What I’m Reading (January 2018)

It can be totally overwhelming to pick a new book, and when reading time is limited I want to make sure that my choices are going to be well worth it. About once a month, I share my reading list in the hopes that it makes your reading list a bit easier to navigate and, more importantly, helps you discover books you really love. After all, life is too short to read books you don’t enjoy!

If you missed it, I shared my favorite books of 2017 last week along with some tv shows and podcasts that made my list of best thing from last year.

I’m linking up with Modern Mrs. Darcy to share my reading list this month.

On My Nightstand This Month

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What to Say Next by Julie Buxbaum

This might be even better than Buxbaum’s first novel, Tell Me Three Things. David Drucker is used to sitting alone and observing so when socially popular Kit Lowell joins his table for lunch one day, David does the only thing he knows how to do. He states the facts. Kit’s father is dead. For the first time, someone is being honest with Kit and she finds herself drawn to a friendship she never imagined as she works to unravel the mystery behind her dad’s car accident. I loved the characters in this and the interesting plot twists and turns. A must read for fans of Be Frank With Me or The Rosie Project.

 

 

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

Expect to be a bit uncomfortable at times as you read the sharp and exacting writing of this book, but that’s the only way to understand Eleanor Oliphant. Eleanor has created a world in which nothing can go wrong because she avoids all social interactions that aren’t absolutely necessary. And life is fine…until Raymond, the messy and tender-hearted IT guy, bumps into her life. As Eleanor discovers a world outside of herself, she also begins to come to terms with her traumatic past and a way forward. Eleanor’s quirky awkwardness is delightful, if a little off-putting, and the book tells a beautiful story of how small acts of kindness make all the difference.

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

This book is getting tons of buzz right now, and for good reason. The Cleveland suburb of Shaker Heights is one of the oldest planned communities in the country. Perfect lawns, perfect homes, and perfect lives all neatly arranged without any surprises. The Richardson family is complacently happy living a life without disruption, but then Mia and her daughter Pearl move in as tenants in the family’s duplex property and nothing is the same. Motherhood, teenagers, mystery, and identity are just a few of the beautifully written themes that Celeste Ng weaves through this thought-provoking and revealing story. Highly discussable for book clubs.

 

The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion

I read The Rosie Project last month and was anxious to read this sequel as a chance to revisit the delightfully quirky characters of Rosie and Don, but overall, this was a disappointing follow-up.  Following the first year of marriage as the young couple finds their new life in New York, most of the book is series of clunky misunderstandings between husband and wife and I found myself annoyed with both of them. The more complex plot line doesn’t showcase the humor of Don quite as well and overall, it just wasn’t as good. Even the this second book wasn’t my favorite, I still highly recommend the first book and overall love the characters this series is based around.

 

Are there any favorite books on your list this month? What are you dying to read? I’m also on the hunt for more business books that don’t sound like business books so if you have suggestions, let me know!

PS. As always, you can find all my book recommendations here.