Tag: book reviews

book review, Genre: Suspense Thriller

1.5. She Reads a Suspense Thriller: Verity by Colleen Hoover

She Happily Reads Podcast

An autobiography encouraging the reader to like the author is not a true autobiography. No one is likable from the inside out. One should only walk away from an autobiography with, at best, an uncomfortable distaste for its author.

–“Verity” by Colleen Hoover

When it comes to picking a genre to read from, thrillers aren’t exactly high on my list. Most of the (very few) thriller novels I’ve read in the past were “just okay,” never more than 3 stars, which only further solidified my opinion that it’s just not the genre for me. But people love them! Every time I happen to run into a reader in the wild and I ask them what genres do they primarily read from, “thrillers and suspense novels” are a constant response. So what is it about this genre that seems to have everyone so enthralled? And what is it about them, or the few I’ve read, that don’t work for me?

That’s what I intend to find out this year, and Verity by Colleen Hoover was a good place to start. This novel gripped me from the very first line; it is a fast-paced story with unlikeable characters that make you reel in disgust, jump in surprise, and stare out into the abyss trying to digest what just happened. This is the first thriller novel I’ve read that I can say I unabashedly enjoyed. There is something quite atmospheric about this story; it’s eerie and twisty–but the twists make sense when looking at the story in its totality.

Could it be that it’s just Colleen Hoover’s magical pen that allowed me to *finally* appreciate a suspense novel? Maybe. We know Colleen has an unique ability to write a story that’s just compulsively readable. (Has anyone ever DNF’ed a Colleen Hoover book? Is that even possible?) But we’ll see. For right now, I think I can say that I will be looking for thrillers that are atmospheric, character-focused, and take place for the most part in a single location (like a house, a small town, or even an island!) Verity has all of these things, and part of my enjoyment of this book were these elements.

Do you have a favorite thriller novel? I’m open to any and all recommendations!

Listen to the new episode here:

book review, Genre: Contemporary Romance

1.4. She Reads Contemporary Romance: Seven Days in June by Tia Williams

She Happily Reads Podcast

And maybe that was what real, adult love was. Being fearless enough to hold each other close no matter how catastrophic the world became. Loving each other with enough ferocity to quell the fears of the past. Just fucking being there.”

—Tia Williams, Seven Days in June

This book broke me down to my parts and reassembled me. What a healing, beautiful, roaring story. It’s been a while since I hugged a book to my chest after reading it; it very much felt like I was hugging the characters goodbye, who had, in a way, become my friends. Because every time I opened this novel and dived into its pages, it was like I was seeing the very intimate, intricate, messy parts of people’s lives–people who really existed. Even though they didn’t. Although, in a way, Shane and Eva—our lovers of this tale—do exist. Even though their individual stories and their story together may not be ours, they share a desire to be honest, to be seen, to love and be loved by someone who understands who they are wholly and completely. Someone who sees their scars, cares enough to learn how they got there, but is careful enough not to create new ones. Someone who loves their existence–solely in and off itself. It’s an innate, simplistic, yet complex need that I think we all have. Everyone of us. And there’s nothing wrong with wanting that and recognizing it. And I hope, one day, every one of us can find it too. And what a find that would be!

Listen to the latest episode of She Happily Reads here:

book review, Genre: Historical Fiction

1.3. She Reads Historical Fiction: Wild Women and the Blues by Denny S. Bryce

She Happily Reads Podcast

Wild Women and the Blues…striking title, isn’t it? And what a cover!

This is one of those books that screams “winter read!” To me, at least. I read this one over the course of a weekend (Youtube fire place video, blankets, tea–the trifecta of stuck-inside-ness, thank you very much.) I’ve been reading some lighter reads during my free time, but I knew it was time for a historical fiction novel. I’m happy I picked this one up. While the novel isn’t perfect, it’s full of beautiful prose, compelling characters, and an immersive setting that transports you back to Jazz Age Chicago. I’ve visited Chicago only once, and it was for work so I couldn’t explore the way I wanted to. Even with my short time there, I could sense its rich culture and history; I saw the the beautiful Chicago River and felt the pride of its residents. (A cab driver took it upon himself to drive my friend and I around for an impromptu tour of historical sites!) But even as I floated on the veneer of the pretty, I could still sense the very ugly undercurrent of brutality present in the city, something that could only exist from a violent past and a violent present. After reading this book, however, I would love to return one day to Chicago. It’s an interesting city, gritty and gorgeous and full of old, untold stories.

