The House in the Cerulean Sea - T.J. Klune

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

When everyone talks about how this book makes them feel warm and happy, they are telling the truth. I'm sitting here right after reading it and I feel warmth in my body and genuine happiness.

This book did start off a little slow for me. It definitely took me a while to get into it, however, I understand exactly why the beginning was so drawn out. It was for me to understand who Linus Baker was before going to the island. His life that follows and exact routine and for me to fully understand that his life, truly, had no color. That since he never experienced anything else, that he thought that this boring life he was so used to living, was all there was. We learn how mundane it is, and damn is it mundane. Even as a reader, I felt like I was being sucked into the boringness and I think that is why it took me so long to get into this. But as soon as it started to pick up, it just skyrocketed into everything I knew it could become.

The characters were glorious. Each and everyone was distinct and memorable. They were unique in personalities and each had their own specific voice (this was amplified for me because I started listening to the audiobook, so when I say they had their own voice, I really do mean that). I love how Linus, despite his intentions, got sucked into this colorful life that they lived on the island. I love how you could feel his burn of love toward the children, Zoe and especially Arthur.

I was for sure confused about the plot for a lot of the book. While I knew what was going to happen, I was confused about how we would go there and what would happen in the mean time. After finishing this book, I would say that the plot really is upfront but still somewhat slow progressing, but that doesn't mean its not interesting.

I just love this book so much and now it is one of my favorites.

Also, I so badly want a companion novel of Lucy as a teenager....

Her - Pierre Alex Jeanty

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I cannot get over how emotional, inspiring and reflective this book was.

How I like to think of it is, a man (the author) writes two different letters throughout the book. One, to all males; telling them a vast variety of things. Take care of her, do not stain her heart, when you hold her remember she is fragile, but don't forget she is the strongest person you will ever know. So many things that men forget when regarding a woman, but more so, when starting to love a woman or even further, remembering how to love this woman. The second letter, which is shorter, reminds her that she is beautiful, even if not reminded as often as she should be, that she is too good for the love that exists in the world because she deserves something that truly is out of this world. Things that remind her that she is deserving of love but that sometimes the love she deserves is not what she gets but that to not give up, but continue to be strong.

This book was exactly what I needed and have needed for a long time. It is refreshing to see these two narratives, because while it is nice to be reminded of beauty and strength, it's nice to see a man remind other men of how to love a woman the proper way. Most don't know and should. This isn't meant to be a slam on all men, just the ones who don't understand loving a woman. Hopefully that makes sense

So so so so so good. A new favorite.

A Promised Land - Barack Obama

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book was jam-packed full of information! It was definitely a lot to take in and there is a lot to review in terms of a 700-page book. However, I'm going to leave most of it to Obama himself since he has such a way with words and it is more impactful to hear it from him (Would recommend the audiobook if you choose to pick this up).

Something I really enjoyed about this book was learning the background of Obama himself. His childhood, the things that impacted him at a young age, his journey to Indonesia, living in Hawaii, going to college and beyond that into the working world, and how he started delving into politics. Most, if not all, of that part of the book was new information to me. Or new in the fact that I learned it from him, rather than from the media. It means more when someone is telling you their background, rather than it being brought into question by the press and by a celebrity that literally has nothing to do with politics...

Anyway, despite having enjoyed this book a lot and gained a lot from it, it was waaaaaay too long! Somewhere near the beginning of the book, Obama discusses how he tends to have a problem with dragging out speeches and papers; well I can definitely see that being one of his flaws. The fact that this is only the first of two books?! Oh my gosh I don't know if I'll be able to read something so long and dense again! Props to him for having a lot to say, but some of it could have been cut in my personal opinion.