Six Books I've Read So Far In 2020

Ok, I know it may seem that it's taken me a hella of a long time to read six books as we're now in May, but I think because of my Grandad being ill and passing away at the start of the year, it took me a little longer than usual to get through reading six books, cause you know, priorities and that.


Anyway, I think I've just realised that this is my first book review on my blog in like EVER. Well, it's more than one book. I'm sure I'll get the hand of this book review lark eventually.

I've read six great books in the last five months and here's my thought's on them all:

BOOK  1)  THIS  IS  GOING  TO  HURT

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Author - Adam Kay

Genre - Comedy

Rating - 4/5

Even though I'm not a qualified doctor myself, this book had me howling. Adam talks about his years training as a doctor on the maternity/gynaecology wards. Some of the stories he tells through a day to day diary sort of writing had me in stitches. From being in hospitals since I was born, I know doctors have an incredibly tough job and patients can sometimes be arseholes. I would definitely recommend this one if you fancy having a hospital themed laugh.

BOOK  2)  THE  NIGHT  YOU  LEFT

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Author - Emma Curtis 

Genre - Thriller

Rating - 3/5

Synopsis - When Grace's fiancé vanishes without a trace 
the night after proposing, her life is turned upside down. 
But has Nick walked out on her, or is he in danger?

A thriller which wasn't entirely a thriller if that makes sense! It was a good read, but I found it more gripping towards the end than anywhere else in the book. There is a good story here, the main character Emma slightly got on my nerves though. I can understand that her fiancé disappearing is heartbreaking for anyone, also her in laws never helped matters by coming at her from both sides. Some of the twists I could see coming as I was reading through. It's an ok book, but not one I would pick up again in a hurry.

BOOK 3)  - THE  FLAT  SHARE
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Author - Beth O'Leary

Genre - Romcom

Rating - 5/5

Synopsis - Tiffy and Leon share a flat. 

Tiffy and Leon share a bed. 

Tiffy and Leon have never met.

If you fancy a feel good read during this lockdown, read The Flat Share. Beth O'Leary's first novel really has charm, sweetness and a sense of warmness about it. It feels like you're delving into a modern day Sleepless in Seattle. Although instead of letters, it's post it notes dotted around the flat. Usually over leftover stroganoff and crocheted scarves. The two main characters Tiffy and Leon are very loveable. This book does tackle issues such as an abusive and controlling relationship (SPOILER - not between Tiffy and Leon, between Tiffy and her bastard ex Justin). All I can say that is I hope they make a film out of this - that is something I would pay good money to see at Cineworld. 

BOOK  4)  REMEMBER  ME?

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Author - Sophie Kinsella 

Genre - Comedy

Rating - 5/5

Synopsis - What if you woke up and your life was perfect?

This is the first Sophie Kinsella book I've read. I've seen so many of her books on book shelves in the past so I thought it was about time I read one. This book was brilliantly funny. Lexi Smart is such a funny character, very dry, clumsy and sarcastic. Pretty much like me. Lexi wakes up from a car accident and realises she has lost her memory from over the last three years. She's realises she's now married, stinking rich and she's a boss and her employees hate her. It's great to see her transition and how she copes with this sudden memory loss. Some parts of the book had me in stitches. I would definitely recommend. One part of the book that had me spitting out my tea was the two words 'Mont Blanc'. You've got to read it just for that part alone. It's hysterical. 

BOOK  5)  THE  SWITCH

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Author - Beth O'Leary

Genre - Romcom

Rating - 4/5

Synopsis - Leena is too young to feel stuck

Eileen is too old to start over

It's time for the switch...

Beth O'Leary's second book certainly disappoint. I was a little edgy when I started reading Beth's second book as The Flat Share was such a wonderful book. I wasn't disappointed. A lovely story about a nan and her granddaughter who agree to swap lives for a couple of months. Leena, the granddaughter, travels up north to a little village in Yorkshire and her Nan, Eileen travels to London to live a rather hectic lifestyle. All I'll say is that Eileen is a bloody legend and everyone needs a Nan like Eileen! I love how this book deals with real life issues such as grief, mental health and relationships. I don't know whether it might have been just me, but there was a sense of The Holiday with the story. A delightful and heartwarming read. 

BOOK  6)  BLOOD  ORANGE

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Author - Harriet Tyce

Genre - Thriller

Rating - 4/5

Synopsis - Alison has it all. A loving family and a career on the rise - 

she's just been given her first murder case to defend. But all is never as it seems...

The premise of this story was good, but most of the characters I thoroughly disliked, including the main one, Alison. Numerous occasions I wanted to tell some of the characters to eff off. The one main storyline is a domestic murder trial which Alison is going to represent in court. There are also themes of alcoholism, rape, infidelity, suicide, emotional abuse, gaslighting and auto erotic asphyxiation (something which is explained at the end of the book), which may readers may be triggered by. The ending of the book was completely unexpected and a little harrowing, but I would recommend this book if you like all that thriller stuff. 

What have you been reading lately? Any recommendations?

Lucy