December seems worlds away, doesn’t it? I have all this New Year Energy that I hope won’t wear off anytime soon. Yet I don’t want to get too far into January without talking about some of the great books I read last month. It was another fiction-heavy reading month, but there was a lot of variety: romance, ghost story, family drama, as well as a few nonfiction picks, including poetry and a great memoir.
Here’s my reading recap for December.
Accessible, Relatable Poetry Collection
What Kind of Woman by Kate Baer. I don’t read a lot of poetry. It often feels too over my head, and mostly I just want a good story. But I kept hearing so many good things about this collection from Kate Baer that when I saw it on a Kindle deal I wanted to give it a try. I’m so glad I did! Baer’s poetry is accessible and relatable, and I was so amazed with the way she managed to sum up womanhood and motherhood in her short but poignant poems. I think anyone who wants to try poetry but feels a bit hesitant should pick this one up. My rating: 4.5/5 stars.
Memoir about Messy Family Relationships
Somebody’s Daughter by Ashley C. Ford. I loved Ford’s memoir of her life and the relationships that shaped her. She writes about her complicated relationship with her mother, and how she felt her father’s love reach her despite him being away in prison. It was touching, authentic, and difficult at times, yet relatable as well. My rating: 4/5 stars.
Dark yet Steamy Romance
Seven Days in June by Tia Williams. Eva is a bestselling erotic fiction writer and single mom; Shane is a writer too, known for his reclusive, yet reckless ways. The two met in high school when they spent an unforgettable seven days together—but haven’t seen each other since. When Shane shows up unexpectedly at an author event Eva is attending, both their lives are changed. This romance was so much more than I expected—it was dark and didn’t shy away from more sensitive topics. Both main characters are battling serious demons and I thought the author handled them with care. At the same time, there were several spicy scenes that turned the temperature UP! My rating: 4/5 stars.
Fascinating True Story of a Cult
Don’t Call it a Cult by Sarah Berman. I remember hearing a little about the Nexivm cult a couple of years ago, and cults fascinate me in general, so when I heard about this book I immediately wanted to read it. Written by a journalist, it’s about Kieth Raniere and the women who followed him. From the outside, Nexivm promised empowerment and the tools to succeed, and gave the impression that it was led by women and for women. On the inside what was happening was a lot more twisted, and Berman’s account is riveting. If you’re interested in cults and cult-culture, I recommend this for sure! My rating: 4/5 stars.
An Amusement Park Ghost Story
Joyland by Stephen King. Ever since reading 11/22/63 a couple of years ago I’ve been wanting to read more of King’s non-horror writing, and I’m glad I picked this one up. Joyland is set in 1973 at a small hometown amusement park called (of course) Joyland, and it’s about Dev, who spends an unforgettable summer working there. It has elements of mystery and a bit of a ghost story, but it’s mostly the story of how Dev is changed by his experiences—both good and bad—during that Joyland summer. If you want to read Stephen King but don’t want something scary, I think this would be a great choice (and it’s excellent on audio too). My rating: 4/5 stars.
A Layered Family Drama
The Arsonists’ City by Hala Alyan. This was a layered family story with drama and secrets, so basically it was right up my alley. The characters are richly developed, and I loved their complex and entangled relationships—especially the sibling relationships. I did enjoy it, although it took me longer than I expected to read it. It didn’t feel slow-paced, yet my overtired brain struggled a little, I think because it was right before the holidays. It’s one I still find myself thinking about it though, so I’m really glad I read it. My rating: 4/5 stars.
A Character-Driven Mystery
The Nature of the Beast by Louise Penny. This is the eleventh book in the Chief Inspector Gamache mystery series, which I’ve been reading one book a month from since October. The one I read in November was a bit of a let-down, but thankfully this one restored my faith in this series that I’ve grown to love. It’s about a boy who goes missing, a giant gun, and how Gamache navigates helping with an investigation as a newly retired former Chief Inspector. I love this series, but definitely recommend reading them in order. My rating: 4/5 stars.
A Novel about Secrets and Life-Changing Choices
The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller. At its heart, The Paper Palace is the story of a woman who spends her life questioning her choices, and about a choice she makes one summer night that may unravel her life completely. It packs such a punch. It’s dark and doesn’t shy away from trauma, but it’s also filled with tender moments. I struggled to like many of the characters, and yet I felt extremely wrapped up in their stories. It’s one I know I’ll be thinking about for a while. My rating: 4/5 stars.
New Year-Themed Rom Com
This Time Next Year by Sophie Cousens. This was such a fun rom com, and I loved the New Year theme. It’s about Minne and Quinn, who were born just minutes apart on New Year’s Day in a London Hospital. They seem to come from different worlds, yet after years of missed connections they finally meet one New Year’s Day. It was lighthearted and sweet, but it also made me laugh out loud at times. It was the perfect read for the holiday season, when life is busy and my brain couldn’t handle anything too heavy or complex. My rating: 3.5/5 stars.
Did you read anything good recently?
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