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Seven Days in June by Tia Williams

It’s rare that I pickup a book from a celebrity’s book club, but Costco always manages to get me with their cheap trade deals.

Seven Day in June is a romance novel between two teenage sweethearts who’s love is rekindled after 15 years apart. The two work to overcome past trauma and present obstacles in an attempt to figure out whether their tryst could turn into something real.

Per usual with any selection from Reese’s Book Club, this was boring and disappointing. I bought this book over a month ago, and while it was engaging at first I soon became bored with the story. The only reason I finished it was to add another title to my list for books read this year. A lesson I’m slowly learning is that romance is just NOT the category for me.

1 /5 stars

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Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan

Our Book Club pick for July kept the theme of Irish authors going from June. A quiet and subtle novel, this pick was an easy, light read for hot summer days.

The story follows Bill Furlong, a coal merchant in a small Irish town. In the weeks leading up to Christmas, his deliveries increase- one of which leads him to the local convent, a Magdalen laundry. While there, he makes a discovery which leads him to question his and the town’s complicity in the church’s actions.

I really enjoyed this book. Keegan handled heavy content with a subtle approach, making it more palatable for the reader without losing its message. Add to that it’s 114 page run time, and you’ve got a real winner for a quick yet impactful read. My only complaint is that there wasn’t more to read.

I cannot recommend this title enough, and I’m excited to read more from the author.

5/5 stars

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Brooklyn by Colm Toibin

June has been a long month. After a wonderful trip to Cabo, my partner and I both came down with Covid (for the first time since the onset of the pandemic). Luckily, I had an engaging read (and plenty of new TV shows) to keep me occupied through the grueling recovery process. This month’s pick for book club was Brooklyn, and I was excited to have another selection with a film adaptation that I could watch afterwards.

Brooklyn follows a young woman, Eilis, as she leaves her home and family in Ireland for new opportunities in America. Juggling a new job and the perpetual, petty drama between her fellow lodgers, Eilis almost immediately finds herself homesick and regretting her move to New York. When her priest, Father Flood, learns of her struggles, he helps enroll her in night school to learn bookkeeping and asks for her attendance at the Saturday dance to keep her distracted. It’s at the dance that she meets Tony, an Italian boy who’s whimsy lures her out on the dance floor and, eventually, out on every Saturday. As her relationship with Tony grows, Eilis finds herself missing Ireland less and less, finding more comfort with her new life in New York. But when some unexpected news arrives, Eilis must journey back to her home country and determine whether or not her future lies in Ireland or back in America.

Overall, I would say this book was enjoyable. Toibin is a fantastic author, and weaves a unique tale of immigration in the 1900’s through the voice of his protagonist. Eilis is a young, impressionable woman trying to find her way in a new world with few friends, and her trials are wholly relatable and understandable. Without giving away spoilers, this book truly had me hooked until the ending, which left me slightly disappointed in our main character. Since I had never seen the movie, I had to watch it so I could compare the two- especially since it was up for several awards when it came out. This is one of few times that I’d say I liked the movie better than the book. Direct lines were taken from the book and they did an excellent job following the plot, but I felt that Eilis was a warmer character on film- and they managed to tie up the ending in a way that was much more satisfying than the book! I know, it’s cheating when movies aren’t completely faithful to their source material, but in this instance I think it was a change for the better.

If you’re looking for an easy read for this summer, I would recommend Brooklyn. And if you finish it feeling the same way that I did, you can rent the movie and find a whole new appreciation.

2 out of 5 stars

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The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith

At our resort in San Jose del Cabo, there was a solitary Goodwill-level shelf filled with DVD’s for rent (I know, don’t say it), and what appeared to be the ghosts of pool-side reads past, left behind for the cleaning crew to collect. I naturally gravitate towards books (especially free books), and that’s how I came upon this long-beloved title. This copy had clearly seen better days, and that made the shelf appeal (ha-ha) that much stronger for me.

The book tells the story of Precious Ramatswe, a proud Botswanan woman who uses her father’s inheritance to start the first women’s detective agency in Gaborone. Between each case, Mma. Ramatswe tells anecdotes from her past, setting the stage for her present life as a detective. With each small case, Mma. Ramatswe builds up to a final case- finding a missing boy of a school teacher, who may have been abducted by witch doctors from the Kalahari Desert.

