I really enjoyed this round of books! I’ve been really lucky that our library system is huge here and I’ve been able to check out a lot or be on a hold list that is fairly fast. These are the last five books I’ve read/listened to recently.
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Girl, Stop Apologizing
I was skeptical of reading this book because I hated Rachel Hollis’s first book (you can read my review here). However, I was pleasantly surprised with this book. I found this book more down to earth and relateable. Rachel talked about a lot of her struggles and the concept of: you really can’t do it all. She suggested waking up early every morning as a mama, or you’re already behind; I totally get what she is saying, but I like sleep too much. I’d recommend this one.
Everything I Never Told You
I wanted to read this book because I’ve heard other people say they like her other ones. I also wanted to read a book by a non-white author. However, I just didn’t love any of these characters. I felt they all made super poor decisions and the book was just over all sad.
My Friend Anna
I was curious about this book. Essentially, it is the biographical experience of Rachel being conned by her friend Anna. Alternately, it is also the story of Rachel investigating Anna after she was taken to the bank because of this conning. I really felt for Rachel, but I also had a hard time sympathizing with her because she was enjoying all of these services as well. I felt my stress level rising when reading this book. There is a lot of girl drama in this book, as well as language.
The Great Pretender: The Undercover Mission That Changed Our Understanding of Madness
I read this book because I really enjoyed her first book that was later turned into a movie (you can read my review here). Susannah discusses the stigma behind mental illness and how medical issues are treated differently when they are psychosomatic opposed to caused from a “medical condition.” She then goes to look behind the studies that ending up building the DSM (a diagnostic manual for mental health professionals) and questions the ethics behind them. This book is super interesting, well researched, and I brought it up to my own counselor because the topics were really compelling.
Song for a Whale
This was a charming young adult book about a teenager who is deaf. The main character discusses her identity as she relates to a whale that she learns is unable to communicate to other whales. The book was touching, family friendly, and emotional. I was happy to hear how things ended for the main character.
