May the Book Force Be With You | May Wrap-Up
Updated: Mar 12, 2021
Hello Book Lovers!
It's been awhile, and for that I truly ask you to forgive me! It has been crazy this month, especially right now in the wake of protests and the pandemic; I can only imagine how you are all feeling, probably similar to myself- drained and angry. If you are looking for ways to support the Black community, please check out this google doc that links you to different places that you can donate to directly help advocates. Any amount helps! And, if you are out there on the frontlines protesting, please remember to wear a mask and stay safe!!!
With that important information being said- I would like to tell you about the six books I read this month!
All the Light We Cannot See by: Anthony Doerr
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Where to begin with this masterpiece? Doerr tells a story of two people who could not be more different- there is Marie-Laure LeBlanc, a blind french girl and Werner Pfennig, an orphaned German boy. This novel takes you through both of their coming-of-ages and how the war has shifted the trajectory of their lives, in ways they never anticipated. Yet, within all the darkness and despair that both these characters experience, there is light out of rebellion and humanity. I absolutely loved this book and felt that I could not have read this novel at a better time. Every line was carefully crafted with prose so descriptive that it made you feel as if you were right by the sea in Saint-Malo. Doerr has a special gift, and I will be adding more of his repertoire to my reading list! A SOLID 5/5 stars from me!
Woman World by: Aminder Dhaliwal
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I have wanted to read more graphic novels for awhile and didn't know where to begin, so what did I do? I recruited my sister to be my guide and she picked out this wonderful dystopian novel for me that could not have been more spot on! What is Women World about you ask? Well, when a birth defect wipes out the male population; women must rebuild a society without the influence of men. And as a result: we get a hilarious and wildly popular instagram comic about a world without men. This book was so fun and was a great way to distract myself from the pandemic and to take a moment to laugh!
She's With Me by: Jessica Cunsolo
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This was the Secret Ingredient Book Club pick for this month and I have some thoughts...
Now, I will preface this by saying that this book was originally published on Wattpad and therefore I already knew the writing was going to be hit-or-miss. While, the story elements were interesting with the inclusion of street racing, a tight-knit group of friends and a killer on the loose, the way these elements were executed really made me question the author. I did get a few chuckles while reading this book, and overall the book felt like a good starting point. However, this book did not address some of its biggest plot points and had very vague descriptions for characters, i.e. the boy with the brown hair. With that being said, I will not continue this series and do not recommend this book as a whole because of the lack of plot. If you like funny characters, maybe give it a try? Actually... Probs not.
You Deserve Each Other by: Sarah Hogle
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Now, if you're looking for a romance that is non-traditional and quirky, this is the read for you! I loved that this book explored the power of re-falling in love and re-learning who your partner is, while remembering why you fell in love with them in the first place. This book was charming, heart-melting fun and exactly what you should read if you’re looking for a feel-good story. I’m sad I had to finish this story!
This One Summer by: Jillian Tamaki, Mariko Tamaki
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This One Summer was a surprising read that had way more depth and maturity than you would expect from a young adult novel. It was not only refreshing, but needed. Truly a great, quick summer read that will have you thinking about it after you finish the last page! If you are looking for a book to jumpstart your reading journey, but also have you deep in thought, this could be for you!
Where the Crawdads Sing by: Delia Owens
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I read this for Caila Quinn's (from Ben Higgins's season of the Bachelor) book club, Caila's Corner, and am upset that I didn’t read it when I first bought it a year-a-go during the Barnes & Noble sale from last year. Where the Crawdad's Sing opens with a mystery, when two young boys coming home from the edge of town come across a dead Chase Andrews- the golden boy of Barkley Cove. The town is on the hunt to figure out the truth and their person to blame is "The Marsh Girl". "The Marsh Girl",a young women named Kya, becomes the prime suspect of this case.This novel, on top of being a mystery, also focuses on Kya's coming-of-age in isolation with little kindness from her North Carolina town. Heartbreaking, perseverant, and poetic this novel will have you smiling and crying until you flip to the last page. Truly a gem!
Alrighty, this was a good month with incredible reads that made me feel all the feelings: sadness, anger, love and joy. Let me know if you have any recommendations in the comments!
Until next time, Keep it Authentic!
♥ Amy