Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

Genre: Literary Fiction My Rating: Did Not Finish

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow tells the tale of two friends who develop a popular video game. I firmly believe that if a book isn’t resonating with you, it’s best to move on. After investing over 100 pages into this one, I decided to set it aside.

Despite its popularity and numerous glowing reviews, I found the pacing slow and the prose a bit pretentious. The characters seemed to have traumatic backstories that didn’t compensate for their lack of depth or development. Many adore this book, but it simply wasn’t my cup of tea.

> “This is what time travel is. It’s looking at a person, and seeing them in the present and the past, concurrently. And that mode of transport only worked with those one had known a significant time.” — Gabrielle Zevin, *Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow*

The Happy Ever After Playlist by Abby Jimenez

Genre: Romance My Rating: Did Not Finish

The Happy Ever After Playlist follows Sloane as she navigates life after the unexpected death of her fiancé. When she rescues a dog she finds abandoned, she begins to heal, but complications arise when the dog's original owner demands him back.

Initially, I found the beginning engaging, especially Sloane's character growth. However, as the narrative unfolded, I found myself less invested. The romantic elements felt forced, the male lead was irksome, and the storyline dragged on. I reached over 300 pages before realizing it was time to move on.

> “You can’t control the bad things that happen to you. All you can do is decide how much of you you’re going to let them take.” — Abby Jimenez, *The Happy Ever After Playlist*

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

Genre: Historical Fiction My Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Set in 1950s and 60s America, Lessons in Chemistry features Elizabeth Zott, a female chemist who faces constant undervaluation and disrespect. After leaving her academic career, she reluctantly becomes a cooking show host, Supper at Six, where she empowers women through her unique perspective on cooking.

I appreciated the book's strong message about women's empowerment and its humorous writing style. However, I found the character development lacking and the pacing somewhat erratic.

You can read my complete review here:

> “Whenever you feel afraid, just remember. Courage is the root of change — and change is what we’re chemically designed to do. So when you wake up tomorrow, make this pledge. No more holding yourself back. No more subscribing to others’ opinions of what you can and cannot achieve. And no more allowing anyone to pigeonhole you into useless categories of sex, race, economic status, and religion. Do not allow your talents to lie dormant, ladies. Design your own future. When you go home today, ask yourself what you will change. And then get started.” — Bonnie Garmus, *Lessons in Chemistry*

The Mickey 7 Series by Edward Ashton

Books: Mickey 7 and Antimatter Blues Genre: Science Fiction My Rating: 4/5 stars

Mickey 7 and Antimatter Blues are the first two entries in a delightful sci-fi series. They are set in a universe where humans are colonizing distant planets. Mickey, an expendable sent on perilous missions, can be regenerated upon death.

The first installment follows Mickey as he discovers that a duplicate, Mickey8, has been created while he is still alive, leading to a humorous predicament where both must hide from potential doom.

This series is a fun read, and I particularly recommend the audiobooks!

> “You are the Ship of Theseus. We all are. There is not a single living cell in my body that was alive and a part of me ten years ago, and the same is true for you. We’re constantly being rebuilt, one board at a time.” — Edward Ashton, *Mickey7*

Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

Genre: Magical Realism, Literary Fiction My Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Set in a Japanese café where time travel is possible, Before the Coffee Gets Cold introduces us to four characters who journey back to meet someone from their past.

Initially, the book took some time to captivate me, but by the conclusion, I found it incredibly rewarding. Its inventive concept and the characters' emotional journeys are truly remarkable. If you're interested in translated literature, this short novel is a must-read — it offers a fresh outlook on life.

You can read my full review here:

> “But Kazu still goes on believing that, no matter what difficulties people face, they will always have the strength to overcome them. It just takes heart. And if the chair can change someone’s heart, it clearly has its purpose.” — Toshikazu Kawaguchi, *Before the Coffee Gets Cold*

After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Genre: Contemporary Fiction My Rating: 4.5/5 stars

After I Do explores the journey of a couple whose marriage is unraveling. Upon realizing they have fallen out of love, they decide to take a year apart, during which they won’t contact each other or cohabitate, allowing them to date others. By the end of the year, will they find they miss each other too much, or will they discover they are better off apart?

Taylor Jenkins Reid is one of my favorite authors, and I am gradually reading through her works. I thoroughly enjoyed After I Do for many reasons. The characters felt relatable and authentic, with flaws and genuine conflicts. Their disagreements stemmed from trivial matters, reflecting how the little things can accumulate in life. I also admired the multifaceted portrayal of marriage.

If you enjoy narratives about flawed characters seeking self-discovery, I highly recommend After I Do.

You can read my full review here:

> “Isn’t it nice … once you’ve outgrown the ideas of what life should be and you just enjoy what it is.” — Taylor Jenkins Reid, *After I Do*

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