During the spring, I read six books and they were *gasp* actually hits!
I read two beach reads to get into the summer vibe, leading me to find the perfect summer book that I think everyone should read. I finished up a series (yes, I actually finished a trilogy—I’m so proud of myself.)
And lastly, I read two books that were kindly gifted to me by publishing houses. They’re both different genres and I really enjoyed them.
Here are my reviews for all the books I read these past couple of months! <3
The Summer Book by Tove Jansson, Esther Freud (contributor)
Summary:
(Esther Freud’s foreword provides a beautiful summary that I feel like I would do a disservice for not including it)
“The Summer Book is impossible to categorise: a work of fiction, adventure, humour and philosophy, its structure a beautifully observed overlapping of the months of summer. It is a life-affirming story of every flower and delicate moss that manages to survive on a remote island in the Gulf of Finland, and of the understated love between an old woman and her grandchild. Yet scattered through its chapters are Jansson’s thoughts on death.”
My thoughts:
I don’t know if there is a more perfect summer book than The Summer Book. It was a beautiful read and definitely a classic.
The descriptive language used in the novel made you feel like you were there in the island, sharing the same experiences as the grandmother and her granddaughter, Sophia. It encapsulates the feeling of summer and how nature makes us feel during the summer.
In the story, the topic of death and grief is woven into conversations that truly portrays how those experiences leave profound effects on us as humans. Never once did it seem unrealistic and it actually made me think back about my own experiences with grief and the thoughts that came to me after experiencing loss.
The relationship between Sophia and her grandmother was beautiful. It was endearing and emotional how Jansson was able to write a deep connection between them in little pages. While the story surrounds these two characters, the island is also a big character. It holds emotional and physical ties to Grandmother and Sophia making it a powerful character in the book.
Since this is a relatively short book, one could read this in a day or two making it a perfect summer read. My personal recommendation would be to read one chapter a day during July as the chapters are short and can let you sink into the vibe of the summer each day.
Quotes:
“Every year, the bright Scandinavian summer nights fade without anyone’s noticing. One evening in August you have an errand outdoors, and all of a sudden it’s pitch-black. It is still summer, but the summer is no longer alive.”
“Wise as she was, she realized that people can postpone their rebellious phases until they’re eighty-five years old, and she decided to keep an eye on herself.”
“She started thinking about all the euphemisms for death, all the anxious taboos that had always fascinated her. It was too bad you could never have an intelligent discussion on the subject. People were wither too young or too old, or they didn’t have time.”
The Hotel Nantucket by Elin Hilderbrand
Summary:
London billionaire Xavier Darling hires beloved Nantucket resident Lizbet Keaton as his general manger for The Hotel Nantucket. The very same hotel that was once a gilded age gem to an abandoned eyesore after a tragic fire in 1922 that killed 19-year-old chambermaid, Grace Hadley.
Together, they face challenges—overcoming the hotel’s bad reputation, renovating the hotel, and surviving the shenanigans of Grace who won’t stop haunting until her murder is acknowledged.
My thoughts:
Elin Hilderbrand is known for her perfect, summer beach reads and this book was no different. This was the first novel I’ve read of hers and it won’t be the last. She transported me into the lovely Nantucket and it felt like a dream—I never wanted to leave!
The book was filled with a great ensemble of characters, perfectly descriptive writing, and a beautiful Nantucket setting. This concoction hooked me instantly from the beginning. The story itself was fun and I enjoyed the romance, history, and business aspects that were sprinkled in.
If you’re looking for your next beach read, look no further and read this! I highly recommend this book—it leaves you soaking up the summer vibe and never wanting it to end.
Quotes:
“The secret of change is to focus all your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.”
“When deep August arrives, a certain melancholy sets in, the kind people get on a Sunday afternoon.”
“Ive always thought of mosaics as this big metaphor for my life,” she says. “All these jagged, incongruous pieces…” She holds up a small shard of milky jade-green glass. “These are like the things that happen to you. But if it’s laid out a certain way and if you take a step back from it, it makes sense.”
