- Books read: 7
- Pages read: 2,427 pages
- Put on your holiday shopping list/To-Read List: Tell Me More
1) Tell Me More: Stories about the 12 hardest Things I’m Learning to Say – Kelly Corrigan
My review: 4.9/5.0
I loved this book so much! Kelly Corrigan caught my attention (and perhaps my heart a bit) on one of her first books “The Middle Place”, and I have read a few more of hers since then. She is just fabulous and has such a tremendous gift with words. She is relatable, hysterical, tender, cynical, sentimental and more. She had me laughing through tears (one of life’s greatest emotions) and I highly recommend this book. I read it in one day (almost all in one sitting) so even for those of your people that don’t love to read, I am almost positive they will enjoy this one!
2) The Tattooist of Auschwitz – Heather Morris
My Rating: 4.2/5.0
This book follows the real-life story of Lale and Gita – who meet of all places in Auschwitz. Of course, it’s a horrifying tale, any book on the Holocaust is, and I loved hearing about their story. I guess, at times, or maybe just this time – I kept wondering how much of this is real. In the front of the book, it says this book is a work of fiction…. what? But it was based off interviews with Lale himself before he passed. It made me wonder, why isn’t it all just true then? How much of it is, and what isn’t? Anyway, I loved the pictures of them, and their lives after the camp at the end of the book, but found myself confused about what is real or not.
3) Where the Crawdads Sing – Delia Owens
My Rating: 4.3/5.0
This book! Ok, a debut novel for Delia Owens. Her background in wildlife definitely shows through here, with all the talk of the North Carolina small town and living life in a marsh. This novel follows the ‘marsh girl’ or Kya – and her story of isolation and heartbreak – which is so beautifully described in this book. It’s such a unique story that it will stick with me for quite a while. I really enjoyed this book!
4) A Place for Us – Fatima Farheen Mirza
My Rating: 4.0/5.0
This is a wonderful story focused on a Muslim family. This book was all about family, their ties, their difficulties, and their ties that bind them together. I loved the focus on a different faith, one that we don’t often see written in contemporary fiction, and learned a lot about the practice, belief, customs, traditions of the Muslim faith. Great story!
5) A Spark of Light – Jodi Picoult
My Rating: 3.8/5.0
Jodi Picoult has been around since I started really getting into reading. And at one point, I may have called her my favorite author. What I like about her, is all the research she puts in on the novels that she writes. You can just tell how heavily researched it is, then she credits all her sources and it’s almost 5 pages full. I was eager to read this book – since it has been many years since she released a new book – and I mean, look at that cover. That cover alone bumps up my rating on this book alone. Just gorgeous!! But now, this book…. the premise is that it’s based on a wild gunman, who is holding people hostage and has shot some in an abortion clinic. Yes, abortion. The “A” word that most people avoid at all costs. It’s SO controversial, and people have such strong beliefs. I admired her for going there, between gun control and abortion, I don’t think she could have chosen hotter topics. So, while I found myself giving her the benefit of the doubt, I appreciated how she represented both sides of the argument. Without the topic, I found this plot to be very dull, the characters never warmed up to me, I don’t think any of them really did, and I was almost annoyed at times reading it. So, I’m sorry for any Jodi fans, – I do think it’s worth a read, and perhaps you won’t find yourself as hard on her as I am, but I just think she has better work. (Try Leaving Time by her instead if it’s your first!)
6) The Real Doctor Will See you Shortly
My Rating: 4.0/5.0
I was reading this book for a work, book club, and I found it a very easy/short read (several of these this month, which is making me look like an even more fanatical reader than I usually am!) I loved Matt’s descriptions of his first year in residency. The characters and patients that he has relationships with or lack of, and all of the skills that he learns on the fly. (it’s a bit scary in that way!) I highly recommend anyone in the healthcare field to read (especially anyone non-clinical that needs to better understand this world, and is new to it, would be a great and entertaining read while learning a lot and not realizing it!)
7) The Wife Between Us
My Rating: 3.5/5.0
This book was on Reece Witherspoon’s book club “Hello Sunshine” pick a few months ago – and the cover and title intrigued me. This read super quickly as well but I found myself just so disappointed with the whole thing. There is no real depth to this story or the characters, – and as I reflect now I’m thinking what was this book really even about again? I just found it weird and a little sad. I wouldn’t waste your time
What's Making Sarah Smile 