December. What a month. It was an interesting ride with the books that I tried to squeeze in before the end of the year to get a whole number for my final total. I planned to finish a series I started, but I realized too late that one of the books I read was the start of a series—story of my life. Check out the three books I read last month!
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THE GUNCLE BY STEVEN ROWLEY
I picked up this book because everything that I had been reading was murder. I figured this would be a lighthearted book that would bring laughter into my life. I was partially right.
Patrick, or Gay Uncle Patrick (GUP, for short), has always loved his niece, Maisie, and nephew, Grant. That is, he loves spending time with them when they come out to Palm Springs for weeklong visits or when he heads home to Connecticut for the holidays. But regarding caretaking and relating to two children, no matter how adorable, Patrick is honestly a bit out of his league.
So when tragedy strikes Maisie and Grant lose their mother and Patrick’s brother has a health crisis of his own, Patrick finds himself suddenly taking on the role of primary guardian. Despite having a set of “Guncle Rules” ready to go, Patrick has no idea what to expect, having spent years barely holding on after the loss of his great love, a somewhat-stalled career, and a lifestyle not-so-suited to a six- and a nine-year-old. Quickly realizing that parenting—even if temporary—isn’t solved with treats and jokes, Patrick’s eyes are opened to a new sense of responsibility and the realization that, sometimes, even being larger than life means you’re unfailingly human.
As I read this book, I couldn’t help but picture Dan Levy playing Patrick. I don’t know if this book will ever be made into a movie, but I definitely saw him every time Patrick spoke. While I did laugh at some parts, this book was a little heavy, given that the theme focused on dealing with grief and learning how to cope/continue with life after losing someone close to you. Although there were heavy parts, it was a very heartwarming story as you saw the evolution of Patrick’s relationship with Maisie and Grant. While I enjoyed the story enough, it felt like it went on for a little longer than expected.
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️☆
BLACK GIRLS MUST HAVE IT ALL BY JAYNE ALLEN
We’re back with Tabitha Walker in the throws of her new bundle of joy and motherhood. When the news station announces that it will be hiring outside competitors for the new anchor position, Tabby throws herself into her work. But it’s not just maintaining her position as the station’s weekend anchor that has her worried. All of her relationships seem to be shifting out of their regular orbits. Best friend Alexis can’t strike the right balance in her “refurbished” marriage with Rob, and Laila’s gone from being a consistent ride-or-die to a newly minted entrepreneur trying to raise capital for her growing business. When Marc presents her with an ultimatum about their relationship, coupled with an extended “visit” from his mother, Tabby is forced to take stock of her life and make a new plan for the future.
The entire premise of this book is based on Tabby’s life as a new mom. I’m not a mother, so I don’t know what it’s like to have a child and make all of the decisions needed to ensure that you’re doing what’s best for the child. So please read my review with that lens. As an outsider looking in, I was a bit frustrated with how indecisive Tabby was, especially since she wasn’t like that in the first two books. Being in lumbo with her relationship with Marc, I can understand it, but it felt like Tabby was too indecisive based on how I came to understand her. I will say that I resonated the most with Laila. She is not a mom, but she is starting a new business and is a single woman who doesn’t have marriage or kids in her future anytime soon; it can be frustrating to have friends who exclude you because you “don’t understand what it’s like to be a mom or wife.” Overall, the book was a good story to see how Tabby’s life and relationships have changed based on the new title to her name as a mom to her daughter.
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️☆
THE DIRECTION OF THE WIND BY MANSI SHAH
**TRIGGER WARNING: THIS BOOK MENTIONS DRUG ABUSE**
I received this gift as a birthday present and can I just say I forgot how great it is to get books as gifts?! Sophie Shah was six when she learned her mother, Nita, had died. For twenty-two years, she shouldered the burden of that loss. But when her father passes away, Sophie discovers a cache of hidden letters revealing a shattering her mother didn’t die. She left.
Nita Shah had everything most women dreamed of in her hometown of Ahmedabad, India—a loving husband, a doting daughter, and financial security—but in her heart, she felt like she was living a lie. Fueled by her creative ambitions, Nita moved to Paris, the artists’ capital of the world—even though it meant leaving her family behind. But once in Paris, Nita’s decision and its consequences would haunt her in ways she never expected.
Now that Sophie knows the truth, she’s determined to find the mother who abandoned her. Sophie jets off to Paris, even though the impulsive trip may risk her impending arranged marriage. In the City of Light, she chases lead after lead that helps her piece together a startling portrait of her mother. Though Sophie goes to Paris to find Nita, she may also discover parts of herself she never knew.
This was an interesting journey that I didn’t know I needed to take. Each chapter switches between Nita and her daughter Sophie, with a 10 year difference between their journeys. Living up to other people’s expectations was the theme that spoke to me the most. Nita found herself suffocated by doing that and decided to do something about it. Sophie doesn’t realize she’s been living up to other people’s expectations until she finds herself on her own. I truly loved each woman’s journey of self-discovery and the tenacity to live to be your most authentic self.
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Check out all the books I read in 2023.
