2023: My Favorite Reads

 In 2023, I set these book goals:

• Read 60 books.
• Gift the books in my TBR stack after reading them.
• Write! Use this creative outlet to keep calm and share ideas with others. 

Here's what I accomplished:

• Read 68 books. 
• Gave away many of my hardcover/paperback books.
• I wrote six blog posts documenting the books I read each month. This happened each month during the first six months of 2023. I really enjoyed writing a monthly blog post, and I'm tinkering around with ways to restart this habit.

Originally, I rated 14 books with five stars. After reflecting, I've listed my true five star reads:

The Four Agreements

Hello Beautiful

Remarkably Bright Creatures

What Happened to You?

Demon Copperhead

A Court of Mist and Fury

The Gifts of Imperfection

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow

Mad Honey

Atomic Habits

Here are my favorite books by genre:

Best Nonfiction - The Four Agreements: This book is one that I know I'll read over and over. The author, Don Miguel Ruiz, shares four agreements to make with yourself to bring peace: 

1. Be impeccable with your word.

2. Don't take anything personally.

3. Don't make assumptions.

4. Always do your best. 

While this advice wasn't mind-blowing to me, the way it was presented was eye-opening. Oftentimes, I need a reminder of what is most important in my interactions with others. 

Best Fiction - Mad Honey: This book. Wow. It's not only the best fiction book I read this year, it's the best book I've read in a very long time. This story is told from two perspectives - Lily's and Olivia's. It's a story of love and loss, forgiveness and acceptance. I loved the way the story unfolds and challenged my personal opinions. More than once, I had to put the book down, take a deep breath and really think about the controversial topics in this book. In true Jodi Picoult style, she makes you question everything!

 

 

“We aren’t here on earth in order to bend over backward to resemble everybody else. We’re here to be ourselves, in all our gnarly brilliance.”

Best Historical Fiction - Hello Beautiful: This book was full of ups and downs, following William throughout his life as he joins a family through marriage. The reader learns about his past and how his trauma affects his relationships. The majority of this book is set in the recent past and pulls you in from the start. Loyalty and acceptance are themes threaded throughout Hello Beautiful and remind you that the people we get to do life with are so precious.

 

 

“When your love for a person is so profound that it’s part of who you are then the absence of the person becomes part of your DNA, your bones, and your skin.”

Best Thriller - The Housemaid: You know it's a great thriller when you devour it in less than 48 hours! This story is written from the perspective of two characters, and I absolutely loved how the book was divided into parts. The first part is from Millie, the housemaid. She was just hired to work for the Winchesters. She has a dark past and is concerned that she could be fired at any time because of it. The second part is written from the perspective of Nina, the woman who hired Millie. This book is full of twists and turns and had me flipping the pages so quickly! After this book, I read the sequel, The Housemaid's Secret, which was just as great. In the summer, Frieda McFadden, the author will release a third book in this series, The Housemaid is Watching. I cannot wait to read it!

Best Fantasy - A Court of Mist and Fury: I loved following Feyre in the second book of the A Court of Thorns and Roses series. My favorite element was her bond with Rhys and how it develops through this novel. Be warned. This is a looooong book. While I was captivated by the story, I had to take a lot of breaks and orient myself to the table of contents to see where I was in the book. However, it felt really good to immerse myself in the fantasy world. I read the first three books in this series in 2023, and I'm saving the last two for 2024.

Best Audiobook - Hello, Molly!: It felt like such a special treat to listen to Molly Shannon read her memoir. I adored Molly on Saturday Night Live, and I knew I wanted to hear her story. I was pulled in by the first chapter where she shares about the tragic deaths of her mother, sister, and cousin when she was just four years old. Her life was shaped by the aftermath, and her resilience is truly incredible. I especially enjoyed learning about Molly's journey to success with SNL. I immediately followed her on Instagram after listening to this book and love getting a sneak peek into her life!

