I am attempting to read 2,660 pages in the next couple weeks, giving myself the soft date of the end of the month. The reason for this is because these six books have been on my TBR for a while, and a couple I’ve been really anticipating, but just haven’t gotten around to it. So pause the other stories in my life except for the ones I’m writing, and here we go!
I’m going to do something a little different and introduce this post and the stories I’ve chosen, then at the end of the month, return with my thoughts on each one. In the meantime, why don’t you grab a title to read with me, or give your star review in the comments?
The first book is The Women, by Kristin Hannah. I have read several of her historical fiction novels and most make a four- or five-star rating, in my opinion. I’m excited to see what surprises this one holds!
Influential part – shows a side of history that a very select amount of people knew about
Unsure a little dramatic in places, but Frankie’s life definitely wasn’t all sunshine and roses. I think that was the side Hannah was attempting to show.
Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Fury, by Alex Michaelides, is a book that I immediately snatched up because of my interest in his book, The Silent Patient. This one seems to be a similar thriller/mystery genre.
Influential part – written in the second person, with an unreliable narrator.
Unsure – it didn’t seem as much of a psychological thriller as I thought. More like a modern-day Agatha Christie.
Stars ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
The Shadow of What Was Lost, by James Islington, was highly recommended by one of my friends as an unputdownable book that I would be enthralled in. She was especially impressed the way all of the threads of the story wove together by the end of the trilogy. I started this one almost immediately, but was swamped by other books and writing at the time and never finished it. Attempt number two!
Influential part
Unsure
Stars
Jaqueline in Paris, by Ann Mah is historical fiction that follows Jackie (Kennedy) before she was First Lady and her adventures in Europe. I am always ready to try a travel book and with the added tidbit that it might have some historical information, I’m all in.
Influential part
Unsure
Stars
Then next comes Beyond the Point, by Claire Gibson, which is a contemporary fiction about three women who are widows of those who were killed in the 9-11 attacks (September 11, 2001). I don’t know much about this one, but I’m curious to see if it has some real heart, or if it’s just a contemporary heart breaker.
Influential Part
Unsure
Stars
Speaking of hearts, my last book for this stack is Shark Heart, by Emily Habeck, which is a fantasy realism about someone who finds he is slowly turning into a shark. It sounded just cute enough and intriguing for me to try this one. It was a bonus and got some good reviews.
Influential Part sweet story with unusual storyline, similar to a modern-day myth
Unsure a little slow in places
Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Now all of these for this week are fictional, but I do have some fiction on this list for the near future. There is a J.R.R. Tolkien biography by Humphrey Carpenter that has some good reviews about being thorough, not dry. I’ve never read anything so comprehensive only about the life of Tolkien, even though he is a favorite author of mine.
Influential Part
Unsure
Stars
The next deep dive into non-fiction will be a memoir that includes books and trying things outside her comfort zone. I hope to find a kindred spirit here! The book is The Wives, by Simone Gorrindo. Most of my reading is done spur of the moment, and I certainly add books fast enough!
Influential Part
Unsure
Stars
