My reading year is off to a great start! My goal is to read 36 books this year, and quarter 1 is slightly ahead; I read 10 books instead of 9. In the first 3 months of 2022, I read historical fiction, dystopian, non-fiction, and romance. Let’s get into the books!
All 2022 Recent Reads posts | All Recent Reads posts | All books posts
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When Christ and His Saints Slept by Sharon Kay Penman – “A.D. 1135. As church bells tolled for the death of England’s King Henry I, his barons faced the unwelcome prospect of being ruled by a woman: Henry’s beautiful daughter Maude, Countess of Anjou. But before Maude could claim her throne, her cousin Stephen seized it. In their long and bitter struggle, all of England bled and burned” (x).
This was a reread and, once again, I really enjoyed it. It takes place in the time of the Anarchy and ends with Henry II becoming king. Like all of Penman’s books, it’s a really good read and it’s gripping, but if you’re not really a historical fiction fan, you might not enjoy it.
2021 Recent Reads: October-December
Prophecy by S. J. Parris – “It is the year of the Great Conjunction, when the two most powerful planets, Jupiter and Saturn, align – an astrological phenomenon that occurs once every thousand years and heralds the death of one age and the dawn of another. The streets of London are abuzz with predictions of horrific events to come, possibly even the death of Queen Elizabeth. When several of the queen’s maids of honor are found dead, rumors of black magic abound. Elizabeth calls upon her personal astrologer, John Dee, and Giordano Bruno to solve the crimes. While Dee turns to a mysterious medium claiming knowledge of the murders, Bruno fears that something far more sinister is at work. But even as the climate of fear at the palace intensifies, the queen refuses to believe that the killer could be someone within her own court. Bruno must play a dangerous game: Can he allow the plot to progress far enough to give the queen the proof she needs without putting her, England, or his own life in danger? In this utterly gripping and gorgeously written novel, S. J. Parris has proven herself the new master of the historical thriller” (x).
This is the second in a trilogy, and honestly it was kind of disappointing. There’s nothing wrong with it, but I liked the first in the trilogy better, and even then I didn’t love it. I mean, I still read it, but I don’t necessarily recommend it unless you’ve read the first in the trilogy and you loved it.
2021 Recent Reads: July-September
The Vatican Princess: A Novel of Lucrezia Borgia by C. W. Gortner – “With the ascension of the Spaniard Rodrigo Borgia as Pope Alexander VI, a new era has dawned in Rome. Benefitting from their father’s elevation are the new pope’s illegitimate children – his rival sons, Cesare and Juan, and beautiful young daughter, Lucrezia – each of whom assumes an exalted position in the papal court. Privileged and adored, Lucrezia yearns to escape her childhood and play a part in her family’s fortunes. But Rome is seductive and dangerous: Alliances shift at a moment’s notice as Italy’s ruling dynasties strive to keep rivals at bay. As Lucrezia’s father faces challenges from all sides, the threat of a French invasion forces him to marry her off to a powerful adversary. But when she discovers the brutal truth behind her alliance, Lucrezia is plunged into a perilous gambit that will require all her wits, cunning, and guile. Escaping her marriage offers the chance of happiness with a passionate prince of Naples, yet as scandalous accusations of murder and incest build against her, menacing those she loves, Lucrezia must risk everything to overcome the lethal fate imposed upon her by her Borgia blood” (x).
This was another one of those books that was good, but I don’t think you’d like it unless you like historical fiction. And there are sooooo many trigger warnings: sexual assault, attempted sexual assault, murder, attempted murder, incest, abuse, and more. If you know anything about the rumors that surrounded the Borgia’s, none of that will be surprising, but if you will be triggered by any of it, don’t read this book.
Overall, I enjoyed this book, but I will say that something that really bothered me was that the author didn’t have to lean into every/most rumors around the Borgias.
Content warning discussion: Incest, Sexual Assault | In this book, the author has Lucrezia be assaulted by one of her brothers, leading to a pregnancy that comes to term, and has another one of her brothers be obsessed with her, also in an incest-y way. Not only was neither of these needed (historians agree that most of these rumors were just rumors designed to discredit the family) but the author didn’t have to lean in to both of them. Just one of them would have been enough, and even then it would have been too much. | End content warning
Of all the books in this post, I wouldn’t really suggest you read this. There are better historical fiction novels in this post.
