By Popular Request, Reviews from “The List”

I received quite a few emails from people asking for specific reviews, so this week is a random collection of reviews as requested by you!

Thanks so much for all of your feedback on last weeks’ post. Maybe I have a future in comedy writing?

A Good Girls Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson was requested. This has been reviewed before. That review can be found here.

First up we have The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein. This book was recommended to me by my friend – it is one of her favourite books of all time. This book was first published in 2019. It is told from the perspective of the family dog – which sounds completely random but it is so very well done. This book is about a family, how they almost fell apart and how they were brought back together by their most loyal family member – Enzo the dog.

This is an unputdownable, beautifully told story. I couldn’t put it down, and I can safely say that this one has universal appeal. I passed this on to my Dad who read it and loved it, and my Mum then read it and she also really enjoyed it. I think you will particularly enjoy this if you are an animal lover – it will make you look at your pets differently and/or make you want a dog. I highly recommend this book, especially for those who struggle to get into reading or who haven’t read in awhile.

The next book this week is Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner. Ever since I started writing these reviews, I have been asked many times what my favourite books are. I have been working away on a list of my top 10 books of all time – it is a very considered list, and it is not quite done. I will published it when I have got there. I can tell you that Crying in H Mart is on there. I loved this book! This book is a memoir about growing up Korean, living in America; a book about the fraught relationship of between mothers and daughters; and about the bonding power of food. This book is raw, honest and open with such a frank writing style.

Michelle has a fraught relationship with her mother. They often clashed and she grew into a rebellious teenager. It is until Michelle’s mother is diagnosed with cancer that she begins to unpack the significant role her mother plays in her life. Their roles reverse and Michelle finds herself caring for her mother. Michelle is determined to cook traditional Korean food for her mum, and with fierce determination, she begins learning to cook these dishes to help heal and comfort – herself and her mother.

I would love to be able to read this book again for the first time – it is simply beautiful. Add to your TBR, because life is too short to read bad books.

P.S You’ll all be so proud of me. I have written this review 5 days in advance, instead of waiting until Wednesday night when I am tired. Growth people, growth!