WWW Wednesday – 27th January

We made it to hump day. Yay!

And that means it’s time for another WWW Wednesday post where I talk about everything I’ve been reading in the last week.

The 3 Ws

1. What are you currently reading?
2. What did you recently finish reading?
3. What do you think you’ll read next?

This meme is hosted by Taking On A World Of Books.

Currently reading

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The Glass Hotel by Emily St John Mandel

After reading Station Eleven a couple years ago and absolutely adoring it, when I heard about her new novel I knew I had to buy it. I have the indie bookseller edition with beautiful sprayed edges and it’s the pretties book I own. Although I bought it last year, I hadn’t yet read it so it is on my 21 books for 2021 list. What I like about Mandel is her ability to interweave narratives from across the years and across a variety of characters which really enriches the story. The Glass Hotel is no different: when Vincent is working in a beautiful hotel on Vancouver Island, she is swept away by the owner. Their life together is almost one of convenience; she pretends they are married and adds to his social life in exchange for money and a comfortable life. When her husband is jailed for fraud, she boards a ship, looking for a new adventure. I know the premise is that she now goes missing off the ship but what will happen next and how all the loose story ends will tie together remains to be seen.

The Power by Naomi Alderman

Another one on my 21 books for 2021 list! I picked this up from a shelf in a cafe over 2 years ago and I’m finally getting round to reading it. In this dystopian world, women awaken with an electrifying power which upsets the status quo. The novel weaves together four different stories to explore what might happen if women suddenly ran the world with powers of significant force. This book won the Women’s Prize For Fiction and, although I’m only about 30% in, it’s easy to see why as it raises so many interesting questions! Loving it so far.

Seven Days by Michelle Kidd

I’m currently reading this detective novel for a Damp Pebbles blog tour in February. I’m only 10% in but I’m already intrigued. A woman has been found strangled in Hyde Park only a week before the 2012 Olympic Games in London. DI Mackintosh only has seven days to figure out who is behind this murder and a series of linked killings and disappearances. It’s going to be so so exciting!

Recently Read

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My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell

This book packed an emotional punch! The novel centres around Vanessa who had a relationship with one of her teachers from boarding school. Set to the backdrop of the #MeToo movement, the novel explores Vanessa’s feeling about the relationship – was it abuse or was it love? This book handles a complex situation with nuance and extreme sensitivity. I loved it.

Malorie by Josh Malerman

Malorie is the sequel to Bird Box which was made into a Netflix film a few years ago. I’ve read the book and watched the film so was really looking forward to listening to the sequel on audiobook. The premise of these creatures which make you go mad and commit suicide when you see them is utterly terrifying. It’s like the opposite of that famous Doctor Who episode “Blink” with the Weeping Angels which is the most frightening things I’ve ever watched on TV! The book was fast paced and pretty scary, but I felt that it lacked the impact the first book had on me. I’m not sure if this was a plot thing or more the fact it was an audiobook. I didn’t really gel with the narrator which was a shame. I still enjoyed it though and gave it a solid ⭐⭐⭐ on StoryGraph.

The Last Thing To Burn by Will Dean

Oh lordy. Where to even start. This book was insanely good and I read it in one sitting! I have a review that’s coming up in th next few days so I’ll link it here when it’s live to share my thoughts!

Next Reads

Who knows! I’m thinking of picking up The Push next as it’s sat in my bookshelf from my new year haul. Although it doesn’t feature on my 21 for 2021 list, it’s really calling me and I need to see if it lives up to the hype. It’s the sort of emotional, complex book I love so I can’t wait!

That’s all folks! Let me know what you’ve been reading down in the comments!