One of my personal goals for the year was to challenge myself to read 100 books. I KNOCKED IT OUT this last month, and reached my goal! It was harder than I thought to reach this goal, but felt pretty great accomplishing it. Without further ado, here is a review of each of the books I’ve read this past month!
“Girl Online: Going Solo” by Zoe Sugg was a clever and heartwarming wrap up to her Girl Online trilogy. It is a story of friendship, love, overcoming fears and obstacles and being true to yourself. I for one hope she comes out with more novels, even if they aren’t in this Girl Online universe. Her writing is light and airy yet deep. It’s hard to explain, but easy to read and enjoy.
“Bloom: Navigating Life and Style” by Estee Lalonde was a lovely novel. It follows Lalonde’s life, but also focuses on giving the reader the confidence to live the life perfect for them. The novel feels a lot like one of her YouTube videos, crafted and designed well, and full of funny moments, sad moments and honesty. Loved it!
“The Magnolia Story” by Chip Gaines was so incredibly interesting. I imagine it would be more interesting for fans of their show ‘Fixer Upper’ on HGTV (which I am) but I think it would also appeal to someone who has no clue who they are. (If such a person exists). There are so many tidbits of their history and how they got to where they are now. Two thumbs up!
“Life Without Envy: Ego Management for Creative People” by Camille DeAngelis was self-indulgent and honestly pretty boring at times. It is meant to help creative people manage their egos, but I found that it regurgitated many common thoughts and the organization was jumpy and disjointed. Not worth a read- just stick to the other countless creativity based books in the same vein, they are generally better reads and not so yawn-inducing.
“The Old Man and the Sea” by Ernest Hemingway is a classic. I’ve heard that one either loves or hates it. Not having read it before I was most curious to see which side of the spectrum I would land on. I loved it. So poetic and sad, but so so beautiful at the same time.
“Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Bronte is more than just a love story. It is the forming of a strong and independent female protagonist. One from the nineteenth century! She is forced to make her own way in life without the luxury of a rich male relative. She is a rebel. She sets out to have her own career in a male-dominated world, and refuses to let anyone rule her life. A must read.
“Margarita Wednesdays: Making a New Life by the Mexican Sea” was slow in the making, but that made the ending that much sweeter. I guess what they say about the journey being the adventure is true. Give this one a chance, it’s worth it. All the happy tears.
“My Story” by Elizabeth Smart was so emotional and raw. Again, a book I would not have easily gotten through if it were not for the joys of Audio books. Read by the author, and the woman who experienced this nightmare herself it is an incredible book to listen to. If you remember her story in the news like I did, give this book a listen, you’ll not regret it.
“The Giver” by Lois Lowry was another classic I’ve not ever read. It was pretty fantastic, although not exactly what I was expecting, having watched the 2014 movie of the same name. I have my own thoughts on what the ending means, what are yours?
“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Original Screenplay” by J.K. Rowling was freaking incredible. I watched the movie before reading the screenplay, and let me just say- Rowling is a genius and this is the most amazing thing. It is exactly what the movie is. I can’t get over it. Can’t wait for the rest in the series of FIVE!!!
“The Peach Keeper” by Sarah Addison Allen was interesting, but definitely my least favorite by Sarah. I love her novels, they are so magical and come together in unexpected and lovely ways- except for this one. I found it fairly predictable and slightly rambling.
“Please Make This Look Nice: The Graphic Design Process” by Peter Ahlberg was an interesting read on multiple graphic artist’s thoughts on creativity, their profession and their work process, (if they have one). As an artist with a lower case ‘a’ myself, I found their interviews very interesting and in numerous locations similar to my experiences.
“On Living” by Kerry Egan was one of the best novels I’ve read all year. I actually listened to it on Audio book- read by the author it was inspiring, tear jerking, and hopeful. Egan is a hospice chaplain, and this novel is her compilation of stories from those who were dying or caring for the dying. I cannot recommend this book enough.
“Christmas Days: 12 Stories and 12 Feasts for 12 Days” by Jeanette Winterson was a big disappointment for all the fuss it has been creating. It is basically twelve ‘Christmas’ stories followed by a little personal story and recipe. Only a few of the stories I liked, and in general it was not very ‘Chrissmasy’ at all.
“Victoria” by Daisy Goodwin was a fantastic book, and I’m happy it was the one that got me to 100 this year! It is essentially a novel following Queen Victoria from a little before her coronation to just after she asks her husband to marry her. It is fiction, so of course Goodwin took liberties with the particulars, but the essentials seem (to me at least) match up with history. A page turner, this one!
That’s books 86 through 100!
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Click here to see my goals for 2016
You can also see my goals for 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012 and my bucket list!
‘The Underground Railroad’ by Colson Whitehead was a fantastic listen on audio book. It was so poetic yet straightforward. The acts that white men committed made me literally sick to my stomach. We follow Cora’s story. She is a young lady coming into womanhood on a plantation in the South. She escapes and we hear her story and that of others around her. I imagine this would be a tough read if I had to actually read the words myself. Listening to it on audio book helped, although it was still hard to listen to.
‘God and the Afterlife’ by Jeffrey Long was the most amazing book. It is written by a doctor who collected research on individual’s near death experiences, and what they saw while nearly or medically deceased. It is the largest ongoing study on this subject. I found this book fascinating and at many points incredibly awe inspiring and hopeful. It is specifically written looking at the experiences people had with God and many of them share similar traits. So amazing. Totally recommend this book.
‘The School of Essential Ingredients’ by Erica Bauermeister is a pretty spectacular novel. It follows the lives of those taking Lillian’s cooking class- as well as the proprietor herself. It reads with such a flow that one is inspired by simple words. As a foodie it inspires thoughts of cooking and eating as well. Each student has their own background they bring to the kitchen and work through it in their own way. At times it is difficult to keep track of them listening to the audio book, but otherwise a fantastic read.
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