What I’ve Been Reading Lately #3

It has been another month where I’ve manage to make a massive dent in my to be read list. I’ve managed to read a few books for work too which has been brilliant, but I wont include those ones. Where it was my birthday last month I invested in lots of new books to read, from people’s recommendations, and the recommendations were incredible, so if you’re looking for book recommendations, then get ready for some amazing books to add to your to be read list.

The Switch by Beth O’Leary

I loved this book so much, and even though at first it took me some time to get into it, I did really enjoy it. It is wholesome, it is uplifting and heartbreaking at the same time. If you’re a fan of The Flatshare then you will definitely love this.

The book is about a 29 year old named Leena Cotton who is mentally and physically exhausted and is told by her boss to take a 2 month sabbatical. Leena’s grandmother Eileen, is trying to find her second chance at love since her husband left her for another woman. The two ladies swap lives, with Leena going back to Hamleigh-in-Harksdale, and faces her mother, deals with losing her sister & everything in between. I loved how the characters developed in the book, and the way they came across, it was the kind of book you can really get lost in.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

I basically read this book in about 2 days. I just couldn’t put it down. You go through the book learning about the life of Evelyn Hugo, and I’ve got to be honest I spent half the book loving her and the other hating her. The book is all about a famous, old Hollywood actress, her life, love and marriages. Evelyn Hugo is a bisexual, Cuban woman and how she wasn’t able to talk about the real love of her life, her incredible wife. Evelyn is now ready to tell her story, but will only give the interview to Monique, for an incredible reason that you will find out towards the end. It will be a full biography that will be the most scandalous and salacious book ever.

This book is so powerful in the way it speaks about race, about sexuality and being open about it, misogyny and conforming to social norms. I found myself within the book completely intoxicated by Evelyn Hugo and her life, but this fictional character taught me something, to be unapologetic with my actions (in a good way – not in a way that will hurt others) and that is something I love the most from this book.

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

This one honestly took me a bit of time to get into, which made me quite sad to be honest, but as I got to learn more and more I couldn’t put it down. Alicia shoots her husband several times and then never speaks again, however a psychotherapist Theo is convinced he will be able to help her. The book is written from Theo’s point of view but also has diary entries from Alicia that helps to understand her more and an insight into her life with her husband.

I was determined to find out the reason for her silence and why Theo was so determined to save her, that has a wonderful twist at the end. If you’re a lover of thrillers like myself, you will definitely enjoy this book.

My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell

This has got to be one of the most dark, repulsive and infuriating books out there, as it delves into abusive relationships, grooming and trauma and there are honestly so many layers to this book. It is one of those books that is also raw, brave and completely terrifying. Vanessa meets Jacob Strane, who is 44 years old and her teacher at her boarding school in 2000, however, they embarked on a relationship, however, fast forward to 2017 and Vanessa still feels the same way she did all those years ago. It does come to light that there is a misconduct case against him for abusing a former student. Vanessa starts to question if she was ever special to him, and did they ever have a real relationship?

I would only recommend this book to people who haven’t had to struggle with trauma as this could be quite triggering for you.

Evidence of the Affair by Taylor Jenkins Reid 

This was a really short read, but I actually enjoyed it so much. The book itself is a selection of letters between a wife and a husband whose respective partners are having an affair with each other. The story evolves and includes letters that were exchanged between their partners, and shows their thoughts and feelings about their marriages, but t he way the book is written it is so powerful and raw, and expresses the feelings that everyone, including the two people who are having the affair are feeling.

It has the most beautiful bittersweet ending with an incredible twist that I definitely wasn’t expecting.

What books are you currently reading? Let me know in the comments!

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