It’s only fitting I write a Valentine’s post dedicated to books. When I hear friends say they “can’t get into reading,” I tell them they probably just haven’t found the right book yet. I truly believe there’s a story, a genre, a time period, and an author for everyone. All it takes is the right title at the right moment to transform anyone into a book lover. Sometimes it’s a slow burn, others an immediate spark. Sometimes revisiting a story makes me reinterpret it in a completely different way depending on where I am in life.
Books can sweep you away if you let them.
With a good book by my side and dogs at my feet, it’s hard to feel lonely.
For the rule followers: Dannie Kohon, a successful young professional reaching the peak of her career is met with a curious glimpse into her future. To her dismay it looks nothing like her five year plan. As she grapples with the loss of what could be, she takes methodical steps to try and get there anyway. Just when you think you know where the plot is going, you get rerouted until the very last pages. It’s the unexpected love story I didn’t know I needed. The story was easy to binge with it’s originality and sharp wit. It made for a refreshing pallet cleanser to start off the new year.
5/5 mugs
Trigger Warning: It is not explicitly implied but suicide is mentioned within the first few chapters.
For the escapists: Nora Seed is unsatisfied with her existence. While in the throes of a magical library she explores shelves of books that each offer new possibilities. While her surroundings and circumstance change from title to title she finds herself innately the same person at her core: longing for what else could be out there. It reminds me so much of the familiar saying: “Wherever you go, there you are.” A comforting and sobering reminder that you can’t escape yourself no matter how far you run away. With the help of the comforting Librarian, she learns to unpack some of what’s weighing her down so she can start a new narrative on her own terms. The story is woven with a self deprecating humor similar to Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and a delicious balance of adventure and whimsy like The Secret Life of Walter Mitty- two stories I hold near and dear to my heart. If I can describe this book in one word it would be hopeful.
4/5 mugs
Honorable December Mentions:
For the sentimentalists: A guide to slow and intentional living based on the Danish concept of hygge (pronounced hoo-guh). Hygge refers to the feeling of being content with an emphasis on atmosphere and experience over things. One of my favorite definitions is “a hug of the soul”. Year after year the Danes are ranked in the top three happiest populations in the world. Despite harsh winters and a high cost of living, they attribute a hygge centric culture as the main cause. Bite-size chapters explain the importance of warm lighting, togetherness, weather appropriate clothing, seasonal activities and hearty non-calorie counting food and drink to round out a more satisfying lifestyle. This book found me in between the sleepy space between Christmas and New Years and sat so well with my soul. Tip: Best enjoyed in the middle of winter next to candlelight.
3.5/5 mugs
For the empaths: Rupi Kaur shares her third collection of poetry- a thought provoking and intimate look into the human experience. Sharing her perspective as a daughter of immigrants, a rape survivor and deep feeler, her writing marries grief and healing with a deep-rooted resilience that encourages me to turn on the light in my darkest room. Her poems and essays are broken into four chapters: mind, heart, rest and awake. I find myself revisiting “rest” whenever I hit a pandemic wall. Turns out accomplished authors feel stifled with fatigue and productivity guilt too. Every empath needs a copy on their bookshelf. Extra brownie points for being aesthetically pleasing.
4/5 mugs
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