2024 - The year I hit the 20s milestone in my reading journey.
This year's stack was a delightful mix: 5 non-fiction books, a classic and even an entire series.
While this year was a little heavy on contemporary romance, I discovered new genres (thanks to book club) and found myself stepping out of my reading comfort zone.
Here are the reviews of all the books:
How to Kill Men and Get Away With It by Katy Brent
Genre: Thriller
Rating: 5/5
The book was a great read that could have easily been read cover-to-cover in one sitting. Even though the book falls in the thriller genre, it is much more than that. It is laced with humour and sarcasm, while it explores the horrors that women have to go through every day like being terrified to walk alone at night and more.
Kitty’s actions in the book raise some ethical questions. She kills men who have committed heinous acts and are considered terrible people. While they may deserve punishment, is her way of dealing with them the right approach?
Overall, a fantastic read for people who love dark humour and women-centric books.
Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: 5/5
Initially, I felt uneasy while reading about all the rules that Lady Tan was taught as a child, such as obeying the men in her life, never leaving her home and more. However, I had to remind myself that the book is set during a different time when these rules were commonplace in society. Once I accepted this fact, the book became much more enjoyable.
Of course, since the book was about Lady Tan, I was left in awe of her strength and bravery while following all the duties towards her husband, mother-in-law and husband’s family laid out to her. Additionally, I loved how the character was developed from the beginning of her life to the end. The author has done a fabulous job with that.
Overall, it was an amazing read.
Twisted Love by Ana Huang
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Rating: 4/5
Even though the book is part of a series, I want to review each book separately as they are also standalone books.
I came across this series through the Bookstagram community, and I have been wanting to read it for over a year. I finally decided to pick it up and I am glad that I did.
The story and romance were sweet but also very intense. A typical alpha-male possessive vibe that is not for every kind of reader. But I will surely be reading the entire series and hopefully more of Ana Huang's novels.
Trust No One by Keri Beeves
Genre: Mystery
Rating: 4/5
Trust No One is a fast-paced thriller that makes it hard to keep down. There was too much happening with too many characters involved. But it did all tie neatly together in the end.
However, it did get a little predictable even though some things were very surprising. But it never gave me the “Oh! I did not see that coming” feeling like other thriller mystery novels.
Overall, it was an easy read and engaging thriller that can be devoured in one sitting.
The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
Genre: Autobiography
Rating: 4/5
This is one of the hardest reviews I have ever written, as I just can't seem to find the right words to do the book justice. Nevertheless, here it goes.
The book is a diary of a 14-year-old girl, Anne Frank, who went into hiding in 1942 with her family. They did so in response to her sister being called for deportation in Holland during the German occupation of the city.
Anne, for her age, has been articulate in expressing her thoughts, emotions, and the on-goings inside their safe house called “Secret Annex”. She was a mature person for her age who analyzed her shortcomings and worked on them, which she talked about in the diary. And while reading about the family and their struggles at the safe house made it an informative and captivating read, it was also very heavy. I could not read more than 10-20 pages in one sitting.
The book ends in August 1944 when their hiding place was raided. Overall, it was a mix of heartbreaking, happy, and funny moments.
Twisted Games by Ana Huang
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Rating: 4/5
The second book in the Twisted series explores the relationship between Bridget, the princess of Eldora, and her bodyguard, Rhys Larsen.
This was a thrilling and fast-paced romance that can get overwhelming for some readers. However, this book is not for every romance reader because it features a possessive alpha male and intense scenes that are more extreme compared to the first book.
Apart from the romance, we also get a deeper understanding of the political landscape of Eldora, which is quite enlightening.
Catch and Kill by Ronan Farrow
Genre: Non-fiction
Rating: 5/5
I have read “She Said”, which is another book about Harvey Weinstein. But when I read reviews on this book, it said that it was different and I knew I had to pick it up. Yes, the premise of both the books are same, which is journalists exposing the sexual assault crimes of Harvey Weinstein. But this book offers a greater depth and insight into the issue.
In this book, Farrow has explored in great length the number of people who covered up Weinstein’s crimes. From news organizations to foreign spy agencies like Black Cube, along with NDAs to silence women, some parts were so shocking that it was hard to believe. Maybe that’s why that times it felt like I was reading a thriller rather than a non-fiction piece of work.
I liked that Farrow realized that there were too many characters in the book. Therefore, he always mentioned the designation of the characters again to remind the readers who is who. However, I found the entire section on ANI and Donald Trump quite unnecessary and off-putting because I was more interested in knowing about other news organizations and Black Cube.
Overall, it is an informative and engaging read that everyone should read.
Arsène Lupin, Gentleman-Thief by Maurice Leblanc
Genre: Mystery
Rating: 4/5
The book is a collection of 9 short stories and the first of the many books in the Arsene Lupin world. Even though the stories are not slightly connected, it was still a fun and exciting read.
Also, the stories are not a very gripping mystery (if you are expecting that). Nonetheless, it still makes you go “What just happened”. My favorite out of all was “Arsene Lupin in Prison” - it kept me on the edge of my seat from the start to the end.
