EST. 2011
Hi! I hope you’ve had a fun and restful weekend. I have been crushing through books lately, which isn’t really like me. But I love it! I have never been an avid reader to be honest, at least if I am comparing myself to my sister who flies through 15 books a month it seems. So, for me to read (almost 3) in a 3-week span is an accomplishment! She is very proud of me. They were big books, too!
I hated those mandatory reads in English class in high school, I’d sift through but mainly would rely on cliff notes. It’s funny because later down the road, The Great Gatsby (an assignment in my junior year) turned out to be one of my very favorite books when I opened it up in my mid-twenties. I started to read a bit more for enjoyment in my early twenties. I really loved short, fun reads like How to be Parisienne Wherever You Are (so cute). Tuesdays with Morrie is another favorite, which made me love uplifting/life perspective books.
In 2012, I stumbled upon The Power of Now and it changed my life (I can’t believe how much I have talked about this now on my blog… if you’ve heard this 50 times, I’m sorry haha). That’s where my fascination with self-help books began. Human physiology, emotions, and the whole meditation/being present movement… it’s all I wanted to learn/read about for years.
Earlier this summer I was inspired to broaden my horizons and give fiction another chance. So I turned to Instagram (as always), the most reliable recommendation source (thank youuu). You guys have the best taste! I ordered 5 of the books that seemed to be loved by so many, and again… a book changed my life. But in a different way this time–I fell in love with reading, like never before. Delia Owens, she cracked me!
Two things quickly before we get to the good reads. First, my sister told me not to read a summary of one of the books she recommended and to just open it up. I took her advice and really liked this approach! I feel like eventually, I will have to, but since the books on my list came so highly recommended I feel like I’m in good hands for now and am just diving in with no idea what to expect. Secondly, my friend Sophie told me that she reads a handful of books at once so that she can pick up a book based on her mood. LOVE this tip… it has been life-changing. Some books I end up not picking up as much and others I breeze through. It’s helped to get through more and maybe quit a book if it’s not resonating enough. I told you, I need to be captivated!
Okay, let’s get to the good stuff…
Books so far this summer and early fall…
You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero
I got this book at the start of summer after hearing so many good things and it is just such an awesome read. It’s basically The Power of Now only Jen is hilarious and very relatable. If you’re interested in learning more about the conscious mind, how to master turning off the voice in your head, and living in the present… I highly recommend starting here! It’s a very empowering, insightful, and inspiring read that had me feeling like a new woman after finishing it.
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
Oh my god, the one who changed everything. I love this book so much. I seriously dreamt about it after for a few nights and still think about it often. Delia’s writing is strikingly beautiful… I wrote down so many of her words that were soooo good– “sand keeps secrets better than mud”. The story from start to end is chillingly good… murder, romance, survival. I don’t want to give too much away, you just have to read this if you haven’t. I wish I could read it all over again for the first time. Delia needs to write another book immediately!
The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
I just finished this on Friday night and wow! It had very big shoes to fill in my eyes after reading Crawdads, and it definitely lived up to my expectations. I can’t decide which book I like more, honestly! And I totally understand now why they both came recommended usually together by dozens. A very similar vibe for sure. This one had me feeling SO edgy at the end like I needed a glass of wine to assist my nerves! Another MUST read.
Currently amidst (rotating and liking)
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
The Heart’s Invisible Furies by John Boyne
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Just ordered
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
The Alice Network by Kate Quinn
It’s been SO enjoyable getting into these books… falling in love with characters and getting whisked away into different worlds. I have decided I *will start the book club up again, and will kick things off next week, so stay tuned! I am so excited for this new chapter (you like that?)… xx
