Do you have a hobby? And no, not just something you tell interviewers whenever they ask. I’m talking about a mundane activity that brings you joy. The pure, beautiful joy that’s just for you and no one else. A simple task that doesn’t require stress or a side-hustle that brings in extra cash on the weekends.
If you do, hold on to it.
I don’t think I’ve had a true hobby since I was in high school. And it wasn’t something I was really cognizant of until 2020. Without the constant go-go-go of life, I found myself looking for things to do that didn’t require staring at a screen.
As a kid, I was the student in class with her nose deep in a book. My birthday money would be spent on the latest Percy Jackson series and my Christmas gifts involved multiple Barnes & Noble gift cards from family. I made it a mission last year to read 12 books by December and it only pushed my desire to read more. This year, my goal was to read 2 books a month (or 24/yr).
In the first 3 months of 2021 alone, I’ve read 11 books. Sharing my Q1 book review for 2021. My, how far I’ve come!
You don’t have to read non-fiction if you don’t want to. No one is forcing you to read the latest presidential autobiography or how to manipulate the stock market in your favor. Have fun with it!
If you have a Netflix account, chances are you’re one of the 82 million people that made it their most-watched show. I quickly fell in love with the stunning visuals and diverse casting. It’s not very often that I get to enjoy black characters in the victorian era without focusing on Black pain! I thought the books would have brought me similar happiness. Sadly, I couldn’t have been more wrong. For once I liked the show better!
Each book focuses on one of the 8 Bridgerton children. The first book (The Duke and I) is what the 1st season is based on. The story focuses solely on Daphne and Simon (no side characters) but the other changes are pretty minimal. I’m so glad they cast it with slightly more diversity because if they referred to his piercing blue eyes one more time while I was reading, I would’ve closed the book. It’s so overdone! Also similar to my experience watching the show, I found Daphne to be problematic and the true villain of the storyline. If you want to get a better idea of where the show is going you might enjoy this easy read.
***Trigger Warning: the sexual assault scene is a lot less of a gray area in the book.***
Similar to my experience with The Duke and I, I found the storyline to be incredibly dull. It’s also shockingly less provocative than the Netflix series which is typically unheard of for a romance novel. Anthony’s storyline will be the next season on Netflix. So if you’re someone who likes to know what happens beforehand it’s worth the read!
This was the book that made me give up the Bridgerton series. I will probably only read the Colin after this (most reviews say it’s the best). These books are just NOT good. Eloise was honestly my favorite character on the show and I’m sad this was the romantic partner they gave her. I think they’ll have to do some major plotline re-writes if they want to satisfy fans of the show.
Despite being set in the 1800s, the other books had a sense of feminism and modern touches that made you forget the time period. Unfortunately, Eloise wasn’t awarded the same considerations with problematic storylines containing misogyny, manipulation, and coercion. I have no idea how the novels were found by Shonda Rhimes, but thank goodness her writing team is 10x better.
This book in particular really threw me for a loop. After raving about Verity being my favorite book of 2020, many of my followers suggested this thriller to read next. It’s about a psychiatrist assigned to a decade-old case of a woman who murdered her husband and hasn’t spoken since. The writing fell flat for me and the plot moved at a glacial pace. I honestly thought it was a below-average book…until the last 2-3 chapters. It gave an incredible ending that left me with my mouth on the floor. But does that make up for the book as a whole?! I’m not sure. I’ll let you be the judge!
Two kids become instant best friends when their moms learn they share a birthday in the suburbs of Atlanta in the 80s. The story then shares how they grow up together until life pulls them apart before high school with a chance encounter that brings them back together. Now, they’re all grown up and professional powerhouses in their own right- wondering if they’re meant to be. I love a good romance novel that is realistic. The issues that are brought up after years of not being in each other’s lives are real (past relationships, kids, infertility, and loss).
I thought it was a captivating story with diverse characters. A Black political strategist definitely giving me Olivia Pope vibes, a biracial educator focused on social equity in the city, and various other ethnicities and religions discussed throughout the entire novel. There were a few “Tyler Perry” like bombs at the end that made me say, “Oh LAWD.” as I read through. But all in all, I enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it (it’s part of my Q1 book review for 2021!)
