A lot of down time for me this year has meant a lot of reading time, and building up a list of book recommendations.
And I’m hoping a lot more to come. One of my plans – or intentions – for once the baby is here, is to perhaps make the move to Audiobooks. I originally thought I might watch some new series while I was doing things like late-night feeds, but I also don’t want to be staring at a screen rather than making eye contact. So Audiobooks feel like my next option. If you have any book recommendations please post them in the comments.
But over the Summer I’ve been with my normal books, and I’ve found some amazing finds lately. I haven’t gone for typical romance novels with these, they’ve all got something a little more unique to them. There’s a bit of a theme with the topics I was drawn towards as well, mainly tales in different countries – mainly Asia. They’re all lovely stories to read, either while you’re resting by a pool, cosying under a blanket in Autumn – or taking a quick break while the baby’s napping.
If you read or have already read any of these let me know in the comments. I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Winter in Sokcho, Elisa Shua Dusapin
One of my favourites on this list, and it’s a relatively short book, so it’s perfect if you’re looking for a quick read. It’s an alternative to a romance story. It’s set in a small fishing town in South Korea, with fish markets and a quiet sort of life. The main character works in a B&B, and when a new resident comes to stay she starts to question her current situation. You read along their story, as well as learning more about the characters and the area they’re in.
It’s one of those books where not a lot happens, but so much happens at the same time. There’s random characters that pop in and out of the story and don’t have any impact, but add their part to it.
The Pachinko Parlour, Elisa Shua Dusapin
Another non-romance option, and by the same author as Winter in Sokcho. It keeps the same style as well, so if you enjoy one, you’ll probably enjoy the other. I’d already read the first book when I picked this one up, so I knew I’d love this one too. Again, it’s only a short book, so it’s a good option if you’re looking for a quick read.
The Pachinko Parlour follows a young woman visiting her Korean grandparents living in Japan, and it explores several ideas and feelings as you read through the story. While in Japan, she takes on a job mentoring a younger student, Meiko, and that only adds to the self-discovery through her curiosity.
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I Who Have Never Known Men, Jacqueline Harpman
Something completely different to the other books on this list. It’s a book that I read and thought it wasn’t my favourite, but realised afterwards that I hadn’t been able to put it down, and I kept thinking about it long after I’d finished it. It does leave an impact on you and makes you think. As long as you don’t mind a story that leaves you asking questions you’ll love this book.
It’s set in a dystopian world, where all you know at the beginning is that male guards are keeping a group of women in captivity in a basement, and their daily life is pretty benign. Eventually they start to think about things, and one day everything changes in their situation. This is another story where not a lot happens, but a lot also happens somehow. It’s dark, but without being haunting or scary.
Dominicana, Angie Cruz
This is a story that gets you thinking, because it’s a story that’s happened to so many people in real life that you don’t think about often. A young woman from the Dominican Republic is married off and moves to New York to live with her husband. She has to learn to be a good housewife and live up to the standards expected of her role. The story runs through her journey, and complications along the way. It’s a really good story, and leaves you rooting for the main character as she finds her voice.
Memphis, Tara M. Stringfellow
Memphis is a multi-generational story focusing on one family and their stories. You delve into their personal struggles and lives, while watching them realise how much they’re linked. There’s no huge plot twist, there’s no huge drama, but rather just a lovely story of the woman discovering themselves. You read through how they’ve each coped with their hardships, and it brings them all back home – in Memphis.
Homegoing, Yaa Gyasi
This is a really interesting and well written book. It’s an idea that’s been done before, but somehow this on is touching, moving, and leaves you feeling desperate for the characters. It’s also an interesting idea from the get go, leading to an amazing story of what could have been.
In the beginning you meet two sisters who have everything in common, except their fate. One is married off to a slave trader, and the other is sold as a slave. From here, you follow their ancestors, flicking between the two paths, and realising how different this separation at the start has made their stories. It’s a really interesting theory, and very well written.
Four Seasons in Japan
I’ve just started reading this one, but already it’s a lovely story. The main character begins feeling lost in her city, not really sure of who she is, and the parts that she is sure of she’s not confident to share. When you’re reading her story, you almost feel sorry for her. But she finds a book while on the train, and reading through it gives her focus. So much so that she adventures outside of the book to find out more about the family in the story, finding they have more in common with her than she first realises.
Pachinko, Min Jin Lee
Finally, my favourite book on this list. Potentially one of my favourite books off the list too. This story is incredible, and when I’d finished it I felt like I’d been reading it forever. I was genuinely sad when it came to an end because I wanted it to continue.
It covers so many topics: family, betrayal, death, life, love, discrimination, and much more. You start with two people who fall in love and marry, then follow their ancestors’ stories from there, but in more detail for each generation than perhaps in Homegoing. You build a bond with the characters, and learn to root for them through their hardships. It’s incredible, and a book I think everyone should read at some point.
Have you read any of these yet?
