I read these books too long ago to actually review them. So I’m not going to. I also took the picture with these for a roundup so long ago I not only had bangs, long hair, I was also blond, and in a skirt. So enjoy the flashback.
I do remember reading all these books. So I’ll give a brief: here’s what I remember thinking while I read this because my memory is still good enough for that. I’ll thank the gym because that’s why I’m going now that I’m creeping ever closer to decrepitude. Anyways, I have loads more books that will go uncriticized because I was lazy for years and don’t feel like going back. So I’ll work my way back into being a book critic, kind of.
Destination WeddingDiksha Basu I don’t remember loads about this one, but I do remember it being fun and witty. I read it on vacation, and it triggered all my Indian wedding jealousies. I liked this one.
A great pool read.
Djinn Patrol on the Purple LineDeepa Anappara This was heartbreaking as it dives into the endemic problem of the multitudes of missing children in India along with the ever-present and ever-growing wealth disparity in India. A social commentary told with equal parts mysticism and realism. I just want to hug and save all the kids.
God Spare the GirlsKelsey McKinney I hate how authentic this felt. Set in small town Texas, the pastor’s two daughters are faced with life-altering decisions when their father’s secrets are revealed. It’s a story about womanhood and sisterhood and finding one’s truest self in the face of patriarchal society.
Do you not read like this?
Little GodsMeng Jin The plot of this book is an absolute mystery to me even after googling it. I don’t remember anything about this other than it exists on my bookshelf, there are in fact notes in it, so all evidence points to I did read it. So that’s telling.
Men, Women & ChildrenChad Kultgen Written by a Chad, strike one. Though, that might be why it was so cringingly realistic about the horrible way men talk about women and sex and how that affects those men’s sons vernacular, which all affects the women they supposedly love. I just remember hating the men in this one.
Native SonRichard Wight Ooof! It’s a classic for a reason. It is a truly remarkable and gut wrenching story. Layered and nuanced, it’s one of those books that makes you think. There’s a reason it’s taught in curriculums: fantastic discussion piece.
So We Meet AgainSuzanne Park Typically, rom-com books don’t call to me, but every once in awhile, I’ll crack their spine. I love that it’s about two Asians just doing life and falling in love. There really does need to be more inclusion and representation in the books we publish and advertise.
The HeiressMolly Greeley Who doesn’t love a weird Pride & Prejudice spin off. This is done fine. I remember not hating it. It was cute, but I wouldn’t call it a social critique to rival the original.
The Sinful Lives of Trophy WivesKristin Miller There’s murder and jealousy and mystery and wives in expensive clothing. That’s all I remember. I’m sure they figure out who done it at the end; I just don’t remember.
The VegetarianHan Kang Incredibly moving and well written. It also made my skin crawl during a great many moments. I loved it in the I didn’t like it at all kind of way. Beautifully written. Absolutely art. I hated the content, which is exactly the icky feeling it’s supposed to give off.
Transcendent KingdomYaa Gyasi A bit disappointed by Gyasi’s second novel. She wrote one of my favorite books on her first try, and this one fell flat in comparison. A great book, but it’s hard to love when you know what the author is capable of creating.
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I have been very, very bad at writing reviews for the books I’ve read over the last… two years. Really, super terrible at it. To the point my closet was being over run by books I’ve read and haven’t reviewed, and there was very little room for the books coming in that I have yet to read. So I consulted my board of directors, aka the dogs and I, and we made the executive decision to do a few reading lists instead of overwhelming myself with a to do list that I will, frankly, never do. Working on creating a clean slate for the rest of the year.
Put on my best political outfit and stood in front of Houston’s City Hall. I’m a bad ass… Not really, just pretending.
Anyways, this is a list of nonfiction books I read between 2020 and 2021 quarantine. They all are politically motivated in one way or another. This is one of the few lists that really does not have a stinker on it. Exceptionally well written, interesting, and educational. Pretty much the trifecta of a good read for me.
