I read a total of 54 books in 2019 – a record for me, and two over my goal of 52. It was SUCH a good year for reading… In fact, I had forgotten about some of these that I read at the beginning of the year and couldn’t believe they were all from the same year. I read so many books that I LOVED, learned so much from stories, and had a blast tracking my reading on Goodreads for the first full year. (Come follow me there if you’re not already!)

Here’s a quick recap of my reading year (because what good is Goodreads if you don’t share your cute “My Year in Books” graphic?!?):

Now, on to my favorites… Completely coincidentally, I had almost one five-star read each month; and they run the gamut — memoir, historical fiction, (slightly) science fiction, literary fiction, rom-com, YA, oral history, and non-fiction. At least I’m well rounded. 😉

Here are my thirteen 5-star books from 2019:

January: Becoming by Michelle Obama ***TOP FIVE

February: The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai ***TOP FIVE

March: The Dreamers by Karen Thompson Walker

April: Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

May: The Girl He Used to Know by Tracey Garvis-Graves

July: Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes

August: The Dearly Beloved by Cara Wall ***TOP THREE (probably my most recommended/gifted of the year!)

September: Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane ***TOP THREE

September: The Gift of Failure by Jessica Lahey

October: The Grace Year by Kim Liggett

November: The Only Plane in the Sky by Garrett Graff ***TOP THREE

December: American Royals by Katherine McGee

December: Text Me When You Get Home by Kayleen Schaefer

And there you go… Many of these are now available in paperback, so if you missed them, add them to your TBR list NOW!

Check out full reviews of all 53 books I read this year HERE. And, follow me on Instagram (#samandscoutreads) for real-time reading updates all year long.

Though January started a little slow, I’ve read five good books so far in 2020. Stay tuned!

E

P.S. In case you missed it, I was a guest on one of my favorite bookish podcasts – Sarah’s Book Shelves Live – back in November. It was SO fun to chat with Sarah about 2 old books I love, 2 new books I love (both mentioned above), 1 book I didn’t like, and 1 upcoming release I’m excited about (I read it in December!). It was SO hard to choose. *No surprise to anyone that knows me, I talked too much and turned a “mini-episode” into a NOT-mini episode. No such thing as too much book talk, right? 😉

This post is WAY overdue, but since it is more for my own records than anyone else, here’s everything I read in the last four months of 2019:

Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane (Audio)

I didn’t think this book could possibly live up to all the hype, but it totally did. I LOVED it. Stylistically (and, somewhat, thematically) it is similar to The Dearly Beloved – which I also adored, While I’d say The Dearly Beloved is primarily about faith, friendship, and family; Ask Again is mostly about marriage. It is BEAUTIFUL. Raw and real, heartbreaking; but – still, somehow – hopeful too. This was easily five-stars for me. Probably one of my favorites of the year.

The Need by Helen Phillips (Audio)

I couldn’t order this one fast enough after hearing Laura Tremaine talk about how much she liked it; but, in the end, it wasn’t really for me… Honestly, maybe this is one I would have enjoyed more if I’d read it instead of listening to it… It was confusing and a little too far fetched for my taste. (It was longlisted for the National Book Award though so… You probably shouldn’t trust me!)

The Gift of Failure by Jessica Lahey (Audio)

This isn’t a new book, but I came across it (along with the rest of the world probably) after Kristen Bell mentioned it on Instagram. And, THANK GOODNESS I did. I don’t read a ton of “parenting” books, but this one was SO helpful. I got tons of great, practical advice as a mom and a teacher. Plus, it didn’t feel preachy or judgey; in fact, I’d call it encouraging.

After the End by Clare Mackintosh (Audio)

To me, this was a mash-up of My Sister’s Keeper and Sliding Doors / Maybe in Another Life… It made me think about things that REAL families have to face, and it was very well-written. Still, it was so, so sad… I actually considered stopping it as soon as I realized what it was about because I just wasn’t sure I couldn’t hand it, but I decided to stick with it because I had heard so many good things about it. The shift about 1/3rd of the way through intrigued me and drew into the story, but it never really stopped being sad… THAT SAID, I absolutely LOVED the author’s note at the end of the novel, and it really pulled it all together for me, making this an important (albeit, hard) read.

