“Unmarriageable” by Soniah Kamal is a modern day re-telling of Pride and Prejudice set in Pakistan. It tells the story of Alys Binat and her sisters dealing with pressures from the mother and society to get married. They grow up in a culture where woman are married while still in high school and some don’t even finish school, where a woman being married is more important than her having a career, where marriage is everything and finding love is not as important as marrying a wealthy man.

To be honest, I have not read Pride and Prejudice, but I am familiar with the story. I thought that Kamal did a good job of keeping to the story, but adding some modern twists. The way she kept the names as close to the originals was very cute in my opinion. Her description of the culture in Pakistan was very well done as well.

I didn’t go into this book thinking that I would like it as much as I ended up liking it. It started off slightly slow, but when they got to the wedding festivities it picked up, and I was hooked! Although I knew how the book would turn out, I wanted to keep reading especially to see how Alys and Darsee’s story unfolded. I was routing for them to get together the entire time I was reading. I would definitely recommend this book especially to anyone who loves Pride and Prejudice.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group – Ballentine for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 stars rounded up.

In 1945, in The English village of Chawton, a group of local villagers decide to create a society in honor of Jane Austen. Chawton was the final home of Jane Austen, and although these men and women seem to have nothing in common they do in fact all have a love of Jane Austen’s work.

There was a lot more to this story than the creation of the society. The first few chapters were more a background so we got to know the members of the society. Each of them has a tragedy they have survived which brings them together in other ways as well. I really enjoyed all of their stories and how they each overcame their own struggles. The author did a very nice job of intertwining the characters and their lives in this small town.

To be honest, I can’t remember if I’ve read anything by Jane Austen so I’m not sure why I requested this book. I did end up enjoying it though and liked how it all came together in the end. If you’re a fan of Jane Austen, I’m sure it would make more sense, but I enjoyed it none the less.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I've enjoyed all of the books I've read by Rainbow Rowell. Eleanor & Park tells the story of Eleanor, a new girl in school who is an outcast, and Park, a popular boy who befriends Eleanor on the bus. Eleanor comes from a bad family life and lives with her mother, 5 siblings, and an abusive stepdad. Park comes from a happy, loving family. What brings these two together? Comic books and a love of music!

I loved that this book was set in the 1980's. The references were great and the bands that were mentioned made me happy. You don't hear about The Smiths very often, and they're one of my all time favorite bands.

I wouldn't recommend this book if you're looking for a happy ending, but I do think the story of Eleanor and Parks' relationship is very sweet.

WHY DID I WAIT SO LONG TO READ THIS BOOK?

I got "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo" from Book of the Month as an add-on back in December. I can’t believe I waited almost a year to read this fantastic novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid.

Evelyn Hugo is a Hollywood icon. She’s finally ready to tell her story, the truth about her glamorous yet scandalous life. She chooses an unknown magazine reporter, Monique, to be the one to write her autobiography, but why Monique?

Monique listens as Evelyn tells her life story, starting with her making her way to Hollywood in the 50’s, her relationships along the way including her seven husbands and the true love of her life, all the way through to her retirement from acting in the late 80’s. As Evelyn’s life unfolds, Monique learns more than she expected. She learns that there was way more to the movie star including a forbidden love, but she also learns that their lives intersect in a tragic way which is why Evelyn chose Monique to tell her true story.

I loved the way this book was written. The writing was absolutely fantastic. I was drawn in immediately and wanted to know all about Evelyn’s life. I adored reading about each of Evelyn’s husbands, especially Harry. He was definitely my favorite of the seven of them. The two of them were such a team, and the way they worked together to create their version of a family while protecting their secrets was amazing.

I really liked Evelyn as a character. I know she did some awful things to get where she wanted to be in life, but she was still a very likable character. I was waiting all throughout the book to see how her and Monique were connected, and I honestly did not see it coming. It was a nice twist to the book.

I highly recommend this book even if you don’t think it’s for you!

I used to be a big One Tree Hill fan, so when I heard Hilarie Burton had a memoir coming out I really wanted to read it. I love her story and how her life changed so much after meeting her husband, Jeffrey Dean Morgan. Their story about moving to a farm in upstate New York is funny and sweet and emotional all at the same time.

I wanted to love this story, I really did, but for me, it was a bit slow and confusing at times. I will give Neil Gaiman another chance though.