10 Books on my Spring 2021 TBR List

Currently, I am a disorganized reading mess, and I *hate* it. SO - this post is for Top Ten Tuesday, but it is also for me as much as anything because I am a type A organized reader, or at least under the best of circumstances that is how I prefer to read! I love stories and the cozy reading life, sure - but I think part of why I love reading is also the sense of accomplishment from finishing a book - it's addictive and a less talked about perk of reading. And so being organized and having a plan, like a seasonal TBR, keeps me in a good headspace and I definitely get more reading done. So what is my plan? Keep reading to see what I plan to finish this Spring!

 

We Begin at the End 

Chris Whitaker

Pub Date: 3/2/21

Goodreads Ave: 4.33 

 

Everyone is raving about this book and I can not wait to get into it! “We Begin At The End” seems to have something for every kind of reader. It is part murder mystery, part coming of age tale, it’s both character driven and also has an engaging plot! Sign me up. This is truly the kind of book that I always hope to pick up and seeing everyone's glowing reviews about it has me very, very hyped!

 

The Final Revival  

Dawnie Walton

Pub Date: 3/30/21

Goodreads Ave: 4.14

 

Anything compared to "Daisy Jones and the Six" by Taylor Jenkins Reid, definitely catches my eye. I have read many rave reviews about this oral history style afro punk historical fiction novel. This is also a debut work for the author, Dawnie Walton. I love reading debut novels so this definitely at the top of my Spring 2021 reading stack!

Everything is Fine 

Vince Granata 

Pub Date: 4/27/21

Goodreads Ave:  4.69

I just can not get enough non fiction / memoir reads in my life. I was sucked in by the cover for “Everything Is Fine”. After reading the reviews I can not wait to pick it up. It sounds like this is going to be the perfect reading combination of page turning real life story telling coupled with breathtaking writing!

Broken in the Best Possible Way

Jenny Lawson

Pub Date: 4/6/21

Goodreads Ave: 4.39

 

Yay for a new book from Jenny Lawson! But also ugh, I am so disappointed that because this is releasing during a pandemic and that means we wont get to enjoy a book tour because I would definitely be down for that! I absolutely love her genuine and hilarious writing style and it has been too long since I've read a book from her! Check out my thoughts on her last book in my post - Ten Hidden Gems of Non Fiction 

 

Girl One

Sara Flannery Murphy

Pub Date: 6/01//21

Goodreads Ave: 4.07

 

And now we get into the advanced copies I need to tackle before the book’s release! "Girl One" is described as a supernatural thriller, which is a tad bit out of my reading comfort zone, but I'm going to give it a shot. I haven't heard very much about this book yet, but the first chunk of the goodreads summary definitely caught my eye. The main character, Josephine, is the first of nine "miracle babies" that are conceived without male DNA. They are raised on an experimental commune called The Homestead.

 

Mary Jane

Jessica Anya Blau

Pub Date: 5/11//21

Goodreads Ave: 4.22

 

Another “Daisy Jones and the Six” comparison that I am excited to pick up! *And* this one is also being compared to Almost Famous, which is one of my favorite movies. Definitely a winning combo in my opinion. I haven't heard very much about this book yet, but the reviews so far have been really encouraging and I love mixing it up with historical fiction that isn't set too far back in history.

 

Together We Will Go

J Michael Straczynski

Pub Date: 7/06//21

Goodreads Ave: 4.31

 

Do you know what your reading buzzwords are? This book's description had *so many* of mine and it totally got me - endearing, heartfelt, charming, and deeply moving. Just take my money already lol. But really, this book is so up my alley, also that cover (so wonderful!) and I definitely hope that it lives up to the hype that I have created for it in my mind.

Group

Christie Tate

Pub Date: 10/27/20

Goodreads Ave: 3.76

I'm part of a real life, sometimes in person but lately only over zoom, book club in my neighborhood. It has been such an easy and fun way to get out of the house, socialize, but also not have to go too far. And I get the bonus of having an easy icebreaker because talking about books is super easy. Two reads that are on the list for the spring month meet ups are "Group" and "Greenlights".

