Sunday, December 31, 2023

December Books

Can you believe that reading wasn't my jam growing up?! Clif Notes were my best friends in high school - I'd "read enough" to get by, but other than that I did not enjoy the act of reading so never did it... like ever. Maybe I wasn't reading things that held my interest or maybe it was because it was "required" so I didn't find it enjoyable, but whatever the reason, I'm glad I challenged myself to add the goal of reading 17 books in 2017 (which turned into 88 books in 201777 books in 201867 books in 201966 books in 202067 books in 2021 and 41 books in 2022). Recently, especially since going back to work outside of the house full-time, the majority of my "reading" has been through audiobooks since I don't have as much time to sit and read physical books (not to mention I walk to work and walk on my lunch break so have two-ish hours a day I can listen to something). Even still, holding a physical book is the bomb diggity and I hope to get back to adding more reading vs listening. Just like in years past, writing a monthly recap of the books I get through is a great way for me to both record what I'm reading and to stay accountable. So here are the books I finished in December:

  • A Snake Falls to Earth by Darcy Little Badger - I technically finished this one on November 30th, but I had already posted my November list, so in December it goes ;) As per usual, I wasn't sure what to expect with this book, but I found it in the Native American Heritage Month section of my Hoopla app and thought I'd give it a go. Let me tell you, I LOVED IT! The best way I could figure out how to describe it is a coming-of-age story with a mix of Indigenous traditions/ stories but potentially in a futuristic time period. I was so invested in all of the characters that I was finding time throughout the day to listen to a few minutes here and there. I also loved that there was a character with they/them pronouns. I not only appreciate the inclusive language used throughout the story but I also was thrilled that it was never addressed or made into a big deal, it was just as normal as using he or she (AS IT SHOULD BE). The story was inventive, original and engaging. And, yes, it is technically a Young Adult book, but I promise this is one for all ages - read it! I would give it a 10 out of 10.

  • This Winter by Alice Oseman - I hadn't borrowed this book in the past (even though I love the author) because it is only an hour or so long and I didn't want to "waste" one of my precious downloads on my Hoopla app (I only get 8 so I need to be selective ;)). Well, as luck would have it, I had two unused downloads on the last day on November, so I figured this was the perfect time to snag this one. I would say, that although this is a story about some of the characters in the author's other works, I felt as though it could stand alone and you weren't missing vital information. I'll be honest, I love Charlie and Nick so I was all in from the jump. Even with my bias, I really enjoyed this one for a few reasons. First, besides being partial to the characters, it was about one day, so we were able to dive a little further into the nitty-gritty of what happened. Second, as with all of Alice's works, this does not shy away from important (but often taboo topics) such as self harm, eating disorders, mental illness, etc. I don't think I would buy this one for my personal library mostly due to its length, but if you love the Heartstopper series (or Alice's other books), it's totally worth a read/listen. I would give it a 9 out of 10.

  • I Was Born for This by Alice Oseman - Well, I'm on an Alice roll, I guess ;) I figured I might as well snag the last one of the books on my Hoopla app that I hadn't listened to yet. This was another coming-of-age story told from two different perspectives (and two different readers for the audiobook, which I love). I love that Alice always uses underrepresented communities, whether that's trans characters or folks who follow different religions (and that it's completely normal - BECAUSE IT IS). I felt like this book was very pointant in today's society, where the generation growing up is one of the lonliest (per studies), yet extremely connected on social media. As always, I appreciate Alice's consistent drive to include difficult topics, such as the coming out process, mental health, self-harm, family dramas, etc. I was definitely pulling for all of the characters, but loved Angel and Jimmy the most. The fact that there was a short story (Ghosted) at the end, which fills in one of the gaps in time in the original story was awesome too! Here's hoping Alice is writing more books or maybe working on another season of Heartstopper, because I'm here for it all! I would give it a 9 out of 10.

