What I Read — May 2022
It’s officially summer in Europe aka the best time of year! I’m pretty proud of the amount of reading I got done despite being on vacation for a large portion of the month. That said, you can definitely tell that my brain space was in dire need of everything light, fluffy and warm fuzzy.
In 2019, I inadvertently completed the 52 books in 52 weeks challenge and have decided to attempt the same challenge from here on out… mainly because my to-read list is out of control! Normally, I’ll have a physical book and audiobook going at the same time, so for review clarity, I will put either duration or pages for the stats based on how I completed the book.
Here’s everything I enjoyed this May:
Yearbook
Seth Rogan
Stats: Memoir, 6 hours and 13 minutes
Quick summary
A collection of essays from actor, writer and producer, Seth Rogan, spanning from awkward childhood moments to the behind the scenes of creating movies like The Interview and Superbad.
What I thought:
This was an utter delight. I wouldn’t call myself a huge Seth Rogan fan, but his clever writing style and the fantastic production of his audiobook made this an excellent, lighthearted read that I desperately needed during a tough month.
Who should read it:
Anyone needing a few laughs.
The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry
Gabrielle Zevin
Stats: Fiction, 260 pages
Quick summary
A.J. Fikry is the curmudgeonly owner of a failing bookstore, Island Books. Since his wife died, he has only been interested in stocking books that meet his incredibly high standards. His life is turned upside-down by two women: the quirky publishing sales rep who isn’t ready to give up on him and the infant abandoned by her mother in his store hoping for a better life for her baby.
What I thought:
Rip my heart out of my chest and dropkick it straight into the field of all of my feelings. This book was heartwarming and bittersweet, while simultaneously acting as a love letter to literature and reading.
Who should read it:
People who like to see a community come together for the main character. Bibliophiles.
The Siren
Katherine St. John
Stats: Thriller, 416 pages
Quick summary
Divorced Hollywood power couple Stella Rivers and Cole Power are in the Caribbean to shoot The Siren, the blockbuster brainchild of Cole’s son. Taylor is the fledgling producer trying to recover her reputation after a scandal resulted in her losing her previous job. Felicity is Stella Rivers’ new, young assistant that no one knows too much about. As a hurricane threatens to shutdown production, turmoil among the cast and crew boils deep.
What I thought:
This is a perfect poolside summer read. I didn’t realize it was a thriller when I started it, but I really enjoyed how the story unfolded and how all of the characters’ lives were intertwined.
Who should read it:
Anyone looking for a summer read that isn’t a romance.
The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself
Michael A. Singer
Stats: Self Help, 6 hours and 11 minutes
Quick summary
The Untethered Soul focuses on finding inner peace and freedom by allowing thoughts and feelings to pass through us. It helps the reader to work through letting go of that which does not serve them so that they can live calmly in the present.
What I thought:
I firmly believe that the concepts of mindfulness and meditation are the same in each of these books, but some speak to you more than others. Some people relate more to science-driven content; others relate more to visualizations. Neither is right or wrong, it’s about finding what speaks to you. This one spoke to me.
Who should read it:
People focused on improving or strengthening their mental health.
The Half-Life of Ruby Fielding
Lydia Kang
Stats: Historical Fiction, 361 pages
Quick summary
Brother and sister Will and Maggie Scripps are doing everything they can to support the wartime effort in Brooklyn. One day, they discover an unconscious women under their back stairs and bring her in for the night. Slowly the woman draws them in to a dangerous world she was trying to leave behind.
What I thought:
Another lukewarm Amazon First Read. The story moved painfully slow and the characters’ interactions were odd and unbelievable.
Who should read it:
Probably can pass on this one, unless you’re dying for another WWII-era read.
Mrs. Dalloway
Virginia Woolf
Stats: Classic, 7 hours and 48 minutes
Quick summary
The book follows Mrs. Dalloway for a single day as she prepares for a party with the storytelling perspective shifting seamless between her thoughts and those she encounters.
What I thought:
This book is famous for its stream-of-consciousness narrative style. Admittedly, it was hard to follow as an audiobook. The themes are so big, power and abstract in this novel that I think it’s one you need to read again and again to truly appreciate it.
Who should read it:
People looking for a challenging classic lit read.