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!

58 comments
  1. My Dark Vanessa is such a brilliant book, I really felt for Vanessa! I've Got Your Number and Where the Crawdads Sing are on my TBR list!

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    1. So did I Serena, it was such a hard read at times, those books are really great reads also!

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  2. Some of these sound like great reads! Love the sound of I've Got Your Number. I've been reading a series by Paige Toon the past couple of months and I'm on the second to last book of the series now so that's been really good to read the whole series over the summer xx

    Lauren | itslaurenvictoria.co.uk

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    1. I've Got Your Number is a really good read Lauren, I hope you get the chance to read it! Oh I'll have to have a look at Paige Toon books xx

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  3. I like the sound of most of thse. i tend to stay away from rom-com style books, but I do like the sound of some of these. I am reading a crime book at the moment in the DCI Nick Dixon series, deffo keeps you gripped!

    Thanks for sharing your books Lucy!
    Aimsy xoxo
    Aimsy’s Antics

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    1. Ooh I'll have to look out for that book Aimsy! xx

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  4. I’ve heard mixed things about the prison doctor so wasn’t too sure on that one but may give it a go. Where the Crawdads Sings is definitely on my to read list.

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    1. It's worth a read, it's so fascinating to read into the life of a prison doctor! Where The Crawdads Sing is an excellent read, would highly recommend!

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  5. I'm SO glad you said you didn't rate Normal People. I read it last summer (before all the hype) because I was given the book for my birthday and I just couldn't get into it. I found the characters insufferable and the storyline really dragged so I didn't bother watching the series when it came out.

    I like Sophie Kinsella's books so I'll have to check out I've Got Your Number :)

    Nicola | Nic's Healthy Life

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    1. I'm glad I'm not the only person who felt the same way about Normal People! Like you, I just couldn't get into it and it just dragged! I've Got Your Number is a great book!

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  6. I've read so many incredible things about The Prison Doctor, I'm dying to read it at some point later this year. My Dark Vanessa sounds so good too x

    Sophie
    www.glowsteady.co.uk

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    1. The Prison Doctor gives a great insight into life working in a prison, it's such an eye opener! x

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  7. I haven't read these but they all sure sound interesting! I'd definitely give 'The Prison Doctor' a try!

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    1. I hope you get the chance to read a few of these Alexandra!

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  8. Woahh way to go on reading so many books. I've read 3 so far that I've really enjoyed.

    www.fashionradi.com

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    1. Thank you lovely, I'm glad you're getting the chance to read some good books too!

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  9. I've had a couple of these on my TBR pile for a while now especially Normal People which I'm excited to give a read. Oh and I thought I've got your number was a great little rom-com! x

    Samantha | https://samanthajblogs.co.uk

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    1. I hope you enjoy reading Normal People lovely, I've Got Your Number is a lovely rom com isn't it?! Such a nice story x

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  10. amazing how much you read i need to pick up reading again shy - https://www.shyyshianne.com/

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  11. I've had Where The Crawdads Sing on my TBR pile for ages now, and have heard only the best things about it. Need to crack on with it.

    I couldn't really get through The Cactus. It's probably one of the few books that I didn't read all the way through! ��‍♀️

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    1. Where The Crawdads Sing is honestly such an amazing book! I heard a few people say that the didn't like The Cactus too x

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  12. The Prison Doctor is sat on my kindle waiting to be read, it sounds so interesting!

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  13. I love the way you write - it's so honest and witty! I found this post super engaging and easy to read. I'll be adding the cactus to my wish list. A shame about normal people though because I loved the series!

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    1. Oh thank you so much Kat, that really means a lot! The Cactus is a great book, I wish I could have liked Normal People cause there was such a hype around it, especially after the TV series!

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  14. I loved where the crawdads sing, such a unique story!

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  15. I found the Prison Doctor really insightful but I did feel it was really rushed as a book generally and didnt like the style of writing. Where The Crawdads Sing was absolutely stunning, one of my faves! xx

    www.iridescentplaces.com

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    1. I agree with you there, it did feel a little rushed, it was like Amanda Brown was on a deadline near the end! Where The Crawdads Sing is a stunning book xx

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  16. Hi Lucy. Great synopses (is that the plural of synopsis?). Not enough to make me want to start reading rom-coms though :-) Might try The Prison Doctor - that sounds interesting. Thank you.

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    1. I think that's the plural yes! That's fair enough Richie! The Prison Doctor is a good read

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  17. OMG you've read loads this year! I'm reading Winter Dark at the moment which is a thriller/action type read, really good if you're into that kind of thing.

    Han // www.behindthefalselashes.com

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    1. It's the most I've read EVER! I have to thank lockdown for that! Ooh I like the sound of that Hannah, I'll have to look for it on Amazon x

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  18. I haven't read normal people yet but I think I would feel the same as you hence why I havent picked it up yet! I loved where the crawdads sing and I still need to pick up my dark Vanessa!

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    1. My Dark Vanessa is a good book, quite hard to read in parts but it sends out a strong message!

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  19. I haven’t really read any books, I can never concentrate but this has inspired me to want to! A x

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  20. These all sound like some great books. I love Sophie Kinsella books

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    1. Sophie Kinsella books are good aren't they?!

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  21. I’ve got where the Crawdad sings, I’m looking forward to reading that now.

    Some great choices here, I’ve looked at the Doctor one a few times now, maybe it’s time to buy it x x

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    1. It's such a good book Claire! I hope you buy The Prison Doctor xx

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  22. Fab post! Thank you for sharing. I am in love with reading again now and cannot wait to dive into more books after the few I'm reading.

    I may take a look into your list hehe! They sound fab!

    Stay wonderful!

    Louna | Burstsofautumn

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    1. I'm so glad to hear that you are in love with reading again! x

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  23. Where The Crawdads Sing has been on my wishlist forever so I'm thrilled that you recommend it - I feel an Amazon spree coming up when payday arrives, thank you! Lisa

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  24. I loved Where the Crawdads Sing and I’ve Got Your Number! I do agree with you about Normal People though — it is something that I felt dragged on and was just okay. Great post!

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    1. I'm glad I'm not the only one to think this of Normal People, I felt like I was the only one who didn't like it!

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  25. I loved Normal people and the tv show was great too!!! I can see how it is very flawed though and i wasnt a huge fan of the style of narration. I also have the Prison Doctor on my tbr and I'm really excited for that. Seen mostly really good ratings!! Xxx

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    1. The Prison Doctor gives such a good insight into what it's like working in a prison xx

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  26. Wow, you have so many books to read! I wish I could read a book right now.

    xoxo
    Lovely

    http://mynameislovely.com

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  27. My Dark Vanessa seems like an interesting book to read, I might try that one out!

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    1. It's quite hard to read but it's definitely worth it as it sends a strong message across

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  28. I've heard a lot of people say similar things about Normal People! I would love to give it a go but I don't want to be disappointed!

    Amber | The Unpredicted Page

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    1. It's definitely not a book I would recommend but so many other people seem to love it!

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  29. I heard always mixed reviews about Normal People, so not sure if to try and read it or not, though 'Where the crawdad sing' is up on my list! x

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  30. I read I've Got Your Number a few months ago and loved it! Such a great book, I'd definitely be annoyed too aha. x

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