BOOK CLUB: August & September

Poor mental health can make reading difficult. It's like facing a mental barrier that you can't force your way through. One minute you're reading four books a month, the next you're struggling to even get one in... hence me throwing in August and September together. 

 

Despite all that, I have managed to finish three books in the last couple of months. One, I started in July, one at the beginning of August and another that I finished in a week. That last one was Twilight, which I ended up writing about because it was a comfort for me. During a difficult time, I could find familiarity in a book. 

 

Today, I'm talking about three very different books. I always like to switch up my genres, I'm not one for sticking to a single genre. All have given me comfort in different ways. That's the beautiful thing about books, when you're feeling low, they call you into their arms and hold you tight. 

A Gripping Detective Story: She Lies in Wait

 

 

A gripping detective story that I couldn't put down, She Lies in Wait was a fantastic read that had me hooked with every chapter. I found comfort in the familiarity of my favourite genre.

 

We looked back in time to 1983 on the night of the murder of Aurora Jackson. A group of teenagers went partying in the woods, Aurora tagging along with them, she's never seen again. Thirty years later, her body turns up, reopening the murder case.  It was a classic 'Whodunnit' tale with twists and turns that kept me reading long into the night. The ending almost had me in tears, my heart was truly broken.

There's a lot of characters to follow which could be a bit confusing, however I think the author handled it brilliantly. And there are long police interrogation scenes which were enjoyable to read and easy to get absorbed in. 

Overall, I give it 4/5 stars. 

Feels Like Home: Twilight

 

I haven't read Twilight since I was teenager but I have to say, I wasn't disappointed. In fact, I rather enjoyed re-reading it. The characters felt familiar and the backstories of the Cullen's were fascinating. There were forgotten details that were left out of the films.

Even though I knew the general order of the plot, I still felt excitement as I turned the page. It was hard to put down.

And I know the cool thing to do would be to hate on Twilight but I just can't. However, the one thing I will say is that I wasn't quite convinced by the bond Bella had with the Cullen clan. I felt there wasn't enough time passage for them to really form a bond, but before we knew it they were closer than anything.

 

Overall, I enjoyed it and it was a comfort read. A bit like Harry Potter, it almost feels like home. Again, I found comfort in the familiarity. 

4/5 stars.

 

 

Humorous and Informative: How Not to Write A Novel

 

Comedic and extremely informative, How Not To Write A Novel is a must-read for any aspiring author. It shows you the big mistakes that you need to avoid if you want to get published. 

Each point was broken up nicely with examples so it was easy to read. They also showed how not to sell a novel if you've actually managed to write a good book, you need to know how to sell it too. 

It was an enjoyable read with humour throughout the pages that had me giggling. It was a book that was easy to get glued to. I learnt a lot, even though some of it was taught on my creative writing course. And I found comfort in the comedy of the book. 

5/5 stars. 

Not only do I find comfort in reading these books, I find pleasure in writing about them too. They give me the inspiration to continue on with my writing, despite everything my brain has been putting me through. If I can one day make someone feel the same kind of warmth that I feel when reading, then it'll all be worth it. 

Until the next time,

Char.