READING FUN

This post was initially titled "SUMMER READING FUN," because that is when I started and never finished writing it.  I changed it to "READING FUN," because to me, reading is always fun and in season, and now it's winter - it's a great time to dive into something new! 🤷🏻‍♀️  I love getting book recommendations, and I also love giving them, so here are some that I've loved in the last year.

I should let you know that I read almost constantly, mostly by listening to audio books.  This doesn't work for everyone, but it is book magic for me.  It allows me to drive, do laundry, decorate cookies, clean up, etc. and READ all at the same time - win win win!  I've done book recommendations in the past, but it's been a long while.  You can see those HERE and HERE.

Also, a couple of these books have some bad language - I always like to warn people.  Know what works for you and what doesn't and read reviews if you need to.  But, they would mostly be rate PG-13 on the whole.

What To Say Next by Julie Buxbaum
This book is set in high school and deals with a little mystery, a lot of awkwardness and the general feelings that surround being a teenager and learning about people.  I loved that it felt true to that time of life without being overdone, and it deals with serious issues without being a total downer.

Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan

If you liked the movie, you will love the book even more.  Bonus - it's a trilogy, and it's biting, funny and sweet all at once.  Sometimes you need a little fluffy escapism, and this fits the bill.  Also, it makes me want to do an eating tour of Asia.

The Almost Sisters by Joshilyn Jackson

This book totally surprised me, because I wasn't sold based on the reading premise which has the protagonist comic book writer going back to her childhood home to get her grandmother's affairs in order.  But - it has deeper themes about racism, classism and family origins that are wound together in a compelling story that I ended up loving.

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

This was a Reece Witherspoon book pick, and it lives up to every bit of the hype.  Imagine a woman who grew up mainly in foster care and never was equipped to live life.  She is quirky, socially awkward and ultimately sad, but her life does not end up there.  It is beautiful and funny and heart-breaking, and I felt hopeful after reading it, which I imagine is hard to do with such subject matter.

Born a Crime by Trevor Noah



This past year I've really gotten into reading more memoirs, and this one was one of my favorites.  Trevor Noah grew up in South Africa during Apartheid, and his life story is so unlikely and tragic and comic all at the same time.  He reads the audio book which enhances it that much more.  I highly recommend this one!

The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall



This is actually a children's series that the girls and I listened to this past summer.  There are five books, and we LOVED reading them.  There are four Penderwick sisters and a widowed father, and these books are set in current society but have a much older feel, because they are sweet and rich in feeling.  I felt like I had the same feeling as when I read Anne of Green Gables, because the kids get into scrapes and learn lessons, but there is compelling story all along the way.  The books follow the family over several years.  I would have enjoyed reading them even if the girls hadn't!

So - this was gonna be a longer post with more recommendations, because I read 55 books in 2018.  But, since it took me over six months to write this one post, I've decided to end it here and maybe do one of these posts monthly - or at least every other month.  Would love to hear recommendations from you!  What are your favorite reads lately?!?