If you’re anything like me, you’re constantly trying to find more time to dedicate to reading. One of my 2020 goals was to read ten books—a goal I had no problem achieving only part way through quarantine. I was really reminded how much I love reading and have made so much more time for it this year. I’ve also found that it is the number one way to relax me after a long day. So, if you’re hoping to dedicate more time to reading, looking for new suggestions, or getting ready to curl up with a good book as we approach hibernating season—here is a list of my suggestions!
Reviews for Books I’ve Read Recently:
1. The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides- This book moved its way into my top favorites of all time. I absolutely love thrillers and mystery—this book gives you all of that and then some. I did not see the twist at the end coming at all, which really leaves you wanting more when the book ends. This book also does a great job developing the main characters throughout the story line, making you invested in both. Finding out the way that these characters interrelate is absolutely shocking. This was 100% my page turner of the summer.
2. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a #@%! by Mark Manson- Alison gave me this book for Christmas last year so it was one of the firsts I read in 2020. Anyone who knows me, know that this is a skill I mastered long ago. However, I still got a lot out of this book and really enjoyed every part of it. As a blunt person myself, I appreciate the tone of this book. I really liked how this book didn’t harp on being happy and positive all the time, but more so with being okay when things aren’t okay. Embracing that sometimes negative things happen in life and how to be realistic. This is not your average self-help book and its unique approach really makes you think about what may seem obvious, (e.g. not sweating the small stuff) in a whole different way.
3. Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng- I jumped on this bandwagon the minute I found out there was going to be a TV serious about the book. I thought the book itself was really good and the plot was very involved and covers a lot of life’s challenging decisions, stages, and relationships. I don’t think I have ever said this before, but I thought the series on Hulu was so much better than the book. I think the show took the potential of the book to a whole new level. I do think that the book and the show both leave you on a cliffhanger so that was my only disappointment with both. Overall, I would recommend this book if you haven’t already seen the show. I personally think I would not have enjoyed the book as much if I read it after watching the show.
4. What Remains by Carole Radziwill- This book is such a heart wrenching story about love and loss. This is a memoir by Carole Radziwill, who was married to the late Anthony Radziwill. Anthony was cousins with John F. Kennedy Jr. The book goes into the early life of Carole who was an ABC News Reporter for years. It talks about how her and Anthony met, their relationship as it progresses, and her relationship with John F. Kennedy Jr. and his wife Carolyn. Carole and Carolyn became the closest friends and the book talks a lot about their bond as well. Tragically, Carole loses all three of these people in her life—her husband to cancer and John and Carolyn in the plane crash. This book is gut wrenching in every way but is so beautifully written. All three of these tragic losses are known to most people but hearing these stories from Carole’s perspective really makes you think about the importance of love, friendship, and family.
5. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid- This one was also referred by a friend and now I recommend it to everyone I know! This is also another page turner and a super fast read. This is one of those books that you think you have it all figured out but wind up extremely shocked at the outcome—for me it was nothing that I expected. This is a great beach read that has the perfect amount of romance, drama, lust, and mystery. This is book is perfect when you’re looking for a fun read!
6. The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom- I am going to keep this review short and sweet. If you have not read this book by now, you have to bring it to the top of your list. I first read this book in early high school, I read it again in college, and for the third time while I was staying at my parents’ during quarantine. This is a book that I take something new from every time I read it and it’s one of my all-time favorites. I love Mitch Albom’s work and think he is an amazing writer; I highly recommend any of his books.
7. Into the Water by Paula Hawkins- This was the book I read in Puerto Rico early this year. I read ‘The Girl on the Train’ a few years prior and loved it so I was excited to read another Paula Hawkins book. This was a great thriller mixed with mystery. Another page turner that I couldn’t put down!
8. When Blood Breaks Down by Mikkael Sekeres- This is a book I originally read for work and I fell in love with it. I read this in three days and when I was done, I wished it never ended. This book is written by an oncologist who writes about three of his patients’ stories as they learn they have been diagnosed with Leukemia. This book will have you crying, laughing out loud, and most of all reflecting on your life. I was lucky enough to be able to meet Dr. Sekeres in a Zoom conference through work. He discussed is journey to becoming a physician, the patient that made him decide he wanted to go into oncology and his experiences as a hematologist treating patients just like those in his book. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to learn a little and gain a lot of perspective.
9. Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens- I have said it once and I’ll say it again—this is one of the best books I’ve ever read. I finished this in one day and could not put it down. This story does take a little bit of time to get into since you’re not sure where it’s going at first. However, the build up is worth it! This is a book that I know I will re-read as time goes on because it truly is such a special story of being strong, independent, and coming into your own.
10. No Excuses by Brian Tracy- This is another self-help book that I read a few months into working from home. I was really struggling finding my new normal and being productive in a remote environment. This book covers the power of self-discipline so I figured it would be a good read for the issues I was having working from home with no end in sight. To my surprise I actually found this book more helpful in other aspects of my life such as working out, maintaining a routine, small ways to work towards my goals, etc. Although I wouldn’t call this a page turner, I did learn a lot from it!
What I’m Currently Reading:
1. Verity by Colleen Hoover- This book was a recommendation from one of my roommates. I started it the next day because she couldn’t recommend it enough! So far, I’m hooked on this book! It is definitely a thriller and gets right into the plot which I really like. Sometimes I lose interest when there is a lot of character development in the beginning—not something you have to worry about with this book. I’m not even halfway through but am really invested and impressed so far!
Up Next for 2020:
1. Educated by Tara Westover
2. Everything I Never Told you by Celeste Ng
3. The Emperor of All Maladies by Siddhartha Mukherjee
4. The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
5. When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
This list is pretty well rounded in my opinion. I feel like there is a good mix of fun, thrill, serious, heartwarming, gut wrenching, and educational. If you have already read any of the above, please share your thoughts in the comments! If not, feel free to let us know which books you are now going to check out! If we missed any that are high on your list, we’d love to know about them.