  • Obsessed by Allison Britz - I thought it was time for a memoir, so I scrolled through my Hoopla app and this one caught my eye. I will be honest, I don't know much about Obsessive Compulsive Disorder so I was interested to dig into this book. (NOTE: If you use the term "OCD" to describe someone who is Type A, a perfectionist, particular about things or anyone who has NOT been diagnosed with OCD, stop!) This is a memoir from Allison, who had the onset of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder during high school. I found this incredibly interesting. Don't get me wrong, I don't think that someone's difficulties or tragedies should be used for entertainment purposes, but as someone who has never experienced OCD or had anyone in my life be diagnosed with it, it was extremely eye opening to see how their brain works and how their behaviors may follow. I appreciate Allison's bravery for not only sharing some of the harder experiences she has gone through in her life, but also for talking about mental illness honestly and openly so that we can remove the stigma often associated with it. If you have a chance, I'd absolutely recommend grabbing this. I would give it a 9 out of 10. 

  • Imogen, Obviously by Becky Albertalli - This one was in my "suggested for you" list on my Hoopla app (since I normally enjoy Becky's books) so I gave it a download. Although I didn't know anything about the book before grabbing it, I figured it'd probably be a coming-of-age story and it was. It was a cute story about coming to terms with who you are, who you want to keep around you, who may be toxic in your life, etc. All Most of the characters made me smile and I was rooting for them all to "win" from the jump. This one definitely took me through #AllTheFeels. It was a rollercoaster of emotions, but, in the end, I was satisfied ;) Everything may not have been wrapped up with a pretty pink bow, but that's how life is sometimes. I would give it an 8 out of 10.

  • The Feeling of Falling in Love by Mason Deaver - This book popped up in my "recommended" list on my Hoopla app and the burning dumpster on the cover caught my eye (sometimes it's the little things ;)) so I downloaded it. I was hoping for a dumpster fire of a story and you definitely get that with this one. I don't want to ruin it for you, but this is your classic rude person falling in love with the nice person kind of story. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed it (and could see it as a cute romcom movie on Netflix or something), but it was a bit predictable. I wouldn't buy it for my personal library, but it'd be a great airplane or next to the pool type book to snag. I would give it an 8 out of 10 (technically I'd say like a 9/10 overall story but a 7/10 for the cliche). 

  • Nobody Wants Your Sh*t by Messie Condo - I've had this book in my "for later" folder on my Hoopla app and thought it was time to grab it. Have you ever heard about "death cleaning"? It's the idea of simplifying your possessions with the thought of what will happen to them AFTER you die. It's not meant to be a morbid thing, more of a compassionate thing with those who you leave behind (and the stuff you leave) in mind. Warning - this book is filled with curse words, so if that offends you, this is NOT the book for you (although there are plenty about this idea with more 'palatable' language). The author isn't trying to be offensive, but more calling us on our BS. It's a quick read/listen and has some really interesting ideas to ponder. For example, items that you love may not be items your loved ones will love, so instead of assuming they'll want them, HAVE A CONVERSATION! Also, sometimes it's better to pass along those items while you're still alive to see the recipient enjoy them. The author also reminds the reader that an item is NOT a memory, so we should feel unburdened by letting the 'thing' be passed along to someone who will use it/ love it. If you don't know me, I could probably live with 10 possessions and be totally content, I don't need "things", but I know that's not always the case (cough, cough... hubby would be a packrat if I let him ;)). Seeing as we don't have children or many earthly possessions, we don't really need to worry about passing our estate to someone, but all of the points raised were still very thought-provoking (and important to think about as our parents age). [PS Did you notice the author's name?! Am I the only one who thinks it might be a joke?!] I would give it an 8 out of 10.  

  • Everything All At Once by Steph Catudal - I didn't realize that this book existed, but when I learned about it I had to download it on my Hoopla app. If you are an ultrarunner, you have probably heard of this author's husband - Rivs Puzey. During the pandemic, Rivs became very sick and this is not only the story of his battle with the illness (and even getting it diagnosed), but it was also about Steph's younger years and how grief has been around her pretty much her whole life. I would say that I was actually hoping to hear more about Rivs, but this wasn't his autobiography, it was about Steph's struggles (and triumphs) in life. She does not hold back, so this book is very raw, honest and, at times, a bit uncomfortable, but I'd rather her make me slightly uneasy than sugarcoat what she's been through. I'm hoping we'd all prefer realness. I would give it an 8 out of 10. 

