I'm in a list making kind of mood so I thought I'd start making random five lists. Sometimes they'll be bookish other weeks not so much. This week I'm sharing 5 quick reviews for books I've read recently.
1. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett - I love this book and I think every time I read it I love it just a little bit more. One thing that really stuck out to me is that there isn't the heavy religious or morale overtones that you see in quite a bit of Middle Grade books of this time period. The focus isn't to be perfect ladylike little girls and whatnot but instead to run and play and do things for yourself as much as possible. The imagery of the walled secret garden and the big house with a hundred rooms that no one goes in still captures my imagination. I also love that Martha and Dickens mother isn't well liked and respected because of class or money or pureness of heart but rather because she is kind and sensible. This is a lovely read and holds up well to a reread as an adult. My Rating: Loved It! (5 Stars)
2. Funny Story by Emily Henry - I had picked up another book by this author this summer and ended up DNFing it because I just didn't care what happened to the characters. I was a little nervous going into this one for that reason, but I ended up enjoying it. Daphne and Miles both have some serious baggage before the great breakup happens and that definitely doesn't help. I do like a fake dating premise but even more I love when characters connect as they get to know each other and themselves. I adored the side characters (especially Ashley), and I liked how they all dealt with their various levels of baggage. This has a found family feel without tipping into the overly perfect. The fact that Julia Whelan does the audio really enhanced my enjoyment. I don't know that Emily Henry's books will always work for me but I won't hesitate to pick one up if the premise connects with me. My Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)
3. Someone to Hold by Mary Balogh - I read the first book in the Westcott series and while Camille is definitely not the most likable character in that book I was curious to see how her story would unfold. As well, I was looking forward to learning more about Anna's friend Joel who we met in the first book. And for the most part I really loved this one. Why Camille isn't always the easiest to like I felt connected to her from the first page as she struggled to come to terms with her new circumstances and her new identity. I loved her relationship with the children at the orphanage and her struggle to figure out how to interact with her family and explain her current choices. Her relationship with Joel was really sweet in a way that felt very true for both characters. What kept this book from being a complete winner was the first physical interaction. It just felt so out of character and like it came completely out of left field. It took me completely out of the story for a bit. Other than that I loved the characters and am looking forward to seeing more of the Westcott family. My Rating: Really Liked it (4 Stars)
4. Life and Other Inconveniences by Kristan Higgins - It's been a long time since I read anything by Kristan Higgins but I'm so glad I picked this one up on a whim! This is a multi-generational multi-POV story about the London family - specifically matriarch and fashion icon Genieve London, her granddaughter Emma from whom she's been estranged for the last 17 years and Emma's daughter Riley who happens to be 17. There's a lot going on in this one with complicated family relationships, a missing child from 60 years before, and all the other complications that come with living and aging. I really enjoyed all the different POVs and watching the characters develop relationships (especially Gigi and Pops). The audio for this one is fantastic and I'm looking forward to reading or listening to more from this author. My Rating: Really Liked It! (4.5 Stars)
5. The Irish Inheritance by M.J. Lee - I cannot resist a genealogical mystery, and this was an interesting one. What starts as a straightforward investigation quickly becomes complicated as public records lead multiple ways and there is very little information to go on. There is a bit of a dive into Irish politics and a dual timeline as well as a good dose of danger. I liked Jayne Sinclair as the lead character - especially with her police experience. I enjoyed this but not so much that I'm going to go out of my way to find the rest of the series. If more are added to the Audible Plus catalog or I stumble across any at the bookstore I will definitely pick them up though. My Rating Liked It! (3.5 Stars)
What have you read recently?
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