Tuesday, May 12, 2020

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























15 comments:

  1. I’ve heard good things about Open Book! I need to read it. I don’t typically read celebrity memoirs but a lot of bloggers said the same thing and really enjoyed it! I liked The Dutch House but I think my favorite thing about it was listening to Tom Hanks narrate the audiobook!

    Here are my April reads if interested https://elle-alice.blogspot.com/2020/05/april-book-reviews.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I had NO idea he narrated the audiobook, I probably would have enjoyed that WAY more!

      Delete
  2. Lots of good reviews for Simpson's book this month. Might have to check it out.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Definitely! I was skeptical but it was totally worth the read.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I really want to read Know My Name. I will follow her on Instagram. Thanks for the tip. Stay healthy!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Untamed and the Jessica Simpson book are on my to be read list. I can't wait to get my hands on them!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I did not know that Chanel Miller wrote a book. I must read it now.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Open Book is on my list, I keep hearing good things. I just started Untamed, glad you loved it!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I am on hold for Open Book and am currently reading Untamed. I just added Know My Name and the Compound Effect to my to read list. My husband and teen daughter read The Institute. I haven't read a King book since high school/college.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I wanted to highlight like everything in Untamed. I thought it was amazing. My work BFF bought it for me for my birthday and I already lent it out twice.

    I have Know My Name on my kindle.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I have the audiobook for The Institute downloaded but I haven't listened to it yet. Glad to hear it's a good one.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Open Book does sound really good. I want to read Untamed and Know My Name as well!

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

    ReplyDelete
  12. It's always so hard choosing what to read after a book that was a favorite. Untamed is on my list!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I had Untamed on my Kindle but I didn't get more than a few chapters in before they yanked it back. Rude! Thankfully, I'm the next one on hold for it and really enjoyedg what I had read so far. The Institute is on my TBR as it looks like classic Stephen King. :D Haven't read Know My Name yet but it also on my TBR as well.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Sounds like a good list :) I haven't read any of those yet, and haven't read Stephen King in years! I'll have to check some out. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete