All the books I love

…and some I don’t

My absolute favourite book of all time. This one is a bit controversial in the sense that there are lots of conflicting views around it. It’s impossible to be indifferent about this one – I’ve found that people either adore it or despise it. 

It’s a book that I rarely (if ever) recommend on a random one. You sort of have to come to the decision to read this on your own as the content is ridiculous.

It’s also HUGE. Like this is a commitment and a half. But I still got to the end wishing there was more. The story is relentless…and be warned that there isn’t really any reprieve from the pain. Despite all this, in my opinion, this book is perfect.

My friend whose taste I trust wholeheartedly recommended this to me. Now I pass on the favour to everyone else.

Easy 5 star read!

My second favourite book of all time. A Love so pure and vulnerable my heart aches whenever I think about it. And that’s without consideration of all the context and the plot. 

I’d just finished my favourite book of all time (as above) and picked Beale Street as my next read. The first book you choose after you’ve read what you know will forever be the best book you’ve ever read is a risky game. Most of the time you’ll be disappointed by what follows and fall into a slump of sorts. But oh my god am I pleased I settled on this one.

A billion stars.

3 and a half stars! This book sent me down lots of different paths. For a sizeable chunk I was actually quite bored. But overall this book was truly beautiful in both its content and its message. 

While reading endlessly about a cow a cat and a dog might seem boring, it is pretty much right up my street. 

‘The only creature in the forest that can really do right or wrong is me. And I alone can show mercy’

Really enjoyed this! 4*. Not as good as the other books of hers I’ve read. 

Saying this, I pretend I’ve finished Half of a Yellow Sun when in reality it’s been sat on my bedside table half read for months. I do know that when I get round to finishing it, I’ll like it like it more than this one.

Nothing perfect about this. A Failed attempt at social commentary? Enough with the house plants. Maybe it’s just so millennial I can’t wrap my head around it. Feels outdated, bored and uninspired. Seriously, tell me something I don’t know about apathetic people. Also the use of expat in the blurb annoyed me from the get go. 

Crucially, I got this text from ibou (swipe to second slide) .. this told me all I needed to know. 

Imma be harsh and say 2 stars.

Another 5 stars (this is a bit of a habit of mine).

The criticism of this book is why I think I love it so much. Her problems are basically non existent and the ones she has she creates for herself. And then catastrophises them beyond reason. But I think this is a universal experience! especially when you are young. And so this is why I loved it so much – ridiculous yet relatable.

A Certain Smile, the second novel by Françoise Sagan. 

‘I had shed a lot of weight, hoping vaguely that I would fall seriously ill and that Luc would come and sob at my deathbed’

Again, something about being 20 and the ability to write about being 20 is done so well because she was 20? I read the majority of this one in a park waiting for Issa to arrive. An easy and enjoyable read. 

4 star!