I’ve gotten very little reading done in August, as my campaign for office kicks into gear. This month I only read five books, and I’m 17 books behind in my goal to read 100 books in 2018. At this point, I’m not sure I’ll be able to make up the gap by year end, especially with September and October being my most busy months for the campaign. But I’m going to make an effort to devote at least some time to unwinding and reading rather than focusing on the campaign every non-working moment!
4 stars:
Hit Makers: Why Things Become Popular, by Derek Thompson: This was a really fascinating look at how things get popular. Some chapters were slower than others, but they were always followed by case studies that DID resonate with me, so the book moved quickly. Highly recommend this for anyone looking to get the word out about a business, or get more insight into consumer behavior.
When Life Gives You Lululemons, by Lauren Weisberger: This was a great beach read – light, fluffy, and enough of a plot to keep me entertained. My only critique would be that Emily was so unlikeable in The Devil Wears Prada, and this book didn’t do a lot to redeem her and make her more relatable. However, I did like the other two main characters, and it was fun to have brief cameos by Andy Sachs and Miranda Priestly! Still recommend it.
3 stars:
An Excellent Choice: Panic and Joy on My Solo Path to Motherhood, by Emma Brockes: The subject of this book was fascinating (a woman who decides to have a baby on her own), but I didn’t find the author to be very likeable. I also didn’t find it as relatable that her girlfriend already had a baby on her own, and the two of them helped each other through the process. While I understand this is autobiographical, it didn’t made the whole process seem like not as much of a “solo path” when both girlfriends were doing the same thing (even if it wasn’t simultaneously). However, this was a solid realistic view at what the path to solo motherhood would entail.
The High Season, by Judy Blundell: This was recommended so many places as the book of the summer, but I didn’t love it. The story was somewhat interesting, but I found myself really annoyed with Ruthie and how helpless she was to solve her own problems.This was recommended so many places as the book of the summer, but I didn’t love it. The story was somewhat interesting, but I found myself really annoyed with Ruthie and how helpless she was to solve her own problems.
My Squirrel Days, by Ellie Kemper: I loved the Office, though admittedly haven’t watched Kimmy Schmidt, but I was still excited to get an early copy of this book. Ellie’s writing / sense of humor was very similar to her character on the Office: a little quirky, dry, and self-deprecating. I liked it, but didn’t love it. Those who are big Kimmy Schmidt fans would probably really enjoy it though!
Any book recommendations for me? Follow me here on Goodreads to keep up with what I’m reading in real time.
I too am behind in my reading goal but I tend to read longer non-fiction now at days and those are not quick reads. I really enjoy Paul Theroux’s non-fiction books. He is a really good writer. I just finished Sir Vidia’s Shadow and previously read Ghost Train to the Eastern Star. I am going to get more of his travel non-fiction books, the ones I haven’t read yet. I highly recommend him. For fiction, I enjoyed Saving Fish from Drowning by Amy Tan, but I am not a big fiction person anymore. I just started reading Nutshell by Ian McEwan and so far it is good. It also happens to be short. : )
Thanks for the recs!! Always love your comments on my book posts 🙂