A Little Devil in America Hanif Abdurraqib The thing about this collection of essays on the ways Black performance is intertwined into American culture and history in subtle and not so subtle ways. The content of the book is overwhelming and rife with emotion, but it is beautifully crafted. From the way essays are organized to the elegant syntax. Incredible read. Book Depository || Amazon
An American Bride in Kabul Phyllis Chelser An interesting memoir about Chesler’s marriage to an Afghan man and her entrapment in Afghanistan. It’s well written and focuses on her physical and emotional journey, but she could have gone more in depth in all parts. It’s good but could be better. Book Depository || Amazon
Bag Man Rachel Maddow and Michael Yarvitz Spiro Agnew, Nixon’s Vice President, was quite the slimy character. This little book is a riveting exploration of the Bag Man who entered the White House with little political experience and a lot of criminal activity in his past. Highly suggest. Book Depository || Amazon
Between Two Fires Joshua Yaffa Russia has always been fodder for conversation and the media, but the reality of living in Putin’s Russia of today isn’t quite at the forefront of people’s minds. Looking into the lives and careers of contemporary Russians, Yaffa is able to paint a picture of the give and take people must deal with daily to get by and even make their dreams come true. Well written and very interesting. Book Depository || Amazon
Black Futures Kimberly Drew and Jenna Wortham One of the most impressive books I’ve read; it sticks in my mind as one of the most beautifully written books about Black excellence. An anthology of Black creatives curated by Black creatives, my eyes were absolutely opened to new artists, writers, activists, musicians, and so many other incredible humans bringing meaning and beauty into the world. This is the one you need. Book Depository || Amazon
Carry: A Memoir of Survival on Stolen Land Toni Jensen Jensen is a Native, Métis woman, who has lived her entire life around guns while carrying the weight and knowledge of their violence in her body. As an Indigenous woman, her experiences are not singular but historical. Her personal trauma and that of her people lives on in the body, and she reclaims language on stolen land. Vastly moving. Book Depository || Amazon
Charged Emily Bazelon The balance between prosecutors, defenders, and judges in the American criminal justice system is supposed to be equal, yet prosecutors are gaining more and more power to decide who goes free and who does not. In a system rife with racial injustice, this problem is continuing to grow. Bazelon critiques the failing system in hopes of saving it. Fantastically important read in today’s era. Book Depository || Amazon
Demystifying Disability Emily Ladau Disability ranges from visible to invisible and touches so many lives. In a world that is not designed for people with disabilities and continually perpetuates disability erasure, Ladau offers a guide to opening our minds to create a more accessible world so all can enjoy and take part in it. She has an incredible sense of humor and allows space for questions and open dialogue instead of judgment and critique. Book Depository || Amazon
An exceptional stack(s) of books.
Dog Flowers Danielle Geller A memoir documenting Geller’s personal journey of emotionally processing the objects her mother leaves behind after dying from alcohol withdrawals while being homeless. Combining prose and archival documents, she finds herself in her mother’s home, Navajo Nation, meeting family and finding another side to the woman who gave her life. Very moving. Book Depository || Amazon
Hatemonger Jean Guerrero Guerrero documents the incredible rise of one of Trump’s most trusted senior policy advisors and speechwriter, Stephen Miller. Dissecting the horrific immigration policies and the narrowing of legal immigration, Stephen Miller created a terrifying, inhumane, and unwelcoming America he envisioned as a radicalized teenager. Quite literally nauseating; I could only read it in small chunks. Book Depository || Amazon
His Truth Is Marching On Jon Meacham A beautiful tribute to John Lewis, a man who lived from a place of faith and compassion as he fought for racial equity and justice on the streets, among the people, and in Congress. Meacham writes a comprehensive look at the man and how he became the revered activist he is in the memories and hearts of Americans. Book Depository || Amazon
How to Survive America D.L. Hughley and Doug Moe A hilarious and insightful look into what it takes to survive in America as a Black and/or Brown human. From water pollution to voting laws to food deserts to disproportionate COVID rates and many things in between, this book tackles real issues facing communities across the country. Funny yet eye opening. Book Depository || Amazon
