I don’t know about you but I am hoping for a quiet, uneventful end to 2020. To say that this historic year has been societally and personally challenging would be an understatement. While I pray for the tide to turn on this costly pandemic and to live to see a much better New Year, I will be thankful to at least pass the next few weeks in peace and comfort. My holiday plans include cosying up with a few books and lots of cocoa tea (or another festive beverage). My 2020 finale reading list comprises mostly of light, fluffy romcoms and other feel good stories.

*(Since it took me a while to relaunch the blog and thus publish this post, I have actually completed the first three titles here. Coincidentally, two of them are set in Canada and are about young immigrant women attempting to figure out their identity and how love fits in to that equation). But I’m getting ahead of myself, let’s look at the line up. Please note that these summaries have been pulled from the book blurbs. Stay posted for my reviews on some of these titles.

So far, I have been thoroughly enjoying this book selection. Now mind you, Ties That Tether was a tad corny and I felt as though many details were unnecessarily repetitive. I think the story would have been better served if the author had instead further highlighted the main characters’ stories and relationship dynamics. Still, it was satisfying to read, the descriptions were rich and although the story could be described as a fluffy rom-com, it did raise intriguing questions. As for Ayesha At Last, omg what a treat! I can’t get over how good this book was. It may be unfair to compare the two, but in some ways, I think Ayesha At Last was strong in the ways I felt Ties That Tether was lacking. This novel about a devout millenial Muslim woman caught between tradition and modern aspirations was so well written I felt like I had entered the main character’s world. Family secrets and tensions, community gossip, workplace culture were all skillfully depicted. I highly recommend this novel. It’s one that stays on your mind days after reading; poignant, humorous, moving and with a happy ending :) The book that I’m currently on is Love After Love. After putting down months ago, I have finally resumed reading it. I’m not deep into the story as yet but I am impressed with how well Ingrid Persaud has captured the Trini vernacular. I will let you know what I think once I finish. I’m saving Furia for my birthday and Royal Holiday for Christmas Eve, which I envision enjoying with some pasteles and sorrel sangria.

What are you reading as we wrap up this year?

Photography Credit: Marvelyn MacFarlane & Ferrell Davis