January 2021
I started reading more books than I finished in January, which means that February is shaping up to be a great reading month! Here's a brief recap of what I've read this month:
I loved Morgenstern's first novel, The Night Circus, so I was expecting to be absolutely charmed by her latest novel. (An underground library? A mystery that starts in the university library? That sounds awesome!) However, I was sadly disappointed. This is an ambitious novel, and the audiobook is beautifully narrated by an all star cast. Unfortunately, the six(!) separate story lines never fully mesh into a satisfying narrative. Here, a Morgernstern builds a beautiful world that rivals The Night Circus, but a weak plot never reaches its full potential.
Audiobook Review: ⭐⭐
This was a much tighter and more satisfying novel than The Starless Sea. Albert interweaves dark, inventive fairy tales with the story of Alice and her mother, who can't seem to escape the trouble that chases them, no matter how fast they run. Alice is a great character with realistic flaws: she's decisive, sometimes to a fault, and carries a deep anger and distrust of the outside world. It's refreshing to read a YA character who is decisive but flawed. This was a little dark for my taste, but the tight plot, great characters, and a truly great reveal made this a fun read.
Review: ⭐⭐⭐
I'm fond of quirky, character driven novels, and Matt Haig can write a good one. I enjoyed How to Stop Time last year, might have enjoyed this even more. After Nora Seed has a truly terrible day, she decides to commit suicide. But instead of finding herself in the hereafter, she finds herself in a library suspended "between life and death." With the help of her childhood librarian, she has the chance to explore alternate lifetimes, ultimately learning what her life has been missing. This doesn't quite rise to the level of some of my favorite quirky novels, but it was a thoughtful, enjoyable read.
Review: ⭐⭐⭐
White offers good, practical advice for anyone who is overwhelmed by the amount of "stuff" in their home, in a funny, conversational style. She's not afraid to share her own decluttering mishaps, which is refreshing and helpful. However, this is extremely repetitive, offering essentially the same advice for every single room in the house. Helpful takeaways: Limit your "stuff" to what reasonably fits into the defined spaces you have, and keep what's helpful for the life you have, not the life you wish you had.
Audiobook Review: ⭐⭐⭐
Bogel's book reads like a great conversation with a good friend, and her advice for overcoming perfectionism is helpful and refreshing. Well worth the read if you ever find yourself spiraling into unhelpful thought patterns.
Key takeaways: Focus on developing a daily routine and completing simple tasks that help you avoid stressful situations. If you find yourself unable to make a decision, ask yourself how this choice aligns with your core values, and then act.
Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
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