Recent Reads

I’ve always been a big book lover. As a kid I would go to the library with my parents and often come back with no fewer than ten books. I’d stack them on my bedside table and read a little bit each day, finishing each book long before it was due. I love books that help me escape from stressful days, challenge my convictions and expose me to worlds I couldn’t imagine on my own.

I hate to admit that I haven’t made as much time to indulge my passion for reading in my adult life. I still love to read, but I find myself making it through only a handful of books every year. Life gets busy, work gets stressful and it just doesn’t become a priority. But, I’m trying really hard to change that. I made it my goal to read 52 books by the end of this year. So far I’m only 8 books in. I have a lot of catching up to do! To help reach my goal, I’m going to make an effort to read a book for at least 30 minutes everyday.

Here are a couple of recent reads I’ve really enjoyed:

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

I picked this book up because I loved Gone Girl. I wanted another quick thriller to read and this didn’t disappoint. Sharp Objects centers around a reporter, Camille, who gets sent home to cover the murders of two young girls. The story also examines Camille’s unusual relationship with her mother. As she learns more about the crimes, she also uncovers the truth about her own family. I’m not sure if it’s because of the reporter connection, but I actually found myself liking this book more than Gone Girl. I couldn’t put it down from the moment I started.

Elizabeth Street by Laurie Fabiano

This book is one of the best I’ve ready in a really long time. I’m always drawn to stories about Italian families (my favorite author is Adriana Trigiani). This one was so different from the many others I’ve read. It follows one family’s journey from a small village in Italy to the bustling streets of New York City. It’s a story about love, family, loyalty and the mafia. What more could you want in a book? I felt equal parts sad and happy when I made it to the end.

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

A friend recommended this book and I knew it had to be good when I saw dozens of holds on it at the library. I finally got my hands on a copy and read it in two days because I had to know what happened. It’s been a long time since a book challenged my own beliefs so much. I kept asking myself, “What would I do in that situation?” I don’t want to spoil anything, so all I will say is the book follows Louisa Clark and Will Traynor, two people from completely different backgrounds whose lives intersect and are forever changed.

I’m starting Landline tonight, which I’ve heard several people rave about. My mom brought it to me several months back and her recommendations never fail. And I need more ideas for books to add to my reading list. What are you reading right now? What books do you love?