Welcome to another instalment of my Currently Reading: Book Review Series. The last two books I’ve read have been so different but both good and I can’t wait to tell you about them. I’ve got a review of One Of Us Is Lying as well as Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine review.
One Of Us Is Lying by Karen McManus Review
This book is amazing. If you pick up one book today, make it this one. The tagline for this book is “A geek. A jock. A criminal. A Princess. A murder. Who would you believe?” I was intrigued by this book from the title alone, and the tagline hooked me in. It’s a thrilling tale of four high school kids who are stuck in detention together when a fifth kid dies suddenly. What happened? Who did it? They’re all suspects.
You follow their story as it unfolds and you get to know each person a little better with every page turn. Each chapter is divided into chunks from each of the kids points of view and you get snippets of insight into their lives throughout. Just when the story gets good for one person, you move onto the next and you’re gripped the whole way through. Their lives are turned upside down and you genuinely get to know and care for each character as if they were your friend.
It’s a proper good “whodunnit” story but ultimately it’s also about high school kids finding out who they are and accepting themselves in the stereotypical society they live in. A very good gripping yet heartwarming story that I recommend everyone reads. I was obsessed with it and it didn’t take me long to read at all as I couldn’t put it down! When I wasn’t reading it all I did was think about the next time I’d get to read it. Highly recommend to anyone! You can buy it from Amazon for £4 here.*
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman Review
This has been all over my Instagram lately and one good recommendation from my book connoisseur friend meant I had to give it a go. I’m not gonna lie, this was a very slow burner. I was very bored for the fist half of the book, but I’m not one to give up on a book unless it’s like super terrible and all the good reviews I was seeing of this made me want to carry on. The second half of the book does get good and I finished the second half all in one night!
This is about a woman named Eleanor Oliphant, who, for want of a better word, is a bit odd. She narrates her way through daily life and her take on everyday mundane tasks is amusing. The two main themes running through this story I would say are: loneliness and kindness. There are a couple of “I wasn’t expecting that” twists and a heartwarming end that makes me wish everyone in the world would read this book, as it shows that not judging a book by its cover and a little bit of kindness go a very long way.
It sends a powerful message and although it wasn’t the most exciting or gripping book I’ve ever read, I would recommend it as it hits hard of a few important life issues. Apparently Reese Witherspoon has bought the rights to make this into a film so I will be intrigued to see what they do with that! You can get this on Amazon for £3.99 here.*
Have you read either of these books? I’d love to know your thoughts in the comments below.
Thanks so much for reading!
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One Of Us Is Lying sounds like something I would really enjoy. I haven’t read much since going back to work but I really need to dedicate some time to it as I use to really love it. x
Jordan Alice
You should definitely read it I absolutely loved it! I haven’t read anything since these two so I really need to set aside time too but I find it really hard unless I’m already reading a book to find time! Thanks for reading lovely xo
I’ve read Eleanor Oliphant is Completly Fine and I really enjoyed it – like you I thought it was a slow burner but I loved her style of writing and found it a really easy but immersive read ! I had no idea they were going to make it into a film so I’m super interested to see what they do with that! X
I am as well I can’t wait to see how they do it!! Thanks for reading lovely xo
I have been intrigued by Eleanor Oliphant and I think I will get round to reading it at some point, thanks for sharing your thoughts x
I hope you enjoy it! Thanks for reading lovely xo
I love Eleanor Oliphant – it’s such an amazing book! One of us is lying sounds great too, I’m going to add it to my TBR list.
I hope you like it as much as I did!! Thanks for reading lovely xo
I really wasn’t wild abour Eleanor Oliphant – I just couldn’t get into it! Enjoyed one of us is lying though, it definitely felt like it could be turned into a Netflix drama! X
I got into it in the second half! Oh definitely that would be a great show! xx
I read it and definitely enjoyed the last half, but I wish Honeyman gave us a bit more depth. I didn’t quite understand Eleanor’s mentality at first, and I think if I knew a few more details earlier on, I would’ve felt more of a connection with her. I do think this will be a great movie and I’m excited to see how the screenwriter’s take on this book. Who do you think should play Eleanor?
http://www.liveloveblu.com
I totally agree i got more into the second half too! oh my gosh thats a tough one, i can’t imagine anyone right now!! how about you? I’m excited to see who they do choose! thanks for reading lovely! xo
I can definitely relate when it comes to Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine – I spent a little while getting through the first half, but flew through the second half and almost didn’t stop to put it down.. 🤷🏼♀️ I’ve got One Of Us Is Lying on my shelves, but I haven’t read it yet! Your review has made me want to pick it up though, so that may be how my Sunday is spent.. 🙊
So glad it wasn’t just me that felt that way! I hope you love it as much as I do!! xx