A Memoir, Short Stories & Some Chick-Lit | Book Club #3

August was my last edition of a book club, that was what? Five months ago? So, in reality, I have a million books I want to talk about, but I am going to put a limit on myself because I will waffle on for hours given the chance. Four books, four books that I have read in the last few months, my thoughts on them etc etc. There will be a lot of the "etcetera" I am sure.

Also: there will be no inclusion of cover photos this time because I have decided you should not judge a book by its cover, far too many times have I steered clear of what was probably a good book because I didn't like the cover- no more.

Inside Out by Demi Moore

This first book I want to chat about I read in like two days, I could not put it down- I was engrossed in the pages and the life of Demi Moore.

There are two reasons that this was a bit of an odd choice for me.

Firstly, I am not that into memoirs, it has just never been a genre that I could get into it unless it was the life of someone I am OBSESSED with. As you can see by many of the other books I talk about, I like fiction and engrossing myself in this world that I know isn't real.

The second reason this was an odd choice... I am not that big of a fan of Demi Moore like I see her pop up in the odd movie and I think "God, she is gorgeous and talented." but that is the extent of it.

So you can imagine my surprise when I was racing through the pages of Inside Out, any spare time that I found myself having- was reading this.

I think I picked this from the iBooks store because I had heard in articles and the media that she was very honest in this book and was making some explosive claims about her life in and out of the limelight and I could not go past knowing what people were talking about.

It is a very honest recount of Demi Moores life from her point of view, and that is what you have to remember, that the events in this book have other sides to the stories as well- this is just hers, what happened through her eyes.

This book is very fast-paced, you don't have time to get bored and you don't have time to think about something for too long. Moore has put in a lot of information into this book and you need to really concentrate to keep up.

My Favourite bit:

Honestly, I just loved how truthful this whole book was, she didn't shy away from admitting her wrongdoings, she comes out and said "I cheated" and "I abused substances and alcohol". But she also talked about subjects that are very personal, she talked about miscarriage and marriage breakdown. The honesty- that is my favourite part of the book.

Modern Love-  Edited by Daniel James

At the end of 2019 I was so busy with my own stuff thrown on top of the usual mayhem of the end of the year that I could not commit to a novel, a full novel- I knew I would get lost, I would forget what I was reading and I just knew there was no point in trying.

I do however like to have a book on the go at all times so in those random moments of "Oh, I have a few minutes.." I can read.

I found this on the Shameless Podcast Bookclub which is where I have been finding a lot of books to read (my to-read list is huge right now), and usually, I don't bother with short stories, I always think that I don't want to be given only a tiny portion of what could be a huge story. But it was perfect for my needs at this time.

It is a collection of essays written each by different people who have vastly different stories to tell about the many different versions of love you come across.

My favourite part:

Instead of "favourite part" I am just going to give you my favourite essay instead and that was "My First Lesson in Motherhood" by Elizabeth Fitzsimons. She details how she and her husband adopted a baby from China and upon return to their home they were faced with the stark reality that their new baby was not well. Even after being given the option to return their unwell baby in return for a healthy baby the didn't. They stuck with her. It's just a very wholesome story.

The Flat Share by Beth O'Leary

I feel like if you are reading this blog you have probably already read this book because it is quite popular, hence why I picked it up- I do not like to be out of the loop.

First off: spoiler alert. Is there anyone else who wanted Tiffy to end up falling in love with Leon's brother (whose name escapes me right now) instead of Leon? Anyone?

Right the book. It took me a while to get through the book, I'll be honest- I was getting bored. It is a very slow burn love story, but many other people seem to love that.

Overall it is a very cute story and would I hear it in real life I would most definitely give that little "awww" sound that you do when you hear a romantic story.

I would also go as far as to say that there are some trigger warnings in the book in regards to emotional abuse, gaslighting, etc but it isn't too much in your face, it is uncomfortable though, well it was for me.

My favourite bit:
The whole leaving each other post-it notes around the house thing by Tiffy and Leon. So cute!

SIDE NOTE: Choosing my last book to include has proven to very difficult and I am indecisive. So, whatever book you read about next, please know I changed my mind at least five times before including.

Sorry Not Sorry by Sophie Ranald

Goodreads told me this would suit me because I am a fan of Sophie Kinsella, and Goodreads was not wrong.. are they ever though? I love love loved this book, it very contemporary romance, very typical for me but I think it was also very real-time. The plotlines will resonate with a lot of people. From Maddy and Henry- Charlotte's two best friends moving out of their shared home and Charlotte now having to work out who she is when she isn't with them, to falling in "love" with a lying cheater. There is SO many ups and downs in this book you cannot possibly find a moment to be bored. I love the characters in this and the way the author conveys the differences between all the characters, but I just really loved Charlotte as the main character. She is at a crossroads, what does she do with the rest of her life? She wants direction and someone to say "this is what you should be doing" but ultimately needs to work it out for herself.

My favourite bit:

The inclusion of new media in the book! Charlotte tries to find her guidance in the form of a podcast and girl- I'm still trying to do this!!! Anyone who listens to the kind of self-help and growth podcasts will understand.

Okay- that is my rambling done! Do you have a book you think I MUST read and talk about? Yes? Good! Tell me! Also let me know if you have read any of the books mentioned, do you agree? Disagree? Was it love or hate? Tell me everything!