On My Bookshelf No.6

I am super excited because I have quite a few books to chat about today, since I skipped recapping my May reads! This was a great group. Reminder that in January I switched to the Goodreads scale, so my ratings are out of 5! Anything above a 3 is pretty good, 4 is really good or a great read, and 5 is a wow! For my next four reads, my friend Phoebe is going to curate the book selection! It’ll be really fun. 

Beach Read by Emily Henry 4/5

(Print) This is the perfect beach read, but it‘s an elevated beach read! Two very different writers find themselves living in the same beach town and unexpectedly connect. The character development is so well executed and I loved Henry’s ability to seamlessly and simultaneously evoke humor, sadness, and happiness. The last time I felt that way about a book was with Evvie Drake! I was laughing, crying, happy, exhilarated and at ease. Henry’s writing is refreshing and different but easily digestible, and she is also super clever which I love. I recommend this to any romance, feel good, or chick-lit loving friends. 

These Ghosts are Family by Maisy Card 3.75/5

(Print) Wow. This book is so deep, complex, and unlike anything I’ve read. It tells the story of a multigenerational Jamaican family, with the plot focused around Abel/Stanford, who faked his death and tries to connect with his estranged daughter. It really unpacks the familial complexities that build up over time through lies and distance. My only issue was that the multiple story lines were challenging to follow, at times I would be reading and have to back track. It is a needed family cultural story that is well written, and definitely a book that you need to take your time with.

Untamed by Glennon Doyle 3/5

(Print) This was one of Reese’s book club selections, and I really like Glennon Doyle. In Untamed, she shares her powerful life story, and takes you on a deep journey of how she was able to find herself by shedding expectations, and listening to her own voice. For me, her story was nothing short of moving and I really respected the book’s content. However, the writing style was just not for me. It felt coarse and even “untamed,” and I think that may have been by design. I think it could be a good book club book because it poses a lot of relevant questions that would spark interesting conversation. 

One to Watch By Kate Stayman-London 5/5

(E-book) This has to be my favorite book of 2020 so far! Overall, it’s fun, has some serious drama, and it’s touching. But mainly, it’s relatable and shows the good and the hard parts of what it means to be plus size, while showing a curvy protagonist who is actually successful, empowered and beautiful. Bea, is a plus-size blogger, and calls out a reality tv dating show for their lack of body diversity, which lands her the lead role the next season. You follow Bea as she tries to navigate her relationships, the drama, and emotions that come with the crazy circumstances. I appreciated how Stayman-London accurately captures the struggles that come with being plus size, even if you are confident! The novel is so well written, well researched, and the body messaging felt RELATABLE! It is so good, you guys.

Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo 5/5

(Print) This book is phenomenal. It is written in verse and has a dual narrative that really feels like a work of art. The story is about two young women who discover that they are sisters through their father’s abrupt passing in a plane crash. One lives in the Dominican Republic, the other in New York, and they navigate the loss of their father, his deceit, and the love and confusion that comes with learning of one another’s existence. I found this to be brilliantly written, not only in terms of the plot, but in the construction of the verse as well. I found that reading in verse challenges you to be present, pause, and process, so I felt like I grew not only as a person, but as a reader as well. 

When Less Becomes More by Emily Ley 4/5

(Print) This is all about focusing on true connections, what is in front of us, and finding balance in a world where social media is constantly churning and most of us feel overwhelmed. Ley’s writing feels gentle, wise and as if I am talking to a friend. Although she does not uncover anything particularly new here, it’s the way she communicates and expounds on these topics that feels refreshing, warm and delicately impactful. Portions of the text are aimed towards parents, so it was an area where I shifted my thought process to read through my own lens, but still had great takeaways. 

The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley 4/5

(Print) My thriller readers will love this one! I devoured it pretty quickly, it is a “whodunit” psychological thriller. A group of friends head to an estate in the Scottish countryside for holiday and a huge blizzard locks them in. One of them is dead, one of them did it, no one knows who, and no one can leave. I’ll admit, a bunch of friends in a desolate lodge with a sprinkling of secrets and murder is not really new news, but this book is not stale WHATSOEVER– it’s a pageturner. I appreciated how Foley channeled classic thrillers in her writing style, while keeping the verbiage of today’s generation. It feels more refined and complex than quick thrillers do, and I appreciate how much goes into each character. 

Ready to Rise by Jo Saxton 4/5

(E-book) Jo is a motivational speaker, author and podcaster. Ready to Rise encourages women to unpack their insecurities in themselves and trust in God’s grace, covering topics of workplace harassment to self esteem. She even draws stories of women from The Bible, but does so in a way that I think a lot of people could relate to. I loved Saxton’s voice, it was super motivating without being “in your face” with a soft, yet fierce delivery of empowerment. Although I absolutely loved this, if you are not one to draw inspiration from The Bible, this may not be for you.