The Library: Recent Reads

February 19, 2018


As you've probably heard of (or even survived like me!), Puerto Rico was devastated by a Category 5 hurricane back in September: Hurricane Maria. We had no electricity for what seemed like forever. About 450,000 still haven't received electricity (learn more here and donate here). During this period, we went back to our childhood for entertainment: playing boardgames, using coloring books, etc.

I also had time to read a good book again. I have always loved reading! I was the kid that ordered practically everything from the Scholastic catalog and would read 3 books in a day. I was happy to have the time to read something for pleasure, a change of pace from all the medical books. 

These are the books I read during that time and I just finished reading #5:

1. Into the Water by Paula Hawkins (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

The author's name may seem familiar to you: Paula Hawkins also wrote The Girl on the Train (which I LOVE!). If you're into a thriller read, this is one for you. The book begins when a single mother is found dead at the bottom of a river that runs through the town. She is not the first one to be found this way. Left behind is a 15-year-old daughter who finds herself under the care of her aunt which she has never met before. Her aunt had run away from that town a long time ago and had hoped to never return. Like her other thriller, each character gets a chapter as they wind down the long, twisting road to finding out the truth behind the deaths. I COULD NOT put it down which was a problem since it would be another week before I found another book.

2. Turtles All the Way Down by John Green (⭐⭐⭐)

You've probably heard of John Green unless you've been living under a rock. His most popular titles include: The Fault in Our Stars, Looking for Alaska, and Paper Towns (I've read ALL of them!). When I saw this new book, I did not hesitate to grab it even without reading the description. That's how much I have loved his books. In this one, 16-year-old Aza pursues the mystery of fugitive billionaire Russell Pickett with her best friend Daisy and Russell Picket's son, Davis. Aza is trying to be a good daughter, a good friend, a good student, and maybe even a good detective, while also living within the ever-tightening spiral of her own thoughts. For me, this was a little too juvenile. It was very interesting to see how he portrays OCD as Aza clearly struggles with this disease. However, it was a little disappointing for me having adored all his previous books.

3. Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mue (⭐⭐⭐⭐)

I admit, I bought this one because it had the "Oprah's Book Club" seal of approval! This book tackles marriage, immigration, class, race...all the issues that are in today's headlines. Jende Jonga, a Cameroonian immigrant living in Harlem with his wife Neni and 6-year-old son, has the chance of a lifetime working as a chauffeur for Clark Edwards, a senior executive at Lehman Brothers. Neni also finds work at the Edward's summer home. It's not long until they are living the American dream but it can all colapse in a second... I wouldn't have normally gravitated towards this book based on the description because I tend to read more WWII related books or young adult easy reads (no shame whatsoever); but, I throughly enjoyed it! Will definitely keep an eye out for more of Oprah's Book Club books!

4. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chobosky (⭐⭐⭐)

This book was basically the only book sitting in my library already that I hadn't read. I bought it a long time ago, around the time the movie was coming out. I'm a sucker for all books that are later produced into movies. Why? Because I have a vivid imagination and I love reading a book and coming up with the whole movie in my mind and later watching to see if someone else saw it as I did. Few have accomplished to satisfy my imagination, Room and The Book Thief for example. This one, sadly, did not. 

Published in 1999, the book uses Charlie's letters to an unknown character to share his experience through high school. He explores first dates, family drama, friendship, love, drugs. He is trying to live his life but trying to run away from it at the same time. He battles with depression and a twist ending you probably may not expect. I enjoyed the book very much, more so than I did the movie. 

5. I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh (⭐⭐⭐)

I grabbed this book at the airport during my latest flight because it had a good review from Paula Hawkins (author of The Girl on the Train and Into the Water, see #1).  The book starts off with a bang as a mother’s life is shattered as her son slips from her grip and runs into the street. "It continues to follow Jenna Gray as she moves to a ramshackle cottage on the remote Welsh coast, trying to escape the memory of the car accident that plays again and again in her mind. At the same time, the book tracks the pair of Bristol police investigators trying to get to the bottom of this hit-and-run. As they chase down one hopeless lead after another, they find themselves as drawn to each other as they are to the frustrating, twist-filled case before them." I don't want to say too much because the twist in this book is AMAZING. You will definitely turn back to previous chapters to see if you missed something because that's how surprised you'll be! The only thing I did not like about this book is the British police lingo which took me some time to understand. Other than that, a 5 star book!



Have you read any of these titles? If you have let me know what YOU thought of them! If you grab one of them after reading this post, let me know also and share your personal review! 
We could form our own little book club!

Con amor, 
María Eugenia

5 comments

  1. I really want to read to all the boys I've loved before! I haven't read the John Green book but would like to see how it is in comparison to his other books. If a book has that Oprah Book Club sticker, I'll probably buy it too to be honest haha xx

    Sending light & love your way,

    My Lovelier Days

    ReplyDelete
  2. These are going on my book list!

    x
    Shloka
    http://www.thesilksneaker.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. i need to read into the water. i bought it las summer but haven't had time to actually read it but now is the time to finally do it.
    ❤︎

    www.elenaisabelle.com

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  4. I do have those but I haven't read them yet! They're next, after I finish the To All The Boys I Loved Before series (which, spoiler alert, I'm LOVING!)
    x ME

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  5. I love WWII books! They are my absolute favorite and will definitely check those out! Gracias por la recomendación!
    x ME

    ReplyDelete

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