I was really excited to read this book. This series is beloved by generations of readers, and it’s easy to see why people would fall in love with Mma. Ramatswe and her quaint life in Botswana. McCall Smith is able to weave in delicate social commentary with each unsolved mystery, building up his character so that the reader begins to understand her more and more. Yet the book reads like a cozy mystery- at no point was I stressed out about the hairy situations Mma. Ramatswe finds herself in, but the story was intriguing enough to keep the pages turning. This book was originally published in 1998, and since then, McCall Smith has managed to write and publish 22 novels about this spunky female detective (the two most recent installations published during the pandemic!). I can’t say that I would read all of the books in this series, but I found myself soothed by the tranquil descriptions of Botswanan life. Reading this while quarantining with Covid has also left me with an insatiable craving for bush tea, and a quiet evening sitting on Mms. Ramatswe’s veranda.

If you’re looking for an easy and enjoyable read, I highly recommend this book. If you’re up for a real challenge, I’ll send you my copy and we’ll see if the binding can last for another reader!

Here are a couple quotes that I loved from this book:

“You’re right,” she said, “You are too big for these blouses. Far too big.”

Mma Ramotswe smiled. “But they are nice blouses, Mma, and I hope you sell them to some nice small person.”

-pg. 111

“She felt terribly sorry for people who suffered from constipation… There were probably enough of them to form a political party… but what would such a party do if it was in power? Nothing, she imagined. It would try to pass legislation, but would fail.”

-pg. 195

3.5 out of 5 stars

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Hook, Line, and Sinker by Tessa Bailey

I picked this up from Freddy’s as a light vacation fodder, not realizing it was a sequel in a series. Nevertheless, I found it was easy to read on its own.

The plot picks up after Hannah has helped her sister, Piper, revive a bar in Washington that their father once owned. Returning to Hollywood to continue her work as a production assistant, Hannah is a meek young woman who dreams of being an audio editor for films. When the film she’s working on hits a wall, Hannah suggests they relocate filming to Westport, WA (where her sister now lives) to capture the broody vibe of the film. While filming begins in Westport, Hannah stays with her acquaintance, Fox, a womanizing fisherman who she’s texted since leaving the small PNW town. As a romance kindles between them, Hannah must determine whether Fox’s history with women is part of his true nature or merely a projection of his inner demons and childhood trauma.

Honestly, this was a pretty meh book. Bailey leans heavily into pseudo-psychology by not only making Hannah constantly analyze Fox’s behavior, but also having her confront him to voice his feelings. Barf. I struggle with contemporary romance to begin with, and while this was a quick and easy read I really didn’t enjoy this. Bailey is a self proclaimed lover of writing sex scenes, and I think that she went over the top in this book. Now if that’s your jam, no shame here. It’s just not my cup of tea. Overall, I would recommend this for exactly how I read it- a breezy beach or pool book. But don’t expect to feel mentally enriched by a few ploy of complex character development, because you’ll be sorely disappointed.

1 out of 5 stars

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The Invisibility Cloak by Ge Fei

This title was chosen for our May book club, and since it was a shorter selection (a mere 144 pages) we opted for a three week reading period instead of the full month. Also, I was out of town and my book club friends were kind enough to meet a week early!

The story takes place in contemporary Beijing, and follows a man in his forties living a lackluster life. Divorced and renting an apartment from his sister, he designs custom amplifiers for rich clients- who he detests, along with their mediocre music collections. Although he loves his niche craft, his inability to make a decent wage (and pay bills) forces his sister to serve him an eviction notice. All his efforts to earn money seem futile, until afriend offers him a job with a reclusive gangster- a job where the risk may not outweigh the reward.

After initially finishing this book, I was underwhelmed. Ge focuses so much on describing the specifics of speaker construction that the man’s story seems like a secondary plot point. But after discussing it with my book club, I gleaned a new appreciation for the text. Ge is very delicate in his descriptions of China, subtly discussing the societal rift between upper and lower classes in Beijing. The introduction of the Chinese mafia also serves as a catalyst for the main character. While he’s fearful of this mafia don, he respects him and the order that he commands- possibly creating a comparison between communist rule over China?

