What I Read — March 2023

Germany seems to be hanging onto winter with every fiber of its being. As is usual with the winter months, all of these cozy nights have me fighting between my two favorite hobbies: reading and knitting. This month, knitting and marathon training won a little bit more of my time than reading did, but I still finished some fabulous books (once again, yay for audiobooks).

As always, I clarify in my reviews whether I listened to or physically read the book. I also link all of the book covers to Goodreads so you can read more reviews if you’re so inclined.

Here’s everything I enjoyed this March:

Unraveling: What I Learned About Life While Shearing Sheep, Dyeing Wool, and Making the World’s Ugliest Sweater
Peggy Orenstein

Stats: Nonfiction, 5 hours and 52 minutes

Quick summary
While making a sweater from start to finish, by literally shearing the sheep, spinning and dyeing the wool, Orenstein reflects on her life through the changes that come with the California wildfires (where she lives), COVID, and her daughter getting ready to leave home. She explores themes of identity, creativity, and resilience, and shares the knowledge she gains along her journey, including how we started using wool, the impacts of the fast fashion industry, the history of craftivism, and the process of natural dyeing.

What I thought:
As an avid knitter, this book was everything; I devoured it. I think every knitter goes through a phase (or several) where they want to own a sheep and do what Peggy did. Despite being a fairly short book, I learned so much and it’s the reason why I think it could be intriguing to so many different audiences.

Who should read it:
Can everyone read it so I have someone to talk to about it? Currently, I’m geeking out solo.

Age of Vice
Deepti Kapoor

Stats: Contemporary Fiction, 544 pages

Quick summary
Set in New Delhi, Age of Vice follows three young people making their way in the city—Ajay, sold into an unpaid labor role as a child and grows up to be a loyal servant to the Wadia family; Sunny, the rich heir dreaming of making a difference in this world, stifled by his controlling father; and Neda, a journalist trying to find her purpose.

What I thought:
Lately I’ve been underwhelmed by the character development in what I’ve been reading, but not here. This was a rich, slow burn. It was gritty and a bit of a thriller in regards to the mob-like ties of the Wadia family. I also appreciated that it was set in a different country than what I usually gravitate towards.

Who should read it:
People who like slow burn family sagas.

Mistakes Were Made (But Not By Me)
Carol Tavris, Elliot Aronson

Stats: Psychology, 12 hours

Quick summary
This book explores the psychological phenomenon of cognitive dissonance, which refers to the discomfort people feel when holding two or more conflicting beliefs, attitudes or values. Using real-life examples and case studies from history, politics, and personal relationships, Tavris and Aronson show how cognitive dissonance can lead to self-deception, confirmation bias, and an unwillingness to admit mistakes. It also covers how cognitive dissonance affects groups and organizations, leading to groupthink, polarization, and moral disengagement.

What I thought:
Brené Brown mentioned this book in The Gifts of Imperfection, and I knew I had to add it. Cognitive dissonance drives so much of what we do as humans, and we’re all vulnerable. The more we’re aware of dissonance, the more we can work to combat it in our relationships. It’s okay to admit a mistake was made and the fault was all ours.

Who should read it:
This is psychology 101 and well-explained with case studies you’ve heard of (think: Watergate, 2016 election, etc.) so I recommend it for anyone who didn’t take psych in school.

Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun
Elle Cosimano

Stats: Mystery, 304 pages

Quick summary
For the third book of the series, Finlay Donovan has sworn off men, sweets, and murder… not necessarily in that order. Finlay is in debt to the Russian mob and with her sidekick, Vero, must find who the contract killer is from the second book before the police do. Suspecting the killer may be in the force, Vero and Finlay sign up for a citizens’ police academy on the hunt for clues.

What I thought:
I loved the first book of this series. The second book was pretty good, though not as good as the first. Book three is where it derailed. It was by far the most boring of all of the books and all the old tricks seemed tired. It did end in a way that another book could be coming, but I’m out after this one.

Who should read it:
Just read the first two and skip this one.

80/20 Running: Run Stronger and Race Faster By Training Slower
Matt Fitzgerald

Stats: Fitness, 5 hours and 41 minutes

Quick summary
Fitzgerald outlines a training philosophy that runners should spend 80% of their training time at low intensity and 20% at moderate to high intensity to achieve better results, including improved race times, reduced injury risk, and greater enjoyment of running. He argues that most runners spend too much time in a running grey zone where they aren’t in low or high intensity and this can lead to diminishing returns. The book also includes detailed training plans and workouts for runners of different levels.

What I thought:
I figured I would put the running books at the bottom of the list since they probably pertain to the least amount of people. This book was extremely insightful and I’ve been training to the best of my ability with this method for my upcoming marathon.

Who should read it:
Runners. Read it, try it, and see how it affects your training and your relationship to running.

Eat and Run: My Unlikely Journey to Ultramarathon Greatness
Scott Jurek

Stats: Memoir, 8 hours and 21 minutes

Quick summary
Scott Jurek may be one of the most famous ultrarunners. In Eat and Run, he shares his experiences running some of the world's most challenging ultramarathons, including the Western States 100 and the Badwater Ultramarathon. He discusses how he approaches food and fueling his body, sharing recipes and insights into his vegan diet. Alongside his dietary choices, he talks about how his humble upbringing in Minnesota helped cultivate his mental toughness and discipline.

What I thought:
Again, I’m all things running right now. Jurek is featured in Born to Run which I read in 2021, so I was intrigued to learn more about his perspective in relation to distance running. I wouldn’t say I really picked up any new info other than a realization of how dedicated you have to be in order to be a top athlete.

Who should read it:
Honestly liked Born to Run more and would suggest that if you’re in for a running memoir.

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