Best Reads of January

1. Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter

Rating: 5/5

Pretty Girls, despite its length, had me biting my nails throughout every chapter of the book. The development of each character as the story slowly progresses made me feel as if I was a part of the book. The story features the journey of two sisters drawn together by a shocking death, hidden secrets, and untrustworthy people surrounding them. Each and every detail included the novel was significant to the story, and intertwined characters together in a way that made question them all. Through murders, gruesome secrets, and a little gore, the author was able to demonstrate the importance of trust in all relationships, even family. As one of my first reads in 2024, I finished this book quickly, and learned that it is in fact possible to finish a 600 page book in a week and a half. 

2. Verity by Colleen Hoover

Rating: 4.5/5

Because of Colleen Hoovers immutable reputation for intricate romance novels, this was not at all what I expected to read when I first opened the book. Despite its innocent title, Verity features a brilliant work of relationship manipulation, trusting people, and familial care. Similarly to a recent novel I read, The Housemaid by Freida McFadden, Hoover brought a new perspective to the world of a strange couple, famous on the outside, but concealing many secrets. One of the parts I most enjoyed about the novel was reading Verity’s, one of the main characters, manuscript while she took ill. It provided insight into the story, and helped developed the way both main characters thought in the past and present, and showcased how looks can be deceiving. This book was very interesting to read, and I loved how each page uncovered a secret. 

3. The Housemaid’s Secret by Freida McFadden

Rating: 4/5

As a sequel to the Housemaid, this story follows the life of a young housemaid, Millie. Following the sequence of dark turns in the initial book, Millie is thrown into another suspicious situation when she is asked to take care of the Garrick household. I thought this story followed a much more catching plot, considering the first book was left with no explanation or motive for the antagonists’ actions. There are various aspects of romance, thrill, and mystery, which I loved in this book. 

4. Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes

Rating: 4/5

To examine this novel was a little difficult because I was listening to it as an audiobook, and at various times, but it proved to be a very intriguing book. The story of the protagonist develops as he undergoes a surgery to “become smart” from his mental-illness; his train of thought, vocabulary, and speech all slowly modify as he customs to his newfound intelligence, which provides a new perspective at each part of the book. Each chapter exhibits a new “progress report” he is required to write in to remember his thoughts, feelings, and progression as he continues through this major change in his life. I thought the story ending very well, and unexpectedly in a sad way, and I loved seeing the character progress in his short-lived freedom. 

5. Still Life by Sarah Winman

Rating: 4/5

By far, this was one of the most confusing novels I have ever read. The story was very riveting and diverse in all genres that a book could need. It showcased love of all sorts, the passing of time- over 40 years!- and friendships. Although the novel followed the story of two completely different characters, it wound into a beautiful narrative to experience. The part I liked most about the novel was the friendships between one of the protagonists and his friends, and their experience in Florence. I imagined the scenes there in vibrant colors and sunny days- but I might be biased as a tourist. Since there were no quotation marks around the dialogue, it was difficult to tell what was happening at some parts, but after a few chapters I grew custom to the style of writing. 

6. Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica

Rating: 1.5/5

I was deceived by the unique cover of this novel because I thought it would be a great book. One of the main aspects in this novel is cannibalism, which I don’t have a problem reading about, yet I found the way the author portrayed it to be gruesome and unnecessary. There are many unneeded aspects of this book that I found unappealing, including the illogical storyline, and inhuman “protagonist”, who commits disgusting acts despite his hatred for cannibalism to begin with. The way cannibalism is portrayed in the book is highly unrealistic, and I couldn’t for a second picture a world like it, or characters like such, which is why I considered it a bad novel.