Can I just say that this Talia Hibbert series restored my faith in romance novels? JG books have always been enjoyable to me as lighthearted fun, but they were missing that certain ‘je ne sais quoi.’ Deep character backstory. Real character diversity besides cover art and the mention of their mocha skin and curly hair once every few chapters. Each of these books focuses on a Brown sister living in the UK and their interracial relationships in their mid-late 20s. And no, you don’t have to read them in order!
There’s no surprise why Chloe’s story was my favorite: a bougie black woman with a digital marketing company and a chronic illness? There’s representation and then there’s a freaking mirror. LOL.
Chloe sets out to live life to the fullest after a near-death accident with the help of her friendly landlord, Red. Throughout the novel I found myself chuckling at their dialogue and actually saying, “AW!” a few times, too! Full disclosure: this series is spicy with a capital FUEGO. But the sexy moments always seemed to make sense and major consent. If I wasn’t such a collector when it comes to book series, I would mail my own copy to you myself ASAP.
It’s time for the middle Brown sister! Dani is getting her Ph.D. and befriends a dorm security guard (and former rugby superstar???) Zafir. After a video of them leaving their building for a fire drill goes viral, they decide to fake a relationship for Zaf’s charity to raise more money. I love a good “fake relationship” plot. There’s a reason why ‘Easy A’, ‘The Proposal’, and ‘To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before’ work so well! Again, the writing is so enjoyable I started to send a prayer up to the streaming gods for this to become the next big hit.
The youngest Brown sister story dropped just this year. And while I rated it slightly lower than the others, it still does an incredible job showcasing diversity and romance. The main character, Eve begins working for Jacob Wayne, a bed and breakfast owner with autism. Their love story includes an inclusive look at relationships within neurodiverse populations, which is something I’m sad to say I’ve never experienced in storytelling! The only word I can really use to describe the read is delightful, cover to cover!
A pair of twin, teenage girls vanish from a small town in Louisiana known for having a white-passing, black population. Years later, one of the twins returns (with her dark-skinned daughter) but there are questions to answers and answers to questions all along the way. The book is somehow a multigenerational family drama, a romance novel, and a cultural commentary on race and gender all in one.
It’s pretty evident to see why this book was making the rounds in 2020. If you’re looking to diversify your reading (with characters and plot) this is a great place to start. I loved the storyline and inner dialogue of the characters! It does a decent job touching on race and colorism but would’ve liked it to be a little more than “our culture values light skin people more.” I was left with a few questions at the end but nothing that would keep me up at night.
There are three things you’re guaranteed with a Jasmine Guillory novel: diverse casts, 50% of the dialogue focusing on food, and a satisfying ending of love. If you’ve read one, you’ve read them all. But for some reason, I just can’t stop? Like the Bridgerton Novels and the aforementioned Brown sisters, each novel is intricately woven with the characters of the others. There are a total of 5 books in the series with the final due out in summer 2021. And discovering how they all interact with each other from book to book is what keeps me around! I’ll always suggest them to friends who are looking for a book for the beach, an easy read to get back into the habit, or just in need of some good fun.
I did enjoy the premise of what dating life must be like for a single, public official! It personally sounds like a nightmare but JG found a way to make it seem adorable.
My thoughts are similar to the statements above, but wanted to share that you don’t have to read them in order! It’s also the only book to have 2 Black lead characters vs. 1. I personally liked The Proposal the best out of her work, but I assume it will probably vary from person to person.
Now I just can’t get enough! As you can probably tell, I lean towards fiction with a heavy emphasis on romance novels. But I’m up for just about anything! If you’ve read any of the ones mentioned or have suggestions, leave your thoughts on my Q1 book review for 2021 in the comments below.
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I love this for you! Do you have a Goodreads account? I have only watched the Bridgerton series. I loved Chloe Brown and still need to read Dani and Eve. The Vanishing Half is on my list for this month! I also want to eventually get to Guillory’s books! I have a bookstagam account and love ittt.
Thanks, Autumn! I don’t have a Goodreads account but people have told me I should make one!
My favourites were: red, white & royal blue, becoming & born a crime! I struggle to pick just one favourite with books
I’m the same way sometimes! :)
this was so interesting, thank you for sharing! i read 21 books last year as I had so much more time with covid, but this year I’ve barely had any time! I was the exact same as you in school which makes it worse
Yes! I hope you’re able to find time to get back into it. Do you have a favorite from 2020?