I listened to/ read 44 books in 2019 and I’m still catching up from some of my reviews of them here; half of these books are books I read last year and the others are from 2020! There are a lot of wonderful books that are on my to read pile and I’m looking forward to reading and sharing them 🙂 .
THE LAST FIVE BOOKS I’VE READ
The Tattooist of Aushwitz
After Lale is transported to a Aushwitz, the concentration staff learn he speaks several languages; this comes to his “advantage”, and he becomes a tattooist. Lale has an interesting tale full of heart ache that comes from the extra privileges he receives from his position, but also shares the joy it brings him when he is able to date. This book is heartbreaking in the way only a book centered around a man’s survival through a concentration camp can be, but I loved his optimism and outlook on life as he survived.
The Enneagram of Parenting
This isn’t the best enneagram book I read, but it filled up some time. I’ve been reading all of the enneagram books I can get my hands on. This was very basic at best.
American Royals
I needed a fun laid back novel that was family friendly (I’d give this a teen PG-13 rating). This book is written on the premise that the US became a monarchy after the revolution instead of a democracy. Duh duh dun… there is a future queen consort to get married off. I’ll be picking up the second book in the series as soon as it comes out. I also listed this as one of my favorite books in 2019.
Radical Self-Acceptance: A Buddhist Guide to Freeing Yourself from Shame
I recommend listening to this in audiobook format because she gives space for meditations throughout. I really enjoyed this short book and how the author merged different belief systems throughout. She discusses a lot how to release yourself from shame and then brings up a really poignant message about how community should be a part of healing as well. I discuss my thoughts about this book here too.
Running With Sherman
I wasn’t expecting to like this book… I thought it would be cheesy, but then I loved it. The author has such a way with story telling! I ended up laughing until I cried at a few parts because it was just so humorous. Sherman is a rescue donkey the author’s family rehabilitates. In trying to bring more hope to the poor creature, they end up going on daily walks and runs with him. As they begin to see what he is capable of, they eventually race him in a national competition for burro racing. This book was sweet, inspiring, and had a lot of background of a non-Amish person living in Lancaster county (I have no idea why, but I’ve always been super obsessed with Lancaster county and it is 3 hours away from here).
