Oh um hi, so I realise it’s April but I realised with a jolt the other day how perilously behind I am with the blog in general. I’ve been popping up reviews on Instagram rather than here just because it’s quicker but I miss blogging! So better late than never (right?) here’s my February Wrap Up! March’s to follow pretty sharply behind it.
I had a couple of these on my shelves for quite a while so felt good to finally them (book-buying guilt) but then I also snapped up Luster because, you know, Instagram.
Let’s get into it, shall we?
FEbruary Wrap Up Reads
Fleishman Is In Trouble
by Taffy Brodesser-Akner
Fleishman Is In Trouble tells the story of Toby who is recently separated from his ‘workaholic’ wife Rachel and navigating the NY dating scene with some sense of glee in his mid-forties. Yet when Rachel doesn’t pick up the kids and stops returning his texts, he starts to evaluate everything he thought about their marriage and their relationship.
Honestly, I still don’t know what I think about this book. It was the closest I came to not finishing in a long, long time but I also was obsessed with the angry, super sharp writing. I’d like to read more of this author but I’m still conflicted about whether I enjoyed or appreciated this book.
The Foundling
by Stacey Halls
I loved The Familiars so I couldn’t wait to read The Foundling. It’s a historical fiction novel set in London in 1754. Six years ago, Bess Bright left her illegitimate daughter Clara at the Foundling Hospital to be taken care of. Now, with some money saved up, she is ready to claim her daughter and begin their life as a family. Imagine the shock when she finds her daughter has already been claimed – and apparently by her.
DUN DUN DUNNN!
Super atmospheric, lots of twists and turns and a story that you’re completely drawn into. Definintely recommend.
Luster
by Raven Leilani
My word this book has been HYPED. Don’t let that put you off though – in my humble opinion, it’s worth it.
Luster is about Edie, a young, broke black woman who gets involved with a wealthy older white couple. As she gets more drawn into their lives, Edie also gets closer to their black adoptive daughter Akila. Through this messy, complicated situation the author deftly covers the juxtapositions of wealth, race and gender in modern-day America.
It’s acerbic, searingly honest, sometimes funny, sometimes sad. It meanders but it’s beautiful and the prose will make you wince. Just buy it, ok?
Away with the Penguins
by Hazel Prior
Ending with a warm and cosy read that I was kindly sent by the publishers!
Veronica McCreedy is a curmudgeonly old woman who lives alone in her big house by the sea with only her carer for company. When she sees a programme about penguins on TV she decides to go on a trip of a lifetime to help and perhaps seal the deal on who she will leave her fortune to.
Through diaries, we learn about the secrets of Veronica’s past and the budding relationship with her recently-discovered grandson, plus her adventure to Antarctica. It’s a feel-good, life-affirming read that we all need now and again.
I hope you enjoyed catching up with me on my February Wrap Up and who knows maybe I will keep these on track …
See you soon! (Promise.)
