Recent Reads Vol.5

It's no secret that I'm a major book worm. Winter is the perfect time for reading; this weather has encouraged me to snuggle up with a book and a cup of tea on multiple occasions - pure bliss.

I love swapping book recommendations! I believe that a good book should be shared amongst friends and family and I love adding their recent favourites to my own reading list in turn.

Here are my honest feelings on my most recently read books in the hopes of perhaps inspiring some new additions to your bookshelves, too:

Hopeless - Colleen Hoover

Blurb: "Sky, a senior in high school, meets Dean Holder, a guy with a promiscuous reputation that rivals her own. From their very first encounter, he terrifies and captivates her. Something about him sparks memories of her deeply troubled past, a time she’s tried so hard to bury. Though Sky is determined to stay far away from him, his unwavering pursuit and enigmatic smile break down her defenses and the intensity of the bond between them grows. But the mysterious Holder has been keeping secrets of his own, and once they are revealed, Sky is changed forever and her ability to trust may be a casualty of the truth.

Only by courageously facing the stark revelations can Sky and Holder hope to heal their emotional scars and find a way to live and love without boundaries. Hopeless is a novel that will leave you breathless, entranced, and remembering your own first love."

My thoughts: The blurb does this book no justice. At first, I thought that this book was going to be your typical "he saves her, she saves him" kind of sap, but it is SO much more than that. Without giving anything away, it does cover some pretty intense social issues, but there were so many plot twists and I ended up really enjoying it. The chemistry between Sky and Holder is insane with some rather steamy moments. Y'all know I love me a steamy read. ;)

Can You Keep A Secret? - Sophie Kinsella

Blurb: "Secrets from her mother:
I lost my virginity in the spare bedroom with Danny Nussbaum while Mum and Dad were downstairs watching Ben-Hur.
Sammy the goldfish in my parents’ kitchen is not the same goldfish that Mum gave me to look after when she and Dad were in Egypt.

Secrets from her boyfriend:
I weigh one hundred and twenty-eight pounds. Not one eighteen, like Connor thinks.
I’ve always thought Connor looks a bit like Ken. As in Barbie and Ken.

From her colleagues:
When Artemis really annoys me, I feed her plant orange juice. (Which is pretty much every day.) It was me who jammed the copier that time. In fact, all the times.

Secrets she wouldn’t share with anyone in the world:
My G-string is hurting me.
I have no idea what NATO stands for. Or even what it is.

Until she spills them all to a handsome stranger on a plane. At least, she thought he was a stranger. But come Monday morning, Emma’s office is abuzz about the arrival of Jack Harper, the company’s elusive CEO. Suddenly Emma is face-to-face with the stranger from the plane, a man who knows every single humiliating detail about her. Things couldn’t possibly get worse—Until they do."

My thoughts: If you've read any of my Recent Reads posts, you'd have seen Sophie Kinsella's name pop up at least one in each instalment; I love her books when I'm in the mood for a light-hearted read. I loved poor little Emma - she's the kind of awkward, bumbling character that I can't help but root for. The plot could be seen as little cliché, but the story was comical enough to keep me entertained.

Cocktails For Three - Madeleine Wickham (Sophie Kinsella)

Blurb: "Roxanne: glamorous, self-confident, with a secret lover - a married man

Maggie: capable and high-achieving, until she finds the one thing she can't cope with - motherhood

Candice: honest, decent, or so she believes - until a ghost from her past turns up

At the first of every month, when the office has reached its pinnacle of hysteria, Maggie, Roxanne, and Candice meet at London's swankiest bar for an evening of cocktails and gossip. Here, they chat about what's new at The Londoner, the glossy fashion magazine where they all work, and everything else that's going on in their lives. Or almost everything. Beneath the girl talk and the laughter, each of the three has a secret. And when a chance encounter at the cocktail bar sets in motion an extraordinary chain of events, each one will find their biggest secret revealed."

My thoughts: Although this definitely isn't my favourite Wickham/Kinsella read, the nosy girl in me did still enjoy this book. Each of the main characters managed to annoy me in some way, but learning their secrets (and the plot twists therein) was so satisfying. The story, in my opinion, was just okay. It held a good mix of glamour and scandal, which is a great combination in my eyes. 

