LMOH: A Good Book

Maybe you're like me and your desire to jump into a book waxes and wanes.  And then maybe you're like me again in that when you do find that you're dying to jump into a good book, you're underwhelmed by your options.  I can't tell you how many books I've put down.  I try to give them 50 page (maybe 100 if they're longer) because somethings the uptick can be slow going but it ends up a great book.  Other times I'm so enthralled in the first few chapters only to be left disappointed by the half-way or three-quarters point, when suddenly everything that was good about the book evaporates and you're left with absolute garbage.

The latter has happened so frequently in the past few years that my friends and I have stopped recommending books to one another until after we are 100% finished.  No more, "OMG, I'm reading this book right now and..." conversations.  We don't want to be hoodwinked later and be recommending bad things!

So, when I look ahead of me and what I'm going to read, I'm left with a big blank "I have no idea".  So, ideas welcome!

That said, if you're looking for a good book, I have a handful to recommend.

Of course I'll start with my own books.  I write what I want to read, so I have 2 novels, 2 Spanish/English quote books, and 2 Kids books you should check out!  

Living with B - I wanted a story about living with eating disorders that didn't feel like its as dragging you down or that the only solution was religion.  Enter Nicole.  21.  Depressed.  And a voice in her head she fights with regularly.  Enjoy the occasional comedic relief as you learn that the line between "ok" and "not ok" is quite thin and that her life and inner monologue maybe isn't so different from yours.

The Summer of 3 - I wanted a summer read about relationships and combating social stereotypes that didn't involve high octane drama.  Not everyone cheats.  Not everyone is vindictive.  Sometimes the chaos is quiet and ever presently churning even though it's not noisy.  I wanted women to see themselves and their friends and their actual lives play out in a way that helps them learn something and grow.  F*** the patriarchy.  But don't screw over your friends.

Quotes in Spanish - If you're a language or quote lover - grab a copy.  They're so fun.

What Faye Loves and What Ein Prefers - a corgi series for kids 0-10.  I wanted grounding morals, lovable characters, and the charm of rhyming schemes I found I loved as a kid for the next generation.  Plus, proceeds give back to rescues!

Ok, so what other books.  Here are some of my other faves:

The Thirtheenth Tale - I'm not a fan of eerie or dark mystery, but I loved this book.  Strong characters.  Enticing read.  Makes you think.

Memoirs of a Geisha - I feel like everyone read this book 20 years ago, but the newer readers may have skipped it because it's 'old'.  It's not.  It's a great story about the struggles of women.  Timeless.  And so beautifully written.

The House on the Cerulean Sea - I picked this up via an online recommendation, and it did not disappoint.  I kept wanting it to be like Harry Potter, but it's not 'magical' in that way.  It's relatable and it makes you hope the underdog wins. If you've even been outside the main stream, you'll love this book.

Where the Sidewalk Ends - Poetry and short stories that speak to the kid inside you.  And they land differently as an adult.  It's not just 'fun to read' but it makes you think about all the ways these stories apply now that you never appreciated.

Never - Woah.  Heavy.  Deep.  Not uplifting at all, but wildly honest and real.  If you want to understand geopolitics and the global intricacies of dependency and power, and how all that is actually hangs by very precarious threads - this is a great read.

Hail Mary - All I can say is the movie had better do it justice.  I'm not big on sci-fi, and yet I gobbled up this book in less than a week.  Transportive.  Emotional.  Nail bitting.  Everything.  Yes, yes, yes.

Name of the Wind - I will warn you, I fell in love with this book and then was devastated to find out the series remains unfinished.  It's the first of 3, and it and the second book are out, but not the third.  It's a little like the darker side of magic without being a dark book, and I love that about it.

Maybe You Should Talk To Someone - a psychology book for people who like to learn how the brain works, people thing, and problems are unwound.  Yes, there are partnering workbooks you can read along with this, but the book on its own is a win.

I probably could go on, but these are the 'top of mind' faves, if you will.  Share yours! Can't wait to hear what everyone else is reading, too!