alltheradreads's Reviews (1.9k)

THIS BOOK. THIS BOOK. THIS BOOK.

You all told me book 2 got even better and I didn’t know how it could after the first was amazing BUT THEN I READ IT AND HOT DAMN YOU ALL WERE RIGHT. I COULD NOT READ FAST ENOUGH. I can’t even tell you anything else because I won’t ruin it but PLZ READ THIS SERIES

I’ve had this book on my shelf since hearing Amy Julia speak at a local event about a year ago, and I’m glad I finally got to it. It’s a helpful look at privilege from a woman similar to me in many ways — I didn’t feel like it quite went THERE enough but it did honestly tell of her own experiences and her awakening to her privilege. I’m often wrestling with how to both be aware of my own privilege and then do something about it for the benefit of others, and I appreciated reading her thoughts and experiences around doing the same. In the conclusion, she writes: “This book is an attempt at both a confession of sin and a confession of faith— faith not in privilege, but faith in the God of love who invites me to understand privilege differently.”

The Nine is a story of motherhood, of elite schools and secret societies, of privilege and finding your place in the world, of letting go and learning and loving, and of scandal and sacrifices. It was solidly okay in my opinion, but I think not being a mother and not being of the elite education world at all disconnected me from the story and major themes of this one. There would be so many good book club discussions to come from reading this one with others, for sure! If you’re reading this one, let’s discuss!

Devoured this one on my Kindle on the flight the Denver last week and loved it like my friends said I would. It’s such a cozy murder mystery — not gory or overly twisted, but nuanced and layered and expertly crafted. I love Inspector Gamache already and can’t wait to keep cruising through this series! (I’m putting holds on alllll of them at my library so I don’t have to wait in between!)

This was the sequel to Me Before You, a book I read back in January because my dear friend Amber sent it to me. I loved MBY, and cried big old tears at the end. This sequel though? It didn't wow me in the same way. It wasn't as moving, as poignant, as powerful. It wasn't bad...but it just wasn't as good. It was slow and I didn't connect with Louisa in the same way, but I'm still glad I read it and experienced more of her story and her growth, although it could have (and should have) been so much richer.