The Bookshelf: Vol. 4

We are about 10 weeks into the year and I am on track with my reading goal so far this year. I’m so happy about that. I haven’t done a book round up yet this year, so I have a few to share. Make sure to check out the other posts on this awesome link up, plus you should wish Steph a very happy birthday month.

3 good Time passing books

I Am Watching You by Teresa Driscoll – (Amazon/Goodreads)

I’m going to be honest. I read this at the very beginning of January and I had to look up which story it was. It clearly didn’t stick out as a favorite, but it was a quick read. It’s another story about someone that saw something that wasn’t meant for them to see and then there was trouble and the mystery began.

Troublemaker by Leah Remini – (Amazon/Goodreads)

We listened to this on audiobook on our road trip to Colorado. I don’t usually do audiobooks, but this was awesome. The author reads it and it’s so much funnier listening to her. She also goes into the Scientology religion in quite a bit of depth. I didn’t realize how much she really supports the basics of the religion still and really blames the leadership for the issues they are having. It’s a really interesting story and would definitely recommend it.

Sisters First by Jenna Bush Hager & Barbara Pierce Bush – (Amazon/Goodreads)

It just so happened that this was the book I read immediately after What Happened. My library holds just came in like that, but I’m kind of glad it worked out that way. I learned some new things about the Bush family by reading this just like I did the Clinton family. It was a really quick read and I enjoyed it.

5 books that I really loved

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng – (Amazon/Goodreads)

This is the book I have seen everywhere this year. I just saw Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington are turning it into a series. I’m so glad I read it and even happier that I had no idea what to expect when I opened it. It was a story of secrets and families. I really liked it and would definitely recommend it. It would be a great book club book.

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman – (Amazon/Goodreads)

I just read that this is another Reese Witherspoon purchase. She’s all over it. I loved this story. I love all stories about awkward adults. I would put Eleanor in the same bucket as Sheldon Cooper from Big Bang Theory but with a deeper background.

Braving the Wilderness by Brene Brown – (Amazon/Goodreads)

With the last two years of politics and so many awkward encounters with people who have a very different outlook on the world than myself, this book came at the perfect time. I had picked up another one of her books last year and didn’t finish it. It was repetitive and it was about vulnerability and I didn’t take much from it. This book was so different for me. I actually wrote down notes and things I wanted to remember in my day to day existence. I’ve recommended this book to many others that I know have been in a similar position in the last year.

What Happened by Hillary Rodham Clinton – (Amazon/Goodreads)

I didn’t know if I could handle this book. The feelings I had after the election are still very much there. This actually helped me and made me sad again. I could probably write an entire blog post on this and maybe I will, but I feel like I’m still processing. That said, I think everyone should read it.

Beartown by Fredrick Backman – (Amazon/Goodreads)

Backman did it again. This is the second book I’ve read by this author and I was not disappointed. This book is about a small town that loves hockey. I feel like I’ve been to a few towns like this in my life and I could just picture every minute of this book. There were quite a few characters and reading their stories all intertwine was wonderful. I loved it.

I’m a little overwhelmed currently because my library holds really stacked up and I currently have six books checked out. I’m hoping to get through four of them, but we will see. I also have my bookclub book to read before the end of April.

What are you reading currently? Are you sick of politics or would you read one of the books above?

13 Responses

  1. So many good ones on your list! I had the exact same feelings for What Happened, and I loved Beartown and Eleanor. I feel like I'm on the never ending hold list for Little Fires!

  2. I just finished Eleanor Oliphant and loved it! Beartown has definitely been my favorite this year – Backman has moved up to my top 5 authors whose books I will ALWAYS read!

  3. i had to do a library ban because i was getting overwhelmed lol. i loved beartown and am currently working through another Backman book. i love following and buying all of Reese's recommendations lol especially as she's turning them into movies or tv series. i am watching you is on my list, as is what happened – good to know it helped you, but i am still sad from the election so not sure i want to be even more sad lol.

  4. Did Hil go through how she recovered/is still recovering and did that help you?

    Brene talked off of this book when she spoke at the Women's convention this year and it was awesome. I don't typically read books like the ones she writes but this one might be worth it.

  5. I am on the waiting list for What Happened. I recently was at a bookstore and held it in my hands, and it swear to you, I have 2016 Elections PTSD! I got really depressed all over!

  6. I love that Reese is buying up all these books and turning them into movies/TV shows. I really enjoyed Eleanor too. I was surprised and pleased by the deeper background and depth because I thought it was just a comedy of sorts. Troublemaker was so good! It was really eye-opening to me as well. I still need to read Little Fires Everywhere and Beartown. I really want to read What Happened but I don't know if my sanity can take it. Maybe, hopefully, after November 6.

  7. i guess i'm of the unpopular opinion that little fires anywhere was boring. i know, blasphemy! i tried to like it but the story fell flat for me.

  8. I just put a hold on Troublemaker on Overdrive. I have been reading/listening to alot of memoirs lately. Thanks for the suggestion! Also just starting Little Fires Everywhere. Pam 🙂

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