Really, really excited to share the list of books I read during the month of February. Buckle up because it’s a good list!!
I WHO HAVE NEVER KNOWN MEN by Jacqueline Harpman
4/5 Stars
This book was one of the buzziest books. I subscribed to The Cut’s email newsletter “Book Gossip” and I’m 99% sure that’s what convinced me to give it a try. This is not a new book, it was published in the mid 90s, but started gaining popularity online– The Cut described it as “Handmaid’s Tale for Gen Z.” It’s a quick read and translated from French. I couldn’t put it down and think it would make a really good book club book if you want something literary to sink your teeth in and discuss at length. It’s a dystopian coming of age novel of sorts as the main character grew up in an underground bunker with 39 other women. Definitely worth picking up.
THE FAVORITES by Layne Fargo
5/5 Stars
Wow! If you loved Daisy Jones & the Six, you absolutely must read The Favorites. This is an excellent audiobook with a full cast! I loved the whole thing start to finish and I’ve told about six friends IRL that they need to read it, which is always a marker for a good book. I’ve been describing it as Daisy Jones & the Six meets Ice Princess meets Gossip Girl.
YOU ARE HERE by David Nicholls
5/5 Stars
I actually decided to read this on a whim. I had put it on my TBR list at some point and it was available at my library so I went for it. It’s a lovely, cozy romance novel about two quirky individuals who find themselves paired up on a long distance walk through the English countryside. I loved it from page one– especially as an introvert, I just found myself enjoying the characters so, so much.
THIS IS A LOVE STORY by Jessica Soffer
4/5 Stars
The writing style of This Is A Love Story was a little hard for me to get into, but by the end of the book I found myself pretty wrapped up in the stories of each character. It’s a different book, and probably not what you expect, and it kind of wrecked me emotionally by the end. The best part to me was the descriptions of everyone in NYC. It feels like a love letter to NYC almost more than the actual plot.
MY NAME IS LUCY BARTON by Elizabeth Strout
3.5/5 Stars
I actually went to read Elizabeth Strout’s latest novel because I found it at the library and then realized it was part of a series (Amgash). I read that you don’t necessarily have to have read the whole series, but reading the books in order provides more color and depth to the characters and storylines. So I started with #1! I liked but didn’t love My Name Is Lucy Barton. I was immediately drawn to the storytelling and writing style of Elizabeth Strout though, so I’m going to continue to read the “series.” (If you have read more of her books, let me know what you think, please!)
