books – Page 21 – World of Bai

Throwback Thursday (Book Review) “Anxious People” By: Fredrik Backman

It is another Throwback Thursday book review post. this week I am going to be posting what will probably be a very unpopular opinion. This is my one star review for Fredik Backman’s book “Anxious People”.

I originally gave this book a three star review however, after I redid my reviewing scale it got bumped all the way down to just a single star! Check out how I got to this point in this previous article https://worldofbaiblog.com/2021/06/14/my-rating-system/

Synopsis

🚫 Possible Spoilers 🚫

This book is about a bank robber, a man on a bridge and a hostage situation, But mostly a group of mysterious people with many secrets.

What would you do if your kids were about to be taken away from you because you are missing just a few thousand dollars? Maybe you would beg for help, ask your ex for a little more time or maybe choose to rob a bank.

When your plan goes unexpected you run across the street and take hostages in an apartment. How will you get yourself out of this situation?

The biggest question the cops have is who is the suspect in this room full of strange and suspicious people?

Rating

⭐️/ 5 Stars

Review

This book took me about 200 pages to get into, which is more than half the book by the way. I really wanted to love this book because of how highly everyone else rates it but this really let me down. I honestly forced myself to finish this book just to say that I read it which is a lot of the reason I gave it only one star.

I felt this book was just a bunch of hypothetical questions each chapter that led you to a very small clue. I didn’t really get into the story because of that. It wasn’t a very interesting story until close to the end when you start putting two and two together. However, the ending did have a nice twist which I feel is why everyone loves this book.

This was my first Fredik Backman book and I kind of feel like it will be my last. If I were to read another one of his, which one should I read?

Photo Credit: Google

Probably My Greatest Accomplishment

On Thursday this past week I received a book in the mail. The book is a hardback copy of Belinda Lei’s “Not THAT Rich”, I already own The E-Book and the paperback copy so if that doesn’t tell you how much I loved this book maybe this review will https://worldofbaiblog.com/2021/06/20/not-that-rich-by-belinda-lei-book-review/

I originally received a free paperback copy from the author herself in return of an honest review, this review ended up being a five star review because I truly loved it! This book is Belinda’s debut novel and with her writing you would never be able to tell that, she is extremely talented and able to paint a beautiful picture in your head as she tells her story.

The reason why I am posting about this book once again is because on the hardback front cover flap there is a blurb that I wrote! Can you believe it? Because Idk if I can. Someone pinch me please!

All because of an incredible Debut novel an amazing friendship bloomed and I couldn’t be happier! Please go follow and support my dear friend and her wonderful book!

Belinda’s Website https://notthatrich.com/

Belinda’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/blei_writes/

“Not THAT Rich” By: Belinda Lei (Book Review)

“Not THAT Rich” by Belinda Lei is a debut young adult novel which I received a free copy of for an honest review. Lets just say I now own three copies of this book because I LOVED it that much! If you would like to see more raving reviews about this book check out her website here https://notthatrich.com/#testimonial-section

Synopsis

Enter a world of a handful of Private High School students born into rich families with extreme expectations. Will they get into their desired colleges? Will they find love in their relationships? Will they fight their drug addictions? Who is “The Stranger”? But most importantly does being rich really make you happy?

This dramatic and mysterious novel will leave you speechless as it takes you through every twist and turn but will also have you feeling sympathy for their misfortunes. Maybe being rich isn’t all that it is cracked up to be.

Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/ 5 Stars

Review

Belinda’s writing is so captivating, she is able to tell her story in such a powerful way that you can envision every detail as it plays out. This is the day and age for diverse books, and with it coming out in December of 2020, it really shows some of the social and cultural struggles Asian-Americans are facing in this country.

I know you will fall madly in love with this book as you learn about each of these teens backgrounds and struggles. Maybe along the way you will even learn a thing or two yourself.

Links

Belinda’s Website https://notthatrich.com/#author-note-section

Buy the book (free on kindle as of 06/20/21) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08P3MS8SN/

Make sure to leave a review when you finish the book! I would love to hear your thoughts as well.

Throwback Thursday (Book Review) “The Lost Apothecary” By: Sarah Penner

This is a Throwback Thursday (Book Review) post. Because I am a new blogger I will be posting my previous book reviews every Thursday afternoon! So to start off with lets dive into “The Lost Apothecary” By: Sarah Penner, which I gave a solid 5 star review!

This book was a Historical Fiction debut release from Book Of The Month Club that I had to grab! The cover alone is just absolutely gorgeous. I started this book March 7th, 2021 and finished March 11th, 2021 which would probably make this the the fastest I have ever read a book to be completely honest.