While I found this book interesting, I can’t say I’d recommend it. The reviews say that Ge Fei is similar to Murakami, but I strongly disagree with this assertion. I’m curious to read some of his other works though, and determine whether his writing style varies at all.

1 out of 5 stars

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Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Like most best-sellers, I bid my time before jumping into this hot modern twist on the gothic tale. I hadn’t heard much about this book, other than seeing it on every must-read list since its publication in 2020 so my expectations were fairly low. I’m always intrigued when a horror novel makes it onto a top anything list (with the exception of our King), so I finally made the jump and borrowed this title from the library.

Mexican Gothic is set in the 1950’s, and follows a young socialite, Noemi Taboada. After receiving a troubling letter from her recently married cousin, Catalina, Noemi’s father sends her to the remote part of Mexico to check in on her cousin and her reclusive new family. Upon arriving at High Place, the mansion that her cousin now calls home, Noemi is struck by the melancholic gloom that pervades the home and its grounds. The house is stifled by complete silence, mold has taken over the grand spaces of the mansion, and darkness envelops the halls night and day. The condition of the home seems to have taken hold upon her cousin, who is prone to fits of hysteria followed by extreme fatigue, and it’s not long before Noemi starts seeing things- not just in the halls and rooms, but also in her dreams. The longer she spends in the mansion, the more she learns of this family’s traumatic history, and how that past continues to haunt everyone who resides at High Place.

Moreno-Garcia seems to know the Gothic genre well, and weaves a creepy tapestry of family intrigue with the supernatural. When I first started this book, it gave me strong Crimson Peak vibes- a woman marries a charismatic man, who’s grandeur is nothing but a facade of the riches his family once owned. A rotting house, filled with suspicious family members and staff comprise the eerie cast of the story. Add to that a white patriarch obsessed with eugenics, and you’ve basically got the gist of where this novel is going. My main complaint is that this book truly reads like a gothic novel- meaning, it’s slow. Moreno-Garcia takes her time building the suspense in this novel, and while it’s effective (I definitely had trouble reading this one at night before bed), it also drained my motivation to finish this book. The climax occurs about 20 pages before the end of the book, making the conclusion slightly frustrating in its open-endedness.I'd be curious to read some of her other novels to see if they all have a gothic bent, or if any of them lean more into modern horror. Overall, I would say that this was an okay book but I’m not sure that it deserved the few rave reviews that I’ve read since finishing it. If you like a slow, gothic novel (think Poe, Jane Eyre, Dracula, etc.) then this book might be great for you. Otherwise, you could probably wait for the movie adaptation.

1.5 out of 5 stars

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The Duke and I by Julia Quinn

I’ve watched all of Netflix’s “Bridgerton” series, and so this year I thought I’d try one of the books. Thanks to Libby, I was able to get the first book in this series pretty easily. I listened to this one back in March, and I was so astounded by how bad it was that it took me this long to finally write a review.

1. The narrator of the audiobook was awful. She sounded about 70 years old, and her uber-deep male voices were just horrendous. Negative 1000 points for the voices right off the bat.

2. This book is just smut. Not well-written smut. Not even entertaining smut. It’s just bad and awkward, and I found myself physically cringing throughout this book.

3. The story is trite and overdone. Oh, a bunch of rich ,white people following the enemies to lovers trope? I’d say that it might’ve been good when the book was published, but that was in 2000, and I know that no one found this groundbreaking at the millennium.

Overall, I think Shonda’s adaptation of the series is actually way better than the book. I even tried to subject myself to the second book in the series, The Viscount Who Loved Me, and gave up maybe 6 chapters into it. If you think you want to read the Bridgerton series, save yourself some time and just binge the series.

0 out of 5 stars

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The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

I’ve had a copy of The Vanishing Half for over a year now, and as luck would have it, it was selected by another member of my book club for February. I’ve been daunted by this book for a while, mostly due to its rave reviews since it’s publication in 2020. Lucky for me, I had a two week trip back to Texas and this book proved to be an enthralling distraction from real world problems. This review will contain some spoilers, so don’t read past the next paragraph’s summary if you’re planning to read this one for yourself. 

