I am slowly getting back into my health and wellness routine after my surgery. I’ve started running again after being cleared by my doctor and have signed up for two half marathons, which is exciting! Reading plays a huge part in my routine, and my big goal is to return to daily reading. Before going to sleep, I dedicate one hour to reading, so by the end of the week, I finish one book. My goal is to read 52 books by the end of the year. I know I am capable of this because in 2022, I had a similar goal and surpassed it, reading 65 books!
I have tried audiobooks on many occasions, but I cannot commit to listening to a book. I end up daydreaming and have to rewind, so I will just commit to physically reading the books.
Also, there is going to be a new Sally Rooney book. I think you either love Sally or hate her. Personally, I hated her book Normal People but loved reading Conversations with Friends. I cannot wait to see if I will love this new book or not! The plot looks amazing!
Anyway, let’s get into what I have been reading lately! We are so back! 😎
Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult ⭐⭐
This is probably my least favorite jodi picoult book. I love Jodi’s work but this was a low three star for me. It’s about Dina, a woman who has planned her life and is certain that Finn, her doctor boyfriend will propose to her on their upcoming vacation. But then the covid virus leads to lockdown and Finn is all hands on deck at the hospital and Diana decides to go to their dream vacation alone.
I did not love the COVID references, I understand that this is a book set during covid but the entire setting just agitated me because it reminded me of the pandemic and the lockdown. This also did not feel like your typical Jodi book. There was no big moral dilemma that made me question my morals, ethics and make me rethink my principles. The halfway reveal took me by surprise but could have been better, I expected better from Jodi! I honestly got kinda bored with the whole pandemic description especially in the hospital ://
Surprisingly, I loved the detailed description of the pandemic. Jodi is an amazing writer and portrays the pandemic using medical jargon fitting for the setting.
Verdict: There are way better Jodi Picoult books out there, this is a skip.
The Guest by Emma Cline ⭐⭐⭐
This book started so well and was hooked! Young women conning men is my favorite genre, think Anna delvey! Alex is a 22 year old scammer involved with a rich old man called Simon in the Hamptons but he abruptly ends their relationship and poor Alex has nowhere to go. She tries to make ends meet by plotting her way around the Hamptons to make ends meet – she does anything and everything! I loved the description of rich people’s activities but the author lost it after the breakup!
I loved how at the beginning you didn’t know much about Alex. She is a sex worker running away from her past but you don’t know why? Why did she cut off her family? Why is she so scared of her past, especially with Don? I did not give this book more than a 3 star because the ending was so ambiguous. I wish I knew why Simon kicked her out! I had so many unanswered questions. An okay beach read if you are looking for a book with no major plot!
The Rachel Incident by Caroline O’Donoghue ⭐⭐⭐
I was hooked at the beginning of this book but lost interest towards the end. I would recommend it to anyone interested in books set in academia. It takes place in Ireland, so there is a lot of financial anxiety as it is set during the Irish financial crisis.
Rachel is a student working at a bookstore when she meets James, and it’s love at first sight. James and Rachel become roommates, and the two begin a friendship that changes their lives forever.
When Rachel falls in love with her married professor, Dr. Fred Byrne, James helps her seduce him, but Fred has other desires. Trust me, this caught me off guard! No spoilers, but their seduction plans take a huge turn, and I love when everything becomes messy. When the wife discovers the affair, it becomes chaotic in a good way. This whole conflict made this a great coming-of-age story.