Overall, I noticed that I read a great variety of books this year. I used my Kindle Unlimited app more and waited, ever so patiently, for books from the Libby app. I rediscovered my local bookstore, Katy Budget Books and traded books for credit to purchase used books. Of the books I read this year, I purchased less than ten of them (Kindle Unlimited doesn't count, right? LOL). As I look forward filling 2024 with reading, here are my goals:

• Read 70 books (this breaks down to approximately six books each month)
• Continue to give away or trade physical copies of books that I read.
• Write more! Writing brings me so much joy; sharing about the books I read truly excites me. I will continue to combine these two loves of mine. 

Now it's time to grab the first books of 2024, Tiny Habits (KU) and Yellowface (Libby), snuggle up, and read! Yeah, whatever!

Summer is for Reading! June 2023 Books

A Secret in the Family (Kindle Unlimited) While I was curious to see how this book ended, I had a moment pretty early on where I accurately predicted the ending. The book lacked suspense and had me wanting to just finish it. It was a short read, and I’m grateful for that. I don’t think I could have stuck it out more than 240 pages! ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Golden Hills (Novella - Kindle Unlimited) This story connected the main character’s current life with a blast from the past from summer camp at Camp Golden Hills. I loved this quick read because it connected to the same weight loss camp from The Breakaway, and Abby made a cameo. While it was just 50 pages, it was a great story of forgiveness and perception. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Class (ARC - NetGalley - Release Date - Nov. 7, 2023) Recently, I read Maid by Stephanie Land, so when I noticed she had written another book, I put in for a request to read it! She writes in a way that continually pulls me in and has me wanting to hear more of her story. Land doesn’t shy away from the details of her challenges, sharing stories of hunger, poverty, and longing for a better life for herself and her child. One element that really stood out to me was how judged she felt during these years in poverty. Although she was giving her very best, it was often perceived as less than enough. Land’s memoir details themes of perseverance, courage, and commitment. I hope that Land continues to write and tell her stories! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Hello, Molly! (Libby - audiobook) It felt like such a special treat to listen to Molly Shannon’s memoir narrated by Molly herself. I absolutely adored Molly when she worked on Saturday Night Live, and I knew I wanted to hear her story. I was pulled in by the first chapter when she shares the tragic deaths of her mother, sister, and cousin when she was just four years old. Her life was shaped by the aftermath, and her resilience is truly incredible. I especially loved hearing about her days before she made it big on SNL. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Aspiring Principal (Paperback): This was a quick easy read. I liked the question/answer format. I will keep this book handy to refer to when I need to center myself. There are many reflective questions surrounding balance and boundary setting that I will write out responses to before I begin my new role in July. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A Court of Mist and Fury (Kindle): I loved following Feyre's journey in this book. My favorite element was her bond with Rhys and how it developed throughout this novel. Be warned; this is a loooooong book. While I was captivated by this story, I had to take lots of breaks and orient myself to the table of contents multiple times to see where I was in the book. 

I’m Glad My Mom Died (audiobook - Libby): I’ll never forget the summer my cousin, Kelsey, visited me when Izzy was just a baby. We watched episode after episode of iCarly, and I loved the witty humor of Sam Puckett, Jeanette’s character. It’s truly incredible that she was able to perform like she did while facing challenges with her home life and eating disorders. While I enjoyed hearing Jennette’s story and how she faced so many challenges, I did not enjoy the graphic details of her sexual interactions. I’m sure the author deemed the details necessary for her purposes, but I was really turned off (pun intended) as a reader. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

A Court of Wings and Ruin (Kindle): This is my favorite book in the ACOTAR series (so far)! If you like fantasy, give this series a try, but be prepared for some spicy scenes. 😳 I especially loved the ending and teared up multiple times. It was hard to keep up with all of the characters and plot lines at times, so going back to reread was helpful. Just two books left in this series! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

So since we're at the mid-point of 2023, here are my top reads so far. What is your favorite book that you've read so far this year? I need to grab some new books for the rest of 2023... I say as if my nightstand and Kindle aren't overflowing with books! Yeah, whatever! 

