I read a few books this month which is so motivating! I hope you are having some time to read during these busy and cold months. As always, you can find all my English reviews here and all my Dutch reviews here.
books read in September
I only listened to audiobooks this month!
audiobooks listened to in September
I’m Glad My Mom Died – Jennette McCurdy // ★★★★½
Synopsis –
Jennette McCurdy was six years old when she had her first acting audition. Her mother’s dream was for her only daughter to become a star, and Jennette would do anything to make her mother happy. So she went along with what Mom called “calorie restriction,” eating little and weighing herself five times a day. She endured extensive at-home makeovers while Mom chided, “Your eyelashes are invisible, okay? You think Dakota Fanning doesn’t tint hers?” She was even showered by Mom until age sixteen while sharing her diaries, email, and all her income.
In I’m Glad My Mom Died, Jennette recounts all this in unflinching detail—just as she chronicles what happens when the dream finally comes true. Cast in a new Nickelodeon series called iCarly, she is thrust into fame. Though Mom is ecstatic, emailing fan club moderators and getting on a first-name basis with the paparazzi (“Hi Gale!”), Jennette is riddled with anxiety, shame, and self-loathing, which manifest into eating disorders, addiction, and a series of unhealthy relationships. These issues only get worse when, soon after taking the lead in the iCarly spinoff Sam & Cat alongside Ariana Grande, her mother dies of cancer. Finally, after discovering therapy and quitting acting, Jennette embarks on recovery and decides for the first time in her life what she really wants.
Told with refreshing candor and dark humor, I’m Glad My Mom Died is an inspiring story of resilience, independence, and the joy of shampooing your own hair.
Second Class Romance – Amol Raikar & Elvis Mathias // ★
Synopsis –
His love story began in the Mumbai local train but there was always a grill that separated the first class and the second class compartment between him and her. One day he bought the first-class ticket and what happened next isn’t a fairytale.
Clap When You Land – Elizabeth Acevedo // ★★★★½
Synopsis –
Camino Rios lives for the summers when her father visits her in the Dominican Republic. But this time, on the day when his plane is supposed to land, Camino arrives at the airport to see crowds of crying people…
In New York City, Yahaira Rios is called to the principal’s office, where her mother is waiting to tell her that her father, her hero, has died in a plane crash.
Separated by distance—and Papi’s secrets—the two girls are forced to face a new reality in which their father is dead and their lives are forever altered.
And then, when it seems like they’ve lost everything of their father, they learn of each other.
Eén depresso, alsjeblieft (De koffiesalon #1) – Marloes Berghege // ★★
Synopsis –
Eén depresso, alsjeblieft is het eerste deel van de feelgoodserie De koffiesalon van Marloes Berghege. Perfect leesvoer voor de lezers van Lisette Jonkman en Marijke Vos. Hanneke is een dertiger die ogenschijnlijk haar leven op de rit heeft. Ze werkt als lerares Engels, heeft een relatie met Job (een totale hunk die niet zou misstaan in een serie als De Bachelor), woont samen met haar beste vriendin Josje en doet iedere vrijdag aan yoga. Ze zou blij moeten zijn, maar waarom voelt haar werk dan als een marteling, wordt Job met de dag saaier en gaat ze nog liever naar de tandarts dan naar yoga? Hanneke piekert zich rot wat te doen met haar leven, maar komt niet in actie, totdat het leven dat voor haar doet. Door een reeks aan gebeurtenissen verliest ze alles en is niets meer zeker. Wat nu? Ze is per slot van rekening al eenendertig. Dat is bijna veertig! Gelukkig biedt een baan bij een koffiesalon uitkomst. Niet echt haar droombaan, maar wat moet ze dan?
my favorite read of the month
Hmmm hard choice between I’m Glad My Mom Died and Clap When You Land. I’ll have to say a tie for these two books.
what I am planning on reading in October
Book of Night – Holly Black // Dutch hardback (yes I know)
This Vicious Grace (The Last Finestra #1) – Emily Thiede // hardback (currently reading!)
The Hating Game – Sally Thorne // audiobook (reread/relisten)
Did you read some interesting books this month? If so, which one was your favourite? Let me know in the comments.
heavenlybookish 