Books – Page 82

Categories: Books

Monthly Book Review | November 2016

November was a pretty excellent month for reading! I really loved just about every book I read and wound up reading 8 books in total, to bring my yearly total to 86 books. So, now I know I will break 90 books read, which is a feat! I haven’t hit that number in a few years. This month, my favorite book was Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake. (Fun story: on a whim, I downloaded this title to my Kindle to read on my cruise and when I came back to work, my coworkers had generously gifted me with a copy of the book, as well as an adorable tote bag that has a portion of the novel printed on it. They were bummed they didn’t manage to find a book I hadn’t yet read, heh, but I was so excited because I loved the book so dang much that it’ll be fun to carry the words around on a tote!)

Let’s dive into the reviews!

First Comes Love by Emily Giffin (★★★☆☆)

This was not my favorite novel from Giffin, but it was a good one. It explored how deeply a loss can affect a family, even if the loss happened fifteen years ago. I didn’t love how contentious the relationship between Meredith and Josie was, and I found Meredith to be so incredibly unlikable that I didn’t care for her storyline at all. But I think the novel does a good job of tackling the subject of grief and how it changes a family.

Show No Mercy by Cindy Gerard (★★★★★)

This was my third reread of this novel and I loved it just as much as all the other times I read it. Gabe and Jenna are two characters who are so easy to like and root for. You just want Gabe to let Jenna into his life, and you want Jenna to “tame the bad boy.” (Trope-y, I know.) It’s fun, it’s fast-paced, and it has a pretty startling conclusion.

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie (★★★★☆)

My first Agatha Christie novel! I read this for my work book club and we all raved about it. I found the first 100-150 pages to be a little slow, mostly because there were so many characters to keep track of. It was such a fascinating premise: ten people are summoned to a private island by a man they don’t really know and once they all arrive at his house, they start getting killed one by one. It’s like a game of Clue! There’s no doubt that Christie is a phenomenal writer and I can totally see why her novels are so popular and beloved. I kept trying to figure out the “whodunit” but I couldn’t, and I was super surprised by the ending.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K Rowling (★★★★★)

This book destroyed me the first time I read it, and even though I knew what was going to happen this time around, I was still just as devastated. The final 100 pages are just tough to get through. Why did I put myself through this misery again? The story. The story is just so good and I still have so much love for Harry. I know what’s coming in the last book of the series, and I’m trying to prepare myself.

10% Happier by Dan Harris (★★★★☆)

Dan Harris writes in such an easy, relatable way, which made this whole book really fun to read. It’s a book about meditation and mindfulness, but it’s coming from a skeptic’s point of view. Really, nobody would have ever expected Harris to ever go on this journey, and it’s only after he has a panic attack on national TV and can’t find beneficial ways to control his anxiety that he embarks on it. Skeptics of meditation and mindfulness will really enjoy this book, I think. One of my favorite quotes:

“‘What you need to do,” [Eckhart Tolle] said, interrupting me this time, and speaking with uncharacteristic brio. ‘Make the present moment your friend rather than your enemy. Because many people live habitually as if the present moment were an obstacle that they need to overcome in order to get to the next moment. And imagine living your whole life like that, where always this moment is never quite right, not good enough because you need to get to the next one. That is continuous stress.'” (p. 67)

The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo by Amy Schumer (★★★☆☆)

I’m not even sure why I requested this book on Overdrive – maybe I’m just obsessed with women in comedy memoirs? – because I’m not a huge fan of Amy Schumer. Her humor is a little too vulgar for my tastes, so I went into this book a little apprehensive. I was pleasantly surprised to end up liking it. I mean, it doesn’t compare to Bossypants or Yes, Please or Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?, but there were quite a few great essays in this book. When Amy decided to get real and personal, and left out the vulgar comedy bits, that’s when she was at her best. I think she has an important message to share, and I think it’s worth picking up this book, as long as you can handle plenty of talk about penises and vaginas.

