Book Review

LIFESTYLE

I have been at home more than usual because of Covid-19, so I have been reading nonstop and wanted to share some book recommendations! 

1. First Comes Love by Emily Giffin 

Emily Giffin is one of my favorite authors and all her books are so relatable. Not to mention, they all have such a flawless storyline. First Comes Love is another example of one of her beautifully written books. If you have a sister, you will love this novel! It is such a moving and emotional book about the love of two sisters. It is a story about how the two sisters have grown to misunderstand each other, but through the process of their own life, they are able to see each other's perspective.  

2.  Waiting at Hayden's by Riley Costello 

Waiting at Hayden's is a story about two childhood best friends, Charli and Jack, who fall madly in love during college. After college, their lives go on separate paths. They want to stay together, but they know that the physical distance between them will be difficult. As a result, they decide to separate and meet at their favorite diner called Hayden's years later. They decide on a specific time and date, but so many things happen in the years leading up. 

The owner of the diner, Gianna Hayden, has reserved the table for them for years. Gianna and her staff all knows about this reunion. As the the meeting of Charli and Jack comes closer and closer, Gianna has wavering thoughts about her own love life. This is a story about how different people's lives are intertwined and connected. The story has so many twists and turns that it made me want to keep turning the pages. It was such a delightful story to read!

3.  Digital Fortress by Dan Brown 

Are you looking for a thriller with a ton of conspiracy? Then, this is the book for you! This is a story about Susan Fletcher, a beautiful mathematician, who works for The NSA. She works on a highly secretive technology. One random Saturday, she is called into the office by her supervisor. She needs to solve a code that can never be solved. Suddenly, she is faced with the most confusing string of events. She needs to solve the mystery before anymore people's lives are endangered. I'm a fan of romantic books, so I liked how there was a splash of romance in the story. I couldn't put the book down and I wanted to know what would happen next! Every chapter brought a new mystery and a different layer to the story.      

4. The Two Lives of Lydia Bird by Josie Silver

I like the concept of this story because I feel like every girl has wondered "what if?" What if I was with so and so? What if I picked this path? This story is about  Lydia Bird who is grieving the loss of her fiance. Miraculously, she is given the chance to visit her fiance in another dimension. However, her real life is keep pulling her back. The two lives Lydia has to live is exciting and emotional. I do have to say, that initially this story was hard to get into. However, as I kept reading I loved the message of the story. 

5. The Longest Ride by Nicholas Sparks 

You have to read this book! I cried so many times reading this story. It was so touching and emotional. This is a story about how two different love stories collide into one larger picture. 

It starts off with Ira's story. He is a ninety-one years old man and he is in a car accident. No one knows he is missing and he has no family of friends left in this world to even wonder about him. He cannot get out of the car and he is going in and out of consciousness. During this time, he has various visions of his wife in the different life stages of their life.

Meanwhile, we see the development of a new young love. Sophia and Luke met at a bull-riding event. Luke is a famous bull rider and he is busy taking care of his mother and the family farm. Sophia is a hard working student in college.

As the storyline progresses, you wonder how the two stories will come together. However, everything fits perfectly together in the end. It left me in tears and reminded me about the importance of love. It was a reminder of how fragile life can be. 

6. I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai 

What an inspiring and motivating story. This story left me in tears too! I cried so many times and Malala did a great job capturing her experiences. She makes you feel the injustice she felt in her county. It shows you how a country she loved so much became a place of hatred and war. Through all this, she never changed. As a matter of fact, she fought for what she believed in which was a fair education system for everyone. Especially during these trying times, I think she can teach anyone a lesson on love and compassion.

7. Meet Me at the Museum by Anne Youngson 

This is a heartwarming story that shows you that it is never too late to pick happiness. In Denmark, Anders Larsen works at a museum that houses the Tollund Man. Tina Hopgood is intrigued by the story of the Tollund Man and she writes a letter. This sparks a unexpected friendship between Tina and Anders. They share their life story and you get a deeper understanding of both their lives through the letters written to each other. Anders waits for Tina to have enough courage to come visit the Tollund Man in the museum, but Tina has a reason she cannot come. Meet Me at the Museum is a story about courage and hope.

This is my list for now! I'm going to start making a list of book recommendations frequently. Also, if you have any other recommendations, please send them my way!