More mini reviews from books I’ve enjoyed to varying degrees over the last few weeks.
The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave
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Rating: ★★★★★
Release Date: May 4, 2021
I really liked this. It’s slow moving, but the story unfold in such an organic way that I loved being pulled along as she searched for answers. It’s very much an internal, character focused story and it worked for me.
The Reunion by Meghan Quinn
Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3.5 Stars)
Release Date: February 22, 2022
I liked that this was a family story and we got to know all of the siblings and the parents as well. They all felt real and you could feel the different connections between everyone – it definitely helped the story feel more developed. And I liked that there was history in the town, and with the love interests, again, it gave the story just a little something extra that I enjoyed. But, for the characters all nearing thirty there was a serious lack of maturity and self reflection that made them all less likeable at different times. But I still enjoyed the journey hand had a good time overall.
Normal People by Sally Rooney
Rating: ★★☆☆☆
Release Date: August 28, 2018
I have very mixed feelings about this book. I actually really enjoyed the writing style and the audiobook narration made it clear when dialogue was being spoken so I didn’t have an issue with some of the style choices that can be bothersome for others. I just had a hard time connecting with the story. There is plot plot, which I can be fine with as long as there is character development for me to follow. But the character felt stagnant and removed not just from me, but themselves and each other as well. They were not people with any resemblance of agency – they were beings that anxieties, depression, insecurities, and inconveniences all happened to. I don’t need a happy story or a tidy resolution, but I need to connect with something and this was all so substance-less that I couldn’t be bothered to care about any of it. If you do decide to pick this up, I can’t recommend the audiobook highly enough.
Every Summer After by Carley Fortune
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Release Date: May 10, 2022
A multi-timeline story of love and longing. This book is equally sad and dramatic and I was here for all of it. I loved the complex, messy relationships and how human and flawed each character was – even when reflecting on rose-tainted glasses first love.
What books have you been reading lately? Share below.
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