"May" I Recommend a Few Books? (May 2023 Reads)

I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness (Libby - audiobook) Austin Channing Brown begins this book with the story of her name: a name given to her, intentionally, by her parents... a white man’s name. She shares the racism she faces each and every day as a black woman. As I read this book, I thought about the realities of racism that is still very present in 2023, and the microaggressions I observe. In the last chapter, Austin talks about resting in the shadow of hope. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

November 9 (Libby): Wow! In typical Colleen Hoover fashion, this book was a page-turner! I fell in love with Ben and Fallon and the connection they have on November 9th. I also enjoyed a cameo from Miles and Tate from Ugly Love! (Ben’s brother Ian is a pilot and became friends with Miles in flight school.) There were many twists and turns in Ben and Fallon’s story, and this book left me with feelings of hopefulness and healing. 

Artfully Teaching the Science of Reading (paperback): I enjoyed learning more about the science of reading through this engaging text. The context of an artful approach to teaching evidence-based reading skills was just what I needed to continue to grow in my learning about the Science of Reading. As educators, a big part of our job is to create life-long learners who are truly engaged in reading. The ideas shared in this book inspire me to keep a love of learning at the forefront of instructional decisions. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Love the One You’re With (Kindle Unlimited): Ellen has a wonderful life. She’s married to her best friend, Margot’s brother, Andy, and works as a photographer in NYC. When she sees her ex-boyfriend, Leo, in the middle of the street in a crosswalk one day, old feelings come to the surface. Ellen faces a challenge: find contentment in her current relationship or find answers to the reason her former love was lost. This was a quick, easy read for me and felt predictable. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Breakaway (Advanced Reader Copy - Releases August 28, 2023) Abby is content in her relationship with Mark, who she met at age thirteen at weight loss camp. However, just before they reconnected on their thirties, she had one steamy night with Sebastian. He often crosses her mind and has her wondering 'what-if'. When Abby’s friend Lizzie asks her to lead a bike trip from Philadelphia to the Canadian border, Abby is thrown for a loop when two unexpected guests show up for the ride. Jennifer tacklees controversial issues in both the main- and sub-plots. Be ready for your thinking to be pushed. This was a great book that I devoured in just a couple of days. Jennifer Weiner is now one of my “go-to” authors! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Just a few days into June, I've started multiple books. Another ARC - Class by Stephanie Land, an audiobook - Hello, Molly! A Memoir by Molly Shannon, The Aspiring Principal by Baruti Kafele, and I just downloaded the ENTIRE A Court of Thorns and Roses series! 

Ask me what my summer plans are. Reading! (That is, after I return from a trip to the library to get my library card renewed!)

Yeah, whatever!

April Audiobooks Bring May Magazines?!

April was a month for audiobooks! Toward the end of the month I struggled to sit down and focus to read, so I went to my trusty Libby App to find some audiobooks to get me out of the slump! I finished two audiobooks in April and finished a third just a few days into May. Audiobooks, novellas, and reads by my favorite authors are my go-to when I’m struggling with reading. 

