Tag: Book Club

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April Reads

April was our first full month in COVID-19 lockdown. Reading and running became my preferred activities for an escape from home. Portland, with its alternating April downpours and beautiful summer-like weather, had me rotating my reading spots between the patio lounger and a cushioned oversized reading chair under my grandmother’s quilt. Heading into April, with the knowledge that a full 30 days would be spent at home, I created new routines in my work from home reality, I carved out time for reading. My 7th grade self would be proud. 

Mornings consisted of a 6am wake-up and feeding with our five month old black lab, Moxie. With the rest of the household and neighborhood still sound asleep, Moxie and I would take off for the vacant park to practice fetch. It was her time to collect and categorize all the smells of the neighborhood. It was my time to catch up on my latest audiobook. Our strolls last 45 minutes to an hour, which helps me work through those audiobooks a couple of times a day. I enjoy reading all genres, and try to keep the topics diverse each month. I also enjoy and have the ability to read multiple books at a time. I am able to do this by reading fiction in physical book form while I listen to a non-fiction or autobiography on audio. 

FICTION

In Five Years: A Novel by Rebecca Serle : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

By far, the best book I read all month! Recommended to me by a friend, I enjoyed escaping to New York City during more normal times. It was a light and fun, girly novel. Best friends Dannie and Bella could not be more different. Bella is wild and whimsical. Dannie has her whole life planned out. She knows what she wants, the job, boyfriend turned fiancé, and eventual perfect apartment. Dannie, in a dream or dream-like state, experiences a moment of her life 5 years in the future with a ring on her finger, but with a very different guy in a different apartment. She wakes up to find her back in her own reality, but the dream felt real and she can’t shake it. I loved this book. It was a beautiful story of love and friendship.

There There: A Novel by Tommy Orange : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This novel was amazing and beautifully written. Tommy Orange’s debut novel was chosen as the Multnomah County ‘Everybody Reads’ book for 2020. The story follows 12 members from Native communities as they are headed to the Big Oakland Powwow. Each with their own reason for attending, some joyful and celebratory, others fearful and violent. As each character’s story unfolds they all become woven together. Orange brings to light many struggles of the urban Native American. Central to the story are the importance of Native history, identity, family, spirituality, and community. I enjoyed the rich storytelling. This is a novel that I listened to on audio. The voices were performed by different people, which made the story more enjoyable. There There was nominated for a 2019 Pulitzer Prize. 

Watching You: A Novel by Lisa Jewell ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I stumbled across this one at the Library before COVID. I love a good murder mystery. Set in Bristol, England (who doesn’t love a novel set in England?) Melville Heights is a posh neighborhood of wealthy professionals. In a community where little goes unnoticed, everyone seems to be hiding something. Joey Mullen and her husband move into the upstairs of her brother’s house. A new headmaster, Tom Fitzwilliam, moves in next door and catches Joey’s eye. This book was creepy and thrilling. It got a little slow in the middle, but I had to find out what happened! It kept its mystery and gave nothing away until the very end. 

The Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Ani FaNelli seemed to have the perfect life. The prestigious job, killer wardrobe, handsome well-to-do husband; yet a traumatic experience from her childhood still haunts her, and if brought to light, could destroy everything she has worked so hard to perfect. I wanted to read this book for years. It was written in 2015, endorsed by Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club, and was an instant bestseller. Many publications compared it to Gone Girl and Girl on the Train, which I loved. I love a good deep, dark mystery with interesting characters, but I could not get into this one. I found it hard to like Ani, the main character, and some of the experiences of her past were hard to read. Not my cup of tea. 

Non-Fiction

Never Eat Alone: And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time by Keith Ferrazzi : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Networking in not everyone’s idea of a good time, and I’m willing to bet that most everyone can recall an experience networking that was unenjoyable, annoying, or possibly painful. Regardless of how you feel about networking, relationships are the key to accomplish anything. I put this book on hold at the library months ago, and it became available after we had been in COVID-lockdown for a couple of weeks. I checked it out but wasn’t sure that I was going to listen to it. I wasn’t sure if I was in the right mindset to listen to some guy talk about the importance of relationships. Didn’t I have enough to worry about? I didn’t need to be reminded of how important the people in my life were in a time when I couldn’t go out and hug, be with, or eat lunch out with any of them! I gave it a try anyway. 

I found that the topics in this books are even MORE relevant at a time when connecting with one another is most challenging. I have also listened to some of Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People. Ferrazzi references many of the sage lessons from Carnegie in 1936, which get at the fundamental ways to connect with one another. Ferrazzi writes, “It’s better to give before you receive. And never keep score. If your interactions are ruled by generosity, your rewards will follow suit.” So many of his lessons were reminders that in business and in life, we are all human. I couldn’t be reading this book at a more perfect time. It inspired me to reach out and connect with friends, peers, and co-workers that I wasn’t seeing due to our “stay at home” situation. “Success in any field, but especially in business is about working with people, not against them,” Ferrazzi reminds us. This book has been recommended to me by many people, and I am glad I finally gave it a chance. I don’t usually re-read books, but this is one worth picking up again and again. 

