THE PRINCESS OF LAS VEGAS (Chris Bohjalian) - April 24/24

 A solid book from Bohjalian. I didn’t always care about the mob stuff or the conspiracy stuff but the characters were compelling and the atmosphere was well done. All the Diana stuff was pretty interesting, too. ** out of ****

A FAREWELL TO ARMS (Ernest Hemingway) - April 19/24

 Man, the first half of this was so boring and such a slog. Hemingway’s stream of consciousness style is just grating and annoying, and ensures that the book just doesn’t feel well written at all. (This is especially true of the circular, repetitive conversations; was he paid by the word??) But I’ll admit I was finally drawn in by the final stretch, starting with their escape to Switzerland and the death of their baby and her death, too. Deeply frustrating book, ultimately. ** out of ****

THE IDEA OF YOU (Robinne Lee) - April 9/24

 Insanely long but enjoyable, The Idea of You feels like a pretty classic romcom (albeit one with jarringly graphic sex scenes). I wasn’t able to keep all of the periphery characters straight, but Lee does a good job of establishing the main character and her irresistible relationship with Hayes. *** out of ****