Happy Friday!
Can you believe we’re already at the end of July? I really can’t, mainly because the temperature in Scotland has been nothing short of December weather 😉
There is nothing that finishes the month better than a roundup of good books I’ve read. It’s been a while since I’ve done this, however, there aren’t too many of them because, I know I know, as Goodreads reminds me all the time, I’m desperately late on my reading goal for the year! But let’s not give up, I still have months to go!
How to be a heroine. Samantha Ellis.
I have had mixed feelings about this non-fiction piece because I loved it and yet some parts irritated me. The writer revisits old books and heroines she liked when she was younger with a more experienced and critical eye. As someone who studied feminist and women literature, I love the idea to revisit loved pieces to see how much we have changed through the years, etc. But some of the books she talks about I hadn’t read and that got boring a bit quickly. 4/5
Quiet. Susan Cain.
Loved loved loved this book. Could not recommend it enough. I’m currently working on a full post review of this book because I want to share some of the insights I have had while reading it. As an introvert who likes to be an introvert but that still feels guilty being an introvert because of society, it was eye-opening to read this. We learn a lot on how society, about introverts, extroverts, education, etc. It really makes you see society differently. A must read! 4.5/5
The Old Man & the Sea. Ernest Hemingway.
I thought this was a good read, beautifully written, but in all honesty I didn’t think that much about it because it didn’t fascinate me or enthral me. It’s pretty slow and sometimes technical about fishing (which I don’t particularly fancy). However, I really felt for Santiago when he’s out at sea – it felt emotional and scary and yet I thought he was so courageous. 3.8/5
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. Muriel Spark.
I really enjoyed reading this Scottish classic. I first heard of it because of Maggi Smith (who played her many many years ago) and I don’t regret picking it up. The writing style was endearing and some of the scenes reminded me of all girls school, which I also attended. The end definitely surprised me. 3.8/5
Le Zebre. Alexandre Jardin.
An interesting book. So my parents love to send me French books so I don’t lose my French (lol) and I picked this one up a bit reluctantly – I’m not a huge fan of French literature. And I have to say, this book was very weird. I almost gave up on it but my parents convinced me to keep going. The end of this book is definitely its one redeeming factor. It was very touching (though still very weird). 3/5
Life of Pi. Yann Martel.
I had always heard of this book but never took the time to read it. Then a few years ago I saw the movie and loved it. I picked it up because my book club is reading it right now and I was so glad I got a reason to just go ahead and pick it up (for £1 at the charity shop, but still). I read it really quickly. Every time I picked it up I couldn’t wait to turn the page – I was fully immersed. A thrilling and touching read. 4/5
ALSO…
I’m also still working on : The Shadow of the Wind and The Name of the Wind. I’m finding both books really good, but for some reason I’m having a really hard time getting through them. Slowly but surely, right?
Do you have any good book recommendations to share?xx
