Recent Reads

It’s been a while since I shared my recent reads, and I’m so excited for this round-up! I ended up reading 42 books in 2017, and I’m already on my fourth book for this year. This list is a mix of regular and historical fiction, and includes some of the best things I’ve read in a long time! I’m looking for a couple of beach reads for our trip next month, so please share your favorites in the comments. Make sure to follow me on Goodreads for more of my favorite books.

Standard Deviation by Katherine Heiny: The grass is always greener on the other side. That’s how main character Graham feels looking back on his first marriage as he struggles through his second. I kept waiting for this book to get better, for something to happen that would force the characters to take a step back and re-evaluate…but that never happened. I pushed though to the end, but ultimately found myself annoyed with the characters. There were a couple of glimmers of something meaningful, but they were few and far between.

The Leavers by Lisa Ko: An interesting look at what it’s like to be an immigrant trying to assimilate, and the extremes some people will go to to fit in. Sometimes though, you can’t escape your past and unanswered questions will plague you until you until you’ve done everything possible to find the answers.

All Grown Up by Jami Attenberg: How do we define ourselves as adults? What matters most? Is it what we do for a living, if we have a family, if we’re good people? This book gives one woman’s perspective on figuring out who you are and what matters to you. I didn’t love it, but I liked it enough to finish it.

Along the Infinite Sea by Beatriz Williams: Historical fiction with a beautiful and complicated love story woven throughout. Absolutely loved this story, as with all of this author’s books that I’ve read, and always found myself wanting to keep reading when I should be going to sleep. Highly recommend this one!

Inside the O’Briens by Lisa Genova: A really fascinating look at a close-knit family and the impact of a genetic disease. Personally, having grown up outside of Boston, I loved all of the local references and the clear pride the characters had in their city. At the risk of sounding crass, I do think the book went on longer than necessary and got to be a bit repetitive.

Secrets of a Charmed Life by Susan Meissner: LOVED this book. A wonderful work of historical fiction that gives a unique perspective on one of the less written about sides of WWII. I was totally captivated by the story and the characters, and thoroughly enjoyed every page.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid: Wow, what a book! Incredibly creative and fascinating storyline. Like an very well-written soap opera that you can’t stop watching. Some of the best storytelling I’ve read in a long time. Such an interesting examination of love and stardom, both of which are complex, multi-faceted and not always what they seem.

Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley: This was a quick read. It felt more obviously like a YA book than some others I’ve read. That said, I enjoyed the story and the way the author dealt with some pretty serious issues. Definitely a few good life lessons about love and living life to the fullest.

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas: I’m about three quarters of the way through this one, but I had to include it. This book is a MUST READ for everyone fed up with the state of things in our country right now. It’s technically YA, but definitely deals with adult topics. If you want to know the truth about racial inequality, and what it’s like to be a minority, read this book. I’m realizing how little I know about other communities, and how fortunate I am to be a white woman.