Review of "My Squirrel Days" by Ellie Kemper

My Squirrel Days by Ellie Kemper
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

What was this book meant to be? I feel so bad giving this book only 2 stars but for some reason I couldn't understand what this book was. Is it a memoir? Is it an autobiography? Is it a book of essays? I think that it was leaning more toward the latter but I honestly couldn't tell. That was the most confusing part to me and it really took away from my listening experience. Also, I thought listening to Ellie Kemper read her book would be a benefit as most comedians read their own books better than anyone else. However, I felt like it was another hindrance for my enjoyment of her writing. I like Ellie's acting and she is a very humorous person but this book didn't speak to me. I felt that this was an attempt to emulate Tiny Fey and Mindy Kaling and she failed to live up to either of these legends.

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Review of "Things My Son Needs to Know About the World" by Fredrik Backman

4/5

The much-loved author of the novels "A Man Called Ove" and "Beartown" has written this little book of essays dedicated to his son. Backman's typical conversational style of writing is present in this work of nonfiction. His blend of heart and humor is exactly why his books are so popular with such a wide audience. In this piece, Backman lays out his advice over 12 different lessons, including "What You Need to Know About Being a Man" and "What You Need to Know About IKEA". In between the lessons, he has these short anecdotes that are also hilarious and honestly relatable. In my reading of the book, I found it to be endearing and a potential great gift for any Father's Day. There were many laugh out loud sections and I felt like it could describe my husband's potential  future parenting style. It was a great book to pick up and put down and I would recommend this book for anyone needing a few laughs. It wasn't the deepest of Backman's bibliography but I doubt it was intended to be.

Review of "Lab Girl" by Hope Jahren

Lab Girl by Hope Jahren
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book surprised me so much. I did not expect to connect so well to Jahren and her experiences in life since I am far from a scientist myself. However, each of her chapters (and each of the three parts of the book) are relatable for different reasons. Her discussions about fertility and motherhood really spoke to me for some reason. Her voice was exactly the voice I needed to hear/read and this time in my life. I'm so grateful that this book came into my life. I highly recommend it to all women and men, but women especially. She shines a light on women's equal rights while not proclaiming, "I'm a feminist!!" and causing people to stop listening....not that I think this is ok behavior. This book is also a warm, touching look at a friendship that is so fulfilling that it's almost familiar. The way she describes her friend Bill is like a brother/father/soulmate. It's beautiful to hear of a relationship so complete while also being platonic. Proof that men and women can actually be friends....with no implications of attraction what so ever. Jahren's writing is fluid and impressionistic. Truly a piece of art.

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Review of "Charlotte's Web" by E.B. White

Charlotte's Web by E.B. White
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is definitely not the second time I've read this. I've read it far more as a child but this is the first time I've read it as an adult. I decided to listen to the audiobook read by E.B. White himself. Honestly, I thought he was a great narrator. His accent only lent more of an adorableness hearing him read his words. I smiled so much listening to this book. It's so much better than I remember. This will definitely always be one of my all-time favorite children's books.

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Review of "Becoming" by Michelle Obama

Becoming by Michelle Obama
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was everything. I loved hearing her upbringing. I knew she was amazing but I had no idea the complexity of her drive to do something important in this world. She walked us through her life before meeting Barack, during their courtship, to beginning their family and then to all the political stuff. The focus was definitely not on her role as FLOTUS which I greatly appreciated. She's so much more than that. She'll always be more than that in my eyes and if you read this book, you'll see what I mean. Cannot be recommended highly enough! Read it TODAY :)

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Review of "The Greatest Love Story Ever Told" by Megan Mullally and Nick Offerman

The Greatest Love Story Ever Told by Megan Mullally
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

My husband and I listened to this book together and we loved the humor that these two naturally exude. I found it very interesting to hear about their histories and how they ended up intertwining. They make sure to emphasize how silly it is to look at them as #couplegoals but honestly they are totally adorable to listen to discuss their lives together. I highly suggest listening to this book although you do miss the hilarious pictures that the book provides.

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Review of "Homegoing" by Yaa Gyasi

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book. It took me a second to get into the book with the African names and places. Once I got into it though, I couldn't stop reading it. The structure of the book was so interesting to me the way each chapter was told from the perspective of a different character and alternating between the descendants of one sister to the other. Really eye-opening for me personally. Beautifully written as well. Highly highly highly recommended.

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Review of "From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler" by E.L. Konigsburg

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Not my first time reading this book but delighted to re-read it as an adult. I don't think I noticed or appreciated just how the book was structured as a letter from Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler to her lawyer. Wonderful, wonderful book!!

