very much, but 84 C.C.R is my absolute favourite.

[@SupposedlyFun]

I would be curious to read more of the books she wrote.

[@Phillybookfairy]

I LOVE John Steinbeck but the Grapes of Wrath made me so angry at the end I almost (couldn’t do it) threw the book across the room. Like how dare he - just warning - the ending scene is brutal. Such a sad time in American history (of which there are many). I found East of Eden so much more reader friendly and I believe it’s his masterpiece !

[@SupposedlyFun]

I would like to get to East of Eden at some point.

[@kah3178]

Tell Joel to read Lonely Hearts Book Club-I think he would really like it! It has a grumpy old man in it which I think he would enjoy!

[@SupposedlyFun]

Thanks! I'll let him know. I think we have access to that book on audio.

[@joelmcclanahan9004]

Thank you. its on our ARC this month.

[@kah3178]

@@joelmcclanahan9004 I hope you enjoy it! It was a five star read for me! 😊

[@jacquelinemcmenamin8204]

The best book I read in April was Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton I then moved into binge of Australian books , especially thrillers. 🍀👋☘️☕️📖📚📕

[@SupposedlyFun]

I missed Aussie April this year. I’ll have to try again in 2024!

[@paulablazer5244]

Our reading interests are similar such that you’re book reviews have seriously impacted my book budget 😂! I must say however that I cringe everytime you mention “a brick of a book” because I LOVE thicker the better! Be well soonest Jamie!

[@SupposedlyFun]

Thank you! When I call something a brick of a book I don't necessarily mean it as a negative--more an acknowledgment to myself that it may take more time than another book.

[@cindyfreese254]

You’re both a delight! 📚💕

[@SupposedlyFun]

Thank you! 🤗📚🥂

[@spexi513]

Glad to hear her barking too & that she’s doing well- it shows in this video the impact that’s had. 💚 Saw it was like 85 degrees there today 😱 !!! Sounds stalker -ish, but it’s climate change I’m stalking. Blahdiggityblah, Ty for this happy vibe video , I appreciate y’all. 📖🪱💚

[@SupposedlyFun]

We definitely jumped straight into summer! 🥵

[@mradcaqbdb]

Awww. You guys are just too sweet. This video made me very happy. 🥰 I just replied to @Read and Reread’s wrap-up video and realized I had 8 five star reads in April! Out of 10 books total. A fantastic reading month!

[@SupposedlyFun]

Wow! That’s an incredible percentage of 5-star reads! I hope you can keep that momentum going in May.

[@mradcaqbdb]

@@SupposedlyFun Doubt it! (I’m such an optimist.) I’m reading Riambel now and it’s quite good. Not sure it’ll make 5 stars yet, but 4, at least.

[@SupposedlyFun]

I’m not a very good optimist either 🤪

[@julieg_quebec-julesselivre8641]

Can’t stop smiling watching you two on my screen! I cheated and watched while working today… 😬 So happy Jamie is doing fine and It was so funny listening to how you switched bed to be with her. Dog parents or kids parents are all the same! 😅 Hope May goes better than April! ❤

[@SupposedlyFun]

Thank you! Living in a hotel room for over two weeks was definitely an experience. 🤪

[@Merle0312]

Always looking forward to the wrap ups of you both! I hope Jamie is doing well, it‘s great how you care for her. Next on my reading list is Demon Copperhead, I am trying to make it through the shortlist of the Women‘s Prize for Fiction.

[@SupposedlyFun]

Thank you! Jamie is sick of wearing a cone to keep her from scratching her face, but she's doing well and getting better every day. I hope you enjoy Demon Copperhead!

[@myreadinglife8816]

You are both completely delightful! I hope May reading is going well for you both.

[@SupposedlyFun]

Likewise!

[@vesnastihovic7014]

♥

[@SupposedlyFun]

❤️

[@merlinfive2536]

I love your couple videos; such great energy! Also glad to hear Jamie is doing well. I read Demon Copperhead in April and loved it. Demon's narrative voice hooked me immediately and I enjoyed seeing the tie-ins to David Copperfield. I'll have my fingers crossed with you for it to win the Pulitzer.

[@SupposedlyFun]

Thank you so much! I love filming with Joel. And I'm so glad you liked Demon Copperhead as well.

[@lesliepowell-mccarty7067]

This isn't a bisexual lumberjack book but have you heard of The Secret Lives of Country Gentleman by KJ Charles? Hoopla recommended it to me and it sounds really good. It's a Male+Male romance and the first in a series. 4.5 star Hoopla rating. 😎✌️❤️ I am trying to get away from emotionally draining books this Spring. Love you two!

[@joelmcclanahan9004]

I like KJ Charles, I'll look for it. Thanks

[@SupposedlyFun]

Thanks! It looks like The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen is on Scribd. I'm actually listening to an emotionally draining book right now so I might need a respite when I finish.

[@lesliepowell-mccarty7067]

@@SupposedlyFun I understand! Have a nice night. 🤗