Normal People By Sally Rooney Book Review

I only tend to share book reviews when a book has really got to me in some way. I want to talk about the books that I feel passionately about or that have stirred up ALL the emotions in me and Normal People by Sally Rooney did exactly that. I finished this book a few weeks ago now and I find myself still thinking about it. It seems to be a book that really divides people so I'm sure they'll be people reading this who felt the exact opposite to me but at the moment I'm struggling to see how any other book is going to beat it this year. This review is going to be LONG.

'Connell and Marianne grow up in the same small town in the west of Ireland, but the similarities end there. In school, Connell is popular and well-liked, while Marianne is a loner. But when the two strike up a conversation - awkward but electrifying - something life-changing begins. Normal people is a story of mutual fascination, friendship and love. It takes us from that first conversation to the years beyond, in the company of two people who try to stay apart but find they can't.'

My Review

 I only picked up Normal People recently after seeing the trailer for the TV adaptation which is available on BBC iPlayer and I ended up reading it in less than 12 hours. It's the first book in a while that has kept me up for hours because I just couldn't bare to put it down.

We first meet Connell and Marianne as teenagers in sixth form in a small town in Ireland. Connell is one of the popular boys at school and Marianne is the opposite in every way. The two of them would never usually find themselves in each others company but Connell's mum works as a cleaner for Marianne's family. They clearly come from very different worlds. It's not until Connell arrives to pick up his mum one day, that he and Marianne finally talk. From there on, a friendship starts which leads to a romantic relationship but unfortunately it's never plain sailing.

Despite having the nice house and money, Marianne's childhood wasn't a happy one and she struggles a lot as a teenager because of it, meaning she finds it hard to accept a normal relationship and Connell cares too much about what people think, wanting to hide the relationship. Many things tear the two of them away from each other over the years yet they somehow always find their way again. You can't deny the chemistry between them from the very beginning. I utterly adored both of them. They weren't perfect, they both had flaws but it was just so raw and real. Their relationship was intense and heartbreaking, uncomfortable and even hard to read at some points but also beautiful. Two people who needed each other but weren't always able to communicate that. Marianne and Connell are just two very special characters who I really felt for and I don't think I've ever rooted for a couple to make it work as much as I did for these two.

Onto Sally Rooney's writing now which I found was really unique. It felt comfortable from the beginning, despite their being no speech marks which I thought was a little odd but within a page or two, I got used to it. This also had quite a few time jumps throughout which I'm not always a fan of but I actually didn't mind them with Normal People. Even if we moved 7 months on or so, Sally would always fill in the gaps so nothing was missed. I'm also not a fan of really long chapters and can find them a drag but this was perfect. Short and snappy chapters really keep my attention but these were long enough that you still get plenty of detail too.

The interesting thing about Normal People is that to me it doesn't particularly fit into one genre. A lot of it is centered around Connell and Marianne's relationship obviously but it's not always the main focus. So much of it is about them both finding their own ways in the world, accepting their flaws and confronting their demons and in a lot of ways it's not always a happy book. Anxiety and depression are spoken about too and I personally think Sally handled each subject perfectly.

So let's bring this long, rambly review to end. Connell and Marianne aren't your typical characters but I grew to love them and I felt incredibly sad to close the book. They just felt so human and relatable. No one is perfect and no relationship is either and I felt Sally portrayed that perfectly. Whilst this may be a love it or hate it book in some people's eyes, if you've not read it, I urge you to give it a chance. It's now the book to beat in my 2020 reading challenge and something impressive is going to have to come along to knock it off the top spot. I also highly recommend the TV adaptation too!

Have you read Normal People? or seen the TV show? Would love to know your thoughts if so!

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The Little Bookshop Of Love Stories by Jaimie Admans Book Review*

*I received a copy to review but all opinions are my own
At the start of 2020 when I shared my blogging goals for the year, I said I wanted to write more book reviews this year. I started off the year pretty well, sharing reviews for Big Little Lies, People Like Us and The Five Year Plan but then despite reading loads more since then, I've struggled to find the motivation to actually write up reviews. The current lockdown situation is seriously starting to get to me so I've been struggling with motivation a lot over the last few weeks. I was recently invited to be part of the book tour for The Little Bookshop Of Love Stories by Jaimie Admans though and I was thrilled!

