withsomejam

I joined a bookclub!

I have wanted to join an IRL bookclub for the longest time and finally found one in my local area which looked so welcoming. My hope for joining a bookclub was to be able to chat with other likeminded bookworms like myself and ultimately come across books I usually wouldn’t stumble upon. I wanted to read genres I wouldn’t typically reach for and find some new favourites. I joined back in June 2023 and can honestly say that I have loved it so far.

Today I wanted to share the books I have read with the bookclub so far in hopes that maybe you also will come across some great reads like I have.

28 Summers, Elin Hilderbrand:

The plot of this book revolves around the concept of a ‘same time next year’ relationship with numerous ties and crossovers. This novel follows two characters lives and how they get through each year, living for that one weekend when they can reunite and be together again… albeit for a limited time until the following year.

Not exactly a book I would typically reach for. It screamed poolside-beach-lounging book which has never really been my vibe and I really worried that I wouldn’t have much to say about this first read with the bookclub. To my surprise, I enjoyed it. It was mellow and an easy read: although, I found certain elements problematic, the premise and the characters made it quite an enjoyable read.

The Disappearing Act, Catherine Steadman:

This book was thrilling from start to finish. In typical Brit fashion, an actress auditioning throughout pilot season in LA helps another actress out with a favour but the kind gesture takes a turn when she’s the last person to see the her. When she reemerges, she doesn’t seem to be ‘herself’ or at least not how she was remembered. Strange events follow and soon she can’t help but need to know exactly what happened.

Full of suspense and plot twists, this book was amazing. It really upped the ante after the gentle first read in the bookclub. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would definitely recommend.

What Lies Beyond the Veil, Harper L. Woods:

A fantasy romance with fae folk and fae lore? …not for me and yet, I kinda liked it. Based on an entirely fantastical world where humans are at the mercy of fae folk and gods alike, this book is full of twists and turns as our protagonist Estrella tries to survive and outwit the Wild Hunt; who are pursuing her.

I enjoyed this more than I had anticipated… and as you’ll see below, I went on to read the next two books in the series. Woods has a habit of leaving her books on cliffhangers so I simply needed to read what happened next. The book is of a mature nature with some spicy, more adult moments as well as a hefty list of Trigger warnings at the beginning. I will say because of some of these elements, I found it tricky to get through the first portion of the book and at one point I wanted to launch it out the window… but I hung on in there and got through it and I’m so happy I did.

One, Eve Smith:

This is a speculative fiction book, based on a totalitarian government-run UK which rules with quotas that everyone must adhere to including a one-child policy. With a whole department of ‘baby reapers’ whose job it is to make sure this policy is adhered to, we follow Kai who comes across a personal link to someone who has not followed this all important policy. As she investigates further she finds herself in increasingly compromising positions as more and more discoveries are unearthed.

When I hear the words ‘speculative fiction’, I immediately think of plot lines of worlds ending and dire characters that brought it on themselves; and generally speaking that’s not what I want in a book. This book though –oh dear lord above– was absolutely incredible. I will be doing a post dedicated to this book alone as there is so much to unpack and so much I wish to say about it. It has been my ultimate favourite book (and author) I have come across through my book club and I cannot recommend it enough to everyone.

First Time for Everything, Henry Fry:

Simply put, this book follows Danny Skud: a gay guy who escaped his hometown for London to become a journalist but now is newly single and needs to find somewhere else to live and is just a bit lost. The book follows as he finds himself in a new circle of friends, a new home, rebranding himself in his job and experimenting in his love life. A book of self-discovery, this was a good read but nothing amazing.

The Boy Who Followed His Father into Auschwitz: a true story, Jeremy Dronfield

I couldn’t bring myself to read this one at all. I hope I will some day but I just couldn’t at the time.

The Waiting Rooms, Eve Smith:

The Waiting Rooms is based in a world twenty years after an antibiotic crisis that put in place the restriction for over 70’s to have access to antibiotics. A scratch or broken bone can become infectious and quickly cause death which means the minute this happens, anyone over 70 is moved to facilities called the waiting rooms where they ultimately wait for their demise. We follow three perspectives: Kate, Mary and Lily who also alternate between time spans and between the UK and South Africa. Through these perspectives we find out more about this world, the characters and how they are tied to one another.

This is the last of Eve Smith’s works for the book club to have read -I should say that my book club read Off Target by her before I joined them so that’s on my TBR list. I’m intrigued to see what I think of Off Target as while I enjoyed The Waiting Rooms book, it weren’t as enjoyable as One. I think One really set a high standard for Eve Smith in my eyes as it was packed with plot twists. I found myself thinking ‘I don’t know what else she can write‘ whilst looking at the remaining 200 pages. The Waiting Rooms was slower in ways, with shorter chapters and then a huge plot twist towards the end. Still enjoyable but not my favourite.

Bonus Reads:

What Hunts Inside the Shadows, Harper L. Woods:

This book is the second in the series and follows Estrella’s story as she adapts to Caelum’s true identity and embarks on a journey to Alfheimr. This book was good but again, I only wanted to know what happened next.

What Lurks Between the Fates, Harper L. Woods:

The third book see’s Estrella at the court of Mab, Queen of Alfheimr: trying to adjust and manoeuvre to life at court, as well as trying to find ways to outwit her oppressor. This book switches between both Estrella’s and Caldris’ points of view which makes for an interesting read, and ends on another cliffhanger. The fourth book is coming out this year so I will for sure be reading that.

All That’s Left in the World, Erik J. Brown:

An LGBT, post-apocalyptic tale following Jamie and Andrew: two strangers who come across one another in a bid for survival. In a hostile world the pair flee south, searching for safety and civilisation. Both holding secrets of their own, the pair encounter various hurdles on their journey and become increasingly reliant on each other as the only thing they are living for is one another.

A heart-warming tale of trust, hope and love with such wonderful characters and world-building. Gives young Bill and Frank vibes from the Last of Us. This book was recommended to me by a friend at bookclub and was a pick for the online bookclub our organiser runs. It was such a delightful read and so enjoyable. I have heard that there’s a sequel coming some time this year and I’m really looking forward to that.

We’re already quite a few books into the bookclub books this year so stay tuned to hear about those.

Cheerio for now!