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Beth Sandland

The Books I Read in January

02/24/2020 · BOOKISH BLOG POSTS

The Flat Share Beth O'Leary Book Review, The Books I read in January, What I Read Last Month

photo: @thehelsproject

 

I read a lot of books in January! I was mainly recuperating and reading and hot tea became my tonic of choice. Below are mini-reviews of the 5 books I finished that month. Let me know what you think if you’d read them too…

 

Want to join a super awesome online book club? Beth’s Book Club reads one book a month from a diverse range of genres. We then get to together online to discuss our thoughts. The best bit? You can take part from the sofa in your pyjamas.Join free here.

 

A Man Called Ove, Fredrik Backman

A Man Called Ove is one of the loveliest, most heart-warming and heart-tugging books I’ve ever read. Ove is a grumpy man who hates cats, incessant chatter and mistrusts anyone who buys the ‘wrong’ make of car. An anachronist; you’d be forgiven for thinking he’s twenty years more senior than he is. When a young, chirpy family move into his neighbourhood, where he carries out a daily watch to ensure nobody has left their bike unchained or overstayed their welcome in the visitor parking, Ove is not impressed.

The book is a slow burner, each chapter slowly building upon present day and Ove’s past. It’s incredibly dry, seriously funny and altogether quite lovely whilst tackling some very heavy themes including child loss, disability and death.

This was our Book Club January pick and it was just brilliant. Almost everybody loved it and the discussion was so lively. The conclusion? We all adored Ove and the book is a must read!

*****

 

My Sister The Serial Killer, Oyinkan Braithwaite

This novella has been widely commended, made it’s way on to plenty of ‘must read’ lists whilst also being nominated for X. So I’m probably going to be wildly unpopular when I say I thought it was rubbish.

Maybe I just didn’t ‘get it’. The novella is a short exploration of a relationship between two sisters, one of whom has an awkward habit of offing her boyfriends. Oops. I just didn’t really see what their was to gain from it. Aside from a brief look into some complex familial relations, there wasn’t much substance. It’s not a who dunnit, nor a suspense novel. Simply a narrative that quickly became repetitive. 

**

 

The Flat Share, Beth O’Leary

O’Leary’s The Flat Share is now one of my favourite books! Oh it’s so good. Eccentric, chaotic Tiffy agrees to share a bed with a total stranger in a bid for cheap London rent. Leon works nights so in theory, they’ll never even meet. They begin communicating by leaving one another post it notes and leftovers. What follows is a seriously warm and funny book with the rare charm of two protagonists that you’re genuinely rooting for.

This isn’t your average light chick-lit. The book tackles some really heavy issues with an abusive, coercive relationship running through it’s core. The way O’Leary manages to write sensitively about this without losing the charisma of the novel is commendable.

I can’t wait to read more by her and I hope Tiffy and Leon make a film debut one day! Done well, it would be joyous. 

*****

The Silent Patient, Alex Michaelides

I had really high hopes for The Silent Patient. It’s been heralded as a really gripping thriller with a lot of praise for the ‘big twist’. We got off to a bad start. I almost instantly hated the narrative voice of lead character Theo, a psychotherapist with a turbulent childhood and an obsession with sectioned murderer, Alice. I found him smarmy, untrustworthy and obviously operating on an ulterior motive right from the start.

Much of the action is centred within a psychiatric unit, where acclaimed artist Alice is seeing out her indefinite sentence after shooting her husband. She hasn’t spoken a word since it happened. Theo thinks he will be the one to make her tell her story.

The twist is there but it’s more of a fizzle than an impressive bang. I sort of eye rolled and thought “right, well that was a bit of a waste of time.” Perhaps I’m a harsh critic but I thought the sign-posting throughout the novel was too obvious and I got bored of such an ego-centric protagonist.

The only real praise I can give is that I read it very quickly. It’s an easy read but in a heavily saturated genre full of stunning thrillers, I don’t see what the fuss is about here.

