What I Have Been Reading Lately

Welcome to my book review that no one asked for

I have gotten really into reading throughout the course of the pandemic. I set my reading goal for the year at 12 books and have already read 21, so I’m pretty happy with my progress. I’ve always loved reading, but sometimes life gets in the way and it isn’t always a top priority of what to do with my days off. Now that COVID-19 has graciously changed the amount of free time I have, I turned to books once again.

I use the app Libby on my iPad with my library card. The app allows up to 10 books to be placed on hold from your library at a time. The really popular books can take up to 6 months to become available to loan so I like to fill up my holds list with as many books as I can so I always have something to read.

The app Goodreads is one of my favorite apps on my phone. It’s essentially a form of social media for avid readers. You can add all your friends that read to see who is reading what and what they thought about their latest read. I also like to use it to find books similar to the ones I have enjoyed and to follow my favorite authors to watch for new releases. The app allows you to create shelves for books so you can sort them into different categories and genres. I just sort mine by want to read, currently reading and read. I tell everyone about this app because I love it and it’s a great place to find your next book.

Now onto the books I’ve been reading lately.

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

This novel is about a pair of Black identical twins raised in the south, running away at age 16 and subsequently going their separate ways. One twin eventually moves back to their hometown, where she raises her Black daughter. The other twin passes as white and marries a white man that knows nothing about her past. The Vanishing Half looks beyond the issues of race and racial disparities and digs deeper into how preconceived expectations as a child can shape a person. This novel ended up being about so much more than I originally anticipated, with some unexpected twists and deep characterization.

Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate

This great read was based on the horrifyingly true scandal in the 1930s of Georgia Tann and the Tennesse Children’s Home, where poor children were stolen from their homes and sold to the wealthy. The story is of one family’s experience with the orphanage and life thereafter. I won’t say much more in order to avoid spoiling the plot so you can read and find out for yourself. It gets a lot of hype on Goodreads and it’s well deserved.

It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover

This story was moving and hard to read, but at the same time, hard to put down. This is one of those books that keeps you thinking long after you turn the final page. It’s beautifully written and puts you directly in the perspective of the heroine to experience her journey of love, loss and hardship firsthand. I can’t say much more without giving away the plot. Just read this book.

The tattooist of Auschwitz by heather morris

This captivating novel is a WW2 era story written through the viewpoints of various people who experienced it first hand. This particular story was hard to read at times because of the emotional toll it takes on the reader, as most novels about the Holocaust do. It’s based on the true story of a Slovakian Jew and his experience in Auschwitz. This is a must-read book on a dark time in history.

Educated by Tara Westover

Although I’ve heard mixed reviews on this novel, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The author, Tara Westover, was raised by survivalists in the mountains of Idaho. Her parents did not believe in sending their children to school and spent their time preparing for doomsday. Tara’s thirst for knowledge lead her to educate herself and gain admittance into college. This firsthand account makes for a unique and fantastic story of growth, development and self discovery.

Beartown by Fredrik Backman

At first glance, this book is about a small town that revolves around hockey. I personally do not care about hockey, but it had great reviews on Goodreads, so I gave it a chance. There is so much more to this novel than hockey. The character depth and evolution of a terrible, unsuspecting crime created a story I couldn’t put down until I knew what had happened.

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

I watched the movie The Hate U Give on the plane on a trip before the pandemic and openly cried (sorry to the passenger next to me). The tragic story and the strong Black female voice spoke to my soul. I decided to read the book the movie was based off to do some comparing, as I like to do. It’s a story that needs to be told and is unfortunately still far too relevant in our society today. Read it.

We Were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter

Another WW2 era novel, this one about a Jewish family living in Poland when it became occupied by Nazis. They all get split up as the horror war closing in on Europe became inescapable. Each endure hardships of the war on their own, not knowing if the rest of their family is dead or alive. This historical fiction novel is heartbreaking and inspiring.

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

I love Kristin Hannah. She writes amazing novels and I need to read them all. Her books are lengthy and require dedication but once I got into this book I could not put it down. The character development and storyline are simply captivating. Follow 13-year-old Leni and her family as they suddenly pack up and move to remote Alaska. Feel her heartbreak, resilience and her growth as she fights to survive in the wilderness of Alaska. This is one of my favorite novels.

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

Surprise, another Kristin Hannah book! The Nightingale tells the story of two sisters in the midst of WW2. Separated amongst the war, they each endure their own hardships, heartbreak and pain. This book captured the endurance and bravery of the two women beautifully. You must read this.

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

Talk about suspense! This thriller novel is about a woman who shoots her beloved husband in the face five times and then never speaks another word. Her refusal to speak or offer any explanation lands her in a psychiatric hospital, where a criminal psychotherapist makes it his mission to unearth her secret and get her to speak.

The Girl on the Train By Paula Hawkins

Yes, I know I am late to the game on reading this book. I had just finished The Silent Patient and was looking for another thriller novel and this book fulfilled that requirement. It had everything a thriller should have - suspense, a plot and a unsuspecting twist.

Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates

This book was written by Ta-Nehisi Coates for his son on what it means to be Black in America. He shares his truth and experiences about living in a world where Black bodies are accused, imprisoned and murdered just for being Black. Coates shares these truths with his son while telling the story of his life as a Black man. This is a book that must be read again and again by everyone right now and for future generations.

A Woman is No Man by Etaf Rum

This novel follows a young Arabic girl named Deya living in Brooklyn with her grandparents, about to start meeting her suitors for an arranged marriage. She questions this system in which her mother had been taken from Palestine to marry a man she didn’t know to leave behind everything she knew and loved to move to America. Deya’s bravery and passion to unearth the truth about her mother’s death and her place in Arabic society as a woman made for an incredible read.

Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

In 1945, a large ship called the Wilhelm Gustloff sunk in the Baltic Sea. It was significantly overcapacity with people trying to escape the Red Army. This historical fiction novel follows four voices with different perspectives of the lesser known tragic part of history. I loved this book.

untamed by glennon doyle

I just finished this book a few days ago. It has the vibes of a self-help book but shares the life story of the author, motivation speaker Glennon Doyle. She was married with two children when she met and fell in love with a woman. She made the decision to follow her heart by divorcing her husband and choosing true happiness. It’s an inspirational story about discovering yourself and knowing what is best for you It’s worth a read!

If you have any suggestions on books you loved, please let me know! I’m always looking for my next read.