The Goldfinch, Donna Tartt

Apart from the fact that it’s a best-selling book, I was really drawn to the plot line of The Goldfinch. With the terrible events that happen every day all over the world, this kind of spoke to me in some way and I wanted to see where it would lead me. As a whole, I think I liked the book as it deals with a great variety of topics. There were some very long parts that lost me from time to time, and I admit I should have been more committed to this one (it took me such a long time to get to the end of this story) because I’m sure I would have liked it better and gotten hooked all along.

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, Marie Kondo

I know you’re probably tired of hearing about this book, but I honestly read it in anticipation of me moving out and I must say there were some really good points. As a hoarder, it sure helped me to get rid of a lot of clothes and probably a lot of things I still have to go through like old notes from high school and such. I also loved the tips about folding clothes and adopted her method for my tops and jeans. I really don’t believe in talking to my things, though, but whatever works for you!

Forever, Interrupted, Taylor Jenkins Reid

Now this is the kind of book that I can devour SO fast. It’s romance and drama at its best and although it can be described as an easy read, I really felt a strong connection between the characters whose emotions were palpable and honest. The storyline isn’t the most joyful as the main character loses her recent husband at the beginning of the novel; but we jump back in time regularly and it allows the reader to get to know Ben (which seems too good a guy to be real, let’s be honest haha) and understand the character’s relationships.

The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender, Leslye Walton

I think I’ve never read a book that odd. I’m not used to reading magical realism / fantasy books so I was a bit thrown by the genre. I picked this up in Waterstones during my trip to London last year as it was a staff recommendation and, I admit, the cover was utterly pretty! To me, it’s a book about heartbreak, about being different and being brave. The story follows three generations of women – Ava, Ava’s mother, Ava’s grandmother – and each of these women has a strong personality that resonates throughout the whole book. The fantasy lies in Ava being born with a pair of wings and we discover how it affects her life as the story goes. It’s a great read in my opinion if you can get past the winged human and all that.