For the Love of Books | Currently Reading November 2020

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The Guest List by Lucy Foley: I’m not usually a fan of a whodunnit murder mystery, but I saw this title recommended on several book blogs.

When the story begins, the reader doesn’t know who the victim will be. As it turned out, the victim is a horrible character and I had zero sympathy for their violent end. Not in a well, they deserved it kind of way, nor in a good riddance kind of way; more of a I can see why any number of people might want to kill them kind of way.

I liked how each character had their own voice throughout the book, and the way it all tied together at the end was well done, although I did feel a slight twinge of unease. 

What I underlined: “But that’s nostalgia for you, the tyranny of those memories of childhood that feel so golden, so perfect.”

If I Never Met You by Mhairi McFarlane: The first thing to say is that the author’s first name is apparently pronounced Vah-Ree. You’re welcome. 🙂 This is another title I saw recommended and I hadn’t read anything by this author before.

It took me a while to get into but after a few chapters, I loved it (and quite fancied Jamie myself (you know, in another fictional life)) and I couldn’t put it down, reading far too late into the night. When I got to the last page, I put it down for a day or two and then picked it up and started reading it again.

What I underlined: “Those who said family mattered above all else were wrong. People you love, who love you back, matter above all. Crap people you happen to be related to: you need to stop thinking you owe them a limitless number of chances to hurt you.” (Amen to that.)

After I’d finished the second reading, I picked up You Had Me At Hello, McFarlane’s 1st book. It’s a classic what-happens-when-the-one-that-got-away-comes-back and I loved it! Ben is a lovely character and the sort of would-be-boyfriend that I should have had when I was 21. 🙂

What I underlined: “Do nothing and nothing happens. Life is about decisions. You either make them or they’re made for you, but you can’t avoid them”.

“I knew I did from that first moment we met. It was … not love at first sight exactly, but – familiarity. Like: oh, hello, it’s you. It’s going to be you. Game over.”

Nine Women, One Dress by Jane L. Rosen: This is a heartwarming story about a very special dress. I loved reading about the journey of this beautiful black piece. It helps where it should and it brings the wearers what they deserve in life. It begins with a man who had an extraordinary career as a pattern maker, then it changes everything for the model who has the chance to wear it, it travels to Bloomingdales, it enables a man who’s lost his wife to fall in love again, it has its debut on Broadway, it’s the star of a popular Instagram account, it ends up in an airport mix-up etcetera. Every woman who wears it has a captivating story to tell. Definitely on of my favourites reads of 2020.