Things My Son Needs to Know About the World by Fredrik Backman : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Fredrik Backman is the author of many works of fiction including my favorites A Man Called Ove and My Grandmother Told Me to Tell You She’s Sorry. Backman is a Swedish author and columnist. His books are funny and heartwarming. I love the characters he creates, so when I saw this book about parenting advice based on his own experience, I knew I had to read it. I do not have a child of my own, nor do I have one on the way, yet I found the story moving. I love kids and have worked with them most of my life through coaching. This book is short and sweet, filled with trial by fire lessons every parent should read and laugh out loud about. This book would also make a good gift for any expecting parents out there. Highly recommend. 

Walking With Ramona: Exploring Beverly Cleary’s Portland : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Ramona Quimby, Age 8 was a favorite character of mine growing up. I read plenty of Beverly Cleary books as a child. I moved to Portland for college and have lived here almost 15 years, without a clue it was the home of Beverly Cleary. I was given this book as a gift. COVID-lockdown felt like the right time to become reacquainted with my rainy, quirky city. The book is meant to be read while on a walking tour of NE Portland, through some of Cleary’s old stomping grounds. I did not attempt the tour but was familiar with many of the landmarks (having lived near the Hollywood neighborhood). The tour takes you by one of Beverly’s childhood homes. The walk takes you through Grant Park Statue Garden and the statues of Ramona, Henry, and their pup Rigsby. Beverly Cleary School, called Glenwood in the books, was where Cleary attended school and where her character Henry Huggins dug for nightcrawlers. The book shares more about the Cleary family history and the evolution of different areas of Portland over time. Cleary began writing children’s books in the 1950’s and has received numerous awards for her work and is considered an Oregon literary icon. A must read for any Portlander!

The Truth About Aaron by Jonathan Hernandez : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book is about the tragic and fascinating story of Aaron Hernandez written by his brother Jonathan. When the story of NFL star Aaron Hernandez broke in the news, I was busy working and going to school part-time. I was tired of hearing about NFL players’ crimes, suspensions, and wife-beatings. I could care less. Earlier this year I watched the Netflix docuseries “Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez” and I was blown away by the story. How had I not paid any attention to this wild drama unfolding in the world of sports? The Netflix show posed many questions about Aaron’s motives for his crimes. If you watched the documentary, you will be familiar with the events that unfolded. This book shares some behind the scenes details about Aaron’s upbringing. Jonathan Hernandez dives into his brother’s history, and discusses his own experience with Aaron’s irrational behavior, hidden sexuality, and impact of CTE (Chronic traumatic encephalopathy). 

The Greatest Love Story Ever Told: An Oral History by Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Nick Offerman, best known for playing the lovable Ron Swanson in Parks & Rec., is married in real life to Megan Mullally, famously known for her role as Karen in Will & Grace. They met while doing a play in Los Angeles called The Berlin Circle. I listened to this on audiobook. It was read by and the authors. The couple has been married for 17 years and is clearly still smitten with one another. They share a love of theater. They enjoy listening to audiobooks while completing jjigsaw puzzles at home. The only downside of listening to their audiobook is not being able to see the accompanying photos, (although, the images are available online). The book was not entirely what I expected. The authors share how they got into showbiz, fun stories of their wedding and award shows, and finally what makes their relationship work (spoiler: it’s not taking a job that would keep them apart for more than two weeks). A unique and beautiful love story indeed.

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March Reads

@MissMoxieDog and I practicing social distancing at home.

Over half of the month of March, my fiancé, our puppy Moxie and I have spent in quarantine due to the coronavirus. It has been hard not to feel isolated and trapped inside our own home at times. The transition to working from home no other company except for one Over half of the month of March, my fiancé, our puppy Moxie and I have spent in quarantine due to the coronavirus. It has been hard not to feel isolated and trapped inside our own home at times. The transition to working from home with no company except for one another has been challenging. Luckily for us, I am an early bird and John is a night owl. Our differing preferences are something we used to fight about during our “pre-quarantine” lives; but now we appreciate the space we allow each other. I wake early to let Moxie out and spend a couple of hours to myself, reading with a cup of coffee. I’ve listened to audiobooks while on walks around the neighborhood with Moxie, which has been a wonderful way to break up the day between conference calls. 

To keep my mind off the real world, I picked up two more suspense novels, both of which I highly recommend. First, I read The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides. My bookclub read this one last year, but I never had a chance to pick it up. It was a 2019 Goodreads Choice Winner for Mystery and Thriller. 