The Other’s Gold by Elizabeth Ames

This was kind-of a slow burn for me (i.e. it took me a while to get through), but I ended up really liking it. The four friends started college (and met each other) the same year I did, so that element was especially neat. I loved the depiction of friendship as being both hard and good. I loved that they got mad at each other, hurt each other, and also showed up – no matter what – when they needed to… I few parts of this felt under-developed and some felt over-developed; but, taken as a whole, it worked.

The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead (Audio)

I should probably start by saying that I’m in the minority with my opinion of this book; and, to be fair, I think this is another one that would have been better if I’d read it instead of listened to it, but… I just never really got “into it.” I KNOW this is well-written and a VERY important story; but I had a very hard time keeping up with the characters, the time periods, etc. I DID love the “twist” at the end and found that it helped me realize my own privilege and need for a “silver lining” or hope in all terrible things…

**Since I finished reading, I listened to several podcast interviews with Whitehead and several reviews that have helped me appreciate the book more. I think this probably deserves a re-read for me…

Wild Game: My Mother, Her Lover, and Me by Adrienne Brodeur (Audio)

I had heard this talked about and was interested in the premise (a memoir about a young girl and her mother’s secret affair), so I ordered it on Audible as soon as it came out. It ended up being very different, in a good way, from what I expected… I completely agree with the comparisons to The Glass Castle and Inheritance, but it is completely original too… This is a mother-daughter story, and (perhaps more so) a story of a girl becoming fully herself. It is an intense, and often painful, story told beautifully. A quick read/listen, but one I will be thinking about for a while…

The Grace Year by Kim Liggett (Audio)

This book completely surprised me, and I loved it. It is an English teacher’s dream — written for young adults, I’ve heard it described as a blend of The Handmaid’s Tale and The Hunger Games, but I saw clear connections to Lord of the Flies, The Crucible, and The Scarlet Letter too. It is high-interest – lots of action and drama – but it’s also about love and friendship with strong relationship development; and, most importantly, about empowerment and voice of the individual. Not to mention, it is SO relevant in our society today with themes of misogyny, women’s strength, and the #metoo movement.

This is definitely NOT just for young adults… The plot is smart and creative. The writing is powerful and sharp. The end is great — very satisfying, but not tidy, and definitely thought-provoking. This would make an awesome Cook Club choice (for your friends or your classes)!

I honestly didn’t expect to like this one as much as I did, but I’ve been selling it to my students like crazy, and I can’t wait for the movie!!

American Predator by Maureen Callahan (Audio)

I’m a big fan of true-crime, and I definitely don’t consider myself a “prude” when it comes to the genre; but, this is probably the creepiest and darkest one I’ve ever read. It is super detailed and graphic, and goes DEEP into the mind of a serial killer – Like, In Cold Blood x10. Not for the faint of heart, but very interesting. Very well researched. Actually, I feel like I learned a lot about the investigative process and even a little about self defense. This one definitely will have me double checking my locked doors for a while!

She Said by Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey (Audio)

This was such an interesting behind-the-scenes look at something I’d heard so much about in the news (of course)… I learned a lot about what goes on before a news story breaks, about the Harvey Weinstein story, and – though I didn’t realize this would be included – the Brett Kavanaugh case. Very well researched. Very well told. Very important.

The Only Plane in the Sky by Garrett Grath (Audio)

An oral history of 9-11, this book was absolutely fascinating. One of the most important things I have EVER read… It is incredibly well-researched, expertly compiled, and a powerful look at some of the most horrific AND some of the most beautiful moments in our country’s story. I STRONGLY recommend the audio version!

The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell (Audio)

I actually started this audiobook on the morning of my half-marathon and – while the pace was maybe a little slow for running 13 miles – I really enjoyed it. The last 3rd of the book, specifically, was really really good. A great “thriller” with some quality writing too!

American Royals by Katherine McGee (Audio)

About the fictitious American Royal family in line from George Washington, I felt a little silly rating this as high as I did (5 STARS), and I almost didn’t because it didn’t feel “important enough,” but, the truth is, I ADORED this book. It is marketed as Young Adult, but don’t let that turn you off. It is fun and light, romantic and sweet, *and* it also makes you think — the PERFECT vacation or holiday read in my opinion! I enjoyed every minute of this and can’t wait for the second book to come out!!