I’m Still Here Austin Channing Brown Named to give the impression of being a white man, Brown recounts how her experiences are often juxtaposed against defying expectations by simply existing. In a world claiming diversity, she exposes the many ways actions fail to live up to words. Moving and educational. Book Depository || Amazon
In Pursuit of Disobedient Women Dionne Searcey A New Yorker with a family, Searcey becomes The New York Times West Africa bureau chief, throwing all their lives up in the air to find passion and purpose. Working in the field brought her so many experiences, but she tells the stories which moved her most: The stories, struggles, and lives of women. Absolutely loved this book from prose to story. Book Depository || Amazon
My Broken Language Quiara Alegria Hudes Language is a part of being human, but being a woman trapped between cultures creates a unique need and craving for a language that doesn’t quite exist. Hudes explores her search for language and meaning to tell the stories of her life and family as she searches for her own identity as a bilingual, bicultural woman and artist. One of my favorite memoirs. Book Depository || Amazon
Oak Flat Lauren Redniss Combining art and prose, Redniss tells the history of Oak Flat and the sacred meaning it holds for her people, San Carlos Apache, and their fight to keep it from being destroyed for capitalist gains. The conflict is ongoing and a haunting representation of what so many Native Nations are fighting for and against throughout history and today. Emotionally devastating in the best way. Book Depository || Amazon
The Devil in the White City Erik Larson Larson tells two seemingly unrelated stories of the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago. Daniel H. Burnham, the fair’s architect, had to overcome personal and professional obstacles to construct the White City in time for opening day. Dr. H.H. Holmes, a serial killer, created the World’s Fair Hotel with a crematorium and gas chamber to lure victims. Really well written and hard to put down. Book Depository || Amazon
The Purpose of Power Alicia Garza Organizing and activism come with lessons to be learned, and few know those as well as Alicia Garza the woman behind #BlackLivesMatter. In this guide to creating a movement to change the world, Garza focuses on her two decades of experience leading and following as an activist and organizer from grassroots to global movements. A really important read for anyone wanting to change the world. Book Depository || Amazon
A Long Petal of the Sea by Isabel Allende Worth a Read Yes || Length 336
Quick Review This really is a beautifully written work of fiction, depicting an often overlooked period of history as Americans. The Spanish Civil War raged on as two people are pushed together into a marriage and escape from Spain to Chile on a ship, chartered by Pablo Neruda. Highly suggest. Memorable Quotes “Her beauty intimidated him: he was used to women prematurely marked by poverty or war.” “She was discovering it (the world) was nothing like the descriptions in books or photographs. It was much more complex and colorful, much less frightening.”
Anywhere for You by Abbie Greaves Worth a Read Eh || Length 368
Quick Review I really hated this book. It was written fine, but the whole plot. I don’t get the point. Like why? Mary stands in a tube station with a sign saying, “Come Home Jim” because her boyfriend disappeared on her seven YEARS ago. Everything goes to shit when a reporter befriends her and makes it go viral. The relationship was toxic and unhealthy… So it feels like it’s just perpetuating the idea that a good woman will, in the words of Tammy Wynette, Stand By [Her] Man even when he’s shit and doesn’t deserve it. Memorable Quotes “Comfort never encouraged anyone to spread their wings.” “”When you meet the right person, you need to be with them, no matter what.””
Bookish and the Beast by Ashley Poston Worth a Read Eh || Length 288
Quick Review Not my usual read, but it’s a cute rom-com for teens about two nerdy kids falling in love in the midst of their own problems. If you can’t tell, books are at the heart of their love story. You can also guess the plot from the title. No surprises. At all.
Everyone Is Beautiful by Katherine Center Worth a Read Yes || Length 256
Quick Review I had low hopes for this, but it turned out to be a beautiful story about a wife and mother, yearning to reconnect with herself and passion again. It’s an earnest depiction of making life work on a limited income and even less sleep. Life, marriage, and motherhood is hard, but it’s even harder having to do them all at once. Center creates a compelling look into womanhood and marriage in the time that comes after the “happily ever after” or wedding because life doesn’t stop with a ring or an “I do.” This is a small book that really gets the messiness and stress of motherhood and marriage without being bitter or resentful. Memorable Quotes “I hate to say it, but I will. Children, despite their infinite charms, are an absolute assault on a marriage.”
