It has been far too long since I last talked about books on the blog. My reading habit ebbs and flows, and recent months have been an ebb for sure. But every time I pick up a book and get back into the swing of daily reading, I’m reminded how wonderful it is. I’ve read several gems over the past few months, even though they’ve been few and far between.
For those of you who are new here, my Recent Reads posts are where I share reviews of the latest books I’ve perused. Without further ado…
Such a Fun Age – 3/5
In her debut novel, Kiley Reid chronicles the relationship between nanny Emira Tucker and her employer Alix Chamberlain, a wealthy feminist blogger. When Emira is accused of kidnapping the child she nannies at a grocery store, Alix oversteps in her attempt to make things right. Then, when the pair discover a surprising connection, chaos ensues. Such a Fun Age reminded me of Little Fires Everywhere, although Kiley Reid discusses race and privilege more overtly.
The Crown: The Official Companion, Volume 2 – 3/5
If Harry and Meghan’s interview with Oprah piqued your interest, you’ll love The Crown, Netflix’s fictionalized version of the political rivalries and romance of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign in the second half of the 20th century. And there’s no better pairing for The Crown than, you guessed it, The Official Companion. This is the second companion volume I’ve read and I enjoy them because they are a guide to the real history that inspired the plotlines in The Crown, as told by the show’s resident historian Robert Lacey.
Know My Name – 5/5
Know My Name is a memoir by Chanel Miller, who was Emily Doe in the Brock Turner sexual assault case. Relinquishing her anonymity with the release of the memoir, Miller recounts her experience of trauma and the tumultuous reality of healing. Know My Name made me laugh and cry on more than one occasion. Through her articulate writing, Miller lends her voice to the many women who have been voiceless, who are not believed, who suffer in silence. This book should be required reading in my opinion.
Cleo McDougal Regrets Nothing – 3/5
I listened to Cleo McDougal Has No Regrets on audiobook. Written by Allison Winn Scotch, the fictional novel follows U.S. Senator Cleo McDougal as she tries to repair her reputation by addressing 10 items from her list of 233 regrets. What begins as a publicity stunt ultimately forces Cleo to confront her deepest regrets, including her broken relationship with her sister, a past affair with her law school professor, and a family secret she’s never said aloud. The book was a fun, lighthearted read with a sweet message. I will warn you that the writing was heavy on a female empowerment narrative that often felt overstated, but it didn’t deter me from finishing the novel.
Normal People – 4/5
Normal People by Sally Rooney is the type of novel you consume in one sitting. It’s the most enthralling love story I’ve read in a long while. Set in Ireland, the book follows Marianne and Connell, two people who couldn’t be more different on the surface level, from their first conversation in high school to years beyond. There is a mutual fascination, friendship, and love between the pair that pulls them together even when they try to stay apart. If you do pick up Normal People, know that Sally Rooney doesn’t use quotation marks, so it may take you a minute to get into the style of the book. Also, there’s a Hulu adaptation of the book. I started it a while back after finishing the novel but have yet to finish it.
I Will Teach You to Be Rich – 4.5/5
This is another book I think should be required reading, particularly for those in their early twenties. In I Will Teach You to Be Rich, author Ramit Sethi offers a practical guide to banking, saving, budgeting, and investing. It’s the most helpful how-to book I’ve read in my quest to build a strong financial foundation. I found it particularly useful when setting up my retirement savings accounts.
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