February was a good reading month because I found some books that I will cherish forever. I did try to read some rom-com novels for Valentine’s Day but I didn’t enjoy them unfortunately.
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
Blurb:
Chemist Elizabeth Zott is not your average woman. In fact, Elizabeth Zott would be the first to point out that there is no such thing. But it’s the early 1960s and her all-male team at Hastings Research Institute take a very unscientific view of equality. Except for one: Calvin Evans, the lonely, brilliant, Nobel-prize nominated grudge-holder who falls in love with – of all things – her mind. True chemistry results.
Like science, life is unpredictable. Which is why a few years later, Elizabeth Zott finds herself not only a single mother, but the reluctant star of America’s most beloved cooking show, Supper at Six. Elizabeth’s unusual approach to cooking (‘combine one tablespoon acetic acid with a pinch of sodium chloride’) proves revolutionary. But as her following grows, not everyone is happy. Because as it turns out, Elizabeth Zott isn’t just teaching women to cook. She’s daring them to change the status quo.
My thoughts:
This is one of my favourite reads of the year so far. I loved the science lab setting and the theme of food. I loved Elizabeth, her daughter and the dog. The core message of women being able to do whatever they wish with their lives without being controlled by a man is a really important message and I think this is one of those books that should be read in schools. You can read my full review here.
Rating: 5/5
Passing by Nela Larsen
Blurb:
Clare Kendry has severed all ties to her past. Elegant, fair-skinned and ambitious, she is married to a white man who is unaware of her African-American heritage. When she renews her acquaintance with her childhood friend Irene, who has not hidden her origins, both women are forced to reassess their marriages, the lies they have told – and to confront the secret fears they have buried within themselves. Nella Larsen’s intense, taut and psychologically nuanced portrayal of lives and identities dangerously colliding established her as a leading writer of America’s Harlem Renaissance.
My thoughts:
This is a fairly short novel but a powerful one at that. Even though it was written in the 1920s I think it could still hold up as being written today. The storyline is gripping and the characters are realistic. At times, this book packs a punch but the writing is beautiful.
Rating: 4/5
Wahala by Nikki May
Blurb:
Three friends.
Three ‘perfect’ lives (or so they pretend).
Here comes Trouble
Ronke wants Happily Ever After and 2.2. kids. She’s dating Kayode and wants him to be ‘the one’. Her friends think he’s just another in a long line of dodgy Nigerian boyfriends.
Boo has just what Ronke wants – a kind husband, a gorgeous child. But she’s frustrated, unfulfilled, and desperate to remember who she used to be.
Simi is the golden one with the perfect lifestyle and a career. No one knows she’s crippled by impostor syndrome and tempted to pack it all in each time her boss mentions her ‘urban vibe.’ Her husband thinks they’re trying for a baby. She’s not.
When the high-flying, charismatic Isobel explodes into the group, she seems to bring out the best in each woman. But the more Isobel intervenes, the more chaos she sows, until Ronke, Simi, and Boo’s lifelong friendship begins to crack. How close to the edge will she push them?
My thoughts:
Overall I did enjoy this one but I had some issues with it. There’s a lot of old-fashioned talk where food is concerned and diet culture that I didn’t love. Some of the characters seem to act out just for the purpose of the plot too which didn’t always fit with their personalities. I did however find enjoyment in this as I don’t think characters need to be likeable for a book to be enthralling. The twist at the end is what round this up to a 3 star read for me as it was the perfect twist on a story that at times lost the plot a bit.
Rating: 3/5
Beartown by Fredrik Backman
Blurb:
In a large Swedish forest Beartown hides a dark secret . . .
Cut-off from everywhere else it experiences the kind of isolation that tears people apart. And each year more and more of the town is swallowed by the forest.
Then the town is offered a bright new future. But it is all put in jeopardy by a single, brutal act. It divides the town into those who think it should be hushed up and forgotten, and those who’ll risk the future to see justice done.
Who will speak up?
Could you stand by and stay silent?
Or would you risk everything for justice?
Which side would you be on?
My thoughts:
This is also another favourite of mine this year. I think it may have topped Lessons in Chemistry which was a difficult task. The story focuses a lot on sport and toxic masculinity and while that doesn’t necessarily sound thrilling it truly is an unputdownable read. I liked that hockey and the town itself was sort of like an additional character in this book because they were such a big part of the plot. It’s interesting to read how people who live and breathe sports react to a tragic and horrific crime that happens in this novel too. There are trigger warnings in this novel, which you should check out before reading. The main one being sexual assault. While it’s a tough read, I do think it’s an important story as it shows sometimes standing up for what’s right is more important than standing up for those you are taught to protect.
