I know we are all obsessed with the TikTok book trends that share new books, theories, and tropes. I grew up on books like the Magic Treehouse series, The Hatchet, and even Harry Potter; I didn’t remember my love for books until late high school when I finally picked up Ali Hazelwoods’ hit, The Love Hypothesis, and finished it in under 8 hours…Ever since I’ve been grappling to find new books and genres to discover. Books are so diverse and it’s thrilling to be able to connect with the characters we are reading about on such a personal and intimate level. Honestly reading to me is more than a hobby; it makes me feel such magic and emotion to live and breathe these stories, and they inspire me to try new things and continue to be a better person. So, here is a list of this month’s current TBR!
Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco mellors
This is a fiction novel about a 24-year-old named Cleo who moved to New York on a student visa to paint. Her visa is going to expire soon, but she finds an opportunity to stay when she meets a stranger named Frank who is 20 years older than her. They spontaneously get married but quickly find out that their decision might affect their lives and others more than they can believe.
I’ve seen this novel all over my Pinterest, and I’ve been dying to read it because I want to get into more fiction and raw books about the human experience that show the world and life is not perfect but that it’s ok.
Every last word by tamara ireland stone
A high schooler named Samantha is one of the popular girls, however, she is hiding a secret from everyone. She has OCD that consumes her daily. She is struggling intensely until she meets Caroline, who introduces her to a secret poetry club full of “misfits.” She is drawn to them and discovers a side of herself she has never known before. That is, until something causes her to question herself and her sanity, which could cost her everything.
This is my favorite book of all time. I’ve re-read it several times and cannot stop myself; I connect to what Sam is going through in the story on a very deep level. Also, I love the way the author incorporates poetry into the dialogue and how the characters bond over it; it made me want to write as well and release all the difficult things that I am going through.
First-time caller by b.k. Borison
When Lucie’s daughter calls a romance radio show to help her mom find love, Lucie is reluctant to go along with it. However, when the episode goes viral, the show asks her to come on as a guest to find her a partner; finding some confidence, she goes along with it, but after spending much time in the radio booth with the host (Aiden Valentine), sparks between them cause them to both question love.
I’m almost done with this book, and honestly, it’s so, so good! What drew me in was the cover because I’m a comms major and love storytelling, so I knew this was gonna be a good read. I love the sarcasm and emotional/internal debates the characters go through because I, myself, have done the same. Also, it gave me such Gilmore Girls and Sleepless in Seattle vibes, the way she wanted magic and a deep romance, and she somehow stumbled on it while on a radio show to find it. Ugh, just so sweet.
Intermezzo by Sally Rooney
This is a novel about two brothers who are polar opposites dealing with the grief of losing their father, along with their complicated love lives and work/personal life balance.
I was in Barnes and Noble this afternoon when I turned to the hardback of Intermezzo and was so enthralled. I’ve been dying to read Sally Rooney’s novels because I watched Normal People on Hulu and my nail artist has been raving to me about Conversations with Friends. Honestly, the synopsis did not have much information to spoil the plot, but it reminds me of the new movie A Real Pain with Kieran Culkin and Jesse Eisenberg. Culkin and Eisenberg play cousins leading completely different lives who must come together to honor their grandmother on a tour of Poland. The film showcases their relationship and personal struggles on a trip to discover their family history.