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer - Michelle Hodkin

Blurb: "Mara Dyer doesn’t think life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there.
It can.
She believes there must be more to the accident she can’t remember that killed her friends and left her mysteriously unharmed.
There is.
She doesn’t believe that after everything she’s been through, she can fall in love.
She’s wrong.
After Mara survives the traumatizing accident at the old asylum, it makes sense that she has issues. She lost her best friend, her boyfriend, and her boyfriend’s sister, and as if that weren’t enough to cope with, her family moves to a new state in order to give her a fresh start. But that fresh start is quickly filled with hallucinations—or are they premonitions?—and then corpses, and the boundary between reality and nightmare is wavering. At school, there’s Noah, a devastatingly handsome charmer who seems determined to help Mara piece together what’s real, what’s imagined—and what’s very, very dangerous."

My thoughts: This book started off so well and then it ended... not so well. It has such an intriguing premise and I was so invested in finding out the truth of what happened to Mara and what she was experiencing. The (often wonky) paranormal aspect of the plot allowed for so many different paths that the author could have taken but instead, she decided to go down the cliché romance route. I just feel as though she could have done a whole lot more with the story. I loved the front cover, loved the start, felt a distance growing in the middle, and was left bitterly disappointed by the ending. Sigh.

Still Me - Jojo Moyes

Blurb: "Louisa Clark arrives in New York ready to start a new life, confident that she can embrace this new adventure and keep her relationship with Ambulance Sam alive across several thousand miles. She steps into the world of the superrich, working for Leonard Gopnik and his much younger second wife, Agnes. Lou is determined to get the most out of the experience and throws herself into her new job and New York life.

As she begins to mix in New York high society, Lou meets Joshua Ryan, a man who brings with him a whisper of her past. Before long, Lou finds herself torn between Fifth Avenue where she works and the treasure-filled vintage clothing store where she actually feels at home. And when matters come to a head, she has to ask herself: Who is Louisa Clark? And how do you find the courage to follow your heart—wherever that may lead?"

My thoughts: I don't think that there really needed to be any follow-up books from Me Before You, but I did still thoroughly enjoy Still Me. Especially after the let down of After You. The third instalment sees Louisa taking Wills advice and living her life to the fullest and maybe I'm biased because I instantly love anything to do with New York City, but I absolutely devoured this book. It definitely lacks the intense emotions of Me Before You, but you can't help but be proud of Lou for chasing her dreams whilst staying true to her quirky self. A warm end to the trilogy for sure.

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, Recent Reads Vol. 3, Recent Reads Vol.4

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

Recent Reads Vol.4

I think that most of you know by now that I am a major book worm.

At this point in time, I'm just about getting through a book every second week, so I'm always looking to add to my forever growing reading list. Here are my feelings on my most recently read books in the hopes of perhaps inspiring some new additions to your bookshelves, too:

Modern Lovers by Emma Straub

This was such a good book! Definitely my favourite from this pile - I enjoyed it from start to finish. A sort of coming-of-age book, where it's not just the kids who are growing up, but the adults too. Following two families (who also happen to be very close college friends) each with their own set of troubles, there's a good mix of drama, intrigue and passion that kept me entertained the whole time. A couple of parts were a little predictable, but I still thoroughly enjoyed this whole dang book. The perfect Summer read.

Blurb:

"Friends and former college bandmates Elizabeth and Andrew and Zoe have watched one another marry, buy real estate, and start businesses and families, all while trying to hold on to the identities of their youth. But nothing ages them like having to suddenly pass the torch (of sexuality, independence, and the ineffable alchemy of cool) to their own offspring.

Back in the band's heyday, Elizabeth put on a snarl over her Midwestern smile, Andrew let his unwashed hair grow past his chin, and Zoe was the lesbian all the straight women wanted to sleep with. Now nearing fifty, they all live within shouting distance in the same neighborhood deep in gentrified Brooklyn, and the trappings of the adult world seem to have arrived with ease. But the summer that their children reach maturity (and start sleeping together), the fabric of the adult lives suddenly begins to unravel, and the secrets and revelations that are finally let loose—about themselves, and about the famous fourth band member who soared and fell without them—can never be reclaimed."

