Recent Reads I'd Recommend #7

Despite me writing monthly round-ups of what I've read, I still like to write a post of my absolute favourites every now and then; the creme de la creme of my bookshelf if you like! I haven't written one of these since March and I've read a helluva lot of books since then; the following are all ones that I either rated that rare five stars or came very close!

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett // This was such an interesting concept for a book; twins who end up living separate lives, one embraces her black heritage and the other decides to live as a white woman when she finds out that her light skin means people assume she is. The issue of identity runs throughout the book, not only through race but also gender and it was one of those reads where I felt like I was being educated despite it being fiction.

Songbirds by Christy Lefteri // This is loosely based on real events and follows the search for a missing housemaid, Nisha, who has disappeared along with other housemaids in the Cypriot town. It showcases the difference in attitude between the family she's become a part of and is so important to and the local authorities who don't take the disappearances seriously. It's a very sobering read especially as it's based around real events. I mentioned one of Lefteri's other books, The Beekeeper of Aleppo in my last recommendations post and I think she has one more book so I'll definitely be picking that one up next!

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig // In a sentence I would describe this book as an example of why life is worth living and I know is inspired by Matt Haig's own experience of depression. It's quite multiple universy (yes I'm making that into an adjective) and shows the different paths a life could potentially take if different decisions were made, but that essentially we're living the lives we're supposed to regardless of where those other decisions may have taken us. It's very much about appreciating the smaller pleasures too, something I am all for!