Mid-Year Book Review

I like to sit down to reflect on my goals and intentions a few times a year.  I check in with my goals and see how I am doing, see my goals for 2021 here and my reflection from May here.  One of my goals each year is to read a minimum of 12 books.  I know for many people that's nothing but for me it's a struggle to carve out time to read, which gives me so much joy.  So a few years ago I made a realistic goal for myself that would keep me reading and not allow my hectic life/schedule to get in the way.  So far, I am on track and for the first time I have a lot of books that I really enjoyed and gave 5 stars to!!!   Let's take a look at the books I've ready so far.

⭐⭐⭐  The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

I was honestly a little disappointed, I was so excited about this book. The book is just okay. I kept waiting for something more. A character that grows or leaves an impression on me, or leaves me deep in thought. But it just never gets there. It felt too surface without the characters really leaving an impact on the reader even though their lives are clearly complex and should make a greater impression on the reader. Anyway, it's fine. You wouldn't regret reading it but it's nota book that I am rushing to recommend to others either. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel A lovely story following a young Jewish woman during WWII as she fights her way against the horror of that time period by forging documents to save Innocent lives. There is romance, but what I loved about the story is it shows that there are good/bad people of all religion, race, and origins. War and conflict can bring out the best in people or the worst. A beautifully written story set in a horrific time in history.  I've now recommended this book to several people and they all have loved it! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐  The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware I really enjoyed this book . It kept me wanting to turn the pages and I had no idea how it was going to twist and turn. It was a simple and easy read, yet very suspenseful. This isn't my usual genera and it was a nice change of writing style and also storytelling. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Daughter of the Reich by Louise Fein Really enjoyed reading a book from a completely different perspective than most of the wonderful novels I've read regarding WWII. Being a child who came from a war torn country, you know there are always good people in the midst of terrible crazy. What made this story even more sad and powerful is the fact that it sheds light onto how vulnerable and impressionable children are. How quickly they take on the perspective of their parents and how often those terrible truths can become their own truths as adults. An important story to read. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐  If I Knew Then by Jann Arden An insightful and honest book. She is blunt in the most kind way. She weaves story and truth so poetically and I kept finding myself snapping pictures or quotes and passages. One of my favourite is “good things come from bad things.” I also love that she acknowledges her parents flees but also how they raised her with love (in the way that they knew) and resilience. I really enjoyed it much more than I anticipated truthfully. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐  Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate A heart breaking story based on true events that happened between 1920 and 1950, of children being taken from families and then adopted. Although the story and characters were fictional they came off the pages and as a teacher I could very much see this story and the family come to life. Its a page turner, heart wrenching but also infused with hope. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Wolfpack by Abby Wambach I listened to the audio version of this book and loved it! It was like an hour long podcast, so I assume the book is a super quick read. I appreciated how much Abby encourages women to support and empower other women, and the need for us to really reflect on the structures that have us feel like we have to complete rather than support and empower. I think although yes we have been taught this by having to fight for a seat at various tables, I think we are choosing to keep that narrative alive and well by continuing to compete for those seats rather than work together to create more seats for one another by championing each other. Her reflection and reframing of the old rules to the new rules is really encouraging and inspiring.  I decided to purchase this book for my administrative partner as a year end gift and I was able to identify the leadership qualities that I think she is very good at, and I just might buy it for myself to flip through as a reminder here and there.   ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐  American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins Sometimes you read a book and know it’s going to stay with you for life. Each page is filled with grief, terror, a presence of truth that you wish you could pretend doesn’t exist. At the same time it portrays peoples resilience, their natural desire for survival and a reminder that if we are in a position to lend a helping hand it can truly make someone’s life lighter. Although, topics like this are heavy on my heart, they are also stories that I need to hear. That teach me to listen and to look outside of my pretty neat and nice little life. Past Book Reviews: 2020 Summer Reading List Books of 2019 Busy Mom Reading in 2018 Book Review Well, that's a wrap.  You'll find me reading either on my deck each morning or on a sandy beach soaking up the sunshine.  Have a beautiful weekend loves.

