Recent Reads: Summer 2022

Another summer of reading is well underway! This summer's reading list consists of books I’ve wanted to read but never got around to or, in some cases, books my family told me to read. While there were a couple of disappointments, I came across my fair share of page-turners that had me reading from sunrise to sunset.

I should also mention that I am a harsh book critic and have a habit of not finishing books I don’t immediately like. So despite what I may say about any of the books in this post, they were good enough that I finished them.

GIRL IN PIECES by Kathleen Glasgow

Rating: 4/5

I love books with darker undertones and, in general, gravitate more towards heavier subjects. This book satisfies that preference, but more importantly, it offers a necessary message regarding mental health. Girl in Pieces provides insight into the mind of a young girl who has endured numerous traumas and struggles with self-harm. The author details the tumultuous emotions of recovery in what feels like a very authentic way. Although I liked the book, I can understand that it may be triggering for anybody who struggles with self-harm. As such, I recommend this book with caution.

THE MIDNIGHT LIBRARY by Matt Haig

Rating: 2.5/5

I think this was THE book of last summer. After reading so many good reviews and talking to people who raved about it, I expected a literary masterpiece. Unfortunately, this book was not for me. Contrary to what some people may think, I would consider this a somewhat light-hearted beach read -- a category I am not a fan of. The Midnight Library felt like a series of half-thought-out short stories combined into one plotline. In conversation with my friend, I also likened the book to a Disney channel show, where the message is almost painfully obvious. I know this is a harsh review, but I could not get into it. In fairness, if I didn't already have the thoughts portrayed in the story, the book may have been more groundbreaking. However, this was not the case, and I really had to force myself to finish the book.

DAISY JONES AND THE SIX by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Rating: 5/5

I have to confess, my mom has been trying to get me to read this book for over a year, and up until June, I was exclusively using it as a coaster. In my defense, she was selling it as a book loosely based on a band I had only vaguely heard of. As stubborn as I am, I’m not too proud to admit that, mom, I was wrong. Sorry, I didn’t listen to you, it was an incredible book!

I love stories that incorporate numerous points of view, and Daisy Jones and The Six intertwined all of the characters' perspectives in an inventive and compelling way. The only way I can explain the writing style is that it was a bit like reading the transcript of a documentary. Although it took me a few chapters to figure out who all the characters were, the distinct voices and, at times, contradictory recollections made it a page-turner. The story follows the rise of a '70s rock band, and while the group's demise is evident from page one, you never really know what's going to happen next.

THE SUMMER I TURNED PRETTY TRILOGY by Jenny Han

Rating: 4/5

I watched The Summer I Turned Pretty series on Amazon Prime and liked the characters and storyline enough to keep watching every episode. However, having read and watched previous books-turned-movies by Jenny Han, I knew that the show was only scratching the surface. Fortunately, I was correct in my assumption. I binge-read the books in two days, and wow, they are nothing like the show. In the books, the characters are more complex, and the challenges they face are beyond the drama of a teen romance. I would suggest watching the show for the idyllic summer in New England aesthetic and reading the books for the actual storyline. Having watched the show first, there were so many unexpected aspects of the plot. While I would still file this trilogy under the beach read category, it had enough emotional, heartfelt, and dramatic moments to keep me invested in the characters' lives.

IT ENDS WITH US by Colleen Hoover

Rating: 5/5

Like The Midnight Library, this book came to me with very high expectations. In the past few months, I have seen it on nearly every must-read list and in the front display of every bookstore I’ve walked into. However, unlike The Midnight Library, I absolutely loved It Ends With Us and read it in under 24 hours. I have been craving a book that pulls at your heartstrings, makes you want to cry and scream, and forces you to re-evaluate everything you think you know about love, humans, and relationships. This book did just that. My only grievance is that the ending leaves something to be desired. Fortunately, the sequel is coming out in the fall!

MRS. HARRIS GOES TO PARIS by Paul Gallico

Rating: 3.5/5

This is one of those short, feel-good reads...emphasis on short. I guess it’s a good sign that I wanted more of Mrs. Harris and her Parisian adventures, but I felt that the whole plotline could have been drawn out more. That said, I absolutely loved the writing style. Although the storyline was not complicated, the long sentences, elegant descriptions, and detailed imagery made the book much more compelling. Now, obviously, I'm a little biased, as the story centers around two of my favorite things: Paris and Christian Dior. However, I think most people would be charmed by the character of Mrs. Harris, whose ambition resonates with anyone who has ever yearned for something in life.

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