  • Girl Made of Stars by Ashley Herring Blake - Well, after a few nonfictions, it was time for me to scroll through the YA section of my Hoopla app. I came across this one and it had good ratings so I decided to give it a go. This one was rough - not because it was badly written but because of the subject matter. It is definitely a heavy topic, but one that (I feel) needs to be addressed more openly and frequently. This is a story about high school students and the aftermath of sexual assault. The first half of the story you get two know a set of twins and their friends, starting to root for them. Then you find out about two sexual assaults that rock their worlds and how they deal with it all. I also appreciate that there is talk of gender identity. It wasn't something that makes or breaks the storyline, but I'm grateful the author broached the topic. I'd say the cadence of the story is quick and doesn't really let up. You are in for a riveting, gripping and important story. I would give it a 9 out of 10.

  • The Afterlife of Holly Chase by Cynthia Hand - My Hoopla app has a "trending" section and most of the audiobooks in December were holiday related. I wasn't in the mood for a romance (in my head, I'm assuming they're all going to be similar to the corny Hallmark movies), so when I saw this pop up, I was intrigued. I didn't notice the small print at the top of the cover ('every scrooge deserves a second chance'), I just saw the title and figured something with "afterlife" in the title would be a darker story than a "traditional" Christmas read, right?! Loandbehold, this is more of a modern day telling of A Christmas Carol. Of course there is more to it than that, but for being a reimagined version, it was a very creative twist on it. I won't say that there isn't some romance sprinkled throughout the story, but surprisingly it doesn't turn out to be the main point. The main point is to LOVE AND GIVE WHILE YOU CAN! But, I'm sure you could've guessed that from the subtitle ;) Adored this retelling of something we've all probably heard/ seen a billion times. If you don't mind reading a Christmas story AFTER the holiday, grab this! Otherwise, put it on your December '24 list! I would give it a 9 out of 10.

With that, December has come to a close. My reading may have slowed down a bit (especially compared to years past), but I hope it never stops. If you have suggestions, let me know! I'm always willing to add them to my "must read" list! 

PS I created an Amazon list that includes all of the books I've read so they're in one place. Feel free to check it out!

What's the best book you've read lately? 

Wednesday, December 27, 2023

Walt Wednesday

Some people do a "Wordless Wednesday" post, where they simply share a photo or image, but I thought I'd make a little series out of my Wednesdays. And since I love alliteration so much, why not go with Walt Wednesdays (obviously everyone can use a little break from the seriousness, scariness and sassiness of life - and what better way to help put a smile on your face than with a cute wiener dog picture, am I right?!)... So, without further ado...

WALT WEDNESDAY!

When life gets overwhelming, how do you de-stress?

Sunday, December 24, 2023

Workout Recap - Week 51

Sunday, December 17th  Rest Day

Monday, December 18th – Rest Day

Tuesday, December 19th – Rest Day

Wednesday, December 20th – Rest Day

Thursday, December 21st – 3 mile Christmas Light run with the hubby and dad (our new weekly tradition in December)

Friday, December 22nd  Rest Day

Saturday, December 23rd – 3 miles with the hubby 

My parents were in town this week for the holidays, so the hubby and I were able to talk my daddy-o into joining us on our Christmas Light run. The hubby and I also got in a run down in San Diego after dropping my padres at the airport. Alrighty, I'm thinking this will be my last week of laxed running/ workouts. I'm going to do my bestest to try and get back into a routine (whether I'd rather be sleeping or not) and see if I can retrain my body to get on board. Don't worry, I will still listen to my body, but sometimes you also need to push through the "don't want to's". HERE WE GO! WE GOT THIS!

How were your workouts this past week?

