Toni's Book Corner

Tag: reading

  • 6 Books with the most original plot

    6 Books with the most original plot

    Sometimes we read to have something familiar, to find comfort. When we know what we like, it is easy to look for similar books, because those (probably) won’t let us down. Sometimes, however, we want something new, something unique, something we have never read before. Some formulas are tried and true, but when a unique plot comes along it can peak your interest like no other and draw you in from page one. If you are looking for a book exactly like that, this post is for you as I will share six books I have read with an original plot.

    1 (and 2) Swept Away and the No-Show by Beth O’Leary

    O’Leary truly is the queen of original plots, no one does them like her. It was difficult to choose only one of her books, so I chose two.

    Swept Away is O’Leary’s latest release and I enjoyed it as much as her other books. When Lexi and Zeke meet at the pub, chemistry draws them to each other, and a passionate kiss leads to a night spent together of a home boat. Though Zeke was looking for true love and Lexi’s only interest was a no-strings-attached situation, they quickly find their difference in expectations the last of their problems. Going to the deck the next morning shows they are surrounded by water, more water, and then even more water. Lost at sea with a boat that is not equipped to sail and low on supplies, Zeke and Lexi will have to find a way to survive; both their adventure and developing feelings for each other…

    The No-Show is a story of three women with a date on Valentine’s Day. Siobhan is waiting for her breakfast date with Joseph, Miranda is at the restaurant for a lunch date with Carter, and Jane is at her co-worker’s engagement party, waiting for her fake date of the evening: Joseph Carter. One Valentine’s Day, three women, and no Joseph Carter to be found. O’Leary not only creates a unique concept with The No-Show, but her execution is equally captivating. This story is not what it seems, and the characters will take you along on a journey of waiting, heartbreak, and love.

    Another honourable mention is The Flat Share, O’Leary’s debut novel with an equally interesting premise. To learn more about this book, read my post about romancebooks without a third act breakup.

    3 How to Kill Men and Get Away With It by Katy Brent

    The title of Brent’s debut speaks volumes, and the book delivers on it. When Kitty Collins notices a man following her after a night out, what starts out as defending herself ends in a murder. No one is around, and it was surprisingly easy. When the body is discovered, days pass and Kitty finds herself completely off police’s radar. Could it really be that easy? Does that mean she should do it again?

    Brent writes a compelling story about a strong female character taking matters into her own hands. It is dark, twisted, hilarious and extremely entertaining.

    4 Anxious People by Frederik Backman

    Have you ever gone to an apartment viewing when suddenly a completely incompetent bank robber runs in and politely takes you hostage? Or, have you ever robbed a bank and have things escalate to you running into an apartment building to hide from the police, where you accidentally take a group of people viewing that apartment hostage? Probably not. But, if you want to read about this exact situation, you should pick up Anxious People. If you know Frederik Backman, you will know that he is not a thriller author, so this novel is a portrayal of different characters, their situations and how they all end up in their current situation. While the strangers in the apartment are anxiously huddled together, the story unfolds into a beautiful study of people in different stages of life who come together in this difficult situation and find their way of it. It is full of twists, turns, revelations and heartwarming people.

    This is my personal favourite Backman novel (out of the ones I have read), and I truly think it is one of those books almost everyone can enjoy.

    5 The Retirement Plan by Sue Hincebergs

    Three wives have had enough of their terrible husbands and their terrible marriages. When an investment went wrong a few years ago, Hank, Larry, Andres and Dave have cleared their savings and have nothing to show for it. After a tragic event, the women find out their husbands have taken out high life insurance policies. This discovery on top of the sufferings of their marriages has the women come up with a retirement plan of their own. One that will make them rich, husbandless and set for the future. One that involves… murder. What they don’t realise, is that their husbands have a plan of their own. When both situations start to collide, the future doesn’t look so rosy anymore.

    This lighthearted book with twists and turns is filled with humour, tension, and characters who don’t have the faintest idea about what they are doing.

    6 The Wedding People by Alison Espinach

    One hotel, one wedding, and one person who is at the wrong place at the wrong time. Or maybe she is exactly where she is supposed to be? When Phoebe Stone arrives at the hotel, she finds herself the occupant of the only room that is not rented out for a big wedding. Undisturbed, she plans to go ahead with her scheduled weekend, but that is without taking the bride into account. Lila has been planning her wedding for months and is not about to let a divorced, depressed stranger ruin it with her dark plans. One elevator conversation introduces the two women to each other, and will derail all of their best-laid plans.

    This novel is filled with friendship, love, tough decisions and finding our way in life.

  • 4 Inspiring Memoirs

    4 Inspiring Memoirs

    Memoir as a genre of books is one I have come to enjoy and appreciate over the last year. During my commute to work, I wanted to listen to audiobooks and though I prefer reading fiction, when listening to a book I actually prefer non-fiction. Consequently, I have discovered a number of memoirs that I really enjoyed. In this article, I will list my four favourites.

    1 The Third Gilmore Girl by Kelly Bisschop

    While the title is a little misleading, (I went into this thinking it would mostly be about her time on Gilmore Girls), I was pleasantly surprised. Bisschop talks about her entire career in the showbusiness and her personal life, as the two have always been closely intertwined. When listening to a memoir, it is always so much better when it is narrated by the author themselves, and Kelly Bisschop did a wonderful job doing so. I have only one word to describe both the book and Kelly Bisschop herself: Fabulous.

    2 Dinner for Vampires by Bethany Joy Lenz

    The subtitle is a clear indication of what her memoir is about: Life on a Cult TV Show (While Also in an Actual Cult!). The most important takeaway for me is that you can never truly judge a situation as an outsider if you have never been through it yourself. People, myself included, often think people who join a cult are really naive to be manipulated as such and fall into the trap. Reading from the perspective of a person who went through it, shows exactly how it can happen, and that it is never as black and white as it seems. Lenz opens up and places herself in a vulnerable position, both in the book itself and by writing it. Not only does she share how she got into a cult, but also how she got out, which shows her strength.

    3 The Woman in Me by Britney Spears

    Everyone knows Britney Spears as a true pop icon of the 2000s and her life was led in the spotlight. Articles and photographs show a woman going crazy after the pressure of fame got too much, but in The Woman in Me, Spears finally gets to tell her own story. It is a heartbreaking one, and while I hope the media and paparazzi have changed since then, it is still important for these stories to come out. Not only so Spears can move forward, change the narrative about herself and her family and regain control over her life, but also to make a difference for the next generations.

    4 I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

    With this title, McCurdy instantly drew the attention of thousands of people, and it sets the scene for how extreme the relationship with her mother was. This book is about more than that relationship, but also about growing up as a child actress on famous Nickelodeon shows and the struggles she endured because of her controlling mother and problematic director. Despite what the title might imply, McCurdy manages to convey her story in a respectful way, displaying a level of maturity and strength that I really admire. Similar to The Woman in Me, this book is important for exposing the toxic circumstances many actors and singers had/have to work in, and ensuring improvement.