Last year, I set the goal of reading 25 books over the course of 2023. I was able to read 41 and really enjoyed each genre and story that I was able to mentally consume. I have decided to set the goal this year for another 25 and see how it goes. I am excited for the new stories that will come my way that I will get the chance to enjoy!
I read Laura Tremaine's book " The Life Council" last year and thoroughly enjoyed it. "Share Your Stuff. I'll Go First." was actually her first book. I loved the personal stories that she shared with the anticipation, preparation, and prompts to share your own stories with those in your life and circles. There are ten chapters with 10 topics and I really thought they were thought provoking to think of the story that God has written in my own life and the way that is playing out in my daily activities. I would recommend it as an easy read with the plan that you will that some time for self reflection in the process.
This book was a debut by the author Jeff Zentner. It is a story of coming of age of Dill, Lydia, and Travis, the three high schoolers in a tiny town in Tennessee. The boys have extremely painful home lives and how they live in try to survive in the midst of it. The author developed the characters so well and how the story unfolds was so well written. It would be one to look into before reading it, but I am so glad that I did. I love stories that allow you to have windows into lives that you would never encounter. It had a redemptive ending but it was pretty painful up to that point. I cried but I did think it was really well done and worth it.
I asked my sister for a book recommendation and this book was immediately thrust into my hands. Van Pelt develops this beautiful story and characters that initially have no connection and then their lives are weaved together, all with an octopus named Marcellus at the center of the story and the hero of bringing family together... The ending is so enduring... I strongly recommend it!
This book was highly recommended to me. It's a mystery with a maid named Molly at the center of it. You can tell that Molly is neurodivergent and it makes the story even more exciting and interesting as the case unravels. There were twists, surprises, discoveries, and redemption and so many moments that make you stop and I love a story like this that has highly developed characters and I would say that Nita Prose has done such a great job with that. The author created such a beautiful story I believe you will enjoy it. I would absolutely recommend it.
This book was recommended to my by my sister. It about how the author, a journalist, decides to focus on being present on her son's senior year of high school. She shares stories she wants her sons to learn from, things that she learned from her sons, and the things that all moms know in their hearts: It goes SO fast... I may have cried and really loved the opportunity that this book gave me to reflect on my own journey on motherhood.
This book was recommended on two book list recommendations I found from authors that I love. The story is cliche and there is some language that I don't think added to the story, but the way the author wrote the narrative between the main character and her little sister (Both adults) was very enduring and was my favorite part of the book. The ending is as you would expect and it takes place between New York and a small town in the South which make for fun backdrops. Overall a fun read.