Sunday, December 17, 2023

Workout Recap - Week 50

Sunday, December 10th  Rest Day

Monday, December 11th – 60 minutes on the stationary bike

Tuesday, December 12th – Rest Day

Wednesday, December 13th – Rest Day

Thursday, December 14th – 3 mile Christmas Light run with the hubby (our new weekly tradition in December)

Friday, December 15th  60 minutes on the stationary bike

Saturday, December 16th – Rest Day

My parents are coming into town next week, so I am taking vacation time from work, which means I am working every day until then to make up for it (from December 4th I only have had one day off till they get here). With that said, not only am I pretty fried after work, but we have also been trying to do the cleaning and other house stuff before their arrival. Welp, like I said last week, I'm giving myself extra grace during this busy time of the year and trying not to stress about my lack of runs. And, in all honesty, it'll probably be like this till after the new year when I can get back into a normal rhythm/ routine. 

How were your workouts this past week?

Wednesday, December 13, 2023

Walt Wednesday

Some people do a "Wordless Wednesday" post, where they simply share a photo or image, but I thought I'd make a little series out of my Wednesdays. And since I love alliteration so much, why not go with Walt Wednesdays (obviously everyone can use a little break from the seriousness, scariness and sassiness of life - and what better way to help put a smile on your face than with a cute wiener dog picture, am I right?!)... So, without further ado...

WALT WEDNESDAY!

When life gets overwhelming, how do you de-stress?

Sunday, December 10, 2023

Workout Recap - Week 49

Sunday, December 3rd  60 minutes on the stationary bike

Monday, December 4th – Rest Day

Tuesday, December 5th – 4 mile run

Wednesday, December 6th – 3 mile Christmas Light run with the hubby (our new weekly tradition in December)

Thursday, December 7th – 60 minutes on the stationary bike

Friday, December 8th  Rest Day

Saturday, December 9th – Rest Day

I was checking in on a friend who I hadn't seen on social media recently and she used the phrase "less running, more living" and I really liked it. I wouldn't say I've been skipping runs because I'm out doing amazing things - it's more that I just haven't felt like it or my body says 'no' - but I still like the idea of not putting that pressure on myself (not to mention, I don't have any races on my schedule, so do I really need to "force" myself to get up and outside?!). Don't get me wrong, I definitely miss pounding the pavement, but during this (hopefully) brief period, I'll try and give myself a bit more grace. 

How were your workouts this past week?

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

Walt Wednesday

Some people do a "Wordless Wednesday" post, where they simply share a photo or image, but I thought I'd make a little series out of my Wednesdays. And since I love alliteration so much, why not go with Walt Wednesdays (obviously everyone can use a little break from the seriousness, scariness and sassiness of life - and what better way to help put a smile on your face than with a cute wiener dog picture, am I right?!)... So, without further ado...

WALT WEDNESDAY!

When life gets overwhelming, how do you de-stress?

Sunday, December 3, 2023

Workout Recap - Week 48

Sunday, November 26th  Rest Day

Monday, November 27th – 60 minutes on the stationary bike

Tuesday, November 28th – 4 miles of hills

Wednesday, November 29th – 1 mile run (gurgly stomach so had to stop after one...)

[no photo since I was high-tailing it to the restroom... sorry if that is TMI ;)]

Thursday, November 30th – 60 minutes on the stationary bike

Friday, December 1st  3 mile Christmas Light run with the hubby (our new weekly tradition in December)

Saturday, December 2nd – 60 minutes on the stationary bike

Okay, okay, so 8 miles of running and sitting on my stationary bike for 3 hours might not be what I used to do, but with the busyness of the holiday season and being "off my game" for a while, I'll take the fact I'm trying to get in some activity every day and make it a routine again. We all gotta start (or restart) somewhere. Here's to getting back on the pony.

How were your workouts this past week?

Thursday, November 30, 2023

November Books

Can you believe that reading wasn't my jam growing up?! Clif Notes were my best friends in high school - I'd "read enough" to get by, but other than that I did not enjoy the act of reading so never did it... like ever. Maybe I wasn't reading things that held my interest or maybe it was because it was "required" so I didn't find it enjoyable, but whatever the reason, I'm glad I challenged myself to add the goal of reading 17 books in 2017 (which turned into 88 books in 201777 books in 201867 books in 201966 books in 202067 books in 2021 and 41 books in 2022). Recently, especially since going back to work outside of the house full-time, the majority of my "reading" has been through audiobooks since I don't have as much time to sit and read physical books (not to mention I walk to work and walk on my lunch break so have two-ish hours a day I can listen to something). Even still, holding a physical book is the bomb diggity and I hope to get back to adding more reading vs listening. Just like in years past, writing a monthly recap of the books I get through is a great way for me to both record what I'm reading and to stay accountable. So here are the books I finished in November:

