“Read More” is always top of the list when it comes to things I want to do to improve my life. It is normally followed by a laugh and an eye roll; I’m a slow reader so it takes me a while. But this year something was different. Here are the books I’ve read and audible books I’ve “read” in 2020. Most were pretty darn good if you ask me!
Books
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
Amazon synopsis: It is the morning of the reaping that will kick off the tenth annual Hunger Games. In the Capitol, eighteen-year-old Coriolanus Snow is preparing for his one shot at glory as a mentor in the Games. The once-mighty house of Snow has fallen on hard times, its fate hanging on the slender chance that Coriolanus will be able to outcharm, outwit, and outmaneuver his fellow students to mentor the winning tribute.
The odds are against him. He’s been given the humiliating assignment of mentoring the female tribute from District 12, the lowest of the low. Their fates are now completely intertwined — every choice Coriolanus makes could lead to favor or failure, triumph or ruin. Inside the arena, it will be a fight to the death. Outside the arena, Coriolanus starts to feel for his doomed tribute . . . and must weigh his need to follow the rules against his desire to survive no matter what it takes.
My review: Run don’t walk to read this book. I LOVED The Hunger Games series and I was so excited when this came out (I pre-ordered it! I haven’t pre-ordered a book since Harry Potter!). Entering the world of future President Snow is something I never asked for but I was so glad to see it. The shaping of his character is complex and nuanced and the world around him is so vastly different then the one we see 64 years later in The Hunger Games. I read this book in about 5 days and stayed up past my bedtime to read “just one more chapter”. If that’s not a glowing review I don’t know what is.
My rating: 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Home Work: A Memoir of My Hollywood Years by Julie Andrews
Amazon synopsis: In this follow-up to her critically acclaimed memoir, Home. With this second memoir, Home Work: A Memoir of My Hollywood Years, Andrews picks up the story with her arrival in Hollywood and her phenomenal rise to fame in her earliest films–Mary Poppins andThe Sound of Music. Andrews describes her years in the film industry — from the incredible highs to the challenging lows. Not only does she discuss her work in now-classic films and her collaborations with giants of cinema and television, she also unveils her personal story of adjusting to a new and often daunting world, dealing with the demands of unimaginable success, being a new mother, the end of her first marriage, embracing two stepchildren, adopting two more children, and falling in love with the brilliant and mercurial Blake Edwards. The pair worked together in numerous films, includingVictor/Victoria, the gender-bending comedy that garnered multiple Oscar nominations.
My review: This book is just lovely and a quick and easy read. If you were like me and grew up on movie musicals you will love this! I learned so so much about Julie Andrews (did you know about her adopted daughters, charity work or super famous husband?) and now feel a whole new appreciation for those beloved classic movies like Mary Poppins, Sound of Music and The Pink Panther series. My only gripe? She didn’t talk about Princess Diaries …Maybe in her next one!
My rating: 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’ll Be There for You: The One About Friends by Kelsey Miller
Amazon synopsis: When Friends debuted in 1994, no one anticipated the sensation it would become. Through its decade-long run, the show maintained an uncanny connection to its audience, who saw it both as a reflection of their own lives and an aspirational escape from reality.I’ll Be There for Youis a deep dive intoFriends history and lore, exploring all aspects of the show, from its unlikely origins to the societal conditions that amplified its success. Journalist and pop culture expert Kelsey Miller relives the show’s most powerful moments, sheds light on its sometimes dated and problematic elements and examines the worldwide trends that Friends catalyzed, from contemporary coffee culture to the wildly popular ’90s haircut The Rachel. I’ll Be There for You is not only for fans of the series, but for anyone who’s ever wondered what it is about this show—and television comedy—that resonates so powerfully.
My review: Could this book BE any more fun? From behind the scenes stories to some of the reasons FRIENDS is so well loved, I learned so much about this show! If you’re a friends fanatic or even just a casual friends watcher you’ll love this book. It’s a quick read, with fun witty banter that just feels like a friend telling you about your other friends, or FRIENDS.
