Title: The Assistants Author: Camille Perri
Links: Bookshop (affiliate link) |Goodreads
Rating:
Lately, I haven’t had specific review deadlines to guide my reading choices and I find the options a bit overwhelming. I’ve gotten extremely lucky with a lot of the books I’ve picked though! The Assistants was one of several books I’ve read while working on my thesis that was precisely what I needed at the time. It was light and compulsively readable, but also smart and insightful. It had all the fun of a heist movie, but also managed to feel real and relatable. I loved the main character, the sidekicks, and the love interest. I had a serious book hangover afterwards because I couldn’t imagine finding something else that fit my desire for light but smart reading as well as this did. I think everyone in their late twenties will also share my enjoyment of reading a book about a character at this stage in their life. This is a book I want to recommend to everyone, but I think it’s especially perfect if you’re looking for your next not-too-light beach read.
Title: Re Jane Author: Patricia Park
Links: Bookshop (affiliate link) |Goodreads
Rating:
I enjoyed this modern update of Jane Eyre, in some ways more than the original. I liked the cultural elements a lot and didn’t miss the overly dramatic gothic ones. I also found the way this Jane’s story played out more satisfying and more believable. However, the story dragged quite a bit for me in the middle. The section corresponding to the original Jane’s visit to her cousins didn’t add a lot to the story for me, given its length. I’m also not sure about having a woman who seemed liked a caricature of a feminist stand in for a character who was a mad woman in the original. At the beginning of the story, I felt as though the author was doing something I hate – vilifying a character’s significant other to justify cheating. Fortunately, the way she presented this character evolved with Jane’s perception of her. Still, this character update bothered me. In general though, I liked Jane’s relationships a lot. The author did a great job capturing the nuances of friendship, familial relationships, and romantic relationships throughout. I’d say, give this a shot if the plot interests you or if you love all things Bronte.
Title: The History of Great Things Author: Elizabeth Crane
Links: Bookshop (affiliate link) |Goodreads
Rating:
This book was unique and I enjoyed it very much. The sidebar conversations between the mother and daughter, as they each tell the other’s story, were delightfully believable. Combined with the way they each sometimes exaggerated or made things up in the other’s story to make a point, the author used the conversations to create a very believable mother-daughter relationship. I’ve rarely seen any relationship, especially a non-romantic one, brought to life so well. I also enjoyed their stories for their own sake. Each highlighted challenges facing women during different time periods and each woman had a distinct personality and way of dealing with those challenges. An excellent character study.
Lindsey
I may have to give in and read The Assistants. I love the idea of smart and light, and I keep reading people adore it!
DoingDewey
It was so good! I’m not surprised people have been enjoying it 🙂
Lory @ Emerald City Book Review
You have been lucky – sounds like a diverse but highly readable batch of books. The History of Great Things is the one that most appeals to me right now; I love seeing relationships explored in fiction, and it’s not always easy to do well.
DoingDewey
It’s true! Really, every book I’ve finished lately has left me wondering how I can find something else I enjoy as much. I’ve been having a lot of fun 🙂
Kailana
I like it when reading what you want leads to great reads. 🙂
DoingDewey
Me too! I don’t mood read all that often, but it’s been going very well for me.
Resh Susan
I have heard good things about Assistants. Glad you enjoyed the read
DoingDewey
It was so good!
Heather
The Assistants sounds like exactly the kind of book I love. I’m going to see if the library has a copy. 🙂
DoingDewey
I hope you are able to pick it up! It was so good, I can’t imagine you not enjoying it if it’s your kind of book 🙂
Sarah's Book Shelves
It’s so hard to find light, but smart books and I get so excited every time I find a good one. I’ll keep The Assistants in mind!
DoingDewey
Me too! It’s a tough balance to find.
Stacy
Ah! just what I need to get me out of a slump – light AND smart? I must find this book now! Thank you for the recommendation! I need a good book to take to the pool for the 4th!
DoingDewey
I think this could be a great slumpbuster! I hope you were able to pick it up and enjoyed it as much as I did 🙂
Jenny @ Reading the End
Never heard of Elizabeth Crane or her book before, but that sounds fab. I am there for pretty much any book that focuses on female relationships, and I luuuurv multiple points of view.
DoingDewey
Yes! I love books with those qualities too and this book nailed it.
Booker talk
So true that certain books work just because you pick them up at the right time
DoingDewey
I experienced that a lot as I was finishing my PhD. Some books really resonated and helped keep me sane during a very busy time.
Melinda
I will check out The Assistants and The History of Great Things
DoingDewey
Great! The Assistants in particular is probably going to be one of my favorite reads of the year.