EDITED TO ADD: This is particularly interesting / thought-provoking in light of Harry and Megan’s Royal Exit recently. So juicy!

Text Me When You Get Home by Kayleen Schaefer (Audio)

This is another one that totally caught me off guard by how much I liked it – a former student recommended it to me (love that) almost a year ago, but I put it off because I hadn’t heard much else about it, and I wasn’t sure how much it would keep my attention… I was SO wrong though. I don’t know why it didn’t get more hype when it first came out in early 2018, but it is EXCELLENT – one of my favorites from the year, in fact!

Amazon describes it perfectly as “A personal and sociological examination – and ultimately a celebration – the evolution of female friendship in pop culture and modern society.” It is charming, and insightful, and super interesting. I related to SO much of it, and it made me appreciate my own friendships that much more. I highly recommend!!

Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid (Audio)

I was really excited about this one; and, in the end, I think my expectations were just a little bit too high… The storyline felt very “2019” to me (in a good way) — it touches on race, class, relationships, friendships, and even social media — and it did make me think. Still, I didn’t think any of the issues were particularly well-developed, I didn’t find any of the characters particularly likeable, and – while it was a quick read/listen – it didn’t leave a big lasting impression on me. (Lots of my favorite readers loved it though, so… maybe it’s just me. ??)

The Whisper Network by Chandler Baker

Like Big Little Lies in corporate America! I loved the “collective we” narrator and the message of this book about the challenges of being a working mom and a woman working in a male-dominated industry. Interesting and a little thriller-ish, but more of a social commentary on our times and a story of women supporting women! (This would pair GREAT with She Said!)

So, there you go! Do you agree with my reviews? Disagree? Let’s chat!

E

Well, August is over now, so I guess we can officially declare it the end of “Summer Reading Season.” From June thru August, I read/listened to 14 books. That certainly isn’t a record (Sam read more than double that), but I feel good about it. My theme this summer was most light and fun (beach reads if you will) but there was some literary fiction, memoir, and even one science fiction title thrown in too.

Here’s the whole list:

The Family Next Door by Sally Hepworth

If you remember, I discovered Sally Hepworth back in the spring when her newest novel, The Mother-in-Law, came out. I really liked that one and was intrigued by the premise of this one — the fact that anyone’s life can look “perfect” from the outside, but behind closed doors there is often SO much more going on — so I grabbed it at the library as my first official read of the summer and zipped right through it! It was definitely a page-turner that kept me up late several nights wanting to see what would happen next! Great character development and insight into female relationships / friendships, postpartum depression, marriage/faithfulness, etc. At times parts of the plot felt a little far-fetched to me; but, overall, this was an “easy” read that also wasn’t fluff.

Field Notes on Love by Jennifer E. Smith

Speaking of fluff… This is about two teenagers from very different worlds that had never met but end up on a cross-country train trip together. Not a ton of “meat” to it, but it was cute, and clean, and great for a rainy weekend or a day by the pool!

I Miss You When I Blink: Essays by Mary Laura Philpott (audio)

This was a delightful memoir about… Well, I don’t really know what it was about. Haha! Seriously though, Philpott’s voice is FUNNY and also smart. In 32 short, stand-alone essays, she writes about “midlife”, parenting, writing, overwhelm, and surviving as a Type-A / control-freak type in a world that, really, cannot be controlled. I related to SO much of what she had to say and found that I was moved to tears – either from crying OR laughing – in almost every chapter. (Big time Kelly Corrigan / Tell Me More vibes here… In the best possible way.) *This would be a great book for someone looking for something they can pick up and put down over a long period of time, and I thought the audio was great!

No Exit by Taylor Adams

On the one hand, I read this book – about a group of people stranded at a rest stop during a legendary snow storm – in basically two sittings, so it definitely drew me in; BUT, it wasn’t exactly an enjoyable experience… I can’t remember the last time a book creeped me out this much! To be honest, I wouldn’t even call it a “thriller” so much as a “horror” book. It is DARK. Good, but dark… If you’re looking for something to keep you up at night (both because you want to know what happens next AND because you have nightmares), this is your book… Just don’t say I didn’t warn you!

