My Top 5 Reads in 2018
I find the best way to make a layover feel like a 10-second nap or your flight faster than an episode of The Office, is to get lost in the pages of good books and fully immerse yourself in your imagination.
These books kept me sane on a plane or occupied in an airport. Each one earned a spot on my bookshelf at home and I highly recommend that you treat yourself to the fabulous stories that each one has to share.
“That’s the thing about books. They let you travel without moving your feet.”
-Jhumpa Lahiri
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Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstance: A Novel
(Fantasy)
This book is truly extraordinary, and even better, it’s a super quick read! Simply put, this book is happy. The main character, Weylyn Grey, has special powers and is raised by wolves. When I read it, I needed something positive and full of fantasy. My imagination ran wild like the wolves in the novel. The story is full of animals, magic, and love. It is told from multiple points of view which usually bothers me, but in this case, is absolutely perfect. BOEC is about being different, finding acceptance and letting your heart find happiness.
A Gentleman in Moscow: A Novel
(Historical Fiction)
Amor Towles has an excellent sense of humor! Not only is the book fantastic, but the author is witty the entire time. As I read the book I wanted to tell the author, “I get you, I totally get you.” I don’t consider myself well-versed on Russian history and Towles enlightens his readers in a refreshing and vibrant way.
Count Alexander Rostov is found guilty of being an unrepentant aristocrat after the Russian Revolution. He must live out his sentence of house arrest at the Metropol, a luxurious hotel by the Kremlin. The story explores his evolution as a character while living in the hotel attic, working as a server and befriending a young girl.
I’ve come to realize that most of the books I pick up tend to be historical fiction, and this is by far one of the best ones I’ve read. You see a different perspective on the history you thought you already knew. The ending is up for discussion, so read it and let’s chat!
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
(Historical Fiction)
Post-WWII, London is in ruins and times are still tough. Juliet is a writer (I loved her character from the beginning obviously) and is struggling to write a new book for her publisher. She receives a letter from a man in Guernsey who purchased an old book of hers from a bookstore and a new friendship sparks.
I never read a book like this before and I absolutely love how it is presented. It gets 10 stars on my scale mainly because it is written as letters and telegrams back and forth between the characters. I found myself thinking, wow, mail moves fast there, but that’s beside the point. The book follows Juliet to Guernsey Island where she befriends its residents, joins its literary club and uncovers the details of the German occupancy. Love, literature, and London. What else is there to say?
When Life Gives You Lululemons(Fiction)
Disclaimer, I had no idea until I picked up this book, that it was a Devil Wears Prada novel. I mean, it is right across the cover, but I thought Devil Wears Prada was one and done. Nope. There’s even another book before this one! I will tell you, it absolutely doesn’t matter if you read the books in order. This is the only book I read, and all you have to know is that Miranda Priestly’s former assistant, Emily Charlton, is the main character and she’s a boss bitch. I absolutely fell in love with Weisberger’s writing; it is real and makes you feel like you are in the midst of the drama with the characters. Her style reminds me to be true to myself in my writing.
Emily is a successful image consultant for the Hollywood elite and finds herself struggling with the new competition from millennials and social media. She travels back east to the posh suburb of Greenwich to recharge and comes across the opportunity of a lifetime. The storyline is full of betrayal, friendship and girl power. I was legitimately upset when this book ended because living the Greenwich-life in my Lululemons was so.much.fun!
Girl, Wash Your Face
(Non-Fiction, Self-Help)
I honestly didn’t know what to expect with this book, and turns out I opened up a full can of empowerment and inspiration. Rachel Hollis is a queen! Sister knows what’s up, and this book is a must-read for every.woman.on.earth.
Each chapter is a lie she used to tell herself that would hold her back from achieving her goals and reaching her full potential. Truthfully, not every chapter is relevant to me, especially because I don’t have children. Therefore, the chapter about keeping my kids alive isn’t a top priority in my life. Either way, no matter your stage in life, there is a chapter for you in this book. The one that rang true for me was, “I’m a Terrible Writer.” It’s a lie I tell myself, and in fact, it’s my God-given gift.
Needless to say, she is full of encouragement and motivation, and I finished the book completely empowered and ready to achieve my goals. Nothing happens overnight, but all it takes is moving past your insecurities and fears and going for your dreams; you’re the only one who can. My favorite takeaways from Hollis include her sprinkle of inspirational quotes throughout the book. Read this if you want some real talk and motivation for becoming who you were meant to be.
“Someone else’s opinion of you is none of your business!”
-Rachel Hollis