Sleeping Arrangements by Madeleine Wickham

(also known as Sophie Kinsella)

The fact that this is about a Summer holiday to a gorgeous villa in a beautiful Spanish setting, which is described beautifully, makes this a great Summer read. I'm such a fan of Kinsella's writing style (she's been featured in Recent Reads before, and will be many more times to come). She's able to paint her characters in such a way that you instantly relate, sympathise or hate them.. basically, however she wants you to feel about a certain character, you'll feel it. Two families who are (almost) strangers that come from different lifestyles being unexpectedly forced to live together (and re-live some old memories) made for some behind-closed-doors drama which is what kept my scandal-loving self entertained. There was a little twist at the end that I didn't see coming, too.. Gerard's plan wasn't for the reason that it had seemed.

Blurb:

"Chloe needs a holiday. She's sick of making wedding dresses and her partner Philip has trouble at work. Her wealthy friend Gerard has offered the loan of his luxury villa in Spain -- perfect.

Hugh is not a happy man. His immaculate wife Amanda seems more interested in the granite for the new kitchen than in him, and he works so hard to pay for it all, he barely has time for his family. But his old school friend Gerard has lent them a luxury villa in Spain -- perfect.
Both families arrive at the villa and get a shock: Gerard has double-booked. An uneasy week of sharing begins, and tensions soon mount in the soaring heat. But there's also a secret history between the families -- and as tempers fray, an old passion begins to resurface."


Where She Went by Gayle Forman

Although I wasn't overly excited about If I Stay (reviewed in Recent Reads Vol.2), I ended up picking up  the sequel, Where She Went, which more or less follows Adam, whom we discover is no longer in a relationship with Mia years after her tragedy. As a whole, it was nice to see what became of the girl who lost everything, and heartwarming to learn that she fought to get back what she could. I did like reading about what Adam had been up to as well, but his character just ended up annoying me. He's so completely different to the warm, loving boyfriend in If I Stay. But I guess that goes to show how much heartbreak and anger can change a person. Following up on what the characters achieved in the year after gives the reader a sort of closure. I didn't think it was the best thing I'd ever read, but I'm glad that I did (at least this one has chapter breaks).

Blurb:

"Picking up several years after the dramatic conclusion of If I Stay, Where She Went continues the story of Adam and Mia, from Adam's point of view. Ever since Mia's decision to stay - but not with him - Adam's career has been on a wonderful trajectory. His album, borne from the anguish and pain of their breakup, has made him a bona fide star. And Mia herself has become a top-rate cellist, playing in some of the finest venues in the world. When their respective paths put them both in New York City at the same time, the result is a single night in which the two reunite - with wholly satisfying results."


The Island by Elin Hilderbrand

Although the premise of this book isn't exactly original, I did still enjoy it. A family of four women, each going through her own struggle, spend a few weeks together and end up fighting/bonding as each works out her own set of issues. All of the characters did end up annoying me at one stage or another through reading, however. They're all grown women who act far too childish. To me, it honestly felt like a soap opera that just so happened to be set on an Island.. Everyone has money, everyone is either unhappy in love or is falling instantly in love, and everyone has money. Stock standard. I did enjoy how well relationships within a family unit come across: strained mother/daughter relationships, sibling rivalry and jealousy.. everyone's emotions were mixed in such a realistic way. The story did have some drama and a small plot twist or two so I did have a good time reading it 0 another one that's great for Summer.

Blurb:

"Birdie Cousins has thrown herself into the details of her daughter Chess's lavish wedding, from the floating dance floor in her Connecticut back yard to the color of the cocktail napkins. Like any mother of a bride-to-be, she is weathering the storms of excitement and chaos, tears and joy. But Birdie, a woman who prides herself on preparing for every possibility, could never have predicted the late-night phone call from Chess, abruptly announcing that she's cancelled her engagement.