The story follows the Vignes twins, Desiree and Stella, living in a small Louisiana town that is populated exclusively by light-skinned African Americans. At 16 years old, the girls decide to flee from their small-town existence in Mallard for the big city of New Orleans. Together they work and struggle, living off the generosity of friends, until one night when Stella leaves without a trace. Two parts of a whole, the twins struggle to survive apart; Desiree marries a dark-skinned man who begins to physically abuse her, while Stella grapples with the lies that have brought her a new-found life as a white-passing woman married to a white man. Decades later, through serendipitous events, the twins’ daughters meet and soon discover that while they look nothing alike and come from completely opposite backgrounds, they might actually be related. As Jude and Kennedy’s relationship grows, Stella is forced to come to terms with the life and family she left behind, and determine how far one lie can last before it crumbles. 

The story begins with a piece of local gossip, 

“The morning one of the lost twins returned to Mallard, Lou LeBon ran to the diner to break the news, and even now, many years later, everyone remembers the shock of sweaty Lou pushing through glass doors, chest heaving, neckline darkened with his own effort.” pg. 3

 From this superficial bit of information, Bennet unravels a deep family history through a multi-generational perspective, revealing rooted trauma based in society’s conceptions and biases around race. From a young age, both Desiree and Stella are made to believe their light skin makes them better than others- their mother even chides them for engaging with darker skinned boys- and it is from this tiny seed of thought that the larger idea of white-passing becomes so appealing to Stella. Bennett even goes so far as to show blatant bigotry in both Mallard and Brentwood, the affluent, white neighborhood where Stella eventually lives, to prove that the color of your skin doesn’t always affect or change your explicit bias towards others. 

The twins serve as the perfect example of some major themes throughout the novel, predominantly the trope of a “divided self,” as the twins seem themselves as two halves of a whole. This theme is also presented by Jude’s boyfriend, Reese, as he transitions from female to male. Reese is perpetually at war with his own identity, trying to reconcile his self image with the pay others perceive him. Jude and Kennedy are also perfect foils for the twins- Jude, a quiet and reserved bookworm like Stella, and Kennedy, a rebellious and boisterous actress who seeks adventure the way Desiree did in the beginning. 

Abandonment and isolation also serve as continuous themes throughout the novel. Stella’s abrupt disappearance leads Desiree to seek another half, and her marriage (and the later physical abuse from her husband) push her to move back to the home that the twins had abandoned together. When she arrives back in Mallard, she sees the effects that abandonment had on her mother, Adele, and begins to re-establish the life that she had tried to escape. As time goes on, her daughter Jude suffers the effects of abandonment and isolation because her dark skin is considered taboo in Mallard, and this rejection makes it difficult for her to accept the love of her future partner, Reese. As you can see, many of these themes come full circle throughout the plot, and it is only through the younger generation’s experiences that the twins are able to seek closure and be absolved. 

Lastly, the idea of lying vs. acting is strongly mirrored between Stella and her daughter, Kennedy. Stella’s entire life balances on one lie- that she is a white woman- and her perpetual fear of being discovered has led her to the reserved life of a housewife, never disclosing her secret to anyone. Similarly, Kennedy’s pull to the theatre, to act out parts, gives her the validation that she never received from her mother. By acting, she can leave behind the complications of her real life and pretend to live life like someone else. The strained relationship between mother and daughter also hinges on Stella’s lies- her fear of discovery makes her push her daughter away, lest she look too closely and reveal her mother’s true identity. 

Honestly, this book makes me take back the remarks I made in my previous book review. It would seem that every so often, one remarkable book is worth the hype it receives from the NYT and other media outlets. If you’re looking for an intense, deep work of historical fiction, I cannot recommend this book enough. To quote The Guardian:

“Ultimately, it’s a quietly damning account of acquiescing to an imitation of life and the delusion of the American dream.”

5 out of 5 stars

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Coraline by Neil Gaiman

Now that I’m on a roll with these audiobooks, I thought I’d take a page out of Ryan’s book and find a nice, short audiobook to listen to while working on small tasks. I had requested Coraline a few weeks ago on Libby, and it was available to download just in time for my trip. 