Melting the Ice by Jaci Burton (★★★★☆)

This was probably one of my favorite novels by Burton, and I was glad for the chance to read it nearly uninterrupted while on my cruise. It was sexy and heartfelt and had a male lead that made my heart go pitter-patter. I also really loved the female protagonist. I can get easily annoyed with female protagonists in romance novels, especially ones that are underdeveloped, but I felt that Carolina was really fleshed out and fun to read. I think the dark moment of the novel was a little silly and too easily solved, but overall, a very solid novel from Burton.

Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake by Sarah MacLean (★★★★★)

I’m so glad I finally read my first Sarah MacLean novel after hearing her books raved about by book bloggers. I am a convert and cannot wait to start making my way through her entire backlist. I felt that MacLean nailed down the right verbiage and the right setting, something I feel isn’t always present in historical romance. She really did her research and it made for such an authentic read. And, maaaaaan, did I love Callie. She was so spunky and fun and vulnerable and brave. I loved every minute I spent with her story and was so happy when she got her happy ending. Swoon, swoon, swoon.

NOVEMBER BOOK STATS

Number of books read: 8 (2,931 pages)
Format breakdown: e-books (5), physical books (3)
Genre breakdown: romance (3), fiction (1), nonfiction (2), mystery (1), fantasy (1)
Number of diverse reads: 2 out of 8 (25%)
Where I got my books from: Overdrive (5), library (2), friend (1)
Money spent on reading this month: $0.00

What was the best book you read in November?

Categories: Books

Book Review: Earning It by Joann S. Lublin

What an appropriate book for this time of year! Earning It is about women who have done what was nearly unthinkable a few decades ago – they’ve climbed to the top of the corporate ladder of massive public companies. And they did it the hard way – encountering sexism, misogyny, and inappropriate comments along the way. As Lublin explains the different lessons that come along with shattering the glass ceiling, she brings stories of women who have done exactly that. They talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly about being a woman at the top, and it’s inspirational as well as horrific. (Horrific in the sense of everything women have to put up with in the workplace.)

I’ll be honest: as someone who doesn’t have any career aspirations of becoming a CEO, a lot of the advice given in this book was hard for me to relate to. The author, a journalist, also writes in a detached way and there was a personal element that was missing for me. At times, this felt like a regurgitation of facts.

That said, if you’re interested in learning more about powerful women and how they got to the top, then I’d recommend picking up this book. It’s filled with stories of fascinating women who overcame so many obstacles and had to make courageous, sometimes unpopular choices to meet their goals. It’s also a bit sad, to realize what women have to go through in the workplace. I’m thankful in that I haven’t really encountered too much sexism or misogyny in the companies I’ve worked for, but I know it’s a very real reality for most women in corporate positions.

Book synopsis (from Goodreads):

More than fifty trailblazing executive women who broke the corporate glass ceiling offer inspiring and surprising insights and lessons in this essential, in-the-trenches career guide from Joann S. Lublin, a Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist and management news editor for The Wall Street Journal.

Among the first female reporters at The Wall Street Journal, Joann S. Lublin faced a number of uphill battles in her career. She became deputy bureau chief of the Journal’s important London bureau, its first run by women. Now, she and dozens of other women who successfully navigated the corporate battlefield share their valuable leadership lessons.

Lublin combines her fascinating story with insightful tales from more than fifty women who reached the highest rungs of the corporate ladder—most of whom became chief executives of public companies —in industries as diverse as retailing, manufacturing, finance, high technology, publishing, advertising, automobiles, and pharmaceuticals.

Leaders like Carly Fiorina, former CEO of Hewlett-Packard, as well as Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors, and Brenda Barnes, former CEO of Sara Lee, were the first women to run their huge employers. Earning It reveals obstacles such women faced as they fought to make their mark, choices they made, and battles they won—and lost.

