I am an avid reader, and each year I challenge myself to read more books than the year before. This year, I have decided to write a short review of each book I read (or listened to), because I’ve always found these super helpful when choosing books. I have compiled all of the book reviews I’ve written over the winter months of January, February, and March.

Happy reading!!!

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

Written by: Suzanne Collins /// Read by: Santino Fontana

I finished my first book of 2021! I will admit I started this book in December 2020…but I think it still counts. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is a prequel for the Hunger Games series. It was a great book…all except the ending. It was just eh! But I would still recommend it, because I loved getting some back story for President Snow and the Hunger Games.

 

The Lazy Genius Way (*****)

Written by: Kendra Adachi

I finished my first full book of the year and what a great book it was! I loved reading The Lazy Genius at the start of the year because it helped me approach goals and the new year in general in a completely different way. I guess you could call it a self-help book but it’s like no other I’ve read before. Kendra makes approaching life personal instead of prescription. While it is a very practical book, it is also deep and soulful at the same time. * I highly recommend it and give it 5 stars!

*Also, Kendra is funny and sometimes sarcastic and uber relatable!

 

Jayber Crow

Written by: Wendell Berry /// Read by: Paul Mitchell

This is the story of the life of Jayber Crow, the barber in Port William, Kentucky. Jayber Crow was a peaceful book to read (made even more calming because of the deep, Southern voice of the narrator), a book of a simple life lived during simpler times. It contains happiness, humor, contentment, sadness, and even anger. At times it is deep and gives you questions to consider about life if you so choose. Thank you Lazy Genius (also known as Kendra Adachi) for the recommendation. I wouldn’t say it was life-changing like she did, but it was a good listen!

 

The Guest List

Written by: Lucy Foley

What a book! The Guest List kept me on my toes and the ending surprised me…that’s always a plus with a mystery! The audio version was great as there were multiple narrators for each character. Plus, who doesn’t love a good Irish accent?!? My only negative (ish) is that is was a little hard to follow at times because it jumped from past to present. All in all I would HIGHLY recommend reading this book!

 

Greenlights

Written and Read by: Matthew McConaughey

“…I hope it can be useful and lend a hand if you need it, that it might teach you something, inspire you, make you laugh, remind you, help you forget, and arm you with some tools to better march forward as more of yourself.”

This was what McConaughey wanted the book to accomplish for the reader, and for me it checked all those boxes! Greenlights was light but deep, funny but serious. There were things I couldn’t relate to, but there were more things that I could. At the end of the book, I was inspired to do what he did…just keep livin’ as the most authentic version of myself.

 

Love What You Do (*****)

Written by: Dana Spinola 

“I want your life to be charged with passion so that the work you do feels like a privilege instead of something to get through every day.” 

Oh my gosh, this book!!! I was excited to read Love What You Do. after reading the summary, but I didn’t realize then just how good or inspiring or life-changing it would actually be. If you don’t love your job or you want to take a job you love to the next level or you just need some encouragement to dream, then this book is for you! As a bonus, each chapter has applicable questions for you to answer to help push you towards what you love to do.

I think what made reading this book so special was that I have had the opportunity to visit a free fab’rik boutique with the girls I work with at Gigi’s House, so I saw many of the things she wrote about come to life. It made the book even more personal for me!

 

The Tattooist of Auschwitz

Written by: Heather Morris

Oh, The Tattooist of Auschwitz was such a heart wrenching book! ALL. THE. FEELS. But, what can you expect when you combine love with World War II??? I highly recommend you read this book, but be prepared that you may need tissues!

Related- A Day in the Life: Rest Day

 

Cilka’s Journey

Written by: Heather Morris

Cilka’s Journey, written by the same author as The Tattooist of Auschwitz, was another heart-breaking yet beautiful story! It contained a strong female lead, action, depth, and even some romance. It was another book I would highly recommend! (My only complaint is that the ending was a little abrupt and seemed somewhat forced)

 

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek (*****)

Written by: Kim Michele Richardson

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek is definitely in my top 3 books of 2021! The emphasis it places on the importance of books and reading makes my heart happy in and of itself. But the deeper story of loving and accepting ourselves when we are different and don’t fit in really spoke to insecurities I have struggled with for most of my life. It was also so insightful for me to read this book now, in light of the problems with racism that have become hot topics since events of last year. To summarize, go read this book as soon as you can; you won’t regret it!!!

 

Comment below and let me know what you thought about any of these books…

or let me know any books you highly recommend I check out!

 

(This post contains affiliate links, meaning if you purchase something using my link, I get a small percentage from Amazon. This does not affect the cost you pay. Just know, I wouldn’t recommend these products if I didn’t use and love them!)