Recent Reads Vol. 3

I'm a major book worm, you guys, so I'm always looking to add to my forever growing reading list. I thoroughly enjoy scrolling through fellow bloggers' book recommendations so I thought that I'd share my feelings on my most recently read books in the hopes of inspiring some new additions to your bookshelves:

Keep Me Safe by Daniela Sacerdoti

I usually do a lot of research in to a book's storyline before buying, but this one was actually a whim purchase and I would have to say that it turned out to be my favourite of the books I have read recently. I think that the imagery created by the author's language is what captivated me the most - my imagination ran wild, creating images of this beautiful island based off of the descriptive nature of the book. The story itself is lovely, too; it's almost impossible not to be captivated by almost all of the characters and of course, the mystery of little Ava's sudden strange behaviour. I enjoy savouring a good book, but I was so invested in the mystery that I read it far quicker than I would have liked. A heartwarming and intriguing read for sure.

Blurb:

"Your child asks for her mother. But she doesn't mean you.

When Anna's partner walks away from their relationship, she is shattered. But it is her little girl Ava who takes it hardest of all, falling silent for three days. When she does finally speak, Ava talks about a new place - a small island of beauty, salt and sea in the Western Scottish Isles. In search of a new start, Anna and Ava embark on a journey to the remote and gorgeous Island of Seal. Falling in love with the locals and the landscape, could Seal offer the second chance they both need?"

Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danler

After lusting over this book for such a long time, I was actually left disappointed upon finishing this one. I found the story to be a little hard to follow and the blurb somewhat misleading (the back-of-the-book's blurb is not the one that I have copied below - this one hints much more to what the book is actually about). I actually found myself disliking almost all of the characters, which I think made it difficult for me to invest in the story itself. I do love me a sneaky look in to the dirty lives behind the scenes - especially of an elite grouping (ohai, Gossip Girl), and this does deliver that, but the storyline.. I just couldn't get in to it unfortunately.

Blurb:
"Newly arrived in New York City, twenty-two-year-old Tess lands a job working front of house at a celebrated downtown restaurant. What follows is her education: in champagne and cocaine, love and lust, dive bars and fine dining rooms, as she learns to navigate the chaotic, enchanting, punishing life she has chosen. The story of a young woman’s coming-of-age, set against the glitzy, grimy backdrop of New York’s most elite restaurants, in Sweetbitter Stephanie Danler deftly conjures the nonstop and high-adrenaline world of the food industry and evokes the infinite possibilities, the unbearable beauty, and the fragility and brutality of being young and adrift."

The Fifth Letter by Nicola Moriarty

Now THIS was a damn good book; I was hooked from the first chapter. I'm usually spot on with deducting who the culprit is in a mystery, but every twist and turn had me second guessing my own conclusions as to who wrote the fifth letter (it turns out I was wrong in the end!). I found myself sympathising with, and being suspicious of, all of the characters pretty much simultaneously, which is a testament to the author's writing. The story is perfectly paced - not too drawn out, not so quick as to be underwhelming and I enjoyed every second of this book. A different approach to the usual whodunit that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Blurb:

"Best friends from high school, Joni, Deb, Eden, and Trina had always looked forward to the vacations they spent together. But the demands of careers, husbands, and babies gradually pulled them apart, and now their annual getaways may be a thing of the past. Joni doesn’t want to lose her friends, and this year she’s coaxed them all back together for some fun at a beach house. Late on a laughter and wine-filled night, the women dare one another to write anonymous letters, spilling her most intimate thoughts like they did as teenagers. But the fun game meant to bring them closer together turns painfully serious, exposing cracks in their lives and their relationships. Each letter is a confession revealing disturbing information. A rocky marriage. A harrowing addiction. A hidden pregnancy. A heartbreaking diagnosis.

Days later, Joni notices something in the fireplace—a crumpled and partially burned fifth letter that holds the most shattering admission of all. Best friends are supposed to keep your darkest secrets. But the revelations Joni, Deb, Eden and Trina have shared will have unforeseen consequences... and none of them will ever be the same."

My Not so Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella

Sophie Kinsella is an author that I know I can depend on if I'm in the mood for a light-hearted, somewhat "girly" read. My Not so Perfect Life is exactly that and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it. The main character, Katie (and her whole family for that matter), is so relateable, so flawed but likeable, that it's impossible not to love her. The blurb basically outlines the whole dang plot (which I usually hate), so I pretty much knew what I was in for, minus a few small surprises along the way but I still found myself enjoying the story immensely. An easy, entertaining read that is perfect for a relaxing afternoon.

Blurb:

"Katie Brenner has the perfect life: a flat in London, a glamorous job, and a super-cool Instagram feed. OK, so the truth is that she rents a tiny room with no space for a wardrobe, has a hideous commute to a lowly admin job, and the life she shares on Instagram isn't really hers. But one day her dreams are bound to come true, aren't they? Until her not-so-perfect life comes crashing down when her mega-successful boss Demeter gives her the sack. All Katie's hopes are shattered. She has to move home to Somerset, where she helps her dad with his new glamping business. Then Demeter and her family book in for a holiday, and Katie sees her chance. But should she get revenge on the woman who ruined her dreams - or try to get her job back? Does Demeter - the woman who has everything - actually have such an idyllic life herself? Maybe they have more in common than it seems. And what's wrong with not-so-perfect, anyway?"

Before You Go by Clare Swatman
This was a touching read about love and loss. I think that if you enjoyed Me Before You, you'd probably enjoy this too. I do feel as though the whole "bump your head and re-live the past only to wake up in hospital" thing is a little tired, but I still enjoyed reliving Zoe and Ed's best and worst times and watching the story of their entire relationship unfold. I was so touched by her circumstances that I rooted for her to find a way to fix her mistakes and change the course of events that lead up to Ed's death throughout the whole book.

Blurb:
"You find your soulmate... Some people stare love in the face for years before they find it. Zoe and Ed fumbled their way into adulthood, both on different paths - but always in the same direction. Years later, having navigated dead-end jobs and chaotic house shares, romance finally blossoms. Their future together looks set... Then the unthinkable happens. One morning, on his way to work, Ed is knocked off his bike and dies. Now, Zoe must find a way to survive. But she's not ready to let go of the memories. How can she forget all of the happy times, their first kiss, everything they'd built together? Zoe decides she has to tell Ed all the things she never said. Now it's too late."

Is there anything on this list that you would like to read?

What has been your favourite read recently? I'd love some recommendations!

See also: Recent Reads Vol. 1, Recent Reads Vol. 2

As always, this post has not been sponsored in any way, meaning that it does not contain any affiliate links, nor have the books mentioned been sent to me, endorsed, or paid for by anyone other than me, myself and I.