Recent Reads

This year, I set a goal to read 35 books, and I’m already more than three quarters of the way there! Traveling so much has definitely helped, and I read every day on the subway. Despite a couple of duds, most of my recent reads have been fantastic, so I wanted to share them with you. Leave your recommendations in the comments, and tell me your thoughts: if you’re slogging through a book and really not enjoying it, do you give up or push to finish it? I try not to give up, but lately I haven’t had the patience!

The Thousandth Floor by Katharine McGee: Absolutely loved diving into this tangled web of relationships set in a futuristic New York City. The plot was a little reminiscent of a soap opera, but smarter, and so well written that I couldn’t wait to find out what happened. There are some deeper issues at play too, and this book really made me think about the role technology plays in our lives and what that could look like in the future if we continue on the same path. I was sad when it ended, and I can’t wait for the second book in the series to come out later this month.

The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher: An interesting story about a complicated family. The writing is so descriptive, but I did feel that there were moments when the story dragged and I wanted to skip ahead. That said, this story really made me think about how life is short and not to leave anything left unsaid.

The Baker’s Secret by Stephen P. Kiernan: A compelling story, beautifully written and almost lyrical at times. This was a different perspective on the impact of war and how people survive it. Inspiring examples of true courage and grit in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges.

Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay: I was a little skeptical when I discovered that this book is written almost entirely in letters, but the story is totally engaging and fluid from chapter to chapter. It was interesting to see how different characters dealt with their circumstances and how they grew over time. There are some difficult issues at play, and although some aspects of the plot were predictable, I wanted to keep reading.

Swear on This Life by Renée Carlino: I read this one so quickly because it was so good. The storyline and characters had me totally hooked, and I couldn’t wait to find out what happened next. It’s a non-traditional love story about the incredible power of love to endure against all odds, and there are some good lessons about not letting your past shape who you are in the present.

This Must Be the Place by Maggie O’Farrell and Anything Is Possible by Elizabeth Strout: These were the ones that I didn’t make it through. I felt like both had two many narrators from too many different times and places. They were just too dense for me, and with no disrespect to the authors, I decided to cut my losses and move on to the next books on my list.

Want more? Check out my previous recommendations!