Recent Reads #9: the 4th and 5th of 2018.

Hello, book lovers. So unlike last year, I won't be sticking to any particular reading schedules for the next 12 months - and let me tell you, the feeling of freedom is pretty sweet. I of course took full advantage of this new variety in reading, and so far this year I've read a non-fic, a crime novel, a massively hyped YA, a collection of essays and a very popular adult fiction. I'll be keeping these Recent Reads posts regular from now on, and am always open to recs and suggestions for my To Be Read list! 

Follow/friend me on Goodreads, maybe, to keep up with my bookish 2018!

Rookie on Love, edited by Tavi Gevinson.

A single-subject anthology about the heart's most powerful emotion.

(Goodreads.com)

I am a sucker for love – don’t know if you guys knew that? Well, this collection of unique and lovely essays was perfect for me. Some were so refreshing; not every one was about romantic love, they weren’t all rose-tinted, and they didn’t hold back. 

My favourite chapters were: 'Memory is an Angel Who Can Fly No More' by Jackie Wang, 'You First' by Danielle Henderson, and 'The Most Exciting Moment of Alma's Life' by Etgar Keret. 

And of course, Rainbow Rowell and John Green's conversation about love in teen years ('Super Into a Person's Person-ness') was adorable and gorgeous. 

(My photo; taken in Cake Room, Hastings.)

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, by Gail Honeyman. 

'The story of a quirky yet lonely woman whose social misunderstandings and deeply ingrained routines could be changed forever—if she can bear to confront the secrets she has avoided all her life. But if she does, she’ll learn that she, too, is capable of finding friendship—and even love—after all.'

(Goodreads.com)

I mean, you may have heard of this one...? I think it's done quite well, yeah?
This narrative style reminds me quite a bit of Sure Townsend's masterfully created voice of Adrian Mole. An adult, female, majorly (and secretly) psychologically damaged Adrian Mole.

A lot of Eleanor's arguably anal observations made complete and total sense to me, tbh. The little things like social interactions and paying for drinks definitely could be understood (but perhaps one shouldn't be so blunt about it?!), and one of my favourite lines was when she simply stated that nobody should be judged for being beautiful. Because holy sh*t, yes. 

I loved Eleanor quite a bit by the end of the book. Which was quite unexpected, and heartwarming. I can completely see why this wonderful novel has got so much attention this year and last - and why it came out on top of the Costa 2017 fiction shortlist!

* Currently £6.49 on A Great Read! *

(damn, those are some worn out spines...!)

What have you all been reading recently? Any recs?

Have you got on the Eleanor Oliphant hype, too!?

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