May rating: 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Audio Books
For the record… I like to use Audible for my audiobooks (not sponsored, just like it!). I listen whenever I’m walking the dog or in the car. You’d be surprised at how many hours of listening this turns out to be!
Becoming by Michelle Obama // read by the author
Amazon synopsis: In her memoir, a work of deep reflection and mesmerizing storytelling, Michelle Obama invites readers into her world, chronicling the experiences that have shaped her—from her childhood on the South Side of Chicago to her years as an executive balancing the demands of motherhood and work, to her time spent at the world’s most famous address. With unerring honesty and lively wit, she describes her triumphs and her disappointments, both public and private, telling her full story as she has lived it—in her own words and on her own terms. Warm, wise, and revelatory, Becomingis the deeply personal reckoning of a woman of soul and substance who has steadily defied expectations—and whose story inspires us to do the same.
My review: Regardless of your political party this book is a great memoir of Michelle Obama’s life. It takes you from her childhood, to career, even funny first date anecdotes. Michelle Obama’s style certainly shines through while giving a unique perspective on her time as First Lady. It’s pretty incredible to see where and how she grew up and, quite honestly, a Black woman’s journey to the White House. This being said, it is not a book to dive deep into the Obama’s politics nor is it a zoomed in view of Presidential life. It is generally a light read (or listen), which can either be good or bad based on your expectations.
My rating: 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon // read by Davina Porter
(Outlander Book 7)
Amazon synopsis: NO SPOILERS! Since this is the 7th book in the series, and I don’t want to give anything away, here’s what Amazon says about the series as a whole. This stunning blend of historical romance and time traveling adventure has captured the hearts of millions of readers around the world and catapulted author Diana Gabaldon to the top of the New York Times best seller list. Outlander introduces an exhilarating world of heroism and breathtaking thrills as one woman is torn between past and present, passion and love.
My review: I LOVE this series. And I will read all of them until they are through… However, these books have an eb and flow to them which makes parts of the books really great and parts a bit slow. This one felt like it was more on the slow side, but to be honest…this series kind of blends together in my brain so take the “slow” comment with a grain of salt. Nothing will beat the first book (and second book- minus France) of this series but I am so here for the characters and- let’s be honest- the smut + action genre.
My rating: 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari // read by Derek Perkins
Amazon synopsis: One hundred thousand years ago, at least six different species of humans inhabited Earth. Yet today there is only one—homo sapiens. What happened to the others? And what may happen to us?
Most books about the history of humanity pursue either a historical or a biological approach, but Dr. Yuval Noah Harari breaks the mold with this highly original book that begins about 70,000 years ago with the appearance of modern cognition. From examining the role evolving humans have played in the global ecosystem to charting the rise of empires, Sapiens integrates history and science to reconsider accepted narratives, connect past developments with contemporary concerns, and examine specific events within the context of larger ideas. Dr. Harari also compels us to look ahead, because over the last few decades humans have begun to bend laws of natural selection that have governed life for the past four billion years. We are acquiring the ability to design not only the world around us, but also ourselves. Where is this leading us, and what do we want to become?
My review: This book is extremely interesting and FULL of things I had no idea about. I am a huge anthropology buff and discovering how ancient peoples lived is endlessly fascinating for me. This was a deep dive into ancient humans and modern humanity all from a historical, biological and cultural point of view. While it can get a bit dry here and there it was a good read (listen). I believe the physical book has drawings, charts and maps so if that’s your jam I might recommend picking up a physical copy instead or as well.
My rating: 3/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
My Rating System
⭐️ – I did not like this book and generally would not recommend it.
⭐️⭐️ – This book was oook, but I felt pretty meh about it.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ – This book was average. Didn’t love some parts but I still liked it overall.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – I really liked this book and will definitely recommend it to friends.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – I’m shouting this book’s praises from the rooftops! I loved it!
💫 – Half star
📖 One More Page Book Club pick of the month!