Lublin chronicles the major milestones and dilemmas of the work world unique to women, providing candid advice and practical inspiration for women of all ages and at every stage of their careers. The extraordinary women we meet in the pages of Earning It and the hard-won lessons they share provide a compelling career compass that will help all women reach their highest potential without losing a meaningful personal life.

You can connect with Joann S. Lublin on her website and Twitter. Her book is available to buy from Amazon, HarperCollins, and Barnes & Noble.

Click here to add this book to Goodreads!

I received this book for free from TLC Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. All words and opinions, unless otherwise stated, are my own.

No affiliate links were used in this post.

Categories: Books

Monthly Book Review | October 2016

October was a pretty good reading month for me, as I read 8 books and met my Goodreads reading goal for the year! I set my reading goal fairly low (for me!) at 75 books and I’m thinking it’s possible I can make it to 90 or more (especially with my upcoming cruise at the end of the month during which I’ll have copious time to read).

I think I need to take a moment and stress here that yes, I read a lot and no, I do not think everyone needs to read as much as I do. I read a lot because I have the free time to do so: no partner, no kids, no crazy social calendar. And I read a lot because, as an introvert, it’s my way of recharging my batteries. In essence, I need it to feel like myself. You may have a different way to recharge your batteries, like baking or watching TV or knitting or exercising. But the last thing I want is for someone to compare their reading list to mine and feel shame or guilt. We all have different priorities! And that’s totally okay.

With that off my chest, let’s dive into this month’s reviews!

The Hating Game by Sally Thorne (★★★★★)

This novel was probably one of the best I’ve read this year. Not because it was life-changing or had an important message or anything like that, but because of the way it made me feel. This book made me feel so grateful to be a reader and get to enjoy this incredibly fun story. It’s romance, but please don’t let that deter you from reading it because the overall story is just so delightful. I never wanted this book to end and I’m 99% sure I’m going to buy a physical copy to keep on my bookshelf and reread frequently.

Confess by Colleen Hoover (★★★☆☆)

Usually, a Colleen Hoover novel is an emotional process. She writes in such a way that just captivates me and makes me lose all focus because I can’t stop thinking about the characters and the story. This novel was not that experience. That’s not to say the novel wasn’t good, because it was, but it just didn’t have that same emotional gut punch that her other novels have. I also reallllllly couldn’t stand the main character; she was super frustrating and made decisions I didn’t care for.

The Ramblers by Aidan Donnelley Rowley (★★★★☆)

I reviewed this book earlier this month and you can find the review here.

Results May Vary by Bethany Chase (★★★★☆)

I read this for my in-person book club and it was a heavier read than I was expecting. The story begins with the main character, Caroline, discovering her husband of ten years has been cheating on her… with a man. Normally, the stories I read about infidelity write about it in a way that seems to glamorize it, but this one really dug deep into how irrevocably painful infidelity truly is. The author takes readers on a journey as Caroline tries to piece her life back together and decide whether she can forgive her husband or if the secret is just too massive and heartbreaking to get over. It’s a remarkable story and the writing is exquisite.

Rumor Has It by Jill Shalvis (★★★☆☆)

There’s not too much to say about this novel. It was a cute contemporary romance that continued Shalvis’s Animal Magnetism series. It’s one of those novels that’s just easy. There’s nothing hard or gritty about it. It’s just meant to make you smile and believe in love for a little while.

Dare to Love by Carly Phillips (★★★☆☆)

Another cute contemporary romance, though the writing fell a little on the cheesy side. Also, I felt that the male protagonist was a bit too controlling at times and I was a little uncomfortable with some of his actions, but that could just be my preconceived notions. It was a good story, but not outstanding.

Joyland by Stephen King (★★★☆☆)

I read this for Postal Book Club and this is what I love so much about this book club: reading books I would have never picked up on my own. Thankfully, this wasn’t a horror novel, but more a coming-of-age story coupled with a mystery. I’ll admit that the mystery never gripped me, nor was I very interested in it, though the reveal did end up surprising me! But the way this book was written made me clearly see why Stephen King is so beloved. He’s truly one of a kind.