I saw the movie adaptation of Coraline when it came out in theaters- a very visceral memory since I took Reilly and one of her friends to the movies since she was dying to see it. I had never even heard of the story before then, so I was shocked (and terrified) by the imagery that Laika had created for this gruesome children’s tale. I remember covering my eyes at certain scenes, then looking over to see Reilly and Megan completely horrified, too. 

If you’re unfamiliar with this dark tale, the plot follows its namesake, Coraline, as she and her family move into a new house. With her parents busy with work and unpacking, Coraline is left on her own to explore the new house and it’s grounds to keep herself entertained. It’s on this hunt that she discovers a tiny door, behind which lies a parallel universe to her own- with “other” versions of the people in her world, too. Coraline is excited by the somewhat better world behind the door, until she realizes the dark motives of her Other Mother to keep her trapped there. As the Other Mother’s world begins to unravel, Coraline is forced to rely on her own resourcefulness and bravery to escape the other mother and save her loved ones, lest she be stuck in the “Other” world for forever. 

I went into this audiobook with a lot of skepticism. I’ve never been a huge Neil Gaiman fan (with the exception of The Ocean at the End of the Lane), but I thought this one was short enough that I could muddle through it just to get another review. Upon starting it, however, I found that Gaiman weaves a creepy and engaging moral story, similar to the tales of the brothers Grimm. I was hooked from the first chapter, and quickly realized that Gaiman might actually be the literary genius that I’ve always denied. At first I couldn’t believe that this was a children’s/ young adult book, but as I continued reading I realized that Coraline’s character development would be easy and enjoyable for a young audience to follow, too. She exhibits many traits that all children do at her age- taking things for granted, such as home and family members, and being unappreciative in general of what she has vs. what she wants- but maintains her child-like wonder and curiosity throughout. Courage and bravery are also strong themes throughout the book, which were essential for Coraline to survive in the “Other” world. When the book finished, I found myself wanting even more and was disappointed that it had ended so quickly. 

If you’ve never read Coraline, I would highly recommend it. It’s short, and completely diverting and engaging. This book has definitely changed my opinions on Gaiman, and made me reconsider reading some of his other works. I also can’t wait to rewatch the movie and look for the differences- I’m looking at you Wybie. 

5 out of 5 stars

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Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

I decided it was finally time to try audiobooks in earnest, so I went to the Libby app and searched their available titles. “Where the Crawdads Sing” has been on the NYT bestseller list for 124 weeks, and I wanted to listen for myself to understand the hype.

The story follows Kya, and young woman growing up in a marsh in North Carolina. Isolated from the nearby town of Barkley Cove, Kya’s family struggles under the weight of an abusive, alcoholic patriarch. Beginning with her mother, the members of her family slowly start to move away until even her father leaves her for life outside the marsh. In the early 1960’s, at the age of 10, Kya is forced to raise herself amongst the birds and wildlife of the marsh. The timeline jumps to a future date in the late 1960’s where the sheriff of Barkley Cove is working to solve the murder of local celebrity Chase Andrews. As the investigation ensues, details of Chase’s murder come to light connecting Kya with the former football star. Kya fights to prove her innocence, further testing her perseverance in the face of adversity.

I want to start by saying I’m really proud of finishing my first audiobook. Twelve hours seems daunting when you’ve never listened to a book, but I found myself getting into it as long as I had chores or tasks to work on while I listened. This experience has definitely shown me my reading potential, and I hope it helps me work through more books this year.

Now, onto the review. This book was a real snooze fest. Slow pacing combined with a boring plot really left me wanting more. I have also learned that narration makes a huge difference, but I know I’d feel the same even if I had read the physical book. In fact, I don’t think I would’ve finished the hard copy if I had it. I found that I didn’t really care about Kya as a character, and it wasn’t until I was about 2/3 of the way through the book before it got interesting. I can see why people would enjoy this book as it addresses issues of marginalization and segregation in the mid-century South, but I didn’t feel that this point was strong enough to carry the plot. The ending was also underwhelming, and when the reading finished I found myself thinking, “Really? That’s it?”