The Summer I Turned Pretty (Book 1) by Jenny Han

About the year the boys Belly had spent every summer with since she was a kid (the sons of her mom’s best friend) suddenly stopped seeing her like a little sister, this was another super sweet, light, and rated-PG (at the most) beach/pool read. For me, it didn’t compare to To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (which I LOVED), but I was still glad I read it… Just not glad enough to read the other two in the series! *P.S. Did you see THIS?!?!?!

Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes (audio)

I ADORED this book!!! In a nutshell, it’s a romance about a woman in her forties who loses her husband unexpectedly and, over time, “starts over” in a new relationship with a washed-up pro baseball player. That sounds so lame though, and this book was NOT lame. Haha. It is cute and light (and clean); but it also touched on some real stuff – like the complexities of grief and relationships. I also loved that it was a “middle-age-with-baggage” romance, instead of teens or twenty-somethings. (Does that make sense?) The characters were SO well developed, the relationship felt super authentic, and the story, in general, was just a delight all around. Add this one to your list if you haven’t read it yet!! *It was great on audio too!!

The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren

I literally read this in one sitting — I started in while laying in bed with Nora one night while she fell asleep, and found myself still laying there reading at 3AM — so, that should tell you something… It is a quick, fun read about the siblings of two newly-weds who end up taking their honeymoon for them and – you guessed it – fall in love. Honestly, there’s not a ton of substance to it, but it was perfect for a binge!! (Rated PG-13 maybe?)

Recursion by Blake Crouch (audio)

Here’s the thing, I KNOW this book is good. The storyline – about memories, time, and reality – is fascinating and ridiculously smart, the writing is STRONG, and there are all kinds of good life themes to make you think. SO many people I know loved this book. I think you should read this. Really, I do. BUT… I didn’t love it. 🙈 Honestly, I think I messed up by doing audio for it… Sci-fi (regardless of how “accessible” it is – and I think this one really is) is pretty difficult for me to follow, add to that the fact that this book is about time travel and jumps back and forth A LOT, and it was just too hard to keep up with without a tangible book to flip back and check dates etc. I think I would have liked this a lot more if I’d read it instead of listened, but… ce la vie (or do you?? 😉)!

Dear Wife by Kimberly Belle (audio)

Amy, of Mom Advice, said this was the closest thing she’d read to “the next Gone Girl,” so of course I had to check it out… I honestly don’t know what I can tell you about this one (besides that it most definitely is GG-ish) without giving away too much, but I ended up really enjoying it. It went fast, kept my attention the whole time, and surprised me a few times. That said, I didn’t love it as much as Amy (she gave it 5 stars, I only gave it 3). If you’re into the missing-woman-thriller genre, add this one to your list, for sure, but maybe don’t set the bar as high as I did!

Under Pressure: Confronting the Epidemic of Stress and Anxiety in Girls by Lisa Damour (audio)

This one took me a while to get through, but I think it has SUCH an important message. As a mom of a daughter and a high school teacher, I was literally taking notes as I listened to this. Very research-based, very accurate (based on my experience with hundreds of teenagers over the last decade or so). I’m considering buying this book to go back to when Nora is a little older too…

Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, Her Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed by Lori Gottlieb

I was kind-of obsessed with the beginning of this book – I devoured the first 100 pages or so and told everyone I knew about it. I just thought the “inside look” at therapy was fascinating, and I love the writers funny/sarcastic/light voice. Then… the second half dragged a bit for me. Since there isn’t really much PLOT per-se, I just found I never got totally pulled into it. Still, I love the topic, I love that people were talking about this book and normalizing therapy even more, and I want to be friends with Lori Gottlieb in real life (I hope this review won’t ruin my chances). I just could have done with 100 pages less…

The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin (audio)

This was our summer book club pick, and I put off reading it until the VERY last minute because I’d started it several years ago and wasn’t a huge fan. The concept – four siblings that visit a fortune-teller when they are kids and find out the date of each of their deaths – is awesome. I’d say the writing is “literary,” and I applaud Benjamin for the craft behind this. However, The story itself… had its ups and downs for me. After the opening, it is broken into four parts and tells the story of each main character growing up through their “death date.” It is dark – as you might imagine – in several places, and quite sad, but also very thought provoking. Surprisingly, my book club didn’t have a ton to say about it though… I’d say the writing is

The Dearly Beloved by Cara Wall (audio)

I started this one with some hesitation — the story of two Presbyterian ministers in NYC in the mid-century didn’t exactly “hook me,” – but I started it because 1.) I kept hearing great things about it, 2.) We recently started attending a Presbyterian church for the first time, and 3.) I wanted to give a copy of the book to my pastor and his wife – who were having us over for dinner soon – and I thought I should probably read it first. Haha. THREE DAYS LATER, I’d say this is MY FAVORITE BOOK of the summer (maybe even longer). I loved it!

