Preface: Hello, if you’re new then welcome! I hope you’re having a good quarantine, staying safe and socially distanced from others. I totally recommend reading during this time, it’s a great way to learn something new and pass the time. It doesn’t even have to be a difficult novel, I started reading again by reading some of my favourite childhood books like The Secret Garden and the Percy Jackson series 🙂 I’m currently reading like crazy, I have about 5 years of recreational reading to catch up on. I’m reviewing all the books I’m reading during quarantine. I have a part one book review if you wanted to check that out as well. This is ordered in chronological order of each novel’s time period. I’ll try and add more detail to my reviews going forward since that was some of the feedback that I received.
The genres I read and go through this review are: fiction, contemporary, science fiction, romance, historical fiction, young adult, and action.
1940
“In my experience, this is the hardest lesson of them all. After a certain age, we are all walking around this world in bodies made of secrets and shame and sorrow and old, unhealed injuries. Our hearts grow sore and misshapen around all this pain – yet somehow, still, we carry on.”
Elizabeth Gilbert, 2019
Ooof read that. So good, come on.
“City of Girls” by Elizabeth Gilbert
Genre: historical fiction
boy oh boy. First of all, this is the same author who wrote “Eat, Pray, Love”. I was in shock, like what a glow-up. Second, I loved this book. I went into it thinking it was going to be a bore. It’s funny because I told someone previously that I didn’t like historical fiction novels but that’s pretty much all I’ve been reading lately. If you think this will be a boring book well you’re mistaken. Imagine this: showgirls, scandalous affairs, the Great Depression, WW2, New York City during the 1940s, crazy parties, and show biz baby. That’s pretty much what the book is about. The characters are larger than life, the women aren’t perfect, and war is like a character in the book rather than a setting. I adored this book. There were also so many hilarious moments where I actually laughed aloud. Yes, there are lots of explicit moments in the book like sex and drugs but the main character would do ludicrous things in the moment that made things a lot less serious. The main character essentially is writing a letter to someone and she is telling her life story during the 1950s. Although certain issues are so different, I felt like I could relate so much at the same time. Issues like single parenting, sexuality, marriage, career, and PTSD are referenced throughout the book.
1950
“The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Genre: Historical fiction
I loved the pacing of this book, the emphasis on Hollywood glam, and the complicated issues that Evelyn Hugo faces. By the end of the book – and even now – I forget that Evelyn Hugo isn’t real; she’s a character. And yet, she feels like Marilyn Monroe or a celebrity I know of. This book is essentially about a woman who has 7 husbands and about her life. It’s way more interesting just going into it without knowing anything. I soaked up every word and I’m still unsure of how I feel about the ending. In a good way, Jenkins Reid makes you think about the story even after the book is finished.
1969
“Summer of ’69” by Elin Hilderbrand
Genre: historical fiction
I told you, I am just on that historical fiction grind. This book is such an easy effortless read, great for a random summer day when you have nothing to do. It’s about 4 kids in a family that are all changing and going in different directions in life. However, I wish the author went more in depth about some of the conflicts that existed during this decade about interracial couples and the stigma surrounding therapy. Unfortunately, the ending seemed way too cliche and almost like a political advertisement poster for the Vietnam War. I thought it was alright but it was interesting reading about a story with the first moon landing, President Nixon, and the Vietnam War all present in the background.
1970
“The thing that nobody warned you about adulthood was the number of decisions you’d have to make, the number of times you’d have to depend on an unreliable gut to point you in the right direction, the number times you’d still feel like an eight-year-old, waiting for your parents to step in and save you from peril.”
― Claire Lombardo, The Most Fun We Ever Had
Ahahhahhahah, how incredibly accurate this quote is…oh adulthood, what a weird concept
“The Most Fun We Ever Had” by Claire Lombardo
Genre: contemporary fiction
What a long read first of all, like 500 pages of just a family. Oh but not any family, The Sorenson Family in the 1970’s to 2016. It’s about a family of 4 daughters and the parents. You know, this book almost reminds me of a modern twist on Little Women. Reading about the sister’s thoughts were so real and if you have siblings, you’ll most definitely be able to relate to the frustrations, misunderstandings, and fights they had. Honestly, I loved Wendy, the alcoholic and the oldest daughter. She’s witty, incredibly funny, relatable, and just felt the most “real” out of all the daughters. The only thing I will say is after a certain point I was like really…did we need 500 pages on this? Nonethless, I liked reading this book at a slower pace.
1980
“Trust Exercise” by Susan Choi
Genre: contemporary experimental fiction
Okay, so People said it was “electrifying” while the NYT called it “delicious”, I’d like to add “a mess” to the list. You know May is actually Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage month so I’ve been trying to read more books written about Asian Americans, not just this month but in general. I had my hopes up for this book because of all the accolades. But oh my goodness. What on earth was this?! First of all, let’s talk about the format of the book. It switches narrative halfway through the book on purpose and then at the end, which normally I would be fine with but with this book, it did not flow at all. Perhaps that’s subjective but this book is so polarizing. Some people rated it 5/5 and it obviously has won awards but then there are a lot of readers who couldn’t even finish the book. The way it’s written is so weird. Like there’s a lot of emphasis on how someone’s emotions or actions may hurt another person but the way certain things are written about is completely unnatural. Most of the plot went over my head to be honest and none of the characters felt realistic or relatable. I applaud Choi for being experimental when so many books now are so predictable, but this wasn’t for me though.
