I read six novels, two memoirs, 1 non-fiction book, and 2 short stories in March. For some reason, I came away from the month feeling disappointed in myself. I felt like I could have read more. I could have made more time and I could have read one or two more. But then, I stop and want to shake myself a little. 11 books is good enough. For many, it is far more than they could ever hope to read. But since joining the book blogging and bookstagram community, I can’t help but compare my reading with others, and I felt behind.
After chatting to a friend, who seemed amazed I could read so many books, I am beginning to feel better. I’ve read 33 books so far this year. 35 by the time this is published. That’s far exceeded my expectations and far more than I have read in previous years. I’m only just discovering my love of books and reading again after so many years in academia. So going forward the comparisons need to stop. It’s difficult, of course, not to subconsciously compare yourself with others. But I am going to consciously make the effort to feel satisfied in my reading. I am satisfied I am reading enough, at a pace I enjoy. I am good enough.
Motherhood by Sheila Heti
I’d heard a lot about Motherhood, but I was pleasantly surprised at the style of writing. It is sort of a memoir and you dive deep into Heti’s thoughts and feelings around having children.
Day by day, flipping a coin to process those thoughts, we explore the ups and downs, the pros and cons. I don’t know if I’ve ever been so consumed by a book, leaving thoughts racing around my head. If you’re a woman, whether you are a mother, or want to be, this is an excellent read. Heti explores what it means to be a woman and how motherhood runs alongside it.
Milkman by Anna Burns
I feel like this one has been everywhere the last six months, taunting me every time it passed across the library desk. FINALLY, my reservation came through – there was seriously over 200 people on the waiting list!
So, with all the hype that can surround a book, it can sometimes feel anticlimactic once you actually get your hands on it. My expectations were definitely different… I wasn’t sure what to expect but this book got pretty weird and intense at times. In many parts, I just stared at the page, in awe of the beauty of the writing. Yet in other parts, I was confused and a little bored. By the third act, I had got more into it, but be warned: it’s a slow burn.
Milkman goes to places you don’t expect. It’s a unique experience which I enjoyed overall, but it left me in an odd place. I’m hoping to write a full book review, which will be on the blog soon!
Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney
This book is everywhere at the moment! I saw it in Dublin and London over the past few weeks… it seemed to be following me wherever I went! So I took the plunge and started reading and I’m so glad I did.
I had a sneaky suspicion I would like this after devouring Sally Rooney’s latest novel and I was absolutely right! Between the two, I think I liked Normal People slightly more, but this one perhaps felt more intimate and relatable to me, as a young twenty-something woman.
You are immediately swept up in Frances’ world and Rooney’s gorgeous writing style is again on display. Conversations just flow down the page with little punctuation, sucking you up and spitting you out a few days later a ball of emotion!
I’d say this was a little easier to get into than Normal People, so if you haven’t read any Sally Rooney yet this may be a good place to start.
We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
I read this on a train to London and was surprised at how much it packed in for such a short read. Adichie has adapted her TEDx talk into this essay. Weaving, personal stories, wider statistics, and a rallying call to all.
Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari
After reading Harari’s latest book, 21st Lessons for the 21st Century, I decided to try his first, and most popular, book. I found this one an easier read, to begin with. I learnt a great deal and was riveted by how interesting the first chapter was. Unfortunately, after a while, the pace began to slow. But I would still recommend it for those interested in anthropology, sociology, religion, politics… literally anything related to being human!
Becoming by Michelle Obama
This has been such an interesting and engrossing read. It is really well written, in such a reflective and honest way. I really enjoyed the stories of her childhood, her family and her life, before her husband and politics.
It was really sweet to read the details of the romance and how it came to grow into such a strong marriage. Michelle Obama has always been inspirational, and now I know so much more about her life and where she came from, that inspiration has only grown. What she achieved in her life is really incredible, and yet she writes the things she’s been through in such a relatable way.
