books

Summer 2023 Notable Reads

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THE CANDID LIFE OF MEENA DAVE – Namrata Patel
Loved this one and felt particularly connected to it because I am also a photographer in Boston haha 🙂

Meena has inherited a gorgeous downtown Boston apartment from someone she doesn’t know. She is a world-traveler, so she pauses her normal life and goes to Boston try and figure out why it was left to her. Along the way she meets a quirky collection of aunties, a cute dog and an even cuter guy across the hall.

There was grief, self-discovery, good food, found family, beautiful imagery of the best city, and a sweet, slow love story. Just all the good feels.

SOMETHING WILD AND WONDERFUL – Anita Kelly
Loved. Outdoorsy, adventurous, strangers to lovers, loving yourself, finding yourself, spicy moments, found family, healing from religious trauma. Probably my fave of the year so far. Lex+Ben forever.

LOVE INTEREST – Clare Gilmore
(Out in October 2023)
Cutie workplace rom com set in NYC. Casey + Alex were good leads, each with some baggage and things to figure out, but their chemistry was great/spicy. Good banter and pop culture references. Casey’s internal monologues were a bit melodramatic at points. I typically find workplace stuff boring, but this was interesting, a mix of finance and creative department shop talk. The side characters were great — Miriam and Brijesh deserve their own story. Appreciated the food allergy representation!

LEIGH HOWARD and the GHOSTS of SIMMONS-PIERCE MANOR – Shawn M. Warner
Viral TikTok sensation // Interesting premise – Leigh goes to live with her distant relatives and meets the fabled ghosts who live there. Leigh is trying to solve her parent’s murder. The ghosts teach her some life lessons along the way (though it was much less about ghosts than I anticipated, and more about solving the murder.)
I liked the main character. She had her flaws (like too quick to trust people), but overall she was likeable and root-for-able, though I wish she was 20 instead of 16, the things that happened seemed a little far fetched for a 16 year old (and the cover illustrates someone much older).
I thought there were too many side characters. We didn’t really get to know anyone else besides Leigh and the little ghost. I wish Myra had more of a presence, she seemed like a cool person.
A little unbelievable at times (and not the ghost parts), but overall it was action-filled and had a light mystery throughout.
TW: self-harm, attempted suic*de, murder (in the past), gun use.

2022 Spring Reads

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Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo – Taylor Jenkins Reid
I finally jumped on the Evelyn Hugo bandwagon and she didn’t disappoint. I thought it was a fascinating story of career, love and trueness of self. I didn’t guess the twist exactly, but I had a feeling something was connected!

After I finished it, I couldn’t stop thinking about how, as humans, we truly have no idea what other people are going through unless they choose to tell us. It was a great reminder to take the media headlines with a grain of salt.

Ties that Tether – Jane Igharo

Almost immediately upon starting it, I really liked this book with it’s interesting, layered, diverse characters. Azere and Raphael’s chemistry was great from the start, especially when they reconnect at work.

The middle third of the book was hard to read. It is obvious that Azere respects her Nigerian culture, her mother and her late father, but also obvious that those things have a lot of boundaries and rules. At many points, her and her mom’s relationship was so toxic that it was uncomfortable to read about. I really wished Azere would have stood up for herself earlier on in the book.

Azere often goes back and forth in her thoughts about should she/shouldn’t she be with Rafael based on their cultures, race, ect, and that results in her and Raphael going back and forth in their relationship status. It takes both of their sisters and a best friend to encourage them to get their shit together and figure it out. And finally, she listens, and the scene when she confronts her mother is a turning point (but again, it felt like it happened too late in the book.)

The book ends hopeful, with strength and real connection. I recommend it.
The Magnolia Palace – Fiona Davis

Fiona Davis does it again! Her signature style of an impeccably-researched, dual perspective/timeline that eventually comes together answering all the many questions she has created through the story. I never fail to want to know more about the subject once I’ve finished reading, and the Frick Collection is no different.

I’ve read almost all her books (except the Address, but it’s on my shelf) and this wasn’t my fave fave of hers (those would be the Chelsea Girls and Lions of 5th Ave) but still such a good story with generous New York city history and big characters, like Lillian and Helen, who you want to know more about.
The Unsinkable Greta James – Jennifer E. Smith

This book was a lot of things, and when I was done, I was sad it was over.

Greta has finally made it as a rock star when her mom suddenly passes away. Her mom was her biggest fan and closest friend. Her dad was neither of those things for Greta. But her dad is still here and they are both grieving, so she reluctantly joins him on what should have been her parents’ 40th anniversary cruise in Alaska.

This is a story of stories. Of how Greta got to where she was in her career, of her upbringing and relationships, and through the stories of her past she is able to see how she can forgive her dad now. And he does some work on himself, too. Their conversations towards the end made me tear up. Simple words, but big feelings and breakthroughs.

Great side characters, a little bit of just-met-you-on-a-cruise lust, and lots of gorgeous Alaskan scenery imagery.

Favorite Winter 2022 Reads

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New Girl in Little Cove: Damhnait Monaghan
I thought this was a cute read! Rachel takes a teaching job in the tiniest little village (population less than 400) to start over after a bad breakup and her father’s death. The coastal village of Little Cove becomes another character, it’s townspeople are full of personality and grit, and Rachel finds herself caring for them more than she ever expected.

The Rose Code: Kate Quinn
Can I read this again even though it’s only been ten minutes since I finished it? Am I weird for already missing the characters? Holy crap. I love this book. I can’t do a proper review because it was too much and too good and I want to sit in these feelings. Ugh I miss Osla, Mab and Beth. And I’m so proud of them.

A week later: I still can’t accurately portray how much I enjoyed this book. It took a bit to get into, but I trusted the process and was rewarded greatly. I found Mab to be unstoppable, Osla to be genuine, and Beth to be misunderstood, but her growth over the story was the most impressive. Each of their stories intertwined to create this nuanced account of the women of Bletchley Park and I could not recommend this book enough to every single person I know.

Call Us What We Carry: Amanda Gorman
“Let no one again
Have to begin, love, or end, alone.”

Cue tears. Gorman shares so many amazing words and ideas. Some are hopeful and some are heavy. Memorial and Pre-Memory were both really interesting. I found the journal entries of the soldier Plummer a fascinating illustration of how history repeats itself. I saw a lot of that theme in Gorman’s collection of words. Even if it only repeats itself two years apart… And that being said, I found it hard to read some of these poems right now in the height of Omicron, because a lot of them talked about the pandemic in the past tense and we’re still very “in it” now. But she did do a great job of grasping that initial shock/current of March 2020.

Winter 2021 Reads

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RED, WHITE & ROYAL BLUE – Casey McQuiston
This might be my favorite book of the year. It was so good. When I wasn’t reading it, I wished I was reading it. I also think I had a dream about it last night. Anyways.

Alex is the first son of the United States, his mom the first woman president ever. He’s smart, handsome, part Mexican, and has the perfect plan for his future in politics. His one downfall is His Royal Highness Henry Prince of England: Alex has never liked him, hated him, even. After a cold conversation and a misunderstanding at Prince Philip’s royal wedding, they create a huge scene and threaten the reelection of Alex’s mom.

To save face with the media, Alex and Henry are forced to pretend they are friends. And of course, while they’re pretending, they fall in love. A love that is so tender, honest, sweet and true, and also… forbidden. So they see each other in secret. They take care of each other’s hearts, write emails to each other until they can see each other again. The growth and emotion of their relationship is one of the best I’ve ever read.

There was so much nuance written into each character. Unapologetic Alex, his protective and smart older sister June, their forever bestie Nora, along with Henry and his band of characters, are never only one thing. I felt like I knew each character, and wanted to be friends with them to get to know them even more.

LOVELIGHT FARMS – B.K. Borison
I loved this book! It had the perfect amount of Christmas whimsy, best friends, small town shenanigans and a sweet, sweet romance. Stella asks her best friend of 9 years, Luka, to be her fake boyfriend to win an Instagram contest. She needs this to go well, as the prize money will help her Christmas tree farm stay in business. I’ve read the fake relationship plot a few times and this was definitely one of the best. Since they started out as best friends, it really all just was a sweet and romantic situation. Luke is really a dreamboat, maybe the best book boyfriend I’ve ever read.

THE GUEST LIST – Lucy Foley
An eerie, moody, truly thrilling and unexpected read. Definitely one of my faves this year.

Power couple Jules and Will are getting married on a remote island with intense weather and rumors of ghosts. Their closest guests arrive the night before, battered and wet from the voyage on the sea, to start the celebrations. Festivities begin, spirits are high, the alcohol flows freely. The men morph back into their rowdy boyhood selves. There is a way about the island that makes people feel like they need to prove themselves. Makes people feel powerful. Makes people feel small.

Over the course of the weekend, some guests are celebrating, and some begin to learn that the people you thought you knew, aren’t always who you think they are. To say that I GASPED when it all came together. Still thinking and overthinking 24 hours later. It took a while before I could start a new book!

Fall 2021 Book Faves

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THE CHELSEA GIRLS: Fiona Davis
This historical fiction chronicles the friendship of two creative women, Maxine and Hazel, through the McCarthy era in 1950s American history. Hazel is a struggling theater actor who discovers her passion for playwriting, and Maxine is a bold, yet mysterious, actress. They meet while on tour with the USO during WW2 and their friendship blossoms. They spend time apart after the war, but meet again, both moving into the Chelsea Hotel. I enjoyed how the Chelsea Hotel was it’s own character, strong and beautiful. This book was really interesting and well researched. The twists and turns that Hazel and Maxine’s friendship took over the course of the book kept me reading and hoping for the best for them. There were men that got in the way, stabs in the back, and so many secrets. It ended on a somber note, but it felt honest to the time period. This was my second Fiona Davis read and I am a big fan.

THE EX HEX: Erin Sterling
I enjoyed this spooky season romance. Vivi is a timid witch, who puts a seemingly-innocent curse on Rhys, because he left town and broke her heart. She didn’t think it was a real curse, though, until he returns to town 9 years later and things start going haywire. They, along with Vivi’s aunt and cousin, have to figure out how to remove the curse before the town goes up in flames. Of course, Vivi and Rhys’ romance rekindles (and gets pretty hot) as the book goes on. The setting had very *spooky Stars Hollow* vibes, which I loved. I liked the relationships between Vivi and her aunt and her cousin. I appreciate that the plot of “9 years apart” gave Vivi and Rhys time to become their own people, but 9 years just seems like a daaang long time to still be caught up about an ex, especially since the initial relationship was only for 3 months. But it worked out in the end, and there’s no denying they had a passionate connection.

YOU HAVE A MATCH: Emma Lord
This book had such a great feeling, like it kept me warm while I was reading it. It was very wholesome and just a great read. Abby takes a DNA test for a school project and finds out she has an exact match sister, Savannah, who lives close by. They set up a plan to go to summer camp together, to get to know each other and to figure out why Savvy was adopted. I love a good summer camp setting, and though she resisted them at first, the friendships Abby made there were deep and meaningful. There was just enough – but not too much, or unrealistic – teen drama. Abby and Leo’s friendship was so sweet and wholesome. It all wrapped up really nicely!