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svgurlThis what I've read in the past few months, am reading now, and plan to read in the near future. :D
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin - A story that explores the lives of two friends as they grow up and reach fame making video games. I thought the characters were interesting and three dimensional - I found them sympathetic and frustrating at various points - and the book was an easy read and a page turner, but I wasn't a fan of the twist. Outside of a few moments, I didn't get much romantic chemistry from the two main characters either so I'm glad the romance wasn't pushed.
I Wish We Weren't Related by Radhika Sanchani - a stressed lawyer has to go back home to India for the funeral of the father she thought was already dead and reunites with her two sisters, from whom she is estranged. I was intrigued by the premise, but it felt like it was trying too hard to be everything and that the author wanted to give the main character all the issues and pain so we would all feel bad for her, and she couldn't help herself till the last page. I also didn't like the "they're family, you HAVE to forgive them" themes.
Much Ado About Nada by Uzma Jalaluddin - a modern day, race bent Persuasion inspired story about Nada Syed who gets dragged to an annual Muslim conference where she can finally meet her friend's fiance, and his brother, who she has history with. The Persuasion inspired aspects were mostly related to the second chance romance and I thought that the characters were fairly fleshed out and the first breakup ended up making a lot of sense. I was surprised at the twist, but thought the ending was a little rushed. Overall fairly enjoyable and a quick read.
Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid - Set around Nina Riva, a famous surfer/supermodel, and her siblings and the day of their annual end of summer, going back into their history and their complicated relationships. The book is another fast read, and probably could've used a little editing. It was initially interesting, but it felt like it fell fast, and at one point, there was just too many characters, especially toward the climax. There was an unnecessary addition/twist, but it wasn't as badly done as the ones she has had in the past. I was surprised that all her novels seem to exist in the same universe, as she does throw in names that are the main characters of other books.
The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic by Breanna Randall - It's about Sadie Revelare, whose family has had magic, and hers is accompanied by its own curse of four heartbreaks. Her grandma is suddenly diagnosed with cancer, and both her estranged brother and first love return to town, complicating her life. It was sold as a cozy magic book (Practical Magic meets Gilmore Girls) but I wouldn't totally describe it that way, outside of the small town vibes. I do like all the baking that is involved and the potential of complicated relationships yet it didn't deliver and it felt like a lot of "tell, not show" with the main couple and the main character gives "woo is me" vibes while not being as sympathetic as the narrative intends her to be. The twist was fairly predictable and I'm glad, at least, what I knew would happen, didn't stick.
Towards Zero by Agatha Christie - An elderly woman is murdered at a seaside home and there is a houseful of suspects, most who seem to have their own motivation. I always enjoy an Agatha Christie mystery, and how she makes something seem too obvious and then comes back around to it in a way that you wouldn't expect and still enjoy. Overall, a good mystery.
Sparkling Cyanide by Agatha Christie - Rosemary Barton died a year prior, by cyanide, and it was ruled as a suicide, but her widowed husband isn't convinced. I thought the storyline was good and kept my attention. I was thrown off course as she probably intended and had inklings of who could've done it but the reasoning caught me by surprise for sure. It's not amongst my favorite of her books but enjoyable.
The House on Vesper Sands by Paraic O'Donnell - A historical mysterwy where a seamstress jumps to her death with words stitched on her skin that may be connected to the recent string of missing girls. A detective, a Cambridge dropuout and a young journalist are all looking for answers. I'm halfway through and I like it so far.
Head-Long by Michael Frayn - a local landowner/philosopher and art historian wife are asked to assess three sooty paintings.
The Strangler Vine by M.J. Carter - set in mid 1800s British ruled India, a young soldier (William Avery) and a secret political agent (Jeremiah Blake) end up teaming up to track down a missing writer.
The Colours of Death by Patricia Marques - A scifi novel where dead body is found and it seems to be suicide but according to witnesses, may be murder.
Snuffed Out by Valona Jones - Twin sisters co-own a candle shop and when one of their customers is murdered, they end up investigating to clear the name of their clerk, who is the number one suspect.
What are you all reading? Any recs? :)
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin - A story that explores the lives of two friends as they grow up and reach fame making video games. I thought the characters were interesting and three dimensional - I found them sympathetic and frustrating at various points - and the book was an easy read and a page turner, but I wasn't a fan of the twist. Outside of a few moments, I didn't get much romantic chemistry from the two main characters either so I'm glad the romance wasn't pushed.
I Wish We Weren't Related by Radhika Sanchani - a stressed lawyer has to go back home to India for the funeral of the father she thought was already dead and reunites with her two sisters, from whom she is estranged. I was intrigued by the premise, but it felt like it was trying too hard to be everything and that the author wanted to give the main character all the issues and pain so we would all feel bad for her, and she couldn't help herself till the last page. I also didn't like the "they're family, you HAVE to forgive them" themes.
