Reading has been such a relaxing outlet for me this year, I've always been a book worm and would happily spend hours with my nose in a book but I go through phases where I'll read loads and then read nothing for months. In the past two years, I've probably only read a handful of books, two of which were baby related but it's this year where I've really made the time for reading more.
At the start of the year I set a Good Reads challenge to read 25 books during 2019, I quickly upped that to 30 and in May I smashed my challenge. Instead of setting it higher, I've just carried on and I'm currently on book 42. Reading has made me really pull back some me time and put my phone down for longer than twenty minutes. It's had a big impact on my mental health and I'm really pushing myself to step out of reading the same old genre.
I thought I'd share some of the titles I read in June and if you have Good Reads, just search Alice Anne and you should be able to find me if you would like to add me as a friend.
Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippincott
This was beautiful and I definitely sobbed. It's the story of Stella and Will, both cystic fibrosis sufferers living in hospital. Will wants to break free while Stella likes to be in control and the risk of passing on an infection could jeopardize any chance of a lung transplant. They fall in love and it's a story of just how far you would or could go. I don't know much about cystic fibrosis but this really bought home to me just how serious and sometimes difficult it can be. It was beautifully written, heartbreaking and made me bawl like a baby.
The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena
I'm not usually a thriller fan but I just eat up anything by Shari Lapena in a day. In the last month, I've read The Couple Next Door, A Stranger in the House and An Unwanted Guest and they were each as brilliant as the next. They're quite an easy read with short chapters which is why I think I love them so much because I just breeze through them. The Couple Next Door was my favourite of the three, it's gripping, terrifying from the point of view as a parent and mind-boggling. I cannot wait for the fourth book to come out later this month.
The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan
I was recommended this by someone on Instagram and ordered it instantly. It's happy, thoughtful and tells each persons story as they begin to reunite them with their lost things. It's just a wonderfully happy read that I devoured in just a few days, if you're looking for a pick me up then this should be your next read. It's just really very lovely and sometimes you need a dose of that in life.
I Owe You One by Sophie Kinsella
I love a Kinsella book, chick lit is my favourite so when this was half price at Waterstones I picked it up straight away. It's cute, lovey-dovey and you kinda guess who she ends up with almost instantly but even though I knew where the story was going, I loved everything that was built up in-between to make sure it went on that path. It was just the perfect bit of escapism I needed.
The Surrogate by Louise Jensen
This was unbelievable, I have raved about it since I finished the book last week and thoroughly enjoyed it. The writing completely draws you in so you're waiting for the next wow moment but it really isn't until the very, very end everything pieces together. I really thought I knew where the book was leading but the writing keeps throwing me off until the very end where you're left jaw open in disbelief. I cannot wait to read another by Louise Jenkins.
Some Kind of Wonderful by Giovanna Fletcher
I've had this on a bookshelf for two years and just haven't reached for it even though I adore Giovanna's books and knew I'd love it but each time I went to read it, I couldn't get past the first few pages. Last week I decided that it's now or never and I finished it in a few days. Unsurprisingly to me, I loved it and still can't believe I waited so long to finish it. It's a beautiful read of losing love and finding yourself again as an adult. It was relatable, funny and totally uplifting. I can't wait for her to get her writing cap on again for the next one.
I hope from this you've found some new reads and if there's anything you think I might enjoy, please let me know in the comments. I'm always on the look out for my next book to devour.
