Here’s a review of a few of the books I read in December and January!
First up is Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom. This book was a step outside of my usual romance book, but I knew enough about it to be excited to read it. It wasn’t too long, which is good since I get annoyed when a book is just repeating the same ideas in fancier words over and over. It follows the author, Mitch, as he reunites with his favorite professor from college, Morrie Schwartz (props to him for basically sharing my last name). Morrie is dying and despite that, he’s still living a life I’d argue to be better than many people. I found the thoughts of both Morrie and Mitch to be incredibly interesting. One of the reviews I read of this book claimed that it “Leaves a mark on the reader’s heart and soul,” with other reviews agreeing in similar dramatic fashion. I disagree with this, since this book did not in fact alter the course of my life, but some of the things Morrie said are the kind of things that make me happy to be alive, and I think that’s one of the best things anyone can get out of a book. Tuesdays With Morrie is thought-provoking and insightful, and I would sincerely recommend it to anyone I think might enjoy a bit of philosophy.
On a completely different note (and genre), is Powerless by Lauren Roberts. I am easily influenced. When I see a hundred people online talking about a book, I generally move it to the top of my endless TBR. I read Powerless with this exact motivation. The beginning took me a bit, but once the plot progressed it was my favorite type of fantasy book. As far as tropes go I would call it enemies to lovers, and the dynamic between the two main characters was written so well. I absolutely loved it, and I would give it a matching four or five star rating, if it weren’t for one, single, thing. The main male character (MMC), the love interest, and the central figure of this book was just awful? I mean I can understand morally gray, but this wasn’t even. He was just a horrible guy. Occasionally, it was hard to believe he was a horrible guy because he was so good with the female main character, but still every time he did anything cute I remembered every despicably awful thing he’d done. He was also kind of a coward and I didn’t like that either. As far as recommendations go I would recommend it to people who like this kind of fantasy book, because in the end it’s just fiction and not that deep, but as for my own personal rating there’s other books I’d rather reread than this.
Not as popular, but still relatively known is Binding 13 by Chloe Walsh. I put this book on hold at the library months ago. By the time I finally picked it up, I had forgotten what prompted me to read it. The book, in all, was interesting? I think that’s the best way to put it. Despite the ridiculous amount of sports romance I read, I’ve never encountered rugby before, so that was fun. The book is set in Ireland; it features Irish slang, sports, and names. I didn’t love the plot or particularly connect with the characters, but I wasn’t bored either. It follows a workaholic rugby star and a girl with a tragic living situation. It ended on a cliff hanger and I’m still not sure if I should read the next book, but as far as this book goes it wasn’t bad.
I’ll be back with more reviews soon!