Six More Books I've Read So Far In 2020

I haven't left it as long to read six more books than I did reading the last six books. I've read quite an eclectic range of books in the last few weeks. I've had a lot more time on my hands (obvs) and I've managed to buy and delve into more books. I seriously need to buy a bookcase for all the books that are stacked in my wardrobe. I'm playing a serious game of Jenga in terms of balancing with my books right now.

Anyway, here's another six books I've read in the last few weeks:

1) I'VE  GOT  YOUR  NUMBER

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Author - Sophie Kinsella

Genre - Rom Com

Rating - 3/5

An enjoyable read, but if somebody took a phone which was mine I would flip my lid! The story is based around a woman called Poppy who not only loses her engagement ring but her phone on the same night. She finds a phone in the bin (very lucky) but doesn't realise it already belongs to a businessman called Sam. Poppy is a teeny bit annoying in some parts but she is quite a relatable character. I love how hers and Sam's relationship begins to develop. Poppy's fiancé is quite a wet blanket. He keeps calling her "sweets", that's something your Mum or Nan would call you, not a fiancé! Saying that, I don't have any experience in being or having a fiancé, maybe that's something you get called? There's quite a few surprises within the story and it's such a quick, easy read.

2) THE  PRISON  DOCTOR
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Author - Dr Amanda Brown

Genre - Factual

Rating - 4/5

What an insightful book this is. I can only imagine how incredibly challenging and tough it must be to work in a prison. I've watched a few documentaries on TV about what prison life is like and what job roles there are in prison. Dr Amanda Brown quits life as a GP in a doctor's surgery when legislations changed back in 2004 and she didn't agree with them. Good on her for standing up for what she believes in. She takes on a job working as a GP in a young offenders institute. She then leaves there after quite a few years in the job and starts work in the most notorious prison's in the UK - Wormwood Scrubs. Then she moves on to Europe's largest women only prison - Bronzefield, which is where Dr Brown still works today. Her account and tales of working in prisons is such an eye opener and I really appreciated her honesty. A definite must read if you like real life accounts like this.

3) NORMAL  PEOPLE
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Author - Sally Rooney

Genre - Contemporary

Rating - 2/5

I REALLY wanted to love this book, but I just couldn't fall in love with it like others have. I bought it after seeing rave reviews online about the TV series. But I was disappointed. It started off got brightly but it kind of lulled before the halfway point. It just seemed to lose a little substance and I felt like I was dragging my way through it. The story of two high school students Marianne and Connell who are completely poles apart in school but end up having a kind of friends with benefits relationship. Some of the other bit part characters, including Marianne, the main character, annoyed me and as I was hopeful of a great ending when reading the last chapter of the book, but no, it wasn't to be. The only character I liked was Connell, maybe because I imagined him to look like the one on the TV show. Not something I'll be reading again.

4) THE  CACTUS
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Author - Sarah Haywood
Genre - Romcom

Rating - 5/5

I absolutely adored this book. The story centre around Susan, a mid forties woman who is pregnant and has to deal with her Mum dying and her nobhead of a brother Edward. The main storyline being Susan trying to contest her Mum's will when she believes Edward may have influenced her poorly Mum to leave the family home to him. Susan is quite unlikeable at the beginning of the book, she's very prickly (obviously relating to the title) has an awkward personality and doesn't like to let people into her life. You can tell she's on the autistic spectrum which was portrayed beautifully throughout. I began to really like Susan and her no bullshit attitude to life and people. She starts to make new friendships and there's a surprise twist near the end. I would highly recommend this book!

5) WHERE  THE  CRAWDADS  SING

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Author - Delia Owens

Genre - Non Fiction

Rating - 4/5

Reading this book really did allow my imagination to come alive. The book is so descriptive and Delia really goes into detail of Kya's (the main character) natural surroundings. There are two main storylines in this story, Kya's life growing up and fending for herself on the marsh and the murder of Chase Andrews, a popular lad in the town. Each chapter is from a different timeline, some in the present and some in the future. They eventually intertwine near the end and everything just seems to sum up. It takes a little while to read as it is a lengthy book and the dialogue is so old American that it takes a little while to get used to it. An amazing read though and would implore you to read it.

6) MY  DARK  VANESSA 

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Author - Kate Elizabeth Russell 

Genre - Contemporary

Rating - 4/5

*This book contains themes of rape. 

This story was really harrowing and quite unsettling. The story alternates between Vanessa's past and present life. The past focusing on her relationship with her teacher, Mr Strane when she was fifteen and the present day when allegations are made against her former teacher. Vanessa is faced with the realisation of how bad and toxic her relationship with her teacher was and still is in the present day - but she stills see the nothing wrong with the relationship she had with Strane. I wanted to shake Vanessa by the shoulders to make her see how manipulative and evil Strane was to her. It is a tough read, but it had me gripped as I wanted justice for Vanessa and for the other women who came forward. 

What books have you been reading lately? Any recommendations welcome in the comments!