'Today is the Mondayest Monday ever. Hallie Winstone has been fired - and it wasn't even her fault! Having lost her job and humiliated herself in front of a whole restaurant full of diners, this is absolutely, one hundred percent, the worst day of her life. That is until she receives an email announcing that she is the lucky winner of the Once Upon a Page Bookshop! Owning a bookshop has always been Hallie's dream, and when she starts to find secret love letters on the first page of every book, she knows she's stumbled across something special. But Hallie's beloved bookshop is in financial trouble, and with sales dwindling, she can't help but wonder if she is really cut out to run a business. Things start to look up when she meets gorgeous, bookish Dimitri and between them, they post a few of the hidden messages online, reuniting people who thought they were lost forever. But maybe it's time for Hallie to find her own happy-ever-after, too?'

My review

I'm going to start by saying I will ALWAYS enjoy books that are about books. Being such an avid reader myself, I love when you find a character that is exactly the same and really feels the magic of books and the different world's you can get lost in with each one. So many parts of this book just made me smile because I could totally relate to Hallie's love for reading and I felt Jaimie really got across how much reading can mean to people.

Whilst I admit it did take me a little while to get fully stuck into this and I did find a few bits a little over the top, I really did grow to love Hallie. She felt like a character I could really relate to and I'm sure many other people would too. She seemed to lack in confidence a little and luck was never something she had much of so it felt like such a win when she gets given the bookshop. She's a character you can really root for and I was just hoping throughout that she'd find a way to make the bookshop a success again.

I also can't not mention the romance aspect in this between Hallie and Dimitri. He was the perfect love interest and all the way through, from the very first moment they met, I was willing for them to end up together. They just both had this cute awkwardness about them yet the chemistry was so obvious. I love that their was an air of mystery around Dimitri though and they both found ways to help each other in business and in their personal lives.

Overall, The Little Bookshop Of Love Stories is a really beautiful, light-hearted read and I think any books lovers would thoroughly enjoy it. It just makes you smile and I think that's something we all need right now!

What are you reading at the moment?

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5 Things I'm Looking Forward To Doing When Covid-19 Is Over

Since lockdown began in the UK I've actually somehow managed to remain pretty positive. I've no idea how because I'm usually a bit of a pessimist but I've just been trying to get through it the best way I can and that for me has been looking forward and planning for the future. I've accepted that this is life for the time being so I've been trying to find things each week to enjoy, like a movie night at the weekend with homemade cookie dough, or a long walk in the woods with Bear during the week, or starting a new book. Little things have kept me going but there are so many things I'm looking forward to doing once we're allowed out again. I've seen quite a few bloggers share similar posts and I think a lot of us are trying to remain optimistic so I really wanted to write something myself. Here are the 5 main things I'm looking forward to doing when Covid-19 is over.

Heading To The Beach

A few weeks before we started social distancing and life was normal we had a lovely trip to the seaside and I just can't wait for the day we can do that again. Last year we had a weekend in Whitby, Scarborough and Bridlington - Bear's first holiday and we all absolutely loved it so we'd just been waiting for the weather to be nice enough for us to head to the beach again for the day. We went to Bridlington and as expected, Bear had the time of his life! We met so many other dogs and he was just living his best life running up and down the beach, splashing in the sea and trying to steal our chips. It was one of those days I know I'll remember and I won't ever take days like that for granted again. I think a trip to the seaside will be one of the first things we do.

Booking Our Trip To Amsterdam

I can't wait to get a holiday booked. I know everything with travel is up in the air at the moment, no pun intended, so whether we'll actually get to go anywhere abroad this year is uncertain but once it's safe to do so and travel is allowed again, we are 100% booking a city break to Amsterdam. One of the hardest things I've struggled with due to Covid-19 is that obviously all of our plans have been put on hold and for someone with anxiety who sort of relies on things to look forward to, it's been hard to take not knowing when they'll happen now. We had quite a few travel plans for 2020 and whilst I know we'll re-arrange them, it's hard having weeks go by knowing we should be somewhere else. We had planned months ago to go to Amsterdam for our anniversary in July, we'd got pretty much everything sorted and then it all stopped so I'm just waiting for the day we can book it for another time.

Being Able To Enjoy Food Shopping Again

God I can't wait to be able to do a normal food shop again! As much as I want to go on holiday and go to the theatre, I also just want life to feel normal again. I'm aware it might be a while even once we're out of lockdown for things to be as they were before but I can't wait for the day I can just walk into a supermarket again and it be an enjoyable experience. I'm someone who genuinely loves food shopping and going to the supermarket was like a bit of peace for me every so often and obviously now it's all very serious and it's not a case of just walking in and having a browse anymore. I'm looking forward to simple things like this just as much as the bigger things like travelling.

