Seems like I’ve been reading a lot of novels set at week-long weddings. Is this a thing that happens on the regular now? It’s harder than ever for young people to get a toehold into financial stability and, at the same time, the level of extravagance that’s being normalized is wild. From eight dollar coffees to two thousand square foot “starter homes” to “preventative Botox” (what the actual fuck, people?). Let’s all just take it down a notch, shall we? Anyhow, on to the books.
Last One at the Wedding by Jason Rekulak. Loaded with conventions of the psychological thriller genre but not at all rote or formulaic in feel, this novel offers one heck of a good read. I really enjoyed how all of the various characters came to life on the page, and the plot was a banger.
Table for Two by Amor Towles. A collection of highly enjoyable short stories.
Dinner at the Night Library by Hika Hirada. I was enchanted by the title and wanted to love the book, but it was honestly kind of meh.
I Deliver Parcels in Beijing by Hu Anyan. How is this memoir so riveting? The author literally describes his mundane daily experiences moving from job to job in the gig economy in China. I thought maybe I found it absorbing because of the many cultural differences, but then I learned it was a huge bestseller in China as well. The author’s deadpan tone and apparent acceptance of the absolutely inhumane work conditions kept me glued to the page.
Never Been Better by Leanne Toshiko Simpson. She has a crush on the groom, the bride is one of her closest friends, and they all met during their in-patient stay in the psych ward just over a year ago. Now, the main character is attending their destination wedding in Turks and Caicos, with her sister as her combined plus-one, chaperone, and partner-in-hijinks. A fun and refreshing read about a woman trying to live her best life with bipolar illness.
Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood. Light low stakes read. Another destination wedding, this time Italy. Thumbs up.
Lights Out by Navessa Allen. Classed as a “stalker dark romance,” this novel was definitely a zig for me and not a genre that I particularly knew existed previously. Can’t say I’m that interested in leaning in further either - just not for me. That said, the book is well-written with interesting and dimensional characters. Unlike some other genre romance writers (see last month’s blurb about the Abby Jimenez novel, for example), I felt like the author really cared about her characters and their story.
