Reading Roundup: Nov. 9-Dec. 9

It’s been awhile since my first reading roundup, and I really enjoyed writing it and wanted to do one again! This reading roundup is focused on November 9, 2019-December 9, 2019. As a reminder, these aren’t full reviews, just merely a quick lightning round and what I found to be all of the hits, misses, and everything in between!

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HIT: THE GLASS WOMAN — Caroline Lea

Set in Iceland in 1686, the author takes us on a journey into a world filled with witch trials, isolation, and ancient sagas through the eyes of Rósa, who becomes betrothed unexpectedly to a wealthy man named Jón. The haunting element in this story is unmatched, the plot shrouded with mystery. Lea truly paints the picture of what it was like to be a woman back in the 1600’s, and the superstitions that the villagers clung to and still sometimes cling to to this day. Nothing about this book is boring, whatsoever. Despite being set in a different country and time period, the story was relatable, especially for someone like myself whose family heritage is very superstitious. This is an absolute must read for everyone.

HIT: THE GRACE YEAR — Kim Liggett

Don’t let the dystopian or young adult genre fool you: this book is not a world filled with sci-fi or fairytales. Liggett’s writing style is truly breathtaking in this terrifying story of girls who have to leave home for a year when they turn 16 because they need to rid themselves of their “magic”. A society we know nothing about, where men control everything—and I mean everything. Our main narrator, Tierney, takes us through the isolation of the grace year, the desperation, and the inherent human nature of evil.

HIT: CLEAR MY NAME — Paula Daly

Paula Daly has taken a world where prominent celebrities use their platform to help innocent people get out of prison (kudos to Kim Kardashian West) and written a very believable story about a non-profit organization dedicated to getting the wrongly imprisoned out of jail. With an easy writing style and quick chapters, Daly takes us on a whirlwind of events as our main narrator works to turn over a woman accused of killing her husband’s mistress. Everything about this book is believable and current, making it a story that depicts the current state of affairs in 2019.

in between: Death and the Seaside — Alison Moore

Though this book had a promising premise and real psychological depth to it, there was something missing from it. While not necessarily a bad read, it wasn’t exactly a great read either. The chapters were slow, the characters pretty boring; and if it wasn’t for the psychology aspect of this book I don’t know I would’ve continued with it. This is a good book if you’re desperate because it’s not absolutely horrible.

HIT: GOOD GIRL, BAD GIRL — Michael Robotham

At the beginning of this year I read Robotham’s The Secrets She Keeps and was blown away by the writing, characters, and plot. Once an author grips me in a story, you better believe I’m going to read more of their work! Much like The Secrets She Keeps, Good Girl, Bad Girl did not disappoint. With an easy-to-read writing style and chapters that flowed effortlessly, this book was hard to put down. Told in alternating POV’s through Cyrus—our main narrator and psychologist—and the mysterious patient “Angel Face”, we’re taken through a plot filled with murder, police procedurals, and psychology.

MISS: THE SISTERS — Claire Douglas

Two summers ago I read Douglas’s Local Girl Missing and really enjoyed it, so I didn’t hesitate when I saw The Sisters. The cover was also enticing with the “One lied, one died” tagline. However, this one was a major disappointment. I kept telling my boyfriend “I really don’t like this book, I don’t know why I’m still reading it.” I guess my old stubbornness kicked in and I wanted to finish what I started, but the entire book was a disappointment. The characters were annoying, dumb, and just plain odd (IMO, anyway). I wouldn’t suggest reading this one, but Local Girl Missing by this author is a good one.

HIT: DEVOTION — Madeline Stevens

OH. MY. GOD. This book had everything I could’ve ever hoped for and more. Told through first person POV by Ella, we’re brought into the seductive and glamorous world of the rich in Manhattan when Ella becomes a nanny for eighteen month old William. Ella quickly becomes obsessed with William’s mother, Lonnie; and desire, lust, and toxicity overtake her. Had I read this sooner, I would’ve added this to the ranks of my post on my favorite dark, unique, and twisted books. This debut novel is captivating, dark, and salacious. I actually had to make myself put the book down and do other things because I wanted to savor it because I found the writing so haunting and beautiful. I wish I could read this book over and over and over again for the very first time, every time. If you enjoy books about toxic female friendships, dark writing, and obsession, look no further: Devotion is the one for you. (P.S—can we just take a look at that cover?! Flawless!)