6 Month Round Up!
We are halfway through the year already and I cannot believe it. I’m stuck between it’s gone so fast and it seems a life time ago that I was still on maternity leave, thank god for some much needed Sunshine, however I hope there is more before summer is out! I thought I would do a little round up of the books I’ve read this year. Not everything, but the most notable.
To be really honest I have had quite a frustrating ride, so many books I’ve read have fallen flat and I’ve been really uninspired. But over the last few weeks I’ve actually devoured a handful of goodies. I won’t share too much of the plot (pet hate) but will give you a brief outline along with genre.
The Good…
I think its clear to see I love an easy going feel good book. Most of these have landed in the good and not the best because although for me they had the feel good factor they lacked the depth or ability to push me as a reader, they didn’t make me think further than my current opinion or lived experience. I also don’t think I will be reading these for a second time. But they are great I wholeheartedly recommend them to anyone who is wanting to get lost in a good book!
The Push by Ashley Audrain
Ashley Audrain’s debut novel is chilling! It’s hard to read, but equally hard to look away from. I read it all in nearly one sitting. It is a multifaceted and layered look at motherhood. Blythe didn't have a loving and nurturing mother and is ready to break the cycle. But once her daughter Violet arrives and she struggles to connect with her she finds herself being selfish and careless. It’s not until Violet’s younger brother Sam is born when Blythe finally finds her feet, her connection and everything starts to come together like a family should. That is until the big incident.
What I loved about The Push was most of the characters were flawed, you didn’t really know where to look for a reliable source. The subject is tough and it doesn’t shy away from raw and primal feelings.
It has everything that you want or that you need from an easy going and enjoyable thriller.
Oh My God, What a Complete Aisling by Emer McLysaght and Sarah Breen
I never usually read books like this, but, it was so much fun and so needed I really enjoyed. Aisling is a similar age to me so her cultural references were on point and I was constantly laugh out loud. It follows the character Aisling, who is in her late 20’s happily coupled up with her high school sweatheart, living in Dublin working an office job. She is desperate for an engagement and to have her hen willy straws and all.
Aisling is essentially a basic bitch, she’s a rule follower and one of the most endearing characters I’ve read on a page in a long time. A great pool side read, nothing too taxing just laughs.
This is not a timeless book, this is an in the moment funny observational work of fiction with characters who aren’t fully developed. However it is feel good, I also wonder how the series goes on to whether we see the authors grow. There are 4 books in the series, so if you enjoy this then there are 3 more to read.
Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murders by Jesse Q. Sutanto
I listened to this on audible, if the second half had been as good as the first I think this would have been moved up into the best books.
Vera’s character is hilarious, very comical look on a stereotypical Asian mother. I also found it refreshing to read a book with the protagonist over the age of 50. One morning Vera wakes up to find a dead man in the middle of her shop. with little faith that the police will be able to solve this crime Vera takes it upon herself to solve this murder.
It is a heart warming and funny! Put the kettle on, make a cup of tea and solve the murder along with Vera.
Sea of Tranquility by Emily St John Mandel
This is a nice compact short read. Time travelling novels aren’t usually for me, I tend to steer away from science fiction or fantasy. But this year I’ve made an effort to try and broaden my horizons. I found this refreshing and different to what I have read before, I’ve read her previous novel Station Eleven, which, I think is my favourite of hers but this is still great too.
The narrative is told by interconnecting stories across different time lines, despite part of the story being about Covid, a subject that I am extremely tired of reading about I found the overall book both interesting and compassionate.
I enjoyed the ending, although it felt a bit far fetched, but, so does time travel. I actually think I would have loved this more had it been longer. I would have loved to really get to know and connect with the characters more.
The Best…
Wandering Souls by Cecile Pin
This was out first bookclub pick and in my opinion it was fantastic! It was so beautifully written and so concise that I was in utter awe. I was so upset when Wandering Souls wasn’t short listed for the Womens Prize. I really felt it offered something new and exciting with interesting prose and narrative. I’ve read a good handful of the short and long listed titles and it is still by far one of my favourites. After talking to others, I actually think that this is a really common feeling.
Wandering souls follows Anh and her two brothers as they flee Saigon and make their way to Hong Kong. Their parents and younger siblings were to meet them in Hong Kong, but their boat does not make it. Anh the eldest must take responsibility for her brothers and navigate their journey ahead. Despite being only 13 she cares for her brothers and puts their needs before hers. The story is told from Anh’s point of view, her younger brother’s soul and an unknown source (until the end). It’s a really compelling story focusing on the Vietnamese boat people and their journey.
It’s emotional and powerful, one of the best books I’ve read this year. If you would like to read the bookclub post an in depth look at Wandering Souls you can do so here.
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
Tomorrow x3 has been one of those books I’ve not been able to get away from. After thinking that it wasn’t for me as it’s very techy and gamey which I have no connection too. I overlooked it, until a friend recommended it to me telling me that it was really worth the hype. I loved it! It is SO much more than gaming. The author Gabrielle Zevin does a great job of creating a novel that appeals and connects to so many people.
Ultimately it is a novel about friendship, platonic love, loss, romantic relationships, business, success, competition, drive. It is so layered, so well written and plotted.
I’ve not met anyone so far who hasn't loved this book.
I’ve previously written about this here in the March newsletter.
The Salt Path by Rayner Winn
I picked up this book in the hopes of also one day walking The Salt Path, not all of it, but part of it, it is an insanely beautiful part of the country with so much history and would be a massive challenege. It is for sure a goal.
Rayner and her husband Moth loose their house and their income after a lengthy legal battle. Then shortly after Moth is diagnosed with a degenerative disease, how many blows can one couple handle?
With nowhere to go they set out to walk 630 miles of the South West coast. As a newly homeless couple, Rayner talks about the homeless crisis we are facing as well as their personal experience of treatment when other walkers discovered that they weren’t just completing the walk for a chosen charity. They were walking because they had nowhere else to go to.
Rayner really captures the moments as if you are walking with them. I found myself laughing at all the young hikers who called them old, as well as how Winn points out the people who are obsessed with rushing, getting the photo, powering on to the next goalpost. I think it is a perfect time to reflect and at tasks ahead and asking yourself can you slow down? can you take a step back and really enjoy the moment?
Other books by Rayner have been added to my imaginary TBR pile.
Milk Teeth by Jessica Andrews
After reading Jessica’s first novel Saltwater, I quietly declared her as one of my favourite authors, she has the ability to write a novel that makes me wish I had written it as well as feeling that it is written about me, despite the characters being nothing like me. Her writing is delicate and thought provoking, as a writer she really does astound me.
Milk Teeth is no different. The book jumps from the past to the present and the prose is casual but somewhat profound. The protagonist struggles with constantly feeling as if she isn’t enough but also worries that she is too much, we spend all our time caught up in her thoughts. Growing up she is surrounded and influenced by diet culture, she talks about heroin chic, Cassie from skins and Kate moss. This being a body trend that we are starting to see influenced again.
As romantic books go, they’re not usually my vibe, but this wasn’t light and frivolous it really captured feelings and the inner anxieties and dynamic of a new relationship. This isn’t a plot heavy novel, at times it is slightly repetitive but it is also dreamy and I found it just incredibly inspiring. I bought this in paperback as I know it will be a book I continue to dip in and out from.
The Bad and The DNF
I’m not actually going to go into specifics here, I don’t really want to slag off any writing, especially when it’s so subjective. I’ve definitely read quite a few disappointing books so far this year. I’ve spoken about this a few times but I do feel after 100 pages if the book isn’t for me I park it there. I think it’s been serving me well and kept me from slogging through a book and just getting disheartened and deflated. I feel that not being a completist is the way to live a happy life.
I’ve got a handful of books that I am excited to read over the next few months. I am looking forward to sharing with you!
What are you reading? Anything that you have really enjoyed this year?