Another couple months down, and I’ve read 22 books so far this year. Something I’ve realized is that when I’m not in a good place mentally, I cannot focus on reading. All of last year, I struggled to get stuck into reading. Even when I was recovering from surgery, I just couldn’t focus. Having that realization has made me understand just how far I’ve come and how much I feel like myself again. The number of books I’ve read may seem insignificant to someone else but to me, it means a lot.
Shades of Grey – Jasper Fforde – 4 Stars
I cannot believe
it took me so long to finish this book. I started and stopped reading it so
many times, but I was utterly hooked this time around. One of my friends
anxiously awaited my finishing it because she wanted to talk about it so badly.
This is such an
interesting post-apocalyptic type novel. In this world, division of society is
based on colour. The politics involved with this is astounding, and I found
myself drawing parallels to society today. We follow a character who learns
that the sheltered life he grew up in is not as perfect as everyone made it out
to be.
One of the most
interesting things about this book is the fact that you get to learn so many
new names for colours. There are so many references to modern day plays and
shows that are lovely surprises, and Fforde does a fantastic job at keeping
this book satirically dry as well as amusing at the same time. The single most
frustrating thing is that this is the first of a series and the second book has
been dangling over readers for over ten years. Good news is, I think this is
the year it’s supposed to come out.
A Revolution of the Mind – MV Perry – 3 Stars
I received this
book through Reedsy in exchange for a review. See the review here:
https://reedsy.com/discovery/book/a-revolution-of-the-mind-mv-perry#review
Do Not Say We Have Nothing – Madeliene
Thien – 4 Stars
My mom handed me
this book saying she didn’t like it. I, however, was hooked by the first few
pages. I will admit that I know nothing about the major historical political
events in China mentioned in the novel, but I don’t think you need a full
understanding of history to appreciate Thein’s story.
Many stories
about Mao’s Cultural Revolution, protests in Tiananmen Square, musicians,
mathematicians, storytellers, and families are woven together to remind us that
through the past can we find meaning. Everyone in this story has a magnetic
magic about them that comes out in different ways. Each story is told in its
own way and crafted perfectly. It is a powerful story about strength, meaning,
and family.
Thien’s writing
is poetic, poignant, and powerful. I found myself re-reading several lines over
and over again just because they were crafted so beautifully. As someone who
was involved in music growing up, I was drawn to the way music was outlined as
a force. Equally, the power of words is another driving symbol in the novel. I
truly loved this book.
The Narrow Road to the Deep North – Richard Flanagan – 2 Stars
I
don’t think I was in the right mindset for this book. I wasn’t engaged with it
at all, but the writing itself was great. That’s all I can really say because I
don’t even remember what it was about.
The Nightingale – Kristin Hannah – 4 Stars
I
was so surprised at how much I liked this book. I do like historical fiction
but when it comes to women’s historical fiction, I find a lot of the books to
be quite same-y. This book absolutely blew me away. I know there are huge
Kristin Hannah fans out there, so I’m looking forward to reading more of her
books.
The
Nightingale is a WWII book that is very much
centered around the part that women played in the war. We see two sisters who
are polar opposites in both personality and the way they initially approach war
time. One is a feisty woman who will do anything to be involved with what she
knows is right. The other ends up with a German solider living in her home and
is desperate to keep her head down and keep her family alive. Although they are
two very different people, their willingness to do what is right bonds them in
powerful ways.
This book is
quite long, but I was so excited to keep picking it up. The two stories
interlink and build on each other in such an interesting and intricate way. I
loved the opposing personalities and the strength they both show. I highly
suggest this book.
Hollywood Games – Evie Alexander – 4
Stars
In this book, we
see jealousy, passion, and power struggles come to a head when Rory’s family
home (uh, castle) is taken over by pretentious Hollywood folk. Zoe is butting
heads with Rory’s mother, Hollywood Brad (of course his name is Brad) brings
rumours and scandal, and Rory is stuck in the middle of it all. Alexander gives
us the same spice between Zoe and Rory that I loved in Highland Games
but also brings in more depth to the characters and their lives.
This is a light,
funny, steamy adventure sure to make you laugh and swoon (quite possibly at the
same time).
Girls Burn Brighter – Shobha Rao – 4
Stars
Set in India
initially, we meet two girls from opposite backgrounds. Their opposing
personalities mesh well and their bond is sealed quickly. They start to dream
about a world outside their stuffy small town and imagine a life where they
don’t have to live according to the expectations of other. When tragedy drives
them apart, one is so desperate to find the other that she travels to America
in search of her friend.
I was completely
enraptured with the relationship between Poornima and Savitha. It is
eye-opening, passionate, and, at times, dangerous. The subtle hints of a love
deeper than friendship make for a story that I could barely put down. Seeing
the strength of the relationship reflecting in the strength and the capability
for survival in the darkest moments of their lives was incredibly powerful.
How to Become a Planet – Nicole Melleby – 4 Stars
Thanks to
Algonquin Young Readers, I was able to get this book for free as a taster for
Melleby’s upcoming novel. Please see the review below:
https://www.netgalley.com/book/201861/review/253873
An Arrow to the Moon – Emily X.R. Pan –
4 Stars
In this novel,
two young people from families who hate each other get caught up in a whirlwind
relationship full of unexplainable occurrences amidst the usual teenage drama
of applying for college and trying to meet the expectations of their families.
Magic bonds them at every turn, and the story of their families’ hatred for
each other bring a dark uncurrent that changes the nature of their romance.
What I loved
about this is that it wasn’t just from the perspective of the kids. We are also
introduced to the perspective of their parents and shady characters who bring a
new light to the story. This allows for a lot of dramatic irony which adds
significant weight behind the decisions of all the characters. Pan is a
fantastic writer that bring the magic to life.
Words on Bathroom Walls – Julia Walton – 4 Stars
This is one of
those books I love where it’s from a completely different perspective. It has a
lot of similar themes to the Nicole Melleby books I’ve read, so this is worth
checking out as well.
In this novel,
Adam is dealing with paranoid schizophrenia while also dealing with regular
teen issues like relationships, family dynamics, and school. The novel is his
diary entries to his therapist as he’s being monitored while in a clinical
trial for a drug that is meant to be the be-all-end-all treatment. The small
notes from the therapist are a subtle tool for tracking Adam’s progress and add
to Adam’s own story-telling. Adam so desperately wants to hide his past and his
“friends,” so we watch as he navigates a romantic relationship while
questioning what is reality.
One of my
biggest critiques in media in general is how much mental illness is weaponized.
It creates so much stigma and demonization and that just doesn’t sit right with
me. Walton creates so much empathy and realism through her writing, and she put
a lot of effort into making sure that she created a story that serves an
educational purpose. She also did a lot of research into how people around individuals
with schizophrenia can best support them. The result is a book filled with
caring people, supportive figures, and a true to life rendition of a condition
that touches on universal themes.
The Science of Being Angry – Nicole
Melleby – 4 Stars
https://www.netgalley.com/book/236912/review/253873
Trailed: One Woman’s Quest to Solve the
Shenandoah Murder – Kathryn Mills – 4 Stars
https://www.netgalley.com/book/244066/review/253873
That is all for the past two months! I’ve
happy with how much I’ve read and how much I’ve enjoyed. Let me know what you’ve
been reading lately!
-
Daniella
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