Happy Holidays! I can’t believe it is the week of Christmas. I am lucky enough that my in my day job we have a corporate shut down this week, so I can focus a little on me. Reading has slowed down significantly for me this month, but I am hoping to read a few more books over the next couple of weeks. I have been diving into 2021 books and I have to say I am super excited for the upcoming year. Here is my recap for my reading last week.
The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles – I received this ARC from NetGalley and loved this so much. I will be providing a longer review closer to publication date, but just know if you are looking for a different perspective on WWII this might hit the spot. Set in Paris, at the American Library of Paris, the author weaves a historical fiction novel about how the librarians crossed many lines to provide books and yes even helping to save people. Very good read about a topic I did not know about.
This Close to Okay by Leesa Cross-Smith – This is my second book from this author, and I grabbed it from Book of the Month because Whiskey and Ribbons was just so good. Cross-Smith starts this book when Emmett is about to jump off a bridge and Tallie, a psychologist, sees this happening and stops him. What comes of this is a weekend that they both never expected. They are both broken, and over 4 days, the author brings us deep, personal conversations. While this is difficult, it was a beautiful story, that left me hopeful.
The Last by Hanna Jameson – I picked this up on a whim, after listening to the Currently Reading Podcast. The host Meredith, raved about this dystopian novel, even as going as far as saying it is better than Station Eleven. When looking at the cover who do I see a blurb from, Emily St. John Mandel. I was looking forward to this treat, however when trying to compare it to such a great book like Station Eleven, you have to know those are very large shoes to fill, and this book definitely does not meet that. It was an end of the world story and it felt like almost every other story of this genre. It was fine, but be careful with these types of comparison. This book might have been better if there was no blurb from the author of one of the greatest dystopian novels ever.
I hope all of you are able to get some much needed, family time, relaxation and yes reading. Have a wonderful Holiday season, whatever you celebrate. Til next week…..
Obsessed Bookaholic 