Hello! June was a rubbish month in terms of books in some ways. I read some some rubbish books as you will know from this post – but I also unexpectedly read some really good ones. Lets get into it. (For the details on the review and star criteria please check out this post).
Fiction
- Other People’s Marriages by Kerry Fisher **** (I received a copy of this book from Net Galley, out July 2021)
I discussed this book in episode 15 of my podcast, Eat Watch Binge Read (listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts) and I loved it. I had never read or even heard about this writer before this book and enjoyed it so much. Its a fantastic tale of friendship and the best part – its about a group of 60+ year old women. I am in my thirties and would ordinarily think its not something I would find common ground with but Kerry Fisher’s storytelling is just so good it totally resonated with me.
2. The Lost Hours by Susan Lewis ** (I received a copy of this book from Net Galley)
The issue with the book is its really difficult to feel bad or sorry for the characters the writer wants you to sorry for. The actual crux of it was such a disappointment and just not justifiable. But let me clarify it was a enjoyable enough read but felt like a bit of a let down at the end.
3. Turn a Blind Eye (Detective William Warwick No. 3) by Jeffrey Archer
I don’t know why I keep doing this to myself and picking up books in this series again and again. In my defence I see them on my library app and think its just one of those I’ll finish in a day so I might as well read it. They are so bad! I used to love Jeffrey Archer’s books at one point of time so this is really sad to read.
4. The Sanatorium by Sarah Pearse
I have been wanting to read this book as soon as I heard about it last year. I finally got hold of it from my library (on the app since my library itself is still closed) after waiting a few weeks and…what a disappointment. I am sorry but this was not a good book. I found the main character annoying and unbelievable, the storyline frustratingly illogical and the end a complete let down. The setting of the book is extremely interesting and sets you up for high expectations which falls flat.
5. We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
I finished this in a day – what a great read! I think this comes under the young adult genre technically and its a fantastic read. The world the writer creates, the characters as well as the relationship between the characters, the politics – everything was just bang on.
6. Better To Trust by Heather Frimmer *** (I received a copy of this book from Net Galley)
I enjoyed this book because of the interesting plot line which felt very realistic. It did stress me out a little as to how probable the story was and I totally felt it was something that could happen to me or any of my friends or acquaintances. The characters were well written and it was easy to sympathise with both sides of the issue. You know I love these moral dilemma stories and vote it would make interesting book club discussions.
7. Seven Days in June by Tia Williams **** (I received a copy of this book from Net Galley)
Is there a book more hyped than this one this June? This one made it to Reese Witherspoon’s book club pick for June and unlike the Sanatorium, it definitely makes the cut. I don’t normally read a lot of the romance genre although I love most of what I pick and choose to read (also recommend One Day in December by Josie Silver). This is definitely romance with a lot of interesting side genres – thats the best way to describe it. And as a total bookworm, I absolutely love all the geeky author and literary world references.
8. Reasons for Avoiding Friends by Megan Leavell *** (I received a copy of this book from Net Galley, out September 2021)
I really liked this one. Interesting plot with good character development, with interesting insights into human beings.
9. The Babysitter by Phoebe Morgan ***
This month was low on the physiological thriller reads for me and this was a great read. But the issue with some of these great reads is that the twist or the end just doesn’t work for the book. Its a good twist but almost feels like its separate from the actual book or story.
Short Stories
10. The Lottery by Shirley Jackson
I saw this tweet from the New Yorker and straight away clicked on the website to read the story. Warning: its disturbing so read at your own risk.
Shirley Jackson’s short story from 1948, which inspired the most mail The New Yorker had ever received in response to a work of fiction—and caused some readers to cancel their subscriptions. https://t.co/5kbNIUe0X9
— The New Yorker (@NewYorker) June 28, 2021
11. The Party by Keith Ridgway
DJ loved this story and made me and some friends read it – we all came away with our own interpretations of what we believe happened and what it was about. The best kind of storytelling.
Non-fiction
12. The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
This is probably one of Gladwell’s most famous books and its always been on my TBR list. I finally got a copy from a friend and gave it a read. Its an interesting enough book and I quite like reading these kind of books about trends, ideas and economics. I remember really enjoying the Freakonomics series. I would definitely recommend this one – it has some good original ideas and theories. There were lots of parts I was reading aloud to DJ. I do feel some of it is quite repetitive and it could do with a better flow. I felt the chapter system didn’t work too well for this book. I will definitely reading more from Gladwell.
13. Say No To Plastic by Harriet Dyer **
This book is probably not meant for someone like me who is quite into their non-plastic journey. I have already moved on from the toothpaste tabs and reusable mug and this book is probably for someone starting out with basics. Which is fine and something thats expected but I did not think the substitutions offered were impressive to be honest. Asking something who uses dye to use henna is not really going to cut it is it? She doesn’t give options to those wanting blonde hair dye merely saying there is no options for bottle blonde (well, there is!). I also didn’t appreciate the suggestion of using coconut oil to remove makeup. I can totally see where this is going – someone using makeup cleanser in plastic tube replaces it with coconut oil which leads to acne will just go right back to their old plastic tubed cleanser. I felt this book was also missing in details. She mentions companies provide incentive to return their plastic packaging – what is the incentive? Which companies? I got quite frustrated with being given half the story. There is also no context or nuance included. For instance, there is a suggestion of using soap berries without talking about the source and issues faced about the scarcity of these berries in cultures that have been using these for hundreds of years.
I felt the amount of focused research for replacements in different areas was missing with the focus being on different types of plastic consumption to replace just to make up the 101 number.
14. Career Crisis Plan by Philip Kent-Hughes ***** (I received a copy of this book from Net Galley)
I actually started reading this book after seeing it on Net Galley last year / earlier this year when I started thinking about moving on from my job. Now it didn’t exactly fit my situation and I kind of fell out of it once I got my new job but managed to still go through it recently.
But it is a fantastic book. If you either have lost a job recently, planning to move on from your current job or trying to change career tracks. It is literally like a planner with so much detail and the advise pretty much works whatever stream you are in. Its not focused on specific or even traditional careers. I ended up using one of the trackers they have in the book to track my job applications and interviews and it was really useful. It helped me organise and felt I was in control of a situation where I actually had very little control! I really appreciated the details – which website to visit for what information, how to keep yourself organised and how to actually figure out your skills and how they transfer.
15. The Green Roasting Tin by Rukmini Iyer *****
I am obsessed with this book. I love cooking from this book, I love reading this book, I love the photographs and I love the recipes. I will be buying more of her books – thats all the recommendation I can state and for more details listen to this.
Articles
16. It Is Obscene: A True Reflection In Three Parts by Chimamanda
The blog post that started the latest drama in the literary world. Apart from the actual fact situation it does throw up a number of interesting moral dilemmas to deal with so will definitely keep a lot of conversation going.
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.
– Anisha
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