Show Us Your Books - April 2020

SUYB, Quarantine edition -- after a kind of slow start to the year, especially compared to last year, I think my reading mojo is coming back.  The first part of this quarantine I could not focus on anything, and I'm still reading slower than usual but, still reading.





Untamed by Glennon Doyle -- Definitely my favorite book of the year so far, probably in my top 5 favorite books ever. Ever ever.  As soon as I finished it I order a copy for my mom.  As with most things, different pieces will resonant more closely to some people than others, but there are just so many stunning, universal truths to be found in this book. I cannot wait to read it again.
Hard copy from a local, independently-owned, women-run bookseller (literally days before they closed until the COVID closures are over).

                                   

The Dutch House by Ann Patchett  -- This one was just okay for me.  I started it in a Barnes & Noble one day and it did seem interesting in the beginning so I was excited to read it, even after my mom told me she didn't enjoy it that much.  She was right, it was just okay.  It definitely took me a while to get through, I wasn't rushing to get back to it.  The characters were okay... maybe it was a tough follow after Untamed, even though they're two separate categories with fiction and non-fiction, I was a little like, what's the point of this?  Sometimes the point is just to get lost in the world, but this just didn't take me there.

Library e-book

Know My Name by Chanel Miller -- Should be required reading, female or male, not sure what else to say about it.
Library e-book

Also if you're not following her on Instagram, you're missing out on delightful gems like this.







The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy -- This came recommended from a podcast I've been enjoying (A Beautiful Mess podcast, they did a whole episode on self-help books), and this is the first one from their recommended list that I read.  It comes with lots of resources and sheets you can download, which is helpful.  I might report back later once I've actually implemented some of the tips and give an update on how it's going.  Also, if you get the kindle edition, ignore the reviews about how you can't read the charts or graphics, that was from an old edition and that has since been fixed, I could read everything fine.  
Kindle purchase



The Institute by Stephen King --  It's been a while since I read any Stephen King (maybe Mr. Mercedes was the last one, a few years ago?), and I enjoyed this.  I thought the concept was fascinating and, as usual, amazing storytelling.  If you like King you'd probably like this.  References to some of his other books which made me chuckle.  Not my favorite book of the year but a solid 4 stars. 

Library e-book

Open Book by Jessica Simpson -- Not the kind of book I'd normally read (celebrity memoir/auto-biography), but it came recommended and I can't remember exactly from where. Maybe the Popcast?  Like a lot of people thought that read this, there is way more to her than what you (I) thought.  She went through some rough stuff.  And she spills allll the tea and then some.  Great read. 

Library e-book