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December 2023 Book Report

Hi friends! I am participating in the Ultimate Blog Challenge, where I will post a daily blog post all month. That’s 31 blog posts! I look forward to reading other people’s blogs who are doing this challenge with me. I also really appreciate the likes and comments you bestow upon me. It helps to know I have a real live audience and that I’m not writing into cyberspace. I promise to respond to every single one of them! Thanks in advance for reading.

At the beginning of December, I was eight books behind on my 2023 Goodreads goal. I thought there was no way I’d read that many books in one month.

I thought wrong.

Knowing that listening to a book is much faster than reading them on the couch, I figured I had a chance to reach my goal. In case you are someone who thinks listening to books is cheating or not really reading, just imagine being read to by a talented narrator while making dinner or running errands. And then, imagine that the story is so good that you tack on a few more errands just so you can finish another chapter.

Convinced? Well, I tried. 🙂

This month, I read four books on Audible, one Kindle download, and three in print. To reach my Goodreads goal, some of the books I selected were less than 200 pages and were just as enjoyable as the others. I can’t remember the last time I read eight books in a month, but I’m proud of myself for not only reaching my goal but being able to enjoy each of these titles. Here are the books I read in December.

Fiction

Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan
272 pages/Kindle

I was afraid to read this book at first. It received a lot of hype, and when that happens, I’m often left disappointed. But the title kept coming up in the reading-themed podcasts that I listen to, so I gave it a shot. I’m so glad I did.

Nora is a romance channel writer who turns the story of her failed marriage into a big-screen, blockbuster movie. When the actors and crew film at her home, the tables are turned on her life. She finds herself falling for the lead actor who happens to be playing her husband. Of course, he is nothing like her husband, but it all gets complicated in the most entertaining way. Add in a few adorable and inquisitive children and you’ve got yourself a great read.

Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld
309 pages/Audible

Go behind the scenes of an SNL-type show and step into the shoes of a writer who pulls back the curtain on how sketches are selected and produced each week. The author did not leave out any details, making it so easy to get into the book.

On top of this, the relationship between the writer and the guest host did not disappoint. Add in the COVID-19 pandemic and the accompanying neurosis in a typical partnership, and you’ve got yourself a great read. The narrator was excellent, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

The Leftover Woman by Jean Kwok
288 pages/Audible

When someone in my book club recommended this to the group, I was all in. Historical fiction is my jam, and surprisingly, I haven’t read a lot of it this year. This is something I will rectify in 2024.

Here is the setup: Jasmine comes from a rural Chinese village where she left her controlling husband to search for the daughter she was told had died in childbirth. Meanwhile, Rebecca appears to have the perfect life in NYC with a fantastic job, a wonderful husband, and a beautiful adopted Chinese daughter. The story that unfolds for each woman has many twists and turns. I was fully invested in their storylines. When their lives intertwine, the result is both surprising and captivating.

I also learned a lot about Chinese culture and the “one-child policy,” where women were subjected to sterilization and abortion and abandoning daughters for sons. The historical context, along with modern themes of women’s empowerment and economic and cultural differences, drew me into this story and left me wanting more.

This is one of the books that I added miles on the car just to keep listening. 🙂  Highly recommend! I can’t wait for book club to discuss this one.

The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise by Colleen Oakley
352 pages/Audible

I chose this as my last book of the year. It was a fun ride as I felt myself sitting in the backseat of a classic Jaguar, enjoying the banter of Tanner, a 21-year-old woman with an uncertain future, and a not-to-be-underestimated elderly woman named Louise. They are on the run, but only Louise why. Tanner is behind the wheel, but Louise is doing all of the steering throughout this road trip. Parts of the truth unfold in rest areas, diners, bars, and hotels until they finally reach their destination.

Tanner and Louise are accompanied on this trip by side characters who are just as intriguing as the protagonists. Everyone has a backstory and plays a sizeable role in the plot. I’d definitely recommend this one to people who enjoy a little mystery, romance, and humor rolled up into one excellent read.

Nonfiction

I Could Chew on This: And Other Poems by Dogs by Francesco Marciuliano
112 pages/Print

This little book of poetry will have dog lovers and owners laughing out loud. Some of my personal favorites include: “I Lose My Mind When You Leave the House,” “Purse Dog,” and “Halloween.”

For cat lovers, this author has a companion book of poems called “I Could Pee On This.” I haven’t read it because I’m highly allergic to cats, but I’m sure felines are just as funny. Maybe…

Nothing Like I Imagined (Except for Sometimes) by Mindy Kaling
118 pages/Audible

I love it when a celebrity is also a brilliant writer. Mindy Kaling’s smart collection of essays addresses everything from single parenting to social anxiety. This is the first book I read about her and by her, but definitely not the last.

