Just Like You by Nick Hornby | Literary fiction, romance or social commentary?

Nick Hornby is one of those authors I always wanted to read more. Right after finishing «About a Boy» and «Slam» almost 10 years ago I intended to read his other books, but never got around to picking them up. Seeing his new novel on NetGalley, «Just Like You», made me incredibly happy! Not only because I knew I was going to enjoy the prose, but also because “tender but also brutally funny” sounded exactly like something I’d love!

I need to warn you though that this blurb is very misleading. On one hand, it does capture the bare bones of the story, but on the other hand, it makes you believe things that are not actually in the book. It made me wonder if I would have noticed that the main characters had “nothing in common” without reading the blurb.🤷‍♀️

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The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett | The must-read book of this summer!

This book was phenomenal! It’s for a reason that many popular magazines and bookish media keep mentioning «The Vanishing Half» by Britt Bennett as one of the most-anticipated releases of this summer. I literally saw a dozen of 2020 summer reading lists with this book. 

It’s such an important book as well, especially with everything that is going on right now and the need that people feel to educate themselves on race and racial identity. I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity to read it and discuss it with all of you.

If I Had Your Face by Frances Cha | A picture of modern-day Seoul focused on current popular trends: K-pop and K-beauty!

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be an orphan and always need to prove yourself to the world? Have you ever wondered what it’s like to lose your voice and having to adjust to whole new life, a whole new world around you? Or having to do anything in order to support yourself and your family, even when that “everything” encompasses selling your own body?

«If I Had Your Face» is a debut novel, set in modern-day Seoul, South Korea, following four different women who live in the same apartment building. There is Ara, the girl who lost her voice and works in a hair salon while sharing her apartment with her childhood friends Sujin. Kyuri, the girl who works in a “room salon” [completely different from the hair salon!], a prostitute who made it to the top of that industry. Miho, an artist who is dating one of the wealthiest heirs in Korea. And finally, Wonna, the wife whose relationship is going through a rough time.

Saving Missy by Beth Morrey | Is it really for readers of «Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine»?

This happens every single time! The publishers pitch the book as “perfect for readers of…” and I immediately fall for it, especially when they reference it to «Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine», which was my favorite book of 2018.

Will the readers of «Eleanor Oliphant» find similarities and love «Saving Missy» just as much?

My answer is No. BUT! (there is always a “but”, isn’t there?) «Saving Missy» has the same feeling of warmth and wholesomeness as «Eleanor Oliphant» did. So if you loved it because of how attached you grew to the character and how much you wanted her to do well, «Saving Missy» will be perfect! However, don’t expect any mysteries or funny moments. 

The Vegetarian by Han Kang | A disturbing allegory of women’s place in the Korean society

I didn’t like it… 

Here, I said it. I honestly don’t think there is a single person out there who read this book and said: “I liked it”. Yes, most can appreciate the writing style, the story, the meaning behind it, but OMG, it was weird. 

I also don’t think it’s a good book…

There are certain stories that I read and not necessarily love but, as I said, appreciate the thought and the deeper meaning. However, if the author had to resort to disturbing and pornographic content to explain her point of view and present this allegory, it doesn’t compel me to know more about the real-world problem. In fact, it does the complete opposite, making me want to run away and not face these issues.

Normal People by Sally Rooney | An unsettling story about sex, love, and relationships.

«Normal People» by Sally Rooney is not an easy book to review. I’m still not entirely sure if I liked it or not. 

Does it really deserve the 5-star rating I’ve given it immediately after turning the last page? I can’t answer this question yet.

There are books that instantly become our favorites, and there are books that will stay with us for a very long time, the little plot details engraved in our memory. Even though you won’t be reaching to re-read those books any time soon (or ever). That’s how I felt about «Memoirs of Geisha» that was an extraordinary reading experience and one of the first adult books I’ve ever read, and that’s also how I feel about «Normal People» by Sally Rooney.

Three Ways to Disappear by Katy Yocom | The most stunning debut of 2019!