Seeing Musicals On The West End Again

I actually feel emotional even thinking about the time I'll get to go the theatre again so I'm fully prepared to be a crying mess when it actually happens. It's no secret if you've been reading my blog over the last few years that musical theatre has become a massive part of my life and it's now one of my biggest passions. I've spoken about every show I've seen so far from the very first which was Wicked to the latest which was Les Miserables and everything in between. Of course I was pretty devastated when all the theatres had to shut when we went into lockdown but it was inevitable and currently there's no date for when they are due to re-open. It's an ever changing situation so whilst I do think they'll re-open by the end of the year as life will have to go on at some point, it's scary knowing it could go on for far longer and this unfortunately will have had damaging effects on certain shows and theatres, some even having announced already they won't be able to recover from this.

For me there's just nothing like the theatre. That buzz when you walk in and take your seat, when the lights dim, when the orchestra starts, when the cast enter the stage, it just gives me chills. Musicals have been there for me when anxiety has been at all time high or when I've felt the lowest of the low, it's just been huge comfort for such a long time so I just can't wait for the day me and all other theatre fans can be back at the West End. George and I were supposed to see Dear Evan Hansen and & Juliet in April so it's safe to say this whole situation has hit me hardest over the last week or so but I know we'll get to see them one day and I'll be back at the theatre as soon as they're open again. I think the atmosphere will be like nothing it's ever been before, it's going to be incredible.

Booking A Festive Trip To Krakow

Aswell as Amsterdam, we were also planning a festive trip to Krakow this year. Krakow is somewhere I've wanted to go for years and years, especially at Christmas time, so 2020 was finally going to be the year. Who knows, it might still be? I'm trying to remain positive that we might still have some of the year to enjoy things like this and if it's possible, we'll be going. I'm desperate to go on the Auschwitz tour which I've mentioned many times before on my blog and I just want to walk around the Christmas markets, eat nice food and get into the festive spirit. I'd go to Krakow at any time of the year but I just think it's one of those cities that would be magical at Christmas.

So that's 5 things I'm looking forward to doing when Covid-19 is over or under control I suppose is the better phrase. Whilst I do love being at home usually and I've never been someone to be out and about all the time or travelling everywhere, I just can't wait for their to be options again! Over the last week I've really felt this impacting my mental health and I imagine they'll be loads of other people feeling the same so if you are, you're absolutely not alone. Things might be tough now but it won't be forever, there will be an end to this and how good is that day going to feel when it comes?

How are you coping with lockdown? What are you looking forward to being able to do in the future?

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A Book Haul To See Me Through Lockdown

I don't know about anybody else but I'm definitely finding I'm reading loads more whilst in lockdown. It's such a strange situation having no choice but to stay at home so apart from the odd walk with Bear, I've really needed to try and fill my time to try and keep some sort of sanity. As you might be able to tell by the amount of recipes I've been sharing, I've been cooking loads and spending time trying out new bakes but I've also been stuck with my head in a book at various points each day meaning I've been getting through a lot! I luckily have quite a few that I've been kindly sent via NetGalley for me to read, I have one or two that were birthday gifts and I recently stocked up on a few others that I'd been after for a while so there's plenty to keep me going for the next few weeks and however much longer lockdown goes on for so I thought I'd share a little haul as it's been a while since the last one.

Normal People by Sally Rooney

'Connell and Marianne grow up in the same small town in the west of Ireland, but the similarities end there. In school, Connell is popular and well-liked, while Marianne is a loner. But when the two strike up a conversation - awkward but electrifying - something life-changing begins. Normal People is a story of mutual fascination, friendship and love. It takes us from that first conversation to the years beyond, in the company of two people who try to stay apart but find they can't.'

Okay, first up is Normal People and I have to admit I have already read this since I started writing this post. I just couldn't resist! I'm planning on sharing a review of this within the next few weeks as I have so much I want to say about it. I just had a feeling it was going to be my sort of book and then when I saw the trailer for the TV adaptation which started on BBC iPlayer on Sunday, I just couldn't wait any longer to get stuck in. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this if you've read it too!

Lost by Leona Deakin*

'How can you solve a crime if you can't remember the clues? There is an explosion at a military ball. The casualties are rushed to hospital in eight ambulances, but only seven vehicles arrive. Captain Harry Peterson is missing. His girlfriend calls upon her old friend Dr Augusta Bloom, who rushes to support the investigation. But no one can work out what connects the bomb and the disappearance. When Harry is eventually discovered three days later, they hope he holds the answers to their questions. But he can't remember a single thing.'