The synopsis: Set in London, Alicia Berenson, a famous painter, is married to Gabriel, a fashion photographer. One evening Gabriel comes home late from a fashion shoot. Alicia shoots him five times in the face and never speaks again. No one knows why she did it. The case makes her famous in the news. Her previous artwork becomes highly sought after. Meanwhile ‘the silent patient’ is put in psychiatric care. The story follows Theo Faber, her psychotherapist, as he seeks to understand the motivation for killing her husband. The story starts off slow, but gets dark and twisty very quickly. 

March Must Reads: The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides and Drop the Ball by Tiffany Dufu.

My second best escape into fiction for March was The Last Mrs. Parrish by LIV Constantine. This book was given to me by a friend who recommended it as a fun and easy read. Exactly what I needed. The author LIV Constantine is actually the pen name of writers and sisters Lynne and Valerie Constantine. The Last Mrs. Parrish was a Reese Witherspoon Book Club book, and is being developed by Amazon Movie studios into a film drama series. 

The synopsis: Young Amber Patterson thinks she deserves more in life. She desires money and power. If only her life could be more like the fabulous Daphne Parrish. Married to real estate mogul, Jackson Parrish, Daphne is the queen of the Connecticut socialites; living lavishly in a fairytale marriage, or so it appears. Amber works to ingrain herself with the Parrish family. Amber appeals to Daphne’s desire to help others and becomes her closest friend. The plan that Amber puts into action is revealed slowly,  revealed page by page. 

I fell in love with Tiffany Dufu’s book Drop the Ball. I chose to read this one because of my tendency to follow rules to a fault. I thought this book might help me to focus in on the things that were most important. Her book’s focus on achieving more by doing less. Dufu explains the importance of partnership in the household and the mistake many women make drafting up completely unrealistic to-do lists. No doubt there are many of us who leave the office and going home can feel like our second shift. Dufu, using her own experience, explains why being a perfectionist in your own home is more hurtful to both your partnership at home and your sanity. It is impossible to “do it all”. Once you accept that, and learn to delegate in the home (like you probably already know how to do at work), it is amazing the things you can make time to focus on. I highly recommend this book. While listening to this one, I couldn’t help but talk about it to everyone I encountered. 

Brene Brown is one of my favorite authors. I listened to Dare to Lead on audio during the first couple of weeks in coronavirus quarantine at home. At first I felt weird listening to a “business” book when I felt like I wasn’t being allowed to leave my home to go manage business like I was accustomed to. Anyone who has read anything by Brene Brown knows that the topics of her book are not “business,” but are that of people and vulnerability. So, at first, I was the vulnerable one mourning the loss of my day-to-day routine and corporate way of life. It took some time listening to Brene, but I finally got over myself and began practicing more gratitude for the things I do have; I was home safe and healthy and could afford to listen to her books on morning walks with my pup. I found her messages of leadership very applicable to the things we are going through right now. It reminded me how important it was to check in on my teammates. I needed to make sure they were doing well and transitioning into our new reality before we start thinking about “business as usual.” It also helped me to appreciate the leaders I have within the organization in which I work. All of whom have made significant efforts to prioritize the health and well-being in this new time of uncertainty. 

Finally, I also read Jeanine Cummins novel American Dirt. My book club chose this book as our February Book, but I only got about halfway through. At the time we selected it in January, the novel was receiving quite a bit of publicity. This book is fiction and follows the story of Lydia and her son Luca as they flee Mexico due to violence brought against their family by Mexican cartels. 

American Dirt was selected for Oprah’s Book Club, which usually solidifies any book’s success and adoption by book clubs everywhere. After Oprah’s announcement Latinx community members spoke out against Cummins’ portrayal of migrants and Mexico and called out the whiteness of the publishing industry. “Book Influencers” on social media who had once been promoting the book were taking back their endorsements.

Cummins was criticized for the seven-figure advance she received to write this novel. There were a few other missteps by the publishing company that showed their priority was on the business of selling books to book clubs versus telling an immigration story. In the discussions surrounding the book, many brought up the importance of Cummins’ identity and suggested readers choose #OWNvoices books instead.

As someone who loves to read both fiction and non-fiction. I was curious to read this book because I wanted to formulate my own opinion. I didn’t feel that I could do that without having read it. Many people “boycotted” reading American Dirt and took to using the hashtag #OWNvoices. The concept of #OWNvoices was started in 2015 by Corinne Duyvis as a rallying cry for diversity in literature. The goal was to “highlight books that are written by an author that shares a marginalized identity with the protagonist.” I can see both sides. I think representation is extremely important. I believe in the concept “see it to be it.” Most young people especially need to see themselves represented in leaders both in the media and in their community to better know what is possible. However, I also worry about creating a culture, especially in fiction, where writers feel limited to only write about their own personal experiences. Some of my favorite writers do write what they know and their stories are richer because of it. On the other hand my favorite author Chuck Palahniuk doesn’t consider himself a writer, but rather a collector of stories. He likes to sit and observe people or connect with others who share both heartbreaking and heartwarming stories about their lives. These are real people, and he collects their stores and weaves them into the characters in this novels. He is a wonderful storyteller. He has the ability to make the reader feel both happy and sad in the same moment of a story for a fictitious character who is loosely based on something real. 

