I always expect to get a ton of reading done when I travel — between long plane trips and scheduled downtime, how could I not? — and every single trip I end up looking like a damn fool. So when I had not one but TWO trips planned for May, I tried to be realistic: one physical book and my Kindle…loaded up with hastily requested library books, of course. And yet I still found myself watching movies on the plane (highly recommend Lisa Frankenstein) and letting my books gather dust in my suitcase. Oh well! Here’s the short, but sweet, list of what I have read lately.
Sociopath by Patric Gagne
A memoir about sociopathy read by the author herself is a clear hook that baited little old me like a fish to a worm. Spanning the author’s life from childhood to present day, it covers the range of her experiences, including falling in love and having children — something that might seem shocking for a sociopath. It definitely makes you question what you know about sociopathy and is fascinating, but the writing does veer into over-indulgence in my opinion.
Good for people who like: learning about psychology, memoirs, shocking tell-alls
Good Material by Dolly Alderton
I was hesitant to read a breakup novel with a male POV, but this delightful book really surprised me with its nuanced and freshly hilarious take. Andy, a comedian in his mid-thirties, has just been dumped by his longterm girlfriend and is not quite ready to accept his new future. We follow him through the messy aftermath, from monitoring his balding head to first post-breakup kisses. It’s heartfelt, witty, and empathetic in ways I didn’t expect. Think Emily Henry’s banter with Sally Rooney’s nuance.
Good for people who like: Really Good, Actually by Monica Heisey, breakup novels, relatable character development
A Season for Setting Fires by Mightbewriting
Yup, still on my fanfiction streak and back with another canon-divergent dark timeline — but with a twist. While kidnapped at Malfoy Manor, Hermione and Draco discover that they’re soulmates, literally bonded together by a magical rope. As the war rages and the resistance slowly dwindles (seriously, this author is sick in the head lol), they have to decide if they want to accept the bond or not. Not the best written fanfic so far, but the author does reimagine the story is interesting ways, so would still recommend! Just not for the faint of heart…
Good for people who like: forced proximity/enemies-to-lovers, body horror, Manacled
How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang
I don’t know why I keep listening to romance audiobooks when they inevitably get too cringey for my ear holes, and yet here we are. This one started off strong — I love a romance that’s not just pure fluff — when writers Helen and Grant reunite for the first time as adults after teenage tragedy. But I found their romance to be a little too instantaneous and I was missing the bantah, if you know what I mean. But still, take that with a grain of salt because maybe I would have liked it more as a physical book. Next time I try and download a romance, please stop me.
Good for people who like: non-fluffy romance, The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang, books about grief
Annnnnd that’s all I’ve got after a month-long hiatus. Here’s to hopefully more reading in June — speaking of, what’s everyone reading for Pride? Let me know!
xoxo,
Kirby