There are very less instances that make you feel as if the book has been translated from French. It certainly did not become a barrier for me to enjoy the stories.
Lastly, the only tedious part of the book was the constant change in perspective. Once I started a new story, it was hard to keep track of who was narrating it.
PS: If you are a fan of the show, you are going to love the book.
Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
Genre: Non-fiction
Rating: 5/5
Have you heard people say that there were books that they wished they could read for the first time? Well, this was one of those books for me.
For people who are unfamiliar with this book - It is about a student reconnecting with a teacher when the latter is on his deathbed. During multiple Tuesday meetings, they discuss the different facets of life.
I picked up this book, as it was part of the monthly read for a book club. And while this was on my list, I wasn’t very excited about it initially. But then I decided to give it a try. I have to say that this was an amazing read. I laughed at some statements. Smiled in some instances. And even shed tears at the end.
I am not a very big book annotator. But this book made me pick up my pencil, highlight paragraphs and write down my thoughts. Some parts of the book were very new like detaching yourself from your emotions. While others were very common like people focussing too much on money and materialistic things.
Nonetheless, it is a book that I believe everyone should read at least once in their lives.
Twisted Hate by Ana Huang
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Rating: 3/5
The third book in the series is about the relationship between Jules Ambrose and Josh Chen. With a classic enemies-to-lovers plot, after reading the first 2 books, I expected a little more from this one rather than a 3.5-star rating.
Yes, everything was on point with the slow burn and a possessive alpha male character, as I expected. But to me, the conflict seemed unnecessary. It felt as if the conflict was given for the sake rather than being a well-thought-out part.
Let’s see how the fourth book turns out.
Five Survive by Holly Jackson
Genre: Thriller
Rating: 5/5
Five Survive is about six friends who are on a road trip during their summer break. But soon they find themselves in the middle of nowhere with a sniper who wants to kill one of them.
Initially, it took me time to get into it because it started very slow for the first 50-odd pages. But once it picked up the pace, it moved into a fast, breath-holding pace. There were so many twists and turns that I did not see any of them coming. The best part: it all takes place in 8 hours, which was a unique and new concept for me. Lastly, the book dives deep into the characters’ heads and their reactions to the terrifying scenario, making it much more engaging.
If you are looking for a fast-paced thriller that takes place in a short time frame, pick this up.
P.S. I have never hated any character as much as I hated Oliver.
The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: 5/5
The Sympathizer is an excellent piece of work that tells the story of a Vietnamese spy during the aftermath of the Vietnam War. I have to admit that before this book, my knowledge of the war was limited. But it inspired me to learn more about it.
The author has taken a unique approach, as the first half of the book is the spy writing a letter to someone called the Commandant. As a reader, I was taken on a ride where I was eager to know why the narrator was confessing his crimes in a letter to someone. After it is revealed, the book picks up an intense pace that had me glued to every word.
Previously, when I read a book that included no quotation marks for dialogue, I did not like it. But in this book, this writing style worked perfectly. It did not interrupt my reading or grasping ability and felt seamless.
However, the one thing I did not like about the book was that there were some points in the book, which I just wanted to skip. There was too much unnecessary information that could have easily been avoided.
A definite must-read for historical fiction lovers.
Invisible Child by Andrea Elliot
Genre: Non-fiction
Rating: 5/5
Do you know those non-fiction books, which read so much like fiction that you have to remind yourself this is a real story? Invisible Child is exactly like that.
The book by Andrea Elliot, an investigative journalist at The New York Times, tells the story of a homeless family in New York City, focussing on one member, an 11-year-old girl named Dasani. Throughout their journey of eight years, they go from living in a homeless shelter to entering the foster care system and eventually being adopted and reunited.
Elliot's writing is incredibly powerful, and she lays bare the family's struggles, even going so far as to include herself in the narrative at times. She uses their story to highlight the failings of the system and to show how racism is closely tied to poverty. From the education sector to the foster care and the legal sector, she exposes the brokenness of the system in a way that is both informative and heartbreaking.
The one thing that struck me was how mature Dasani was for her age. This was probably because of the challenges and responsibilities that came with being the eldest among her siblings. Unfortunately, even with teachers and therapists working to help her, she was not able to unlearn bad habits and break free of negative patterns of behavior.
Twisted Lies by Ana Huang
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Rating: 4/5
The last book of the Twisted series narrates the
story of Christian Harper and Stella Alonso.
Out of all the books in the series, this has been my favorite, as the romance is sweet with a little hint of mystery. However, there were so many unnecessary bits like metaphors to describe feelings and thoughts.
Otherwise, it was a story that was expected from the series - a slow burn with an alpha male character.
Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg
Genre: Non-fiction
Rating: 5/5
In this book, Sheryl Sandberg has used her own experience, stats, figures, and the experience of other women to point out some of the problems that women face today and give solutions to them.
