I'm Back!

 After a year long hiatus, a pandemic and a whole political movement since the last time I published to this blog - I am returning to review some books I read.

I will still keep my past posts up as a memoir/ documentation to the books I've read and loved - however I don't particularly like my review approach or writing. I have strengthened a lot as a writer in the last year from up keeping music reviews and various other articles, so now I feel I have a better array of vocabulary tools to better translate my emotions towards some of the literature I read. 

I adore reading nearly as much as I adore writing - so this outlet is very tailored to me. 

I first am going to list highlights of my 2020 reads, then what I plan to read in the near future (both copies I have bought and are sitting on my shelf, genres I want to explore and titles I have yet to purchase)

2020 Highlights ( favourite titles I read in 2020, not that they were released in 2020)

I will only discuss three or we will be here all day.

- The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

This was by far my favourite read of 2020, I went in to this book blindly - not knowing about the themes included, so you can imagine my delight when it ended up being a LGBTQ+ Contemporary. This book is so gripping, the execution of the storyline is done is such a structurally unique way. The twists and turns in this novel are beyond exciting. The book is mostly made up of dialogue, and is told through the relationship of a journalist and a Hollywood star - that may sound rigid or cliche but their relationship is so special.

- Circe by Madeline Miller

I won't lie, this didn't strike me so much at first - it felt very mediocre and straight after completing the book I didn't feel particularly moved by the story. BUT - months past and I found myself keep coming back to the story and remembering how well executed Madeline Miller made the story of Greek goddess Circe. This would fall under Historical Fiction. Which is a genre I do like, but also a genre I find really boring at times. Overall, this book adds a whole new dimension to the classic telling of the story of Circe. 

- Sadie by Courtney Summers

This is the BEST thriller I have read so far - I recommend going in to this book blindly without knowing much about the story line, so I will reserve the details. But if you love a revenge plot, a killer ending and themes of true crime - this book will not fail to meet your expectations. I can't wait to reread this.

To Be Read

On my shelf (copies I have purchased to read in the near future)

- Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo (Thriller/Dark Academia?)

- Sycthe by Neal Shusterman (Dystopian)

- Foul Is Fair by Hannah Capin (Revenge Thriller) TW

- The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern (Magic, Fantasy)

- My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell (Dark, Self Confronting Contemporary) TW

- Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller (Historical Fiction, LGBTQ+)

- The Idiot by Elif Batuman (Contemporary) 

- Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng. (Thrillerish contemporary) 

- The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab (Thriller/romance/fantasy/historical fiction)

- Daddy by Emma Cline (Short Story Collective)

Books I will purchase to read in the near future 

- The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman (Thriller??)

- The Girls by Emma Cline (Historical Fiction)

- The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett (Racism, Colourism, Contemporary) TW

- Outlawed by Anna North (Historical Fiction??)

- Felix Ever After (LGBTQ+ Contemporary) TW

For all others I will link my Goodreads account (the list is far too long) 

https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/108451080-holly-dolan?shelf=to-read