2021 Book Club
So, let’s do this! If you’re here, it’s probably because you’ve seen this on the page and you want to get into books. Or, you happened to stumble across this and like books too. Nevertheless, by the time you’re reading this, one thing is clear: this blog post is about books. If you’ve heard me babble about this on my page, go on and skip over to the books. If you’re new here, let me give you some background.
This year, I decided to read at least 1 book a month. I am really aiming for a physical book and audiobook per month, but this challenge is just 1 book. I want to preface this by saying that I am by no means a literary scholar, and my opinions on books should be taken with a grain of salt because we are all humans who have different likes and experiences, you get the gist. But, I’m doing this so we have recommendations, some of my own, some that have been given to me, and some that I’ve always wanted to read. I will include links to the books on Amazon and for full transparency, these are linked to my Amazon store and thus affiliate links (no affiliation to the books, just the links and Amazon storefront).
This post will be updated monthly with new books. Hope you enjoy!
FORWARD 2020/2021
I KNOW THIS MUCH IS TRUE by Wally Lamb
I started this book in 2020, but finished it in 2021, so though it’s not technically part of the “2021 Book Club,” I’m including it because it’s what really set off this whole thing.
This is an incredible book that took me a long time to read (it is 897 pages!). When I first started reading it, I couldn’t put it down. This is a story that has a second story - truly written from the perspective of a different person and all - within the story. This second story is written differently, as it takes place in a different time, and didn’t interest me as much as the story itself did, but, it’s important. And, by the time I finished the book, I realize its importance. This story is powerful in that it reveals the main character to himself, through pain, loss, and triumph.
I bought this book at a used bookstore in California. In 1999, this book belonged to someone named Jen, who gave this book to someone named Teresa, and on the front cover, she wrote something about this book that I agree with and leave you with.
“I love this book. I love this author as well. I know you have now probably spent two summers listening to me tell you what a good novel it is, now you can be your own judge. It’s a novel about confronting those things that make us who we are and learning to live with ourselves. Like all beautiful things I hear, things I read, or things I see, I wanted to share this with you. I love you my dear'.” [Amazon link]
JANUARY
THIS TIME NEXT YEAR - by Sophie Cousens
What a fun read! Rather, a fun listen, because this was an audiobook. Though, audio or reading, I would have gotten through this book just as quickly. It was a fun, quirky, easy to read book with friendship, romance and a little birthday superstition sprinkled on top with a touch of coincidence. Or is it a coincidence? You decide.
If you’re looking for a feel-good novel, I recommend this without a doubt. It’s very much set in the present and the characters in their early/mid 20’s. It very much gives rom-com, so if that’s your cup of tea, this is a book for you. [Amazon link]
THE WEIGHT OF WATER - by Anita Shreve
I wanted to like this book more than I did, but the truth is I just liked it. I think there are some major parallels and themes I didn’t capture until after reading the book but was able to appreciate after doing some post-book reading. This is one of those books with a “story within a story”, which may be what makes it harder for me. The main character is a little odd (in an endearing way) and therefore it’s written as such. It definitely had some jaw-drop moments and an ending I wasn’t expecting but felt that came slightly rushed. Also, a lot of this story takes place on the water, something that makes me incredibly anxious, which I was while reading this, so that’s likely a big factor for me in this review. [Amazon link]
FEBRUARY
Royal Holiday - by Jasmine Guillory
I wanted to like this book. I did. The storyline was really sweet and the main character who this story revolves around is not the usual protagonist in a love story. But, she is wonderful. If there is one thing this book makes you do, is feel like you want to be friends with her. This isn’t a love story set in high school, or in someone’s early twenties. This is a mother. A charismatic, hard-working, witty, mother. And at first, the story was nice, easy to read. But then, it just felt like the writer got tired of writing. The writing got lazy, there was a lack of actual conversation, lack of spark if you will, for a romance. I had to really push to make it through the book. I honestly skimmed a lot of the end, went back, and tried to fully read it but it was just not interesting for me. Anyway, I’m sad to say that. I did read some of her other work is nice, so I will try one of them in the future perhaps.
MARCH
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo - by Taylor Jenkins Reid
This has easily made its way into one of my favorite books. I started listening to it because it was a ‘deep-clean Sunday’ and I wanted something to listen to that would last me through the day, not just a series of podcast episodes. I started skimming my friend Destiny’s reading list (she is an incredible foodie, music lover and book worm, check out her IG here) and found this book. When I looked it up, the ratings were great, and the storyline really captivated me. And boy, did it captivate me. Besides that it is audio so that helps with the convenience of listening, I couldn’t put this book down (aka, turn it OFF). There’s been a theme in books this year for me, stories within stories, and this was yet again one of those kinds of books. But it worked beautifully in this story, perfectly linear and yet, separate. It’s a story I didn’t expect to read when I picked it up, and I won’t tell you why because I don’t want to spoil it. This book is about two women, a story within a story about a boss ass bitch, a story of a triumphant and unapologetic woman who does what she needs to do for herself, sometimes, often, to a fault. A woman who made it in Hollywood from nothing, who suffers devastating pains, but continues to pick herself up, about love, about identity, truth, and family. And this, this isn’t really even what the story is about! And, don’t let the title fool you. But, I can’t tell you. Because I can’t ruin it for you. I will say, there are themes some people might not like in this book, manipulation, people being conniving, but I mean, it’s Hollywood. I will also say, the ending has a twist, and I saw it coming and figured it out before getting there, but it was still interesting enough to continue listening. The pieces all tied at the end. You’ll just have to pick it up or download the e-book and see it for yourself. Or read the other reviews online that tell you a little bit more or a little more eloquently than I was able to do here. OR, you could wait, because there are rumors it’s being turned into a show. (: [Amazon link]
APRIL
The Heart’s Invisible Furies - by John Boyne
[I just wrote a bunch about this book and saved it, and guess what, it didn’t save!!!! so let’s try again and hopefully it’s better than the first time I wrote it!] This was another one of those books that I wasn’t sure where it would go. I read the reviews, saw that for the most part they were great, and didn’t dive too deep into the plot because I like to be invested. And boy, was I invested from the start. The story starts off fast, I mean if this was a movie, the first 20 minutes would be incredibly captivating. The way the start is written, particularly once change begins to happen it really takes off and you want to know more, but then. This part ends, and you are somewhere else. The thing is, that the story always circles back, continuously, often as life does. It’s almost infuriating sometimes when you are watching a story from the outside in because your like HEY!!!! * points finger * it’s RIGHT THERE! insert that Leonardo Di Caprio pointing meme. Anyway, the story in a way is a bit sad and its core, but poetic, and it doesn’t so much make you sad as the main character moves through life, but you grow with them. It takes place in Ireland mostly, jumping throughout many eras where Catholicism was at its highest and not everyone was accepted for who they are. It’s truly much more than that but I don’t want to give it all away. The story keeps you wanting to listen, to see where the characters will end up. There is some crazy shit that happens every so often that keeps you completely intrigued. Anyway, I feel there is so much to say, but I don’t want to give it away, and if you want to know more, you’re a google search away from knowing what the book is actually about instead of my not so to the point look at it, but I do know this: you should read it! Or, listen to it, because the narrator is great! [Amazon link]
MAY
Julia Child, A Life - by Laura Shapiro