**

 

Normal People, Sally Rooney

I really wanted to like Normal People. Set in Ireland, it follows the lives of a few teenagers from sixth form through to life at Trinity College, Dublin. Beyond this, there isn’t much in the way of a plot. In fact, there’s a lot of overly pretentious prose that doesn’t really seem to lead anywhere, and I found myself feeling a sense of deja vu several times. It’s the novel version of Skins, if the kids in Skins discussed complex literature and politics post sex and dabbled in sado-masachism whilst holidaying in Tuscan villas. Yeah…

Whilst I can’t comment on how accurately it portrays Trinity, as a reader who has done the whole sixth form and uni scene, I just didn’t relate. Let’s be honest, as cool as we like to think we are at 19, life is far more Inbetweeners than it is Skins.

That being said, I am intrigued to see the BBC adaptation!

**

 

What have you read and enjoyed recently?

Posted In: BOOKISH BLOG POSTS

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Comments

  1. Lucy says

    02/24/2020 at 15:29

    I really want to read The Man Called Ove, it sounds like such a lovely read! x

    Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk

    Reply
  2. Faye says

    02/25/2020 at 11:50

    I have added The Flat Share to my to-read books, it sounds great! I have to disagree about Normal People though, I absolutely loved it and one of my favourite things was the dialogue. I do see how it could be seen as quite Skins-like however.

    Reply
  3. Kate Mitchell says

    02/25/2020 at 14:21

    I loved both a Man called Ove, and The flatshare, both such lovely stories, The flatshare was one of my fav books last year. x
    https://www.katescloset.uk/

    Reply
  4. Erin Grace says

    02/26/2020 at 16:42

    You have put my exact thoughts about Normal People into words! I also read that one in January and found myself really underwhelmed by it, the characters weren’t particuarly likeable and there didn’t seem to be much of a story? However you have totally sold The Flat Share to me, so especially because it is the Beths Book Club pick this month, I’m very excited to give it a read! X

    Erin // Everything Erin

    Reply
  5. Frankie Reynolds says

    03/05/2020 at 10:31

    I’ve just bought a whole load of books now on WBD from this post and the last 8 books I read post. Thanks for the recommendations!x

    Reply

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I am a multi-award winning blogger, photographer and writer from London. I’ve travelled to over 38 countries, lived out of a backpack for a year and love to scuba dive! This site is a destination for all things travel, lifestyle and my successful online book club.

