Another virtual bookclub post! April was an ideal month for binge-reading and indoor activities since it was mostly cold and rainy. Plus an entire week of snow!
Here's what I read in April:
A Man Called Ove - 4 stars
Bored the first two thirds, loved the last third. Loved it so much that it still gets 4 stars even though I forced myself through most of it! Easy read, so heartwarming, some great characters, and a really unique format. This one gets bonus points because of the fun chapter titles and accompanying art. I am a sucker for well-done chapter titles and art.
Circe - 5 stars
So so so good. Shocked by how much I enjoyed this since I know next to nothing about/have little interest in Greek mythology. MADELINE MILLER MADE ME CARE. This was such an enjoyable book! So well written, super interesting characters, and a perfect ending. I still am thinking about it almost a month later. Plus! That cover art! It is so good.
Also, HBO is making Circe into a miniseries! I've read it's set to come out sometime summer 2021. I will be beside myself with anticipation until then.
Summer of '69 - 4 stars
Elin Hilderbrand is always such a reliable beach read. Summer of '69 was everything I love about her books (Nantucket, lovable characters, fun plot twists), but set in one of the most monumental years. The story focuses on one family, but each chapter jumps from character to character. It was a fun way to get a lot of different perspectives on the era. The sixties seemed like a wild time!
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine - 3 stars
Didn't love this one, but glad I read it. I found Eleanor so endearing by the end. Her inner monologue had me actually laughing out loud (a feat for written word!) and it was fun to root for her and see her carve out a life for herself. Didn't super love it, but overall an interesting read.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo - 2 stars
I chose this book based solely on the fact that it's popular and I like the cover art. Went into it expecting a lighthearted book with old Hollywood glam vibes, and got a really, really depressing love story. So very different than my expectations! All of which could have been avoided if I'd read the back of the book. (So mostly I realize I only have myself to blame for my disappointment.)
And maybe my opinion is tainted by false expectations, but overall I found the plot predictable, and disliked almost all of the characters. I do think this would be a really good book club book because there is so much to discuss in it!
And people love this author. Daisy Jones and the Six is currently on my hold list, so time will tell if Evelyn was a one-off swing-and-a-miss for me, or if Taylor Jenkins Reid just isn't for me.
May Books
Currently on the docket for May: The Unhoneymooners, Rebecca, and Something in the Water. Read along if you want! You can follow what I'm reading in realtime on Goodreads, too!
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