This month was full of some great books, including some that took me by surprise! I also read some things a little different from my normal go-tos, which was nice to mix it up a little bit. Check out below to see what I read, and what I think you should definitely put on your list! All descriptions are from goodreads.
The Liar’s Daughter by Megan Cooley Peterson
“Seventeen-year-old Piper knows that Father is a Prophet. Infallible. The chosen one.
She would do anything for Father. That’s why she takes care of all her little sisters. That’s why she runs end-of-the-world drills. That’s why she never asks questions. Because Father knows best.
Until the day he doesn’t. Until the day the government raids the compound and separates Piper from her siblings, from Mother, from the Aunts, from all of Father’s followers–even from Caspian, the boy she loves.
Now Piper is living Outside. Among Them.”
I liked this book; it was easy to get into and kept my interest throughout. It was a little obvious and there are no huge twists, but it was a unique book from the perspective of being raised in a cult. Four out of five stars.
One by One by Ruth Ware
“Getting snowed in at a beautiful, rustic mountain chalet doesn’t sound like the worst problem in the world, especially when there’s a breathtaking vista, a cozy fire, and company to keep you warm. But what happens when that company is eight of your coworkers…and you can’t trust any of them?
When an off-site company retreat meant to promote mindfulness and collaboration goes utterly wrong when an avalanche hits, the corporate food chain becomes irrelevant and survival trumps togetherness. Come Monday morning, how many members short will the team be?”
Okay so, this isn’t terrible by any means, but it’s not Ware’s best book. It’s a little obvious and honestly has a LOT of information and back story that was unnecessary With that said, though, it’s not terrible and Ware is a fantastic writer. It gave me The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley vibes, so I found myself comparing to that book, and there is no comparison in my opinion. Two stars.
Again Again by E. Lockhart
“After a near-fatal family catastrophe and an unexpected romantic upheaval, Adelaide Buchwald finds herself catapulted into a summer of wild possibility, during which she will fall in and out of love a thousand times–while finally confronting the secrets she keeps, her ideas about love, and the weird grandiosity of the human mind.”
This book is so different from her other ones, and while it took me some time to adjust, I ended up loving this book. It’s a great young adult read that I enjoyed even as a not young adult. Three stars (due to getting a hang of the author’s writing style in this book).
The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue
“In an Ireland doubly ravaged by war and disease, Nurse Julia Power works at an understaffed hospital in the city center, where expectant mothers who have come down with the terrible new Flu are quarantined together. Into Julia’s regimented world step two outsiders — Doctor Kathleen Lynn, a rumoured Rebel on the run from the police , and a young volunteer helper, Bridie Sweeney.
In the darkness and intensity of this tiny ward, over three days, these women change each other’s lives in unexpected ways. They lose patients to this baffling pandemic, but they also shepherd new life into a fearful world. With tireless tenderness and humanity, carers and mothers alike somehow do their impossible work.”
I put this book on my winter reading list this year, and I’m so glad I did. This book took me a minute to get into, but then it seemed to sneak up on me and knock me over with how beautiful it was. Also, it hits different reading this in a pandemic than maybe the author realized while she was writing it. Five stars. So beautiful.
The Survivors by Jane Harper
“Kieran Elliott’s life changed forever on the day a reckless mistake led to devastating consequences.
The guilt that still haunts him resurfaces during a visit with his young family to the small coastal community he once called home.
Kieran’s parents are struggling in a town where fortunes are forged by the sea. Between them all is his absent brother, Finn.
When a body is discovered on the beach, long-held secrets threaten to emerge. A sunken wreck, a missing girl, and questions that have never washed away…”
This book was a slow burner and it was hard to get into, but once it started picking up, it snowballed in the best possible way. Three stars because I am inpatient haha.
The Wives by Tarryn Fisher
“Thursday’s husband, Seth, has two other wives. She’s never met them, and she doesn’t know anything about them. She agreed to this unusual arrangement because she’s so crazy about him.
But one day, she finds something. Something that tells a very different—and horrifying—story about the man she married.”
This book hooked me right away and I could not stop. There are some moments that I was like mmmm that could have been handled differently, but overall it was an addictive, fast paced read. Four stars.
And that’s a wrap for February! I’m looking forward to more books in March and putting together my spring reading list for you all!
Lifestyle by Jenny 