Me, late with a blog post? Shocking!
This is definitely the overall highest-rated roundup I’ve posted so far, so get to the library ASAP, friends.
Happy reading!
Colorfully yours,
Haley
- Oxygen by Carol Cassella—4/5
If you’re squeamish about medical topics, this one probably isn’t for you—but my curious brain ate it right up. It’s a fictional take on an anesthesiologist who loses a young patient during surgery. Should she be to blame, or is it just the risk a person takes when going under the knife? Anesthesia has always intrigued me (and admittedly, freaked me out) and this lets the reader see things from the other side. Let’s just say there’s a reason anesthesiologists get paid so well.
- In My Dreams I Hold a Knife by Ashley Winstead—4/5
Shoutout to my coworker, Melissa, for recommending this thriller. It follows a group of friends at their ten year college reunion. It turns out that the picturesque, southern campus holds lots of secrets—including a classmate’s murder that has never been solved. Nostalgia quickly turns to distrust and finger pointing during the weekend from hell.
- The Hating Game by Sally Thorne—4.5/5
This was as cute as everyone has been telling me and I can’t believe it took me this long to read it! For fans of the movie Set It Up and books like Red, White and Royal Blue, this is the ideal rom-com read. Two hot coworkers + career competition + sexual tension? A recipe for a fun, spicy novel. (Just don’t watch the movie. Even though Lucy Hale is in it. It sucks.)
- Spilled Milk by K.L. Randis—4.5/5
Based on a true story, this fictionalized piece deals with child abuse. It follows Brooke, a smart young girl modeled after the book’s author, as she comes to terms with the fact that her home life is not, in fact, normal. She must decide whether to blow the whistle on her family and risk losing them or continue to suffer in silence. As you can imagine, it contains a lot of disturbing events, but it’s certainly eye-opening and worth the read.
- Red Clocks by Leni Zumas—3/5
I had high hopes for this one, but it wasn’t what I imagined. The novel follows several characters in the same small town, where abortion has just been banned. Can you say ‘timely’?! Women are also not allowed to adopt children unless they are married—to a straight man. While the topics are obviously more relevant than ever, the delivery just didn’t do it for me. The author is clearly brilliant, but it feels like she tries too hard to appear that way. I wish it had been more straightforward instead of attempting to be so “different” and artistic.
- Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb—4/5
A therapist writing about her own experience entering therapy? Yes, please. This is partly a memoir of the author’s journey to healing and partly a look into her clients’ experiences. As someone who swears by therapy—and spends a large chunk of money on it weekly—I found the author’s perspective to be really worthwhile. It’s honest, funny and relatable.
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