In the very first episode of our podcast, we discussed our Goodreads Goal for 2024 which was a mutual agreement of a measly 20 books each this year. Find out whether we are on track for our goal and what books have been conquered so far, as well as whether they were worth the read.
Fancy skipping the read? You can listen to it in our 6-month episode!
January
The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka
We kickstarted the challenge with a buddy-read of the classic novella, The Metamorphosis. At roughly 100 pages long (depending on which edition you read), this story was a great way to start the year but also a great introduction to reading classics. The book follows the tale of the main character Gregor Samsa morphing into a gigantic beetle overnight, while the idea seems ludicrous the hidden meaning shows an insight into Kafka's personal relationships and political beliefs.
You can find out more about this book in our first episode on Spotify!
Rated: 4/5 Read by: Beth and Giorgia
February
Before The Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
My first Japanese read, this play adaptation into a modern novel definitely inspired me to read more Japanese literature. The book is split into four parts, the first one eases you into the last three parts of pure heartbreak. Set in a coffeeshop that allows you to go back (and forward) in time, as long as you follow the rules. The stories told, are of people making use of the time-travelling cafe. One confronts the man who left her, another receives a letter from her husband whose memory was taken by Alzheimer's, Hirai sees her sister one last time and Kei (one of the cafe owners) meets the daughter she never got the chance to know.
Read by: Beth Rated: 4/5
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
My challenge was to read more classics this year and I was recommended this one by Giorgia. This novel is quite a dark story and took me a while to get into, but the imagery and hidden meanings throughout Plath's work made it very clear as to why this is such a well-known classic. Following the story of Esther's mental breakdown, quite possibly written with inspiration from Plath's own experiences, the reader follows into the deepest and darkest depths of the psyche that no writer has ever dared venture into before.
Read by: Beth Rated: 4/5
To hear more about Sylvia Plath's harrowing life which inspired parts of this novel, listen to our second episode.
Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens
Who doesn't know the famous story of the orphan Oliver Twist? Dickens in this novel follows the main character who is just an example of so many other children who were treated badly by institutions like workhouses. At that time, in the Victorian Age, if a child was poor and didn't have any parent or family he was brought up by religious institutions. In the case of Oliver Twist, he finds himself in different difficult situations but thanks to people and luck he gets safely through many of them.
Read by: Giorgia
Rated: 3/5
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
Five students are in a Greek class where only the best students are allowed to participate. When Richard, a new student, decides to join, it doesn't appear to be that easy and yet he finds his way in and also with it many other secrets. He realises that, even though most of them are wealthy and privileged, they still have to work their way through life and college. Money makes it easier at times but they're still tormented and disturbed by some of their actions.
Read by: Giorgia
Rated: 4/5
March
How Green Was My Valley by Richard Llewellyn Growing up in South Wales was one of the motivations behind why I read this, as growing up in the valleys makes it hard to not have an interest in our ancestorial coal-mining past. Knowing this was a favourite book of my Bampi's solidified my decision to read it in March. The focus of the book is upon Huw who is looking back upon his childhood and discusses how industrialisation poisoned the beauty of the green valleys. It tackles issues of the union and also the abolishment of the Welsh language.
Read by: Beth Rated: 5/5
Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton
Dolly's book follows the events of her own life from her teenage years until her 30s, she blasts through her funniest moments, drunkest escapades and best memories, all whilst reminding us of how human it is to make mistakes and not know every single step we want to take along the path of life. As well as a reminder that love comes in all forms and its purest is often through female friendships. EIKAL is a comforting hug on a rainy day and a book that we will forever be recommending, especially to young women who need those extra reminders.
Read by: Giorgia and Beth Rated: 5/5
We loved this book so much that we created an entire episode on it, click here to listen.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Everyone has heard of The Great Gatsby, many have seen the film and this was my first ever time reading the book. I was quite surprised to discover the book wasn't written from the perspective of Mr Gatsby himself, but instead from Nick Carraway, a character that barely knows Gatsby. Throughout the novel his first conception of Gatsby changes drastically as he gets to know him better. Tragedy, love and lavish parties are a key centre focus of this book and also sum up the Jazz Age.
