Wish You Were Here.

                         ✰✰✰✰✰

CONTAINS SPOILERS

Diana O’Toole is perfectly on track. She will be married by thirty, done having kids by thirty-five, and move out to the New York City suburbs, all while climbing the professional ladder in the cutthroat art auction world. She’s not engaged just yet, but she knows her boyfriend, Finn, a surgical resident, is about to propose on their romantic getaway to the Galápagos—days before her thirtieth birthday. Right on time. 

But then a virus that felt worlds away has appeared in the city, and on the eve of their departure, Finn breaks the news: It’s all hands on deck at the hospital. He has to stay behind. You should still go, he assures her, since it would be a shame for all of their nonrefundable trip to go to waste. And so, reluctantly, she goes. 

Almost immediately, Diana’s dream vacation goes awry. The whole island is now under quarantine, and she is stranded until the borders reopen. Completely isolated, she must venture beyond her comfort zone. Slowly, she carves out a connection with a local family when a teenager with a secret opens up to Diana, despite her father’s suspicion of outsiders. 

Diana finds herself examining her relationships, her choices, and herself—and wondering if when she goes home, she too will have evolved into someone completely different.

 

 

❀ ❀ ❀

 
Wish You Were Here will take your breath away. 

It is not a surprise that I loved this book. Jodi Picoult has been one of my favorites since getting my first college degree. I am always looking forward to her books. I pre-ordered a few of her books in the past. Wish You Were Here was unlike her other books, a unique style that I am used to. It’s a story that everyone could relate to during this pandemic. When I heard that Jodi’s newest book was about COVID-19, I was not sure about it at first. I did not know if I would enjoy reading about something that everyone wants to forget. I didn’t have COVID-19, but my 90-year-old grandfather and a few of my friends had it. However, since I love Jodi Picoult’s books, I decided to give it a chance. Once I started, I knew that I had made the right decision. When I picked up Wish You Were Here , I could not force myself to put the book down. It was sad to read about, but it also had good parts, which you found yourself lost in. Wish You Were Here is not a book where your heart will not be shattered into million pieces. 

When I was taking Biology, I learned a little about the Galapagos Islands. Once I finished Wish You Were Here, I felt as if I knew much more. I wanted to go there for a chance to explore everything that Diana did. Everything that Diana studied there, all the people she met and formed relationships with, felt natural. I have read a book with unexpected twists before, but nothing like this one. Like Diana, I didn’t want to believe that it was not real, that it all happened because she had a severe case of COVID-19. There is the reason that Jodi Picoult books always intrigue me, which is one reason. I felt as I read two different stories of Diana. Part of me wished that her going to the Island was real, and I did not want to believe that everyone she met wasn’t real. So many emotions went through me while reading Wish You Were Here long after turning the last page. 

Of all her books, Wish You Were Here has become my favorite. For me, it was an inspirational book to read. This is the story that will stay with you long after you turn the last page. I cannot see what Jodi Picoult will come up with next.

In Five Years.

 

✰✰✰✰✰

                     CONTAINS SPOILERS

Where do you see yourself in five years? 

 
When Type-A Manhattan lawyer Dannie Kohan is asked this question at the most important interview of her career, she has a meticulously crafted answer at the ready. Later, after nailing her interview and accepting her boyfriend's marriage proposal, Dannie goes to sleep knowing she is right on track to achieve her five-year plan. 

But when she wakes up, she’s suddenly in a different apartment, with a different ring on her finger, and beside a very different man. The television news is on in the background, and she can just make out the scrolling date. It’s the same night—December 15—but 2025, five years in the future.
After a very intense, shocking hour, Dannie wakes again, at the brink of midnight, back in 2020. She can’t shake what has happened. It certainly felt much more than merely a dream, but she isn’t the kind of person who believes in visions. That nonsense is only charming coming from free-spirited types, like her lifelong best friend, Bella. Determined to ignore the odd experience, she files it away in the back of her mind. 

That is, until four-and-a-half years later, when by chance Dannie meets the very same man from her long-ago vision. 

 

  ❀ ❀ ❀

 

Heartbreaking. Haunting. 