  • Choose Strong by Sally Mcrae - I had this on my "wish list" for a while and was finally able to trade something I wasn't using with someone else who had this book. As y'all know, if a book is about running, I'm all about it ;) Sally is such a force in the ultrarunning community, so of course I wanted to gobble up this memoir. Let me tell you, this is NOT an easy read. There should probably be some trigger warnings at the beginning of the book. Sally's past is not unicorns and rainbows (not even close) and she gets pretty honest about it all. What I found even more impactful was that she wasn't telling her story to get pity or to explain away something in her life, she was sharing it as a way to point towards strength and hope - WOWZER! I was slightly bummed that there wasn't more about running in the book, but when I read [towards the end] that she had actually decided to split the memoir into two and the second one would be about her transition from collegiate soccer player to ultra phenom you better believe I made note so I can grab it as soon as it's released. I would give it a 9 out of 10. 

It just so happened I was wear yellow the day I finished this at work.

  • Radio Silence by Alice Oseman - Y'all hopefully know by now that I am a BIG fan of the YA genre and of Alice. I noticed there was another book of hers I hadn't read (I only get 8 downloads a month, so I haven't done her graphic novels because they are so short and I don't want to use one of my precious books on them, but assume they're amazing too), so I obviously had to download it. I have to say, I always appreciate how she never shies away from serious and important topics. Some of the subjects in this one were mental health (and reaching out to others when you are worried for them and their safety), exploring one's sexuality, abuse (both physical and emotional), death of an animal, etc. And, now that I read the list back it might seem like this book is a big "downer", but I did not feel that way at all. I felt as though the relationships were real and raw and relatable. I found it fascinating to have the vlog mixed in (and hearing snitbits of the episodes the characters were talking about). All in all, this was a great book that I could stop listening to. I would give it a 10 out of 10.

  • Wade in the Water by Nyani Nkrumah - This novel popped up in the new and trending section of my Hoopla app and nothing I had saved at the time was catching my attention, so I gave this a go. As per usual, I had no idea what this was about but did notice there were two different names listed as the readers so assumed the story would be told from two different perspectives (which my assumption was correct). Let me start off by saying that although this was gorgeously written, there were a few points where I wasn't sure if I would be able to finish it. First, the N word is used often in this book. I'll be honest, when I hear it said (especially when it sounds like it's coming from a non-black person), it makes me cringe. Also, child sexual assault is very hard for me to sit with. I know, I know, this is a novel, but it was still uncomfortable (as it should be, right?!). I am glad I stuck with it though, because it was a very an intriguing story with such character development that when I was finished listening I had to remember it was a book and not a movie. I'd recommend adding a trigger warning at the beginning, but other than that it kept me on my toes until the end. I would give it a 9 out of 10. 

  • You're the One that I Want by Simon James Green - My previous audiobook was pretty intense, so I decided to get a YA rom-com to lighten the mood a bit. This one definitely fit the bill. It was a cute story about a high school student who wanted to change their life so decided to start saying "yes" to everything. This challenge ended up with Freddie signing up to be in the school play and along the way finding love, drama, heartache, etc. (I would say that this one might skew a little to the older "young adult" since there is a bit of sexy time in the story ;)) I haven't read any of this author's books before, but if they're all like this, consider me a fan. This one was adorable, hilarious, heartwarming and exactly what I was looking for. I would give it an 8 out of 10.

  • The Nordic Theory of Everything by Anu Partanen - I figured it was time for more of a nonfiction read, so I scrolled through my saved "life" books and came across this one. I'll be honest, I may have originally saved it because I liked the graphics on the cover but whatever the reason, I'm glad I did ;) The author shares some of the recent (well, recent at the time, but this book was written in 2016) findings that the Nordic region is one of the best places to live and dives into some of her thoughts on why. Her main focuses were on healthcare, schooling and overall welfare (think child care, pensions, elderly care, etc). Anu had moved from Finland to New York, so she had an interesting perspective and helped compare the different cultures (not only from her vantage point, but also with statistics and facts to back it up). I know the United States will not adopt all (or probably any) of the policies that Finland has implemented, but I found it incredibly fascinating learning about them - and how easily a society COULD change if they WANTED to. I would give it a 9 out of 10.

