Autobiography of a Bibliophile: February 2019

February was a “light” month in terms of novel volume, but some gems were certainly uncovered. March has been mind-blowing and I hope to share those soon!!

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

5 stars

Be prepared to feel all the feels with this one. It’s our book club read for April and I’m looking forward to discussing it with some of my favorite ladies. The books covers themes from one spectrum to another: prejudice, resilience, desperation, and determination (to name just a few). You’ll be captivated by Kya and intrigued by the mystery of her life in the marsh.

Swimming Pool Sunday by Madeleine Wickham

2 stars

Fun Fact: Madeleine Wickham is a pseudonym for Sophie Kinsella (whose books I adore), so I was looking forward to this read. Unfortunately, I wasn’t impressed by the storyline and the writing wasn’t nearly as fun as the Shopaholic series. If you were considering picking this one up, stick with Becky Bloomwood and her persistent overdraft habit instead.

My Notorious Life by Kate Manning

3 stars

I really really really wanted to like this one. The 4.02 average star rating on Goodreads was enticing, but overall I struggled to connect with the prose. The book follows the life of Axie Muldoon, from street orphan to unofficial (and technically, uneducated) midwife, and Axie’s broken voice is difficult to follow. The story was inspired by a true story of a female physician in nineteenth-century America so I appreciated the peek at history, meriting the 3 stars.

My Favorite Half-Night Stand by Christina Lauren

3 stars

Was this a serious piece of literature? Absolutely not. Was this a perfect read for a flight? Hell yes. I started and finished this one en route to NYC to visit my friend, Hannah. Girl meets boy, girl and boy are friends, girl and boy struggle with wanting to be more. It was quick, it was cute, and it was predictable. Download this with a side of Southwest peanuts and your flight will zip by.

What Made Maddy Run: The Secret Struggles and Tragic Death of an All-American Teen by Kate Fagan

4 stars

“How much of our happiness is fueled by society’s validation of our choices?”

Whew -- this was a heavy read, but oh so important as we live in a world that is saturated with social media and best-kept appearances. You may remember Maddy Holleran, a freshman at the University of Pennsylvania in 2013-2014. She was a track star and a dedicated student, but she took her own life in January 2014 from the top of a parking garage. Fagan explores the struggles beyond Maddy’s highlight reel on Instagram and how we all “feel an obligation to optimism and happiness when we’re around others.”

Best Kept Secret by Amy Hatvany

4 stars

Hatvany did a phenomenal job getting inside the head of an alcoholic in this heart-wrenching story. Cadence is a four-star freelance writer, mama, and wife -- when she’s not attached to a bottle of wine. One divorce, a stagnant career, and a dwindling bank account later, Cadence is barely keeping it together without a daily trip to the alcohol aisle in her neighborhood market. Her son, Charlie, has a front row seat to this freefall and I was rooting for Cadence for nearly every chapter.