This is about so much more than just these ministers… It is about faith AND doubt, marriage, motherhood, friendship, social justice, etc. etc. etc. It is BEAUTIFULLY written (definitely “literary fiction,” and I’ve seen several comparisons to Ask Again, Yes). It just checks all the boxes, and I WISH my pastor, my friends, etc. would hurry up and read this so I can talk about it with them. SO, SO good.

Three Women by Lisa Taddeo

Ok… and this one. SO many thoughts. (Are you tired or reading about this yet? I feel like it has been EVERYWHERE lately.)

This took me over a month to read, and I almost quit it several times. In the end, I’m glad I read it because it is getting SO much attention, and I like being able to talk about “hot” literature; BUT, it was a hard read for me and not a favorite by any stretch… By now, you’ve probably heard about the premise of this book: The author spent years talking to and following three “normal” American women and tells their stories – in alternating chapters – of the sexual relationships, desires, and traumas that shaped each of their lives. Initially, I picked this up because I’d heard it described as “empowering” for women to be able to talk about these subjects so openly and freely; but I really did not find that to be true. This book IS raw, and vulnerable, and honest. (Also, very sexually explicit – consider yourself warned.) I appreciated that it gave these three women a voice and a place to share their experiences. I think they are brave and strong for telling their stories. HOWEVER, I found so much of it just heartbreakingly sad – the opposite of empowering. The sex lives of these women, in my opinion, are NOT “ordinary,” but – with some exception – they are ruled by controlling, manipulative, and abusive men. The insight I gained from this book really wasn’t about female desire; but male desire, and the way that that often shapes and – ultimately – HURTS women. I’ll leave it at that for now, but if you’ve read this, I’d love to hear your thoughts!

And that’s it for Summer 2019!

Want to know what’s on tap next?! I just started Ask Again, Yes (finally), and here’s a quick peek at my library holds list:

What are you reading?!? What was your favorite summer book? I would love if you’d share in the comments! (And don’t forget to follow me on Goodreads & Instagram for real time book talk!)

XO, E

May was a good reading month for me! There were a couple of misses, but there were also a couple of big wins! I even read a couple of books in (almost) one sitting because I got so wrapped up in them, and SUMMER HAS STARTED, so… why not?

Here’s what I read in May:

Normal People by Sally Rooney

Normal People was a much-anticipated new release this month, and it’s already been short listed for several awards etc. I totally agree that the writing style is unique and strong; but, honestly, I just didn’t love it… It is the story of Connell and Marianne (I had to go look up their names to write this post, so, that probably tells you something). They begin an unlikely relationship in high school that follows them throughout college. The premise seemed like something I would enjoy, but I never really connected with the characters. Maybe because so much of their relationship was based on sexual chemistry / tension, but I didn’t feel invested. I didn’t really care if they ended up together; which, I guess was a good thing, because the ending left MUCH to be desired in my opinion… I’m not sad I read it – and obviously lots of other people are liking it – but it was just “meh” for me. (P.S. The author doesn’t use quotation marks in dialogue, which I found a little odd / distracting at the beginning, but I got used to it quickly!)

