Tuesday, March 1, 2022

Mini Book Reviews: February 2022

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. I received an ARC of Notes on Your Sudden Disappearance from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my review. 

I read some really good books this month, but there was one book that disappointed me. The School for Good Mothers (review belowwas a Read With Jenna book club selection with a lot of buzz. Jenna's books are usually a sure thing, and I waited a while for my turn to borrow it from the library, but this it just left me cold. I had one DNF as well, The Paris Bookseller, even though it was really well written, was not my kind of book. If you like classical literature and historical fiction, then you might enjoy it. 


In a dry spell with nothing on my TBR, I was looking for something to read. I don't know how this book previously escaped notice, but I'm so glad I found it at my library! Out of Love is the story of a breakup. The book starts at the end of the relationship and the grief the main character feels is devastating. In fact, it was so heartwrenching that I didn't know if I could continue. I went into it blindly and I wondered if the whole book was going to be a sob story. Interestingly as the book continues, the narrative travels back in time, ending at the beginning of the relationship. You know how it's going to end, but there is a lot of baggage to unpack as the author delves into their history, both as a couple and individually. She spins their story using gorgeous prose which the reader will want to savor as you go.  

In The School for Good Mothers, a mother is sentenced to a year in a government-sponsored mothering program after she is caught leaving her 3 year old daughter home alone. She's not allowed to communicate with anyone outside of the institution, including her daughter. Instead, she is forced to care for a life-like doll who is the same age as her daughter while being observed continuously. It's all very creepy and disturbing and after about halfway into the book, I'd had enough. The story started to get repetitive and boring. The 'skills' she was learning, constant reminders that she's a 'bad mom', and lack of communication with her daughter went against every fiber of my being. But maybe that's the point? Or maybe it's because I work with children that I found this so disturbing. 


I do love a good coming-of-age book and What the Fireflies Knew checked all the boxes. A young girl, KB, has to deal with the loss of innocence after the loss of her father and her mother 'goes away'. She and her sister are taken to stay for the summer with their grandfather, who they don't know. KB spends a lot of time alone. She watches her older sister flirt and more with boys. She tries to befriend the kids across the street but their mother won't let them play with her because she's black. KB finds solace in books, especially Anne of Green Gables. This is a wonderful book. The author captures the essence of a girl struggling with that changing perspective that comes with growing up. 


Honor is the story of forbidden love in modern-day India. When a young Hindi woman falls in love with a Muslim man, the consequences are severe. An Indian American journalist is there to cover the story. As she learns about the young Hindi woman's situation, she attempts to help her. Honor is really the story of both women--and a good reminder that for women in certain parts of the world, life is very hard. Umrigar's writing is, as always, exquisite. This was a heartbreaking story but one that I recommend everyone read. I've read several books by this author including one of my all-time favorite books, The Space Between Us., another story where she examines class divisions in Indian society. 


Another excellent coming-of-age book, Notes on Your Sudden Disappearance did not disappoint me. Sally is a young teenager who adores her older sister Kathy. When Kathy dies tragically, Sally has to grow up without the navigation that her older sister provided. Sally's parents leave her alone as they deal with their own grief. While the topic is sad, the book itself isn't as sad as you'd think. The story spans over 15 years with reflections back to Sally's childhood with Kathy and forwards into the future. The writing style is simply beautiful. This is such a good book and I took my time, savoring the story. Highly recommended. To be released on May 17. 



What have you read lately? Any thoughts on the books I've shared this month? Any recommendations? Naturally, all the books I had on hold at the library came in on the same day! I'll be doing a lot of reading over the next couple of weeks. Coming up: The Midnight Library, Black Cake, The Swimmers, and Wish You Were Gone.


I'm linking up with Kim and Zenaida for Tuesday Topics.





24 comments :

  1. What the Fireflies Know looks great. I just read a Jenna book though I didn't realise it was one till Cari saw it at the airport bookshop and sent me a photo - Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson, which I highly recommend out of my February reads.

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    1. I finally got Black Cake from the library. Finishing up The Midnight Library and that will be my next read!!

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  2. "Notes on your Sudden Disappearance" sounds wonderful!
    The "School for Good Mothers" however sounds really weird. Funny how sometimes recommendations fall flat.
    I have started to read "The Rise of the Ultrarunner". Oh my, like you said, such a good book! I guess it would be pretty boring for non-runners, but as a runner, everything he talks about is so relatable!

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    1. Idk, he's such a good writer--I almost think that book would appeal to anyone!

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  3. I got one of your reviews as an audible book to listen to on my drives -- the novel about the running club? Then I started a different book that was recommended in one of the online Yoga studios I belong instead. It takes me a long time to get through the audiobooks since I only listen while driving usually, & I have lots of credits!

    Honor sounds like it would be up my alley.

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    1. All Thrity Umrigar's books are amazing. Let me know if you read any of them.

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  4. These sound good! With the exception of The School for Good Mothers... I agree that it sounds disturbing. I don't like books where moms are separated from their kids. I'm waiting for some library holds to come in, but if they don't I'll have nothing when I finish my current book. I'm going to the library today- I'll see if I can find one of these!

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    1. What The Fireflies Knew and Out of Love are kind of under the radar. Which is a shame because they were so good. But you might have good luck finding them.

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  5. Honor sounds really good. Especially because as women, living in other parts of the world looks way different than us in the states.

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    1. It's always eye-opening reading some of these books! This one was a tough read, but really good.

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  6. I just finished my current stack and order the new Lucy Foley book "the Paris Apartment". I like a mystery thriller type book. I am impressed how many you can read in a month!

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    1. I need to get on the wait list for The Paris Apartment! I do have another thriller in my library holds--I hope I get to it before it expires!

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  7. Honor sounds like a really interesting book!
    As always, thanks for the great book reviews!

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  8. Wendy, I really enjoy and appreciate your book reviews. I have read several books from your previous reviews including two from your last one. Just finished two of them, "The Bright Side Running Club" and "The Unhoneymoomers"-agree with your recommendations. I also shared your book review list with my sisters this weekend when we all got together. So thank you!

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    1. Thank you so much!!! I'm always looking for book recommendations, so if you have any suggestions, let me know!

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  9. Great reviews! This just reminds me that the book I started while in Florida (ahem, two months ago) is still sitting on the ottoman in the family room. Obviously, I've been watching too much basketball, LOL

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  10. Thanks for these reviews! Out of Love sounds like a good one. I don't think I could handle The School for Good Mothers as the mom of a 3 year old!

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  11. Love your reviews. I always add them t my list... but I have too boos to read now...

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  12. Oh my! Lots of good books on this list. Added them to my list. Thanks.

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