No Crying in Baseball: The Inside Story of A League of Their Own by Erin Carlson
320 pages/Print/Library Book

This year, I read three behind-the-scenes books about some of my favorite movies. The first one was “The Church of Baseball,” which was about the making of Bull Durham. I loved that book because I’m a fan of both the movie and the sport. Unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy “Surely You Can’t Be Serious,” about one of the funniest movies I’ve ever watched, Airplane! This book was more about getting the movie made and sold rather than great stories about the film itself. (I do a full review this book, here). After I finished the book, the only thought I had was that it looked like I picked the wrong week to quit drinking. 😉

When I heard about this book, I was thrilled. I loved this movie and watch it often. The author did her homework about this movie and leaves nothing out. From Penny Marshall’s directing style to Madonna’s diva-like attitude on set to giving Tom Hanks his second chance in movies, there were so many anecdotes. It was hard to pick a favorite, but I’ll say the story behind casting Geena Davis instead of Debra Winger was a winner. Minor characters and plot lines were also discussed in the book which made this book that much more enjoyable.

I finished this book in two days and will probably reread it and then watch the movie again.

The Art of Living: Reflections on Mindfulness and the Overexamined Life by Grant Snider
144 pages/Print

How do I even begin to explain this book? For once, I’ll have to go to the Goodreads description because I can’t do it justice. “Beloved cartoonist Grant Snider has created a humorous, uplifting look at mindfulness in this collection of one- and two-page comics that map his inner thoughts, poetic observations, and frequent failures at living mindfully.”

In a word, this author/cartoonist is brilliant. I also enjoyed “I Will Judge You by Your Bookshelf,” which should be on every book lover’s shelf if it isn’t already. Each of his cartoons in “The Art of Living” makes you think a little and smile a lot. He has a way of breaking down his thoughts into small moments that truly capture my heart. I highly recommend this, especially at the start of a new year.

What did you read in December? Let me know in the comments!

XO,

Elisa

Reading Goals: Then & Now

Hi friends! I am participating in the Ultimate Blog Challenge, where I will post a daily blog post all month. That’s 31 blog posts! I look forward to reading other people’s blogs who do this challenge with me. I also really appreciate the likes and comments on my posts. I promise to respond to every single one of them! Thanks in advance for reading. 

As many of you may know, I’m a big ole book nerd, so I wanted to start the new year by reflecting on my reading life over the last 12 months. I had high hopes and managed to check a few things off of my bookworm to-do list.

  • More library visits: I borrowed more books and saved a lot of money. I’m there so often now that the woman at the drive-up window recognizes me. I don’t know her name, but she always greets me with a smile and grabs my books off the reserved cart before I can get out my library card. She also knows I’ll ask for the latest issue of Book Page, a free library magazine with many recommendations. Most libraries carry them; just ask!
  • Discovered a new indie bookstore: We vacationed in Bar Harbor, Maine, in September and stayed at an Airbnb located a few blocks away from Sherman’s Books. I hung out there almost every night after a long day of touring, perusing their shelves that reached from floor to ceiling, talking to the friendly staff, and supporting their business. If I could have found a way to hide myself in that bookstore overnight, it would have been amazing.
  • Summer book project: I reorganized the bookshelves in my house. Now, I have curated shelves in the office, bedroom, and living room. I also cleaned out my kids’ shelves and got rid of several thick SAT guidebooks. The shelves all look so nice, and it has been a joy to rediscover the books I forgot I owned.
  • Book blogs: I wrote many book reviews last year and learned that several readers learned about some great books from my posts. In fact, some of my highest open rates were from my book blogs. If you want to read them, search for “book report” in my blog search bar. And stay tuned for my December book report coming soon. 
  • No Book Buy July: Between borrowing books at the library, organizing my shelves, and refraining from buying books for a month, I enjoyed the books I had instead of buying new ones. It wasn’t easy because I’m always looking for the “it” book that everyone is reading. Plus, July was Amazon Prime Day, where the books were super cheap. And yet, I didn’t buy one book and lived to tell about it.
  • Book stats: I completed 34 books this year. My Goodreads goal was originally 40 titles last January, but then I reduced it to 35 and then again to 33 as the year went on.

