Hi again! Well, today I’m telling you about the books I read in April and next week I’ll post the books I read in May. I don’t know about you guys but I am exhausted from the last month of school! It’s so wonderful to get to celebrate the end of so many things (the preschool year, kindergarten, first piano session, flag football, and so on … but I am just a tiny bit tired after all that celebrating. And I’m feeling like this …
Just kidding! Kinda …
Okay, let’s talk books!
Did you miss my recent wrap-ups? My last post is here. You can also find recaps of all previous books I’ve read here: 2019 books, 2018 books, and 2017 books. So, if you’re quickly trying to find ideas for books you can go to one page and click directly to the books on Amazon. Hopefully this helps you a bit when you’re in a bind and NEED a good book fast.
Alright, on to my books from March!
Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover
I’ve seen Educated on so many lists over the past year, so I really wanted to read it and find out what all the fuss is about! First, let me tell you that I knew nothing about it before I read it. Perhaps because I recently read Becoming by Michelle Obama (which highlighted the education system in Chicago), but I thought this book would be about the failings of the education system in the inner city. I was VERY wrong. Instead, this is a memoir written by woman who was raised by survivalists in the middle-of-nowhere Idaho. Her father could be described as an unsuccessful cult leader in that he had very extremist ideas but didn’t really get the following he desired. However, his family was under his spell. His children were not allowed to attend school and the author mostly taught herself basic math and reading. She eventually gets out from under his spell (kinda) and leaves to get a real education. An education in life as much as a true academic education. This book was sad. It was disturbing. It was confusing. We read it for our book club and had a great discussion. There’s so much to digest! I’m glad I read it but it’s definitely not a fun beach read. :). If you enjoyed The Glass Castle (by Jeanette Wells – very popular a couple years ago and now a movie), then you’ll enjoy Educated. They reminded me a lot of each other.
Sisters First: Stories from our Wild and Wonderful Life by Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush
I’ve really wanted to read this book for about a year, and it did not disappoint. Growing up in Texas approximately the same age as these girls, I was very intrigued to hear about their lives out of their own mouths. (By the way, they read the audiobook and I highly recommend listening to it if you’re going to read this). I loved hearing about their childhood, teenage years, college years (Jenna was at UT when I was there so I loved hearing her explain the infamous MIP she got at Chuy’s …. lol), and of course their “grown-up” years. I believe I’ve mentioned before that my heart holds a special place for their dad (love me some W), but regardless of your politics I think you’ll enjoy this lighthearted book.
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towels
Ahhh, I just LOVED this book. It’s probably my favorite one from this month. It’s 1922 and Rostov is sentenced to a life within the Metropol Hotel across the street from the Kremlin in Russian. He went from seemingly having it all to living in a tiny attic room and only allowed to meander throughout the hotel. The Metropol, though, provides tons of entertainment for him and he witnesses a much larger world than one would imagine. I can’t think of a recent novel in which I’ve just loved a character quite so much. I loved A Gentleman in Moscow and highly recommend it!
The Perfect Match by Kristan Higgins
This is the second book of Kristan Higgins’ Blue Heron series and it was a cute, easy read. Most of the characters were introduced in Higgins’ The Best Man which I reviewed here back in January’s Four Points Mom & Books recap. The Perfect Match follows a different sister within the Holland family this time. Honor finds herself rejected by the guy she assumed she’d marry and gets desperate thinking about her age and the need to have children ASAP. In walks a cute guy who needs a green card. Yeah, do you see where this is headed? ;). I enjoyed this book and will read the next book in the series. I recommend this one too!
Stay With Me by Ayobami Adebayo
Stay With Me was certainly the book most outside of my comfort zone this month. Set in Nigeria, the book is told from both perspectives of Yejide and Akin, throughout their unique love story. It involves fertility, second wives, and a whole new level of marriage difficulties. This is a book that received tons of accolades back in 2017, but I didn’t love it. What can I say? I’m more of a chick lit girl.
As always, don’t forget to follow me on GoodReads to see what else I’m reading! I have the first giveaway this summer heading your way! Stay tuned!