This was... I do not know how to begin without the book breaking my heart all over again. I was not prepared for how emotional In Five Years was going to get. I was not aware of this book until a close friend of mine from PTA (Physical Therapist Assistant) school told me about it. She had just read the book and loved it, so she recommended it to me. I can see why she loved In Five Years ; what is there not to love? It has everything that I love about books. However, I still cannot get a hold of my emotions after finishing the book. I have been sick with a cold the past few days and was able to finish it within a few days of starting it. I am glad I picked it up when I had more time to read it. This is so much more than a romance book; there is romance, but much more happening. It is a story about love, friendship, and courage. In Five Years will have you smiling, crying, along with all the characters. 

Bella and Dannie . Now, that is friendship. Their special bond reminds me and one of my best friends, Mariah, who I have known for 19 years. Like Bella and Dannie, there isn’t anything that we would not do for each other. I loved their friendship; Bella was part of Dannie’s family, making me miss my best friend, who lives 1000 miles away. When Bella got sick, my heart broke for her, for Dannie. I loved how Dannie did everything she could to ensure that Bella got the best care. She did not give up on her, she kept on fighting along with her. What Bella did for Dannie was as incredible. From the friendship books that I read in the past, In Five Years is one of my favorites. Their friendship is the type of friendship that everyone is looking for. Bella even saw before Dannie did that David was not she wanted to marry; she made her see it. 

When I started reading In Five Years , I knew that David and Dannie belong with each other. In the proposal scene at the beginning of the book, you can see their love. However, when four and half years passed and they were still engaged, I was starting to wonder what the holdup was. I wonder if it was both decisions or if one of them had doubts about marriage. I felt that after that vision that Dannie had those years ago, it was the reason that she was having doubts about her and David, or was there something else? In Five Years was one of those stories where you found yourself in the story, experiencing everything that the characters were. I was unsure about the ending of the book; I felt as if some things were left unresolved, but the rest was remarkable.

Big Little Lies.

 

✰✰✰✰

                                      CONTAINS SPOILERS

A murder...A tragic accident...Or just parents behaving badly? What’s indisputable is that someone is dead. 

Madeline is a force to be reckoned with. She’s funny, biting, and passionate; she remembers everything and forgives no one. Celeste is the kind of beautiful woman who makes the world stop and stare but she is paying a price for the illusion of perfection. New to town, single mom Jane is so young that another mother mistakes her for a nanny. She comes with a mysterious past and a sadness beyond her years. These three women are at different crossroads, but they will all wind up in the same shocking place.

 

  ❀ ❀ ❀

Mysterious. Tragic. Memorable. 

A good friend told me about Liane Moriarty books, but I have not had a chance to read any. I saw Nine Perfect Strangers on Hulu few months before, and loved the storyline. While surfing my library online, I came across Big Little Lies and glanced at the summary of the book, and right away, I was hooked. The beginning is what draws you to the book more, and have you wondering: 'what happened? Who was killed, and who is behind it?' . I love it when the story starts with a mystery. I was curious which of the parents it was and if there was a reason behind it or planned. There were a few slow parts in the first couple of chapters when the characters were being introduced, but soon I found myself unable to pull myself away from the story. Since I was curious, I could not help but wonder if one of those parents was involved in what happened. There was so much mystery surrounding each of the families. 

I loved how Liane Moriarty set up the book's timeline, going back a few months before the event had occurred. It gave us a chance to get an opportunity to get to know each of the parents. If I were asked to choose a favorite one, I do not think I would decide. Madeline, Jane, and Celeste were unique in their ways, and each of them was struggling with something. However, it was one of the things that brought them close together. I am glad that the three of them had each other, and no matter what was happening, they were there and stood by each other. The three of them reminded me of friendships with my best friends, a company that lasts forever. I hoped that one of them would see what was happening with Celeste and what her husband was doing. I never liked the one character, and I hoped that Celeste would get away from him before he killed her. 

