Ah, the longest month is over. Have you ever heard people say that they feel like they lived a full year in January alone? Man, sometimes that really rings true. This January was a wet one in Northern California and my husband worked most of the month on night shifts, so I had a lot of extra reading time. That being said, I still only managed to finish three books. However, one of them was nearly 700 pages! š¶
I’m adding something new to my reading reviews this year that I hope you’ll enjoy. After Becca introduced me to the podcast – Get Lit(erate) and accompanying blog – A Lit Life, I found myself binge listening while puzzling during the harsh storms we had, filling my head (and TBR) with more book recommendations. One of my favorite episodes was Three Books That Earned 5 Hearts. In it Stephanie talks about the struggle to rate a book with stars because we’re ultimately judging the author’s work based on how it impacted us as a reader. Instead she likes to rate books in how it touched her heart. I loved the idea so much, that I too am going to begin tracking my heart ratings. ā¤ļø
Names for the Dawn: 4.5 Stars! (5 Hearts!)
I discovered this book because of this glowing review and immediately downloaded it from Kindle Unlimited.
Will Avery is a trans and gay park ranger in Denali National Park in the early 1990’s. No one knows his secret identity and the wilderness brings him comfort and solitude. Nikhil Rajawat is a wolf biologist that comes to Denali to track and research a wolf pack. Nikhil becomes the only person that knows Will’s truth and they both struggle to contain their feelings for each other. Told in alternating chapters from the summer they met to one year later, we learn that something has tore these men apart, but we don’t know what or why.
This book helped me see the emotional, physical, and mental struggles of a transgender. Told entirely from Will’s perspective, it was so emotionally raw. The way he talks about not fitting in with girls or boys, the lack of acceptance and deep roots of homophobia. Will has spent his life fighting to belong and feel worthy of love and my heart was constantly breaking for him. After I finished reading the book, I was researching the author and discovered his own story and journey as a trans man and how he was able to use those experiences in writing this book. I would recommend this book to anyone looking to empathize with and support the transgender community.
Other books with transgender characters:
This is How it Always Is – 5 Stars!
If I was Your Girl (TBR)
Felix Ever After (TBR)
From Scratch: 3.5 Stars! (4 Hearts!)
I’ve been eyeing this book for many years, but it wasn’t until I saw the trailer for the new Netflix mini-series that I decided I must read it now. It looked so romantic and my foodie heart was in heaven watching the love of food in Sicily.
Now, we find out in the prologue that her husband dies, but we know we can handle that because the subtitle of the book says, “a memoir of LOVE, SICILY, and FINDING HOME,” and says nothing about grief and loss. *sigh* The book was 75% grief and 25% love and food, and I was unprepared for that. It started out romantic and seductive and held much promise, but quickly turned to solely revolve around Tembi and her daughter while they grieve. It was easy to read, I felt immersed in the beautiful setting of Sicily, and the foods awakened my senses and brought comfort to the grief. But I was mostly left feeling like the book had been mis-marketed. I still plan on watching the mini-series and hope that it pulls off more of their love story.
I found a new motto for my kitchen and I to live by, “her kitchen taught me that flavor can bring forth love and set aside anger, and that something sweet can mend a fence and soothe a heart.”
Other memoirs I’ve loved:
The Glass Castle
My Lovely Wife in the Psych Ward
Untamed
The Winners – 4 Stars! (5 Hearts!)
What a beast!
I’m going to skip the summary of this one, because if you know, you know. If you don’t then you need to start with Beartown, this is a series that you must read in order.
Backman writes like no one I’ve ever read before. He weaves past, present, and future together alluding to much, but telling us little. The anxiety and foreshadowing starts on the first page and doesn’t let up until the book is closed. He wrote a complex story with very complex characters – ones that make you constantly question your love or hate for them. While I believe that Backman deserves 5 stars for his talent alone, I have to factor in my reading experience and I spent most of the book hating everything, I just wanted it to be done. I’m grateful that I had Becca and Nicole along for the ride on this one, because they are the only reason that I finished.
Backman drops many parental truth bombs in this series and he makes me want to be a better parent. My favorite quote: “You can have a thousand principles, but not if it concerns your family. That’s what you protect first and foremost, above morals, even above the law. Family first. You’re loads of things, but you’re a mother first. A wife first.”
What was your favorite book in January? Do you have anything you’re looking forward to in February?
Stephanie Ann Affinito
This makes me so happy! I’m so glad you added heart ratings to complement your star ratings. I think they help us think more deeply about our books, why we love them and how they can change us. Thanks so much for listening to my podcast! Do you have a topic you’d love for me to explore? Happy reading!
ASHLEY
Thank you, Stephanie! Iāve been loving the podcast and all the recommendations youāve passed along. Iāll have to think harder on a topic for you! Although I always love a good ārip your heart out and put it back togetherā book š
Stephanie Ann Affinito
That is a PERFECT title for an upcoming episode! Do you have a favorite I could feature of yours? Stay tuned for the episode! =)
ASHLEY
How exciting! Me Before You and Night Road are the two that I immediately put in this category! Canāt wait to hear it!
Becca @ Lifeās A Pearl
Yay for heart ratings! I loved that episode too but wasnāt sure I wanted to give up stars completely. I love how you just incorporated them – Genius!
I added Names for the Dawn to my tbr immediately! Your review of The Winners is so beautiful š Thanks for reading together!