As always, I keep my Goodreads page constantly updated with the books I'm currently reading, want to read, and have read if you are interested in my recommendations and/or similar books! I also have all of my past book reviews in this section of my blog.
Let's get into what I read this month! (You can find part one of what I've read in quarantine here) I am looking forward to reading some books by black authors in the coming weeks and going forward, and I intend to start with these on my list.
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens // 4/5 Stars
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens // 4/5 Stars
After all of the hype around this book on social media (I feel like that is a pretty inevitable thing with any book that ends up chosen for Reese Witherspoon's book club), and a strong recommendation by one of my roommates, I simply had to read this book! However, if you follow closely on Instagram, you might've seen me posting about how frustrated I was with how much trouble I was having getting through it. It wasn't until the middle/end of the book that it really picked up for me. I am so glad I stuck with it! I ultimately am giving this one 4/5 stars because although I didn't love it or enjoy it too much at the beginning, the book is a work of art. It is beautifully written and tells a story that I feel really needed to be told and exposed.
A synopsis: The book tells the story of Kya, known as the "Marsh Girl," who has been surviving alone since childhood in a marsh outside of the North Carolina coast. When a popular boy from the town, Chase Andrews, is found dead, the locals suspect Kya, not knowing the truth about who she is and the life she has been living in the marsh. The story of Kya's growth, challenges, and coming-of-age love and lust experiences is heartbreaking, inspiring, and captivating at times... with a big twist at the end.
A synopsis: The book tells the story of Kya, known as the "Marsh Girl," who has been surviving alone since childhood in a marsh outside of the North Carolina coast. When a popular boy from the town, Chase Andrews, is found dead, the locals suspect Kya, not knowing the truth about who she is and the life she has been living in the marsh. The story of Kya's growth, challenges, and coming-of-age love and lust experiences is heartbreaking, inspiring, and captivating at times... with a big twist at the end.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid // 5/5 Stars
This was a highly recommended book from Grace Atwood, my favorite blogger when it comes to reading recs! Oh my gosh... I just loved this book. Simply put, it was so enjoyable. Every single page was good. I was never bored, always eager to keep reading, and there is a huge plot twist at the end that was so unexpected and well-thought-out. It was just so enjoyable!
A synopsis: Think of the most beautiful, biggest celebrity star you can think of. That is Evelyn Hugo in this book, and she's been married seven times. She is now older and enlists Monique Grant, a random magazine writer, to cultivate her memoir and reveal the true story behind her marriages and her very surprising, scandalous identity. The entire book, as Evelyn unravels her glamorous, surprising journey throughout Hollywood to Monique, you're wondering: "why Monique?" and "what happened next?!"
A synopsis: Think of the most beautiful, biggest celebrity star you can think of. That is Evelyn Hugo in this book, and she's been married seven times. She is now older and enlists Monique Grant, a random magazine writer, to cultivate her memoir and reveal the true story behind her marriages and her very surprising, scandalous identity. The entire book, as Evelyn unravels her glamorous, surprising journey throughout Hollywood to Monique, you're wondering: "why Monique?" and "what happened next?!"
This is Not a Fashion Story by Danielle Bernstein // 4/5 Stars
This one I have some thoughts on!!! First of all, I absolutely love following Danielle on Instagram. She is such an inspiration and role model in the blogging industry. This book was incredibly eye-opening because I had not realized how much influence she had in really building the influencer industry. Her story made me realize how smart and strategic she is with her brand and running her brands and her platform.
While there were many parts of the book that I didn't necessarily agree with (like, why did she have to include "while I was wearing XYZ designer shoes!" in every other sentence -- came off a little snobby ?), the book was really entertaining and I have to appreciate how willing she was to open up.
Ultimately I considered giving this one three stars because I thought there were many unnecessary, almost bragging statements, throughout the book, but overall, it made me realize just how much work goes into what she does and I left the book feeling like I'd really learned something. Especially as a smaller blogger with a lot of room to grow, I feel like she gave some valuable advice I can use in my own work.
Bottom line, I just think Danielle is really cool, so I loved that she really got deep and shared her Manhattan dating and clubbing stories, and her entire life growing up, while still highlighting how business-focused she is and the passion she has for her work.
Behind Closed Doors by B. A. Paris // 4.5/5 Stars
Have you read anything you've loved during quarantine?
xoxo
While there were many parts of the book that I didn't necessarily agree with (like, why did she have to include "while I was wearing XYZ designer shoes!" in every other sentence -- came off a little snobby ?), the book was really entertaining and I have to appreciate how willing she was to open up.
Ultimately I considered giving this one three stars because I thought there were many unnecessary, almost bragging statements, throughout the book, but overall, it made me realize just how much work goes into what she does and I left the book feeling like I'd really learned something. Especially as a smaller blogger with a lot of room to grow, I feel like she gave some valuable advice I can use in my own work.
Bottom line, I just think Danielle is really cool, so I loved that she really got deep and shared her Manhattan dating and clubbing stories, and her entire life growing up, while still highlighting how business-focused she is and the passion she has for her work.
Behind Closed Doors by B. A. Paris // 4.5/5 Stars
A reader and I did a little book swap and she sent me this one. After reading Verity and The Woman in the Window in recent months, I've been more into thrillers and I was excited to have another one recommended to me!
holy. shit. You guys. I read this book in like 8 hours and when I finished it had to pour myself a glass of wine and invite a friend over immediately. I had no idea what I was getting into with this one... it's a "psychological thriller" which meant that I was freaking out the entire time and needed to know how everything was going to end up, hence why I read it so fast. Basically, Grace and Jack have the perfect relationship on the outside... a gorgeous home, he's a well-known lawyer, everything seems so perfect... but behind closed doors, their relationship is NOT what it seems.
I gave this one 4.5 stars because I was beyond captivated and didn't even know a book could do this to my mind. I was freaking out, horrified, but also 100% enthralled. However, I don't know if I can read something like this again, at least for a while. I had to actually take a mental break every few pages to calm down... haha. But it was incredible.
holy. shit. You guys. I read this book in like 8 hours and when I finished it had to pour myself a glass of wine and invite a friend over immediately. I had no idea what I was getting into with this one... it's a "psychological thriller" which meant that I was freaking out the entire time and needed to know how everything was going to end up, hence why I read it so fast. Basically, Grace and Jack have the perfect relationship on the outside... a gorgeous home, he's a well-known lawyer, everything seems so perfect... but behind closed doors, their relationship is NOT what it seems.
I gave this one 4.5 stars because I was beyond captivated and didn't even know a book could do this to my mind. I was freaking out, horrified, but also 100% enthralled. However, I don't know if I can read something like this again, at least for a while. I had to actually take a mental break every few pages to calm down... haha. But it was incredible.
Have you read anything you've loved during quarantine?
xoxo
I love hearing other peoples' book recommendations. I'll have to check these out!
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thanks alexa!
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