The Vanishing Stair (Truly Devious #2) by Maureen Johnson
Summary:
Just when she solved the death of her classmate and finding a key clue to the infamous Ellingham mystery she’s dedicated her whole life to, Stevie Bell’s parents pull her out of Ellingham Academy. When she receives an offer from Edward King—the evil politician that just happens to be her friend-to-something-more father—to bring Stevie back in exchange of keeping him informed of David’s behavior, she accepts.
Back at Ellingham, Stevie uncovers more secrets, clues, and riddles, but with the price of people she cares for and herself in more danger that she ever thought.
My thoughts:
I’m always skeptical of a sequel—I don’t know if it’s going to deliver the same or (hopefully) a better story. However, the second installment of the Truly Devious series was amazing.
After I finished the first book, I immediately needed to read the rest of the story, as I had to know what happened to the Ellingham family and the murder that happened in present day Ellingham Academy. The second book did a great job in jumping back into the story with new questions surrounding the academy, the mystery, and characters.
While more things happened at the academy and to Stevie, it didn’t feel jumbled or rushed. I would argue that it made the book a lot better—as it gave you concrete conclusions to some things that happened in the first book and give you new questions for the final installment.
I also enjoyed the found family trope in the second book. After the events of the first book, Stevie, her friends, and the rest of the students come together to heal and help each other. It heightens the tension of the real danger that lurks in the academy and leaves you thinking who would go that far to silence others—for good.
Quotes:
“All the money, all the power—none of it compares to a good book. A book gives you everything. It gives you a window into other souls, other worlds. The world is a door. Books are the key.
“Why. Do. People. Do. Stupid. Things.”
“Anxiety and excitement are cousins; they can be mistaken for each other at points. They have many features in common—the bubbling, carbonated feel of the emotion, the speed, the wide eyes and racing heart. But where excitement tends to take you up, into the higher, brighter levels of feeling, anxiety pulls you down, making you feel like you have grip the earth to keep from sliding off as it turns.”
The Hand on the Wall (Truly Devious #3) by Maureen Johnson
Summary:
Now knowing who Truly Devious is, Stevie is tying up all the loose ends the greatest case of the century and figuring out how they all connect. The three deaths in the present. The deaths in the past. The missing Alice Ellingham and the missing David Eastman.
As a massive snowstorm heads toward Vermont forcing Ellingham Academy to evacuate, Stevie stays behind, facing the storm—and a murderer. The conclusion to the Truly Devious trilogy is filled with twists, tension, and revelations.
My thoughts:
You know how I said I couldn’t wait to start the second book? Well, when I finished The Vanishing Stair I immediately picked up the final installment and finished it in one day. Needless to say, I also loved it.
I won’t give any spoilers into how the Ellingham case ends, but I really liked how it wrapped up. The mystery was planned perfectly—from the way it was told, the events that occurred, the characters, and the clues thrown throughout the books. It was really satisfying how everything came together in the end. I also liked how both the past and present mysteries were realistic. Everything makes sense as to why and how the mysteries wrap up leaving me content with the finale.
As far as character development goes, I really appreciate how Stevie allowed herself to be vulnerable as the story progressed. Maureen Johnson did a great job in portraying how someone like Stevie, who has always loved to play the detective role and working alone, actually go up against high stakes and allow herself to ask for help.
Truly Devious was one of my first murder mystery series, and I would recommend it to those who want to dip your toes in the mystery genre or want something fun to read.
Quotes:
“The wonderful thing about reality is that it is highly flexible. One minute, all is doom; the next, everything is abloom with possibility.”
“Anxiety does not ask your permission. Anxiety does not come when expected. It’s very rude. It barges in at the strangest moments, stopping all activity, focusing everything on itself. It sucks the air out of your lungs and scrambles the world.”
“My moose,” she said in a low voice. “I finally got it. The universe paid me in moose.”
Sunny Side Up by Katie Sturino
Summary:
Recently divorced Sunny Greene starts a new life. One that involves her beautiful Chelsea apartment, loyal best friends, and her successful PR empire.
