Once More, with Feeling

Whisterpoop #2

by R.J. Corgan

Whisterpoop - (v) a small smack upside the head.

It’s 2012 and, according to both the Mayan calendar and librarian Karen Whittington, the world is about to end. Karen faces retirement, memes, and widowhood. Determined to restart her life, Karen searches for new hobbies and hubbies in her village of Little Ivory in Northern New York,. However, her efforts are thwarted by unexpected house guests and a group of protestors intent on shutting down the library. Before she can overcome these challenges, Karen must first confront her greatest herself.

191 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 10, 2023

About the author

Raised by librarians in Northern New York, R.J. Corgan writes murder mysteries intended to provide readers with insight into scientific expeditions in unique locations across the globe. R.J. has a Ph.D. and a M.A. in geology. He would love to see one day see Mammoth Drop - The Musical...

Whisterpoop - a Romantic Comedy, was awarded Runner-Up in Humor 2021 by Indies Today!

The Kea Wright Mysteries can be read stand alone or in sequence, and can vary in tone from Cozy to Science Mystery:

1. Cold Flood
2. The Meerkat Murders - 2019 Mystery of the Year (Indies Today)
3. Mammoth Drop - coming June 2022!
4. Murder on Masaya - Indies Today semi-finalist

Mammoth was the last published due to a hard drive crash in 2021~

Reviews

[Kazhe Akram · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was not funny. AT ALL

[Eileen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was not as humorous as I was expecting, but once I got past that, I ended up enjoying it for what it was. The story is told from Karen's point of view. She's a 62-year old librarian, grandmother, and widow and looking at retirement. Her first husband left her (for her sister) and her second husband died two years ago, and since then it's been her and his dog. She's a librarian who reads everything, but her guilty pleasure is romance novels. Her son and grandson show up unexpectedly one day and ask if they can move in, and we're given tidbits of his wife being an alcoholic who needs help and who kicked them out of the house while she got help. Or some such thing.

I didn't realize until I started that this was a sequel, but I don't feel like you had to read the first book at all. This was kind of like a coming-of-age story, except with a grandmother. She's sad about the loss of her husband, who she clearly loved, and she wants to be useful, but she has no idea what she wants to do when she retires. She would like to fall in love again (maybe) but isn't sure she wants to go through the whole dating scene since she never really did that with either of her husbands. And she loves her son and grandson but isn't sure how she can help them.

The show she got her grandson involved with was really interesting (in a weird sort of way), and I liked her interactions with Taylor. The whole thing with the Karen meme I had mixed feelings about, but I guess if your name is Karen and you're a middle-aged white woman, it's hard to get away from the stereotype. FWIW, I felt bad for Karen because she was having more than "just a bad day". But I think it took her time to realize that there were people around her who cared about her, even as her attitude and actions might push them away. I really liked the ending, and it makes me want to read the next book. I'll probably pick up the first book in this series at some point.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Steph N · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over a decade has gone by in Karen’s life as this 2nd book in the Whisterpoop series starts. It’s heartbreaking to know that Luke has passed on, but also heartwarming to know they were really happy for 10 years.

Becoming a widow has understandably thrown Karen for a loop. What I thought was likely going to be a humorous look @ Karen dealing with widowhood, facing retirement, & maybe finding love again, turns into a lot more. I love that she’s forced to explore her relationship with her son, grandson, & new friends, as she enters this phase of her life. I was dying to know the story behind Tommy & Randy’s move from the city. It’s not what I guessed. The whole time I was reading the book I kept thinking about just how messy life can be. That’s very relatable, no matter your age.

I think the Rufus monologues are so clever, & the author making Karen go viral during the ultimate “Karen” moment is hilarious. There’s a lot more technology this time around, & it definitely fits that Karen has embraced the e-reader, but isn’t crazy about her mobile phone yet.

Can’t wait for the next book in the series. I’m looking forward to hearing about Karen’s little world expanding. Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read an advance copy. Rufus (probably) & I wish anyone who took the time to read this review the Best.Day.Ever ;)

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic joy ride!

[Sterlingcindysu · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick free read for Kindle from Amazon. I didn't realize it was second in a series, but you don't need to read the first.

Just a heads up, I read Table for Two from Amor Towles before reading this, so any book following that has a tough act to follow! It's about a small-town librarian, Karen heading towards retirement, while fighting a "Karen" meme. You know the one, where a middle-aged white woman demands to "speak to the manager" of a hypothetical service provider.



So what is a Whisterpoop? According to the author, it's a small smack upside the head but I can't find that definition anywhere, so I'll take his word for it. Here the main character gives a romance book a one-star rating without finishing it. (Which I wouldn't do, I just wouldn't review it or give some explanation why I didn't finish it.) So perhaps that's an example of a whisterpoop?