Much Ado About Nada by Uzma Jalaluddin - a modern day, race bent Persuasion inspired story about Nada Syed who gets dragged to an annual Muslim conference where she can finally meet her friend's fiance, and his brother, who she has history with. The Persuasion inspired aspects were mostly related to the second chance romance and I thought that the characters were fairly fleshed out and the first breakup ended up making a lot of sense. I was surprised at the twist, but thought the ending was a little rushed. Overall fairly enjoyable and a quick read.
Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid - Set around Nina Riva, a famous surfer/supermodel, and her siblings and the day of their annual end of summer, going back into their history and their complicated relationships. The book is another fast read, and probably could've used a little editing. It was initially interesting, but it felt like it fell fast, and at one point, there was just too many characters, especially toward the climax. There was an unnecessary addition/twist, but it wasn't as badly done as the ones she has had in the past. I was surprised that all her novels seem to exist in the same universe, as she does throw in names that are the main characters of other books.
The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic by Breanna Randall - It's about Sadie Revelare, whose family has had magic, and hers is accompanied by its own curse of four heartbreaks. Her grandma is suddenly diagnosed with cancer, and both her estranged brother and first love return to town, complicating her life. It was sold as a cozy magic book (Practical Magic meets Gilmore Girls) but I wouldn't totally describe it that way, outside of the small town vibes. I do like all the baking that is involved and the potential of complicated relationships yet it didn't deliver and it felt like a lot of "tell, not show" with the main couple and the main character gives "woo is me" vibes while not being as sympathetic as the narrative intends her to be. The twist was fairly predictable and I'm glad, at least, what I knew would happen, didn't stick.
Towards Zero by Agatha Christie - An elderly woman is murdered at a seaside home and there is a houseful of suspects, most who seem to have their own motivation. I always enjoy an Agatha Christie mystery, and how she makes something seem too obvious and then comes back around to it in a way that you wouldn't expect and still enjoy. Overall, a good mystery.
Sparkling Cyanide by Agatha Christie - Rosemary Barton died a year prior, by cyanide, and it was ruled as a suicide, but her widowed husband isn't convinced. I thought the storyline was good and kept my attention. I was thrown off course as she probably intended and had inklings of who could've done it but the reasoning caught me by surprise for sure. It's not amongst my favorite of her books but enjoyable.
The House on Vesper Sands by Paraic O'Donnell - A historical mysterwy where a seamstress jumps to her death with words stitched on her skin that may be connected to the recent string of missing girls. A detective, a Cambridge dropuout and a young journalist are all looking for answers. I'm halfway through and I like it so far.
Head-Long by Michael Frayn - a local landowner/philosopher and art historian wife are asked to assess three sooty paintings.
The Strangler Vine by M.J. Carter - set in mid 1800s British ruled India, a young soldier (William Avery) and a secret political agent (Jeremiah Blake) end up teaming up to track down a missing writer.
The Colours of Death by Patricia Marques - A scifi novel where dead body is found and it seems to be suicide but according to witnesses, may be murder.
Snuffed Out by Valona Jones - Twin sisters co-own a candle shop and when one of their customers is murdered, they end up investigating to clear the name of their clerk, who is the number one suspect.
What are you all reading? Any recs? :)
no subject
Date: 2024-02-20 06:35 am (UTC)"they're family, you HAVE to forgive them" isn't a theme I would be super fond of either... :/
Not sure I'd rec what I'm currently reading so I'll wait to be a bit further along, haha! I've been enjoying
no subject
Date: 2024-02-21 08:05 pm (UTC)Yeah, in this case, the main character was in a relationship with a guy for 9 years and he cheated with her youngest sister and the middle one took the other one's side, which is why they're estranged. I knew it was hard to come back from and well, it didn't work for me.
Haha that's okay! I take recs at any time! I've been following
no subject
Date: 2024-02-20 06:14 pm (UTC)I like how you give an honest appraisal of the books. We' re all critics, tee hee. 📚 ☺️ 📚
no subject
Date: 2024-02-21 08:06 pm (UTC)We really are! I don't have it in me to write a full review but I figure it wouldn't hurt to share a few thoughts on each book, rather than just posting a summary, which people can get anywhere.
no subject
Date: 2024-02-20 09:30 pm (UTC)I agree with you, I don't like that in general.
I do like Agatha!
no subject
Date: 2024-02-21 08:15 pm (UTC)She is great! Definitely one of my favorite authors.
no subject
Date: 2024-02-21 01:31 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2024-02-21 08:16 pm (UTC)