Where We Belong (Kindle Unlimited): This book by Emily Giffin was a page-turner! The story alternated between the perspectives of two characters: Marian and Kirby and focused on their connection. Honesty, vulnerability, shame, and acceptance are big themes in this story. I feel like I can’t share too much of the plot without spoilers, but I will share that there were times that the story felt predictable and too fast-moving. Overall, I enjoyed the story and would recommend it! I love books by Emily Giffin! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Bodyguard (Checked out via Libby): I’ve waited weeks to read this book! #libraryholdstruggles While this book was a bit predictable and fluffy, it was a page turner, and I finished it in just a couple of days. Hannah is chosen by her security firm to work the Jack Stapleton case. Jack is a celebrity with looks and charm to prove it. Recovering from a recent heartbreak, Hannah finds this job challenging for multiple reasons. See what I mean about predictability! Another thing that bothered me about this book was that the author shifted from first to second person point of view throughout the text, speaking directly to the reader from a place of already experiencing the events. The story is written in past tense, but the narrator pulls apart and speaks to the reader in the moment and it was weird for me. If you’re looking for a quick weekend read or a beach read, try this book!  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Hello Stranger: (ARC) Sadie is working hard to show her dad, stepmother, and stepsister that she is perfectly independent and successful as a portrait artist; however, the truth is that she’s living in her hovel studio atop her best friends’ parents apartment complex and barely surviving on the pay from her Etsy shop. Everything changes  when she is selected for a portrait contest, with the top prize of $10,000. Before Sadie can begin working on this portrait, she is involved in an accident. This results in temporary face blindness; this not only makes it difficult for Sadie to recognize people, but it also makes it challenging for her to paint portraits. While this book was a quick, easy read for me, I felt that it was a bit cheesy and predictable at times. About halfway through, I knew exactly how the story would end. Also, this is the third book I’ve read with a character who has face blindness. I found that interesting! ⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Gifts of Imperfection (audiobook): This is the second time I’ve read this book, and, wow! I really needed to hear the ten guideposts again. Brene’s work reminds me that I am enough and to be my authentic self. One part that really stood out to me is the guidepost on creativity. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Alchemist (audiobook): This book fell flat for me. I expected much more. I recently read two other books where this book was mentioned - Maid & The Gifts of Imperfection, so I was excited to read it. I was extremely disengaged, and the ending seemed sudden and like there was more left to the story. The only reason I finished it was because it was on audio. It felt like a parable mixed with adages, and I got the gist of it pretty early on: go for your dreams, never give up, yada, yada…⭐️⭐️

The Second Life of Mirielle West (Kindle Unlimited): This historical fiction book tells the story of Mirrielle West, the wife of a celebrity, and her stay at the only leper colony in the US. Loosely based on a true story, Mirielle faces injustices and ridicule while also building a new life inside the colony. The only hope of leaving are 12 consecutive negative tests. Mirielle makes friends and begins working to help the doctors at the colony, quite opposite of her glamorous life at home. Letters from her husband, Charlie, shed light on the realities of her not-do-perfect home life and left me wondering about the best place for Mirielle… in California with her family or in Louisiana with the other lepers, where she’s growing into her true self and truly accepted? ⭐️⭐️⭐️

As I approach a stack of physical and digital books in my TBR, I’m going to continue using my “slump” strategies to choose my books for May. May is a busy month in the life of an educator, so I know I'll have challenges with the volume of reading I'd like to do this month. As finish writing this post, it is the middle of May. At this time, I've finished one audiobook, one book by a favorite author, and one short professional book. My next read will be another book by a favorite author. Reading slump... yeah, whatever! 

Mind-blowing March Reads!

Mad Honey: This collaboration between Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finnegan Boylan was beautifully so written. The story is told from two perspectives - Lily and Olivia. It is a story of love and loss, forgiveness and acceptance. In typical Jodi Picoult fashion, as story unfolds my personal opinions are challenged. More than once, I put down my book and had a conversation with Greg about the controversial topics highlighted in this story. My key takeaway: if you aren’t in the situation, you’re really not entitled to an opinion. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Measure: The plot of this story was so interesting to me. Each person in the world age 22 and older receive a wooden box on their door step. Inside the box is a string. As people share about their string, they notice different string lengths. Soon, research shows that string length correlates with the length of one’s life. This book follows the perspective of eight characters, sharing their experiences and the impact of the string in their lives. At times, I felt like the story dragged on; however, I absolutely loved the ending. ⭐⭐⭐

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow: If you are a child of the 80s & 90s and grew up with advancements in video games, you will love this book. Know that the gaming does not overpower the elements of friendship, love, and loss. I became friends with Sam, Sadie, and Marx, learning more about each of them as I turned each page. There were times when I rooted for each of them and times when I internally screamed at them! The story was beautifully wrapped up at the end and left me with a feeling of hopefulness. This is a must read!⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

