I think I will be able to surpass my reading goal for this year. I initially planned for 52 then pushed it to 60. I am currently 6 books ahead so I might read 66 books. Anyways, I read the following books in October.
I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jeanette McCurdy ⭐⭐⭐⭐
tw: mention of anorexia, bulimia, cancer and loss of parent
I loved this memoir. One of the best memoirs I have read this year! Sad memoir about child stars and how they are basically exploited/forced to join the entertainment industry because of their parents! Jennette played Sam from the teen show iCarly! She recounts her traumatic childhood experience and how much she hated being a child star and the fame!
After reading this I predict that in 10/15 years all these young kids with mummy bloggers/influencers as parents are going to release a similar memoir! These young kids have their childhood constantly documented for public consumption without their consent. I also feel like these kids are being exploited for content and in a way their parents depend on them for financial stability!
Heads of the Colored People by Nafisa Thompson Spires ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I did an in depth post reviewing this book and sharing my thoughts about the book. This is a collection of 12 very dark humorous and few triggering short stories examining Black identity in a ‘post-racial era’. Some stories are for mature readers as there is mention of suicide ideation. Even though I loved the book, I felt like some stories were forgettable because I hated the main character and their point of view (POV). Belles Lettres is my favourite story from the collection.
It Starts With Us by Colleen Hoover ⭐⭐
This felt like a total waste of my time! I hated It Ends With Us (my reasons) so I question what I expected from this. If you are on #BookTok then you are aware that Colleen Hoover is one of the most popular and recommended authors. She wrote It Ends With Us and recently released a sequel titled It Starts With Us. The sequel brings in Atlas’ POV and his childhood background.I shared a post reviewing the book and why I would not recommend it. Why is this book so popular on TikTok? I am confused.
We Need New Names by NoViolet Bulawayo ⭐⭐⭐
I absolutely loved that it was through a child’s point of view (POV)! Most books (that i read) rarely give kids a voice. I wish the transitions between the chapters were better, especially when Darling moved away. Everything just felt so abrupt and rushed.
I thought that the names were confusing then remembered the book is literally called We Need New Names. I was not a fan of the last half. Each chapter felt like a completely new short story making the novel sound like a nonfiction article.
See you all next month!