One of the best things about finish my degree is how I now have so much more time for reading. Don’t get me wrong, I read a lot of books while at uni but most of the time they weren’t books I actually wanted to read. My TBR pile kept getting longer and as soon as I finished in May I was excited to start going through them. I’ve read some great books recently so I thought I would share all of the books I’ve read and loved!
The Giver of Stars
Jojo Moyes is an author that I had never read before but will definitely read now! The book is a historical tale that follows the creation of the Pack Horse Library in America during the Depression. Historical fiction is not normally my go-to genre but I thoroughly enjoyed this. The story follows the librarians and their lives as they encounter both personal battles and threats to the library. It’s a story of friendship and I loved watching the relationships develop between all of the characters, particularly Alice and Margery. It’s a really heart-warming story of female friendship that also shines a light on issues of prejudice, female freedom and gender equality amongst other things. I’d highly recommend it!
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
I think this has become one of my all-time favourite books ever. This book was incredible and I would love to read it again once my TBR pile is smaller. I think what I loved most about this book was it truly wasn’t anything like I expected – it was better. The story follows Evelyn Hugo, a Hollywood star from the 50s who decides to use unknown journalist Monique to pen her life story. Evelyn’s love life has often been the cause of much interest so she decides to set the record straight and reveal the truth. Without revealing anything about the plot, it went in a direction I wasn’t expecting at all and I loved the twist. I cannot recommend it enough and it is not only one of the best books I’ve read recently but ever!
Ghosts
I’d heard lots about Dolly Alderton’s debut novel and thought it sounded right up my street. I devoured this in just a few days as I loved it so much. The story follows Nina who is in her early thirties. She’s a writer, single, is dealing with her dad’s decline and is aware that time is running away from her. Trying to navigate the world of online dating, she has a date with a guy called Max who tells her he’s going to marry her. Her life is seemingly back on track until he ghosts her. However, Ghosts doesn’t just deal with the ghosts of former relationships. It tackles the ghosting of friends, family and how we can drift from ourselves also. Nina’s wit and humour shine through the book and it deals poignantly with subjects that most people in their 20s and 30s encounter.
Malibu Rising
Another book by the author of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, I am a huge fan of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s books (including her other novel Daisy Jones and The Six) and her latest offering was no different. Malibu Rising follows (another) Nina Riva over the course of one night – the night she holds her legendary party! The Riva family are famous and the story weaves its way through all of the siblings, Nina, Jay, Hud, and Kit though Nina remains firmly the protagonist as the eldest. Malibu Rising dives into the issue of family and everything that is both messy and beautiful about it. It has a vulnerability in amongst the glamour of the parties and the celebrities that bought it back to being a relatable story. I loved how there was a nod to both her other books as you really feel like you’re a part of a universe that existed. Anything by Taylor Jenkins Reid is instantly sold to me and I adore her writing style.
Since finishing university I’ve read some amazing books. Being able to read for pleasure again is an incredible feeling and I’ve discovered some new favourite books in recent months. I love getting back into reading and discussing new books. If you want to see any other books I’ve read recently, please add me on Goodreads!
What books have you read recently that you’ve loved?
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I finished Malibu Rising this week and LOVED it!
It’s so good! Thanks for reading!
Glad to see The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo on this list! It’s such a good book. I’m excited for Malibu Rising as well. I haven’t read it yet but I have the audiobook and I’m just waiting for my slump to end haha.
It’s so good, I hope you enjoy it!
Great post! I’ve heard a lot about Evelyn Hugo and I think I need to give it a go x
I highly recommend it!
I remember the feeling of being able to read what I wanted after graduating from university! I loved both Evelyn Hugo and Malibu Rising and I will check out the others. Thanks for sharing and congratulations on your graduation. ☺️
Thank you!
I haven’t read any of these books but I’ve heard so many great things about all of them so I’m tempted to read Malibu Rising. Finishing uni for the year in June freed up some time for me to get back into reading too! I’ve read a couple of Sophia Kinsella’s books recently. x
I really recommend Malibu Rising! Ooh I need to read some more Sophia Kinsella!
oh, love this list! The seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo is on my TBR too as well as malibu Rising! Can’t wait to get to read both x
They’re both fab!
I haven’t read these yet so this was a fab reminder to add them to my list. I like the sound of Ghosts as it’s something I think we can all relate to and I’d be able to connect with Nina’s experiences. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for reading!
A lovely list of books Tash, I will definitely be adding some of these to my TBR list! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
Thank you!
I have not heard of these books before but I am always willing to give most books a read/go. I just finished a book by Josie Silver which had my heart strings the whole way through! I am currently reading the bookish life of Nina Hill, but it does always take me a few chapters to get into a book. Great recommendations, thank you!
Thank you for reading!
Great books! I’ve read all four and loved them too, especially The Giver of Stars. I’m a huge Moyes fan and think it’s her best by far 🙂
I need to read more of Moyes’ books!
Hi! What a great list of books, I love it! I’ve heard really good reviews about Ghosts, think it’s time I read it! Thanks for sharing this list, Alicia
Thank you for reading!
Great read!
These days I haven’t been reading much. At least, I haven’t been reading for leisure as much as I’d like. “The seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo” definitely piqued my interest and I think I’m gonna give it a read this summer!
**Sidenote: I must say that your blog is so aesthetically pleasing ☺️
I really recommend it!
Thank you so much!! 🙂
I’m so excited, I haven’t read any of these. I will definitely have to check them out. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for reading!
Love this post. I just read a review of Malibu Rising last night and I’ve ordered it since! Can’t wait to give it a read this summer
Rosie
Hope you enjoy it!
Such a great post! I am guilty of not being able to read many books because of my university and working schedules but I would love to give a try to these recommendations in my upcoming break. The giver of stars seems interesting. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for reading!
I have Malibu Rising on my TBR, but I’m debating whether I should read Seven Husbands first. Although some of my friends told me you can read both as standalone. The last book I read and loved was We Can’t Keep Meeting Like This by Rachel Lynn Solomon!
I think you could read either as a standalone but personally I would read Seven Husbands first!
Hi Tash,
Congratulations on finishing your degree!
Thanks for the book reviews. I’m quite a slow reader of books and so I tend to stick to authors that I know and like. My wife, on the other hand, is a prolific reader – often reading one, or even two, books in a day (not a work day!). I’ll pass on these details to her as she is likely to get around to them sooner than me 😉
I hope she enjoys them! Thank you for reading!
I love book recommendations. I’m particularly interested in The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. I’m now completely intrigued and will have to add it to my endless reading list! But I do lvoe knowing I’ve got books to read once I’ve finished the pile on my bedside table
It’s one of the best books I’ve ever read, I really recommend it!
First of all, congratulations in getting your degree. All the best for the future. Wish you’ll get a good career. I’m happy to see that you are reading so many good books. Please keep it up!
First of all, congratulations in getting your degree. All the best for the future. Wish you’ll get a good career. I’m happy to see that you are reading so many good books. Please keep it up! Good post.
I can’t believe you hadn’t read anything from JoJo Moyes before that book mentioned above!! I’ve also heard soo many things about The Seven Husbands I’m sure I put it on my TBR list ages ago, but I’m so glad you loved it!
Charlotte / Charlotte’s Picks
I need to read more of her books as I loved it! The Seven Husbands is amazing, I loved it!