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley – “Set in London in the year AD 2540 (632 A.F.—”After Ford”—in the book), the novel anticipates developments in reproductive technology, sleep-learning, psychological manipulation, and classical conditioning that combine profoundly to change society […] What if the future was a tyranny, but one cleverly [sic] person intended to keep the mass of society unaware of this? The people would be provided with several distractions, daily life would be ruled by sex and drugs, and pervasive mass media would suppress the possibility of any original thought: in such a society the ruling elite would not need to fear any kind of rebellion” (x).
I really, really enjoyed this book! Way more than I liked 1984. The story of it grabbed me, but the world building did way more. Technology is god and if you’re not like the others then you’re weird … sounds very plausible.
Another indicator that I liked this is that I would reread this book but I have no interest in rereading 1984.
17 Classic Novels Worth Reading
I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith – “In this coming of age story, Dodie Smith introduces the visionary and eccentric character of seventeen-year-old Cassandra Mortmain. The youngest daughter in a family of impoverished artists, it is her imagination and writing that takes us away from the ramshackle old English castle where they live, and towards an intriguing tale of husband-hunting and light-hearted sibling rivalry. With the arrival of their new landlords, the impossibly handsome and wealthy American brothers, Neil and Simon Cotton, the Mortmains are roused from their stupor and moved to action. Despite developing feelings for the younger of the two brothers, Cassandra’s beautiful sister, Rose, plots to marry the eldest heir in a desperate attempt to escape the poverty which surrounds her. When Cassandra finds herself falling in love for the very first time with the same man as her sister, she explores her mixed emotions through her writing, making this a story which revels in irony and ambiguity” (x).
Cute! I’m definitely not the target audience so I didn’t enjoy this as much as I would have if I read it 10-15 years ago, but it was still a good time.
2021 Recent Reads: January-March
So You Want To Talk about Race by Ijeoma Oluo – “Protests against racial injustice and white supremacy have galvanized millions around the world. The stakes for transformative conversations about race could not be higher. Still, the task ahead seems daunting, and it’s hard to know where to start. How do you tell your boss her jokes are racist? Why did your sister-in-law hang up on you when you had questions about police reform? How do you explain white privilege to your white, privileged friend? In So You Want to Talk About Race, Ijeoma Oluo guides readers of all races through subjects ranging from police brutality and cultural appropriation to the model minority myth in an attempt to make the seemingly impossible possible: honest conversations about race, and about how racism infects every aspect of American life” (x).
Ohhhhh my goodness. You have to read this book.
I as a whole have a harder time reading nonfiction than I do reading fiction … but not this book. Each chapter is based around a concept or idea that a white person (or maybe at least a non-Black person) would wonder about. Why is it not okay to touch Black people’s hair? What’s the deal with affirmative action? Those questions and more like them are the basis for each chapter. The chapters are easy-to-understand and engaging. I would say this is an essential read for my fellow white people!
2020 Recent Reads: October-December
Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone by Diana Gabaldon – “It is 1779, and Claire and Jamie are at last reunited with their daughter, Brianna, her husband, Roger, and their children on Fraser’s Ridge. Having the family together is a dream the Frasers had thought impossible. Yet, even in the North Carolina backcountry, the effects of war are being felt. Tensions in the Colonies are great, and local feelings run hot enough to boil Hell’s teakettle. Jamie knows loyalties among his tenants are split, and it won’t be long until the war is on his doorstep. Brianna and Roger have their own worry: that the dangers that provoked their escape from the 20th century might catch up to them. Sometimes, they question whether risking the perils of the 1700s – among them disease, starvation, and an impending war – was indeed the safer choice for their family. Not so far away, young William Ransom is still coming to terms with the discovery of his true father’s identity – and thus his own – and Lord John Grey has reconciliations to make, and dangers to meet…on his son’s behalf and his own. Meanwhile, the Revolutionary War creeps ever closer to Fraser’s Ridge. And with the family finally together, Jamie and Claire have more at stake than ever before” (x).
AHHHHHH FINALLY OUTLANDER BOOK NINE!!!!!!!
Okay, now that we’ve gotten that out of the way … yes, I loved it. I think it’s my new favorite book in the series. It’s hard to say more about the book without giving away the whole series, so I’m going to stop there. Just know that a) I love Outlander and b) I absolutely loved this book.