My favorite parts were of the dog, Rufus' thoughts about the family members and how every day was the Best. Day. Ever.

There was a plot line of online dating here, and I find it hard to believe that she didn't research the men more thoroughly or pick her own dates. ABDL=Adult Baby/Diaper Lover.

Word of the day:
Derecho--a line of intense, widespread, and fast-moving windstorms and sometimes thunderstorms that moves across a great distance and is characterized by damaging winds.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Recommendation
It was a cute read that made me laugh out loud in places, especially in chapter 3! I won't say what it is. I don't want to give it away! But I really laughed until tears came! A few other little places were funny too.
Karen really is a hoot, and I never knew that u could be an enemy of your own self. Wow! So, I learned something new through this book.
I love stories about bookmobiles, and this one was no exception.
Learning to forgive one's self is no easy feat. It's a lifelong journey, as was Karen's.
Learning how to adjust after retirement isn't easy either. Changes are hard! I should know, so I understand how Karen feels!.
5 stars for a well written book that I really enjoyed! I couldn't put it down until I finished.
My thank for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own!

[Chad Cunningham · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of those NetGalley reads that I am wont to do....

When I got this book I did not know it was a sequel. I've not read the first book, but this book stands on its own just fine.

Karen is a librarian about to retire. Her son has moved back home with his son in tow. There are people protesting the library. Karen has been roped into working a major even she isn't interested in. And let's even talk about that viral video of Karen losing her mind and, well, Karening out....

This is a nicely written story with some good characterization and a healthy dose of introspection. Karen takes a while to realize what is right in front of her, but she gets there. And the bits told frpm the dog's point of view are great.

This is a good, light read with some major smiles in places.

[Denise Latham · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun book that gives us a look inside something I never thought of - the life of the original Karen! Karen is struggling at this stage in life, and has to change how she looks at life, how she lives her life, and be brave enough to do so. Her adventures with the library bring her in contact with some interesting characters (and book ban drama!), and her family brings in their own level of drama. Her relationship with her grandson in particular is fun, and watching them both go through some huge life changes and figuring out who they are - and supporting each other through it - is heartwarming.

Thoroughly enjoyed this, it's got heart and humor and is very well written.

[Aria · Rating 3 out of 5]

The best way for me to describe this story is as a wacky introspection journey of a woman about to retire. I didn't know this book was part of a series, since I wasn't familiar with the author. I wonder if I would have a different opinion of this book if I had read the first one before. Nevertheless, I think this was a quirky story because not only we have the point of view of the main character, Karen, but her dog too. Either way, the plot takes us to the long life of Karen, an old librarian who faces significant changes in her life. It was interesting to get her perspective from different types of situations, but over the course of the story, she reflects on what she really wants to do.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this actually quite charming, more than I expected it to be. Often I find small town romance adjacent tales aren't my speed but this at times was sweet and funny yet a few times, I thought it was touching and showed some nice tenderness regarding love and loss. Plus the dog was honestly one of the best notes for me (I'm a sucker for dogs in stories).

I didn't know this was the second book in the series and I'll be looking not only to reading the first book, but future books as well.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[RA Coole]

I was head librarian at school, so I was able to identify with the main character immediately and got the in-jokes too which was fun. The overall story was lovely, though I wasn't at all fond of the son nor his offspring. I did, however, think that the dog was hilarious. I didn't see the big plot twist near the end coming at all, nor the conclusion which was not only surprising but ultimately most satisfactory. It has definitely made me want to read the other book in the series.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not realize this was a second book when I picked it up and I did not read the first book. I wonder if that has impacted my opinion.

What I enjoyed was the perspective of the dog. The chapters that had his viewpoints were my favorites and I wish he was more prevalent.

I was hoping for a bit more from the main character. She seemed rather flat until the very end where most of her growth just *poof* appeared. The majority of the book was filled with storylines that didn't always intertwine with each other. There was the retirement, the book bans, the theater, the dating, and the viral video. They didn't flow together and several of them didn't have a satisfying conclusion.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very 'light' read. I found it a little hit and miss, likeable characters and the storytelling was good, I just found the plot to be a little thin. Having said that, a lot of people will thoroughly enjoy the cosy, easy to read style. Thank you to the publisher and Booksirens for this ARC.

[Ann Sockol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Refreshing

Refreshing, original story telling. No tropes, not formulaic. Just a simple, clean first person experience of one persons inner journey expressed through her personal relationships in her small town.

[Angela Beisso]

Fantastic book, loved it !

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and funny little book best appreciated by the over fifty crowd. Laughed my sox off at times!
I requested and received an EARC from the author via NetGalley.

[Ramona Elmes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this second book about Karen. Her inner dialogue kept me chuckling. You will love the story, especially if you have a sarcastic/dry sense of humor. So good!