I read and reviewed Leona Deakin's debut Novel, Gone last year and I remember so clearly being hooked by it, from the very beginning. It's a book that stands out for me from 2019 so I was thrilled to receive a copy of her latest book in the series. It's something completely different to everything else in this post as it goes down the crime route so I just can't wait to get started on it.

Half A World Away by Mike Gayle

'Strangers living worlds apart. Strangers with nothing in common. But it wasn't always that way... Kerry Hayes is a single mum, living on a tough south London estate. She provides for her son by cleaning houses she could never afford. Taken into care as a child, Kerry cannot forget her past. Noah Martineau is a successful barrister with a beautiful wife, daughter and home in fashionable Primrose Hill. Adopted as a young child, Noah never looks back. When Kerry contacts Noah, the sibling she lost on the day they were torn apart as children, she sets in motion a chain of events that will change both of their lives forever.'

I actually hadn't heard of this book until I was browsing WHSmith and saw it was on offer for just over £3. I've found books have really increased in price on Amazon and Ebay over the last few weeks so I was really surprised by how decent everything was priced at WHSmith as I don't usually shop there. There was just something about this that sucked me in and I just have a feeling I'm going to love it. Once I read the synopsis I had to get it, you know when you just get a feeling like 'this is a book I need to read'? Since buying it I've seen a few people mention how emotional it is so I'm fully prepared to have a big cry whilst reading this.

The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley

'In a remote hunting lodge, deep in the Scottish wilderness, old friends gather for New Year. The beautiful one. The golden couple. The volatile one. The new parents. The quiet one. The city boy. The outsider. The victim. Not an accident - a murder among friends.'

I've been meaning to read this for absolutely ages! It's a book I've only heard good things about so I'm really excited to get started on it. There seems to have been quite a few books with a similar theme of a group of friends staying together in Scotland and there been some sort of murder or incident while they are there which is a bit strange but I'm sure each is different in their own way. I'm always after more thrillers so this has been a welcome addition to my bookshelf. I'm surprised I've been able to hold off reading it for so long already actually.

An Unwanted Guest by Shari Lapena

'We can't choose the strangers we meet. Usually we can avoid the people who make us nervous, make us afraid. Until we find ourselves in a situation we can't escape. Trapped. As the guests arrive at beautiful, remote Mitchell's Inn, they're all looking forward to a relaxing weekend deep in the forest, miles from anywhere. They watch their fellow guests with interest, from a polite distance. With a violent storm raging, the group finds itself completely cut off from the outside world. Nobody can get in - or out. And then the first body is found... and the horrifying truth comes to light. There's a killer among them - and nowhere to run.'

I've read one book by Shari Lapena and that was The Couple Next Door which I really enjoyed so when I spotted this for just over £2, I grabbed it. It's a book I've seen various times and thought about getting it so it seemed like the perfect time. I'm such a big fan of thrillers so I'm really intrigued to see where this is going to go.

The Chocolate Lovers' Diet by Carole Matthews

'Survival tips for times of stress: 1. Take deep breaths 2. Count to ten 3. Eat chocolate. Lucy thought she had got her happily ever after with the gorgeous Aidan but things aren't turning out the way she had hoped they would. But she's not the only one with problems - Autumn's new boyfriend has yet to meet her parents, Nadia's husband has sworn he's given up gambling but she's finding that hard to believe, and Chantal is doing all she can to save her marriage. It's clear that these girls are going to need a lot of chocolate.'

I've really enjoyed reading books by Carole Matthews over the last few months. She's one of those authors who very rarely lets me down and in all of the books I've read from her, I think there has only been one that slightly disappointed me. I love a bit of romance and all of Carole's books seem to centre around that in some way so I'm slowly trying to work my way through all of them. I recently read The Chocolate Lovers' Club and I really enjoyed that so when I spotted there was a follow up, I grabbed it. There are actually two more books in the series aswell so I'll be getting those once I've finished this too.

So that's a few books I have waiting to be read over the next few weeks and I'm really looking forward to getting stuck into them. I also have Little Whispers by K.L. Slater* and The Waffle House On The Pier by Tilly Tennant* waiting on Netgalley too so it's safe to say I have many books to keep me occupied.

I'd love to know if you've read any of the books I've mentioned? What have you been reading lately?

*Books marked * were sent for review

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