For the Love of Reading

It’s the start of a new month and that means it’s time to look back over what I read in March. Here we go:

The Secret History by Donna Tartt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
What we did was terrible, but still I don’t think any of us were bad, exactly . . . /i>
How is a book full of terrifically unlikable characters and a plot that illustrates how despicable people can be to each other such a compelling and enduring one? That is the magic of Donna Tartt. She writes in a way that shows our humanity, how circumstances can force us to do things we never thought possible, and how the need to be seen and included can become the most critical thing of all. This book is often credited with creating the dark academia genre and I certainly agree with that distinction as Tartt does an incredible job of building a world of privilege at an exclusive college in Vermont. Highly recommended, whether it’s your first time or a re-read.

We All Live Here by Jojo Moyes
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I liked this book well enough but I felt like it could have used some editing to make it a little shorter and as a result more compelling. The plot is good and it drew me right in but I think the main character was too slow to realize an awful lot of the things going on right under her nose. I wouldn’t go so far as to call her self absorbed but do think she was pretty clueless. And, while that served to prop up the plot, it didn’t do much to endear the character to me. In all honesty, the side characters seemed more interesting and I would have liked more of them. Recommended for fans of the author but just know it’s not as good as some of her other works.

Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
What would life be like, he wondered, if they were given time to think and reflect over things? Might their lives be different or much the same – or would they just lose the run of themselves?
This is not your typical holiday story full of twinkle lights and magical circumstances but rather a glimpse into one man’s situation and his conviction to do something brave despite the consequences. Keegan uses the simple and regular life of one person to pose a question we should all consider: what are you willing to risk to do the right thing and help someone who desperately needs it? Highly recommended for your holiday reading list.

The Favorites by Layne Fargo
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I have such mixed feelings about this book. I was drawn in by the opening sequence and had high hopes for a drama filled romp through the figure skating world. It was truly compelling for the first 1/3 and then it fell flat for me. Any connection I had with the characters fell apart, the pacing was uneven, and the big crisis was overhyped and underwhelming. I wanted to love it for it’s setting and it’s connections to Wuthering Heights but I really struggled to even finish it. There are readers I know and respect who truly enjoyed it so this could be a good book/wrong time situation for me but I can’t recommend it without caution.

Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I have to be very particular about when I start a book by Abby Jimenez because I know it will pull me in immediately and I won’t be able to do anything else until I’ve finished it. That was certainly the case with Say You’ll Remember Me, a romance centered around two incredibly likable, instantly relatable, and absolutely wonderful characters. And like every book by Jimenez, it’s so much more than a romance. There’s depth of feeling and authenticity, real life struggles and trauma, witty dialogue, and a perfect balance of heartbreak and hope. Highly recommended. I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Three Days in June by Anne Tyler
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Sometimes when I find out what’s on other people’s minds I honestly wonder if we all live on totally separate planets.
Listen, I’m always going to read Anne Tyler and I’m always going to enjoy her books. And this one is no exception. It’s a short book and not a lot happens, yet Tyler manages to capture the mundane and turn it into something profound. Whether she’s writing about a simple wedding, a cat in need of adoption, a second chance at love, or a trip to the store to buy a suit, she captures the beauty of ordinary life. The characters are real and flawed and incredibly human; reading this book is like sitting down over a cup of tea with an old friend. Highly recommended.

And there you have it. It was a pretty fine month for reading.