I am going to say the obvious – cannot believe its August already! Summer reading is well underway and I am really looking forward to reading some of the books that have been on my TBR forever. I promise you August reading is going to be so fun too!
What have you guys been reading and do you enjoy these posts? It would be great to have some feedback.
Fiction
Never Let You Go by Kazuo Ishiguro ***
I’ll be honest – artificial intelligence or robots or clones are not my favourite subject matter. Klara and the Sun was the first Ishiguro I read and while I enjoyed it, it was not a book that blew me away. I think in both books, I felt the subject matter and the issues could have been discussed more clearly and more nuance explicitly teased out. I liked the AI and human links the book makes and also how the book has so much emotional details discussed. I also like
We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Fowler ****
I was not at all prepared for the major twist in the beginning of the book, I had absolutely no idea this was the direction the book was going in. For the longest time, I kept reading thinking its a metaphor or a dream. Its a really sensitive book managing to bring the reader into a world they had no idea about but at the same time, make them care deeply about it.
Trust Me by T.M. Logan **
This one was not for me. The premise of the book was really interesting and it was on my TBR list but the actual execution was a let down.
The Road Trip by Beth O’Leary ***
I loved Beth O’Leary’s The Switch – if you haven’t read it please do so right now. Its a great book – perfect details, funny, heartwarming and such an easy read. I then read The Flatshare and pre-ordered The Road Trip.
The Road Trip has a really cute and fun premise but its a little more intense then her other books. I liked how she managed to cover a lot of difficult issues in a book that feels fairly superficial. I am totally in awe of her writing.
The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris ***
This book was so hyped! It was on every summer book list. It started out well – I loved the office politics and aggression. Also books about books and the literary world (like Seven Days in June) are one of my favourite genres. But I just couldn’t understand the pacing of this book. It felt like its setting up the scene for almost the whole book and then the explanation come and it ends. I enjoyed reading it but cannot say the plot and ending lives up to the marketing.
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Second Place by Rachel Cusk **
I finished reading this the day before the Booker dozen (the long list) was announced and this book made it. Honestly, not for me. Its just not the kind of writing I can appreciate or find particularly interesting. I found the main character irritating (which I assume was the intention) but not interesting (which I assume was not the intention). I found it odd that the premise of the book was mentioned after the book finished. All in all, not my kind of book although I did look into the writers bibliography and Aftermath sounded interesting.
Non-fiction
Notes on Grief by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie *****
I am probably not objective but a beautiful book. I love everything she writes. This book was written after her father died in the middle of the pandemic and she talks about grief, her family, her father and the events surrounding his life and death. It made me laugh and cry and really really homesick. I hope thats not putting you off since I cannot recommend
How to Fail by Elizabeth Day ****
There has been a lot of criticism of this book basically talking about how its ‘too white’. I am the first person who loves a lot of diversity in their books and reading but honestly, this is her memoir. She is a white lady living in a predominantly white country with white experiences. I do think its obvious her experiences will be ‘white’. Yes, of course
Poetry
A quick note on reading poetry:
I am not a major poetry reader – I mean, who is? I find it very tedious but extremely rewarding – its basically like a HIIT gym class! I am not very well versed in contemporary poetry and still read the poets I was taught in school if I ever read any at all. I find it easier to read poetry aloud. And definitely, read it more than once. Or even twice. You are able to get into the rhythm of the verse as well as interpret it differently each time around.
Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur ***
Even if you are a not a poetry reader, I am sure you have heard of Rupi Kaur. I did enjoy the poems/ verses but not sure if it can actually be called poetry. It doesn’t actually have the rhythm of poetry although I wonder if that should matter at all?
A Nocturnal Reverie by Anne Finch ***
I read the poem without any of the context mentioned at the end of the page and was amazed to go on and read it that it was written before 1720 (when the poet died). It sounds so contemporary, like she wrote it on a clear summer night. It gave me major Daffodils vibes and travel lust. Probably the only poem that makes the idea of camping in the English countryside sound picturesque and refreshing.
Short Stories
Unread Messages by Sally Rooney ****
I couldn’t wait for my copy of the New Yorker to turn up so just printed out pages from the website to read it. This is an extract of her upcoming book, Beautiful World, Where Are You? and I think I will enjoy it very very much if this extract is any indication.
I Cleaned the – by Kanya D’Almeida ****
This story won the 2021 Commonwealth Short Story Prize and I was curious to read it. Its very well written and manages to convey so much in so little – the best indication of a short story.
Articles
Mad Men, Furious Women by Zoe *****
Unsurprisingly, this blog post blew up on Twitter and social media. I am not naive and understand sexism and sexual harassment is prevalent in the work place but the instances this post mentions left me shocked. I felt totally stupid since I thought these kind of situations don’t happen in the modern workplace in the UK anymore. The post specifically talks about the advertising world but I am pretty sure whichever industry you work in, the story will be similar.
What have you been reading recently and how is it going? Catch up on my previous book posts or if fashion is more your thing, check out my post on how to wear 14 outfits with one pair of jeans – I really enjoyed this post! Also please check out my Instagram for more updates on my London life, food, books and everyday style. As always, thanks for reading!
- Anisha
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