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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Review of "Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood" by Trevor Noah

Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book. I honestly didn't know what to expect going in and I was pleasantly surprised as to how good of a writer Noah is. It was a window into a completely different world from mine and it gave me perspective on how resilient someone can be and hopeful as well. I really felt immersed in his life and childhood. Highly recommended!

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Review of "Crazy Rich Asians" by Kevin Kwan

Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I thought this book was hilarious! I was a little confused in the beginning trying to keep all of the names and how they're related straight. However I did enjoy learning all the side stories of the cousins. I later saw the film and I felt that aspect lacking in the plot. I hope they continue the cousins' stories in further films. I cannot wait to continue the series 😊

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Review of "Before We Were Yours" by Lisa Wingate

Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I didn't expect to love this book as much as I did. I was pulled into these women's stories right from the start and I couldn't stop reading as I needed to know what would happen! Based on a real life horror story, Wingate does a great job of introducing us to a loving connected family despite their lack of food and other resources. Definitely there were parts they were very hard to read but overall this story warmed my heart in the end. Highly recommended

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Review of "Let's Pretend This Never Happened: A Mostly True Memoir" by Jenny Lawson

Let's Pretend This Never Happened: A Mostly True Memoir by Jenny Lawson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Seriously the funniest book I have ever read. I was laughing out loud so much. She is absolutely hilarious and witty. I would recommend this book to anyone really. We had a fun discussion with this one for sure.

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Review of "Turtles All the Way Down" by John Green

Turtles All the Way Down by John Green
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Rating: 4.25

I actually really enjoyed this book. I loved/hated reading the torture that Aza's mind puts her through daily. I can understand how anxiety manifests. I also liked her relationships with the supporting characters. I felt that this book was incredibly honest. Highly recommended.

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Review of "Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things" by Jenny Lawson

Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things by Jenny Lawson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jenny Lawson just continues to be absolutely hilarious! I love this book as much as I did the last. I listened to the audiobook and got to hear the extra chapter at the end. I highly recommend listening to Jenny Lawson read her books aloud. Just the best!

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Review of "The Immortalists" by Chloe Benjamin

The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Rating: 3.5

I really liked these characters and I thought the plot was pretty interesting. It didn’t draw me in as much as I expected thus the lower rating but overall a good book.

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Review of "The Wonder" by Emma Donoghue

The Wonder by Emma Donoghue
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I definitely liked the book more because of the ending. The characters weren't very likable but the story was very interesting and halfway through the book you get consumed and want to know how it concludes.

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