With that, November has come to a close. My reading may have slowed down a bit (especially compared to years past), but I hope it never stops. If you have suggestions, let me know! I'm always willing to add them to my "must read" list! 

PS I created an Amazon list that includes all of the books I've read so they're in one place. Feel free to check it out!

What's the best book you've read lately? 

Sunday, November 26, 2023

Workout Recap - Week 47

Sunday, November 19th  Rest Day

Monday, November 20th – 45 minutes on the stationary bike

Tuesday, November 21st – Rest Day

Wednesday, November 22nd – Rest Day

Thursday, November 23rd – Rest Day

Friday, November 24th  Rest Day

Saturday, November 25th – Rest Day

I'll be honest, I'm a bit disappointed in myself when I look at this recap, because I know how much I love running, but I've gotta be real. Recently my body has been a bit 'off' while trying to get my thyroid under control, so running (or even waking up early) has took a backseat to getting back to "myself" again. I'd say that it's slightly skewed because we were camping about an hour north of San Francisco from Tuesday night through late afternoon on Saturday, but this is still what it is. 

How were your workouts this past week?

Sunday, November 19, 2023

Workout Recap - Week 46

Sunday, November 12th  Rest Day

Monday, November 13th – Rest Day

Tuesday, November 14th – Rest Day

Wednesday, November 15th – Rest Day

Thursday, November 16th – 75 minutes on the stationary bike

Friday, November 17th  Rest Day

Saturday, November 18th – Rest Day

Alrighty... so, let's be real, as soon as I pulled the plug on CIM I accidentally pulled the plug on running too. Honestly, I wanted to make sure I was running because it was a stress reliever, not a stress inducer... And when I was forcing myself to wake up after a bad night of sleep or with an upset tummy, it was becoming more of a guilted feeling than enjoying it. With that said, I am not NOT running, but I need to see how it will fit into my schedule better. Maybe I will be a lunchtime runner, maybe I will cut running down to 3 or 4 days a week, maybe I will add in more strength training so that I become a stronger overall athlete, who knows. With that said, I figured I'd probably wait till after we get back from our camping trip to set a better routine for myself. Here's to taking a break when needed, refocusing and figuring out what serves you best.

How were your workouts this past week?

Sunday, November 12, 2023

Workout Recap - Week 45

Sunday, November 5th  4.44 mile run, 2 rounds of the hubby's kettlebell workout

Monday, November 6th – 60 minutes on the stationary bike

Tuesday, November 7th – Rest Day

Wednesday, November 8th – Rest Day

Thursday, November 9th – Rest Day

Friday, November 10th  Rest Day

Saturday, November 11th – Rest Day

Welp... I guess it's time to announce that I have decided against running CIM at the beginning of December. A few things came up (my body possibly not fully recovered from the Detroit training, trying different medications for different issues and dealing with their side effects, an overall "blah" feeling about doing more long runs, etc) and I pulled the plug. Don't get me wrong, I am not pulling the plug on running, but I need to get back to a spot where I am enjoying it for what it is. 

How were your workouts this past week?

Wednesday, November 8, 2023

Walt Wednesday

Some people do a "Wordless Wednesday" post, where they simply share a photo or image, but I thought I'd make a little series out of my Wednesdays. And since I love alliteration so much, why not go with Walt Wednesdays (obviously everyone can use a little break from the seriousness, scariness and sassiness of life - and what better way to help put a smile on your face than with a cute wiener dog picture, am I right?!)... So, without further ado...

WALT WEDNESDAY!

When life gets overwhelming, how do you de-stress?

