Another year, and more books then I have time to read are on my shelf and in my digital library. Although I worked on expanding my sources of education during this second year of quarantine (thank you to Netflix's endless number of murder documentaries...), I will never abandon my books! So cheers to 2021's book list - an endless work in progress. #LetsGetLit
Color Glossary: Purple = Audiobook // Light Green = Physical Book
2021 Books:
1. Range by David Epstein - I sadly did not enjoy this book. Though it started off strong, focusing on the benefits of being a "jack of all trades" rather than a master of one... the book quickly became a laundry list of examples. I'd recommend reading the first quarter, maybe the first half of the book and then call it quits. ★★
2. Can You Ever Forgive Me by Lee Israel - I was intrigued by this book after seeing the trailer for the movie. It quickly takes you to NYC in the 80s with a not-so-likable main character who is fascinating to follow as her lackluster lifestyle throws her into a life of white-collar crimes. Worth the quick read. ★★★★
3. Together by Vivek H. Murthy - A fantastic book, especially given the impending 'year mark' of life in quarantine due to COVID-19. This book focuses on the importance of relationships and how they contribute to different aspects of growth, trauma, and life in general. ★★★★
4. The Wisdom of Sundays by Oprah Winfrey - Blurbs and insights taken from her Super Soul Sunday interviews, I liked the little words of wisdom passed on in this book. Nothing amazing, and as a Super Soul Sunday listener it was repetitive at times, but a good quick read for those who haven't been a follower. ★★★
5. A Woman of No Importance by Sonia Purnell - Fantastic! We listened to this during car rides and it was a riveting story of a WWII spy and her colleagues. With a fierce main character who battles Nazis in little everyday acts of sabotage, this book had me on the edge of my car seat. If you liked The Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly (recommended previously by me), I expect you'll enjoy this book as well. ★★★★
6. The Now Habit by Neil Fiore - Recommended by Natalie // This book was alright. Its focus is on procrastination - how to avoid it, how to push through it, and why you may be doing it in the first place. Though dry at times, it was helpful. ★★★
7. How to Avoid a Climate Disaster by Bill Gates - This book is so important, although very similar to 'An Inconvenient Truth by Al Gore' - just a little more scientific and breaks pollutants and problems down by segments that affect the globe. I'd give it 4 stars for its content but 2 for its repetitive/boring factor. ★★★
8. Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed - Recommended by Charlie // This was a unique read as it was a compilation of Cheryl's responses to people who wrote into her advice column 'Dear Sugar' over the years. She sectioned it by the topics people wrote in about. It was easy to stop and start again as no story was terribly long. A quick, but at times hard to read, due to the issues people sought advice for. ★★★
9. You're Not Listening by Kate Murphy - Everyone needs to read this book. It reteaches us that we have two ears and one mouth for a reason. Too often we listen to react rather than listen to understand, and this book not only discusses how this has become the norm in our society, but how to fix it on an individual level. ★★★★
10. Talking to GOATS by Jim Gray - I really enjoyed this book. Even though I'm not the biggest sports buff and I had no idea who Jim Gray was, hearing his experience as a sports reporter for some of the best athletes in the world was really cool. ★★★★
11. Night by Elie Wiesel - I think almost everyone has read this book in high school, but I personally felt it was important to revisit as an adult. It's the heart-breaking true story of Elie's life during the Holocaust and the strength and resolve his father instilled in him that pulled him through the most painful days. ★★★★
12. A Very Punchable Face by Colin Jost - Hilarious. Listening to Colin's life story was fascinating - he's much more than just the guy at the Weekend Update desk on SNL. Harvard grad, life-long New Yorker, and amazing storyteller. One of my favorite reads so far this year. ★★★★★
13. Group by Christie Tate - Reece Witherspoon's Book Club // I was really surprised at how much I enjoyed this book - a true story of a woman who on the surface had it all but struggled internally to feel like she was enough. Though some parts of the book were a bit too much information for my liking (i.e. sexual encounters and details of purging), I'd say it was a good read. ★★★
14. The All-or-Nothing Marriage by Eli J. Finkel - Not that I really expected the author to give me the "secret sauce" to healthy + successful relationships, this book was still not what I expected. It focused on how marriages have evolved in the last 100 years, emotionally, economically, ect., and what factors into the 'most successful' ones. Interesting read. An interesting read with a few hints along the way. ★★★
15. Keep Sharp by Sanjay Gupta - Recommended by Paula // I really enjoyed this book, it felt like an intelligent conversation with a friend who happened to be a family doctor. As someone who has Alzheimers/Dementia in their family, it was peppered with facts about what can cause it and how to keep your body in the best shape (mentally and physically) to prevent it. Highly recommend to everyone. ★★★★
16. The Giver by Lewis Lowry - This is one of my favorite books. I've read it every few years and it is such a great reminder of the importance of free-will, and how the storm clouds make you appreciate the sun. If you haven't read this since grade school, go read it again. ★★★★★
17. Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey - Recommended by Hillary // I really enjoyed this book. Matthew's life has been fascinating, filled with ups, downs, twists and turns - but his words of wisdom and nuggets of truths are even more entertaining than his quips about Hollywood. Highly recommend, listen to it if you can since he is the audiobook reader! Far better than just alright, alright, alright. ★★★★★
18. Is This Anything by Jerry Seinfeld - After Greenlights, this book was a let down. I'm sure it would be okay had it not been proceeded by such a great read. However, it was just a compilation of jokes Seinfeld had told over the years, peppered with a few that hadn't made any act yet. It lacked something, just couldn't tell you quite what that is. True humor, maybe? Or maybe I just don't like Seinfeld as much as I thought. ★★
19. The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning by Margareta Magnusson - This book was an oddly satisfying (in a Marie Kondo sort of way) and humbling way of looking at both death as well as how we all value physical possessions throughout life. As I am intrigued by Nordic countries and their people's philosophies about life, I liked this read, but it wasn't earth shattering with insights. Easy read but could be upsetting to someone who recently lost someone they love. ★★★
20. The Gift: 12 Lessons to Save Your Life by Edith Eger - It's not quite positivity that Edith focuses on, but perhaps freedom from the prisons we impose on ourselves from trauma and experiences we've had in life. As a survivor of Auschwitz, she draws on her own memories as well as others, to help readers explore their own mind's confines to grow, appreciate life, and be the best they can be. ★★★★
The Book Grave Yard: books I started but gave up on this year
Last year's "lesson learned" was 'life is too short to read a bad book'... this year, I took that to heart. There were several books this year I got two chapters in, sometimes even half way through, when I realized it just wasn't my cup of tea (or unfortunately, they expired in my virtual library before I could finish!). So, here is my 'book graveyard' of novels that I never finished.
1. Wintering by Katherine May
2. The Challenger Sale by Brent Adamson
3. The Art of War by Sun Tzu
4. Provence, 1970 by Luke Barr
5. The Case for God by Karen Armstron
6. Brief Answers to the Big Questions by Stephen Hawking
7. Paris is Always a Good Idea by Jenn McKinlay (still wanting to revisit!)
8. You Better Not Cry by Augusten Burroughs
9. The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo (still wanting to revisit!)
10. My (Part-Time) Paris Life by Lisa Anselmo (still wanting to revisit!)
11. Anxious for Nothing by Max Lucado