Read by: Beth Rated: 4/5
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
After the film was released in 2016, the book became popular again and for good reasons. A romance like no other, emotionally intense and showing the appreciation of life but also the need to be more adventurous and take risks because you never know what will happen. Making most out of life is what Will teaches Lou, a woman in her late 20s who has always lived in a small village near London but has never travelled much nor pursued her dreams. She was looking for a job and she finds one; to take care of a man in his 30s. Nothing will prepare her for what awaits her and for how much she will learn at this job which will become more of a life lesson than anything else.
Read by: Giorgia
Rated: 4/5
Looking for Alaska by John Green
Everything starts when Miles goes to boarding school where his life changes forever. Before he went, his whole life was normal and he was obsessed with last words of famous people which he knew by heart. Once he goes to school, he makes new friends after a bumpy start. In particular, he becomes closer to Alaska but he soon realises that not everyone has an easy life like he does. Teenagers can be more affected by circumstances than adults most times which is why when Alaska goes missing everyone thinks the worst has happened.
Read by: Giorgia
Rated: 3/5
April
My World Is Melting: Living with Climate Change in Svalbard by Line Nagell Ylvisaker
This is a limited edition novel by a journalist who has first-hand experienced what it is like to be living in a climate hot spot. The story begins with a horrific narrative of an avalanche that brought disaster to the town of Longyearbyen. Throughout she explains how the characters have moved on since this tragedy struck and what such events have led local scientists to believe about the climate crisis.
This book is an inspiring read about struggling to do the right thing in the face of hardship and made me realise how blissfully unaware I have been living.
Read by: Beth Rated: 5/5
One Day by David Nicholls
Giorgia watched the film and I watched the TV series, so we both decided to read the novel. After the adaptations were created so well, we had high expectations and I think it's safe to say this book met them. David Nicholls captured the spirit of both characters exceptionally well, with an eye for detail when it came to describing the passion they had at a young age and how as their relationship fluctuated over the years so did their maturity. This tragedy of a love story had us both sobbing into the pages but, what we would give to read it again!
Read by: Beth and Giorgia Rated: 5/5
It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover
I saw it trending on TikTok, I bought it, it stayed on my bookshelf for many months until I finally read it and I deeply regret ever opening the pages (in the nicest way possible.) Colleen Hoover's concept for the book was great - trying to show the public eye why people stay in domestic relationships, however the way she executed this was not so great. Her romanticisation of violent, toxic relationships is not something that she should be marketing towards the demographic her books reach.
Read by: Beth Rated: 2/5
Murder On The Orient Express by Agatha Christie
My first Agatha mystery and I am hooked! Poirot is sassier than expected and the plot twists kept my second-guessing all of my assumptions. I had previously been put off reading her work as I expected the language to be complicated, however, it was a really easy read. The title is quite self-explanatory and I don't want to give any spoilers, so you'll just have to trust me on this one and give it a read.
Read by: Beth Rated: 5/5
May
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
I owe everything to my friend, Iona, for recommending this book to me. Backman's dry humour is evident on every single page as his personality pours into each of the characters and all I want to do is read more about Ove finding his place in this world! This story is one of finding your way once grief hits you and as Ove finds a family within his neighbours, I'm pretty sure you'll at least shed a few tears at the wholesomeness. Each character is not without their flaws and that's what makes Backman's novel so great. I've added the rest of his books to my TBR list.
Read by: Beth Rated: 5/5
The Story of an African Farm by Olive Schreiner
South Africa in the late 19th century was colonised by both Dutch and British but, in the town this novel is set, British ruled. The Story of an African Farm focuses on a farm where British used to be but once the owner died, his wife had to take charge and take care of his child and her cousin. Poverty, injustice and much more are at the heart of this book.