Rating: 5/5
My Brilliant Friend by Eleana Ferrante
Blurb:
The story of Elena and Lila begins in the 1950s in a poor but vibrant neighbourhood on the outskirts of Naples. Growing up on these tough streets the two girls learn to rely on each other ahead of anyone or anything else, as their friendship, beautifully and meticulously rendered, becomes a not always perfect shelter from hardship.
Ferrante has created a memorable portrait of two women, but My Brilliant Friend is also the story of a nation. Through the lives of Elena and Lila, Ferrante gives her readers the story of a city and a country undergoing momentous change.
My thoughts:
I’ve been meaning to read this one for the longest time and I’m glad I finally picked it up. I loved the female friendship in this book between Lila and Eleana and how they both grow as individuals throughout their childhood. Since this first book is told through the lens of a child, we also see adult situations through childhood innocence which I found intriguing. I’m excited to read more in this series soon as this was a gripping and lovely story.
Rating: 4/5
Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry by Joya Goffney
Blurb:
Quinn keeps lists of everything – from the days she’s ugly cried, to “Things That I Would Never Admit Out Loud,” to all the boys she’d like to kiss. Her lists keep her sane. By writing her fears (as well as embarrassing and cringeworthy truths) on paper, she never has to face them in real life. That is, until her journal goes missing . . .
An anonymous account posts one of her lists on Instagram for the whole school to see and blackmails her into facing seven of her greatest fears, or else her entire journal will go public. Quinn doesn’t know who to trust. Desperate, she teams up with Carter Bennett – the last known person to have her journal and who Quinn loathes – in a race against time to track down the blackmailer.
Together, they journey through everything Quinn’s been too afraid to face, and along the way, Quinn finds the courage to be honest, to live in the moment, and to fall in love.
My thoughts:
I took part in Romconathon in February so I needed to select a few rom-com books to read. I adored this one as it wasn’t the typical teen romance book. It had a lot of depth to it, focussing on racial issues, broken friendships and finding one’s self-worth. This book was one of those addictive reads that you try to put down to do mundane household chores but can’t because it’s just too good.
Rating: 4/5
The Wedding Crasher by Mia Sosa
Blurb:
Just weeks away from ditching DC for greener pastures, Solange Pereira is roped into helping her wedding planner cousin on a random couple’s big day. It’s an easy gig… until Solange stumbles upon a situation that convinces her the pair isn’t meant to be. What’s a true-blue romantic to do? Crash the wedding, of course. And ensure the unsuspecting groom doesn’t make the biggest mistake of his life.
Dean Chapman had his future all mapped out. He was about to check off “start a family” and on track to “make partner” when his modern day marriage of convenience went up in smoke. Then he learns he might not land an assignment that could be his ticket to a promotion unless he has a significant other and, in a moment of panic, Dean claims to be in love with the woman who crashed his wedding. Oops.
Now Dean has a whole new item on his to-do list: beg Solange to be his pretend girlfriend. Solange feels a tiny bit bad about ruining Dean’s wedding, so she agrees to play along. Yet as they fake-date their way around town, what started as a performance for Dean’s colleagues turns into a connection that neither he nor Solange can deny. Their entire romance is a sham… there’s no way these polar opposites could fall in love for real, right?
My thoughts:
Honestly, I didn’t love this but can see why some people do. The concept was good but it was just too long. I found some of the scenes a bit cringey. However, the writing style was great and I’m sure the issues I had with the book were just a personal preference rather than the book being bad. I know a lot of people enjoyed this one.
Rating: 2.5/5
Under One Roof by Ali Hazelwood
Blurb:
As an environmental engineer, Mara knows all about the delicate nature of ecosystems. They require balance. And leaving the thermostat alone. And not stealing someone else’s food. And other rules Liam, her detestable big-oil lawyer of a roommate, knows nothing about. Okay, sure, technically she’s the interloper. Liam was already entrenched in his aunt’s house like some glowering grumpy giant when Mara moved in, with his big muscles and kissable mouth just sitting there on the couch tempting respectable scientists to the dark side…but Helena was hermentor and Mara’s not about to move out and give up her inheritance without a fight.
The problem is, living with someone means getting to know them. And the more Mara finds out about Liam, the harder it is to loathe him…and the easier it is to love him.
My thoughts:
This might be the last Ali Hazelwood book I read. I struggled with it. I’m not a huge fan of the enemies to lovers trope when in a short span of time they fall in love. Or if they have no real reason to hate each other. Unfortunately for me the story felt forced and it felt very similar to her other books. There was no plot in this book at all. It just wasn’t for me.
Rating: 1/5
Have you read any of these books? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.
I’m also on Instagram and Twitter – @bookwormgirl_24
Discover more from bookworm girl
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
bookworm girl 