Review of "The Midnight Library" by Matthew Haig

My Review:

As you can see, I'm still struggling with taking interesting pictures with my e-reader. I also apparently need to clean my e-reader screen juding from this picture😖. Yikes!

Anyways, I was very much looking forward to reading this book. It's been on my "Want to Read" list for months. I was very excited but a littl nervous. I've seen more mixed reviews of the book recently, so I was worried I wouldn't enjoy it. Thankfully, I gave it a chance and was really drawn into the story. 

The book is about this idea that there is time between life and death where one can visit other lives they migh have lived. In the book, this time takes place in a library where our main character, Nora, gets a chance to look back at her life and try on lives where she made different decisions. After trying on these other lives, Nora must decide if there is a life out there worth living or if she is ready to be done and accept death. I do not want to give too much away about this story, so I'm keeping my summary very brief.

I loved this book as it got me thinking and reflecting on my own life and decisions. I am a big possibilities person and have difficulties making decisions at times because I keep thinking of all the what ifs and choices. While reading this book, I thought about my own life and times where things would be different if I had made a different choice. Sure, there were big choices like turning down and accepting jobs or deciding where to go to college, but I even thought of little decisions like what I did on a Saturday. For me it was a fun exercise. I abosolutely have regrets in my life like Nora, but I'm so thankful for the many blessings in my current life that I'm not sure I would want a different life (except for one where I have enough time and money to run my own bookshop). 

The character of Nora was one that really developed and grew on me throughout the reading. I'll admit that at first I didn't really like her which caused me some troubles getting into the story. Just as I was getting worried that this book might be a bust, the story picked up, and Nora started changing. By the end, I was actively rooting for her and couldn't wait to see what choice she would make. It was also really enjoyable for me to read about her trying on all these different lives and see what she learned from each of them. The lives were all so different from each other, which again caused me to reflect on all the different ways my life could have gone. 

If you are a dreamer, someone who likes to imagine all the possibilities, or a reader who loves when characters really grow and change, then I highly recommend this book. I know it won't be for everyone, but I'm so glad I had the chance to read it.

How Much Coffee Was Needed?

I read this book over the weekend, so I had more daylight hours to read. I did stay up later on Saturday to read it, so I need a little extra coffee the next morning. However, if I started this book during the week, I probably would have been up a late a few nights. So while I didn't need a lot of extra coffee for this one, it has the potential for being a book that requires more coffee than usual.

What's Next?

The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley

 

Review of "Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking" by Susan Cain

My Reveiw:

You guys! I finally did it! I finished my first hard copy book for the year! I know it took me way longer to read this book than my e-reader books, but wow, was this book worth it! Being a nonfiction text, I also think I tend to read that genre slower because I'm reading to learn and not to be entertained. I also like to highlight and mark quotes or passages of importance, so I can come back to them later. As you can see in the picture below, this book had a lot to say to me😁

As an introvert, this book spoke to me in so many ways. It took me a few years to figure out that I was an introvert during my college/young adult years. During that time, I many times wondered why I preferred the quiet to parties or the company of a few to hanging out with big groups. I thought there was something wrong with me and pushed myself to socialize more. As I moved into my career and motherhood, my introverted tendencies grew stronger, and I was too tired and stressed to push myself out of my comfort zone. Truthfully, I had to pretend to be extroverted at work daily, and it was exhausting. I started becoming more accepting of what I thought were my unusual and awkward preferences. Throughout the last couple years, I still struggled with questions of "Why can't I make friends easier?" and "What's wrong with me?" but I was getting better with embracing my true self.

I wish this book would have been around for me in college. I think I could have saved myself so much doubt and stress. This book talks about the power of being an introvert and what makes us so important to this world. Cain spends time going through how America's idea of a successful person grew and change over the years to focus on the charismatic and extroverted leader we are all familiar with today. She discusses her own experiences as well as stories from regular people and examples of famous people (Steve Wozniak was the one that surprised me the most) who consider themselves introverted. The book goes on to discuss the strengths of introverts as well as highly sensitive people. It never criticizes extroverts (At least I don't think so, but I'm reading this as an introvert. I am curious to hear thoughts on it from extroverts), but focuses on how introverts are benefical and useful to our society. Cain also gives advice and tips on how to be successful in a culture or workplace that values extroversion personality traits.

If you think you are introverted or maybe have introverted tendencies, I highly recommend this book. It help me become more confident in my own strengths. It was also so comforting to see Cain and the examples or researchers in her book say things that I've thought. All this time, I've struggled and thought there was something wrong with me. While in the last years, I've felt more confident with myself, this book really helped me see the value of the way I think and act. 

How Much Coffee Was Needed?

Since this book took me a long time to read, I didn't really need any extra coffee. There was a night or two where I stayed up a little later to finish a chapter or section, but for the most part, I just kept reading litte bits here and there.

What's Next?

For my next actual, hard copy book, I'm going with a histrocial fiction. The book is Dollface by Renee Rosen.

 

Review of "The Lost and Found Bookshop" by Susan Wiggs

My Review:

Lost and Found Bookshop by Susan Wiggs was a different read for me. I have not read anything by or even heard of Susan Wiggs before this book. I found the book while browsing through my library's online fiction catalogue. It sounded interesting, and I can never seem to turn down a story with a bookshop as its setting.

The story focuses on Natalie, who after a very tragic event, returns to take care of the family bookshop and her grandpa or Grandy as she calls him. The bookshop is in a very old building that survived the San Fransico earthquake. The shop is failing, and Natalie thinks her only option is to sell. Grandy, who technically owns the shop and building, won't hear of it as he believes something valuable is hidden in the building. Not only does Natalie have a failing shop to deal with, but the building is in disrepair, and Grandy's mind and health are declining. With the help of her "Hammer for Hire," Peach (Yes, that's his nickname. I did not make that up), Natalie decides to try to save the bookshop and her family's history. 

