People Person by Candice Carty-Williams (★★★★☆)
Print • Owned (Barnes & Noble) • Contemporary Fiction • 2022
Short synopsis: At thirty, Dimple Pennington’s life feels stagnant—her influencer dreams fading, her relationship failing—until a dramatic event reunites her with her estranged half-siblings and forces them all to confront their shared history and absent father.
This novel has a low rating on Goodreads, and I understand why. But it felt almost tailor-made for me. This is about Dimple, who has been estranged from her father, though not really by her choice, and barely knows her four half-siblings. I was completely captivated by this messy, emotionally tangled family! Some of the siblings are desperate for their father’s love and approval, while others want nothing to do with him. I think the author captured the complexity of estrangement and deadbeat dads so well. Even when you know what’s good for you (setting a boundary), it’s hard to do that when it’s your own father and you want so badly to make him love you. It’s the oddest thing because you shouldn’t have to work so hard for a parent to love you, and yet, that’s what it’s like for so many of us. At times, Dimple’s people-pleasing tendencies could be frustrating because I just wanted her to see her dad for who he really was. But she had to come to terms with it herself, like so many of us with estranged parents do. All in all, I felt very seen with this book. I understand it won’t be for everyone, and I personally could have done without the final chapter, but overall, it was a solid and emotionally resonant read. (3.5 stars, rounded up.)
The Wedding Pact by Katee Robert (★★★★☆)
E-book • Libby • Contemporary Romance • 2016
Short synopsis: Carrigan O’Malley is bound to an arranged marriage for power, but one forbidden encounter with rival heir James Halloran leaves her wanting only him.
I’m rereading Katee Robert’s The O’Malley’s series, a dark romance centered around a crime family. I’m not usually one for dark romance, but for some reason, I really enjoyed this series and felt like rereading it. Carrigan and James have electric chemistry, and this book oozes sex appeal. I really loved Carrigan’s character: torn between loyalty to her family and her desire for a life of her own. James, of course, is the last man she should want—especially since he’s from a rival family. This was a fun, sexy romance, and I enjoyed every second of the ride.
How to Read a Book by Monica Wood (★★★★☆)
Audiobook • Hoopla • Contemporary Fiction • 2024
Short synopsis: After serving time for a tragic drunk-driving accident, Violet Powell crosses paths with retired teacher Harriet and grieving widower Frank in a Portland bookstore—an unexpected meeting that sparks healing and connection for all three.
It wasn’t until I downloaded this book to listen to that I realized it was about prison and incarceration. I struggle mightily with books on these topics—it is a huge trigger for me. But after hearing so much praise, I decided to give it a try. Am I glad I read this book? Yes. But did it affect my mental health? Also yes.
This book includes many scenes inside a women’s prison and follows Violet’s experience of reentering the world after incarceration. I think stories like these are so important. The American prison system and the way we treat formerly incarcerated people are deeply flawed—and that’s a big part of why this subject matter is so tough for me. My dad, after serving time when I was in middle school, once told me that he submitted 12 job applications. As a test, he didn’t mention his record on one application, and that was the only place that called him back for an interview. It doesn’t have to be this way. And it’s part of why recidivism remains such a problem: we don’t allow people to reintegrate into society in a useful way.
While I did struggle emotionally with parts of this book, it ultimately tells a story of survival, second chances, and hope. Some characters frustrated me and could’ve been written with more nuance, but the three main characters were easy to root for. I particularly appreciated the ending of this book, a powerful reminder that a person’s worst moment doesn’t define their whole life. This book gave me a lot to think about, and I’m glad I stuck with it despite the difficult themes. (3.5 stars, rounded up)
What are you reading?
Ooof, that last book!
Just reading the synopsis was tough. But like you say, it’s an important topic and seems to be well executed here.
Hurting someone in a car accident is another personal fear.
It’s one of my personal fears, too! It was hard to be in that character’s head at times, but I’m still glad I read the book.
How to Read a Book is on my summer TBR, and in fact I have it right now- a bunch of library holds all came through at the same time. But… I think I’m going to skip it. i just read another book about someone going to prison after killing someone in a car accident (talking about it on the blog tomorrow) and I think I’ve had enough of that subject for now. Plus, I have so many other things to read! Maybe I’ll come back to this one another time.
Oof, yeah. I definitely recommend passing on How to Read a Book for now since you just read a book about prison. It’s a heavy subject!
I am glad How to Read a Book worked for you despite the triggering subject. It was a really delightful book for me and I read it at just the right time when I needed a more gentle, uplifting read.
I just finished “Beautyland” which shouldn’t have worked for me since it has sci fi elements but I loved it! It’s light on the sci fi and more of a coming of age novel with beautiful reflections on what it is to be human. Now I am reading Everest Inc which is about the business of helping people climb mount everest and all the externalities that result from that. I heard about it on SBL and it sounded intriguing so I’m finally getting around to reading it after deferring the book multiple times!
Ooh yes, I remember Sarah talking about Everest, Inc on the blog! What an interesting concept for a book!
I liked How To Read a Book but didn’t love it. I think I rated it 4 stars? My biggest issue (shocking, I know) was the infidelity storyline and it gave me some gross feels on various levels (which I won’t discuss because #spoiler, but I’m sure you can guess). Anyhoo.
I’m currently reading The Heart of Winter and loving it so far! And I finished Happiness Falls the other day (and The Paris Express). The latter two were both 3.5+ star books for me.
Yeah, I wasn’t a huge fan of the infidelity plotline either and I don’t think it was necessary to the story. I would have preferred that it were left out!
Happiness Falls is such an interesting book. I think I gave it 4 stars.
Stephany Stephany STEPHANYYYYYYYY! We had a similar rating for How To Read A Book! I feel like we need to note this forever. I actually thought it might have been 3.5 for me as well but mine was 3. BUT WE WERE SIMILAR THIS NEVER HAPPENS!!!!
Congrats to us! This is a major accomplishment!
What a great variety of books! I recently read Mix Tape by Jane Sanderson; A change of habit by Sister Monica Clare, Westward Women by Alice Martin. Currently reading “A Truce that is not Peace, Miriam Toews memoir, and a bunch to be read that are due back to the library soon! I need to get cracking, half way through summer … sigh
I haven’t heard of any of these books! And yes, those dang library due dates. They get me every time!
The last book sounds actually quite interesting to me. I totally get though that it was emotionally tough for you to read.
I am trying to get out of a book slump and currently reading sailors tales and a wilderness book. I just can’t really stick to fiction these days. It is all boring and pointless and annoying. I guess my mind has its own drama right now.
I’m sorry you’re going through a book slumb – and a tough time. <3 Solidarity. I'm in the trenches with you right now.