Busy Mom Reading More in 2018: Book Review

 

Hi everyone.  If you read my goal 2018 update last week, you might be already aware that I wanted to read a book a month in 2018 or a total of 12.  So far I am doing pretty well and have completed five books in total, am almost done listening to two audiobooks and am reading my sixth.  Below you'll find a couple of 5 star books, a couple of 4 star books, and a book I didn't even finish.  Eek.  Enjoy and thanks for stopping by.

☆☆☆☆   Talking as Fast as I Can: From Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls, and Everything in Between by Lauren Graham  

 

If you’ve read my blog over the past year, you know I love Gilmore Girls and am now sharing the series with my girls as well.  Who wouldn’t want have the mother-daughter relationship of Lorelai and Rory?!? I picked this book up over the Christmas holidays, so technically it was my first book completed in  2018 .  It was an easy read, compiled of short stories from Lauren Graham’s life from an early age, to birth and growth of the Gilmore Girls, to the challenges that many face in Hollywood.  At times all I could hear was Lorelai in my head, and other times it was what I would assume is the  real Lauren.  Excellent choice for a beach or road trip read this summer.

☆☆☆☆  The Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin

Our book club kicked off 2018 with this book, The Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin.  This is a book that helps you discover which of the four tendencies, upholder, obliger, rebel or questioner, you most likely resemble.   My best friend declared me an upholder even before I had a chance to research what the book was about or take the online quiz  (take it if you haven't done it yet, it's FREE)..  The author describes each of the tendencies  with insight, hilarious examples and backs it with research. Though I clearly identified with the upholder tendency, I also have large pieces that fall into the obliger category, specifically when it comes to working in a primarily collaborative workplace, where going full steam ahead by yourself would result in little getting accomplished, not to mention a complete breakdown of the collaborative process.  I didn't give it a five stars because I feel like it's not super simple to just fall into one category like the book sometimes reads. 

☆☆☆☆☆ The Alice Network by Kate Quinn

 

Finally five stars and not because I choose this book for book club.   Historical fiction, or regional fiction (not sure if this is a real category but a story that takes place in a country/culture I know little about such as the Kite Runner), have  become my favorite reads as an adult in my 30's.  The story takes place between WWI and WWII in France, with the main characters coming together in an unlikely search of a young woman.  Throughout their journey the story of heroic women comes to live as they  became secret agents during WWI.  Everyone in the book club LOVED this book.  The characters are rich, interesting, troubled, heroic and compelling. 

 

 

☆☆☆☆☆ I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh

 

 

 

Giving it five stars, like the Alice Network, but for completely different reasons.  This is a fast-paced, criminal, suspense novel that develops all  the characters fully and makes you sit at the edge of your seat.  There are very few books now days that I will stay up past 11p.m. to  read, but this one did.  I read it in less then a week, which is quick for me.  Within the first few pages a death happens and your are thrown into a race for truth and justice, though the truth is often not what it seems.

 

 

☆☆☆  The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck: A Counterintuitive Approach  to Living a Good Life by Mark Manson

 

 

 

Usually, I am all over books like this but the first couple chapters almost had me throwing in the towel.  I swear and am rarely offended, but the word was used as a gimmick and it got old very quickly and became super annoying.  That all being said I am glad I pushed through because it became much more thought-provoking and less vulgar. There were some key lessons that I took away from the book is are:

 "Do Something" Principle (p. 158).  Even when you are feeling stuck, or overwhelmed, just pick a place to start and get moving forward in whatever, rather than just spinning.  I love this idea and try to use it whenever I am overwhelmed b the sheer amount of work that's on my plate.

 

"Action isn't just the effect of motivation; it's also the cause of it." (p. 160)

 

 

Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood

 

 

I quit reading it around page 235 out of 600+.  No review really except that it’s long.  The characters are more interesting then I originally thought they would be, and the writing was dense but draws you in.  My demise came when I left the book for over a week, and just didn’t find it compelling enough to return to, especially with over 400 pages to go.  😊  I think I’ll watch the Nextflix version instead. 

What do you do when a book just doesn’t draw you completely in?

Do you jump ship? 

Do you push on? 

How long before you throw in the towel?