Books I love (2019-2020)
The Light we Lost by Jill Santopolo
One Day in December by Josie Silver
The Alice Network by Kate Quinn
Normal People by Sally Rooney
In 5 years by Rebecca Serle
The 7 Husbands of Evlyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Daisy Jones and the 6 by Taylor Jenkins Reid
We Were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter
Is everyone hanging out with out me? (and other concerns) by Mindy Kaling
I have always had a rather rocky relationship with reading. However, over the past few years I have began to love reading. Here are some of the books that have helped me with that new love. Growing up I struggled significantly with reading because I was diagnosed with dyslexia. While my younger sister was reading more difficult books than I was, I struggled to finish my timed tests, even though I knew the answers. I was lucky enough to have the resources to attend years of reading therapy before and after school to catch up and learn tricks to speed up my reading abilities. But, I still had a rough relationship with reading. While I loved reading newspapers and magazines to learn about history and current events, that often didn't fly for my reading logs, which only made me hate reading more. It was only after watching the first Hunger Games movie that I decided I had to read, so I could know what happened next. So, I read and read and read. I began to enjoy stories and learning. I never truly enjoyed reading until that point.
Once I got to college I got to the point that I actually enjoyed learning. After college I was missing reading so I began to read more and more in my free time. Though there are many benefits of reading, I find comfort in reading stories that other people have experienced. Being able to relate to one of the protagonists or even the antagonist in the slightest, helps drastically with anxiety and distractions.
Finally, here are my favorite books I have read over the past year (and the many, many books I have read during Covid)
The Light we Lost by Jill Santopolo, One Day in December by Josie Silver: These first two books remind me of each other, though their plots are very different and they are written in a different way of story telling. They are both bitter sweet stories about love, friendships, and how you collect people throughout your lives (which is something that I have become fascinated with). They are great stories, which I got through very quickly just wanting to know what happens next.
Normal People by Sally Rooney: This book has recently been made into a Hulu series. I enjoyed this easy and sometimes frustrating read. This story explores the complex relationship between young people in a romantic relationship. I highly recommend reading this story before watching the show.
In 5 years by Rebecca Serle: This book is a fascinating read that takes a new look on the classic interview question “where do you see yourself in five years.” The book starts as the main character goes into an interview to lay out her next five years, and as you may guess, her life does not go the way it is planned. This story poses the question does life have a plan for you or do you control your life.
The 7 Husbands of Evlyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid, Daisy Jones and the 6 by Taylor Jenkins Reid: These two stories are written by the same author and tell tales of Hollywood stars. They are not true stories but have elements of some of your favorite Hollywood legends. They are told in a very unique way, exploring relationships with fame and what it is that makes a star. I highly recommend both books told in unique ways that you won’t be able to put down.
The Alice Network by Kate Quinn: This is one of my favorite fictional war stories. It does not take place during a war, yet tells stories of those who lived through World War I and II, connecting and intertwining pieces of a family as a young woman tries to find herself. I love historical fiction and if you do too, I recommend this book.
We Were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter: This story is absolutely incredible. It is the only true story I listed, but it is about a Polish Jewish family that is separated at the very beginning of World War II. This book follows each piece of the family and their journey through this trying and horrific time. The story is hopeful and enlightening, about the struggles that Jewish and non Jewish families had to go through during the time of the war. I highly recommend this true story that highlights the human spirit and the importance of family and love.
Is everyone hanging out with out me? (and other concerns) by Mindy Kaling: One of my all time favorite easy reads. This book is a collection of essays by revolutionary writer, actress, producer, and show runner, Mindy Kaling. She writes about her unique childhood and what it is like to be a minority woman in an industry that favors old, white men in power. Her stories are light hearted, funny, and genuinely made me laugh out loud (which is hard to do with a book). I have not listened to the audio tape of this book, but it’s read by Mindy herself. I highly recommend picking it up for an easy and fascinating read.