One thing that I got into through the first lockdown was reading which I haven’t done for years, but I wanted to continue with reading post lockdown because I really enjoyed the down time and spending less time on my phone. As I’ve been slightly absent from blogging this last month, I thought I’d ease myself back in with a fairly relaxed blog post by sharing with you my thoughts on the books I’ve read this year so far!
Let’s chat about the books I’ve read this year so far and would recommend!
Half a World Away – Mike Gayle
This book is one that has been on to read list for the longest time as I purchased this back in the first lockdown, but I only got round to reading this as my first book of 2021. Safe to say it did not disappoint in anyway and the story is one that pulled on my heart strings throughout. Without giving away any spoilers the storyline follows two characters, brother and sister who were separated at a young age due to being placed into the care system and both experience completely different childhoods/upbringings which continues into their adult lives. As the name of this book would suggest, they live in very different ‘worlds’ meaning classes but this story follows their journey of reconnecting after many years apart along with many trials and tribulations that life throws at anyone and everyone. I flew through this book in just under three weeks and it’s one of the few books that has actually made me cry because it’s touched my heart that much. Definitely one of my favourite books I’ve read so far this year!
My Sister, The Serial Killer – Oyinkan Braithwaite
This book is one that I have seen majorly hyped about and for the right reasons, but is one that kind of slipped under the radar for me a little. This was until my housemate finished reading it in just a few days and raved on about how good it was that I was sold! I also very much liked the prospect of this being a short read and that is exactly what this was as I read it in less than a week! As the name suggests, this story follows two sisters one of which is a serial killer but there is so much more to this read than the obvious presumptions you can take from the title of this book. The main thing I took from this read is that family is that family always comes first over everything. I personally found this read gripping and I just wanted to read more and more. The chapters are super short and was written in a way that is easy to follow, so if you’re one to get easily distracted or doesn’t enjoy a heavy read then this is one for you!
My Sister, The Serial Killer (£7.49)
The Giver of Stars – Jojo Moyes
After flying through the previous book in a matter of days I opted for a slightly lengthier book and my god was this book lengthy. Over 400 pages of lengthy! This was a read I’d wanted to get my hands on for ages and when I stumbled upon it in a local charity shop, safe to say I was absolutely chuffed! Set in the depression era of America in the small town of Kentucky, this story follows Alice an English girl who has relocated to the states following the marriage to her American husband. Soon after moving to Kentucky she offers her services to the local pack horse library in order to get away from her over bearing father in law and to try to fit in more with the locals and it’s safe to say she does just that. Now this read is completely different to anything I have ever read before, but surprisingly I really enjoyed it even tho it took me a while to get through it. It focuses massively on sisterhood, feminism and how women fought to show they mattered in society all those years ago.
Some Kind of Wonderful – Giovanna Fletcher
This book is another I purchased back in the first lockdown from Aldi of all places, but similarly to the first book I’ve spoken about I just didn’t get round to reading this until recently but has got to be one of my favourite books I’ve read this year. I am a sucker for a chick lit/romance style novel and this just gave me the fix I needed as I find this style of storyline the easiest to read. This storyline follows Lizzy who thinks she has it all expect the ring, this is until her longterm boyfriend gets down on one knee and then breaks up with her. Shocking, I know! This storyline follows Lizzy navigating through her heart break and finding herself again after so many years of being out of the dating game and being completely honest, I massively related to this read. I think we’ve all been through at least one mega heart break in our lives and this just proves that although it’s crap, you do get through it and in the process you find yourself all over again.
Some Kind of Wonderful (£7.52)
What books have you read this year?
