Books, books books! This year is flying by - I feel like I say that all the time but a new month means a quick refresh on what I've been reading over the last month. I read five books this month and a couple were big ol' duds but three stole my heart, especially one that was written by one of my favourite authors, Taylor Jenkins Read.
My TBR pile is never-ending and I'm a nightmare for continually adding to it so I've placed a ban on myself until I've worked through what I have at home - not including 99p Kindle offers, oops!
I have five mini-reviews for you today and if you want to keep up with what I'm reading then you can follow me on Goodreads too - Alice Spake // Goodreads.
Exciting Times by Naoise Dolan
Exciting Times has been pipped as the summer read of 2021 and a thrilling read for fans of Sally Rooney but oh my it is not exciting times, it's pretty awful. It started off really well, I quite enjoyed the writing but by the second part there were obvious racist undertones, the way it was set in Hong Kong wasn't very authentic verging on once again, racist and it felt as though not only the characters but the author exist in total unawareness of privilege and entitlement.
I genuinely do not understand how so many huge titles such as Vogue, The New York Times, Elle and so many more have praised it so highly. It is basically just the story of another white person who is completely unlikeable and entitled.
Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers
Another dud for me this month was Small Pleasures although I won't lie, I bought this for the cover and well... I got stung with a rubbish read! I started reading this before having to put it down for three weeks, finally finished it over a weekend, and quite enjoyed it from the 100-page mark but the ending just totally ruined it for me as I felt there was zero closure. It also takes quite a dark turn but literally touches upon it and moves on - it felt unfinished, to be honest.
Adulting by Liz Talley
I really wasn't sure what to expect from this but I enjoyed it so much - it's quite dark in parts yet warm, funny, and engaging - also came with a trigger warning which I thought was brilliant. It follows Chase London a self-destructive actress who has to face her demons after being written off Hollywood casualty by almost everyone, including her own mother and life coach Olivia Han is devoted to “adulting” boot camp therapy. I found it quite wholesome in a way - especially as Olivia learns more about her family, and Chase is able to process emotions from her past, I found myself eager to turn the next page throughout. Would definitely recommend this one.
One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Ah TJR is my faveeee and when this went into the 99p Kindle offer I downloaded it in a heartbeat but woah was not ready for the tears this brought. In her twenties, Emma Blair marries her high school sweetheart, Jesse. They build a life for themselves, far away from the expectations of their parents and they travel the world together, living life to the fullest until Jesse goes missing in a helicopter crash and isn't found until years later after Emma has pieces her life back together.
TJR has such a way with words, she just completely envelopes me in anything she's ever written and I couldn't get enough of this story. It's such a mix of love, grief, family, and finding your way again that I didn't want to put it down - was the plot kinda obvious? Yes - but I didn't mind that, I adored the characters and it was just so well written. I can't wait to tick off another of her books!
The Worst Best Man by Mia Sosa
I needed chick lit and this delivered! The Worst Best Man is super cute, totally predictable and I adored the way the culture and family of the characters were laced throughout the story. Lina, a wedding planner was ditched at the alter but after impressing an influential guest, she's offered an opportunity that could change her life. There's just one hitch… she has to collaborate with the best man from her own failed nuptials. Lots of awkward moments and laugh-out-loud situations incur and well.. I've already said it's predictable so I'll let you work out the rest. I really loved it, a perfect beach read.
There you have five mini-reviews from the last month! What have you been reading recently?