Even though I am unmarried and don’t have kids, I still could relate so much to the book because I am also guilty of doing some of the things she pointed out. For example, conforming to society’s idea of gender roles and using that to judge other women for their choices. It was refreshing to come eye-to-eye with those issues and find solutions to solving them.
When I read the reviews of this book, most had one thing to point out: that this book is for the rich elite women. Yes, that may be true but she does her best to recognize that not all women can take the leap or not all women can go back to work after having kids. However, the entire point of the book is to motivate and inspire women to “lean in” and take more leadership roles to create a better future for the women of tomorrow.
Overall, it was a short and engaging book that I believe everyone should read. Yes, including men!
The Invisible Life of Addie Laurie by Victoria E. Schwab
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 5/5
The Invisible Life of Addie Laurie narrates the story of a girl, Addie, who makes a deal with the devil to live forever. But the deal comes at a cost. She is also cursed to be forgotten by everyone she meets. However, it all changes 300 years later when she meets a boy who says three simple words, “I remember you”.
The book moves at its own leisurely pace, which can be off-putting for those accustomed to fast-paced novels. Additionally, the writing style shifts between the past and the present, which initially confused me. However, as I delved deeper into the book, I discovered that this style effectively provided a deeper understanding of the characters while also seamlessly moving the story ahead.
One thing I was unsure about was the foreshadowing. For example, Adeline will come to know this later on, etc. It was tough for me to remember these things. Apart from this, it was an interesting read owing a lot of it to the unexpected layers that were peeled off beautifully. And like with any other 500+ page book, the last 100 pages had me on the edge of my seat desperate to know how it ends.
The Fine Print by Lauren Asher
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Rating: 5/5
The Fine Print was all over the Bookstagram community, and that’s how I stumbled upon it. The book, the first of the Dreamland Billionaire series, tells the story of Rowan, the Director of a Disneyland-like museum called Dreamland, and Zahra, an employee who was promoted to the Creator position.
It was my first Lauren Asher book, and I can say with confidence that it definitely won’t be my last. I enjoyed reading the book, especially the opposite characters. The dual POV only added to the appeal of it with Asher giving us the chance to understand the thoughts and emotions of both of them.
The romance plot mixed with hilarious and smirk-worthy moments makes it an addictive read. So, fair warning - You will be up all night reading it.
Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: 5/5
Purple Hibiscus follows the story of a fifteen-year-old Kambili and her older brother, Jaja, who are sent to live with their aunt after a military coup in Nigeria. But when they return, their home does not seem the same anymore.
Let me start the review by saying that this was a fantastic piece of work, owing to the last few pages because of which the story will stay rent-free in my head. The book seemed normal and slow-paced throughout, and I thought, “Okay, this is a good book”. But in the last 20-30 pages it picked up the pace and the book went from good to great.
This was my first Adichie book, and she used simple language to communicate the intricacies and complexities of the story.
It struck me how skillfully she portrayed the dichotomies throughout the story, in both the minute and significant things. For example the father’s house vs the aunt’s house, Jaja’s behaviour in his house vs his behaviour in his aunt’s house, and much more. Also, despite the military coup and the father’s oppression and violence towards his family, there were moments of joy like Kambili laughing for the first time, the progression of Kambili and Amaka’s friendship, and Jaja’s strength and realization towards family duties, among others.
She has also done a commendable job with character development, which adds depth to the narrative. While we see the characters grow and become better by the end of the book, she also shows the good sides of the father. Like his contributions to society, helping the poor, and standing up to the military regime.
Overall, Purple Hibiscus is a thought-provoking and beautifully crafted book.
Terms and Conditions by Lauren Asher
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Rating: 5/5
Terms and Conditions, the second book in the Dreamland Billionaires series, narrates the story of Rowan, the soon-to-be CEO, and Zahra, his assistant.
The book was everything I expected from Lauren Asher and the series - Dual POV, romantic cute moments, and hints of humour here and there. But I definitely enjoyed this more than the first book. Fingers crossed for the third one 🤞
The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down by Haemin Sunim
Genre: Self-Help
Rating: 5/5
The Things You Can See Only When Slow Down, written by a Buddhist monk, Haemin Sunim, combines his teaching with a guide to mindfulness to showcase how we can slow down in this fast-paced world. He provides advice on various topics, from handling setbacks in life to becoming more spiritual.
I picked this book up at the start of the year. It took me over eight months to finish because it was a book that I reached for when I was feeling low and needed a little pick-me-up.
Before I started the book, I read reviews that said it was the same old advice that we have been hearing. However, I believe that was the beauty of it. Sometimes we forget the small pieces of advice we’ve heard a million times. So, this book served as a reminder of them. But it was not only filled with those same pieces of advice, as it had some new insights.
Also, I loved how the author integrated his experience into the narrative. It helped me connect better to the quotes and advice he was presenting.
During all this time, it was the second book that had its own dedicated space on my nightstand. And it will continue to have the fixed space because I know I will be picking it up time and again, even to just read a page or two.
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