This month I kind of let recommendations take me where I would, for the most part. I had left over recommendations from last month that finally came in from the library, recommendations from colleagues, and a book club book. The most spontaneous book was on investing because I kind of feel like I’m not doing enough with my money. But here’s to 2021!
Fiction
The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
Why I picked up this book: My co-worker and I have regular virtual coffees where we mostly talk about books. She recommended this book to me because she loved it.
Mood: Drama with a dash a romance that’s not super gross
I really liked this book and found myself glued to my audiobook throughout the week to finish it. The main character is growing up in a difficult family situation, her father has changed after being a prisoner of war. They end up moving to Alaska because as one of her father’s big ideas. They’re completely unprepared and her father’s moods become worse and worse…
Although not the point of the story, now I really want to visit Alaska!
The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld
Why I picked up this book: My co-worker sent me a reading of this book and said that it reminded them of me, “not just because it had a rabbit”
Mood: “Awwwwww” and “delivering those deep thoughts to kids”
I’m of course flattered and flabbergasted that people consider me a good listener. Just shows how your work & home life can be different ;). I did really like the lesson though!
Disappearing Earth by Julia Phillips
Why I picked up this book: This is our March book club book.
Mood: Moody
The story follows a different women in each chapter to talk about how their lives are affected by the abduction of two little girls from the city centre. Many of the characters are not directly tied to the girls, but the story takes over the news and is used as a connected piece as we follow what’s happening in their lives. Honestly I was a little distracted during the middle (a lot of names to keep straight!), but by the last 2 hours I was just laying on the couch listening so it got me back.
Non-fiction
Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community? by Martin Luther King Jr.
Why I picked up this book: Many of my colleagues referenced this book during MLK Jr. weekend.
Mood: Want to hear the real words, not just the instagram quotes montage.
My co-workers explained that we often forget that MLK Jr was assassinated and died an enemy of the state who had fallen out of public favor in part because he had more “radical” (read: progressive) beliefs towards the end of his life, and this was published shortly before his death. They were encouraging us to go deeper beyond the the “I have a dream speech” to how his beliefs evolved as the fight for equality continued.
Broke Millennial Takes on Investing by Erin Lowry
Why I picked up this book: I was looking for a book on investing all all the top books had a waitlist.
Mood: Want to learn about investing, but also want to be chill about it.
I’m ultimately glad that this book was available and what I got to read because it was far simpler and ultimately more relevant to me. I did not really like the title because I’m not a “broke millennial” but it’s the second book in a series (First: Broke Millennial: Stop Scraping by and Get Your Financial Life Together) so I guess she wanted some continuity. I’d recommend this book if you feel like you’re ready to start investing as a less-scary way to learn about it. Even though I haven’t read it, I’d recommend her first book too if that’s the situation you’re in. My friends have had a pretty wide variety of career paths and we don’t really talk about money as a culture besides, so maybe a book would resonate with you.