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Review of "Matilda" by Roald Dahl

Matilda by Roald Dahl
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is far from the first time I've read this book. Roald Dahl was my favorite author as a child and I love his books to this day. Honestly, I cannot praise this book more. It's not my #1 favorite of Dahl's but it's in my top 5 for sure :)

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Review of "The Last Days of Night" by Graham Moore

The Last Days of Night by Graham Moore
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The first chapter grabbed ahold of me from the very start! What a way to start a book. However, I tried listening to the audiobook afterwards and the narrator made it sound extremely uninteresting. As I had to read this book for a book group, I tried to read the book again, this time with my own voice and reading off the page itself. The story ended up gripping me in the end. What an amazing (based on a true) story! It was full of twists and turns that I couldn't have foreseen. I had no prior knowledge of this war between Edison and Westinghouse. I didn't think I'd be interested in this topic tbh, but Graham Moore's superior writing style drew me in and kept me turning the pages faster and faster. Highly recommended, especially for those who enjoy historical fiction.

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Review of "Look Alive Out There" by Sloane Crosley

Look Alive Out There by Sloane Crosley
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I expected this book to be on the branch as Jenny Lawson and BJ Novak. However, Sloane Crosley isn't even on the same tree in my opinion. She definitely had some humorous points, but overall I found the book to be too analytical or calculating of her surroundings and it took away from the humor that she was trying to convey. I was disappointed with this book.

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Review of "We Should All Be Feminists" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This little essay had me quietly cheering in my head the whole way through. I will sing her praises in the fight to lift women up to the same level as men in society. Learning about the gender culture in Nigeria was very interested and honestly, made me appreciated America a little bit more. (Just a little bit). We still have SO much work to do. This should be required reading for all students before they reach college.

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Review of "Calypso" by David Sedaris

Calypso by David Sedaris
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My second Sedaris book and I'm finally seeing why he's such a big deal haha. Lots of hilarious, laugh out loud moments and several moments that make you think/cry/smile. He's such a wonderful storyteller. I'm really glad that I finally gave him a chance. This book has a ton of stories about Sedaris's family and many are relatable. Highly recommended!!

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Review of "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved Celeste Ng's first book and this book has so much hype, but I was worried that it wouldn't live up to the quality of the first book. Boy, was I wrong. This book was amazing from beginning to end. She drew me in with her characters and I was truly invested in the lives of these fictional people. This is a very good choice for book groups/discussions as there are a lot of things to discuss in this book.....a lot. I would recommend this book to anyone, especially someone who has read her first book. You'll like this one more.

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Review of "The Other Einstein" by Marie Benedict

The Other Einstein by Marie Benedict
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was very invested in this story. I was happy/upset to hear that this is mostly a true story. The supporting materials the author used to research for the book is all available for free on Princeton's website. I read several of Einstein's letters online and they're very similar to what Benedict put in her book. Her writing style lent to my empathizing a lot with Mileva's toxic relationship with Albert. I do, however, realize that this account in told in only Mileva's POV to be fair to Albert. A member of my book group noted that he'd be more interested to read a book that included the POVs of both Albert and his mother, Mrs. Einstein. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in historical fiction and enjoyed books like "The Aviator's Wife", etc.

Rating: 4.25/5 stars

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Review of "Bird Box" by Josh Malerman

Bird Box by Josh Malerman
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I had higher expectations for this book. I thought it would be a gripping thriller/horror book. However, I was very underwhelmed. The premise of the story was intriguing and I thought it could've been great. However, the author didn't execute it well and there were choices that I thought didn't make any sense. To his credit, there were sections of the book that had me on the edge of my seat but I wanted to whole book to be like that.

Overall score: 2.5/5 stars

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Review of "Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls" by David Sedaris

Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls by David Sedaris
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My first David Sedaris book! I loved loved loved it. Some of the essays were literally laugh out loud hilarious. I can't wait to read his other books.

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Review of "Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body" by Roxane Gay

Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body by Roxane Gay
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh man. This is my first Roxane Gay book. I've been dying to read her nonfiction since reading articles about her and following her on Twitter. I think she's such an amazing woman and this book affected me so much. I feel that you should always commend someone for speaking their truth even though commendation is not at all why they do it. Roxane exposes her inner voice and let's us inside her heart, gut and mind. I felt all her pain throughout and the ending just got me. I can't wait to read her other works. Her writing is so powerful.

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Review of "Us Against You" by Fredrik Backman

Us Against You by Fredrik Backman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

2.5 rating

This book was about hockey a lot more than it's predecessor Beartown. However, it's still way too long for my opinion. I still loved the writing style that Backman uses in all his books. Thus the low rating. Still excited for his next book.

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Review of "Educated" by Tara Westover

Educated by Tara Westover
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was one of the best memoirs I've ever read. Westover is a beautiful writer. She described many occurrence with staggering detail. Lots of cringe worthy moments. Her story is amazing and she is extremely grounded despite her Ivy League education. True dedication to reach her goals. Highly highly recommended!

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