It's only the first hint of what will be a summer of upheavals and revelations. Before the dust has even begun to settle, far worse news arrives, sending Chess into a tailspin of despair. Reluctantly taking a break from the first new romance she's embarked on since the recent end of her 30-year marriage, Birdie circles the wagons and enlists the help of her younger daughter Tate and her own sister India. Soon all four are headed for beautiful, rustic Tuckernuck Island, off the coast of Nantucket, where their family has summered for generations. No phones, no television, no grocery store - a place without distractions where they can escape their troubles. But throw sisters, daughters, ex-lovers, and long-kept secrets onto a remote island, and what might sound like a peaceful getaway becomes much more. Before summer has ended, dramatic truths are uncovered, old loves are rekindled, and new loves make themselves known."


Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella

Oh look, another Sophie Kinsella book!

I don't discriminate against books that fit in to the "Young Adult" category. In fact, almost all of my favourite books are classified as such, but this one may have been a little too Y.A. for me (am I getting old?!). I did enjoy it, don't get be wrong, but I just feel as though it was a little "young" for me. If I'm honest, I almost didn't buy this book because I was worried that it would be a bunch of "love cures mental illness" bullshit but that's not the way that it ended up panning out. Although Linus does help Audrey through some things, it is ultimately Audrey herself who progresses one step (forwards and backwards) at a time. Although this story covers some pretty serious topics relating to mental health, I felt as though it was handled wonderfully. It still managed to be funny, at times, and sweet. Heartwarming, too. But also honest and real. I enjoyed the dynamic of Audrey's crazy family too - it was a nicely balanced read between hard realism and light-heartedness.

Blurb:

"Audrey can't leave the house. she can't even take off her dark glasses inside the house. Then her brother's friend Linus stumbles into her life. With his friendly, orange-slice smile and his funny notes, he starts to entice Audrey out again - well, Starbucks is a start. And with Linus at her side, Audrey feels like she can do the things she'd thought were too scary. Suddenly, finding her way back to the real world seems achievable."

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, Recent Reads Vol. 3

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.

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.

Recent Reads Vol. 2

I'm a major book worm, you guys. Major. Each and every lunch break consists of me laying in the sun at the park, engrossed in a book so I'm always looking to add to my reading list. I thoroughly enjoy scrolling through fellow bloggers' book recommendations and reading lists, and after all of the positive feedback I got from my first Recent Reads post, I thought I'd share my feelings on my most recently read books in the hopes of inspiring some new additions to your bookshelves:



Maybe in Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid
This book is based around one choice and the adverse affects each decision can have. What if Hannah had stays at a party with her high school boyfriend? What if she calls it a night and goes home with her best friend? It was interesting to read how much one seemingly simple choice could affect a life so differently. I've found some "what if this, what if that" books to be confusing and hard to follow, but with the two scenarios unfolding in alternating chapters, I had no problem keeping up with the story line and staying enthralled in the repercussions of both choices.

Official blurb:
"At the age of twenty-nine, Hannah Martin still has no idea what she wants to do with her life. She has lived in six different cities and held countless meaningless jobs since graduating college. On the heels of leaving yet another city, Hannah moves back to her hometown of Los Angeles and takes up residence in her best friend Gabby’s guestroom. Shortly after getting back to town, Hannah goes out to a bar one night with Gabby and meets up with her high school boyfriend, Ethan. Just after midnight, Gabby asks Hannah if she’s ready to go. A moment later, Ethan offers to give her a ride later if she wants to stay. Hannah hesitates. What happens if she leaves with Gabby? What happens if she leaves with Ethan? In concurrent story lines, Hannah lives out the effects of each decision. Quickly, these parallel universes develop into radically different stories with large-scale consequences for Hannah, as well as the people around her. As the two alternate realities run their course, Maybe in Another Life raises questions about fate and true love: Is anything meant to be? How much in our life is determined by chance? And perhaps, most compellingly: Is there such a thing as a soul mate? Hannah believes there is. And, in both worlds, she believes she’s found him."

Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch
This was probably my favourite read of the lot. It was super easy to get in to and to fall in love with the characters. I found myself just as emotionally invested in unwrapping the mystery of Lina's father and the life her mother had before she died as the character was. Combining my love of Italy and coming-of-age romance stories, I was hooked from the beginning, and the beautiful description of Florence, the people, and it's attractions made me want to transport to Tuscany upon every read.

