I have done a good job so far of keeping my word to read more fiction this year. I alternate with nonfiction from time to time. I was searching for a non-fiction book this one time, and my friend’s comment about me “going back to non-fiction in a big way” made me laugh. But I’m still on the journey of outdoing my non-fiction reading with more fiction. Here are the last five novels I read and my thoughts on them. If I’m being honest, these ‘reviews’ are mostly how reading that particular book made me feel. There’s definitely some oversharing and a good dose spoilers in there.

The lost bookshop – Evie Woods

I believe I’m starting to vibe with books about libraries and bookshops.
This book was magical. It switches between the past and the present with the points of view of three narrators. Opaline begins her story in the 1920s, while Henry and Martha are in the present day. This book takes us on a journey with characters who are trying to find their story. It’s a book that depicts grace; that we’re not too broken to collect back the pieces. There are themes of romances, second chances, faith, tragedy, and fantasy. There’s some misogyny/abuse of women in there as well.I love that it had themes of mystery, too. I still want to know more about Madam Bowden and who she really was.

Veronika decides to die – Paulo Coelho

Veronika decides to put an end to her life not because she was sad but because of its mundane nature and routine.
After finding herself in an asylum after days of being in a coma, she was informed that she had barely a week to live because she had acquired a heart disease.
For the first time, Veronica feared her death – she would have preferred that death came quicker instead of waiting for it.
In the days prior to death, she made new connections,  felt new emotions that overwhelmed her, and suddenly felt the urge to live. She regretted being so hasty to end her life.
Her willingness to live had begun to rub off on the other patients, and in the course of her days there, she realised what her dream was.

Lost for words bookshop – Stephanie Butland

This book had me in my feelings. I read it at a time when I had rediscovered poetry performances and spoken word, which reminded me of that era of my life. There’s a good hint of impending romance and a lot of poetry, including invitations to a poetry event and some magic performances. I was eager to know the main character and whatever was brewing between her and Nathan. When a guy she dated previously brings up her past—a past she has worked hard to hide for 16 years—she ends things quickly with Nathan and revisits her past to make peace with it. I love that the book was written in the first person, giving the feeling of reading Loveday’s journal. I love stories with good redemption arcs, where the main character rises above her past.
In a way, it’s all I’ve been struggling to do – trying not to drown in the past and being mindful of the present.

A girl is a body of water – Jennifer Nansubuga

A girl is a body of water is an African literary work about a girl’s journey of becoming and the pivotal role that all the women in her life played in that journey. The absence of her mother plays a significant role in her upbringing as well as she yearns for the affection of the mother. This book had themes of feminism as well. I enjoyed this book and gobbled it rather quickly. The tales were captivating and enthralling.

The Girl on the train – Paula Hawkins

This novel rolled out on a slow pace, even repetitive at a point. I had to convince myself that it was going to get better. It sure did. It picked up. I love being wrong about how certain scenes are going to play out in a book or movie – this book had me feeling that way. One of the main characters annoyed me a tad bit. I thought she was pathetic. Honestly!
I read somewhere that often, the things we dislike in others are things we dislike in ourselves, too. Do tell what you think about that.
This is a tale about hurt, betrayal, crime, and mystery. If you ask me, I’d say, hop on that train. The ending did feel as though it was wrapped up too quickly. I wanted more.

Tangled in you – Christina Lauren

I loved this novel a little too much than I’d want to admit. For starters, it didn’t feel like my usual taste. I tend to like novels with heavy themes and a redemption arc. This was fun and cheesy and made me laugh and made me miss  being at a certain age again. The romance had me both cringing and laughing. This is a modern-day version of ‘Tangled’. If you enjoyed that animation, you might love this too. The latter part of the novel had an interesting plot twist, and it got slightly heavy.
I read this whilst recuperating on a side of the bed that felt too warm. It was the only way to not lose my mind.

Have you read any of these books? What are your thoughts on them? Feel free to share your recommendations for my next read—I’m always in search of new adventures .

PC: Pinterest