One of my goals for 2020 was to read more for pleasure. I used to really love reading, but have fallen off with it for several years (ahem, #momlife) and in the spirit of self care, I was excited to get back into it. I stumbled upon Book of the Month Club, and signed up for it almost instantly. This post is not sponsored, I just really want to share something I’m truly loving (and paying for) right now.
Every month I’ve been paying for a book credit where I get to choose between one of five books to be sent to my house. They’re always hard cover, and vary in genre, with some being early releases. I love that this club has been around for a really long time and the selections they curate are truly top notch. You can also pay $10 to add another book selection to your monthly box, but it won’t ship unless you have picked one of the five curated monthly selections as well. For February, my choice of the month was a not yet released book, Anna. K by Jenny Lee.
I probably wouldn’t have chosen to read this book on my own, which is what is so unique about BOTM. I really didn’t want to skip because it was only my second box, so I chose a book that seemed like a guilty pleasure and just went with it. Anna K. is a young adult novel and a cross between Gossip Girl and Crazy Rich Asians, as was described in almost every review I read of the book. It is also a modern day reimagining of the book Anna Karenina, which I have never read. I’m kind of glad I never read the classic, because I totally didn’t know what to expect from the plotline of Anna K. and it may have ruined the fun. Now that I love this book so much I don’t know if I care to read Anna Karenina since I’ll have a clue of what the ending will be. Though I have serious withdrawals now that I’m done reading the book so maybe that’s just what I need!
This book follows around a cast of characters who are rich, privileged private schooled teenagers in present-day NYC and Greenwich, CT. It is so this moment that the author talks about it being the year 2020 and there are various references to things going on in pop culture right now. These teens have access to credit cards with no limit, lavish parties that go beyond any gathering most of us will see in a lifetime, expensive designer wardrobes, drugs, sex and more. Following along with their love lives and escapades is high drama, but for a midwestern gal in her 30s who has lived a very average lifestyle it is an indulgent read. I lived vicariously through these characters as I was reading.
I was struck with how much personal growth the teens in this book went through while I was reading. Even though many of them made bad decisions, they were still likeable and I was rooting for them. Because of the graphic sex scenes, struggles with love, class, mental health, racism, drugs, addiction, and sexism, there were some relatable themes in the story. Overall, it was hard not to get sucked into the plotline of love, heartache, and teenage problems. The author wrote from each character’s point of view so I really got to live inside their head while I was reading. I absolutely loved the author’s writing style and I was seriously bummed when I was done with the book.
Luckily for me, Jenny Lee is already writing a sequel, announced on Instagram! Word on the street is that this will also be released as a TV series. I legit cannot WAIT and it’s my favorite thing when I discover a great book that gets made into a show. No lie, I read Handmaid’s Tale like 15 years ago and look at what happened there. Don’t mind me, I’ll just be over here planning future Anna K. binges. Seriously can’t wait!
If you can’t tell, I loved this book and I am super pumped to continue on with my BOTM. My current book I’m reading is called Trick Mirror, and though it’s an entirely different kind of read, I am obsessed. I’m sure I’ll write about that next!
If you want to check out BOTM for yourself, use this link to get $5 off your first box. Otherwise, this is currently available on Amazon, since it is brand newly released! Grab your copy and let me know what you think!