Early 2000’s
“Little Fires Everywhere” by Celeste Ng
Genre: Contemporary fiction, slice of life
I will be the first to tell you that this book lives up to all the hype! You already know that I love this book, it needs no introduction. I love the way that Ng writes. There’s so much purpose and detail in each chapter. I can’t really explain what the book is about without it sounding too cliche, but it’s really about a mother’s love and how that manifests in different ways. The subtle nuances of racism and classicism made me realize how Ng has so much to offer and I can’t wait for the next book she releases. I ate up this book so quickly, I will most definitely re-read it. I wonder if I would have the same conclusions to this if I become a mother later.
2010 to present
“The Institute” by Stephen King
Genre: science fiction, thriller, fantasy
Ohohohoho. This is my first King novel! I’ve never read his work before because the sheer volume of his novels are so intimidating. Also, I don’t think I’m the biggest fan of horror; however, after reading this book I’m definitely going to try reading his novels.
The plot is essentially about a small town and children being abducted. The setting is split into 2 different parts going back and forth. If you like Stranger Things, you will love this novel. I must say King’s ability to write complex characters shows his experience as a well-rounded writer. King wrote in a way that it was easy for me to read and imagine everything while I also appreciate the insane amount of detail that he provided without anything being too much or boring. There is no gore or extreme violence in this book – like a little bit of violence but not like a lot, actually as I’m typing this out I just realized there is violence…ok – there is a moderate amount of violence in this book. Nonetheless, I totally recommend this book, it’ll totally transport you out of your quarantined room to a small town with mysterious things are happening.
“Nine Perfect Strangers” by Liane Moriarty
Genre: contemporary fiction, mystery
I read Moriarty’s ultra hyped book Big Little Lies before this book and unfortunately, I must say BLL was much better. The characters in NPS feel one-dimensional. The plot of 9 different strangers meeting each other at a health resort seems interesting but later, the plot seems to fall apart. I was so excited to read Moriarty’s other work but this novel felt really disappointing. Overall, it’s not bad but BLL was just amazing in comparison.
“Sad Girls” by Lang Leav
Genre: YA Contemporary
I like Leav’s poetry so I wanted to check out SG, which is a novel and I was quite disappointed. I don’t recommend this book and there will be spoilers below! The idea of protecting someone who committed murder as a form of “love” and “healing” is absolutely ludicrous. I can’t believe that is the huge plot twist at the end. I think the plot rushed near the end. Difficult topics like suicide, depression, and death are discussed but I think there could’ve been a better way to incorporate those themes in a YA novel without glorifying mental illness or cheating on a SO.
“Wonder” by R.J. Palacio
Genre: contemporary fiction (also can be read by children in middle school and up)
I cried a lot reading this book. I loved how Palacio switched the narrative from different character’s POV. This book is quite a quick read but oh, how amazing the story and the meaning behind it is. The power of kindness and acceptance especially to someone who is bullied and ostracized his whole life can do wonders (no pun intended). I think the way Palacio can capture a child’s mind and small details feel so natural. This is definitely a book I recommend to everyone and anyone, in an age where beauty standards are rising and superficiality is emphasized, this book challenges those things and asks the readers to look deeper within a person.
“One Day in December” by Josie Silver
Genre: romance fiction
Maybe I just really don’t like contemporary romance books but what was this?!? Essentially it’s about 2 people who meet at a bus stop on a snowy day in December (romantic eh) but it goes downhill because turns out he’s her best friend’s BOYFRIEND. Oh yea, I loveeee when authors don’t have their 🙂 characters talking out their 🙂 emotions and communicate for 🙂 over a span of ten years 🙂 I was incredibly frustrated throughout the whole book, it was a miracle I finished really. Also the ending is so hypocritical because –spoilers – Because the main character divorces her husband because he is moving countries for a new position at work and she refuses to move. However, “the love of her life” aka her soulmate is in another country and she goes to him?!?! Like I don’t get it.
Time Unknown: The Future, Year 7930?
“This is How You Lose the Time War” by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone
Genre: science fiction, action, fantasy
I really wanted to read this because a) spies and b) written by 2 authors and c) El-Mohtar is Canadian! However, perhaps my brain was still stuck on Ocean Vuong’s memoir, which I’ll get to in another blog post, but I barely understood this novel. It was so tricky to even think of the setting because it’s about time travel and things changed every chapter. Also, very little is revealed about the main characters which also changed often due to the time travel. Basically think about it like this, there are these 2 spies who eventually fall in love but their age, visual appearance, and the background setting change every single chapter. So I remained confused from the beginning to the end but the writing style was beautiful.
And that’s a wrap on my review on books I’m reading during quarantine. I’m really glad that I’ve been reading more historical fiction and trying to branch out in different genres. There seems to be a theme of reading few books on family in particular, which wasn’t planned.
Please feel free to recommend books to me. I’m so glad that so many people have reached out to me during this time about books they’re enjoying or suggesting new novels for me to read! It’s encouraging to see others trying new things 🙂
Gloria's Scribbles and Thoughts 