It was a good reading month but not very varied. Out of the 6 books I read this month, 3 were about marriages. Which I love but probably not a good read if you do not care at all about this subject. Sorry but I would rather manage your expectations!
The general announcement I have is that I will be posting on Saturday going forward. All of you helpfully told me you don’t read on Mondays thats good to know (that was sarcasm in case that didn’t get through).
All the reads these month were fiction.
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Lessons by Ian McEwan 5/5
My ex-podcast host recommended this one. He is a big Ian McEwan fan and has made me one too. I usually don’t read white male writers. Basically I have a finite amount of time to read and there are enough people reading white male writers and I usually don’t care about that perspective. This is one of those books that charts someone’s life through world events and most importantly, a single incident that happened early on and its effect on the character’s life throughout. As you can see from the rating, I loved it.
One part of the book is the protagonist’s life and story, which was interesting in itself. The second aspect of the book is the history that is happening in the background. While living it you never think of it as history but from the outside its a fascinating life. The description of the events leading upto the fall of the Berlin wall and what happens following this in the protagonist’s personal life was a totally new experience for me to read about. The fall of the Berlin wall did happen when I was alive but I was a child then living in India. Maybe there were other historical events that were more immediate and relevant to our lives there, so it was a far flung event happening in another world. This book made it much more real.
2. The Last White Man by Mohsin Hamid 3/5
This book felt very incomplete to me. I thought the premise was interesting but I thought it could have been longer and much more could have been done with it. It felt repetitive after a point of time – the same incident happening over and over to other people. I think I would have been more interested if it analysed or discussed a little bit more of the experience of the protagonist once the incident happens to him. I know I am doing the really annoying thing while reviewing – making in a whole other book! But this one felt like it was missing some meat.
3. Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid 5/5
This was such a treat to read in tennis season! Loved this book. I am not someone who enjoys watching sports (I mean whats the fun in that?) – I would rather be playing. However, reading about elite level tennis from the point of view of a player was such a fun read. Caveat, I play tennis so maybe this resonated more with me. But I don’t think this book will be a disappointment whether or not you play tennis or any other sport. Its just about ambition and feminism, and politics in the workplace which I am sure all of us grapple with from time to time.
4. Rootless by Krystal Zara Appiah 4/5
This list might make it clear that I love books talking about marriage. Not on the surface as a love story but books that go deep down and analyse a marriage. I am fascinated with it.
This books charts the relationship from childhood friends to marriage of a couple. It is interesting how marriage seems to bring so much more pressure into a relationship which was for all intents and purposes moving along well enough. This book explores some fascinating subjects and I really like the fact the main characters are Ghanian. The books also talks about their experience coming to England, their families, work and married life – all of which are subjects I love reading about. I found the immigrant family stereotypes a little annoying but also have to admit they are not just stereotypes and probably something the writer has seen frequently. This book was definitely a surprise hit. It was not on the TBR list but the blurb was interesting when I saw it on my library app so I went for it.
5. Really Good Actually by Monica Heisey 4/5
I didn’t think twice about picking up this book. The title itself convinced me I need to read it! It is a novel about a young woman who has just gotten divorced. This fascinated me since I don’t think I have read a book about such a young divorcee and because this subject matter is so relevant to our lives now. Divorce is not the taboo it once was and can even be something to celebrate. Thats the journey the protagonist is on.
The book shows her life – her job, her friends, her family, all against the backdrop of the divorce. The setting of the story is done well. I liked the sections with her friends group although I have to admit sometimes it felt that the writer was trying too hard to be cool or nonchalant with the writing. I really enjoyed the book but there were definitely about 30 – 40 pages in the middle when my attention flayed – it felt like not much was happening. I do think the writer managed to do a good job showing the sadness, frustration, excitement and exhaustion of a divorce.
6. Hello Beautiful by Ann Nepolitano 5/5
I have never read Ann Nepolitano before but have been intrigued for quite sometime. I have to admit – its very frivolous but the cover of this book was so beautiful it drew me in. Job done PR machine. (Hardly though since I read it on my library app).
One of my closest childhood friends is a family of four sisters and I have always been fascinated with this dynamic. This book is a story of a two marriages and relationship between sisters. I loved the book but I do see a major plot hole personally although that hasn’t diminished my enjoyment of the book at all. I loved how funny the book while dealing with serious events. I already booked Nepolitano’s older book, Dear Edward on my library app.
My last book post was last year so I need to catch up my previous book posts which I will do in good time and in the meantime, check back in on Friday.
– Anisha
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