A Night Like This by Julia Quinn (★★★★☆)

I read this novel in, like, two days. It was excellent! It’s a Regency romance, the second novel in Quinn’s Smythe-Smith Quartet series, and fiercely feminist. I loved Anne for her vulnerability and her badassness when called upon. She was loving and gracious and I just wanted to see her happy ending. I felt that Daniel, the male protagonist, wasn’t as well developed and I would have liked more from him, but overall, a great novel.

OCTOBER BOOK STATS

Number of books read: 8 (2,655 pages)
Format breakdown: e-books (4), physical books (4)
Genre breakdown: romance (5), fiction (3)
Number of diverse reads: 1 out of 8 (13%)
Where I got my books from: Overdrive (3), library (2), friend (1), TLC (1)
Money spent on reading this month: $0.00

What was the best book you read in October? What’s your favorite way to recharge your batteries (and psst! Extroverts also need to recharge, so you guys aren’t off the hook here!)?

Categories: Books

Five Nonfiction Books I Always Recommend

A few months ago, I wrote a post listing the five fiction books I typically recommend to friends who are looking for a good book to read. I wanted to follow up that post with one on the nonfiction books I recommend frequently. As I stated in the other post, I’m always wary to recommend books, especially ones that I hold near and dear to my heart, but bibliophile that I am, I’m often asked about books so I do my best to tailor my recommendation to the person asking.

So, if you’re looking for a fascinating nonfiction book that will make you think and question everything you ever thought you knew about life, here you go!

1) The Willpower Instinct by Kelly McGonigal

I read this book back in 2014 and wrote a blog post on some of my biggest takeaways, and it is still my most-recommended nonfiction book. In this book, McGonigal breaks down how our brain responds to willpower and self-control, basing her work on scientific studies and lots of anecdotes. Her writing style is fun and engaging, and I truly think I’ll read anything she writes, on any subject.

Best for… people looking for a science-based book about habits, motivation, and how our brains work.

Click here to add this book to your Goodreads shelf.

2) Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar by Cheryl Strayed

This book is a collection of responses that Cheryl Strayed wrote when she was an advice columnist, writing her Dear Sugar column. She covers a whole range of topics in this book, from family estrangement to miscarriage to grief. It’s not necessarily an easy book to read, but it is a beautiful one. Cheryl’s advice is always so on point and I found myself highlighting passage after passage.

Best for… people looking for a book that offers advice and encouragement.

Click here to add this book to your Goodreads shelf.

3) In the Country We Love: My Family Divided by Diane Guerrero

This was a very recent read for me, but I can’t help but recommend it to everyone I know because it had such a powerful impact on me. It’s a memoir about Diane Guerrero’s life: her parents came to the United States illegally, had Diane here, and then were deported when she was only 14 years old. She was left alone in this country, depending on the kindness of friends to take her in and give her a home. Diane’s words are powerful and parts of her story made me sob. My views on immigration reform have been forever changed.

Best for… people looking for a book that tackles a serious topic using a firsthand account.

Click here to add this book to your Goodreads shelf.

4) Let’s Pretend This Never Happened: A Mostly True Memoir by Jenny Lawson

So, this is an interesting recommendation for me because I didn’t really love this novel. I liked it… enough… but I didn’t love it. But I still recommend it because I’m in the minority with my opinion and it is more of a “me, not you” sort of reason as to why I didn’t love the novel. Just not to my taste! It’s a memoir filled with inappropriate jokes and funny stories, some of which were taken from her super-popular blog. I found some of her stories to be a bit over-the-top, but some people like that!

Best for… people looking for a laugh-out-loud funny book.

Click here to add this book to your Goodreads shelf.

5) Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed

Yep – I have two Cheryl Strayed books on this list. Deal with it. My crush on her knows no limits. This is Cheryl’s memoir about hiking the Pacific Crest Trail after losing her mom and downward spiraling due to her grief. I was captivated by this story from the very beginning, and it shocked me that I was because a hiking memoir is so not to my usual taste. But this book is really so much more than a hiking memoir: it’s also about grief, about vulnerability, about finding yourself again after tragedy.

