I finished three books this week and they were all great!

Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Historical fiction

Advanced copy from NetGalley, expected publication August 30, 2022. I never imagined I’d be into a book about tennis players, though this is really so much more. It’s the story of one woman’s career, her body, her perseverance, and her stubbornness. Carrie Soto is a character that is tough to root for, I kept hoping she’d be less of a jerk! But she’s also a character that is relatable. I loved the setting in the 1990’s. Having been a teen at the time, I found the references accurate and comforting, and I really enjoyed spending some time in that decade. Besides tennis, this is also a book about family and grief, about accepting yourself as you are and allowing others to love you. This novel had me feeling all sorts of things. TJR’s storytelling and character development are always great but they are definitely top notch here. I highly recommend this one for readers of general fiction.

Atomic Habits by James Clear

Non-fiction/Self Help

This book is exactly what I needed in my life right now! As far as material on habits, it builds a little bit on other books I’ve read on the topics. What I liked about this one so much is that it’s presented in a way that makes changing my habits feel attainable. I also appreciate that there isn’t judgement around certain habits, it’s simply about focusing on the kind of person you want to be and what habits would that person have. I now ask myself “Would a healthy person eat/do this?” and it helps with my decision making. Sure a healthy person would have a muffin now and then, but they would not go too McDonalds. I know I will revisit this book again soon and I will go to the author’s website to use some of his resources for habit tracking. If you’re like me and feeling in a rut with your habits, this book will inspire you to make some changes and it won’t be too hard! Highly recommend!

Other Birds by Sarah Addison Allen

Magical realism

Advanced copy from NetGalley, expected publication August 30, 2022. I’ve been eagerly awaiting this book and I wasn’t disappointed. It’s not my favorite from this author but it’s close. The setting of a small island known for its history in marshmallow production was almost otherworldly, the descriptions are vivid and I could picture it all so well. Typical for a SAA novel, we’ve got a cast of quirky characters and a little bit of magic! I loved all of the characters and the ways they interacted with each other. They seemed drawn to each other by some external force. They each had a complicated backstory too. It was an enjoyable read from start to finish. I couldn’t put it down because I couldn’t wait to find out what happened next. I highly recommend this for SAA readers and fans of magical realism.

Currently Reading

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