Sunday, November 5, 2023

Workout Recap - Week 44

Sunday, October 29th – 60 minutes on the stationary bike

Monday, October 30th – 5 mile run

Tuesday, October 31st –  6 mile run [2 miles with the hubby, 4 solo miles]

Wednesday, November 1st – 5 miles of hill repeats

Thursday, November 2nd – 6 mile run

Friday, November 3rd  Rest Day

Saturday, November 4th – 12 mile run

Well, my workouts got swapped around this week because I was with one of my best friends in Palm Springs. When I got home on Sunday it was too late in the day to do my 12-miler, so instead I moved everything up a day (Monday became Sunday, Tuesday became Monday, etc) and then moved Saturday's 6-miler to Thursday and then my 12-miler I was supposed to do on Sunday became Saturday's run (since doing double digit runs before work calls for VERY EARLY alarms so I'd prefer not to have to do that if I can avoid it). Other than that, nothing much to report... Just chuggin' along.

How were your workouts this past week?

Tuesday, October 31, 2023

October Books

Can you believe that reading wasn't my jam growing up?! Clif Notes were my best friends in high school - I'd "read enough" to get by, but other than that I did not enjoy the act of reading so never did it... like ever. Maybe I wasn't reading things that held my interest or maybe it was because it was "required" so I didn't find it enjoyable, but whatever the reason, I'm glad I challenged myself to add the goal of reading 17 books in 2017 (which turned into 88 books in 201777 books in 201867 books in 201966 books in 202067 books in 2021 and 41 books in 2022). Recently, especially since going back to work outside of the house full-time, the majority of my "reading" has been through audiobooks since I don't have as much time to sit and read physical books (not to mention I walk to work and walk on my lunch break so have two-ish hours a day I can listen to something). Even still, holding a physical book is the bomb diggity and I hope to get back to adding more reading vs listening. Just like in years past, writing a monthly recap of the books I get through is a great way for me to both record what I'm reading and to stay accountable. So here are the books I finished in October:

  • The Things We Leave Unfinished by Rebecca Yarros - A couple friends had mentioned they read this book recently and liked it, so I figured I'd give it a go. I didn't know anything about it, other than a few friends gave it a thumbs up, so I was intrigued when I found out it was a love story that switched between two timelines (the present day and then the history of the main character's family and how the two related and shaped the main character into the person she had become). Although I enjoyed it enough, it wasn't necessarily my jam. This may sound funny, but adult romances aren't my thing because there is a lot more sex in them than in the young adult genre (which means I feel like they are required to put more time and thought into character development in YA books because they can't just rely on passionate love making to show a connection). Anywho, this was a decent storyline, but I don't think I'd recommend it to others (but that might be because it's normally not my fave type of book to begin with). I had figured out some of the "surprises" along the way and although I stuck with it, wasn't too overly invested in any of the characters. I would give it a 6 out of 10.

  • One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey - During "Banned Books Week", my Hoopla app had a section of banned books so I thought I'd check it out and see if anything caught my eye. I had never read this one (even though it was originally written in 1962), so figured it was time to give it a listen. I will say, this book is not for the faint of heart - although I'm not 100% sure why is was banned... The story is about a psych ward in the PNW in the 60s. Obviously some of the "treatments" have since been banned, but the story was a grueling look into the mental health sector during that era. Apparently the book has been deemed "bad" because there are some sexual encounters (let's be real, turn on the TV - even the news - and kiddos are subjected to much, much worse) and some of the imagery is too "provocative". It has been said that this book glorifies criminal activity and corrupts kids, and maybe in the 60s that could be believed, but nowadays I have a hard time buying it. I was fully drawn into the story, the characters and the emotions of the book. As I mention at the beginning of my book recap posts, I never really read the "old school" books, so I didn't know anything about this one (or the movie), but I can see why it's a classic.  I would give it a 9 out of 10.

  • Kate in Waiting by Becky Albertalli - Every once in a while I will click through different authors on my Hoopla app to see if they've written anything new or if there's a book I haven't listened to before. I noticed that this author had a book that I hadn't tried yet, so I grabbed it. I actually listened to it on the flight to Detroit (I had packed a physical book to read, but for some reason I wasn't in the mood, so popped in my headphones and flew through this one). This was a cute little "coming of age", young romance type story - nothing too earth shattering, but something that kept my attention. I would say the storyline was pretty predictable, but cute nonetheless. I've definitely liked some of Becky's other books more, but the typical high school drama was in full effect. (Note: I don't cuss, so hearing "f boy" pretty consistently was a little jarring [I know, I know, I'm a prude ;)], so in case that is something off putting for you, I figured I'd mention it.) I would give it an 8 out of 10.