This book is further proof that the NYT Bestseller list (or any bestseller list, for that matter) is utter nonsense fueled my social media frenzy. I wouldn’t recommend this book unless you’re a devotee of Reese’s Book Club, in which case you can’t be saved anyway.

1.5 out of 5 stars

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The Pint of No Return by Ellie Alexander

I wasn’t expecting to finish another book so soon, but I realized I only had about 40 pages left in this quirky little sequel so I stayed up to finish it last night. 

This book follows our brave brewer, Sloan Krause, as she prepares Nitro Brewing for the upcoming Oktoberfestivities (see what I did there?) in Leavenworth, WA. As a newly appointed partial owner of her family’s brewery, Der Keller, Sloan struggles to maintain a healthy distance from her estranged husband while still lending a hand at both breweries. Things get even crazier when a film crew arrives in town, with an egomaniac child-star host named Mitchell, to make a documentary about Leavenworth and it’s Oktoberfest celebration. Mitchell’s bad attitude seems to be rubbing both the film crew and locals the wrong way, and before long his body is found sprawled out on Front Street, outside of one of the Oktoberfest tents. With many enemies in town, Sloan works to find out who the culprit could be- putting her own life in danger in the process. 

Like it’s predecessor, this book was a quirky, fun cozy mystery to tuck into before bed every night. No deep thinking required here! I still find that this is a recommendable series if you’re into this kind of thing. 

3 out of 5 stars 

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The Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamali

This was the first selection of 2022 for my book club, and I was very excited to jump into this one. I’ve really enjoyed our books with settings in the Middle East, and they’re even better when they follow real events. 

The story follows a blossoming romance between Roya and Bahman, two teenagers living in Tehran during the political turmoil of 1953. Despite the violence playing out in the streets (and in their homes), Roya and Bahman find sanctuary at the Stationery Shop, owned by kindly Mr. Fakhri. It is there, among the inkwells, sachets of paper, and numerous books that Roya and Bahman fall in love. When Bahman’s involvement with pro-Mossadegh political groups becomes dangerous, he flees the city to keep him and his family safe but at the incredible detriment of Roya. After weeks of written correspondence, the two agree to meet and marry in secret. But when young Bahman fails to show up, Roya’s hopes are dashed and their lives diverge onto distinctly different paths. A lifetime later, Roya and Bahman have the opportunity to meet and finally discover why Bahman never appeared for their secret ceremony- and the truth may be even more devastating than they ever thought. 

I absolutely loved this book. So much so that I stayed up into the wee hours of the morning to read the last 150 pages because I couldn’t put it down. I was slightly surprised by this book because it was much more of a romance novel than historical fiction, but I wasn’t disappointed. Kamali’s amazing detail allowed for me, the reader, to feel truly immersed in Persian culture and customs. The story also jumps back and forth between past and present, as well as between perspectives of the different characters, and I found it rounded out the story very well. My only complaint is that she seemed to drag out the ending a bit- why use many word when few word do trick? If you catch my drift, Either way, this book was still very enjoyable, and I recommend it for anyone looking for some fresh, contemporary fiction. 

4 out of 5 stars

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The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris

I was first interested in reading this book because

I absolutely love the movie, even though it creeps me out.

It was available at the library with no wait time.

I took my time reading this book between other titles, and thoroughly enjoyed the leisurely pace at which I finished it. I’m not going to spend space here describing the plot- if you don’t know the story of Hannibal Lecter and Clarice Starling by now, shame on you.

While I think Thomas Harris is a master of his craft, I did struggle a bit with his depiction of Clarice in the novel. In the film, Jody Foster portrays a strong and independent female FBI agent, who refuses to let misogyny and inexperience in the field keep her from working the case. Harris’s descriptions of her in the novel show more weakness and self-doubt in the character, and I’m not sure that it strengthened her character development throughout the story. Unfortunately, at this point in my life I’m used to reading male authors who cannot effectively write a strong female character. Despite this, I still loved the book, and after I finished it I immediately picked up a copy of Red Dragon which I am currently reading.

