I have decided that I am going to try and do something called "pocket reviews" in which I am able to review a lot of books quickly because I am not doing long in-depth reviews, but concise ones that you can read if you have just a small pocket of time. I have read three new books, two re-reads, and even devoured a fan-fiction since we last chatted, so let's get into it!
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
WWll fiction about two sisters that took very different but equally brave action during the war
Set in France (Paris and the countryside)
A lot of people's top recommendation for historical fiction (although, I have to say it wouldn't be mine)
I think that this would be an excellent starter book for people that want to get into historical fiction, but are intimidated by the genre
Shows the power of women, the war, and most importantly love
I find myself thinking about "All the Light We Cannot See" more than this book
A really accurate portrayal of what life was like in France during the Nazi occupation
Enjoyed the multiple perspective
Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows by Balli Kaur Jaswal
Not at all what I was expecting
This is not a collection of short stories which for some reason I thought it was
Follows a progressive young woman in the community who is hired to teach a class to women who want to learn English, but uses it as a way for the widows to trade "naughty stories"
A really fun and inventive way to look at a culture that is very different than my own
Is out to break a lot of stereotypes and I am HERE for it
Is actually set in London, which is a familiar and interesting backdrop for the story
A really excellent way to learn about a culture from an "own-voice" perspective without reading heavy nonfiction or lit fic
I read in one day! Super fast read!
Isolation by Bex-Chan
OBVIOUSLY fan fiction
My favourite Dramione fan fiction that I have read up to this point because I feel like it stays the most true to character
Delves a lot into forming one's own opinions and overcoming prejudice which is such an amazing plot line
Honestly has helped me start to believe that Draco would actually be a better match than Ron for Hermione
Starting to realise that I really do not like how long and how full of filler fan fictions tend to be and will probably not be picking up another one for awhile
Pretty sure this is one of the OG Dramione fan fics, so if it's something you're looking into, this is the one I would suggest
Easy and free to access
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
A re-read, obviously
First time reading the illustrated version, though and I loved it! I think I would suggest that you start with un-illustrated first, though, so you can imagine what everything is without the help of pictures
Jim Kay is an actual genius. His artwork still manages to take my breath away
Forgot how dang long it takes to get Harry to Hogwarts in the first book
I thank fan fiction for inspiring me to pick this series back up
I suggest re-reads to get you out of reading slumps because this did wonders for me
Not at all ashamed to say that this series is the best and just keeps getting better
The Diviners by Libba Bray
Libba Bray, I think, is definitely in my top 3 favourite authors of all time
Just like all of her other books, this one goes places that I never could have anticipated and is unlike anything else I have ever read
Set in 1920's New York, it follows a rag-tag group of people trying to catch a serial killer
The atmosphere in this book is unreal. It makes me want to live in the 1920's
The first chapter of this book is probably the spookiest and best-written chapters that I have ever encountered in the YA genre
Just a touch of magic. I. LOVE. MAGICAL. REALISM. OKAY??
Just as salty as everyone else about the cover changes
Jericho is such a book crush
The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli
Becky Albertalli is another one of my favourite (auto-buy) authors
This is another re-read. I am into them lately! I have been in a mood to re-consume stories that I know I adore
Honest-to-goodness, this is the definition of a feel-good novel
The representation in this page-turner is unreal and I LOVE it. Plus-sized protagonists, lesbian parents, gay, pan, and bi-sexual representation, Jewish representation... the list goes on and on
The first line in this book still makes me giggle out loud
The romance in this book makes my tummy flip in circles EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.
So relatable for so many people
One of my first and easiest books to recommend to people looking into YA
Thanks for reading everyone! If you are reading anything really good right now, you'll have to come at me with a little pocket review of your own!
xoxo,
A.C. Woodruff
댓글