I try not to dislike characters that are children, but I was not too fond of Abigail or how she treated Madeline. I am aware that she is a teenager, but it still gives her no right to disrespect her mother. Max, I did not see that coming; the revelation also came as a shock to me. A lot was going on in the book, and before I even realized it, I read way past midnight. I liked that the interviews of a few different parents were included in the book, making the story even more interesting to read. The ending had such a twist, I was in shock for some time, especially about what happened. I love books with unexpected twists. Now that I have read the book, I am eager to check out the TV show. 

I would highly recommend this to anyone who loves thrillers. Big Little Lies is not just a thriller but a story about friendship, family, love, and survival.

These Broken Stars (Starbound,#1)

                        ✰✰✰✰✰

                      CONTAINS SPOILERS

It's a night like any other on board the Icarus. Then, catastrophe strikes: the massive luxury spaceliner is yanked out of hyperspace and plummets into the nearest planet. Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive. And they seem to be alone. 

Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. Tarver comes from nothing, a young war hero who learned long ago that girls like Lilac are more trouble than they’re worth. But with only each other to rely on, Lilac and Tarver must work together, making a tortuous journey across the eerie, deserted terrain to seek help. 

Then, against all odds, Lilac and Tarver find a strange blessing in the tragedy that has thrown them into each other’s arms. Without the hope of a future together in their own world, they begin to wonder—would they be better off staying here forever? 

Everything changes when they uncover the truth behind the chilling whispers that haunt their every step. Lilac and Tarver may find a way off this planet. But they won’t be the same people who landed on it. It's a night like any other on board the Icarus. Then, catastrophe strikes: the massive luxury spaceliner is yanked out of hyperspace and plummets into the nearest planet. Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive. And they seem to be alone. 

❀ ❀ ❀ 

 

These Broken Stars is one of those books that I did not have high expectations of since I was unfamiliar with either of the authors. I should have. I have read multiple science fiction books through the years, but nothing like this, and I am having trouble describing my emotions in this one; there are so many. I always loved survival stories and read a few of those in the past. Those are the types of stories that hook you right from the start. These Broken Stars was not just a survival story but had a mystery and science fiction added to the mix, and I could not help but fall in love with it. There was so much happening in this story, every page, every chapter, and I found myself unable to stop because I wanted to see what would happen next. I wanted to see if Lilac and Tarver would get rescued and what would happen to the two of them after. 

Lilac and Tarver. I should see it coming, yet it still came as a surprise that they ended up together. The way that the two of them met and how they seemed to get on each other's nerves, I did not see them together. I had a feeling that they tolerated each other because they had no other choice. As time passed, I noticed an attraction starting to form between the two of them. I wondered if their relationship would last once they were rescued. I had felt that Lilac’s father would not be happy with their relationship and would send Tarver away the way he sent Lilac’s first love away. I loved how the relationship between Lilac and Tarver took time, making the relationship feel more realistic to me. I was rooting for them to find a way to be with each other. There were times when I wondered if they would be rescued. 

I loved that there was an interview before each new chapter with Tarver. I wondered if they knew that he was lying. These Broken Stars is not a type of book that you will be able to put down. Every single page will have you craving more. If you love fantasy, with some romance and adventure in the mix, I would highly recommend checking this book out.

The Personal Librarian.

                       ✰✰✰✰✰

CONTAINS SPOILERS

In her twenties, Belle da Costa Greene is hired by J. P. Morgan to curate a collection of rare manuscripts, books, and artwork for his newly built Pierpont Morgan Library. Belle becomes a fixture on the New York society scene and one of the most powerful people in the art and book world, known for her impeccable taste and shrewd negotiating for critical works as she helps build a world-class collection. 

But Belle has a secret, one she must protect at all costs. She was born not Belle da Costa Greene but Belle Marion Greener. She is the daughter of Richard Greener, the first Black graduate of Harvard and a well-known advocate for equality. Belle's complexion isn't dark because of her alleged Portuguese heritage that lets her pass as white—her complexion is dark because she is African American. 

The Personal Librarian tells the story of an extraordinary woman, famous for her intellect, style, and wit, and shares the lengths to which she must go—for the protection of her family and her legacy—to preserve her carefully crafted white identity in the racist world in which she lives. 

  ❀ ❀ ❀

  Heartbreaking. Cherished. 