Gimme Everything You Got by Iva-Marie Palmer Worth a Read Yes || Length 400
Quick Review I was pleasantly surprised by this one. I don’t usually read YA, but it was accidentally sent to me, and I thought why not? Set in 1979, a school gets their first girls soccer team and sexism ensues. The girls learn how to balance their budding love of sports with their desire to be feminine and find those two things are often at odds in society’s eyes. Setting the piece over 40 years ago, allows readers to draw parallels between the world of the past and today to see what has changed and all the ways it has not budged. Memorable Quotes “Then, this summer, I realized maybe the shorts meant something bigger. Like that I was a feminist. Not one who didn’t shave her armpits, but a sexy one.” “Wasn’t the point of having a sibling that you had to endure your parents together?”
Girl Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis Worth a Read No || Length 240
Quick Review I understand Rachel Hollis and this book are beloved by so many people, but I just couldn’t get on board. I had a hard time getting past the God aspect, great, have your religion, but for so many people that’s not a driving force in our lives, but what got me the most about it was her constant need to reinforce the idea that she’s a “good Christian.” There are really great nuggets and words of wisdom in there, but there’s also a kind of toxic “pick yourself up” and “you’re unhappy because of you” and “EVERYTHING is in your control” attitude. As someone who is completely self-made, I get that. As a survivor of abuse, so much of my life is circumstance and dealing with the aftermath and consequences of other people’s actions. The themes and attitudes are just not relatable for me at all. It falls so flat.
Little Deadly Secrets by Pamela Crane Worth a Read No || Length 384
Quick Review For me, this is one of those not-much-of-a-mystery mystery; it’s very easy to guess. I really did not like any of the characters. I found so many issues with the parenting and rape. So much rape. Rape, rape, everywhere. As a rape survivor, I don’t mind rape, but this felt more like rape porn than rape for literary or even human experience reasons. There’s also a lot of toxic masculinity passing as acceptable. It was just written poorly and in poor taste. A hard pass for me. Memorable Quotes “Friends are the flowers you pick to beautify your life.” “We’re trained from an early age to value beauty. What a handsome little boy, we say. Or What a pretty little princess. So we grow up believing that if we’re not beautiful enough, we won’t be loved. Then someone comes along and loves you anyway, and you make him God over you. Even when he is in fact the devil.”
Little Wishes by Michelle Adams Worth a Read Yes || Length 400
Quick Review This is a really sweet love story about two people reconnecting in their twilight years. It’s sweetly written to match the tone of the story. Adams writes in an overly flowery way to try and paint a picture of Cornwall, but it’s a bit over the top. She also does a whole bunch of equating love and fire, but I guess that’s what readers like. There’s a hint of mystery, but if you’ve done much reading, that and the ending are quite expected. Overall, this is one of those books you want to read on the beach or snuggled up in a porch chair. Memorable Quotes “Perhaps that was what love was, the thought to herself, when nothing that came before or after seemed to matter anymore, when the world could be on fire, but you didn’t fear the burn.” “Losing a parent did that, made you question your existence for the first time in your life. Human morality paraded before you, utterly unavoidable, the world changed.”
Live A Little by Howard Jacobson Worth a Read Eh || Length 288
Quick Review I really enjoyed the writing, but the story itself was lackluster for me. I can’t even remember the plot, except for the part where I couldn’t care less about the characters. The female characters in particular were… shallow. It’s an excellent example of why I don’t like reading female characters written by men. The narrative style is humorous and interesting. Memorable Quotes “I was more of a man than any of my men were and I don’t doubt I will prove to be more of a carer than my carers.” “What they call dementia, she has decided, is nothing but a failure to maintain a comprehensive filing system. And what they call losing your mind is forgetting to use it.”
The Night Portrait by Laura Morelli Worth a Read Yes || Length 496
Quick Review Waffling between an art conservationist in the midst of WWII and a young woman in a Milanese court of the fifteenth century, this historical novel traces the history of Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece, Girl with the Ermine. I get a bit tired of historical novels set during WWII, but I did enjoy this one. I love strong women at the heart of a well written narrative. Memorable Quotes “Like most inspired ideas, it comes to me in the middle of the night.” “And Edith had to face the fact that she was part of the giant network that enabled these men to aggrandize themselves, at the expense of so many innocent lives.” “Edith had a difficult time reconciling the man who, by day, was responsible for the devastation around them, and by night, doted on his children.”
