Read My Mind
I’ve always had a Goodreads goal every year and though I’m always cramming to reach it at the end of the year, this year, I thought I would take things a bit differently. And with COVID-19 keeping everyone home, I’ve had the pleasure of reading more books than I thought I would.
For the first quarter of the year, I’ve had some interesting finds and wanted to share my favourites from the bunch. What have you been reading that you’ve liked?
98 Likes, 20 Comments - MÆnnhi (@mannhiquin) on Instagram: "Been mostly conversing with food lately 🤷🏻♀️"
Conversations with Friends
I had heard a lot about Normal People and though I was late to the party, I enjoyed it well enough. But then when I moved to Conversations with Friends, I got why there was so much hype around Sally Rooney. I enjoyed this book way more than I thought I would. I’m the ration a book over a couple of nights kind of girl but I couldn’t put this one down that I literally slept at 3am because I didn’t want to stop turning the page — and this hasn’t happened to me in a while.
Though I’m far from the disaffected youth characters, I was strangely drawn to Frances and Nick’s relationship — even if I know this wasn’t necessarily the main plot line, I really did want to know more, read more about it.
I have yet to see the BBC adaptation of Normal People and I’ve heard all the great things about it, but somehow, I’m wishing we get one for Conversations with Friends, too. And really excited to see what else Sally Rooney has up her sleeve.
15 Likes, 0 Comments - Lindsey (@lannewriter) on Instagram: "Currently reading #youwerebornforthis #chaninicholas #astrology #bookstagram #igreads #igbooks..."
You Were Born For This
I’ve gotten into my natal chart thanks to Chinggay and heard about Chani Nicholas thanks to the podcast, Keep It where she analysed the hosts charts on the show — and it was both hilarious and insightful.
So when this book came out, I was excited to delve in and see how things turned out and it was a nice and interesting read. I started doing my siblings charts because it’s always nice to know how you relate to those you’re close to.
And though we only get to focus on the Sun, Moon and Rising signs, it was a good enough introduction given I’m quite the newbie to this. It definitely got me more intrigued so I guess mission accomplished? I would love if she wrote more about the rest of the planets and how it all stitches together. Maybe next time!
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In Five Years
I didn’t think I would get into this book. I had already seen it in recommendations to me but for some reason, I just didn’t bother.
But then, Chinggay raved about it and said she needed someone to talk to about it. So I went in. I’m easy to convince, this we know is true.
And I’m glad I did! Because I didn’t think it would go where it would go and given the set-up, I thought it was going to be a complete sappy trip, but it was pretty refreshing!
The synopsis tends to be a bit misleading, making me think it was a hardcore romance book — which I’m not against — I’ve read my fair share, but with that kind of set-up and that kind of plot line, you’re kind of steeling yourself for a cheese-fest.
And it wasn’t! And it went in directions and relationships that I didn’t think it would go in. And when our protagonist finally catches up to her future self, I was in for a surprise. This was a pretty good rollercoaster kind of book that ended with me wanting to know more about where she goes from there.
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The Pleasure Gap
In the past couple of years, I’ve gotten really interested in non-fiction books and sometimes find myself diving deeper into them. I’ve also been trying to read more female authors, because why not.
Having gone on this bender, Goodreads had recommended Katherine Rowland’s The Pleasure Gap after I read Invisible Women last year (also a high favourite from 2019) and though it wasn’t quite as impactful as the latter, I definitely enjoyed it.
I had initially thought it would focus a lot on the orgasm and yes, it does spend some time on it, but it goes beyond it to so much more and I was really riveted by her exploration of the historical build-up that led to the state of women’s over-all sexual health and awareness.
Some topics were more interesting than others and I’m looking forward to drilling in more on specific sections she brought up.
96 Likes, 2 Comments - Emma 📚 Drinking By My Shelf (@drinkbymyshelf) on Instagram: "Finished! This was the dreamiest read and so much fun 📖"
The Other Bennett Sister
I’m a sucker for most things Austen but I have read my fair share of retellings that didn’t quite sit well with me, so I’m also a bit wary.
But when I saw that Janice Hadlow’s book would be coming from the point of view of Mary Bennet, the often overlooked sister, I was definitely intrigued. I’ve never paid her any attention nor have I seen any movie adaptation that bothered to give more than a line.
So it was such a pleasant surprise that I enjoyed The Other Bennet Sister so damn much. The start was slow — this was the part where we see Mary live out the entire Pride and Prejudice plotline from her point of view and you feel for her but it’s also tedious.
But if you stick with it and move past the P&P narrative, you really see Mary come into her own and root for her all the way. Let’s be real, we all think were Lizzies or Janes but I would say after reading this, I’m probably a Mary and proud of it.