I can't begin to explain my feelings about this book. The Personal Librarian played with my emotions which are everywhere right now. I love historical fiction books that deal with books. I had read a couple of books by Marie Benedict before and knew that she was a good writer, so I was excited to find out that she's one of the authors. I haven't read any books by Victoria Christopher Murray before picking this book up, and now I'm eager to check her other books. If I begin to describe all my emotions while reading this book, I would be here all day. When I picked up The Personal Librarian , I was hooked and wished that I had more time to read this book. I loved the book's timeline, and as a reader, I felt as I was experiencing it all, along with Belle. There was so much happening, on every page, every chapter that I kept on turning the pages, and at times losing track of time. 

The Personal Librarian taught me so much. I have learned what goes into curating a collection, the research and auctions along with it, and how rare collections are discovered. I had no idea how much work went into it. Belle ran into some issues, and working for someone like J.P Morgan wasn't easy. Sometimes I wondered how she put up with him for as long as she did. I believe it's because of the connection the two of them had. As I read The Personal Librarian , I wondered if something would happen between Belle and J.P Morgan. I knew that if her identity were discovered, it wouldn't end well for Belle. I wish that Belle didn't have to hide that she was African American, but I understood why she had to. The emotions in the book were incredible, and it's one of the reasons that I could pull away from the story. 

Before reading The Personal Librarian , I had no idea that it was based on true events, not until the end. Once I finished the book, I did some research because I was fascinated by the story. This is one of the reasons that I fell in love with historical fiction and why it's one of my favorite genres. You couldn't help but fall in love with Belle, and she was strong and determined. I loved her approach to rare collections she would get for J.P Morgan and how she would stop at nothing to get that collection into her hands. She never gave up. The Personal Librarian is not a book that you will forget, I thought about the story, long after I turned the last page. This story is the one I will be returning to in the future. 

An inspiration. A must read.

Things I Should Have Said.

 

✰✰✰✰

    CONTAINS SPOILERS

 You’ve read the headlines, but you don’t know Jamie Lynn Spears. The world first met Jamie Lynn as a child star, when it was her job to perform, both on set and for the press. She spent years escaping into different characters on All That and Zoey 101. But as she grew up, faced a teen pregnancy, raised her daughter on her own, pursued a career, and learned to stand on her own two feet, the real Jamie Lynn started to take center stage– a raw, blemished, and imperfect woman, standing in her own power. 

Despite growing up in one of America's most tabloid-famous families, Jamie Lynn has never told her story in her own words. In Things I Should Have Said, she talks frankly about the highs and lows, sharing what it was like traveling the world as a kid, how she moved into acting and performing herself, what life as a child star took from her, and the life-changing reality of becoming a teen mom. She talks about how she finally found love and how the mistakes she has made have taught her more than anything else. She also shares vulnerably about how the ATV accident that nearly took her daughter's life brought her back to her faith and caused her to reevaluate and redirect her life. 

 

❀ ❀ ❀  

Heartfelt. 

I hate that people are giving Jamie a hard time because of Britney. I feel as half of them didn’t take the time to read the book. I had loved Jamie Lynn Spears since I was her on Zoey 101 years ago, and I still remember watching the show after school. So when I found out that she was writing a book, I was excited. The beginning of the book started slow for me, but after the first chapter, it picked up. After the first chapter, it was hard for me to put the book down as I read late into the night. I am surprised at how many low and negative comments there are. I might not know Jamie Lynn Spears personally, but I could relate to this book. I loved the writing style and how Jamie told us her story. As I read the book, I felt all the emotions that she felt while writing the book. 

Like Jamie, I experienced anxiety and depression. My struggles were different from hers, but that was the book I could relate to the most. The hardest part for me to get through was the chapter about Maddie’s accident. I had briefly read about the accident when it happened but didn’t know too many details. I can’t even begin to imagine going through that and then writing about it. It was heartbreaking to read what was happening with Maddie. I’m so glad that she made it through it. Things I Should Have Said , I don’t think I can’t gather all my emotions to describe how much I loved it, one of the best memoirs that I have read. I wish people would give this book a chance; Jamie was not responsible for what happened with Britney. It’s clear from the book how much she adores her big sister. 

Highly recommend checking out.