After a jam-packed June, my July reading is lighter than prior months. In my defense, I was starting up a podcast (read more about that here) and one of the books was really long! Like 600 pages long (Sarah J. Maas get thee an editor)!
But, as the old adage goes, it’s quality over quantity, and two of these books are among some of my favorites of the year so far (and possibly the first 5 Lindsey Buckingham’s given out).
Onto the reads!
The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth
I wanted an easy read I could get lost in and The Good Sister fit the bill. The book centers of twin sisters, Fern and Rose. Fern, the reader can assume, falls somewhere on the spectrum with her sister, Rose, always looking out for her. When Rose cannot conceive, Fern sees it as her chance to pay her sister back for everything she’s done for her. It’s kind of like a Wish version of Gone Girl (how flattering). I’m a sucker for an unreliable narrator and, oh boy, do we have one.
Rating: 3.5 Lindsey Buckingham’s
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
This is some of the best fiction writing I’ve ever read and just what I was looking for this summer. The book centers around Elizabeth Zott, a single mother in the 1960s and female chemist who is reluctantly the host of a popular cooking show, Supper at Six. It’s smart, the humor is dry and the characters are SO fleshed out. It’s an absolute masterpiece that I’m still thinking about. The writing style is similar to Where’d You Go Bernadette? and Fleishman is in Trouble.
Rating: 5 Lindsey Buckingham’s
Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass, #3) by Sarah J. Maas
I can’t quit Maas, I just can’t! Out of the three Throne of Glass novels I’ve read, this one is my favorite so far. It doesn’t have the usual slow start of some of Maas’ books and we are introduced to a new potential love interest that feels a little more believable than Celaena’s prior loves (I’m trying to review the book without spoiling things, so bear with me). King Adarlan’s Champion is supposed to be on a mission in Wendlyn, but instead she is looking for a way to defeat the King of Adarlan and restore magic. She is taken by Rowan Whitethorn to Queen Maeve – her aunt – who promises to answer all her questions if she first learns to harness the magic she’s worked so hard to suppress since childhood. Trying to summarize this book could be a novel in and of itself, but there’s romantic intrigue, changing alliances, uncovering of Celaena’s backstory and a side plot about 3 witch clans, which ends up being one of the most interesting parts of the book. I’m hooked and cannot wait to read the next one.
Rating: 4.5 Lindsey Buckingham’s
Love in Colour by Bolu Babalola
I heard Bolu Babalola guest host on a recent episode of Keep It! and immediately ran to check out any and all books by her. I don’t consider myself a big fiction short-story enthusiast, but Love in Colour is not to be missed. All the stories are twists on classic love stories (unknown stories to me) including an adorable personal story to end the book. The characters were well fleshed-out and while I always felt content with their endings, I wanted more time with them, which I think is a sign of good writing. The writing is absolutely breathtaking and it’s not just typical, fairytale love; it’s love in many forms. I can’t wait to read her newest book, Honey & Spice.
Rating: 5 Lindsey Buckingham’s
Majesty (American Royals #2) by Katharine McGee
I was surprised to find myself excited to spend some time with these characters again. The King has suddenly passed and now Princess Beatrice is Queen Beatrice of America, learning to govern on her own without her father’s guidance. Love triangles and alliances are continually shifting with Daphne Deighton at the helm of much of the mischief and misunderstandings. Nina’s newly single, but is she falling for her ex, Prince Jeff’s, best friend Ethan? Will Daphne get back together with Jeff and is that even what she wants? Will Beatrice go through with her wedding to Teddy or does her former guard, Connor, still have her heart? Can Samantha win Teddy over by making him jealous with a fake relationship with Marshall, The Duke of Orange?
I found book one way more entertaining than the first and am definitely reserving book 3. The one downside, for me, is that (spoiler alert) Beatrice’s plot-line is very similar to Mia’s in Princess Diaries II. We’ve seen it before.
Rating: 4 Lindsey Buckingham’s
And those are the reads for this month! It’s still early in the year, but I have a feeling Lessons in Chemistry and Love in Colour are going to be among my top favorite books of the year.
See ya for August reads!
x, Meredith
The Mere-Dish 