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It’s time to chat about what books I read this past spring season. If there is one connecting theme throughout each book I read, it’s self love. Having the confidence in yourself in what you bring to the table; whether in relationships, friendships, or your career. To love your past and accept your past, while moving forward and growing into the person you want to be. Everyone will find something enjoyable about each book on my spring reading list.
If the walls of the Chelsea Hotel in NYC could talk, there would be stories upon stories of all the artists that have slept in the beds, roamed the halls, partied on the rooftop. Playwright Hazel Ripley and actress Maxine Mead are among the creatives living in Chelsea Hotel, trying to get a their show on Broadway. It’s all coming together until the Red Scare sweeps through the nation, a witch hunt for communists begin. The people in the entertainment business were among the most targeted. The Chelsea Girls spans from the 1940s through the 1960s as we follow Hazel and Maxine trying navigate through the ever changing world of politics, Broadway, NYC, and their friendship.
Review
I absolutely loved this book! I couldn’t put it down as I had to know what was going to happen next. I may also be bias as it gives a lot of history of NYC and Broadway, two things I love the most. I went even further and did a deep dive into the history of the Chelsea Hotel which is really fascinating. I had no idea that the theater district used to reside in Chelsea until around 1880. Also how many artists lived in the Chelsea Hotel like Mark Twain, Bob Dylan, Jane Fonda, and Madonna, just to name a few. It really holds so much history. Anyway, back to the book. Although The Chelsea Girls is about the Red Scare and how it impacted the entertainment industry, it’s mostly about friendship. Hazel, a shy, insecure young woman trying to find her voice in this life. Maxine, a vivacious beautiful woman who can hold an entire audience captive. Both women have secrets they keep, heartbreaks they experience, and a friendship that may not survive it all.
Everyday for 7 years Mary O’Connor stands at the Earling Broadway station with a sign that says “Come Home Jim”. When one day a young reporter, Alice, stops to chat with Mary inquiring about the sign. Jim, Mary’s long lost love, vanished without a trace or explanation many years ago. Mary is convinced that he will return to her someday. Alice, intrigued by the story, decides to help Mary and track down what actually happened to Jim. Anywhere For You not only speaks on heartbreak and how we deal with the things in our lives that is hard to move on from, but also about finding happiness in unexpected places. It’s about letting go to move forward.
Review
I really wanted to love this book. I even had the release date on my calendar so I could run to the bookstore to buy it. It’s not that I disliked the book, I just wanted to devour the pages. For most of the beginning, I didn’t feel like picking it up. It’s one of those books that when I look back on the story I realize I liked it better when I finished it than while I was reading it. There are many great life lessons about grief, depression, and how we handle things differently. There is something here that everyone can relate to. In the end it’s all about mental health and how we deal with it. I enjoyed that part of the book and seeing each character deal with different aspects of loss. I will say that once the investigation for Jim started I was much more intrigued. The story flips from the past to the present, and I only liked the chapters of the present day. I think it’s because I disliked Jim as a person, even from the moment we are introduced to him. I don’t know if this has to do with knowing he vanished so a part of me didn’t trust anything he said or did, or if I truly did not like the character. With that said, I couldn’t get into Jim and Mary’s romance. However, I did love the ending. I think this would be a great choice for a book club because there is a lot to discuss with differing opinions. I can see people loving this book and others feeling the same as I do.
Daisy Patel is a software engineer for a promising start up in San Francisco. She likes her quiet life, the quirky way she dresses, how she never has to commit to one job or relationship. Only one problem, Daisy’s family is determined to find her a suitable husband. Liam Murphy has done well as a venture capitalist for someone who was a trouble maker growing up. One day Liam learns that he can only receive his inheritance if he marries by his next birthday. With little time left he decides a fake relationship is the best course, and who better to do it with than your old high school best friend’s little sister who hates him. Daisy and Liam fabricate their relationship for mutual benefits. However, things get a little complicated as old feelings and past heartbreaks resurface. The Dating Plan follows along Daisy and Liam’s fun, flirty, and romantic relationship as two old friends fake a relationship.
Review
If you are looking for a fun, cute, and cheesy romantic novel to read than this is it! I loved this book! It was fun to follow Daisy and Liam’s “fake” relationship. It’s definitely a rom-com type of book with cheesy moments but I loved it. It made me happy while reading through the story. I loved each character in the book; especially how Daisy walks to the beat of her own drum. Although it’s a love story between Daisy and Liam, it’s more about self-love. Accepting yourself for who you are. Not what society tells you, not what you thought of yourself as in high school, not what your family tells you. You define who you are. It’s about accepting love, second-chances, and how family is important. Highly recommend.