The Red Daughter by John Burnham Schwartz Worth a Read Eh || Length 288
Quick Review A historical novel focusing on Svetlana, Stalin’s daughter, and her life in America after fleeing the Soviet Union. Told from two perspectives, that of Svetlana and that of her lawyer, Peter Horvath. It’s a well told story, but largely forgettable. Getting nit picky, as a Russian speaker, when Svetlana is writing, it doesn’t feel like a Russian speaking. She also lacks emotional depth, when Peter does not. I would say that’s due to a man trying to write from a perspective he does not understand or identify with… a woman’s. Peter is the far more compelling character; even though his section of the novel is far smaller. In a lot of ways, this is a lovely story, but it also falls very short of being great. Memorable Quotes “Governments will always lie. It is the job of artists and intellectuals to tell the truth.” “There is a kind of drunkenness one finds only in Russia. The Irish don’t know it, the French, the Greeks. An ecstasy of melancholy… A sadness that has no limits and is so very close to joy, but never reaches it.”
I started out niched solely as a book blogger in the Insta-sphere. Even though that’s not the only thing I was writing about way back when, it was what I became known for. I rebranded so I had more freedom to talk about all the things without any push back and unfollows because travel, dogs, social justice, opinion pieces, etc were not on brand.
The books topping my reading list this fall.
When COVID hit, my life became wrapped up in the puppies and staying home. I’ve lost a great deal of motivation. Before 2020, I was extremely self-motivated and would often work ten or more hours a day seven days a week between my writing for work and content creating for the blog. I have found a complete loss of self-motivation in ALL things. Not just blog content.
A book part of this blog has been and will be book critiques. I love reading and expanding my world views. I have not fallen off the wagon when it comes to reading…. Although, I’m Netflixing more than I used to. My reading quotas are still being met. The book critique quotas are not, however. I’m getting back to it… Probably.
Bear really wanted to let you all know he’s super excited to be involved too.
Anyways. Publishers are still sending me books. I am still reading them. I’m just not posting them—or anything else—lately. But I wanted to give you a little sneak peek into eleven books I’m excited to read this fall. My reading taste is pretty focused. As a book critic, I like to vary it more than I would if I were solely reading for pleasure, so I aim for half nonfiction and half fiction on a wide range of topics, views, authors, and more. There is always a lean towards social justice, inclusion, representation, and progress. Even in my light reading, I choose female point of views and authors as well as finding POC writers because even when it’s a cute novel, women of color speak to things I may not immediately think of as a white woman.
Here are the eleven books on the top of my reading list right now:
Charged Emily Bazelon
Harlem Shuffle Colson Whitehead
Sister Outsider Audre Lorde
An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz
My Broken Language Quiara Alegría Hudes
Girl, Woman, Other Bernardine Evaristo
The Testaments Margaret Atwood
The Bright Side Sanctuary for Animals Becky Mandelbaum
Slaughterhouse Five Kurt Vonnegut
Entitled Kate Manne
Ghost Forest Pik-Shuen Fung
Fingers crossed I publish book critiques of what should be some amazing books in a relatively soon time frame. We shall see.
anbisous und обьятий, RaeAnna
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Pride was last month. Like all the other heritage months, those who belong exist the other eleven months of the year. I love Pride. I think it’s great. A month long opportunity to celebrate, learn, challenge, and spread love. For the LGBTQ+ community, Pride is every day, all day, forever. It’s an existence.
A combination of not being able to and spreading the joy, this post is coming after Pride month has come to an end. If you didn’t dive into learning about LGBTQ+ issues or stories during Pride, there’s no better time than the present. Learning is a never ending pursuit.
I belong to the LGBTQ+ community, but I have so much to learn as well. We all do. None of us can know all of the things. Although, that’s not going to stop me from trying. These are three of my favorite books I’ve read recently dealing with rainbow issues. If you don’t know much, these are a great place to start. They’re grounded in personal stories, so you can connect and empathize with the people that make up this beautiful community.
Of course I posed in front of a church with this one. How could I not?
