The Daughter's April Reads

I love these spring months and it has brought renewed vigor into my reading life! Even though my social life was insanely busy this month, I was able to read a bunch of great books so read on to find out more!

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This book was proposed to me as the snappy little sister to All The Light We Cannot See, however I did not find this to be the case. Mary, Tom, And Alistair had destiny on their side when they were thrust together during the beginnings of WWII in London. Although their individual journeys take them in three completely different directions, this book follows all three of them.

I really had a difficult time with the constant use of derogatory and inappropriate words and racial slurs. I didn't think that their inclusion brought any added depth to the story and quite honestly for me, made the book worse. I found the ending unsatisfactory both in character arcs and in lack of substance.

Do you ever read a book and instinctively know that your rating of the book is going to fluctuate? I know I will reread this one and have different feelings each time!

Queenie is a journalist, a girlfriend, a daughter and granddaughter, and much more...but when her long term boyfriend evicts her from their apartment and wants to "take a break", her life starts to spiral downwards. This book was like a black Bridget Jones's Diary but much darker, honest, and inclusive. I like the narrative voice and this was a quick read! I often had a hard time with this books dark content though. However, I appreciated the honesty and overall articulation of these horrific events and topics to the page.

To achieve her greatest destiny, the monk Zhu will stop at nothing and no one. This story is epic, tragic, glorious, magical, and heartbreaking!

A boy and a girl are starving to death in their village in 1345 China. When the boy dies, the girl captures his destiny as Zhu Chongba. She then begins her fated destiny by entering a monastery as this boy, but our story only get better from this point.

I really love how the author tied in ghosts and life beyond death - I always love those part of books! I wrote down MANY quotes from this book because it was so beautifully written. I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars!

I could not read this book fast enough! Angst, rage filled, domestic noir, and dark humor.

Lucy and Jake have two kids and seemingly have a normal, complacent life. Lucy has given up work and her PhD to raise their children and support Jake in his science career. But then a strange man leaves Lucy a voicemail about her husband, Jake...and how this stranger's wife is having an affair with Jake.

WOW - this book rocked me! I was constantly stopping my own husband because I needed to vent about how I felt and what I was reading. Lucy and Jake have MANY issues but I absolutely loved feeling Lucy's visceral feelings toward the entire situation, her husband, her children, and much more. 5 out of 5 stars!

Emma Caan replicates famous artworks for her company but is specifically requested by Lenny Sobestsky, a super rich Russian art dealer, to do work for him. After years of work for Sobestsky, Emma is offered a job solely for him and a famous gallerist. But Emma has her own unfinished past and disillusionment to combat as the story develops.

It wasn't very good but it wasn't terrible either, you know what I mean? I was just mildly bored the entire time. Her narrative voice was not as strong as her first book, The Boys' Club. I was disappointed! Just an overall lack of substance for me and if I am bored while reading, it's a no from me.

A Greek well-known sculptor has chiseled a beautiful statue of a woman. He prays to the gods and this beautiful statue is granted the gift of life, and the sculptor claims her as his wife. But she wants her own life and independence.

This author's writing is above and beyond! These pages flew by and I wanted to go re-read Song of Achilles again because of it!

Obsessive husband, yearning for independence, doctors and nurses controlling lives, and so much more! I love how Miller tells stories of desperation and true human experiences in such an interesting and endearing way. The added aspect of mother-daughter relationships is something I always like to read in stories!

You all know I'm a sucker for mythology...and WOW did this Norse mythology retelling fit the bill!

Angrboda, previously known throughout the world as powerful witch Fullvieg, escapes her burning by Ovid and becomes a recluse in a cave. She is found by a man called Loki, and our story evolves when she reluctantly falls in love with him.

But don't mistake this story as girl-meets-boy romance! I would categorize the romance mostly hanging between Angrbody, her friends, and her children. Such a wonderful, heartbreaking story! This book is unforgettable the same way Circe was for me! 5 out of 5 star rating for me!