September Wrap Up | Part One

TL;DR

April shares her thoughts on the books she read in September, including the highly recommended "Free Decline" series and her current reads "Stamped from the Beginning" and "Americana."

Transcript

i finished the free decline series hi everyone it is april from getting hugo with it today we're going to do my wrap up for september well the first half of september i have read a good little stack of books here and i want to share everything i thought about them but before we dive in i must say if i look exhausted it's because i am exhausted and ... Read More

Key Insights

• 💍 The "Free Decline" series by Nikki French is highly recommended for its engaging crime elements and the development of the main character, Frida Klein.
• 💨 April enjoyed elements of "Welcome Home" by McKellen Smith, particularly its emphasis on embracing the essence of each season in a minimalist and cozy way.
• ✍️ While April appreciated the atmospheric writing in "The Family Upstairs" by Lisa Jewell, she felt disconnected from the mystery and found some aspects forgettable.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the "Free Decline" series by Nikki French about?

The "Free Decline" series is a crime series centered around psychotherapist Frida Klein who becomes involved in murders, kidnappings, and deals with a mysterious man who intervenes in her life. The series has an overarching mystery and is highly recommended by April.

Q: Why did April give "Sunday Silence" in the "Free Decline" series five stars?

April gave "Sunday Silence" five stars because she loved the characters and the sense of danger they faced individually in the book. The story tied up loose ends and delivered an engaging and satisfying conclusion.

Q: Why did April give four stars to "Day of the Dead" in the "Free Decline" series?

Although April enjoyed "Day of the Dead," she gave it four stars because the ensemble of characters took a backseat in this book, and she missed their presence. However, she still thought it was a good book that tied the series together.

Q: What is "Welcome Home" by McKellen Smith about?

"Welcome Home" is a book that offers a cozy and minimalist approach to decorating and hosting throughout the four seasons. April enjoyed the fall section, which focused on sensory experiences and embracing the essence of the season.

Q: Why did April find "One to Watch" by Kate Stayman-London offensive?

April found "One to Watch" offensive due to its representation of plus-sized women. She felt that the main character, a plus-sized fashion blogger, repeatedly displayed negative self-image and perpetuated fat-shaming, which contradicted the intentions of the book.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• April highly recommends the "Free Decline" series by Nikki French, particularly "Sunday Silence," which she gave five stars. The series follows psychotherapist Frida Klein as she gets involved in crimes and deals with a mysterious man who disrupts her life.

• April gave four stars to "Day of the Dead" in the "Free Decline" series but missed the ensemble of characters from the previous books. She enjoyed the theme of rivers and walking in this installment.

• April enjoyed the fall section of "Welcome Home" by McKellen Smith, which offers a minimalist approach to seasonal decorating and creating a cozy home. She plans to read the other seasons in the future.

• April found "Mansfield Park" by Jane Austen to be one of her least favorites from the author, finding some of the characters ridiculous. She didn't connect with the romance in the book.

• April felt conflicted about "The Family Upstairs" by Lisa Jewell. While she appreciated the atmospheric writing, she didn't feel fully invested in the mystery and found it slightly forgettable.

• April found "One to Watch" by Kate Stayman-London offensive, particularly in its representation of plus-sized women and the main character's negative self-image. She gave it one star.