May was a very good reading month. I read seven books, and unless I am mistaken that is the most books I have read in a month this year.
Read
- We Should All Be Feminist and Dear Ijeawele, or a Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. I watched Adichie’s TEDTalk and was interested in what more she had to say on this topic. These books are super short but I’m counting them toward my overall goal to read 39 books in 2019.
- Girl, Stop Apologizing: A Shame-Free Plan for Embracing and Achieving Your Goals by Rachel Hollis. I went into this one with a little trepidation based upon the feedback I had seen on social media. I began reading it in Barnes & Noble and realized that I wanted to mark it up and so I bought it. I don’t know if I agreed with everything she said but I DEFINITELY needed to hear all of it! And I can honestly say that I have made some positive changes in my life as a result of my reading the book.
- If You want to Write: A Book about Art, Independence and Spirit by Brenda Ueland. I thoroughly enjoyed this book on writing craft. It presented a different perspective on writing than one that I have heard before. I got this from the library and will probably want to read it again.
- The Paris Diversion by Chris Pavone. I was so excited to see a sequel to The Expats which I read in 2014 after I had started it and abandoned it. Then it became a Rocket City Mom Book Club pick and I read it again and really loved it. I was #1 on the Hold list at my library (that NEVER happens) and I picked it up as soon as it became available. I gotta say, I didn’t enjoy it as much as the first one. All the elements that I liked about The Expats, (IE. the malaise of mommydom) was there but maybe, just like The Expats, I am not appreciating it as I should on the first reading. I must admit that I read it in a rush because it was not renewable and I had to return it to the library. The storyline was a wee bit difficult to follow (stocks and investments were involved and I don’t get those so that might have had something to do with it). As always, I enjoyed the different perspectives on the world and the political commentary about racial tension, immigration, stereotypes in Europe. If you like thrillers and enjoyed The Expats, I’d be interested in your take on this.
- Never Have I Ever by Joshilyn Jackson. Psychological thriller so a departure for Jackson. Full review will appear on the blog soon.
- The Unlikely Adventures of the Shergill Sisters by Balli Kaur Jaswal. This was my pick from the three that Anne Bogel recommended to me when I was a guest on her podcast What Should I Read Next, Episode 179. I am currently working on a comprehensive blog post to tell you what I think.
Currently Reading
- That Kind of Mother by Rumaan Alam. I am reading this because it is the next pick of the Rocket City Mom Virtual Book Club. You can check us out on Facebook here.
- The Life-Changing Habit of Tidying Up and Spark Joy by Marie Kondo. Due to two trips out of town, my tidying has been delayed. I’m rereading these according to the categories I’m dealing with at the time. I’m working on Komono now.
On Hold/Abandoned Reading
- The Huntress
What have you been reading?
Per usual, I am linking up with Modern Mrs. Darcy. I am amazed by that community. You should check it out.
enjoy life…
Shannon, I don’t know how you read 7 books in one month. I’m doing good if I can finish 1 book per month! But thank you for inspiring me to keep trying! I have Marie Kondo’s book on my Goodreads list because LORD KNOWS I need to get my life (re: house) together! Lol!
Thanks for commenting. If you care to check out my series EnjoyLife Project, showing how I’m KonMari(ng) my home, give it a look. Tackling this has been life-changing.
One of the aspects of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up that I loved was that it is also a sweet memoir of a misfit finding her place – that and the understated humour.
That is something that I haven’t thought about! That is probably yet another reason I LOVE it also. Thanks for pointing that out to me.
I love Girl, Stop Apologizing so much. Truly. I didn’t expect to. We did a whole episode of it on my podcast…
I just finished Beyond The Dreamers. Have you read it? Lovely…
I didn’t expect to like it, or know that I needed it as much as I did.
No, I haven’t read Beyond the Dreamers. Who wrote it, please? Having a hard time finding it.
I read Dear Ijeawele awhile back; I should add We Should All Be Feminist to my list. You had a great reading month!
Yes ma’am. What were your thoughts on Dear Ijeawele?