All that being said, the book was okay. It reminds me of yacht rock. Anyone else listen to yacht rock? The songs are easy going, nothing too exciting. Every now and then, a song comes on that you love and you groove a little to it, but it's not like you're rocking out or anything. Yacht rock songs also never seem to hit me in the feels except for making me happy. I enjoy it, and it's great music to listen to while working or doing stuff around the house.  If there was a yacht rock playlist of books, this book would be on it. 

The book had moments I enjoyed, and other parts I ended up skimming through. The story has ups and downs, and even a little romance. Again, it's a sweet story that should leave you satisfied at the end. The characters are likeable, but I didn't really connect to them, with the exception of one. Grandy. He is dealing with the early stages of dementia. After losing a family member recently to this disease, the description of his character was the part of the story I was drawn to the most. In sections of the book, Grandy takes over as narrator, and we see the events from his perspective. His description of memories coming and going, the fog in his mind, and him trying to make sense of his surroundings, really stood out to me. I can't help but wonder if that's how my aunt felt during her battle. Wiggs descriptions of Grandy's mind and his interactions with Natalie, reminded me so many times of my interactions with my own aunt. While the story itself didn't really affect me, the character of Grandy will probably stick with me for a long time.

How Much Coffee Was Needed?

No extra cups of coffee were needed for this book. I was able to read it and enjoy it as I pleased. An easy going and pleasant read, just like yacht rock.

What's Next?

The Midnight Library by Matthew Haig (I am super excited about this book!)

 

Review of "The Bookworm's Guide to Dating" by Emma Hart

 

My Review:

The Bookworm's Guide to Dating is the first in a newer series by Emma Hart (The second book is already out, and a third book is on the way). The books are about a group of twenty-somethings living in the small town of White Peak (I think in Montana). Three of the group, including our main character Kinsley, own a little bookshop called Bookworm's Books. Basically she's living my dream life running a bookshop with best friends in a small town. I'm a little bit jealous! Just a little...

Kinsley decides on her birthday that she's going to make an effort to get out of her introverted bookworm shell and start dating more. When her friends hear her plan they are surprised as it seems that Kinsley is very awkward on dates. Her brother's best friend, Josh, offers to help teach her how to date. Of course, Josh is secretly in love with her and thinks that this will help him get over her (Because of course, spending more time with someone you have a crush on will make you like them less😖). You can probably guess the rest as Josh and Kinsley grow closer as they work together to help Kinsley find love.

It's a cute book and an easy, quick read. The interaction of the characters is fun, and I liked the bookish references (although they're a little heavy on the Harry Potter stuff). I wasn't the biggest fan of Kinsley or maybe the way she's written about in the story. I should have a strong connection as she seems just like me (introverted, awkward, bookworm, etc.), but I felt like as a reader, Hart kept shoving those facts in my face. She wanted to emphasize how awkward and unusual Kinsley was and that she waas introverted and a bookworm over and over again. For me, it got a little much, and I wish Hart would have made those traits of Kinsley strengths instead of obstacles to overcome. Ultimately Kinsley doesn't change as Josh loves her just the way she is and even attempts to learn some romance moves from books. Again, it's a fun and predictable read. I enjoyed it enough that I have the second book on hold at my library.

How Much Coffe Was Needed?

Just an extra cup of coffee, and I was good to go. I stayed up a little late one night as Kinsley and Josh went back and forth discovering their feelings and debating if they could pull off the relationship. Other than that, I read it when I wanted to and could put it down when I needed to.

What's Next?

The Lost and Found Bookshop by Susan Wiggs

Review of "Hot Six" (Stephanie Plum Series) by Janet Evanovich

I've been having a little difficulty getting to writing my reviews recently. I've kept reading, but I've just been in a bit of a funk about sitting down and typing these up. Hopefully I can get some of these reviews done and update my reading list here very soon. And sorry for the pictures of the e-books. Someday soon I'll figure out a more artsy way to take them.

My Review:

Ever have books or a series of books that just bring a smile to your face? For me, Stephanie Plum and the interesting (I think that's the word I want to use) characters of the Burg that bring a smile to my face time and time again. I get so excited when I get the notice from the library that the next book is ready for me to borrow. This series is just so enjoyable and actually makes me laugh out loud while read. Sure, other books make me smile and chuckle, but these books make me laugh so loud that my son came in from another room to ask what was so funny (this instance was Stephanie's luck with cars).

The 6th book in the series has Plum trying to help out Ranger as he's gotten himself into a situation. Ranger is in the wind after being accused of murder. Fortunately (maybe unfortunately), Stephanie and her friends are going to help. Of course, if anything can go wrong it does which thankfully for the reader gives us hilarious moments. Oh did I mention that Grandma Mazur moves in with Stephanie for part of the book? It goes as well as you could hope.

I love the kooky and just plain crazy characters of this series. I want to be Grandma Mazur when I grow up. Actually, I want to be her now. Ranger is still my man, although with him on the run in this book, he wasn't in the book as much. Joseph Morelli was even a bit more charming in this book. The Burg is such a different place than I know, and I'm not sure how successful I would be living there, but it's sure fun to read about it.

How Much Coffee Was Needed?

I need several extra cups. I just really enjoyed this book and had a good time reading it. My job has been a little rough recently, so it was really nice to escape and just enjoy a book. Since I was having so much fun reading it, I stayed up a little later than I should have, but it was worth it (It usually is). Sleep is overrated anyways, especially when you have coffee.

What's Next?

The Bookworm's Guide to Dating by Emma Hart