The Christie Affair by Nina De Gramont - 3.75/5 - I might be going to literary hell for this, but I have never read an Agatha Christie novel. Obvious from the authors name, this is also not one. But, it is a fictionalised account of her disappearance for eleven days. I really loved that it was written from the perspective of the mistress, who was not what she would seem. I was not immediately hooked though, and it took until the quarter of the book to really get into it. That said, once I got there, I did end up enjoying it. I kept going, oh, oh!, oh interesting!
Really Good, Actually by Monica Heisey - 4.5/5 - I absolutely devoured this book. Rare Birds had a book event with Monica the week this came out. She was a new author to me, but I learned she was a screenwriter for Schitt’s Creek - a TV show I love! - so my excitement and expectations were high. Needless to say, she exceeded them. She’s obviously funny, witty and charming, but her writing it just amazing. She does a brilliant job of bringing you back to the universal feeling after a breakup and being lost, but does it with humor and gentleness. The references are spot on, without dating the time period. The supporting characters are amazing. You want to slap Maggie, but also give her a hug. An absolute must read for the year.
I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy - 4.5/5 - This book made the rounds last year. I’m not sure there was a bookstore or influencer who hadn’t talked about it. And for good reason. Jennette’s first person active (hope that’s the right phrase!) narrative throughout the book makes you feel like you’re growing up and experiencing the scenes with her. This is a story where it could be really easy to blame and tear her mother to shreds. But Jennette does a brilliant job of showing the nuance of her relationship with her mother, and how one can both be hurt and still love another person. One of the best memoir’s I’ve read.
Jawbone by Monica Ojeda - 3.5/5 - This book is batshit crazy. There is a lot to unpack, which we did at Smith & Gertrude’s Book Club last month. Originally published in Spanish, it’s about a group of highschool girls, their new teacher, Ms. Clara, toeing the line between fear and desire and the horror of becoming a woman. With any translated book, there was some stuff that got lost in translation. It was a good read in that it pushed me out of my comfort zone and I wouldn’t have picked it up otherwise. But, it was a wild ride.
Hare House by Sally Hinchcliffe - 3.5/5 - Based in the Borders of Scotland, a woman moves in to a cottage next to a large family home, Hare House. She befriends the family who own Hare House, weaving herself into their suspicious lives. When Rare Birds said this book would be a perfect winter’s read, they weren’t absolutely right. Sally’s descriptions of the Borders in the winter is a little bit spooky, but equally makes you feel like you are there.
Verity by Colleen Hoover - 4/5 - My first Colleen Hoover book, and it did not disappoint! I’ve heard this booked talked about for years on Bad on Paper podcast. I knew it had a twist, but when the twist finally came, I didn’t expect it. Twisty and creepy, but highly entertaining. Really recommend!
Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon - 4/5 - Another fantasy series! Wrapped in female protagonists, Ead Duryan, a young female assassin, is sent to court to keep watch over Queen Sabran the Ninth. Meanwhile, over the sea another young woman, Tané, has trained her whole life to be a dragonrider but a choice could derail that dream. As the East and the West continue to be divided, forces of chaos beyond their control threaten to ruin everything. This book is lengthy - about 900 pages! - but it’s a really well done fantasy novel. A completely new world filled with complex characters and an entertaining storyline.
Now to March, when hopefully I’ll finish Spare!