Reading Round Up

I’ve always enjoyed reading. Growing up, I was the ultimate book worm. Trips to the public library were my jam! As I got older, I started to prioritize other activities in my life and found myself reading less and less. But it’s something that I’ve always tried to maintain as part of my routine. More recently, I had been getting my “reading” in by listening to books on Audible. But since quarantine began, I have been doing a little hardcover reading, which has been great! So I wanted to share a roundup of some of my recent faves!

Recent Reads

The Vanishing Half By Brit Bennett 

This one sucks you in from the start. Such an interesting story that delves deep into issues of race and identity. It is on everyone’s reading list for a reason!

I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika Sánchez

The book really resonated with me, as the daughter of Mexican immigrants, because it so uniquely describes the clash between our culture and family’s expectations and our reality. The characters are complex and the story is beautifully written.

What Happened by Hillary Clinton

Hillary’s thoughts leading up to the election and her reaction and reflections of the time immediately after. It felt like she let out everything she had been holding in and had a weight lifted off her shoulders. She felt relatable and real.

Recent Listens

Becoming by Michelle Obama

I loved. everything. about. this. I am such a Michelle Obama fan and I was so excited to listen to this on Audible – read by the First Lady herself. She is smart, genuine, and fierce. So many parts of this book and her experiences stayed with me. It made me miss her and Barack SO MUCH.

Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows by Balli Kaur Jaswal

I was pleasantly surprised with this one. The story is so fun and unique – who would have thought I would enjoy a story about a bunch of old ladies taking a creative writing class? Well, this creative writing class takes a steamy turn when the women start sharing erotic stories that they write themselves. Set in the community center of a conservative temple, the book is centered around building community, celebrating women’s lives and experiences at all stages and ages, and breaking barriers. The audible narrator was awesome, so I would definitely recommend!

Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

This one started off a bit slow for me. It wasn’t until about a third of the way in that I starting to really appreciate the story. By the end of the book, I was glad I stuck with it because it gives you all the feels.

Little Fires Everywhere By Celeste Ng

I haven’t seen the Hulu show on this but it is on my list – love Kerry Washington and Reese Witherspoon! But I did enjoy this on audible – a little mystery and intrigue, with a whole lot of family drama. 

On Deck

Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid

Words about the book that intrigued me to put this on my reading list:

“A striking and surprising debut novel from an exhilarating new voice, Such a Fun Age is a page-turning and big-hearted story about race and privilege, set around a young black babysitter, her well-intentioned employer, and a surprising connection that threatens to undo them both.”

The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Daré

Words about the book that intrigued me to put this on my reading list:

“The unforgettable, inspiring story of a teenage girl growing up in a rural Nigerian village who longs to get an education so that she can find her “louding voice” and speak up for herself, The Girl with the Louding Voice is a simultaneously heartbreaking and triumphant tale about the power of fighting for your dreams.”

For Fun & Inspiration

Do you all have any book recommendations? Leave them in the comments! I would love to hear them and see what everyone else is reading!

Until next time,

Jannette