Tri Monthly Reading Wrap U[p

 Hello Everyone 

Here is the reading wrap up for the From Manhattan To Stars Hollow TBR for September-November.



September Books

Beach Read

Janine:  As a writer this is one of my favorite Emily Henry books.  I can really relate to how January has writer’s block.  My favorite scene appears on pg 131 when they are at  the carnival because it reminds of the boardwalk at  my summer home in Hull Mass.  Gus’s quote about being overwhelmed that January exists melts my heart.


Heartburn 

This book I feel represents Monica in the episode where she writes the review of Allesandro’s because the main character Rachel is a food critic. The hashbrown recipe on page 48 is very delicious. The fat shaming that Rachel does to a third party character is reminiscent of the fat shaming of Monica in the flashback episodes and The One With The Prom Video.



The Freedom Writers Diaries 

Janine:  I read Freedom Writers Diaries last month & what was cool about the book was that you got to see actual examples of their writing assignments, this may actually influence my own writing. In the film Hillary Swank is very well cast as Erin Brunell. 

Other books I've been reading:

Falling Like Leaves by Misty Wilson

 This YA book reminds me of Rory and Jess's relationship throughout Season 3. The town is very similar to Stars Hollow.

Nocturnes  by Kazuo Ishiguro

This translated work is a series of short stories about music.  My favorite short story is Cellists.  I love this author's writing style. This is third book of his I've read following Never Let Me Go and Klara And The Sun.

If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio

I read this book every Halloween Season. It is set at a prestigious private school similar to Chilton Acadmey and follows a group of students in a Shakespeare Society. You will like this book if you like the movie Dead Poets  Society with Robin Williams.

Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom

 This book  is autobiographical and based on the author's discussions with his  college professor  Morrie.  They talk about many things such as mortality, culture and forgiveness.


Halloween Books 

Overall thoughts on October TBR: 

I loved the atmosphere  in all of these books but agree with  Kathleen that the pacing in Rebecca was very slow but once I got past the beginning the drama kept me engaged. The mystery in Northhanger Abbey was very fun to solve. I also read The Shining by Stephen King in which I love the atmosphere of the Overlook Hotel and The Shadow Of The Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon with the haunted cemetary.

Update 10/12

I just finished Mate this morning and could not wait this the 26th to review it. Ali Hazelwood slayed with this follow up to Bride which a five star read for me last year. Mate is focursss on Serena a secondary character from Bride and I love the development of her relationship with her love interest Koen.


13 Ways Of Looking At A Fat Girl Mona Awad

I am currently reading this which is Mona Awad’s debut essay collection that is  focussing our main character Elizabeth and how she deals  with bullying due to being overweight. I feel very sad for her. I’ve read two other books  by this author for this TBR  All’s Well  and Rouge and really enjoy Mona Awad’s writing style. This book is not for me though.  I found this book on a list of book recommendations for Disney Channel shows listed under Lizzie McGuire. In addition to connecting to the Lizzie McGuire episode Inner Beauty it also connects the flashback episodes of Friends where  Monica is overweight.

Rating  2.5/3 stars

 Update: 10/26/9:42am


Intermezzo  Sally Rooney

The pacing of this book was far too slow and the overall tone was depressing. I found Ian’s  character to be relatable. DNF at 42%.  This book is very overhyped.  I don’t see the appeal.

The Book Thief by Markus Zuzak

This book provides a mix of emotions.. While yes the time period is overall a very depressing time the adventure the main character takes us on keeps me on the edge of my seat. A note detailed review will be posted in January.

The City Baker’s Guide To Country Living by Louise Miller

Kathleen and I found this recommendation in an Instagram post for books those make you think of Gilmore Girls and we decided to preview it for next fall’s TBR. I have mixed feelings about this book. I loved the New England fall scenery especially the scene at the Franconia NH fall festival, the sense of found family that Livvy finds with the people at the inn makes me think of friend groups in NH and at DoubleHouse Arts and the scenes when she was baking made me want to make pie. This book also tackles grief really well. I did not like the main character Livvy. She was pretty insufferable to read from and the fact that has an affair at the beginning of the book that leads to a pregnancy at the very beginning of the book is a huge turn off. This seems like a really bad Gilmore Girls fan fiction.

I will gladly reread If It Makes You Happy next year instead of this.

The Wake Up Call by Beth O'Leary

 This book was a lot of fun to read. I like her writing style. Other books I’ve read by her are Swept Away, The Flat Share and The Switch. The characters in this book Izzy and Lucas  have a similar dynamic to Lorelai and Michel.



Ratings

5 Stars

Bride, Falling Like Leaves, If We Were Villains, The Freedom Writers Diaries

4.5 Stars

Beach Read, Frankenstien, Nocturnes, Northhanger Abbey, The Book Thief, The Shadow Of The Wind

4 Stars

Mate,Rebecca, Tuesdays With Morrie

3.5 Stars

The City Baker’s Guide To Country Living The Shining, The Wake Up Call

3 Stars

Heartburn

2.5 stars

13 Ways Of Looking At A Fat Girl, Intermezzo

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