Recent Reads | Winter

 

Is there no cozier a time to read than winter? A blanket plus a book and a nice coffee, well that's all sorts of self care right there 😉 Read on for my thoughts on my most recent reads!

The Wife Stalker  is the newest release from Liv Constantine (side note - I found The Last Mrs. Parrish, also by Liv Constantine, a phenomenal read). The Wife Stalker, however, fell a bit flat for me. Similar to the theme of The Last Mrs. Parrish, it's a psychological thriller that follows the demise of a marriage by a third party, glamorous single woman. The "twist" of the book came literally in the very final pages though - so the entirety of the book felt like a build-up of anticipation, waiting to see what was "really" going on. I enjoyed the twist when it finally came (and found it quite clever) but the majority of the book felt like a waiting game. 

My Rating: 3.8

Amazon: 4.2/5 ⭐️ 

"Between life and death, there is a library. And within the library, the shelves go on forever. Every book provides a chance to try another life you could have lived. To see how things would be different if you had made other choices..." (Page 29 of The Midnight Library)

I found the premise of this book so profound, I couldn't wait for my turn at the library and had to purchase this one straight away! It offers a unique perspective on life as the main character visits different versions of herself in parallel universes. While it has a bit of a melancholy feel at times, the overarching idea (and ending) are optimistic, motivating, and hopeful (plus, I think it's well thought-out and written). 

My Rating: 4.7

Amazon: 4.4/5 ⭐️

I don't normally say to "stay away" from any book... but y'all, stay away. I read reviews of Sex and Vanity before I picked it up that said it was horrible, however since I loved the Crazy Rich Asians series so much, I ignored the advice and dove into it. I wish I hadn't. It's scattered and convoluted. The thin storyline doesn't captivate or even generate more than an apathetic shrug. I found it truly terrible. As a caveat - this is only my opinion, and I do know of at least two other readers who enjoyed the book (maybe because it does include Kwan's signature decadence and over-the-top luxury brands and places?). But I'm a firm no, thanks. 

My Rating: 2

Amazon: 4 ⭐️

A woman takes a nap, and wakes up in a different apartment, with a different ring on her finger - five years in the future. She only spends an hour there before waking up back in her own home, but spends the next five years facing what's about to come. I found In Five Years clever and unique - an easy read that did have a deeply sad storyline running through. 

My Rating: 4.4

Amazon: 4.4/5 ⭐️

And, I couldn't mention books without congratulating this guy, our Accelerated Reader (a book quiz program) superstar! Of the books he's read and been quizzed on this school year, he's currently at 1.3 million words! Recent favorites of his (if you also have a young reader in the house) include The Wings of Fire series, Wizards of Once series, Artemis Fowl, and Percy Jackson Lightning Thief. 

Happy Reading!