We are back again with another book review! 2024 was a successful year of reading with a variety of around 45 books read between Jenna and Ashley, so here are some of their favorites they want to share with you.
Room by Emma Donoghue – Ashley
I had never read a book like this one before. It was such a page-turner and a heartbreaking story that it is unlike any other. The story is about a woman and her son, Jack, who are held captive in a room by an older man for many years. Therefore, the son does not know of anything outside of the room they are in; he thinks it’s the entire world since he was born and raised there. And even better, the story is told from Jack’s perspective. Everything Jack and his mom go through is so overwhelming, and just when you think it’s over, it’s not. I highly recommend this book for anyone looking for something different to read that can’t really fit into a specific genre. So many emotions, so much to figure out; I highly recommend this book if you are ever in a reading slump.
Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid – Ashley
Taylor Jenkins Reid has become a popular author over the years with her other famous works The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Daisy Jones & The Six, and Carrie Soto is Back. I really enjoyed this specific story, Malibu Rising, because of all the people and the layers behind each of their stories; and thanks to Reid’s writing style, I was able to keep up with each one without getting confused. The bond between the four siblings is so sweet, not to mention them all being superstars together with their own personal struggles. This plot is so exciting, you won’t ever get bored. It grabs your attention right from the start until the very end, so if I were you, I would add this to my “To Be Read” list for 2025.
The Housemaid by Freida McFadden – Ashley
Freida McFadden has won my love for the best thriller books of all time. I’ve only read the first and second book of The Housemaid series, but just from that I can assure you she was made for that writing style. This specific story is about a woman named Millie who starts working for this wealthy couple. She’s also desperate and willing to do anything to keep this job even with the very rude behaviors from the wife, Nina. As tension progresses around the house, Millie becomes more involved in a situation she does not want to be a part of and puts her in a dangerous situation. This book was so scary and intense I had to take multiple breaks while reading, but I always picked it back up to see if it got the happy ending I hoped for. If you are a thriller fan, I highly recommend this book as your next read in 2025.
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig – Jenna
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig is a fantasy book that explores how our decisions change our lives. The main character, Nora Seed, goes through a library after death and opens books to see all the possibilities that could have come out of her life had she picked a different path. The writing is super easy to understand and visualizing the scenes is simple with Haig’s writing style. I recommend this book to anyone who prefers short stories, as it compiles a bunch of different timelines into one big plot line.
Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune – Jenna
Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune is a fantasy book about a selfish man who dies and becomes a ghost. Wallace Price, our main character, was a rude businessperson who passed away. However, once dead, Wallace could not move on into the afterlife. He met a few people who tried to help him into the afterlife and learned the true value of living. This book uses humor to touch on the darker theme of grief. Klune did an amazing job at making this story easy to digest, using understandable language that left me excited to read rather than dreading it.
