Reading List

Catching up on some good (and not so good) reads.

Hi! Thanks to all of you who’ve subscribed, liked, and commented. Y’all are truly the best and I’m incredibly grateful. Now, how about some books? I’ve had a pretty good stretch of reading this spring so instead of picking just one I thought I’d tell you about all of them (Disclosure: I get commission for purchases made through links in this post):

Weyward by Emilia Hart
This one has so many elements I enjoy - women-centric, a little bit gothic and some low-level magic set in the real world. It’s the story of three generations of related women who are essentially witches - Kate, Altha and Violet. The weakest story is, by far, the modern day one which I really wish had been fleshed out more. Kate’s story is instead used as a device to connect the other stories and I never felt like I got to know or understand her. The story reminded me a bit of Diane Setterfield but the writing isn’t there yet. It’s a first novel, though, so I’m going to give it some grace and keep an eye on Emila Hart.

See also: The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield (I reviewed it here.)

Good Material by Dolly Alderton
Okay, this was great. I wasn’t super excited about a breakup story from a man’s point of view but I ended up really enjoying it. It’s genuinely funny, infuriating and also kind of sweet. You do get the woman’s viewpoint eventually, so if you started it and put it down, go back! The ending is kind of a, “oooh, fuck” as well, so I really recommend this one.

See also: Dolly Alderton’s Ghosts, which was fantastic (I reviewed it here.)

The Clergyman's Wife by Molly Greeley
Oh, lord, this book. I really enjoy well-written novels in the Austenverse and I’ve read this one a couple of times. It’s a quietly devastating novel about Elizabeth Bennet’s friend Charlotte and her marriage to Mr. Collins. It’s beautifully written and so nuanced. I mean, we all understand Charlotte’s choice (really, did she have one?) but the consequences are so sad and frustrating. If you’re an Austen fan, definitely pick this up.

See also: Longbourn by Jo Baker (reviewed here) and The Other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow (reviewed here)

Homecoming by Kate Morton
Homecoming is the story of a journalist in London who travels home to Australia to uncover a family mystery. This should have been so much better than it was. I’ve read and enjoyed quite a few Kate Morton novels but this one just didn’t land for me. It had a couple of minor plot holes, a subplot that’s completely dropped, a twist that I figured out way too early. But the real kicker was that I didn’t like either of the main characters. Meh. Also, it was just way, way too long. Even if you generally like Kate Morton, I’d skip this one.

The Hunter by Tana French
I saved the best for last. Y’all know I’m a big fan of Tana French and The Hunter is the sequel to her very excellent book, The Searcher. These two books are a departure from Her Dublin Murder Squad books but they have the same beautiful writing with a dark, unsettled edge. The Hunter continues the story of Cal, a retired detective from Chicago who’s moved to a small town in Ireland, and Trey, the teenager who he’s taken under his wing. I am about 2/3rd of the way through this and I’m trying to make it last because it’s just so freaking good. If you haven’t read the first one, start there.

See also: French’s The Searcher (reviewed here) or my favorite, In The Woods (reviewed here.)

That’s the list! Please tell me what you’re reading or recommend something you recently read and loved.