The Valedictorian of Being Dead: The True Story of Dying 10 Times to Live by Heather B. Armstrong (audio)

I recognized this author from her blogging days as Dooce, and – I admit – I was totally curious about the title… The memoir – which is about the author’s experience with an experimental treatment for severe depression that involved ten rounds of a chemically induced coma that made her effectively brain dead for a short time in an attempt to re-wire her mind – was extremely vulnerable and pretty fascinating from a medical perspective. It was also pretty dark and hard to read at times. I applaud Armstrong for courageously sharing her story – even the ugliest parts. I think her account of depression is one of the most realistic and authentic I’ve ever read. For someone struggling with severe mental illness, I think there is solidarity and – perhaps – options + hope to be found here. That makes this an extremely important book, for sure. From a strictly, “reader” perspective though, I’m kind-of undecided on the book… It was not enjoyable: at times it made me anxious, and, since she goes through the same treatment 10 times, it felt repetitive by the end… Still, I’m glad I read it, and learned a lot about both the human and the biological side of depression and the brain.

Fed Up: Emotional Labor, Women, and The Way Forward by Gemma Hartley (audio)

This book probably wins the award for “most talked about” this month. I have found myself bringing this up in conversation ALL.THE.TIME since I read it. I resonated with SO much of it, and it really made me think about why things are the way they are for women in our society today. The best part though was that I felt like Hartley struck the perfect balance of being FOR WOMEN without being anti-men. This wasn’t a woe is me book, and it wasn’t about splitting household duties or marriage tiffs or even about politics — it was about the INVISIBLE work that women do all.the.time (mostly without even realizing it) and it offered hope and practical advice for taking some of that weight off of us now and for future generations. I really loved it and have been recommending it like crazy!!

Tomorrow There Will Be Sun by Dana Reinhardt

I was really excited about this one — about family friends on a “dream vacation” in Mexico — but it missed the mark for me. It was an easy summer read. Too easy, I think. The plot – which had a lot of interesting components but never really developed any enough for my taste – just never drew me in. Oh well.

The Mother-in-Law by Sally Hepworth (audio)

I don’t know why I’m just now discovering Sally Hepworth, but – in the vein of Lianne Moriaty – she is GOOD! I really, really enjoyed this book. It has some twisty mystery elements; but, even more than that, it explores female relationships (particularly the mother-in-law / daughter-in-law but also mothers and daughters, sisters, etc.) so authentically. My own relationship with my MIL is VERY different from the one presented here; however, I think lots of women will find it quite familiar. It also addresses some complicated issues of mental health in a way that makes you think, but not too much for a “beach read.” I’m already halfway through another Hepworth novel and loving it too. Yay for a new author to binge!

The Girl He Used to Know by Tracey Garvis Graves

This book took me a little while to get into, but once I did, I read the last 200 pages in one sitting. Jonathan and Annika met in college and fell in love despite (or maybe because of) A’s atypical behaviors and awkwardness in social situations. They broke up rather dramatically and are reunited ten years later in 2001. The story alternates back and forth between the two time periods as their relationship develops and redevelops. I LOVED this love story. It was quirky and sweet, but also felt real and raw. Though I’ve read a couple of books featuring a male character on the autism spectrum, this was the first I’ve read about a female – and I thought it was very well done. There’s also a plot twist at the end that I 100% should have seen coming (the author basically BEGS you to notice the signs), but I completely missed it because I was so wrapped up in the relationship. I just loved this book. If you’re only taking one on vacation this summer, I strongly recommend it be this one!! #fivestars

And there you have it! I’ve got a BIG list ready for June and can’t wait to get going. Summer reading season is the BEST. What are you reading these days?!?! Have you read any of the above?!? Let me know in the comments!

XO,

E

P.S. Don’t forget to follow my reading in “real time” at #samandscoutreads on Instagram, and on Goodreads here: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/39685855-elizabeth

Hey friends. Long time no chat. Happy May! I’m back… for today, at least. 🙂

While I haven’t done much any blogging lately, I have been doing some reading, so… let’s talk about that…

I read six books in February and March, and six books in April (hey spring break)! As usual, I got most of my recommendations from Laura Tremaine and Annie B. Jones (and, apparently, Reese Witherspoon); and it’s pretty diverse in terms of content — some self-help/motivation, some nonfiction narrative, some thrillers, some literary fiction, and some “light” fiction. Just the way I like it!

Shall we?