None of This is True: This is the thriller for which I have been waiting! Lisa Jewell pulled me in from the first chapter where Josie, part-time seamstress, and Alix, popular podcaster, unexpectedly meet on their shared 45th birthday and coin themselves birthday twins. While the relationship is awkward, Josie persuades Alix to befriend her and record the story of Josie’s life for a new style of podcast. The relationship is intense, yet Alix just can’t stop meeting with Josie to hear her back story. The book is written so the reader experiences each day that the two spend together working on the podcast along with snippets of both the podcast and a Netflix documentary telling the story. I devoured this book in just a few days, staying up late each night to read just one more chapter! If you enjoy thrillers, this is a book for you! Note: This was my first ever ARC (advanced reader copy); this book will be released on August 8th. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Maid (audiobook): This autobiographical account of Stephanie Land’s journey to overcome homelessness shares the challenges of her experiences as a single mother. Getting an insight into her life provided me with a new perspective on poverty and just how difficult it is to get out of that space. While Stephanie’s perseverance is inspiring, I wouldn’t recommend this book. It was repetitive and predictable. I’ve heard the Netflix mini-series is great, so check that out instead! ⭐⭐⭐

Mad Honey and Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow are definitely “five star” mind-blowing reads for me! If you had to pick just one book from my reads this month, choose Mad Honey. Does this make Mad Honey a true five star pick? Maybe this is what designates a five star read from a four star read... or maybe I'm overthinking it... yeah, whatever!

Flying Through February!

And just like that, February comes to a close! This short month had me grabbing books I knew I’d quickly devour and left me with four books to recommend and one that was a flop.

The House Across the Lake: I was craving a thriller and was hoping to get my fix with this book. As I began reading, I enjoyed the flashbacks to “Then” and flashforwards to “Now” in the storytelling. More than once, I had to go back and reread as the story unfolded. The main character, Casey, uses alcohol to cope with the loss of her husband, and it blurs her interactions with her lake house neighbors. A neighbor goes missing, and Casey gets involved. This book gave me Girl on the Train and Gone Girl vibes. The twist at the end was interesting, and, honestly, it shifted my opinion about this book. I had more than one “oh geez” moment as I wrapped up this book. If you’re looking for a good thriller, pass on this one. 

Nora Goes Off Script: This book was a quick, easy, somewhat fluffy read. It felt a little too fluffy in the beginning, but halfway through the book, tension appeared, and had me waking up at 6 am to find out what happens to the main characters, Nora and Leo. I loved the contrast between Leo’s movie star life and Nora’s simple life. I especially loved envisioning the Tea Room on her property! The description of that room made me want to brew a cup of tea, grab my laptop and a few pencils, and write and read! 

"The best antidote to old memories is new ones."

The Office BFFs: If you are a fan of The Office, you must listen to this book on audio! I enjoyed listening to Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey narrate this book and share stories of friendship and behind the scenes happenings at Dunder Mifflin. I teared up listening to them talk about the finale. If you love this book, listen to The Office Ladies podcast! Jenna and Angela rewatch each episode and share more “fast facts” about their experience as actresses on the show. Highly recommend! 

"I wish there were a way to know you were in the good old days before you actually left them." -Andy Bernard

Promoting Rigor Through Higher Level Questioning: This book provides clear guidance on lifting the level of questioning in the classroom. Not only did I flag pages with question stems to support writing higher level questions, but I also flagged powerful research that supports best teaching practices. My favorite highlight from this book was this:

“Continue to reflect on your practice. If you ever get to the point in your teaching career where you say, ‘I’ve got this now,’ then you are doing something wrong. You will never ‘get this now’ because teaching is not made of widgets and programs - human beings are constantly evolving and changing… if you are teaching correctly, you will feel uncomfortable for 30-plus years…”

Taking Her to Mykonos (Kindle Unlimited) - This book was slow to start for me, and I had trouble tracking the characters at first. About halfway through, I was hooked! Four friends and sorority sisters relived an overseas backpacking trip to say a final goodbye to their friend Anna and spread her ashes in Mykonos, Greece. The final chapters had me sobbing and reflecting on living life to the fullest. 

