The photo at the top of the page was taken in front of Armchair Books, a quaint little bookshop in Edinburgh. It’s been around forever, and I can’t imagine its changed much since it first opened. Their collection is vast and thoughtful arranged in what I’d describe as an organized chaos. First editions, collectibles, and classics are scattered everywhere. The space is tight, but not an inch is left unused. Ladders adorn most bookshelves conveiniently located for the brave and curious enough to browse the shelves that meet the ceiling. My memory may be a little fuzzy but I swear the shop owner had elbow patches sewn into his wool blazer. At least that’s what I imagined.
I unknowingly picked out a first edition copy of Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone (”Philosopher’ was changed to “Sorcerer” when the book was published in the States.) Turns out the majority of the franchise was written in and inspired by Edinburgh.
The total of my new souvenir came out to about forty U.S dollars. While I was initially surprised, I caved and handed him my debit card with a smile. Window shopping in an antique Scottish bookshop on a moody Fall afternoon was entirely worth it. I want to spend more afternoons like that. Only next time with a stricter budget.
For the shock value: After best selling author Verity Crawford suffers a crippling accident, her husband hires unknown writer, Lowen Ashleigh to complete her renowned book series. Deep within Verity’s manuscripts and sprawling notes, Lowen discovers an insidious link between Verity’s dark writing style and tragedy-ridden personal life. The new information quickly turns a promising and high pressure job assignment into a threatening invitation.
I’m relieved this novel is a creation of Colleen Hoover’s wild imagination. Without a doubt, it is the most nail-biting, twisted and manipulative story I’ve read to date. I wanted to throw the book across the room on multiple occasions only to crawl back to the next page feverishly. Not only is the plot line juicy and original, it’s also clever and disturbingly addictive until the final act.
Warning: contains pulsing suspense that will send shock to your bloodstream. It’s certainly not for everyone but I will say, for the friends who claim they “can’t get immersed into reading”, Verity may be the thing to change your mind.
5/5 mugs
For the misunderstood: Bold and alluring Hollywood starlet, Evelyn Hugo is ready to reveal a tell-all book that the public have been hungry for for decades. She hires struggling magazine writer, Monique Grant as the only appropriate person to take on the job.
The interview covers the span of several decades from the start of her acting career in the fifties to the privacy of current day. She discusses the misogyny of the entertainment industry, the unexpected friendships she found amidst the chaos of fame, her failed marriages, and the one true romance that she was willing to give up her career, money and accolades for if only she had realized it sooner. At the the end of their time together, the young writer learns how her and Evelyn’s fate intertwine answering “why was she slated for the position?” and “why now?”
Taylor Jenkins Reid is masterful at fleshing out characters with substance. None of her characters are simply “good” or “bad.” They’re far too complex and human to fall under one category. I fell in and out of love with the enigmatic woman over the course of the novel, but deep down I was always rooting for her. To come across strong human connections amongst fiction is a huge feat. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo was a cinematic experience of emotions. I used to believe historical romance was not my cup of tea but my mind has since changed. For a heroine who takes big chances in life, I’m glad I took a chance on Evelyn. The joys of letting a book surprise you.
5/5 mugs
For the melancholy: A public service program called “Deathcast” alerts people on the day they’re going to die. After receiving the news, Rufus and Mateo connect on the app, Last Friend, to live out their final hours so they don’t have to go at it alone. As they brave through the city saying their goodbyes and crossing off bucket list items, together they learn the importance of trust, empathy, and getting big meaning from small moments. Amidst the grim reality, I appreciate how the coming of age tale doesn’t focus on how they go so much as how they live. It’s a story on perspective.
A unique thing happened to me while reading. The synopsis on the back cover pulled at my heartstrings more than when reading the book. I really wanted to like it. I tried. But it left more to be desired; a disappointing delivery to a plot dripping with potential.
Told mainly from the perspective of Rufus and Mateo, their cadence and vocabulary added a distracting element to the narrative. I wasn’t a fan of the choppy tone that differed from chapter to chapter. The ping pong match storytelling took too long to find it’s groove, and by then the book was nearly over.
The intentions are genuine, but I think the film Stranger Than Fiction did a better job executing the “imminent and untimely death” plotline and infused the heart that was lacking in this book. It may be an unpopular opinion, but Adam Silvera missed the mark for me.
2/5 mugs
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