 

Greenlights

Matthew McConaughey

Pub Date: 10/20/20

Goodreads Ave:4.27

 

I started out listening to "Greenlights" through Audible, but I am definitely going to have to return it and try reading the book instead. Unless I was devoting 100% of my attention to the audio book I had no absolutely idea what Matthew was talking about. It felt like I had one of his car commercials playing in the background. I am sure his memoir will be an interesting read though, and I'm impressed by the good reviews!

The Therapist 

B.A. Paris

Pub Date: 7/13/21

Goodreads Ave: 3.80

 

I've been hooked on B.A. Paris every since reading my first and favorite novel of hers, "Behind Closed Doors". Her twisty thrillers are unputdownable, in my opinion. And while at times her storylines can be a little far fetched, not even the so far less than stellar reviews will stop me from reading this book as soon as I can!

 

And that's what I have planned, reading buddies! Drop a comment down below and let me know your reading plans for this spring. Do we have any books in common? Any books you think I should pick up, too? Or maybe you think having reading plans takes all of the fun out of reading! Let me know how you feel and thanks for reading! ❤

10 Thrillers To Keep You Up At Night

It's offically spooky season and this week's prompt for Top Ten Tuesday is a freebie - so keep reading for my list of ten thrillers that will steal your sleep and keep you turning to the next page!

Five Amazing Books You Should Read ( that also happen to have numbers in the title)

Happy Top Ten Tuesday! This week's posting prompt from host, That Artsy Reader Girl, is to find "Book Titles with Numbers In Them", so I have rounded up five books that I really enjoyed reading that also just so happen to have a number featured in the title. This prompt was way easier than I expected it to be, I guess I've just never realized how many books have numbers in the title. Keep reading to check out my picks!

10 Books on My Fall Reading List - Top Ten Tuesday

What even qualifies as fall? I always get a little salty this time of year because I live in Texas. You just never know what kind of weather you will get here, but short sleeves are definitely a feature of most the autumn months. I mean it's 95 degrees outside today so...yeah. I am sharing ten books I am excited to read this Fall today as part of Top Ten Tuesday hosted by The Artsy Reader Girl. I took a peek at my library holds list and holy good books headed my way! I am excited for each one of these and I hope that enthusiasm is contagious and your TBR list fills up, too! Check out the video above to hear me talk about the books or keep reading to see the books I picked.

My Favorite Underappreciated "Hidden Gem" Books - Top Ten Tuesday

Today I am sharing with you my favorite hidden gem books! Those books I love, and CAN NOT believe more people haven't read. While there were many books I felt could qualify, I narrowed it down to only include books that had 5,000 review or less on Goodreads to make sure that they were truly hidden gems. This post is part of Top Ten Tuesday, which is hosted by The Artsy Reader Girl. Check out the video above to watch me talk about the books or keep reading to see my list of picks!

Best Books I've Read in 2018 ( So Far... ) - Top Ten Tuesday

Today I am sharing with you the very best, the cream of the crop, the tip of the top of books that I have read so far in 2018! This post is part of Top Ten Tuesday, which is hosted by The Artsy Reader Girl. 2018 is my first full year of blogging and creating videos about my reading and I am so excited to share with you the best, because they are great! It's an awkward list of eight books ( instead of five, too few, or ten, too many) but I wanted to be sure that they were truly the best of the best so - let's get to it!

Book Series I Would Like to Read ( or Reread! ) - Top Ten Tuesday

Today I am sharing with you the top five book series I would like to read (or reread)! This post is part of Top Ten Tuesday, which is hosted by The Artsy Reader Girl. This week's theme was a bit of a challenge for me - to be honest, series just aren't my thing. It's been a while, basically since the OG Harry Potter days, since I was really into a series. But, I know that there are some great ones out there, and some that I'd like to give another go. Let's chat!

