Once Upon a Krysha > Recent Status Updates

Yet again, ChatGPT gives me exactly what I need. This book is something I may have never found without the help (gags in irony) of AI.

It’s likely a me problem (see: impatient), but at 115 I’m like “when is something going to happen”. Almost like I need to keep reading…

This book wasn’t for me, not because I’m judging any mom’s choices, but because I personally couldn’t stay engaged with a plot that hinged on a pregnant mom of two toddlers disappearing for three weeks with very little emotional reckoning. It pulled me too far out of the story to enjoy the rest. A bit too fantastical for me.

FINE, ChatGPT, you’re right! You clearly know what I like. But for real guys, this book is so good. It’s the “Do I really need to live my life? Can I please just read this book?” vibe, just like GPT said, a page TURNER. Also, for REAL, what would YOU do if all you had to do was a mouth swab, and you could learn who your genetic soulmate is $10?!

We interrupt our regularly scheduled programming of female authors to give this book (which ChatGPT insists I'll love) a chance.

You guys! ChatGPT (my bestie) just made me LOL! In its own words “Millie is flawed but pure. She lies, she panics, she gets herself in WILD situations, but she’s driven by desperation, trauma, and (chef’s kiss) the constant need to not be homeless. You yell at her, because you care.”

This book is already ridic, and I’m here for it, because it OWNS it. At least it isn’t pretending to be a good thriller…. Do you HEAR ME “other mothers” I’m talking about YOU!

They keep saying they can’t live on a doctor’s salary…. Do doctors in London not do well??? The main character is living on JUST a doctors salary, and it’s so meager that her freelance work is vital (not knocking free lance work mine you). So ok…?

Ok ChatGPT you win AGAIN! I asked it what I should read next, it suggested Bernadette, and then this book, and it’s RIGHT! This book is so damn GOOD! In the book (no spoilers) we have a mom who’s befriended much more affluent moms, and forgets she is not as affluent. Boy can I relate to that, and know others who suffer from proximal amnesia (Tm) as well!

Kathleen Wilhoite, if you ever read this, you’ve RUINED audiobooks for me. They will NEVER be as good as this experience has been. Also, your singing skills are so stinkin good.

Do I love this book (YES!) or do I love Kathleen (also yes)?!

Out of order update, but the letter that precedes this quote is… perfection.
“Bernadette, Are you done? You can’t honestly believe any of this nonsense. People like you must create. If you don’t create, Bernadette, you will be a menace to society. -Paul”

I don’t want to get too excited, but I’m kind of obsessed with this book. Bernadette, you have my heart ❤️

“You’re bored. And I’m going to let you in on a little secret about life. You think it’s boring now? Well, it only gets more boring. The sooner you learn it’s on you to make life interesting, the better off you’ll be.” - Bernadette

I solemnly swear to only “read” audiobooks narrated by Kathleen Wilhoite for the foreseeable future, nay, for all time.

Ok, I may actually like this book….

It was at this point I find this book destined for three stars. I enjoyed the ride, but it’s eh. The story itself is just SO real life, and I just WANT to ESCAPE!!

You know it’s fate when you find the audiobook, while reading the actual book. Extra points because the audiobook is narrated by the author. (I won’t but….) I’m tempted to restart the book just to see if my internal voice aligns with her intent as the author. Fortunately, 16% is still early enough!

Ok, because it’s my identity now, Chatgpt talked me into this book. It chose this one over two shoe-ins, I was shook. So I trusted the process, and my AI overlord, and here we are.

First things first, I committed the ultimate wrong against any book and….. judged a book by its cover. Let me tell YA, this is not the Victorian / Southern Belle / serious novel I thought it’d be, and thus far, I’m HERE for it!

Frances remembered sitting with Ava as a baby, nursing at 2am, looking down at her milk drunk child and suddenly understanding that her mother had loved her like this, and that she loved her daughter more than her daughter would ever love her, and that was how it was supposed to be.

Frances hoped her daughter saw how beautiful she was, but doubted it. She herself, like every woman she knew, only recognized her own youthful perfection in retrospect, with deep regret not for losing it but for not seeing it at the time. Frances tried to remember this everytime she criticized herself…

I KNEW IT, but I am still HERE for it.

This book is already wild, AND I can’t get over the fact it was written by a literal physician. Babe, where do you find the time?!

I am more than 1/2 way done and I have literally no idea what’s going to happen. This book is WILD, and I can’t stop reading it!!!

I can say with 100% certainty that I have NO IDEA what’s going to happen. This book is WILD. If I didn’t have a family, or a job, I would neglect all my needs and focus only on finishing this book lol!

There has been a lot of chuckling thus far, I may forgive Abby J for “Friend Zone”….. maybe….

I asked my 3y old to pick my next book, and it’s this one, because it’s blue and pink!

He told me he wanted to do work that invigorated him. He said, “You have to do that, too, Monique. When you’re older. You have to find a job that makes your heart feel big instead of one that makes it feel small. Ok? You promise me that?”

“Do you understand what I’m telling you? When you’re given an opportunity to change your life, be ready to do whatever it takes to make it happen. The world doesn’t give things, you take things. If you learn one thing from me, it should probably be that.”
- Evelyn Hugo

I feel like I finally found a book that hit that sweet spot in my soul. Fingers crossed.

For the record, I’m not DNFing, but now is not the time.