Synopsis

The Lost Apothecary Follows a Non-Linear storyline bouncing Back and forth between the late 1700’s and modern day London.

Nella, an apothecary owner in the late 1700’s is keeping her mothers shop open after her passing but with a slight twist. Where her mother only used potions to heal Nella uses potions to heal but also to use against men. She has two rules: the poison must never harm another woman and second the names of the murderer and her victim must be recorded in the register. When she meets an unexpected friend something goes wrong but where does that leave the apothecary?

Caroline, an aspiring historian on vacation, stumbles upon a small blue apothecary jar. While sorting out her damaged married life she starts to unravel the mystery of the lost apothecary and finds her true self in the process.

Rating

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/ 5 Stars

Review

I normally don’t find myself loving non-linear storylines because they can get jumbled and confusing at times. However, with this book it worked! I found myself craving to know more about each character and kept me guessing what was going to come next. With every turn of the page I was completely invested and it made the book fly by!

Just a few small issues, if you can even call these issues, probably not.

I want to learn more about Nella and Eliza’s lives.
(Possible spoiler I suppose) At the very end of the book Caroline wrote her dissertation and there is a small inconsistency but I can forgive that.
I could have used a longer book so it didn’t feel “rushed”

Overall I really enjoyed this book and I think for it being a debut novel Sarah Penner did a really great job!

Have you read this book? What are your overall thoughts and feelings?

Photo Credit: Google

Top 10 Tuesday: Summer 2021 TBR

Top 10 Tuesday is a weekly blog hosted by Jana over at thatartsyreadergirl.com

I recently found her blog today actually and thought I would try this out!

I have never really stuck to an actual TBR hopeful list even for a certain month let alone a whole summer. My TBR list is honestly gigantic and I will probably never be able to complete it in a lifetime especially as it grows! Picking only ten might be a bit of a challenge but here goes nothing!

Where The Crawdads Sing

Author: Delia Owens

This is actually my current read for my book club. This has been a very anticipated read for me since I started reading so I was very excited when I found out this was going to be our June read. So far it has a nice summer vibe to it with a hint of mystery. It is everything I am searching for in a good summer read.

One Last Stop

Author: Casey McQuiston

I received this one in my June BOTM box and I picked it because June is Pride month! I really am hoping to get this one done before June is over so my fingers are crossed. I read Casey McQuiston’s previous book Red’ White and Royal Blue a few months back and absolutely loved it so I have some high hopes for this book!

Your Perfect Year

Author: Charlotte Lucas

This book was a gift from a secret sister gift exchange that I participated in and it sounds absolutely adorable! Who doesn’t love a good romance novel in summer?

What Comes After

Author: Joanne Tompkins

This book is Described as a Moving novel that takes you through a mystery of a town who lost two boys. This book sounds like a major tear jerker and sometimes I feel like you just need a book that will tug at your heart strings.

Six of Crows

Author: Leigh Bardugo

The next two books are fantasy novels. I have never really been a fantasy reader, however, I am trying to push my reading preference and try new things. With the new TV series on Netflix that just came out I really want to read this book so I can watch the tv series and not spoil anything.

The House on The Cerulean Sea

Author: TJ Klune

I have seen this book quite literally everywhere recently and I feel like that is my main reason for wanting to read this book. Like I said before I also want to broaden my genres a bit and this is a whimsical and magical book that just catches my eye.

The Maidens

Author: Alex Michaelides

The author for this books early release sent out two copies to each person asking them to put the extra book into a little free library close to them in hopes more people would find and read his book. In my opinion this was such a smart tactic! When I saw all the posts of people finding his book I had to go on the hunt however I didn’t find it near me in Utah so I waited till BOTM came out with it as an option and Immediately added it to my collection.

The Guncle

Author: Steven Rowley

First of all, how cute is this cover? If the cover didn’t catch your eye well then maybe the synopsis will. When a famous gay sitcom star has a family tragedy he ends up watching his niece and nephew for a bit longer than normal and has to figure out real fast how to set rules and become a real guardian. Such a fun and cute idea that I can not wait to dive into!

The FlatShare

Author: Beth O’leary

I also received this book from my secret sister book swap that I participated in. This book sounds so interesting! Two people share a one bedroom flat which means just one bed and yet they have never met due to conflicting schedules…. Hmmm strange if you ask me! I can’t wait to see how this book ends up!

My Husbands Wife

Author: Jane Corry

I picked this book up at my local discount store not knowing anything about but just liking the cover. They say never to judge a book by the cover but yet here I am haha.

I can almost guarantee that these books will change throughout the summer based on my mood, however, as of right now, these are the books I am hoping to read.

Have you read any of these books? Are any of these on your summer TBR lists? Let me know what you think!

Photo credit: Google