5 Star Reads of 2024 (so far)
Weyward by Emilia Hart
This was Emilia Harts FIRST NOVEL?? There is simply no way. I have NO NOTES. It is WITCHY, there are BUGS, it is all about FEMALE EMPOWERMENT. Need I say more?
I truly love each one of these women in their own way;
Altha, friend of the century, such a quiet and gentle strength, an incredible role model.
Violet, a girl after my own heart. Just let her play with bugs and get muddy outside! So full of life and adventure, I feel the most kinship with her and would love to know her even though it feels like I already do.
Kate, my dear sweet Kate. Watching you find your way was so comforting and rewarding to see.
Nothing but maggots and death for Frederick, Rupert and fucking Simon. (Though I think I hate Frederick the most)
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Farmus
How I love being a woman. New role model alert and her name is Elizabeth Freaking Zott, with an honorable mention of Mad Zott. I felt this book in my bones. Woman throughout time have encountered the same kind of misogynistic, ignorant, unfounded, horrible discrimination, underestimation, sexual harassment, and belittling. The unyielding strength Elizabeth has through all of her struggles is a testament to a woman who sees all of these obstacles but knows they are wrong, so she fights. Her strength comes from within but also from the female friendships around her, and being a mother and role model. I just frickin love her!
And the writing style? The constant oscillation in time and from narrator to narrator keeps you so invested and has such a beautiful way of connecting the storylines, you simply can't put it down. It's unexpected, delightful, hope giving, witty, and downright fun.
These characters and stories will stay for me long after I closed the book. Especially you, Six Thirty.
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
I love magical, wondrous, captivating, beautiful stories, and this is one of them. The characters are peculiar and delightful and so wonderfully crafted that I feel like they are real and not just figments of someones imagination. I just want to put Sal in my pocket and protect him til the end of my days, Lucy is such a little pipsqeak of a killer with a secret heart of gold, and Theodore!! How can a character say and be so much while doing so little. The quippy conversations that Klune includes in all of his writing is very Amy Sherman-Palladino-esqe and it makes the book so fun to read.
Not only are the characters amazing but the message is beautiful, the pacing is perfect, and you just truly fall head first in a magical world. My favorite of his works so far.
The Wish by Nicholas Sparks
Truly don't know what to say other than I am DRAINED. Emotionally, physically, spiritually. This book tore me to PIECES and Mr Sparks is an incredible author, when a middle aged man can write a pregnant teen like he can, you might wonder if perhaps he has lived multiple lives. Don’t want to give anything away with this one, but be prepared with tissues.