2024 Reading Goals

  • Number of books: Today, I set my book challenge to 40 books, hoping to finally reach that magic number.
  • Backlist books: I signed up for the Backlist Book Challenge where each month I read a book or two published in a specific year. Preferably, the books I pick are ones I already own. January has been assigned the year 2012, so I will read The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton and a nonfiction book still to be chosen.
  • Track my books: I downloaded a Google spreadsheet from the women who host the Currently Reading podcast. I want to dig into my reading habits a little more this year, such as where I get my book recommendations, whether I bought or borrowed it, and why I liked or didn’t like specific titles. The more details I provide, the better I’ll know myself as a reader at the end of 2024.
  • Buy less and borrow more: When I buy a book, it has to be from Audible or an indie bookstore, not a big box store or downloaded to Kindle. This way, I’ll have to go out of my way to get to the store and buy it. I will also only buy physical books if there is a long wait at the library or if no one has it and I must read it by a certain date (like for book club). I will keep in mind that I have plenty to read already and learn to tune out the hyped books that everyone is talking about. This is going to be my hardest goal, but I’m putting it out here and willing to give it a shot.

How was your reading year? What bookish goals are you setting for 2024? Let me know in the comments.

XO,
Elisa

November 2023 Book Report

Reading a book and drinking coffee. I have a confession to make. I didn’t finish any books in November.

I started a bunch of them, and they are all in various stages of completion. But I’m going through a dry spell. Most of the books I’m reading at the moment are nonfiction, and I tend to read those books slower than fiction. Typically, I read these books to learn something, and I like absorbing the information before moving forward.

Of course, if the nonfiction book is a celebrity biography or a memoir, all bets are off. I devour those pretty quickly.

For instance, I’m reading “Digital Body Language: How to Build Trust and Connection “ by Erica Dhawan, which is about communicating better in a remote working environment.  I’m about 120 pages in and am learning how to respond to vague and confusing emails, avoid digital ghosting, and decide if my message should be delivered via email, text, or a phone call. As a Gen-Xer who is not a digital native but wants to communicate effectively with my younger colleagues, I am finding this book extremely helpful.

Other Books I’m Reading

  • “Hot and Bothered: What No One Tells You About Menopause (and How to Feel Like Yourself Again)” by Jancee Dunn –  is about approaching this season of life with information and a sense of humor. Chapter titles range from “Why Did I Walk Into this Room Again?” to “50, Shades of Gray.” I can’t wait to review this one for you next month. 😀
  • “The Six Minute Memoir: Fifty-Five Short Essays On Life” Mary Helen Stefaniak – I love memoirs and essay collections, and this one doesn’t disappoint. Initially, I bought this for the writing prompts in the back of the book, but as I go through each short chapter, I am enjoying this author’s real-life anecdotes written in great detail.
  • “On Brand,” by Aliza Licht  – I’ve always been interested in developing my personal brand as a writer. While I was working, I didn’t have much time to dedicate to the idea. But now that I have some time on my hands as I look for my next career move, I’m getting a lot out of this book, which offers a beginner’s look at rebranding ourselves and sharing our vision with the world. As a side note, the author is pro-Israel and has fantastic content on Instagram to educate and inform people about Israel and the rise of antisemitism. I highly recommend her book and her platform.

That’s it for the books I’m reading. However, it’s not the end of my book report. There’s more. 🙂

Saying Goodbye to Books I Don’t Want to Read

I’m doing some end-of-year decluttering and decided to dig into my bookshelves. I could seriously start a pop-up bookstore because I have too many books. I found books I forgot I owned. I walk into a room, and there is a book lying on the table or piled up in the corner. I don’t want to treat my books this way. I spent good money on them, and they deserve to be read or put away until I can get to them.

I also found titles that no longer interest me. At the top of my donation pile is a recent best seller I know many people loved: “This Time Tomorrow” by Emily Straub. After several attempts at reading this book and similar time travel stories, I’ve decided this is not the trope for me. To be clear, I enjoy books with different timelines — like a character whose story switches from past to present. This back-and-forth writing doesn’t bother me.

I’m talking about actual time-travel stories involving a protagonist literally going back in time through some strange portal and not knowing how they got there and trying to get home. So many of these books are described as being similar to the movie “Groundhog Day.” I know I’m in the minority here, but I really disliked that movie. For me, reliving the same day repeatedly with slight variations in order to learn a lesson or right a wrong is not how I want to spend my precious reading time. So those books automatically land in my donate pile for someone else to enjoy. And more importantly, I’m giving myself permission to not buy those books, even when the titles get rave reviews.

By the way, if you have a trope you don’t like, I am giving you the go-ahead to make room in your bookshelves for books you know you will love.

What book tropes do you stay away from? Friends to lovers romance novels? World War II stories? Violent plotlines? Children in jeopardy? Let me know in the comments. 

Happy reading!

XO,
Elisa

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