Magically, I finished 9 books in February! How fun is that? According to Goodreads, I am ON TRACK for my 100 books of 2019 Goal. Cue the celebratory dance music!
February Reads (in order of reading):
#1. All the Ever Afters: The Untold Story of Cinderella’s Stepmother by Danielle Teller (☆☆) This book is a retelling of the Cinderella story from the ‘evil’ stepmother’s (Agnes) point of view. Agnes is born into challenging circumstances and, unsurprisingly, uses every opportunity to her advantage. The tale incorporates her sacrifices for her own daughters and her stepdaughter Ella’s future. Honestly, I picked up this book on a whim because I loved the cover design - I found it well written, just not for me.
Read if you like: Cinderella and/or classic fairy tales (it is definitely NOT fantasy)
#2. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins (☆☆☆) Hollywood glitz and glam headlines this book that I waver between liking and loving. I did not connect with Evelyn or her life decisions in the way I wanted to. I loved her true love story and the pervasive theme that you never really know a person or their innermost life from the outside. However, I just couldn’t get past some of her more shrewd moments.
Read if you like: celebrity gossip blogs and, perhaps, the Devil Wears Prada
#3. The Precious One by Marisa De Los Santos (☆☆☆☆) So, I love this author and her command of words - Love Walked In and Belong to Me are EXACTLY the kind of romance reads I love. The Precious One was a complex family drama and, while dealing with some heavy topics, I would recommend as a light, quick read - there is a lot of love between these pages - both familial and romantic.
Read if you like: Where’d You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple
#4. 84, Charring Cross Road by Helene Hanff (☆☆☆☆) This quick read was first published in 1970 and is, essentially, a series of love letters between a woman in New York and her favorite (unvisited) bookstore in London. They span 20 years between the American, Helene, and mainly a British man named Frank Doel (but also his wife, children and other employees of the bookstore). It is a sweet capture of real friendship, kindness and humor of people who had never met.
Read if you Like: The Guernsey Literary Society or, like, having a pen pal EVER :)
#5. Elevation by Stephen King (☆☆☆☆) Another quick read at only 150 pages, Stephen King continues to prove he is a master at character development. This particular novel follows the tale of Scott Carey, a recently divorced web developer living in King’s infamous Castle Rock. Scott begins to inexplicably lose weight and, as he approaches ‘ground zero’ the story, he finds a team of people that are his alone. It has almost a feel good, oddly sweet feel and I am a fan.
Read if you like: All other Stephen King novel; sorry, he is in a category of his own!
#6. All Your Perfects by Colleen Hoover (☆☆) Many of the amazing people I follow over on Bookstagram love Colleen Hoover so I was ready to be impressed! Unfortunately, I think I picked the wrong novel. This one was a miss for me - I think I misunderstood that it was going to be a true romance read. The start sucked me in - the featured couple meets in an unusual way but the plot didn’t go anywhere for me from there. Definite trigger warning if you struggle with infertility and complicated relationships as a result.
Read if you like: Nicholas Sparks (blech) or Celia Ahern (P.S. I love You author)
#7. Animal Dreams by Barbara Kingsolver (☆☆☆☆☆) To preface the five stars, I will admit I have never read any of this author’s other novels and I am now committed to doing so. Animal Dreams focuses around sisters Hallie and Codi (mainly Codi) and their respective discoveries their place in the world. I don’t know this author’s writing process but I was floored by her imagery of the area and the culture surrounding it. It covers complex family and community issues (the girls lose their mother at a young age and are raised by their emotionally distant doctor father as well as a whole host of women in their small town) and also offers a romantic story line. Recommend.
Read if you like: Anne Tyler (Spool of Blue Thread) or Jodi Picoult
#8. Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi (☆☆☆☆) I did NOT realize this book was part of a trilogy until… the last page. So that was a bit frustrating - do I have to commit to reading the rest now? I think I do! Nevertheless, I did enjoy this book. It was a bit more bloody than I expected but the two main female protagonists Zelie and Amari- one a warrior and one a peacekeeper - stole my heart. I also loved the mystery of the magic - and the threat of magic going away.
Read if you like: Hunger Games or Divergent series
#9. The Great Unknowable End by Kathryn Ormsbee (☆☆☆☆☆) This was hands down my favorite read of the month. Set in the town of Slater, Kansas in the 70s, the book follows the intertwining stories of Stella and Galliard. Stella struggles with her mother’s suicide and helps raise her sister. Galliard has Tourette’s and lives at the local commune with his community. Their paths cross and they begin a quirky, intimate friendship that, coupled with some strange things happening in Slater, changes both their lives. I love that the author focuses on their respective self-discoveries. Recommend.
Read if you like: Carry On by Rainbow Rowell