The Best Audiobooks I’ve Listened To
A Touch of Darkness by Scarlett St. Clair – “Persephone is the Goddess of Spring by title only. The truth is, since she was a little girl, flowers have shriveled at her touch. After moving to New Athens, she hopes to lead an unassuming life disguised as a mortal journalist. Hades, God of the Dead, has built a gambling empire in the mortal world and his favorite bets are rumored to be impossible. After a chance encounter with Hades, Persephone finds herself in a contract with the God of the Dead and the terms are impossible: Persephone must create life in the Underworld or lose her freedom forever. The bet does more than expose Persephone’s failure as a goddess, however. As she struggles to sow the seeds of her freedom, love for the God of the Dead grows – and it’s forbidden” (x).
Okay, so first thing you need to know is that this is definitely a romance novel. There’s a LOT of sex. I’m slowly but surely getting over the internalized misogyny that tells me that romance novels aren’t worth it (after all, any book you like reading is worth it). Sometimes I want to read a book that has a love story as the main drama!
Now that I’ve gotten that out of the way, it’s a really really good book! I was drawn to it because of the retelling of the Greek myths, and it also has 2 of my favorite tropes: enemies-(ish)-to-lovers and everyone can tell that one half of the couple adores the other … except the other person can’t see it. But what I really enjoyed is that it’s set in a modern world with cell phones and social media, a version in which gods are real (obviously) and are also treated as celebrities.
Since reading this book, I’ve read the 2nd in the trilogy, and I’m putting off reading the 3rd because once I read it the trilogy is over.
2020 Recent Reads: July-September
The Cavendon Luck by Barbara Taylor Bradford – “It is 1938 in England, and Miles and Cecily Ingham have lead the family in bringing the Cavendon estate back from the brink of disaster. But now, with the arrival of World War II, Cavendon Hall will face its biggest challenge yet. It is a challenge that will push the Inghams and Swanns to protect each other and the villagers, and reveal their true capacity for survival and rebirth” (x).
This is the 3rd in the Cavendon series, which I reviewed in the last Recent Reads post. This book takes place during World War II, starting just before it starts and ending shortly after the war ends. It’s super good, but you really do need to read the other ones in the series to get this one. If you liked Downton Abbey, though, you should read this series!
All the Ways We Said Goodbye by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, and Karen White – “France, 1914. As war breaks out, Aurelie becomes trapped on the wrong side of the front with her father, Comte Sigismund de Courcelles. When the Germans move into their family’s ancestral estate, using it as their headquarters, Aurelie discovers she knows the German Major’s aide de camp, Maximilian Von Sternburg. She and the dashing young officer first met during Aurelie’s debutante days in Paris. Despite their conflicting loyalties, Aurelie and Max’s friendship soon deepens into love, but betrayal will shatter them both […] France, 1942. Raised by her indomitable, free-spirited American grandmother in the glamorous Hotel Ritz, Marguerite ‘Daisy’ Villon remains in Paris with her daughter and husband, a Nazi collaborator, after France falls to Hitler. At first reluctant to put herself and her family at risk to assist her grandmother’s Resistance efforts, Daisy agrees to act as a courier for a skilled English forger known only as Legrand, who creates identity papers for Resistance members and Jewish refugees. But as Daisy is drawn ever deeper into Legrand’s underground network, committing increasingly audacious acts of resistance for the sake of the country – and the man – she holds dear, she uncovers a devastating secret […] France, 1964. For Barbara “Babs” Langford, her husband, Kit, was the love of her life. Yet their marriage was haunted by a mysterious woman known only as La Fleur. On Kit’s death, American lawyer Andrew ‘Drew’ Bowdoin appears at her door. Hired to find a Resistance fighter turned traitor known as “La Fleur”, the investigation has led to Kit Langford” (x).
I resisted this book for a while because, from the cover, it looks like the gazillions of books that have come out in recent years about women during World War II. But, as you can see from the summary, it’s different in that it’s about 3 different women in 3 different eras. It’s also by 3 different authors; they each wrote one of the characters and eras.
This book is incredible. I absolutely loved it. It’s a little bit predictable, but the predictability did not make me enjoy it less. I had a hard time reading it for short periods of time; I often listened to it for hours at a time.
2020 Recent Reads: January-March
What have you read recently?
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Kate Mitchell is a blogger, chronic illness patient, and advocate who helps people understand chronic illness and helps chronic illness patients live their best lives.
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