  • The Awakening of Malcolm X by Ilyasah Shabazz and Tiffany D. Jackson - I had this in my "for later" list on my Hoopla app for a while and figured it was time. I want to start off with a couple thoughts... First, this is a novel, so there was some creative freedoms taken while writing it, but I truly believe the essence rings true. Second, this book was written by Malcolm X's daughter, which I find pretty awesome (along with one of my fave YA authors). If anyone has the authority to write about Malcolm X, I would say it's his family members. The story is about Malcolm's time spent in prison and his awakening (more specifically, into the Nation of Islam). The book is actually considered to be in the Young Adult genre and the reason Professor Shabazz gave as to why she wanted it written for a younger audience is because she felt as though many young people are going through a similar "awakening" and searching for themselves and their purpose. I know this isn't a memoir, but I feel as though it gives us a better understanding of Malcolm's adolescence and his inner thoughts and demons he may have been facing in his teens and early twenties. I'll be honest, I loved this book. Don't get me wrong, it is hard to listen to (especially since the treatment of BIPOC, especially in the justice system, hasn't changed much since the 1940s), but extremely important and impactful. I would give it a 10 out of 10.

  • Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before by Dr. Julie Smith - I'm not sure what I expected out of this book, but what I got wasn't it. I was really wanting to like it (especially since on the app and on Amazon it had very high ratings), but I felt like it was very short snippets that didn't dive deep enough. It was sort of like an IG reel versus a YouTube video. It felt very surfacey and not super helpful (at least to me). Shoot, maybe this type of book is what our society needs because we tend to have a shorter attention span these days, but I didn't love it. Don't get me wrong, I appreciated all of the work she had done and the info she was willing to share. I guess when you are trying to be the most helpful to the most amount of people, quick soundbites of generalized info works best. Simple and effective points, but not enough "meat on the bones". I would give it a 6 out of 10.

  • Lawn Boy by Jonathan Evison - This was another book that I saw on the "banned book" list. You know when you are told not to think about something and then that's all you can think about... Well, it makes me curious about what the book is so scandalous sharing that it needs to be banned, so of course it makes me want to read it. I was actually waiting for the shocking part to come and I never found it... This is a coming-of-age story about someone struggling with financial hardships, classism, racism, etc, all while trying to find out who he is and what he wants to do with his life. I really enjoyed this one and was rooting for everyone in the story - very inspirational. Sure, there might have been some criticism of the "American Dream", a few curse words and maybe a few "indecent" acts, but it is definitely nothing worse than what is shown on daytime TV... Not to mention, I don't see anywhere that it's targeted for little kids (or even considered a Young ADULT book), so I'm left shaking my head as to why someone would take the time to ban this one. I would give it a 9 out of 10.

  • My Hidden Race by Anyika Onuora - Let's be real, any book that has the words 'runner', 'race', 'marathon', etc in the title will usually grab my attention. When I saw this memoir from a British runner I wanted to download it right away (but, #RealTalk, since I am more in the distance world of running and Anyika is in the sprinting/ track world, I didn't know anything about her prior to 'reading' this book.). Although Anyika is an Olympic medalist, this book isn't about the nitty gritty of her races or training, but about the life she has led and how she has continually overcome the sometimes subtle but often times overt racism, starting from an extremely young age and during her running career. I am appreciative for Anyika's willingness to share some of the most painful periods and incidents of her life. She was willing to relive those terrible times in hopes that others won't have to go through the same trauma - if that isn't a hero, I don't know what is! I would give it a 10 out of 10. 

With that, October has come to a close. My reading may have slowed down a bit (especially compared to years past), but I hope it never stops. If you have suggestions, let me know! I'm always willing to add them to my "must read" list! 

PS I created an Amazon list that includes all of the books I've read so they're in one place. Feel free to check it out!

What's the best book you've read lately?