Official blurb:
"A summer in Italy turns into a road trip across Tuscany in this sweeping debut novel filled with romance, mystery, and adventure. Lina is spending the summer in Tuscany, but she isn't in the mood for Italy's famous sunshine and fairy-tale landscape. She's only there because it was her mother's dying wish that she get to know her father. But what kind of father isn't around for sixteen years? All Lina wants to do is get back home. But then Lina is given a journal that her mom had kept when she lived in Italy. Suddenly Lina's uncovering a magical world of secret romances, art, and hidden bakeries. A world that inspires Lina, along with the ever-so-charming Ren, to follow in her mother's footsteps and unearth a secret that has been kept from Lina for far too long. It's a secret that will change everything she knew about her mother, her father--and even herself. People come to Italy for love and gelato, someone tells her, but sometimes they discover much more."

The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George
I picked this up purely for the title - books and Paris, what more could I ask for? I didn't really know what I was expecting, but this surely wasn't it. Even after reading the blurb, the story didn't really stick to what was promised, I feel as though it went a little off-course. I still enjoyed reading it, but it definitely didn't live up to my expectations. Honestly, it was a little hard to read language-wise. I don't want to say that it's an "advanced" book, because that just sounds pretentious, but a lot of the language, phrases and words used (I don't know if it's because it has been translated from German) made it difficult for me to follow, and I consider myself quite the reader.

Official blurb:
"On a beautifully restored barge on the Seine, Jean Perdu runs a bookshop; or rather a 'literary apothecary', for this bookseller possesses a rare gift for sensing which books will soothe the troubled souls of his customers. The only person he is unable to cure, it seems, is himself. He has nursed a broken heart ever since the night, twenty-one years ago, when the love of his life fled Paris, leaving behind a handwritten letter that he has never dared read. His memories and his love have been gathering dust - until now. The arrival of an enigmatic new neighbour in his eccentric apartment building on Rue Montagnard inspires Jean to unlock his heart, unmoor the floating bookshop and set off for Provence, in search of the past and his beloved."

If I Stay by Gayle Forman
I haven't seen the movie, so I truly didn't know what to expect from this book, but I found it a little... underwhelming. The fact that it has no chapters also made it hard for someone like me, who stops reading at a chapter's end, to read. The story is based on heartbreaking real-life events and don't get me wrong, it was sad, but I just didn't find that it hit me as hard as it could have. I'm the biggest crier when it comes to sad plot lines, and I don't think I even shed a tear throughout the whole book. To me, the ending seemed kind of rushed.. It just kind of ended all of a sudden. I'm not really sure how this would translate to a movie, so I'm on the fence about whether I'd go out of my way to watch it, but if you have seen If I Stay, let me know what you think!

Official blurb:
"Mia had everything: a loving family, a gorgeous, adoring boyfriend, and a bright future full of music and full of choices. Then, in an instant, almost all of that is taken from her. Caught between life and death, between a happy past and an unknowable future, Mia spends one critical day contemplating the one decision she has left—the most important decision she’ll ever make. Simultaneously tragic and hopeful, this is a romantic, riveting and ultimately uplifting story about memory, music, living, dying, loving."

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
I know that I'm super late to the party with this one, but this is another I-haven't-seen-the-movie-yet read for me. I don't usually get in to whodunit's or mysteries, but I actually found myself emotionally invested in this plot line. I did kind of guess who the murderer was quite early on, so it wasn't much of a surprise to me, but even so, I still enjoyed reading every page of this book. Even though I know the way it all pans out, I'd still actually like to watch the movie.

Official blurb:
"Rachel catches the same commuter train every morning. She knows it will wait at the same signal each time, overlooking a row of back gardens. She's even started to feel like she knows the people who live in one of the houses. 'Jess and Jason', she calls them. Their life - as she sees it - is perfect. If only Rachel could be that happy. And then she sees something shocking. It's only a minute until the train moves on, but it's enough. Now everything's changed. Now Rachel has a chance to become a part of the lives she's only watched from afar. Now they'll see; she's much more than just the girl on the train..."

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

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

see also: Recent Reads Vol. 1

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.