If you’ve read this book, I’d like to know your opinions on it. Again, all of this review is written in hindsight as I finished the book back in early December (I think?). It’s easy to see why Harris’s works continue to be read and were made into very successful movies (with the exception of Manhunter- we all know that was a flop.)

5 out of 5 stars

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The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

This book has been on the best-seller list since it’s publication last year, and it’s been on my TBR list for a minute. Ryan was able to snag a free copy on our neighborhood Buy Nothing page, and I ended up making it my book club selection for this month. 

The story follows a young woman struggling with severe depression, until one night where she chooses to take her own life. What follows is not the silent end that she expects, but a journey into what could have been- a library filled with the endless paths her life could have taken. 

I was really excited to read this book, but I honestly found myself underwhelmed. To be fair, I read this book last October and my recollection is slightly fuzzy. However, I remember having trouble connecting with the main character, Nora, and I didn’t find satisfaction in the story’s resolution. Per usual, this seemed to be one of those over-hyped NYT best-sellers that they’re paid to push and I didn’t think it was worth the time it took to read. 

2 out of 5 stars

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Uncook Yourself: A Ratbag's Rules for Life by Nat's What I Reckon

It’s been a while since I’ve had the time and patience to sit down and finish a book. I’ve been slowly reading this amazing memoir/ cookbook from one of my favorite youtubers, and I finally finished it last night. 

Nat’s What I Reckon is a YouTube channel which blew up during 2020’s world-wide quarantine, as Nat told the world to “fuck jar sauce” and gave us fun, easy-to-follow recipes for flavorful sauces and recipes. Following that premise, Nat’s book is a healthy mixture of memoir, self-help, and rad recipes. He talks openly about his mental health struggles, what it’s like being a YouTube sensation, and the difficulties of isolating during quarantine. 

Overall, I loved this entire book. It was light-hearted and relatable, and made for great reading right before bed. If you haven’t watched Nat’s What I Reckon, I highly recommend it. His channel is a great way to get a laugh and take your mind off the bigger problems in the world. 

Actually, I know you’ll like him so much that I’m linking his first recipe video to this review. Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OEDjDKV038

5/5 stars

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The Peacock Emporium by Jojo Moyes

It’s safe to say that I always leave Goodwill with a new book. More often than not, I find my good “fluff” reads for under $5 and they’re almost always enjoyable. I’ve read a few novels by Moyes [including the infamous Me Before You], and I’m always willing to give one of her titles a try. 

The Peacock Emporium is a multi-generational story of the Fairley-Hulme family- their loves, losses, and eventual legacies. Suzanna, the oldest child, returns to the family home in Dere Hampton and attempts to salvage her fractured marriage in the wake of her self-imposed bankruptcy. In an effort to regain some sense of self, she opens the charming Peacock Emporium, a quirky coffee shop in the heart of their town. It’s there that she finds comfort from her strained home life, eventually forges new friendships and coming to terms with her own family drama.Through the shop, Suzanna learns her own fortitude and begins to reckon with her family and her past so that she can finally move forward and seek happiness. 

Woof. I’m not going to sugar-coat it, this book was awful. Like I said before, I generally find Moyes’s books to be engaging, frivolous reads between heavier book club selections, but this book would NEVER END. While Moyes is often applauded for her complex character development and the realistic relationships that she creates, I found Suzanna to be a spoiled brat. Coddled, and even a bit infantilized, by both her parents and her husband, she was basically groomed to be an entitled bitch. The worst part is that Suzanna acknowledges MULTIPLE times throughout the novel that her reactions are ridiculous [whether it’s getting annoyed at her husband’s feet on the coffee table, or attempting to feign interest in the eccentric old lady who frequents her shop], and yet refuses to alter her behavior or mind set about these minor irritations. I get that this may make her relatable [or even endearing?] to certain audiences, but that kind of makes it worse in my mind. The most irritating part for me is that Suzanna gets a happy ending when it might have been more satisfying to leave the story ambiguous with an open ending. 

This is hands down the worst book I’ve read from Jojo Moyes. If you’re bored and want a truly drawn out family history of trauma and scandal, then maybe you’d like this one. Otherwise you can save yourself several weeks of laborious reading and skip it. 

1 out of 5 stars