Best for… people looking for an engaging memoir.

Click here to add this book to your Goodreads shelf.

Have you read any of these books? What’s a nonfiction book you always recommend?

Categories: Books

Book Review: The Ramblers by Aidan Donnelley Rowley

The Ramblers is a novel that’s about a lot of things, but it’s mostly about us. It’s about who we grow up to be and all the twists and turns that led us there.

For Clio, one of the novel’s protagonists, it’s about a family tragedy and her tenuous relationship with her father. It’s about how her rocky childhood made her wary about fully investing in people and relationships.

For Smith, another protagonist, it’s about being single after a serious, long-term relationship, a relationship that seemed to be perfect until it wasn’t. It’s about her family and the closeness that could be envied from afar, but up close is repressive.

For Tate, our last protagonist, it’s about separating from his wife, a cross-country move, and the realization of a dream. It’s about taking the road less traveled, even when that road is dark and scary.

All of these people… these stories are my story. I could see myself in each and every person. In Clio, who has trouble committing and tends to get caught up in her work to counterbalance that. In Smith, who isn’t sure what true love is anymore and doesn’t know who she is or what she really wants. In Tate, who just wants to live his passion and screw anyone who says differently.

The problems they face… yes, you could say they are “rich, white people problems” but I don’t see it like that because I am not rich and I find myself consumed with the thoughts and feelings of these characters. I understand them. They are hurting and happy and uncertain and confident. They are just trying to live their lives the best way they can, to move forward in their lives after their worlds have essentially fallen apart. It’s piecing back together a life that has meaning and purpose after everything has crumbled. That’s what these characters do. That’s why I found such kindredness in them. That’s why I loved this story.

This novel, The Ramblers, was slow and meandering, even though it only took place over a few days. It was a simple journey of discovery and triumph. It’s not a page-turner, but that’s okay. And it was poignant. Beautifully written. Nearly poetic in parts. I found the author’s voice to be refreshing, unique, and engaging.

It’s not a heavy read, nor is it necessarily a fun, light-hearted one. It’s a character-driven story about the power of choices and what it means to live in your truth.

Book synopsis (from Goodreads):

For fans of J. Courtney Sullivan, Meg Wolitzer, Claire Messud, and Emma Straub, a gorgeous and absorbing novel of a trio of confused souls struggling to find themselves and the way forward in their lives, set against the spectacular backdrop of contemporary New York City.

Set in the most magical parts of Manhattan—the Upper West Side, Central Park, Greenwich Village—The Ramblers explores the lives of three lost souls, bound together by friendship and family. During the course of one fateful Thanksgiving week, a time when emotions run high and being with family can be a mixed blessing, Rowley’s sharply defined characters explore the moments when decisions are deliberately made, choices accepted, and pasts reconciled.

Clio Marsh, whose bird-watching walks through Central Park are mentioned in New York Magazine, is taking her first tentative steps towards a relationship while also looking back to the secrets of her broken childhood. Her best friend, Smith Anderson, the seemingly-perfect daughter of one of New York’s wealthiest families, organizes the lives of others as her own has fallen apart. And Tate Pennington has returned to the city, heartbroken but determined to move ahead with his artistic dreams.

Rambling through the emotional chaos of their lives, this trio learns to let go of the past, to make room for the future and the uncertainty and promise that it holds. The Ramblers is a love letter to New York City—an accomplished, sumptuous novel about fate, loss, hope, birds, friendship, love, the wonders of the natural world and the mysteries of the human spirit.

You can connect with Aidan Donnelley Rowley on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Her book is available to buy from Amazon, HarperCollins, and Barnes & Noble.

Click here to add this book to Goodreads!

I received this book for free from TLC Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. All words and opinions, unless otherwise stated, are my own.

No affiliate links were used in this post.