Books I’ve Read Lately (and What I Thought of Them)

If there’s one thing I’ll never get tired of, it’s curling up with a good book. Whether it's a cosy memoir or something that emotionally devastates me (in the best way), reading has become my favourite way to slow down and reset.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve made my way through a little stack of books, some brilliant, some just okay, and one or two that left me questioning everything. I recently shared a quick roundup over on TikTok where I showed the pile and gave my ratings, but I wanted to go a little deeper here on the blog. So, if you're looking for your next read or just want to compare notes, here’s everything I’ve read lately, and what I honestly thought of each one.

Let’s get into it!

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What You Are Looking for is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama

Rating: 4.5/5
Vibe: Hopecore, gentle, soul-soothing

I loved this book. If you enjoy stories that wrap you in a big literary hug and make you want to reassess your life’s purpose (in a good way), this is one for the list. The structure is simple; five interconnected stories set around a library and a mysterious librarian who seems to know exactly what book each person needs. It’s soft, thoughtful and full of quiet charm.

I’d call this the literary equivalent of a warm cup of tea on a rainy day. It’s not a dramatic page-turner, but it’s quietly impactful. There’s also a bit of magical realism which I wasn’t expecting but really enjoyed. A book about books, dreams, and small moments. I’m so glad I picked this one up.

Perfect for: Fans of Before the Coffee Gets Cold or anyone in their gentle era.

A Certain Hunger by Chelsea G. Summers

Rating: 4/5
Vibe: Dark, witty, deliciously twisted

Now for something completely different. A Certain Hunger follows Dorothy, a food critic with a taste for… let’s just say, the darker things in life. It’s got serial killer energy, but not in a typical thriller way, more like a feminist commentary wrapped up in satire and Michelin-star-level prose.

The writing is dense and sometimes over-indulgent (much like Dorothy herself), which is why I knocked off a point. There were moments where it felt like the narrative got a bit too carried away with itself. But even then, I was intrigued enough to keep turning the page.

Perfect for: Readers who liked Gone Girl but want it with more literary bite and fewer jump scares.

Taste: My Life Through Food by Stanley Tucci

Rating: 5/5
Vibe: Cosy, charming, full of flavour

This was an unexpected favourite. I picked it up thinking it would be a nice little read between heavier books, and it turned out to be absolutely delightful. Stanley Tucci’s memoir is a mix of food stories, personal reflections, and recipes, all delivered in that charming, dry wit he’s so well-known for.

What I loved most is how real it felt. It’s not just a celebrity telling their story, it’s a warm-hearted and deeply personal journey through food, family, and identity. I actually laughed out loud at points and ended up bookmarking a few recipes too.

Perfect for: Food lovers, Tucci fans, or anyone needing a comforting read that won’t emotionally wreck them.

You can read my whole Stanley Tucci – Taste review here.

Nuclear War: A Scenario by Annie Jacobsen

Rating: 5/5
Vibe: Chilling, urgent, unforgettable

This one completely floored me. It’s a non-fiction account of what could happen in the event of a nuclear war, written like a minute-by-minute scenario. It reads like a thriller, but it’s all terrifyingly real. Based on expert interviews, declassified documents, and the scariest bits of history.

I couldn’t put it down. It made my stomach turn more than once, but I genuinely think everyone should read it. It’s eye-opening in a way that very few books are, and even though it’s traumatic, it’s also incredibly important. This has easily become one of my favourite reads of the year.

Perfect for: Anyone interested in geopolitics, history, or books that leave you forever changed.

The Wedding People by Alison Espach

Rating: 3.5/5
Vibe: Light drama, quirky, hit-or-miss

This was one of those books I really wanted to love, but it just didn’t land for me. The story centres around a woman who turns up at a hotel for a wedding she wasn’t actually invited to, and the plot unfolds from there in a mix of drama, secrets, and a bit of romance.

The writing is decent, and the setting, a New England hotel in the off-season, is atmospheric. But I found myself not fully connecting with the characters. It had the potential to be clever and insightful, but felt more like a Netflix series I’d half-watch while folding laundry.

Perfect for: A holiday read when you don’t want anything too intense.

I'm a Fan by Sheena Patel

Rating: 3/5
Vibe: Edgy, obsessive, a bit underwhelming

I had high hopes for this one. It’s a short, punchy book that looks at obsession, social media, and toxic relationships, all told in a fragmented, stream-of-consciousness style. On paper, it ticks every box for me.

But in practice, I found it a little flat. The concept is interesting, and there are moments of brilliant insight, but the lack of narrative structure made it hard to stay engaged. It felt more like a long Reddit post than a fully realised novel. I get what it was trying to do, it just didn’t quite hit the mark for me. I feel like it would have been so much better if it got a lot more dark and twisted.

Perfect for: Fans of experimental fiction and contemporary feminist voices.

A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

Rating: 5/5
Vibe: Heartbreaking, unforgettable, emotionally intense

I don’t even know where to begin with this one. A Little Life is one of the most emotionally devastating books I’ve ever read. It follows four friends in New York across decades, with a particular focus on Jude, a brilliant, mysterious man with a traumatic past.

The writing is beautiful and harrowing in equal measure. It’s not a book I’d recommend lightly, there are heavy themes including abuse, trauma, and self-harm. But if you’re prepared for that, it’s a masterwork of empathy and storytelling. I’m still thinking about it weeks later.

Perfect for: Readers who want to be wrecked in the best possible way.

What Should I Read Next?

Have you read any of these? Did you love them or feel totally different?

Also, if you’ve got a recommendation for what I should read next, please do send it my way. After this stack, I’m in the mood for something brilliant, but preferably not as emotionally draining as A Little Life (I need time to recover…).

Until next time, happy reading!