A Court of Thorns and Roses: If as a young child, you, like me, were a bit disappointed when Beast turns back into a prince at the end of Beauty and the Beast, then A Court of Thorns and Roses is for you! I love the strong female main character, Feyre, and the hunky shapeshifting faerie who holds her captive.  into a magical world full of challenges and love. This is the first book in a series, so I know what I’m going to be reading for the next couple of months. Now if book two will just come available from the public library! Yeah, whatever! 

More About the Books I Read in January!

I love to read. I also love to talk about the books that I love to read. This year I decided to share more about the books I read each month, and I hope this blog inspires you to read a book or two from my recommendations!

Radically Content: This book has been on my TBR list for a loooong time! I started following the author, Jamie Varon, on Instagram a few years ago, and I love her inspirational posts. She writes in relatable ways, and I’ve felt very connected to her ways of thinking about our journey in life. When I saw she was writing a book, I knew I had to read it! Back in December, I saw that it was on sale for $2.99 on Kindle, and I immediately purchased it! I highlighted 55 quotes from this book and some of the quotes were entire paragraphs. This book provides practical advice for enjoying the journey instead of focusing on the destination. I will come back to my highlighted quotes time and time again. 

“We’re completely ignoring that the most important opportunity of our lives is right in front of us, waiting to be noticed: finding a way to be happy right here, right now, exactly rooted in what our life currently is.”

Five Winters: I downloaded this book as my December choice for Amazon First Reads. Of course, I felt the need to consume a few winter-themed books over the holiday season. This book was great! It followed the main character through five years, highlighting the changes that came about in her life each winter. It was a story of love, loss, and reunion. I especially loved that the story was set in England. 

Maybe Not: This novella is the second book in the Maybe series by Colleen Hoover. I read the first in the series, Maybe Someday, back in December. One of the main characters, Ridge, is deaf, and the book highlights his talents as a musician. This story also shares some challenges he faces. This novella shines light on Warren and Bridgette, Ridge’s roommates, and it is SPICY! This book reminded me a lot of Finding Perfect, the novella in the Hopeless series. I love reading novellas, especially when I’m in a busy season of my life. 

Maybe Now: This book wrapped up the Someday series by Colleen Hoover. It was great to see how the characters continued their friendship, adding some closure to the series. I especially enjoyed the chapters from Maggie’s perspective. The new character, Jake, was a great addition to the cast of characters. In the acknowledgem ents CoHo shares that this book was published chapter by chapter online. How neat!

Atomic Habits: I devoured this book, and the practical advice I was able to immediately apply to my daily life. I especially loved how the author talks about starting small with daily habits. We often think that we have to work out for an hour or diet so drastically to make a big change. He recommends forming the habit first and building from there. I’m currently working to build in a daily yoga practice, starting with just ten minutes each day. My friend recommended buying a physical copy of this book to mark up, and I’m so thankful I did! This is a book I will refer back to often. 

“We all deal with setbacks but in the long run, the quality of our lives often depends on the quality of our habits. With the same habits, you’ll end up with the same results. But with better habits, anything is possible.”

The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell (Kindle Unlimited): I listened to this book on audio and was immediately drawn in by the challenges of a man who was born with red eyes. I loved the flashbacks, which provided context to the present challenges Sam was facing. I highly recommend this book!

“You are every bit as normal as any other boy, in here, where it counts. Our skin, our hair, and our eyes are simply the shell that surrounds our soul, and our soul is who we are. What counts is on the inside.”

Up next? I always have five ebooks on hold through the public library (#nerdalert), and two books popped up while I was reading The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell: The Kitchen House and a Court of Thorns and Roses. I also have a stack of books on my night stand! I’m almost finished with The House Across the Lake (great thriller), and I’m excited to start Lessons in Chemistry. 

What a great problem to have… deciding which book to devour next! Yeah… whatever!