Somehow, it’s been almost three months since my last book post! Oops! I’ve read eleven books since then, with one more that I just couldn’t get into. Coincidentally, quite a few of them have focused on different cultures, and although they were all fiction, I definitely learned a lot. I read books by a couple of familiar authors, and was introduced to a couple of new ones. What are you reading? Leave me recommendations in the comments, and be sure to follow me on Goodreads!
A Place for Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza: This book follows the story of an Indian-American Muslim family as they reunite for the wedding of the oldest daughter, Hadia. Her younger brother Amar hasn’t seen anyone in the family for three years, and they all have a lot of baggage from the past. The narrative gives the perspective of each of the family members at various points, and I found it fascinating to learn about the pressures and challenges of being Indian-American. I did think there was a lot of shifting back and forth between past and present, and at times that was confusing. Rating: 4/5
All We Ever Wanted by Emily Giffin: I was excited to read a new book by one of my favorite authors! This one takes place in Nashville and focuses on the lives of two pairs of parents and teenagers: wealthy Nina and her spoiled son, and hardworking, single dad Tom and his headstrong daughter. Their lives become intertwined in the midst of a scandal and they have to figure out how to deal with it without compromising their values. A little fluffy and not as strongly written as some of her other books, but still enjoyed it. Rating: 4/5
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens: I felt like I was seeing this book everywhere, so I was glad to finally read it! This one takes place in the marshes of rural North Carolina, and the main character is a fearless young girl named Kya who is forced by circumstance to be independent and resourceful. She’s content with her solitude for a long time, but as she grows older, the lure of the world outside the marsh becomes stronger. This book was fascinating and I was always eager to find out what would happen next. Rating: 5/5
Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren: I learned about Christina Lauren from Emily, another blogger you should definitely follow for great style and book recommendations! This book was so fun and clever. It’s about spunky, outgoing Hazel and laidback, reserved Josh. They knew each other in college, and when they meet again ten years later, become fast friends. They decide they don’t want to date each other, but they want to set each other up on dates with other people. Hilarity ensues, all while Hazel and Josh’s relationship continues to develop. So entertaining and enjoyable, but definitely not pure fluff. Rating: 5/5
Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton: I’m embarrassed to admit that I didn’t know much about Cuba’s history. I learned a ton from this book, and I really enjoyed the (fictional) storyline. It’s a tragically beautiful story, which follows Cuban-American Marisol as she explores her family’s history in Cuba after the death of her beloved grandmother. She learns about love, family and the impact of the choices we make. One line that stuck with me: “When you’re young, life’s punctuation so often seems final when it’s nothing more than a pause.” Rating: 5/5
Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan: I’m way behind on this one, I know, but better late than never! This book was like a Singaporean soap opera, which I think is exactly what it set out to be. The characters are indeed crazy, and therefore very entertaining. Like Cuba, I didn’t know much about Singapore, so while I took it with a grain of salt, it was interesting to learn about wealthy society there. This is the perfect book if you’re looking for a mindless read that will make you giggle. Rating: 4/5
The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli: I’ve read and enjoyed two of Albertalli’s other books (Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda and Leah on the Offbeat), and I liked this one just as much. It follows twins Molly and Cassie as they figure out how to grow up without growing apart. There’s a lot of teenage drama, but they deal with it so honestly that you can’t help but cheer them on. Rating: 5/5
Influencer: Building Your Personal Brand in the Age of Social Media by Brittany Hennessy: I have so many thoughts about this one. It may seem like all pretty pictures and free stuff, but being an influencer is a lot of work. I’ve been struggling a bit and I thought it would be good to get some fresh perspective. Who better than Hennessy, who directed the partnerships team at Hearst? In this book, she imparts wisdom from her own experience, and quotes successful influencers who have mastered their craft…all without sounding condescending. It gave me a lot of food for thought, but it also made me feel like I need to re-evaluate some things. More on that later. Definitely worth reading if you work or play in digital. Rating: 4/5
Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren: Yup, another Christina Lauren book, and this one was incredible. Macy is a hard-working pediatrics resident planning her wedding (and future) with her older, single-dad fiance. Everything is in its place…until she reconnects with Elliot, her first love, and is forced to revisit their past. We follow their relationship from teenage years to the present day, with a mysterious gap in between, and witness their irresistible connection. I definitely stayed up late to keep reading this one…it just tugged at my heartstrings! Rating: 5/5
Dumplin’ by Julie Murphy: Loved this book so much! Willlowdean (aka Dumplin’) is incredibly likable and easy to relate to, and I was always eager to find out what happened next. She candidly shares her struggles with body image and how that impacts her relationships as she struggles to fit in. It was sad to hear some of the thoughts inside her head, but I think it’s important to have that honest perspective. Really enjoyed this one and looking forward to reading #2. Rating: 5/5
China Rich Girlfriend by Kevin Kwan: The second in the Crazy Rich Asians series, it builds on one of the stories from the first book. I liked this one for the same reasons I liked the first one, but I didn’t find it quite as engaging. That said, I will definitely read #3. Rating: 4/5
Family Trust by Kathy Wang: Got about 30% through this one, and just couldn’t keep going. Maybe because I had just finished the second book in the Crazy Rich Asians series and the characters were a little similar, but not as strong…or it just wasn’t for me.
