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| Name : | Whitney G. |
My Reviews
From the beginning, there is this huge sense of tension built between Monique and Evelyn since one half of the pair remains in the dark to why she is chosen for this incredible opportunity. In the end when the secret is revealed, the scene is fraught with so much emotion that I both gasped and cried. The main narrative has the reader living through Evelyn’s history which is a tangled web between her relationship with love of her life intertwined with these marriages born from convenience. It is all so beautifully done. I loved this book.
The latest book by Emily Henry provides really great character development that keeps you invested and engaged the whole way through. I enjoyed having there be another non-romantic relationship being explored with Nora and Libby and how the loss of their mother impacted them in different ways. The romantic relationship progresses nicely, allowing time to get to know the characters more along the way.
I think I would say this is my favorite of the three Emily Henry novels. I was hooked on the relationship between Poppy and Alex from the first chapter, and I really loved how you get glimpses of who they are by living through their past vacations. The alternation between past and present created this eagerness to both uncover more about their relationship, while also wanting to see how the present continued to unfold. Having those two working in tandem made it hard to put down.
One of my favorite reads of the year. It’s got similar vibes to Ready Player One, but it’s not so reliant on being referential and nostalgic. Instead it lets you live though three friends that grow together through their passion for making video games, and the voice of each character is so uniquely written. There is a chapter in this, NPC, that is probably one of the most beautifully written things I’ve ever read. I really loved it.
I absolutely loved the Hulu series that was adapted from this, and you see how true to the source material they stayed when you read the book. The struggle between these Marianne and Connell (both internal and within their relationship with each other) creates this vulnerability and depth of characterization that sets it apart from other novels. Having this thread of insecurity of self and other mental health themes allowed me to relate to both Connell and Marianne in a deeper more intimate way, and it made all of the positive strides and advancements in their relationship more meaningful. It was something that was earned and fought for. I really loved having that honesty in the story.
The debut novel for Emily Henry is a really fun summer read. I would say it’s my least favorite of her three books, mostly because I liked the characters in the other two a bit better. Henry has a knack for witty dialogue between the two protagonists, and she does a good job of making them fully realized characters.
Another great read from Madeline Miller (The Song of Achilles) following the life of Circe, daughter of Helios. Miller does a great job of taking these well known characters from mythology and breathing life into them in a way that stories don’t. The approach of taking these sweeping epics, and getting so granular into the motivations and thoughts of a single player within them makes for a wonderful read.
A well-timed, thoughtful dialogue providing insight into how systemic racism, bias, and inherent privilege are deeply ingrained and intertwined in all aspects of American culture.
A really lovely memoir from Simu Liu, delving into the life of an Chinese immigrant. He tells stories of his parent’s lives as well leading up to their immigration to Canada, and how their past struggles informed their expectations for his life.
Based in Norse Mythology, The Witches Heart follows the unceasing life of Angrboda, (wife of Loki and mother to Hel, Fenrir and Jormungand) as she learns the true depths of love and immense loss.
If you like Greek Mythology, you should really read this. Told from the prospective of Patroclus, the long-time companion (and lover) of Achilles, you see a beautiful, deep connection form over the years ending with the Trojan War. So so good.
If you like YA fantasy like Harry Potter, this would be a good read for you. This book has a rich, well-built world centered around its main protagonist, Manu, a LatinX girl who has grown up with a single-minded fear of ICE and immigration laws in America but soon finds herself thrust into a magical world of brujas and werewolves.
The documentary-style format worked so well to tell this story. Having multiple perspectives on events that helped shape the bad this story is centered on gives that added layer of depth and realism. TJR paints such a vivid picture of the era that solidly immerses you in that world. Daisy and Billy are these broken people that become temporarily made whole each time they write songs together. I highly recommend this one.
An unexpected setting for purgatory, The Midnight Library gives you a glimpse into the many lives that could have been for Nora Seed.
I just couldn’t connect with Tate or Miles. Miles’ backstory leading him to be closed off for the last six years while devastating, ended up being a predictable outcome. I will try a couple other of Hoover’s books before I count her out though.
Verity is definitely one of those read-in-one-sitting kind of books. It’s a thrilling story hooks you from the start, and keeps you guessing at what sinister secrets will be uncovered next.
If you want to cry (a lot) but also receive comfort and a sense of connection, add this to your list. The book is a collection of poems and bite-sized stories corresponding to the theme of each of the four parts. This is the perfect bedside book.
I have heard so many good things about this book, but it didn’t live up to the hype for me. While Lockhart’s writing is evocative and smart, the “twist” became obvious to me early on so, when the reveal happens, I was actually a little let down that I was right. I also didn’t like that the cast of characters were familiar tropes that lacked depth. I did like the little stories peppered throughout that Cady writes about her grandfather, mother and aunts. I would still give Lockhart another chance that her sharp-witted prose will shine a little more with a different story.
Morgenstern invokes such vivid and colorful imagery within her monochromatic world. The sizable cast of characters all manage to feel real and weave together seamlessly in this beautiful tapestry of a story. I loved so many of them, it would be hard to pick a favorite. I also really liked the little vignettes within the chapters dedicated to individual circus attractions, each one enhancing your ability to enter the role of spectator. I can definitely see myself picking this one up to re-read in the future.
Engrossing characters come to life in this captivating story inspired by the events of various wars throughout China’s history. Each theme is explored in unerring detail, from cultural divides to the abhorrent realities of wartime affairs. The historical depictions simultaneously intersperse elements of mysticism and fantasy, adding depth and color to the reading experience. I am really looking forward to reading the next books in the trilogy to see where Rin’s story takes her.
The simplistically beautiful nature of this story took me by surprise. I heard that it was a good book to read if you’re in a place where you feel lost, or are seeking some sort of change; now, having read it, I can’t think of a book that could speak to those feelings more. Humor, heart, and enlightenment abound in a way unbefitting of it’s fleeting page count. But, sometimes it’s the most modest messages that speak to your soul more deeply than the rest, and that’s what Becky Chambers has done.
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