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Serves: 4
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🏀 Basketball belly: the stretch is real! My uterus is now firmly up under my ribs and I swear I can feel them slowly pulling apart. I cried when I sneezed - “it’s like someone STABBED me” (see point 1). Everything feels very round and my old belly piercing scar is not thrilled about life...
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🦒 All the cute things: we’ve decided on a neutral safari themed nursery. Says the person who hates themes.
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💸 “But they’re so small...😭”: I’m officially on a tiny clothes shopping ban. I’ve rinsed eBay and some lovely small brands (and the Zara sale) and I get an eye roll every time I smuggle a new parcel into the nursery.
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🥴 Tasting everything 6 times over: Hi reflux.
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📖 Reading: Your Baby, Your Birth by Hollie de Cruz is next on my bedside table.
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Two things in life that you just can’t have too Two things in life that you just can’t have too much of: books and tea. My survival tools! ☕️📖💫
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Here are 3 titles I’ve read recently (and rated 5/5 - I’m a harsh critic) that are perfect if you need a pick me up or some escapism...
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1. The Authenticity Project by Clare Pooley: an old man leaves a notebook in a cafe for a stranger to find telling his ‘truth’ and challenging them to do the same. The catalyst for a web of unusual friendships and genuine, warm characters...
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2. Educated by Tara Westover: a memoir that reads a little like a fiction depicting Tara’s life growing up in a strict Mormon family in Idaho with a survivalist father who is battling undiagnosed mental illness. They don’t believe in formal education or medicine and any form of governance is the work of the Illuminati. Covers some heavy themes (tw: abuse) and is extremely interesting and engaging.
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3. Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams: sometimes laugh out loud funny, sometimes poignantly sad, Queenie is a vivacious twenty-something growing up as a black woman in an ever gentrifying south London. A crap boyfriend, covert racism and a battle with anxiety paint a backdrop whilst she navigates daily life. It’s excellent!
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Hit save for later or tag someone who needs some reading inspo 📚 What’s the best book you’ve read recently?
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🌱 A lovely bright spot away from direct sun (not a problem in winter) and radiators.
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26 weeks: mini diary 🤍 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 26 weeks: mini diary 🤍
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With less than 2 weeks until the final trimester I thought I’d try and document weekly, as much for me to look back on. This photo is already a week old and I seem to be growing by the day!
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What’s the crack this week?...
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😴 Sleepy AF: A new wave of exhaustion has hit. It makes sense - babies generally double their weight between 24-28 wks. I’ve started going to bed earlier/falling asleep at 9pm in front of Bridgerton.
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🤧 Pelvic floor: Sneezing brings ALL the fear!
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🐙 Movement: I saw my belly move from the outside like a scene from Alien for the first time. At bed time it feels like a small octopus is doing the Macarena in my uterus. It’s still the most magical feeling in the world.
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👶🏼 Prep: The pram arrived this week! We ordered it in a brilliant Silver Cross sale. I was feeling a bit flat about the loss of that ‘pram shopping with my bump’ experience due to lockdown but putting it together made me happy - it’s so beautiful! And so surreal - we own a pram!
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📖 Reading: The Positive Birth Book by @milli.hill. It puts across all options in a clear, non-judgey, humorous way and has made me think of things I’d never heard of. It’s also the first time I’ve understood what a birth plan might physically look/read like.
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🧘🏼‍♀️ Hypnobirthing: I’ve started to feel more nervous about the birth (not the actual act or the pain, rather fears I won’t share as don’t want to project) but we’re starting hypnobirthing online next week which I’m looking forward to!
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👯‍♀️ Following: @birth_ed, @takingcarababies, @mixing.up.motherhood are accounts that are bringing joy/invaluable info.
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#26weeks #rainbowbaby🌈 #secondtrimester #pregnancyafterloss
I loved being a pregnant bride. Often a baby is a I loved being a pregnant bride. Often a baby is a reason to delay or speed up a wedding (lots assumed that was the case for us, but it wasn’t!) and is generally seen as perhaps spoiling things a little. It’s totally fine if you do feel that way, but for us it made it extra magical. It felt totally right to have our little bub between us as we exchanged vows and I was happy to embrace the bump in my dress. I still chose exactly the look and fit I wanted and wore the sparkly heels and in a way, I found trying dresses on much lower pressure as I wasn’t worrying about my figure. Perhaps the biggest difference was staying sober and the fact that we had a tiny wedding with a fancy lunch rather than a party probably made this a lot easier. I raised a toast with our four guests but beyond that, I didn’t have any inclination to drink anyway. Bonus - a great nights sleep and no hangover! 🥂👰🏻