The Queer Bibleedited by Jack Guinness I loved this one so, so, so much. It’s jam packed with illustrations, stories, maps, and more. It’s told by and supports the LGBTQ+ community. A collection of essays by well known members of the queer community about their personal queer icons. From David Furnish to Tan France to Graham Norton to Mae Martin and so many more. They’re personal stories of discovery but also love letters to the people who inspired them. Memorable Quotes “This book is dedicated to my queer ancestors who went before me, that I never knew existed, whose stories we’ll never know, I hope that I’m making you proud.” Jack Guinness—dedication
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Queer Love In Colorby Jamal Jordan The queer community has been marginalized for so long, but to be a person of color and queer is double the marginalization. So often the queer narrative has been told by the white community. The media has portrayed white queer stories. Where are the people of color? They exist. Jamal Jordan photographed people around the world and tells their love stories in this marvelous book. Memorable Quotes “Their stories range widely, but one thing kept coming up: the feeling that, on some level, finding love felt impossible.”
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I will find color whenever and wherever I can.
The Queens’ Englishby Chloe O. Davis Language fascinates me as a writer and a linguist. Words are fluid; they change with time, geography, community, and more. Words are a way of excluding and including people. The LGBTQ+ community has their own language, which evolved as much as a way to protect themselves as to include themselves. So much of queer language has seeped into the mainstream vernacular, but so much of queer language has not. I am known for being decades if not centuries behind on slang. I’ve found mainstream language difficult to understand, and I have found queer language just as difficult because my head has been hidden in books for years. The Queens’ English is a cheeky and very thorough dictionary that opens queer terms to me and I’m sure countless others. This is a fabulous book that is simultaneously heartbreaking, inspiring, educational, and uproariously funny. One of the most important things to remember, Davis says, “Many of the terms are not appropriate for people not in the LGBTQIA+ community to use.” Memorable Quotes “The Queens’ English is merely a starting point for the important conversations around inclusivity, sexuality, gender expression and identity, gay slang that’s been co-opted by mainstream culture, and queer American terminology that’s been around for decades.”
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Happy reading, my dears. I hope you enjoy these books as much as I do. They’re inspiring and beautiful. They showcase the ever expanding range of humanity and our capacity to survive and love. Because love is love, and we all are exactly who we are.
Spring Reading List. Peep Beau relaxing in the background
One of the things I posted about in my 11… Ways I’m Forgiving Myself post was all the books I’d read and never reviewed. There are a whole lot. So I’m dividing them up into four different posts. Here is the first one. After this, hopefully—big hopefully—I will be much better about not getting behind on the book reviews. One or two is understandable, but I’m 48 books behind on the reviewing.
Oh well, it happens. I’ve forgiven myself. Now, I’m rounding them up. Here are some books that I read. Some are really good. Some are really not. Some are in between. Some I took pictures with. Some I did not. Pictures are included when necessary. Otherwise, you’ve got a brief review of each! Yay. I was productive today.
When the restaurant and your outfit matches the book.
Tools of Engagement by Tessa Bailey Worth A Read Eh|| Length 368
Quick Review When Wes gains custody of his niece he has to grow up, but Bethany is already a grown up, trying to prove something to her family. There’s an age difference, a personality difference, and a lifestyle difference, but none of that stops these two from lusting after each other and falling in love. The writing is not great, but there are some fun quippy moments. It’s definitely a good summer, beach read. No thought necessary for this formulaic romance. Memorable Quote “When it came to being annoying, drunk men were right up there with telemarketers and thirty-second advertisements in the middle of an internet video.”
No Offense by Meg Cabot Worth A Read Eh|| Length 352
Quick Review Molly is a librarian in a small Florida Keys town, who attracts the attention of the native Sheriff. I found Molly irritating and John, the Sheriff, unbelievable stupid. There’s a mystery. There’s love. I was bored. I really did not love this book, but then again, I’m a hard critic when it comes to boring romances. Memorable Quote “…the three words she most loved hearing in all the world—the three words she was pretty certain every librarian, or at least lover of knowledge, adored more than any other in the human language: You were right.”