This ARC has been on my Kindle for a couple of months already. After requesting it on a whim, based on the most gorgeous cover and interesting blurb, I was a little wary to actually read it. I couldn’t be more wrong! 

In this brilliant debut novel, Katy Yocom brings us closer to the fatal reality of the extinction of Bengal tigers, layering her novel with intricate family relationships, and emotionally-gripping journey of two sisters, Sarah and Quinn.  

«Three Ways to Disappear» is by far one of the best Literary Fiction books of this year! With such a powerful first novel, Katy Yocom instantly became my new favorite author, and I can’t wait to see what else she will come up with in the future. 

Three Beach Reads | Quick Reviews!

The summer has officially begun on the 21st of June, and you might be looking for some new Women’s Fiction / Chick-Lit to bring with you to the beach. Earlier this year, I was in the mood for some quick, light reads and picked up these three novels. Not all of them lived up to my expectations, but that doesn’t mean that you won’t like them!

Let’s begin with the one I liked the most and leave the one I didn’t enjoy for last.

The Farm by Joanne Ramos | And all the topics the book made me think about!

«The Farm» is the new Literary Fiction novel that most likely will become a bestseller in just a couple of weeks. From the gorgeous cover to the carefully crafted plot, this book immediately stands out from the crowd of newly released adult fiction!

The Girls at 17 Swan Street by Yara Zgheib

As much as I think that (1) mental illnesses should be talked about, (2) people should be aware and educated on these topics, and (3) feel free to speak about them to others to help them overcome their struggles, I’m also not usually the targeted audience for the books that are focused on “mental illnesses”. Normally I wouldn’t even pick them up.

«The Girls at 17 Swan Street» sounded like something I might enjoy, and besides, we are bound to leave our comfort zone from time to time. This was my attempt of trying something different, of expanding my reading horizons.

I didn’t dislike it, I didn’t enjoy it either. It was one of those books that once I put down, I didn’t want to pick up again.

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng | Can you plan your life to perfection?

Shaker Heights, Cleveland, is a community that has been planned out to a tee. It is a stable and safe environment for steady, successful families. Where nothing could go wrong. Or could it?

Surprisingly, I wasn’t interested in reading this book right away. But couldn’t stay strong during all the hype that happened on multiple social media platforms after the release, and had to see for myself what this was all about.

The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin | What if you knew when you were going to die?

Once you read the final line of the book, flip that last page over and close it with satisfying smile on your face, what is usually the first thing that comes into your mind?

Plot twists?

Events that took place at the end of the story?

Or maybe certain characters?

Honestly, I always found plot-driven stories much more enjoyable to read than the ones focused primarily on character development. Only when I finally had a pleasure to read Chloe Benjamin’s writing, I discovered the incredible world where the separation of plot-driven vs character-driven ceased to exist!

Just Another Week in Suburbia by Les Zig | What do you do when life gets crazy?

This was purely a request on a whim, I even read the excerpt (which I usually never do) before requesting this book. The first couple of paragraphs completely caught my attention and there was no turning back.

I am so happy for NetGalley suggestions, sometimes it feels like the website knows me better than I do.

The Summer of Impossible Things by Rowan Coleman | 6 Reasons why time-travelling books are the best!

Reading time-travelling book is like mixing all of your favourite food together and devouring them in one go (i.e. pizza with mashed potatoes and with tiramisu, it might sound disgusting but when it comes to books, it’s a true pleasure!)

This story has combined romance, fantasy and historical fiction in one huge pot and served it at once on a silver platter. Isn’t that amazing?

All the Good Things by Clare Fisher | An inspiring yet heartbreaking, character driven novel that will make you feel happy and sad at the same time

There is nothing better than a book that makes you fall in love with it from the very first pages. When the sentences flow so well together that you are instantly teleported to this new world. When the characters become so dear to your heart that you laugh, cry with them and for them until the very end of the book. When your heart is filled to the brim that after finishing the book you need some off time to nurse this feeling for a little longer.