Having said that, I would not necessarily say that American Dirt had that same kind of human connection or story telling. I enjoyed reading it. The pace of the story ebbed and flowed, moving faster at parts and slower at others. In our Book Club conversation, many felt that the storylines felt forced, or simply there for shock value. There was much discussion online about Cummins use of stereotypes for the Mexican immigrant. Other articles I read compare the “cancel culture” surrounding American Dirt the book burning of the digital age. All things to contemplate. Cummins has claimed to have done 5 years of research in Mexico. She says she interviewed individuals to help her tell a more authentic story. The afterward in her book talks about wanting to bring more voices to conversations about immigration. If nothing else, this book can inspire you to have your own thoughts or discussions around #OWNvoices literature, discrepancies in representation in the publishing industry, race, immigration, representation, and free speech. 

If you want to read about the controversy surrounding this novel for yourself, check out some of the below.

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Reflecting on 2019

Reading was once my favorite.

Long before obligations and adult responsibilities crept into my life, I spent my summers reading on a blanket in the sun in the front yard. I devoured my “chapter books” filled with adventure, mystery, and high school drama. I loved Nancy Drew, The Boxcar Children, and Goosebumps. My mom challenged me to add in “The Classics” suggesting The Catcher and the Rye or Anne Frank’s The Diary of a Young Girl. Reading was encouraged. iPhones and social media didn’t exist yet. Life was simple.

2019 was the year I fell back in love with reading. Early in the year, my cousin invited me to join her Book Club. I agreed, but it was an extra-curricular activity I wasn’t sure I could fully commit to. I wanted to do it even if I wasn’t sure if I could find the time. Challenging myself to read more often and connecting with amazing women once a month could only bring good things. Before that, books would pop up into my life every now and then. I usually took the opportunity of a long plane ride to dive into a good book and power down my phone completely. I can usually get through two or three books during holiday break or a beach vacation. Reading Nicholas Sparks, on location, visiting my family in North Carolina is the best way to pass the day. Suntan, sunshine, and sea breeze.

I have been a fan of Goodreads App for a long time. I use it when I walk into any bookstore or library to remember what books I have been wanting to read. It helps you organize your books into “shelves”. I have three: Currently Reading, Want to Read, and Read. Every year the app would ask me to set a reading goal for how many books read for the year. In 2017, I read 6 books. In 2018, I set a goal to read 12. That is only 1 per month and I ended up reading 17. So in 2019, I set a goal to read 30 books. It was about double what I read the year before and I knew I would be more motivated than the year prior with the help of my Book Club.

Reading brought me back into the world I love. I was able to turn my ‘work-brain’ off and make room for more creativity and learning.

In 2019, I read 37 books! Now… I didn’t make it to every Book Club meeting, nor did I read every book we selected. I did read quite a few books outside of my comfort zone. I read books that I wouldn’t have chosen based on their genre or the cover art. Reading more brought me back to the world I once loved as a young girl. It has helped learn how to turn off my ‘work-brain’ and make room for more creativity and happiness to my everyday.

I usually prefer to sit and read physical books, but my schedule and the busy world we live in doesn’t allow me that luxury. Some of the books I completed last year were in the form of audio books. Listening to books on my drive in bookended my day before and after work nicely. In some cases, I was so interested to find out what happened next in whatever I was reading that I started listening to my books while running. Listening during a long run was able to take the place of a training partner when I couldn’t find anyone to join me.

My favorite audio books were the ones the author read, such as Michelle Obama’s Becoming, Scott Jurek’s North, and University of Portland Alum Kunal Nayyer’s Yes, My Accent Is Real. There is nothing more humbling than training to race only 26.2 miles of a marathon while listening to Scott Jurek’s 2000 mile trek along every step of the Appalachian Trail.

Ask For It and Myth of the Nice Girl were both books that boosted my confidence in the workplace. I learned tactics for negotiation and read success stories of other professional women asking for what they want when it comes to their career. I shared both books with co-workers and girlfriends who would also love the learnings shared.

For 2020, I set the goal to read 60 books doubling my 2019 goal. This will be challenging because while I did read almost 40 books last year, a goal of 60 books is a little more than 1 per week. If you have any book recommendations, please send them my way.

Here is the list of books I read in 2019:

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