Unfinished by Priyanka Chopra Jonas Worth A Read Yes|| Length 256
Quick Review She’s an incredible beauty and an even bigger talent. Having taken India by storm, she managed to conquer prime time American television in a way no other Southeast Asian had before. I have a great love for Bollywood movies and knew of her long before she came to the U.S. I have been thrilled to watch her career as she paves new roads for diversity. Her undeniable spirit, vivacity, and talent comes through on every page as she opens up about her personal struggles, successes, and things in between. Memorable Quote “My parents had taught me that confidence is not a permanent state of being, a piece of wisdom I still believe.”
Dog’s Best Friendby Simon Garfield Worth A Read Yes || Length 320
Quick Review An incredibly sweet look at the relationship humans have forged with dogs over the centuries. From art and science to breeding and connection, dogs have played a pivotal role in human history. Today, they play a pivotal role in many of our lives. (I know they have in mine.) Well researched and movingly written, I highly suggest it for anyone who has a dog or has loved a dog. Also the footnotes are incredible. Memorable Quote “A dog binds us to the world like nothing else: to a history of all the dogs that have gone before, to a wider community that welcomes their presence and demands our selfless attention. This too is their purpose, why they are here with us and us with them.”
Miss Benson’s Beetle by Rachel Joyce Worth A Read Yes|| Length 352
Quick Review An elderly Miss Benson heads to the other side of the world with a ditsy assistant to find an undiscovered beetle. With twists, turns, intrigue, and a lot of oopsies, these two make memories and find adventures. This turned out to be a really sweet book about two women fighting for and finding a place in the world. Memorable Quote “Hunger is the ultimate expression of hope…”
A Dog Named Beautiful by Rob Kugler Worth A Read Yes|| Length 304
Quick Review Like many people, Kugler turned to a puppy when life was tough. For him, it was returning from war. A Marine, he worked hard to find his place in the world, but his dog, Bella, brought meaning into his life. When she was diagnosed with a terminal illness, he wanted to give life back to her, and they took to the road. It’s a moving story told without much nuance, but when you’re telling the story of a cute dog… who needs nuance. Memorable Quote “This moment matters, and it’s a moment I will not let slip by.”
The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett by Annie Lyons Worth A Read Yes || Length 384
Quick Review An exploration of connection, age, and living in the moment through the eyes of a crotchety old woman with a literal death wish. It’s a sweet book. Really a wonderful book to distract and engage during quarantine. Equal parts frustrating and exhilarating. Annie Lyons creates connection and joy between two lost humans as far apart in age as possible. Memorable Quote “Death is an inevitable preoccupation for a woman of Eudoras years, but she can’t recall a time when it wasn’t lurking in the background.”
Greenlights in McConaughey’s Austin, Texas overlooking the Pennybacker Bridge (aka 360 Bridge)
Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey Worth A Read Yes|| Length 304
Quick Review He’s one of the most recognizable celebrities in the world, and he’s here to tell his story in his words. A beautiful look at his life littered with his writings and tidbits of wisdom. Born and raised in Texas, he tells it how it is in a charming southern way. His distinctive voice comes through on every page. Memorable Quote “When we know what we want to do, knowing when to do it is the hard part.”
It’s Not All Downhill From Here by Terry McMillan Worth A Read Yes || Length 355
Quick Review I think the world needs more novels about women enjoying life after thirty-five. It’s a love story but not the romantic kind. McMillan highlights the importance of leaning into female relationships, putting oneself first, and living through grief. I love it. Memorable Quote “I still love him more than my Twizzlers!”
Fin & Lady by Cathleen Schine Worth A Read Yes|| Length 277
Quick Review As an older sister, I love reading books about sibling relationships; though mine bears no resemblance to that of Fin and Lady’s. It’s a great story about family, responsibility, growing up, understanding, and life. The dialogue is amazingly quippy. Perfect book to take on vacation. Memorable Quote “…and secrets, he already understood, were generally associated with shame.”
Enjoying some beach time even though the book was subpar.
The Jetsetters by Amanda Eyre Ward Worth A Read No|| Length 352
Quick Review Diving into the ties and traumas that bind a family together. It’s an attempt to explore mother-daughter and sibling relationships but falls very short. It does an even worse job examining trauma and sexual assault. I was a big not fan. What looks like a light, beach read by the cover is a bummer. Memorable Quote “You couldn’t be naked with another person and remain perfectly together.”
