Books for drizzly days
And February feelings
It has been raining nonstop in San Francisco this week, so I’ve been spending hours on the couch utterly absorbed in Maeve Binchy’s Circle of Friends (recommended by three trusted sources: friend Leah, Erica of
and Michelle of ). I’m about halfway through and fully invested in the world that Binchy has created in 1950’s Ireland. It’s one of those books where nothing … happens. It’s about a group of friends at university, the trials of ordinary life, and the big, thorny, confusing, universally relatable emotions that come along with it. There are no big plot twists or mysteries to be solved, yet I’m completely hooked. I can’t wait to find out what becomes of this circle of friends!All of my cozy reading time inspired me to look back at books I’ve read in early February in years past. During this time of year, it’s usually cold and rainy, the novelty of the new year has worn off, and busy travel schedules haven’t yet picked up. Alas, the perfect time to grab a new book.
2024 - Everything’s Fine
⭐⭐⭐
Two people with opposite world views clash, then strike up a romance while working at an investment bank — juicy! Their sparring can be frustrating and cringey at times but it was a pretty accurate depiction of the friction that can occur when confronting issues like race, class and privilege. An entertaining read.
2023 - Young Mungo
⭐⭐⭐⭐
In the winter months, I crave cozy comforting books or utterly depressing ones. Young Mungo falls into the latter category. I loved the author’s previous book Shuggie Bain, and Young Mungo has similar themes: a boy trying to make his way in the world in the face of poverty, an alcoholic and neglectful mother, and a society that rejects his burgeoning love for his best friend James. It can be hard to read because one bad thing happens after another … yet the beautiful writing and soulful characters kept me in it.
2022 - Fight Night
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A friend (hi Riva!) once told me she noticed that I love characters with a strong voice. Wow, so true. I especially love if that voice comes from a wise-beyond-her-years young person, there’s something so charming about it. Swiv is one of my all-time favorite characters, as is her fearless grandmother. Their interactions are hilarious and perfect, and this book is a favorite.
2021 - Rodham
⭐⭐⭐⭐
This book imagines Hillary Rodham’s life if she never married Bill. A clever concept that didn’t work 100% of the time (parts of the book were aligned with reality and others were fictionalized, sort of confusing), but Sittenfeld’s writing is great as ever. In general, Rodham might be tough to read right now when political satire doesn’t exist anymore, we’re just living it.
2020 - The Versions of Us
⭐⭐⭐
Ah, to look back on February 2020 when nobody knew what was in store for us. This book explores the two possible paths sparked by a man and woman’s chance meeting, one reality where they end up together and one where they don’t. I don’t typically like “what if it turned out a different way” stories, so this wasn’t for me but it could work for others. Reminded me of The Husbands, and I seem to be the only person on earth who didn’t like that book!
See you next week ☔
Ah, yes! I'm so happy you're reading Circle of Friends. It's such a good "slice of life" book.
I’ve had Rodham on my TBR list for so long but haven’t picked it up. Sounds perfect to save it for a rainy day!