As Sunny embarks the journey to self-love and confidence, she meets Dennis, a charming mail-man, and Ted, the business tycoon who is ready to make her size-inclusive swimsuit brand a reality. Her life starts to unravel with new career, personal, and love possibilities.
My Thoughts:
*I was kindly gifted a copy of Sunny Side Up by Celadon Books but my thoughts are my own :)
To start off, I, overall, liked the novel. It was fast-paced, fun, yet still had important conversations such as body confidence women go through throughout their lives. I appreciate how the main character, Sunny, gives representation to those who are plus sized. It’s always important to show
I enjoyed the relationship Sunny has with her friends. It truly shows how deep platonic relationships between women really are and how much they help us in our lives. Especially in a situation that Sunny finds herself in—recently divorced and making a new life for herself. It reminds us that our friends are the gentle push we need in life, but also the arms we can fall into when we need them when going through hard times.
The aspect that was lacking for me in the book was its romance. While Sunny does date multiple men, I found that their relationships only scratched the surface level of what they could have been. It wasn’t deep enough for me that I would have been fine if she didn’t end up with anyone at the end.
One fun, small detail that I absolutely loved was that Sunny had her own Substack! It was a nice surprise and made it fun for me to read. By having my own Substack and being a reader to other’s publications, I definitely connected to the story a lot more.
Quotes:
“This book is for any woman who has ever felt discarded, who’s looked in the mirror and struggled to love what she sees, or who’s wondered if her days are behind her. I promise you that life can be anything you want it to be. You just have to believe.”
“I was so sick of women speaking about themselves like this. I wasn’t mad at them; I was mad for them, this table of interesting, capable, lovely human beings who were consumed by these constant thoughts about what was wrong with their bodies. Nothing was wrong!”
The Lion and the Deathless Dark (Crowns on Nyaxia #5) by Carissa Broadbent
Summary:
Under an eternal night, the world has been ravaged by ten years of war between humans and vampires. After a devastating loss, Kyrene—a bounty hunter bearing a blessed sword form the goddess of justice—commits a crime that both mortals and gods alike cannot forgive.
With her only chance of survival and taking revenge, she makes a deal with her enemy, the mysterious vampire prince, Septimus.
Together, they face a web of prophecies and curses that pulls them closer than they ever thought. Kyrene, however, will stop at nothing to kill the goddess of vampires, even if she has to sacrifice love for revenge.
Important Notes:
As this book was gifted to me as an advanced reader copy, and it doesn’t release until August 6, I’ll not be sharing snippets of my favorite quotes right now :)
Next week, I’ll be posting an interview with Carissa Broadbent on her new book, her experiences as an author, being a part of the romantasy genre, and more so be on the lookout for that!!
Before we dive into my thoughts, as stated in the review of Sunny Side Up, even though the book was gifted to me, my opinions are all my own.
My thoughts:
While I won’t say much about the book, I can say that I absolutely loved it and I can’t wait for the fans of the Crowns of Nyaxia series to read it!!
Carissa Broadbent poured her heart and soul into this book. The way she in which she wrote Kyrene and Septimus was devastatingly beautiful. From when they’re at each other’s throats to when they start showing their adoration to each other, it left me wanting more from them. Their chemistry and slow burn connection was so satisfying and incredibly written.
For fantasy books, the world building can make or break the novel. It’s either too simple or too complicated to follow—both leaving the readers with many questions. Fortunately, the world building in this book was perfect. Broadbent did an amazing job in describing the differences between vampires, mortals, and gods/goddesses and how they all fit into the world. The magic in the world was also very interesting and it fits perfectly into the story and characters.
Overall, The Lion and the Deathless Dark is an incredible book. I couldn’t put it down and now I’m actively waiting for the next book!
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25 books you should read this summer
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Jun 11
There’s nothing like lying down next to the pool, feeling the sun on your face, and drinking a refreshing iced drink while reading a good book.
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