I had a really good reading month! Really good! Most of the books I pulled I loved. I mean I can understand why though – for the first time in months I wasn’t doing a challenge and I just read whatever I wanted without having to. I had a lot of book saved up that Ive been wanting to get to and this month I devoured them.
I also finished my goodreads challenge of 80 books!! Super stoked about that. I’d like to get to 100 by years end but we will see.
These are the books I’ve been reading lately:
Loved it:
Playing House ~ Ruby Lang
(received from Netgalley for an honest review)
Ok so this book was a novella and I didn’t know that going into it. I finished it in like 5 minutes. Still, it was a pretty cute romance featuring a quirky Asian American couple. Beautifully written and although short, I really enjoyed the characters. I also appreciated the own voice perspective. I would continue the series for sure.
Short and sweet.
4/5 stars
Goodreads link here
Before the rain falls ~ Camille Di Maio
I fell in love with this book. It’s the heartbreaking (yet redemptive) story of Della Lee who was convicted of the murder of her sister and released after 70 years. Now in her 90’s she tells her story to disgraced journalist Mick.
The story alternates between Dellas time in prison and then the modern day perspective of Mick and Paloma (a Doctor visiting her home town, her ailing grandmother and her troubled little sister, who strikes up a beautiful friendship with Mick). I love how the story unraveled and while I predicted the end about halfway through, the mysteries of the death of Della’s sister and how Dellas life was braided with Paloma were spectacularly done. Loved it!
4.5/5 stars
Goodreads link here
Things you save in a fire ~ Katherine Center
This is actually my first Katherine Center book and I’m going to read every single one of them. I chose this book as my BOTM a few months ago and I’m so glad I did. Well deserved hype.
It’s the story of Cassie, a female fire fighter in the male dominated fire service. When she transfers to a smaller, more male dominated fire house to be closer to her estranged ailing mother (and to escape a terrible situation at her old job). Most of the book was set in a firehouse and getting a glimpse of that world was so cool, even if the firehouse was filled with over-privileged chauvinists. I loved seeing Cassie being a badass despite her circumstances. I also loved Owen, a rookie at the firehouse and her love interest.
It’s a story of perseverance, forgiveness, love in impossible circumstances, overcoming the past in order to deal with the future. Well written. Good plot. Great ending. Loved it.
5/5 stars
Goodreads link here
Harry Potter and the half blood Prince ~ J.K. Rowling
I wouldn’t call this my fave of the series since I enjoyed the last two much more. That said, I DID love it. I loved learning more about Tom Riddle’s past and I loved discovering the whole horcrux mystery. Also, romance … everyone couple up in this one
As for Dumbledore, I have no words. I knew it was coming but didn’t know it’d be so emotional.
I still can’t get over the fact that I actually enjoy … no, love this series.
4.5/5 stars
Goodreads link here
The overdue life of Amy Byler ~ Kelly Harms
(Received from Netgalley for an honest review)
Is there such a thing as a coming of age story for adult single mums? If there is then this book is how it’s done. Went in skeptical but loved the story.
It’s about amy, single mum for three years after her ex husband abandons the family. When he returns one summer and asks for a week with the kids she jets off to NYC where she ends up spending the entire finding herself, or at least the part of herself hidden since marriage and kids – and feeling conflicted about having a life – with love – outside of her kids. Loved how authentic the friendships and relationships felt and truly enjoyed seeing Amy develop. Only wish I had read it sooner.
Fun, quirky, quick read.
4/5 stars
Goodreads link here
Me before you ~ Jojo Moyes
I’ve had this on my TBR for years and read it. Heartbreakingly beautiful, even if uncomfortable at times. It’s the love story of Will, a successful handsome go getter who suffered a spinal cord injury leaving him a quadriplegic and Lou, a young woman from humble beginning, his caregiver. Will is (understandably) bitter and angry about his injury and Lou is determined to change that. I loved the story. I would have liked some of Will’s perspective but it honestly was a beautiful story.
My delay in reading it may have been because I read some criticism of the book from the disabled community. They really didn’t appreciate that Will was making the choice he was – as if life was not worth living. I respect their views. That said, I think the book had a really important lesson in respecting people’s choices and I personally thought that the book is important as it showed the able bodied reader the life of a differently baked human. It’s important that this representation is shown.
I can’t imagine what the following books could be about, but I’ll be reading them. I watched the movie straight away on Netflix that’s how much I loved it.
4.5/5 stars
Goodreads link here
The silent patient ~ Alex Muchaelides
What a ride this book was. A wild thrilling ride.
It’s the story of Alicia a woman who had refused to speak since the night she allegedly murdered her husband two years ago. Theo her therapist is obsessed with getting her to speak again. What ensues is wild.
I enjoyed the story even though I figured out what was going on well before it was revealed. I’d say why but I’m not trying to spoil it. I did spend most of it on my toes which made me love it so much more.
I loved the characters in this one. Each character’s voice matched its delivery. Alicia’s perspective through her diary and paintings since for much of the book she did not speak, was brilliant. and Theo’s perspective (in past and present) was so effective in showing what happened to cause Alicia’s silence. So well written!
4.5/5 stars
Goodreads link here
Liked it:
Problem Child ~ Victoria Helen Stone
(received from Netgalley for an honest review)
I was so happy when I saw this was available on Netgalley and was even more happy when I got a copy.
In this Jane saga we get to know more about Jane and how she became the sociopath we all fell in love with. We meet her family and go to her hometown. I enjoyed getting to know Jane and delve a bit more into how her brain works and what makes her tick – I also appreciated that we got to see a softer side of Jane in her relationship with Luke her partner. I do feel like this book is more a prep for the next in the series, so for me the story was probably not as captivating as the first and focused more on Jane’s back story (its not a prequel just A LOT of backstory), which is fine, but I did rate it less than Jane Doe because of it. To be clear I still did enjoy the book I still 100% recommend.
3.5/5 stars
Goodreads link here
Everything Inside ~ Edwidge Danticat
(Book Club book of the month)
Interesting book with stories whose main characters are (mostly) Haitian immigrants. Great themes and great stories.
Short stories are always hit or miss for me and this is no different. I loved a few of the stories and I couldn’t wait for others to end. All in all though I appreciated the view through Haitian immigrant eyes.
3/5 stars
Goodreads link here
Not my vibe:
None this month
Linking up with Steph and Jana