Read by: Giorgia
Rated: 3/5
The Hours by Michael Cunningham
Three different women from all over the States and England live their own life which seem separate and didn't have anything in common but for the ending. Virginia Woolf is one of them and her life isn't that different from the other characters' life. Love, ambition and also careers are some of the centers of their life but they all have their own priorities.
Read by: Giorgia
Rated: 4/5
No One is Talking About This by Patricia Lockwood
Set in the 21st century where Twitter is common and popular, this story deals with the impact social media has on our lives. The main protagonist is overwhelmed by everything she reads online and shares most tweets with her husband. This overwhelming world in the end finds its way into her life but she decides to step away and manages to distinguish both.
Read by: Giorgia
Rated: 4/5
June
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
I'm not major into gaming but the story of Sam and Sadie is much more than the videogame company they create. It's a story about dispelling myths about ableism and misogyny. There were times when I wanted to strangle one or two of the characters but only because as a reader you tend to know more about how a character is feeling than the character themself.
Read by: Beth Rated: 5/5
Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa
My fascination with Japanese literature began earlier in the year and my second novel of the genre was just as great. Easily written but full of connotations for the reader to pick up on. As a niece and uncle are reuinted, they get to know each other better and learn the importance of family and understanding that you don't always know everything about every person in your life. Set in the dreamy yet very real location (which I've since added to my travel bucket list) of Jimbocho, in Tokyo, a bookshop town.
Read by: Beth Rated: 4/5
The Love Interest by Victoria Walters
This easy beach read was free on Kindle Unlimited at the time I bought it and provided everything I needed for my holiday. The storyline was admittedly quite cliche and at parts was often a little cringey, but I have to admit there was something quite comforting about knowing how the book was going to end. The friendships and relationships outside of the main plot romance were also what added the extra depth that made it worthwhile.
Read by: Beth Rated: 3/5
Cool Girl Summer by Amber Eve
Imagine if the TV series Benidorm had been mashed up with Bridget Jones, that's essentially the vibe of this book. The quirky friendships that the main character, Summer, gains from a group of OAPs as she strives to find her self-independence on her first ever solo-trip (and first ever trip outside of her hometown.) Of course, it wouldn't be a summer romance without her finding love along the way.
Read by: Beth Rated: 4/5
The Midnight Library
Matt Haig's most famous book tells the story of a woman who discovers all of the different possible outcomes she could have had in her life. Unhappy with the current life she is living, she explores alternate realities through the Midnight Library. This gives her the chance to lessen the load of her life regrets and also discover that her current life may not be as bad as she thought.
Read by: Beth Rated: 4/5
How To Stop Time by Matt Haigh
What if we could slow time and live longer? This is what Matt Haig imagines to be possible. The main protagonist ages 1.5 times slower than average people so he's one hundred years old. There are many cons about living to this age but the main one is that those with this condition have to move a lot because otherwise people would get suspicious. They can't even get attached to people and yet this happens of course, but is it possible to survive it?
Read by: Giorgia
Rated: 4/5
Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
On a journey to find herself, Elizabeth went to three countries: Italy, Indonesia and India. In different ways, these different countries teach her to appreciate life more and be more patient. She also learns to meditate and pray thanks to yogi masters and other spiritual teachers. What she doesn't expect will change her forever though but is she going to accept whatever or whoever comes her way?
Read by: Giorgia
Rated: 4/5
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
During WWII, many events happened and, even on the island of Guernsey, Germans invaded the place. What was unusual about it though is what was created. On a casual day, after the curfew, a group of people were found outside and one of them, Elizabeth, made up a story to save their life. This is how the literary society was created. Connecting people from all over the UK even in times of difficulties, the society brought together many people until it also reached the main protagonist who decides to write a book about it.
Read by: Giorgia
Rated: 4/5
6 month check-in
Beth's book count: 16 Giorgia's book count: 13
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