The Books I'm Reading Now
I'm reading a light fiction book about a dedicated single mom who gives love another try, listening to a fantastic audiobook of Abi Daré's Nigerian-set fiction, and reading the second book in a duology about a tough, big-hearted young female pirate; specifically:
The Soulmate Equation, Christina Lauren's newest light fiction about a logical, practical single mom who adores her daughter and has no intention of falling in love again--until becoming involved in a data-driven dating program seems like an irresistible opportunity.
The Girl with the Louding Voice, Abi Daré's book about a strong young woman in rural Nigeria who shows grit and humor and is determined to escape her dreary life's path as set out by the men in her life; and
Namesake is Adrienne Young's follow-up to Fable, which I raved over in my review last fall.
Which books are you reading and enjoying these days, bookworms?
01 The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren
The Soulmate Equation is the latest book from the writing pair known as Christina Lauren.
Single mom Jess is a data analyst. She's good at crunching the numbers for work, taking care of her daughter, and leaning on her grandparents (who raised her) for help, but she's not comfortable with the idea of dating again.
Her father wasn't part of her life, her mother disappeared when she was little, and her daughter's father took off when Jess was pregnant. Jess has no optimism or dreams about opening her heart to someone new.
But then she hears about a DNA-based, data-driven dating program that makes sense to her--and she's got a 98 percent compatible romantic match.
I received a prepublication copy of this book courtesy of Gallery Books and NetGalley.
02 The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Daré
“My mama say education will give me a voice. I want more than just a voice, Ms. Tia. I want a louding voice,” I say. “I want to enter a room and people will hear me even before I open my mouth to be speaking. I want to live in this life and help many people so that when I grow old and die, I will still be living through the people I am helping.”
Adunni is a young teen growing up in a rural Nigerian village where girls are often married off young so their families can gain their dowries, and where girls are frequently forced to stop attending school as Adunni was.
Adunni is living through tremendous hardships, yet she keeps her sights set on getting back into school and escaping the polygamous marriage she was forced into at age fourteen. She's determined to gain a voice and emerge from her oppressive situation against all odds, and she's wonderfully spirited, creative, and strong.
My friend Kirstan recommended this book, and I love it so far.
03 Namesake by Adrienne Young
Namesake is the second and final book in Young's duology about the wonderfully strong, ruthless, clever young female pirate Fable.
I adored the first book in the series, Fable, in which the title character relied heavily on her survival skills and guts. She fought to get off the godforsaken island where she'd been stuck for years after her father abandoned her. She's set on finding her father again and on making her way in a rough world made for men in order to set her own path.
In Namesake, Fable discovers the truth behind the secrets her mother took to her grave, establishes their link to the dangers facing her people, and must decide whether to prioritize her lost-and-found love or the crew toward whom she's come to feel so loyal.