Hello and welcome to Her Campus SDSU’s book column, where reviews, author spotlights, wrap-ups, and other miscellaneous commentaries will come to be posted, all in one place.
To kick-off the introduction of our new columns, we will be welcoming a new semester of HC with a revisit of 2021, in the form of books! My name is Kaela and last year, my total book count was forty-four. And, as your writer today, I will be highlighting the top five out of that number.
2021 was such a dynamic year for reading, especially in the midst of a pandemic. From having the time to discover new favorite authors to reading about just some crazy, mind-blowing stories, 2021 has been a successful year for me (and my GoodReads, obviously)!
To preface, the order of the list does not pertain to a ranking. This is because I feel that the books listed are all quite different in their own regard so they cannot necessarily be categorized under a ranking. And of course, these reviews are all opinion-based, so opposing (but civil) thoughts are welcomed! With that, let’s kick off our list:
- these violent delights
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Author: Chloe Gong
Summary: In a YA retelling of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, two rival gangs in 1920s Shanghai rule the streets: The Scarlet Gang and White Flowers. However, a recent madness has been taking hold, in the form of a river monster that is wiping out the population rapidly. In an effort to investigate and stop the monster, the two heirs to their gangs: Juliette Cai and Roma Montagov team up to conquer the mayhem.
Link to buy: https://tinyurl.com/2p9d593j
In essence, this book is the title of the article: Romeo and Juliet slaying river monsters. Yes, that is a joking oversimplification of the novel but really, Chloe Gong does an excellent job of capturing the environment of 1920s Shanghai and the political tensions going on at the time. For a retelling of Romeo and Juliet, the book is immersive on its own, without relying on the specific plotline of the original play. Gong clearly has done her research. Her descriptions of Shanghai, blood feuds, and the monster itself are all done with such poise and vivid imagery that the environment just blooms to life effortlessly.
I think the love story is incredibly well done. It does not overpower the book, but instead, adds an exciting element of romance. The protagonist, Juliette, is also not a helpless heiress like in the original play. Rather, she is an empowering main character that is a great representation for any young girl reading/listening. Overall, I believe that These Violent Delights is a stunning debut novel that all young-adult readers should pick up!
- in order to live
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Author: Yeonmi Park
Summary: This is a non-fiction memoir on a mother and her daughter’s (our narrator) journey to freedom from North Korea. Not only was this written to confront the past of her survival journey, but also was published in an effort to reach out to Park’s sister, who she had lost contact with on her way to South Korea.
Link: https://tinyurl.com/yc7jubvc
In 2021, I challenged myself to read more non-fiction books. So, this was one of the very first books I read last year. And, despite how long ago I read it, this memoir has had such a lasting impact. Park has such a powerful, heart-wrenching, yet, hopeful story to tell. I kept wondering: “where does she go from here?” and questioning the systems in place that upheld such inhumane conditions. Park has a uniquely insightful way of telling a story. There are so many events going on and emotions felt, but not in a jarring way. Stories like Park’s aren’t like your traditional novel – there is no linear plotline and this memoir most definitely captures the fact that life is simply sporadic and unpredictable. I 100% recommend it if you are someone who likes to read memoirs/non-fiction!
- last night at the telegraph club
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Author: Malinda Lo
Summary: Set in San Francisco Chinatown, Lily Hu find herself at the Telegraph Club, a lesbian bar, where she meets Katherine Miller. Despite the political atmosphere and familial beliefs/struggles of the 1950s, they fall in love with each other… and with that, comes its onset of consequences that they both must endure.
Link to buy: https://tinyurl.com/n6myhmr2
Last Night At The Telegraph Club is a hidden gem. I found this book at a bookstore in San Francisco’s Castro District which is ironic since this book is set in SF and highlights LGBTQ+ themes (the Castro is known for being a very LGBTQ+ friendly area!). When I finished and saw how underrated the book appeared to be, I was taken back since it was such a stand-out read for me. So, if there is a book I would pick for a reader to look into first, it’d be this one.
Lo did an incredible job of setting the historical scene in San Francisco, as well as the historical context. While this can be a novel described as the exploration of LGBTQ+ young love, it’s also a story that dives into finding your identity and accepting all facets of it. With our main character, Lily, you really get to see that change and it’s empowering to watch. Overall, the characters are absolutely adorable and the dynamic between Lily and Katherine is so tender and gentle – a genuinely well depicted and written LGBTQ+ story.
- the seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo
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Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid
Summary: Monique Grant, a low-ranking reporter, is suddenly invited to interview the aging iconic Hollywood movie star, Evelyn Hugo – also known for her seven divorces. In Evelyn’s apartment, Monique visits to learn more about the star’s journey to fame, her friendships, and ultimately, a hidden love unbeknownst to the public. Throughout this process, the two women’s lives increasingly become intertwined with each other.
Link to buy: https://tinyurl.com/4mzepxzk
Contrary to the hidden gem LNATTC was, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is an insanely popular book. But, for good reason. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and Taylor Jenkins Reid has slowly become a new favorite author. Reid knows how to tell a story. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is unforgettable and timeless. Evelyn is such a dynamic character, with her own immensely impactful story to tell. Typically, I find it difficult for authors to successfully write from two main points of view but in this, Evelyn’s story is told best with the incorporation of Monique. This novel is iconic in all the best ways. Make sure you have a box of tissues when you read this, though!
- verity
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Author: Colleen Hoover
Summary: Lowen Ashleigh is a financially struggling writer until she is offered the chance to ghostwrite for the iconic, bestselling author, Verity Crawford, due to an accident that left her mostly unresponsive.. As she stays with Verity’s husband, Jeremy, in their home, she uncovers a secret autobiography by Verity that details horrifying accounts of her life with Jeremy and their children. As Lowen’s feelings for Jeremy intensify, she struggles with what to do with the autobiography and how to move forward with it all.
Link to buy: https://tinyurl.com/yk5pnd7a
Besides memoirs, I wanted to branch into different genres. While Colleen Hoover is known for her romance novels, this is her first suspense/thriller novel. And, I think this book shows Hoover’s breadth of range in writing all sorts of genres. Verity is insane. Dramatic, lustful, and fast-paced, it’s perfect for a one-day read. Personally, I found myself distant from the characters in the novel. Not because they weren’t interesting to read about, but because the characters have their own set of twisted flaws that you mostly observe with intrigue, rather than attachment. Also, the twist – you don’t suspect it! It’s perfectly placed and will get you thinking for a long time. This was my first CoHo book and it did not disappoint. I would love for her to dive deeper into this genre!
And, with our last book, that ends my personal top 5 books of 2021. Thank you so much for reading! Let us know on social media if you ever end up picking one of these books!