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Photographer: @victoriasomersethowphotography
Dress: ASOS
Box fresh kicks ready to explore [from the bedroom Box fresh kicks ready to explore [from the bedroom to the kitchen, to the loo...aaand repeat]...at least they’ll stay clean 🥴☕️
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Type into browser: https://rstyle.me/cz-n/ewjdwzcbq2x (junior size 🤑 if under a UK 5.5)
AD: Pregnancy has given me a lot of time to reflec AD: Pregnancy has given me a lot of time to reflect on my relationship with alcohol over the last year. 🍸 I flitted between giving it up when pregnant or for fertility purposes, then using it as an emotional crutch in loss which made me more anxious and restless. This time - now 6 months pregnant - I haven’t had a drink since August and have been really pleasantly surprised by how little I’ve missed it, even over the festive season. I’m not into vilifying booze; I enjoy a couple of drinks and even the feeling of lowered inhibitions and being tipsy. But I know that even post-pregnancy and the other-side of the hazy newborn/breastfeeding days, I’ll try and maintain a far more positive relationship with alcohol which for me, looks like indulging lightly and occasionally.
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Having access to brilliant alcohol-free alternatives makes this significantly easier. My favourite gin distillers, Salcombe Gin, are behind the @NewLondonLight; a 0% spirit that doesn’t compromise on taste. So whether you’re pregnant, doing Dry January or simply attempting to live lighter, you can still enjoy a Sunday evening tipple. How do you feel about the alcohol free movement?
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Get 20% off with code ‘NLL20Beth’ 🍊 #NewLondonLight #LiveLightNLL #NLL
Top 5 Books I read in 2020 ☕️ ~
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Where the Crawdads Sing, Delia Owens: totally captivating, unusual and enchanting. I literally devoured this one!
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Queenie, Candice Carty-Williams: as well as being laugh out loud funny, Queenie is also an education. A must read on what it’s like to be a young black woman growing up in London. Also tackles mental health really well!
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The Flatshare, Beth O’Leary: I recommend this to anyone who just really needs a hug from a genuinely enjoyable book. It’s warm and lovely but offers depth well beyond your usual chick lit too.
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Homegoing, Yaa Gyasi: this novel is such a triumph! Spanning over 300 years from pre-colonial Ghana to present day USA, each chapter follows a new character in the lineage of two sisters. One sold to slavery, the other married to an English coloniser. It’s sweepingly powerful and incredibly well written. I could’ve read an entire book on each character!
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A Man Called Ove, Fredrik Backman: Ove was the very first book I read in 2020 and it stuck with me throughout the year. At its most basic, it’s the story of a cantankerous old man. Delve a little deeper and it’s funny, heartbreaking and incredibly heartwarming. I just love Ove!
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Hit the ‘save’ button to come back to this list when you’re in need of a good read! What were your books of the year? 📚
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PS. If more reading, less scrolling is one of your 2021 goals too then don’t forget you can come and join us at @bethsbookclub_ 😎
2 0 2 1: the year of you 🕊🤍
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Happy new year saucepots! We had an ultra rock n’ roll night (read our books in bed then watched the midnight fireworks - that was a nice surprise! - on a phone before falling promptly to sleep...) and today is all about a long walk, a longer bath, books and tea. And obviously starting a new diary because isn’t fresh stationary the best thing about a new year?!
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Are you setting New Years’ resolutions? I prefer a bit of reflection and mindset shifting. This year it’s all about setting firm positive boundaries, protecting my energy and saying no to things/people that don’t serve that. I like the new year, not for the ‘new me’ noise but rather as a chance to let go and embrace a fresh beginning again. ⚡️☕️
As far as NYE outfits go, I’m not mad about this As far as NYE outfits go, I’m not mad about this one...🐻🥂 I hope you’re all well and excited to bid farewell to 2020. I know the clock striking midnight doesn’t fundamentally change anything but I’m hopeful that we can look forward with more optimism. I always find the turn of the year really emotionally complex. I’m not even going to attempt to unpack this last one other than to rejoice that even amongst the lowest of lows there have been highs. My beloved Nan won’t see the new year, which is hard to contemplate. I also married my best friend. This time last year I was miserable on the sofa, a day after surgery for our first miscarriage and wishing I could press pause on life. Tonight I’m still on the sofa, but full and at peace rather than empty and grieving, looking forward. For us, 2021 will see the birth of our little cub so it’s one that I’m welcoming with open arms. So much can change in a year and I hope you can seek comfort in that. However you’re feeling tonight, I’ll raise my alco-free bubbles to you because you did it: you made it through one of the toughest years in history. Brighter days are coming ☀️💓
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