Atomic Habits by James Clear

This book has gotten a lot of attention lately, and it’s for good reason. I’ve read quite a few books on habits actually, but this one definitely did introduce some new concepts, and I had a few “aha” moments while reading. In particular, I appreciated the way Clear connects our habits to our identity. For example, I have a habit of being late everywhere I go because I believe I am a person that is consistently late to things… On the contrary, I began identifying myself as a “writer,” once I developed the habit of consistently writing (here) and had the “evidence” (in the form of blog posts, followers, etc.) to back-up that identity… Anyway, this book was a quick, easy read that offered some new perspective on a subject I was already interested in and some practical tips for breaking and starting habits. I recommend!

The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai

The Great Believers is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. It was my Book Club pick for February, and it was the first book we’ve ever that was unanimously adored… Honestly, it’s that good. There are two distinct storylines presented — one follows a community of gay men in 1980s Chicago at the peak of the AIDs epidemic, and the other takes place in modern Paris as a middle-aged woman (the sister of one of the men from the 80s) searches for her estranged daughter. The result is a powerful, beautiful, and incredibly well-researched novel. Honestly, I was kind-of amazed by Makkai’s ability to make every character so alive and to, so effectively, weave together the past and the present while also informing me about a topic I had very little prior knowledge on. This is a must read!

The Last Mrs. Parrish: A Novel by Liv Constantine

I listed to this on audio as just something “light” while I did house work etc. over the winter. Essentially, it is a “psychological thriller” type book that felt like a perfect mash-up of Gone Girl, Girl on the Train, and Behind Closed Doors. The story was definitely well-crafted and kept my attention, but it wasn’t my favorite just because it felt so familiar. 

The Dreamers: A Novel by Karen Thompson Walker

This book was very different from my normal fiction choices – a little science fiction/fantasy-ish – but I ended up reading it pretty much in one sitting. I loved it!! The premise is a college-town that is overtaken by a strange “sleeping illness” that is spreading quickly and cannot be explained. The style is very lyrical – almost poetic – but also scientific and mysterious. It really is unique and beautifully written. While I agree with my friend Erika’s comment (hi Erika) that I’d have appreciated more answers/closure at the end; overall, it’s been one of my favorites so far this year. Fair warning though, I recommended this to my mother-in-law, and she said it was the “worst book she’d ever read” so…. who knows. Haha!

How to Raise an Adult by Julie Lythcott-Haims

It’s been a while since I’ve read a parenting book, and I really enjoyed this. I didn’t agree with every single thing the author said (of course), but I found that my parenting philosophies already lined up with hers in many ways, so I appreciated the practical tips for “raising adults.” There was a lot of talk about raising teenagers – which makes sense – but I guess I would have liked a little more about how to start this early too. Overall, a very worthwhile read that gave me lots to think about and felt VERY timely given the recent college admissions scandal in the news (which literally broke while I was reading this).

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

Of all the books listed here, this is probably the most “popular one” these days. Prior to reading, I had heard SO many people rave about it!! To be honest, I’d actually put off reading it because I had heard it was very descriptive and “nature-y” (my word), and I’m not really into that. Then, our Book Club chose this for March, and I ended up being glad I read it… I did NOT love it the way some people seem to (definitely not one of my top for the year so far), but I did find the story compelling and the writing beautiful (although, yes, too wordy at times). Side Note: I listened to this on audio and the narration was great, but I had to speed it up to 1.5x, because it was soooo slow. At that pace, it was just right! 😉

Girl, Stop Apologizing by Rachel Hollis

I admit, my feelings about Rachel Hollis have swung from being all-out obsessed (after reading Girl Wash Your Face in January of 2018), to being a little “overwhelmed” or even “annoyed” by some of her social media hype etc. in the last few months… I debated not even reading Girl, Stop Apologizing, but I am so happy I sucked it up and did. Nobody quite does motivational book writing (and narrating – I STRONGLY recommend this on audio) quite like Rach! She’s still got it, y’all!

Admittedly, some (a lot?) of this felt a little repetitive from Girl, Wash Your Face & her blog/podcast, and I thought there was a lot (too much) talk of money/wealth as a sign of success; BUT, in general, I still took a lot from this. Especially on audio, Hollis comes across as relatable AND inspiring. She is VERY honest, and, for the most part, I really appreciate that she practices what she preaches and makes no apologies for going after (and getting) the things she feels like she deserves. She isn’t preaching the gospel – this IS NOT a “Christian” book – and she shouldn’t be treated as an idol. Rather, she is a successful woman sharing what has worked for her and being PROUD of her accomplishments. Sometimes that pride comes across a little too strong, but as long as you can keep things in perspective (take what works and leave what doesn’t), it’s a great book. I got some practical advice and finished it feeling ready to tackle a challenge.

Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds

Daisy Jones & The Six by Tara Jenkins Reid

This is another book that’s gotten a lot of hype lately, but I think it is well-deserved. I’ve enjoyed other books by Tara Jenkins Reid, but this one was super different in terms of subject-matter and style. It’s about a rock band – which is NOT something I’d typically choose to read about (unpopular opinion: I don’t even really like music), but this book was SO good. I didn’t want it to end!!! It’s written like a really long interview piece in Rolling Stone or something, and it feels SO SO real — I can’t even tell you how often I wanted to Google the band to see pictures etc., but they don’t even exist! The character development is great, the plot is well-developed, and the unique format makes it easy/quick to read. ALSO, word on the street is that Reese Witherspoon has picked this up to turn into an Amazon Prime series so… you’re gonna read it ASAP! (P.S. I’ve heard a lot of people rave about the audio format for this one -several actors read the different parts, so I started it that way. However, I found the audio way too hard to keep up with, and I liked the written form MUCH better. To each their own I guess.  

Hey, Kiddo  by Jarrett Krosoczka

I read this over spring break in preparation for a Social Issue Book Club unit I started with my 10th graders when we came back. It came highly recommended from several trustworthy book-ish sites, and it’s a National Book Award Finalist, so I knew it would be good; BUT, I was a little nervous about it being a graphic novel (believe it or not, I’d never read one before)… I’m happy to report though, that I found the format SUPER easy to get in to, and I really enjoyed the book. It is a memoir about the author’s experience being raised by his “colorful” grandparents because his mom was a heroin addict and his dad was out of the picture. The topics it addresses are very real and important – especially for young people – and the style makes it incredibly accessible (almost fun, really). I also found out after the fact that Krosoczka wrote one of Sam’s favorite graphic novel series – Lunch Lady, so that was a fun connection for us, though he will NOT be reading this any time soon. Haha. Overall, I recommend this for anyone, but especially teens — by now, I’ve had five students read the book, and they all loved it too!! 

An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks

This was another thriller-ish “quick read” that I listened to audio. The premise really interested me — a girl who takes part in an anonymous psychology study on human morality and ethics — and the plot, which took several unexpected turns along the way, kept my attention. The storyline was, for the most part, original and the character development was good. There was no MAJOR twist, but the end was satisfying and it did make me think some about my own morality and ethics. 🙂

Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Start-up by John Carreyrou

Bad Blood is a long form investigative journalistic piece about Elizabeth Holmes – the founder and CEO of Theranos, a multi-billion dollar start-up that claimed to be revolutionizing blood tests – who has been in the news (and in a popular documentary and podcast) a lot recently after she has been charged with fraud. Carreyrou, a reporter for The Wall Street Journal, was the first to break the story of Holmes’ bad technology and misleading business. This book is the work of years of interviews and research that ultimately led to the charges against Holmes (and all the other “media” attached to her story). Overall, I typically enjoy this type of research-based-but-narrative-driven writing, and I found this very interesting! My only complaint was that it was a little too scientific and a bit too long to fully keep my attention for all 300+ pages. In other words, you could probably save yourself some effort and just watch the documentary or listen to the podcast instead; but I don’t think you’ll regret reading the book either. Haha.

So far, I’ve read 18 books out 52 (my goal for 2019), which Goodreads tells me is slightly ahead of schedule. 😉 Luckily, May – July is typically my best reading time (for obvious reasons), and there are SOOOO many good books and book lists coming out just in time for summer, so I’m hoping to keep up a strong pace. In fact, I will probably finish this one and this one over the weekend. 🙂

If you want to follow my reading in “real time” make sure you’re tracking #samandscoutreads on Instagram, and follow me on Goodreads here: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/39685855-elizabeth

I’d love to hear your thoughts on any of the books I mentioned above and/or what you’re reading lately!

XO,

E

*Not that anyone really cares, but for the record: I only include books that I’ve read “for work” when it is my very first time reading them, and I read them cover-to-cover. 🙂