I was unsure of how I would react to Becoming. It feels like one of those books that everyone is reading, one you MUST read, but thankfully it hasn’t felt like a chore at all.
The Wicked King by Holly Black
After loving the first in the ‘Folk of the Air’ series, Cruel Prince, last month I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the next instalment!
And it didn’t disappoint either, throwing us back into the beautiful world Black has created. It felt like a seamless continuation from where we left off and all was well until the twist at the end! The only problem now is I’ve got quite a bit longer to wait until the next one!
Mr Salary by Sally Rooney
And… that’s the last Sally Rooney book all read! Now that I’ve devoured all the wonderful prose from Rooney, I can definitely say I’m a fan. I’m eagerly awaiting her next release (hopefully not too long away)!
Mr Salary is SHORT at only 30 pages and is the perfect introduction to Rooney’s style of writing and type of storytelling. So, if you’re short on time and want to see what all the fuss is about, this is a great way to dip in. Bonus: it can be read for free legally online.
I don’t read short stories often, but was craving more from Rooney after finishing Conversations With Friends, so I was happy to find this. The only problem was it was over WAY too quickly! I suppose that’s the point of short stories (duh), but it definitely felt like it could have gone on at least a little longer. I believe this was written before her two novels, and there are definitely echos of those books in here. Rooney’s writing explores similar themes and has a similar narrative structure. The premise was intriguing and I’d love for this to be a full novel one day (one can dream!).
Flawed by Cecelia Ahern
I’m on a bit of a roll in reading YA fiction lately, as I’ve been drawn to a few titles old and new. I know and like Cecelia Ahern from her adult fiction and so was intrigued by this strong YA concept.
It takes place in a dystopian world where society is divided into ‘flawed’ people. They have done something morally (but not legally) wrong and everyone else. The flawed are branded and become outcasts for life, with all sort of rules and restrictions on what they can and can’t do. People live in fear of being deemed flawed at any moment. Anything outside the norm, outside of ‘perfect’, can be enough for vans to come and take them away. For Celeste, her life is changed forever when trying to help an old flawed man to a seat on a bus. From there, she is sent away and inadvertently starts a revolution.
Flawed has echoes of the Hunger Games and follows a similar predictable plot in places. But with a healthy amount of romance and good writing, I found the book effortlessly engaging and a fast fun read.
Opposite of Always by Justin A. Reynolds
I’ve only just finished this and I am already rushing to get my thoughts out, as I adored it so much. This is an unapologetically fun and heartbreaking book. It’s about two people falling in love and then they… die. Kate sick in the hospital and Jack breaking his neck falling down the stairs. But then Jack wakes up again at the party where they met and gets a second chance.
A touch of time travel was exactly what I needed and this book takes the groundhog day trope and makes it genuinely sweet and funny. It’s a YA book that is not only about young adults but feels like it was written by one too. Jack’s narrative feels fresh and the writing just rolls down the page, until the very end. Perfect for fans of YA books and Groundhog Day!
*Kindly gifted an eARC to read, released on 4/4/19.
The Binding by Bridget Collins
A slow burner to start, this book is split into three distinct parts, building to an emotional conclusion. This is the kind of book that stays with you for a long time. You are immediately drawn into the mysterious plot, as Emmett finds himself changed. He is then sent off to a house in the middle of the marshes, to be a bookbinders apprentice. Books are the main focus in this story, and their beauty and importance shine through. This is an incredibly original concept, as well as the idea that books contain people’s literal memories.
The first part is shrouded in mystery, as Emmett himself is in the dark about so much. It is not until the crescendo of the first act that things begin to reveal themselves. I dived into the second part completely engaged to the point that I read it all the way through.
There are so many layers to the book and the period atmosphere is so well done. I found myself dreaming of this world Collins had created. I think it would make a fantastic film one day, but for now, I recommend reading it ASAP!
In Case You Missed It: February’s reading roundup!
