Two Good Reads

Today I want to share with you two books that I’ve read recently and enjoyed:

Rosamund Lupton’s Afterwards was an entertaining and unusual read. I loved her first book, Sister, and I think her sophomore effort was just as good. There’s something about the way that she writes that I really enjoy….she has a distinct style that really helps you feel the emotions that her characters are going through. Afterwards follows a mother and daughter as they watch things unfold around their bodies, which are (you need to suspend your disbelief for this), both laying in comas in a hospital after a terrible accident occurs. It sounds like a concept that could go wrong, but Lupton pulls it off. Throughout, they’re watching their family deal with the devastation of what’s happened, while also trying to solve the mystery of how the accident occurred and who is behind it all. Both Sister and Afterwards are similar in that they’re mysteries and a bit like thrillers, but with great character development and emotional depth. They’re like literary page turners, which is my ideal kind of book. 

The Vacationers was just perfect for poolside reading. Great, believable characters, sticky situations, and an idyllic island backdrop set the scene for family drama to unfold in this novel, and Emma Straub really gets you to care about these characters and what will happen to them. I zipped through The Vacationers and enjoyed every second.  It was very well-written, and even though it was light, it didn’t feel at all like fluff. There was just something really charming about this book. I couldn’t put it down and I didn’t want it to end…I could definitely see myself returning to re-read this book every summer! 
Has anyone read these? If so, let me know what you thought! 

Leave a Comment

  1. Dana wrote:

    I loved the Vacationers! Summer reads like that are the best!

    Published 7.11.14 · Reply
  2. Amanda wrote:

    I heard about The Vacationers and I really want to read it. I read Sisters and so I know what you're talking about when it comes to Rosamund Lupton's writing. Afterwards sounds like a fascinating concept. I'll have to add that to my list (which is a mile long. There are sooo many good books out there!). I just finished reading Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella (author of Confessions of a Shopaholic). So good. It's about a woman who wakes up with amnesia after a car accident and can't remember the last 3 years of her life. It's kind of like how you describe Afterwards being a mystery thriller, but this one has lots of humor too. I couldn't put it down. I'm actually writing a story so similar that I was almost bummed that the book existed, but I found it's quite different from the story I'm writing.

    Anyway, I could talk (or type) forever about books and stories, but I should get back to work. Thanks for sharing these!

    Published 7.11.14 · Reply
    • I read a similar book called What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty. I really enjoyed it. Sounds like we have similar taste!

      Published 7.17.14 · Reply
  3. I had bought The Vacationers but forgot all about it on my kindle until I saw your poolside instagram photo. I dived in over the 4th of July weekend and it was perfect holiday reading.

    Published 7.11.14 · Reply
  4. I keep hearing about the Vacationers!

    Published 7.11.14 · Reply
  5. It was really good Kelly! Hope you enjoy 🙂

    Published 7.17.14 · Reply

And in other news: