Bookworm: I Just Finished... The Woman in the Window, All We Ever Wanted, Before We Were Yours, This is Where it Ends, The Hate U Give, The Handmaid's Tale, and Wild (Back to School 2018)

The Woman in the Window by AJ Finn

Going into this one, I was expecting to be entertained in that typical mystery/thriller sort of way. I wasn’t wrong, but The Woman in the Window proved to be a little bit more than that. First off, it upped the quirk factor with an agoraphobic main character who spends her time online and spying on the neighbors. Her husband and daughter have left her. Stewing in her loneliness, she turns her attention to the neighbors and witnesses a murder. I enjoyed the suspense created by having an unreliable narrator. I’d recommend to anybody who enjoys fiction.

All We Ever Wanted by Emily Giffin

Probably my favorite thing about Emily Giffin is her ability to write “chick lit” that’s also smart. She never shies away from tough topics, and this novel is no exception. All We Ever Wanted centers around a private school scandal, in which a photo of a semi nude female student was posted alongside a racist caption. Alternating in perspectives from all angles of the #metoo movement, Giffin does what she does best in entertaining and educating without overwhelming. I’d recommend this book to all my female fiction loving friends.

Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate

Alternating between the then and now, I wasn’t sure I could get past the first modern day chapter of this book. I was immediately drawn to the past--life aboard a river shanty, no strings, but nothing to cling to. It didn’t take long for me to appreciate sticking with this one. The historical aspect is horrific, yet fascinating. My heart broke over and over, but I couldn’t put this one down. I’d recommend Before We Were Yours to pretty much anybody.

This is Where it Ends by Marieke Nijkamp

A young adult novel focused around a school shooting, This is Where it Ends was jarring at times. Deepening the emotion, the novel alternates in perspective between several sets of siblings as they move through the minutes of this massacre. This one felt real without being gratuitous, and I would recommend it to anybody who enjoys YA lit or trending fiction.

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

I’ve really enjoyed all of my recent reads, but The Hate U Give is a stand out. Centered around Starr, a teen who witnesses her childhood friend being shot by the police, this novel explores gang violence, race relations, police brutality, socioeconomic structure, and family dynamics. I loved how real it felt. Starr’s voice was so strong and authentic, I was sad to let her go at the end. I would highly recommend The Hate U Give to just about everybody. It’s a dose of perspective without feeling preachy.

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

I’ve been anxious to watch the series on Hulu, but it’s always my policy to read the book first. The Handmaid’s Tale is a disturbing look at the future. Women are forbidden to read and write, and once a month, Offred must lay down and attempt to become impregnated by the Commander. She is only valuable if she can reproduce. Definitely a cautionary tale, The Handmaid’s Tale is full of riveting imagery, and I loved how it made me think. Even though I’d highly recommend it, I’m not sure everybody would love this one. It will most likely appeal to fans of women’s fiction, dystopian tales, and those who like to be part of the literary fiction “conversation.”

Wild by Cheryl Strayed

I’ve wanted to read this one for a while, but then I saw most of the movie. I enjoyed it, so then I wondered if I really needed to read the book. I knew I did, but I put it off. And, I’m honestly sorry I waited so long. Even though I enjoy memoirs, I believe, in some ways, they are the toughest genre to write. It’s hard to edit your own story. It’s also hard to tell your own tale and keep listeners/readers engaged without sensationalizing. Cheryl, a young woman fresh off the loss of a mother, a battle with addiction, and the end of her marriage, seeks clarity on the Pacific Crest Trail. While I enjoy geography, I am by no means outdoorsy. Still, I fell into Wild. I loved
Cheryl’s honesty about her past. Specifically, the infidelities in her marriage and her anger at her mom’s passing tugged at me. This, contrasted against the challenges and beauty of the PCT and the characters she meets along the way, make for a truly satisfying memoir. I’d recommend it to pretty much anybody who enjoys nonfiction, especially those with a particular interest in the outdoors and self-discovery.