MY 'BOOK OF THE MONTH' SHELF
Each month I will be choosing a Book of the Month!
You can find the chosen book in the 'Book of the Month' tab in the main menu and I will also include each month's book in this post, so that you can find them all in the one place.
Thanks,
SiSi x
JULY 2021
Honestly, this book might be a top read for 2021. I absolutely loved it!
The Authenticity Project is the perfect feel good and thought provoking read that everyone needs to read. It has the perfect vibes of Notting Hill and The Holiday and I just loved it.
THE AUTHENTICITY PROJECT BY CLARE POOLEY
JUNE 2021
This is the story of Achilles that you didn't know you needed. We get to know the mighty warrior a lot more than what is usually portrayed in his epic tales.
This is a great read for Greek Mythology, romance and adventure lovers.
THE SONG OF ACHILLES BY MADELINE MILLER.
MAY 2021
This is definitely in my top reads of 2021 so far, I absolutely loved it!
As an Irish girl from Kildare, who also studied at Trinity College Dublin, I connected with this book so much. The tone of voice and wit embodies Ireland and its people so well and reading this book really made me feel like I was home.
This is the perfect Sunday read, it will have you on the floor laughing, whilst also contemplating some big topics and you won't be able to put it down!
SNOWFLAKE BY LOUISE NEALON
APRIL 2021
Taylor Jenkins Reid does it again!
Honestly, can this woman write a bad book?! This was the April pick for one of the book clubs that I am in and I loved it! It is the perfect read for a lazy Sunday or being by the pool and you will fly through it.
Similar to The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Jenkins Reid fully immerses the reader in her world and I had to keep reminding myself this isn't a real story - that's how good the writing it!
DAISY JONES & THE SIX BY TAYLOR JENKINS REID
MARCH 2021
What a beautiful story. The best way I can describe The Walking People is that it is a cross between Brooklyn and Dominicana.
It is a timeless story of those who embark on journeys in search for a better life. From Ireland, to the Dominican Republic and beyond, there are countless families and generations who will relate deeply to this story.
THE WALKING PEOPLE BY MARY BETH KEANE
FEBRUARY 2021 I am going through a serious Greek mythology phase and just wow, absolutely loved this book! It exceeded expectations and I couldn't put it down. Not only did I learn so much about the Battle of Troy but discovering the roles that so many powerful and strong women had was so eye opening. I love the focus women are getting in literature recently, they finally have a place at the table for some of humanity's most historic moments. A THOUSAND SHIPS BY NATALIE HAYNES
JANUARY 2021
This book...honestly I feel no words can do it justice and it will be very hard for any book to live up to it for the rest of the year!
This is a beautiful and heart breaking story of love, loss, loyalty, sisterhood and more.
I honestly cried my eyes out after reading it and that never happens! So please just read it and have tissues ready, you won't regret it.
THE NIGHTINGALE BY KRISTIN HANNAH
DECEMBER 2020
I had been meaning to pick this up for ages but I'm actually really happy I read it when I did. I had been in a bit of a reading slump and this was the perfect read to get me out of that.
If you're looking for a fast read with strong characters then definitely pick this up. There's a lot more to it than I thought and I loved it as a result.
It's such an amazing debut from Reid and I can't wait to read more from her.
SUCH A FUN AGE BY KILEY REID
NOVEMBER 2020
This was our November book club book and I loved it! Not only is the book itself absolutely gorgeous but the writing is sensational.
If you're looking for a captivating and timeliness story that really has storytelling at its core, then this is definitely worth a read! The writing is so visual and atmospheric and the characters are excellent. I knew very little about Shakespeare's past but this book awakened a new interest and also solidified my love for historical fiction.
HAMNET BY MAGGIE O'FARRELL
OCTOBER 2020
This book is not for the faint-hearted. Not only is it a whopping 700 pages but the subject matter itself is heavy and hard to take sometimes.
However, it is definitely up there as one of the best books I have ever read. It addresses some very heavy issues around child abuse, rape, sexuality and identity crises - it's an emotional roller coaster to say the least! If you find these topics too hard to digest than I wouldn't recommend it as it's extremely graphic at times but it's hugely eye opening and beautifully written.
A LITTLE LIFE BY HANYA YANAGIHARA
SEPTEMBER 2020 This book just blew me away! I was scared to read it at first because there was so much hype about it but it exceeded all expectations. Jenkins Reid beautifully depicts what real life is like behind the glitz and glam of Hollywood and brings to light so many key topics that are still relevant today. This is a great read for everyone!
THE SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO BY TAYLOR JENKINS REID
AUGUST 2020
This is just a great laugh out loud and sometimes overly cheesy read!
It was exactly what I needed after reading some pretty heavy books and I absolutely adored it!
If you're looking for something light that will make you laugh, then this is the book for you. Sometimes the cheese a little over the top but it can be forgiven by how good the book is overall.
THE FLATSHARE BY BETH O'LEARY
JULY 2020
What a beautiful story! I had been meaning to read this for so long and it was so much better than I could have imagined.
This book gives some heart breaking insight into the life of Syrian refugees and the trials they have faced on their journey to freedom.
THE BEEKEEPER OF ALEPPO BY CHRISTY LEFTERI
JUNE 2020
We read this for our book club this month and I absolutely adored it! Also, it was the first time in months that everyone in the book club finished the book, so that's saying something!
Girl, Woman, Other is a witty, beautiful, educational and thought provoking book that follows 12 women's lives during different periods in the UK.
It is so well written and had me hooked from start to finish!
GIRL, WOMAN, OTHER BY BERNARDINE EVARISTO
MAY 2020 I read this book last year but considering all that is happening in the world right now in the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd, I wanted to hero this masterpiece. It is Jodi Picoult at her best. “You say you don’t see colour…but that’s all you see. You’re so hyperaware of it, and of trying to look like you aren’t prejudiced, you can’t even understand that when you say race doesn’t matter all I hear is you dismissing what I’ve felt, what I’ve lived, what it’s like to be put down because of the colour of my skin.”
SMALL GREAT THINGS BY JODI PICOULT