At the start of 2020 I set myself a goal to read 30 books before the end of the year, doing so by downloading the Good Reads app. At the time of publishing this post I've already smashed this, by starting my 42nd Book, the only positive to come out of the current pandemic. The app has allowed me to branch out, I've read all types of genres from my usual 'chic-flic' - romance books & thrillers, to auto-biographies, mental health and a few childhood classics. Some weeks I make my way through several, others I barely touch a book. I flit between reading books via my kindle as well as physical, I still prefer having the feel and smell of a physical book....even if I'm running out of storage space. To celebrate national read a book day, I thought I'd share my top recent picks.
1. Where The Crawdads Sing - Delia Owens
I was pleasantly surprised with Where The Crawdads Sing, having been recommended by many on instagram I'd decided it probably wasn't for me. However, whilst in Waterstones I gave in to the guy serving me who assured me it really was worth giving a chance. Thank goodness I did. Where The Crawdads Sing tells the tale of the 'Marsh Girl', set back in 1969 in a small town on the North Carolina Coast. The 'coming of age' tale, brings light to the natural world, the strength of Kya Clark as well as a small town murder. This novel delivers one powerful punch.
2. Before The Coffee Gets Cold - Toshikazu Kawaguchi
Whilst out shopping on my Birthday in July, I popped into Waterstones to escape the chaos of Britains lack of understanding to Social Distancing. Whilst browsing the store I came across the remaining copy of Before The Coffee Gets Cold, the title alone appealing to any fellow caffeine fan, not to mention the beautifully designed cover. Before The Coffee Gets Cold is based in a back alley cafe in Tokyo. Having brewed coffee for hundreds of years, the cafe has one unique experience for its customers....the ability to go back in time. The short tale sees us come across four individuals who wish to take advantage of the cafe's quirk. However they soon learn it's not as simple as it seems. Firstly they can only travel back in time from one particular seat, they cannot leave the cafe and most importantly....they must return back to the present day before the coffee gets cold. I'm eagerly awaiting the sequel that arrives later this month.
3. TheAuthenticity Project - Claire Pooley
In the midst of these weird times, I came across Claire Pooley's latest novel. At the time I hadn't seen this book receive much press, however since completing way back in June, the uplifting tale of six strangers brought together via a green notebook seems to have gathered plenty. Based in a local cafe, The authenticity Project sees a 79 year old artist leave behind the notebook with the question 'What would happen if you shared the truth?' Here we embark on six individuals adding their own answer and tales to the notebook, becoming entwined into each others lives through their quirky traits, humour and heartbreaking tales.
4. Here and Now - Santa Montefiore
I'll be honest, this was my first book from Santa Montefiore, having always placed her books back onto the shelf once discovering that not only do they seem to all use a small font, but also seem to be very thick. Does anyone else judge a book by the font? I suppose this is where Kindles come into play. However; another supermarket find was Here and Now, the beautifully designed cover instantly attracted me before I read the blurb. Here and Now tackles the heartbreaking journey of Marigold and her family, as they deal with the upheaval of their daughters moving back home, cohabitating with the Mother-in-Law and kind hearted wife/mother Marigold see her memory decline to Dementia. Santa tackles the difficult subject beautifully, I'm so glad I branched out. I've since passed this book onto my Mum, who can't put it down despite being a firm Kindler and usually opposed to Hardbacks.
5. While You Were Reading - Ali Berg & Michelle Kaius
Whilst completing the weekly food shop in Sainsbury's I always end up diverting to the book aisle. Our local always seems to have the most frequently updated and varying contents to browse. I usually end up coming away with a couple in the trolley and a few more added to my wish list. It was the bright cover that attracted me to this one in particular, not realising straight away I had their first novel The Book Ninja on my 'Want to Read' List. Without giving away too much, the new romance novel sees Bea relocate after destroying her best friends wedding, where she finds a second-hand book inscribed with notes, leading her into a tangled love-quad.
Comment below or find me on Instagram, to share your recommendations on what I should read next. Currently Reading; Richard Osman - The Thursday Murder Club. Lucy x