Top Ten Favorite Books of 2017 - Top Ten Tuesday

Today I am sharing with you my top ten reads from 2017. This post is part of Top Ten Tuesday, which is hosted by The Broke and The Bookish. Each week there is a new theme, and this week the theme is - top ten books I read in 2017. Watch the video above or keep reading to find out what books made my list!

Top Ten Books on My Winter 2017 TBR // Top Ten Tuesday

There is nothing that puts me more in the spirit of my former college final cram sessions, than trying to accomplish my Goodreads reading goal by the end of the year. #stress. Super pleased that I am well within meeting that mark this go around, and my excitement to read these ten books will certainly help me achieve it. Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and The Bookish. Each week there is a new theme, and this week the theme is - top ten books that are on my winter TBR. Keep reading to find out what books made my list!

Ten Hidden Gem Books in Non Fiction

Ah - nonfiction. Nonfiction books are often given the bad rap of being old, boring, grandpa books- and certainly, those nonfiction books are out there (snore)! But, I feel like, as readers, we have a much more developed appreciation for nonfiction and all of the amazing benefits there are to reading this genre. I weeded through all of the nonfiction books I have read in the last few years ( A LOT ) and found ten books that I felt were excellent examples of why I *love* nonfiction books as much as I do. Keep reading to see the list and some video reviews for the books I chose.


We Are All The Same
 Jim Wooten

goodreads// library// amazon

I recently read "We Are All The Same" and it is just such a good book that touches on so many of the reasons why I *love* non fiction so much. Not only is "We Are All The Same" incredibly touching - the book tells the story of a young South African boy born with HIV who is taken in by an adoptive mother, but you also learn so, so much history about South Africa and AIDS- but not in a boring text book way, of course! The author intertwines the stories together so while you are learning about Nkosi and his adoptive mother Gail,  your understanding of the AIDS epidemic increases and vice versa. Non fiction books like this are also great because it gives the reader the chance to catch up or refresh their knowledge on a topic- for me, the AIDS epidemic, apartheid, etc. started a little before my time, it was incredibly enlightening to be able to get a full history of these important topics while also enjoying such a touching story as well! Click the link to read my blog post about "We Are All The Same" where I list Five Things I Learned by reading "We Are All The Same". 


On Immunity
Eula Biss

goodreads // library // amazon

Non fiction is such a good resource for "hot button" issues- a good, well researched non fiction book can get you caught up on an important issue way more reliably than Google. I was curious about immunizations when my son was born - I had heard a lot of talk about choosing not to vaccinate, a possible autism link etc. While I knew I wanted to have my son vaccinated, I also wanted to be able to discuss the topic intelligently and explain my decision. "On Immunity" is a great resource  for vaccine information,  is definitely pro vaccine, and presents all of the information in a very reasoned but also uniquely creative way. Check out my video review of "On Immunity" below!

Hillbilly Elegy 
JD Vance

goodreads // library // amazon

I had *no* idea what to expect when I started this book! It came onto my reading radar around the time of the recent election, and political books are kind of a big reading turn off for me, especially right now. The political climate is just exhausting, and reading is my safe/ self care space - but I am so glad that I took a chance on this book! "Hillbilly Elegy" never felt overly political- instead it was an incredibly interesting and motivational story about a young boy growing up in poverty who makes something of himself that no one would've predicted. I love that "Hillbilly Elegy" fights the assumption that is so common in low socioeconomic environments - no matter what I do, I'm going to be stuck here doing what I've seen my family/ friends/ etc. do. I can not tell you the number of times this book put a smile on my face because I was so proud and inspired by the author and his message. Check out my video review for "Hillbilly Elegy" below!

Juniper
Kelley and Thomas French

goodreads // library // amazon

Question of the day - do you cry easily when reading a book, or are you a little tougher to get to tears? What's the last book that made you cry? I do not consider myself someone who cries easily when reading, but phew, "Juniper" had me crying constantly! This is such a sweet and sincere story written by a couple who fought for years to become pregnant, and after finally successfully conceiving, gave birth to their daughter, Juniper, at 24 weeks gestation. I honestly have trouble even talking about this book because it makes me so emotional!!! Want some embarrassing ( to me : ) evidence?! Check out my video review of "Juniper" below!