But until then, I’ll be content to travel by way of the pages of books as good as this one.

Listen to the new episode here:

book review, Genre: Contemporary Romance

1.2. She Reads a Rom Com: The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood

She Happily Reads Podcast

There’s something sad about January.

I’ve felt it–this icky sadness–since I was a child, a feeling that almost makes me anxious towards the end of the year because I dread its arrival. Is it post-holiday blues? Seasonal depression? A reaction to the sudden need to make the new year that has been thrust upon me “the best one yet”? Perhaps. Either way, this year has been no different, and maybe its effects were made even worse due to the current state of the world and the dreaded “c” word.

But self-awareness is one of my many talents, and so I armed myself accordingly with my favorite things (black tea, candles, warm, fuzzy blankets, and essential oils) and of course–books. I immediately knew what genre I wanted to pick from. Nothing warms me more than a good romance novel–and a romantic comedy to boot. Luckily, the messy tower of books next to my bed that I lovingly call my TBR (to-be-read for those not in the know) had a few to choose from. The lucky winner was The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood, a novel I had been meaning to read for months now.

The Love Hypothesis was published just last autumn to much fanfare. If you are in any online book space (booktok, booktube, bookstagram), you probably have already heard of it. I think a lot of the initial press centered around the fact that this novel originally was a Reylo fanfic. (Once again, for those not in the know, Rey and Kylo Ren are characters from the Star Wars sequel trilogy. The romantic pairing has been dubbed “Reylo” by shippers.) The Reylo ship has brought much controversy to Star Wars’ door, and while the two kiss at the end of The Rise of Skywalker (spoiler!), some people still do not consider the couple canon or reject it due to its ‘toxicity.’ As someone who has an unhealthy obsession with the enemies-to-lovers trope and a redemption arc of any type, I’m pro Reylo. I could pontificate for paragraphs as to why, but I think this Youtube video by Joe Brennan entitled “Reylo: A Complicated History” says it better than I ever could:

If you love Reylo, watch this video. If you hate Reylo, WATCH this video. If you are indifferent to Reylo, watch this video. If you have no idea who either of these two people are…still. Watch this video.

The female protagonist and Rey’s counterpart of the Love Hypothesis, Olive, and her hero, Adam (aptly named, might I add–Adam Driver plays Kylo Ren/Ben Solo in the movie) are two academics at Stanford University. Olive is a P.h.D. candidate researching pancreatic cancer after losing her mom, her only family and tether, years ago. Adam is a young, hotshot professor with a reputation for making people cry from his harsh criticism and rigorous standards. When Olive ropes Adam into fake dating her for a very romcom-ish reason, the two slowly start to fall for each other. And it’s glorious. There’s banter. There’s grumpy/sunshine goodness, personified by Adam’s love of black coffee and Olive’s obsession with pumpkin spice lattes. There’s a shared hotel room. There’s the classic he doesn’t like me/she doesn’t like me misunderstanding. There’s steaminess.

And yes. For those weary from the news, and the cold, and the limited amount of sunlight, there’s a happy ending. And a happy ending is sometimes all we need at the beginning of a new year.

Listen to the latest She Happily Reads podcast episode and hear more of my thoughts here:

book review, Genre: Sci Fi

1.1 She Reads Sci Fi: Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

She Happily Reads Podcast

Unfortunately, I haven’t read a ton of science fiction in the past. But as I enter into 2022, I’m hoping that will change! Project Hail Mary is my first real foray into the genre, and I was not disappointed! While it wasn’t a five star read for me, the book still managed to make me care about the fate of its characters–and sometimes that’s all we can ask for. Shout out to Rocky–the only space-alien-spider I don’t think I would *completely* run away from if we ever met, and Ryland Grace, who might be either the smartest or just the luckiest character I’ve ever read about.

Listen to the latest episode here: