What I read: The U.S. Election 2020 Edition

I have been reading a lot more as of late. Depending on the books, some days if they’re very quiet, I can go through 2-3 of them. As a result, I AM FINALLY making headway in my stash of books I have been meaning to get around to.

I have also been trying to read books outside of my preferred genres, and more non-fiction pieces, but it is hard not to give my brain what it wants. I am also discovering new authors (THANK YOU ALL!), and new books I did not think I’d like, but ended up being engrossed in for the whole day (I even read while brushing my teeth LOL)…

CURRENT YEAR TO DATE BOOK COUNT: 200

Secret Life of Violet Grant

What a GRIPPING BOOK. I kind of wrote Beatriz Williams off because I didn’t start with a good book as I had started with Summer Wives, but now I want to read everything she has written. This first in the book of series about the Schuyler sisters is EXCELLENT. The mystery is SO MUCH FUN and it’s such a feminist, female-empowered plot and story.

Tiny Little Thing

I really enjoyed this one as well, it just is fantastic. I loved the twists, the turns, and the real deep look into the hearts of the characters just like her earlier books. I love how she has such deep, strong, feminist leanings in her book, as they’re seem to all be based in the 1950s – 1960s.

Along the infinite sea

Book 3 of the Schuyler Sisters (I love series that are well-written), and this one may very well be my favourite one of all. The plot is fantastic, the strong independent female characters are my kryptonite, and the ending was NOT AT ALL WHAT I EXPECTED but so incredibly good.

The Vanishing Half

I hate books that win awards because I haven’t liked the ones I had read in the past, but this one, like all the others I have read that have won awards, is breaking that streak. I am at 100% perfect record for books this year winning awards and not disappointing me.

It’s about the lives of two twin girls, and the deep, rich dive into racism and what it means to be who you are based on melanin in your skin, is so finely done in this book, it made me gasp as I read certain sentences. It’s based during the period of segregation which makes the racism even more stark in its boldness, and I loved the book. I am hoping there’s a sequel, I want to know what happens.

The Castaways

Another Hilderbrand book, similar to her other ones, it’s all about broken relationships and promises, interesting insights into people’s characters and emotions, and a meandering sort of story that never seems to feel fully resolved but also doesn’t make me scream in anger that it didn’t turn out the way I expected or it left a lot of loose ends open. I rather like this one because it is so raw and close to what a lot of us would have felt at one point or another with guilt and secrets.

A study in Scarlet Women

I am a Sherlock Holmes FIEND. I love all the shows, all the adaptations (like “Elementary” for instance where Watson is a woman played by Lucy Liu), and all of the books and their versions as well. This one is no different — Sherlock Holmes secretly a woman!? OMG. It’s like my feminist dreams + my first murder mystery protagonist loves have come together in the most harmonious way.

This book is well done. A bit slow off the start with the story, but once it gets to the actual mystery of the book, it’s magnificent. I cannot wait to read the others.

A Conspiracy in Belgravia

Another excellent book in the series. I will definitely be re-reading these again, like I have done with all the Sherlock Holmes’ books in the past.

The Hollow of Fear

A surprising twist in the book, it’s really amazing how she starts with something and then it ends completely the opposite of what you expected.

The Art of Theft

I like the extra twist in the story, and to learn more about some of the other characters orbiting Charlotte Holmes.

ALL OF THIS IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

A Hundred Summers

A book that slowly draws you in – I like the angle on anti-Semitism and how ingrained it is in society (it seems so ridiculous to me, to tread people differently because of these ‘differences’).

Open Book

I have always had a soft spot for child stars because I just can’t imagine the pressure, stress and all of that kind of ruining any chance of a ‘normal’ childhood in a sense. I do not normally read memoirs or biographies by celebrities (am not into them), but this one really was raw and honest.

She talks about struggling in her Christian faith, and battling her demons with divorce, alcohol and sexual abuse, and just the way she was perceived and treated, especially with her shyness and insecurity stemming from all of this confusing as she grew up, and being in the public eye as a sexpot who wasn’t always stick thin (with brutal honesty on what it’s like to maintain her body with all of her body issues).

Highly recommended. I have an even softer spot for her now. And her shoes are surprisingly good, comfortable etc.

Dumpling Days

This is young adult or pre-teen literature, but it’s still a good read. It gives some background on what it’s like to live in Taiwan (versus America), and just in general, the feelings in the book are very relatable to anyone who has moved from another country/culture or are children of immigrants. I really like Lin’s writing, hence why I read it, and this book didn’t disappoint.

Sex and Vanity

Kwan didn’t disappoint here, but I was somehow hoping for another Crazy Rich Asians thing. LOL… this was less of a CRA kind of book, and focusing more on the nuances of what it’s like to be caught between two cultures – in this case, white and Asian – and how each side of the family seemed to feel and treat you as a ‘hapa’ (Hawaiian word for ‘half’ or mixed race). It was well written, but a little light on the fashion this time (ASTRID.. COME BACK!)….

Women on Food

A nice book to pick up, put down, read a few essays, stop reading.. very strong feminist leanings and I am here for all of it. It’s amazing how two-faced the food industry is.

The Luckiest Girl Alive

Another book that won an award and surprised me. It’s a bit strange as a plot, but I enjoyed reading it nonetheless all the way to the end. The ending is SO SATISFYING. I wish I knew what happened afterwards but my imagination can fill in the blanks.

Parachutes

This is a really great book that goes into so many topics – racism, xenophobia and cultural clashes, not to mention feeling caught in between them. A great book to read, but probably geared more towards a younger set, like young adult fiction.

The House

It’s a well written book, but the entire plot of it was a little strange, albeit kind of interesting in a way. I did feel very sad at the end at the whole ending of it, I was somehow hoping for more of a happy chicklit ending, but it wasn’t meant to be. A good read, but not amazing just because of the plot.

Twice in a blue moon

An EXCELLENT story. A love story? Chicklit? Whatever it is, it is so brilliantly written, with smart characters that are deep rather than being fluffy, and I enjoyed every word of it.

The Enchanted Life

Truly, a book that makes you look around your own life in a new enchanted manner. I really would like to look in the magic of everyday more often and this book forces you to consider the things around you to do so.