Tag: clairefuller

What Anna Read in January

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I only read 4 books in January, which is low for me. However, I’m proud of the mix of books I read. I kicked off the year with the conclusion to a well-loved YA fantasy duology, Crooked Kingdom. The very same day I finished it, coincidentally, Netflix announced that they are going to be doing a series set in the Grishaverse!

I’m also still really into memoirs and loved this one by Nell Stevens. I hope to continue to read at least one memoir a month!

Our Endless Numbered Days hooked me on Claire Fuller, and I’ll be picking up Bitter Orange soon. And look out for my review of Grant Park tomorrow!

I lowered my reading goal for 2019 because I knew I was going to be really busy this year, but also because I want to read more classics. That didn’t happen in January, but I think it will in February! Nonetheless, I enjoyed all of these books and gave them each 4 stars.

What did you read in January?

Review: Our Endless Numbered Days by Claire Fuller

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Anna:

You know when you start a book, and you think you know what’s going to happen? And most of the way through, it’s just as you expect. But then BAM something happens that changes everything and it isn’t what you expected at all? That’s exactly what reading Our Endless Numbered Days by Claire Fuller was like. This is a spoiler-free review!

Peggy lives in London with her parents. Her mother is a famous pianist and her father  hangs around men who call themselves survivalists. One day when Peggy’s mother is away, her father takes her from their home. They travel far into the woods to a dilapidated cabin. There’s a horrible storm, and the next day her father tells Peggy that they are the last two surviving people in the world. Peggy lives in the cabin with him for nine years. The narrative perspective switches between young Peggy in the woods and Peggy nine years later.

I’ll admit I mostly read this because I’m really eager to read Bitter Orange by Fuller. This book isn’t perfect, but it has all the right elements that kept me engaged and satisfied- great writing, a slower, character driven plot, and a big twist at the end. It also reminded me of a fictionalized version of Educated, which I loved. There’s something endlessly fascinating about cults, survivalists in particular.

It’s difficult to discuss this book without revealing the twist at the end, which I don’t want to spoil. Here’s what I will say— this is an interesting blending of fairytale and reality that explores the boundaries of love, the effect of music on the mind, and the blurriness between truth and lies. This is a book that will mess with your head and stay with you.

VERDICT: 4 out of 5 books