January 2019 Reading List

Last year, I didn’t read nearly as many books as I wanted to. Most likely, because I chose to scroll through Instagram right before bed. Between work and #momlife, reading took a back seat for a while but I’m back at it again. This year, I’m committing to reading at least three books every month. For me, reading is about escaping to another world and immersing myself in a different time and place. It’s definitely something I don’t want to lose in myself. It’s also a love I want to instill in my children.

I’ve been writing book reviews here and there but I thought in 2019, I would start monthly reading lists. Usually my reading list is a combination of books that I’m hoping will make me smarter and guilty pleasure books that are just for fun. These posts will be a monthly roundup of books I’ve read and my own personal thoughts on each one. You can click on the Book Corner tab at the top to see any articles on the blog related to books. Let me know what you think in the comments below and if this is something you’d be interested in! I’d love to know what books you have on your reading list this year!

I’m half way through a few books right now so I’ll save them for next month but I did finish several last month so here is my January 2019 reading list:

Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur

This is a book you need for your soul. The author touches on love, heartbreak, trauma, abuse, and various relationships in her life. I appreciated the simplicity and how raw the poems are. It was like reading the author’s personal diary. I enjoyed how open and honest the author is by sharing her experiences in such a candid way. I finished it early in the month but still enjoy flipping through it from time to time when I’m looking for some inspiration.

Live Fast, Die Hot by Jenny Mollen

While Milk and Honey is emotional and makes you feel all the things, Live Fast, Die Hot, is basically the opposite. I discovered the book through Jenny Mollen’s Instagram and knew I had to read it based on how funny she is on social media. The author is a mom of two and offers daily commentary on her life in a light-hearted but hilarious way. She also has another account where she posts daily lunches for her toddler son that makes me want to step up my preschool lunch game. I’m secretly jealous and would love to have these meals for myself. The book is a pretty honest account of motherhood and I felt like many of the things she was describing were something I had thought to myself at one point. If you’re looking for something light and funny on a non-kid beach vacation, this book qualifies.

Educated by Tara Westover

I read this memoir for a book club I’m a part of and it did not disappoint. The stories were so disturbing and fascinating that I had to force myself to stay up so I could read just one more chapter. Westover grew up in the mountains of Idaho in an anti-establishment household surrounded by fear, insanity and endless gaslighting. She doesn’t set foot in a classroom until she’s 17 years old and ends up going to some of the most prestigious universities in the world.

One story that stood out to me was when the author went to college and learned about historical events such as the Holocaust and the Civil Rights Movement for the first time in her life. I loved imagining the stories of her childhood play out in my mind. Although her life was much different than my own, I started thinking about how seemingly insignificant moments in my own life are somehow connected and tell a story of their own. I thought it took a lot of courage for her to tell her story to the world, especially with her family denying much of what happened. It’s a wonderful perspective on the power of education, something I am eternally thankful to my parents for providing.

Influencer by Brittany Hennessy

Hennessy is the former Senior Director of Influencer Strategy and Talent Partnerships at Hearst Magazines Digital Media. She is an industry expert who teaches you about building a following on social media, bad habits to avoid so you don’t come off looking unprofessional without even knowing it, what people want to see on Instagram, how to negotiate on your behalf, knowing your worth, and so much more. This book is a valuable resource if you’re thinking of starting a blog and interested in learning best practices for partnering with brands. I TOOK NOTES while reading and recommend it to friends who are thinking about starting a blog. For anyone who has ever though to themselves, “do influencers just have someone follow them around with a camera all day?” this book will offer some enlightenment.

We’re Going to Need More Wine by Gabrielle Union

I felt like I was catching up with a friend while reading this book. Union talks about what it’s like to be a woman in Hollywood, past films she’s worked on and how her mindset towards other women has changed over the years. She discusses feelings of inadequacy, gender, race, marriage, step-parenting and even something extremely personal and violent that occurred earlier in her life. I was surprised at how open she was, especially when discussing prenuptial agreement negotiations between her and Dwayne Wade and insecurities she felt along the way. I thought she was really funny, resilient, and honestly just wanted to be her friend.

I’m Fine…And Other Lies by Whitney Cummings

This month was apparently all about celebrity autobiographies. This is a book about the comedian/actress/writer/director Whitney Cummings being not fine and how she dealt with her issues of crushing anxiety and co-dependency. I always appreciate a story that shows the author’s insecurities in a raw and authentic way. I’ve seen her on Chelsea Lately a few times so I liked getting to know her beyond television appearances. Speaking of appearances, she’s going to be performing at the Helium Comedy Club in Philly in February if you’re fan.