Talking as Fast as I Can

Lauren Graham

goodreads // library // amazon

I have a ridiculously huge girl crush on Lauren Graham and could just gush about her, Gilmore Girls, and Parenthood for hours. I can count the number of times I have preordered a book on my hands, and this book was one of them! If you haven't read this insightful, funny, and adorable book yet, I highly recommend it. Lauren is such an excellent writer, and this book is the perfect peek behind the curtain of her life. I couldn't put it down and finished it in one day, one glorious perfect day ; ) Click here to read a blog post about my Top 5 Favorite Moments from "Talking As Fast As I Can" by Lauren Graham.


7: An Experimental Mutiny
by Jen Hatmaker

goodreads // library // amazon

"7: An Experimental Mutiny" is a super unique read, and gave me the benefit of reading about something I struggle with every day - materialism. This book explores the true story of the Hatmaker family and how for seven months they practiced extreme minimalism. Each month had a different focus, ranging from food, to clothes, to entertainment - but whatever the focus, the author tried to pare her life down to only seven items. What if I only had seven pieces of clothes? Seven different books? ( I KNOW! CRAZY!) Could only eat seven different types of food? This book challenges the way that you think about your belongings and how they define you. I feel incredibly blessed to have the privileges that I do, and I think non fiction books like this gem are perfectly humbling, and inspirational, as well!


Furiously Happy
Jenny Lawson

goodreads // library // amazon

Sometimes books fall into your life and lap at just the right moment in time- that is definitely the case for me with "Furiously Happy" by Jenny Lawson. While I had heard of "the blogess" before, I hadn't read much of her work. Shortly after giving birth to my son, I stumbled on her book about depression and anxiety- my heart swooned and felt a kindred connection with this stranger. Non fiction has this amazingly transformative power as you hear someone describe their inner thoughts and find yourself thinking- ohmygod, me too! If you struggle with depression or anxiety I highly recommend this book and author for some comedic stress relief.


When Breath Becomes Air 
Paul Kalanathi

goodreads // library // amazon

Another tear jerker that is absolutely worth the read. "When Breath Becomes Air" is about Dr. Paul Kalanathi, his life, and following his diagnosis with cancer, his death. Typically books like this scare me, as I have quite a bit of health anxiety - but Paul's writing about his coping with cancer while completing his medical training, the birth of his daughter, and overall just living a wonderful and meaningful life, was incredibly inspiring. The conclusion by his wife was touching as well. "When Breath Becomes Air" truly led me to mourn the death of the author- he was such an incredibly talented person and finishing his book I felt so glad to have shared the time I read it with him in the only way possible. Click here to read a full review of When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi!


Quiet 
Susan Cain

goodreads // library // amazon

Can you tell I love non fiction, yet? Well, here is another example of why! : ) "Quiet" by Susan Cain is all about introversion - a personality type that in general is sometimes looked down upon or questioned. Prior to reading this book, I knew I was an introvert- but I didn't know why, or what relationship that had with my tendency to prefer/ crave quiet, alone time. If you've ever wondered about what makes introverts tick or how family/friends/workplaces can become more introvert friendly- this is a great book. After reading "Quiet" I felt this sense of freedom to be me and embrace my introversion- it is incredibly liberating to know that your natural instincts have a reason and a purpose!



Brain on Fire 
Susannah Cahalan

goodreads // library // amazon

Medical mysteries are fascinating to me - and the story of Susannah Cahalan's descent into "a month of madness" definitely caught my attention from the very start. I was moved by the faith that her family had in her, and she had in herself, to overcome this mystery illness that completely transformed her life practically overnight! The author, Cahalan, does such an excellent job weaving her personal experiences together with medical information, accounts from her friends and family, as well as the heroic doctor who fought for a proper diagnosis. Definitely a book I recommend.


Have you read any of the non fiction gems that I loved? Let me know what you thought of these books below! What non fiction books have you read and enjoyed? I'd love some recommendations!