Book List

I've been meaning to do this for a while, ever since some of my other friends began doing posts similar to this on their blogs.

I love to read and always have a book (or 2) on the go. I don't always get through them as quickly as I'd like due to work, kids and other commitments cutting into my reading time, but I do read quite a few books.

I'm going to try to do a monthly list of all the books I've read (good or not so good) but this post will be more like a collection of the best ones that I have read over the past few months.


Unbearable Lightness
by Portia de Rossi




I loved this book. It was difficult to read at parts but it was really well written and had such a powerful message. I saw Portia on Ellen and Oprah talking about her book and she chose not to have a co-author for this book because she wanted all the words to be her own. She only wanted her story to be told, not the story that another person thought would sound better. I was even more impressed with the book after hearing that. It is written so well and flows nicely.

To read an exerpt from this book, go here.


Left Neglected
by Lisa Genova

I loved this book as well. When I read Lisa Genova's first book Still Alice, I couldn't put it down. It was such an easy read with a unique subject and I wondered if her second book would meet my expectations. It absolutely did. I couldn't put this one down. Again, it was a unique topic and her writing style is so easy to lose yourself in. I definitely recommend this book.

Synopsis here.

The Doula Guide to Birth

by Ananda Lowe and Rachel Zimmerman

I actually read this one because I was looking for a good book to be part of a few giveaways I was taking part in for my doula business. I wanted something easy to read and understand, not something that read like a textbook. This book was that and more. It was written from the point of view of two women that are both mothers and doulas. I felt that they did a great job of explaining what it is that a doula does and how a doula contributes to the birth process, as well as giving some really useful and essential tips for couples to use during pregnancy and labour. This book was the one that I chose for my giveaways. If you are expecting or know someone who is, this is a great book.

Room

by Emma Donoghue

I read this book in November, shortly after it was released and before I had heard all the "buzz" about it. I was initially drawn to the cover (yes, I totally judge a book by its cover!) and then the topic definitely drew me in. Written from the point of view of a young boy who has been raised in a small shed his entire life while he and his mother are held captive by their abuser, it is the story of their life in their "room" and their plans for escape. I was mesmerized by not only the topic but the author's ability to draw me in and have me seeing the world through the eyes of a boy who has never left the confines of the shed. A fantastic read, highly recommended.


Synopsis here.




Look Again

by Lisa Scottoline

I'm not much of a mystery reader but this one attracted me just from the short synopsis. A woman discovers that her adopted son, who she thought was abandoned as an infant, was actually kidnapped and then abandoned by his kidnappers. When the adopted mother finds out that her son's birth parents are still desperately holding out hope that their son will be found, she has to wrestle with doing the right thing, even if it means losing her son. As a mother, I can't even imagine having to make the choice that would ultimately mean I would lose my child, but also can't imagine being the mother yearning for her child's return.

I really enjoyed this book and think that the ending will surprise you but leave you with a sense of closure.

Synopsis here.

A Vintage Affair

by Isobel Wolff

Another book that I was first initially attracted to the bright, fun cover. I loved this one. It was a great "chick lit" read, something I haven't been reading much of lately. I've been trying to expand my reading horizons and have purposefully been avoiding the "fluff" books that I was drawn to in the past. But, this was a welcome break and really easy to lose myself in the story.



If you are looking for a great "beach read", something that is purely entertainment, this is the book for you. It had a great story and was so easy to read. A perfect bathtub read or holiday read.



Synopsis here.



The Unexpected Son

by Siobhan Bantwal



I LOVED Shilpi Somaya Gowda's Secret Daughter (see my post here) and this one was similar in that it is set in India and is full of beautiful descriptions of the culture and scenery. While the title might seem like it would be similar to the story in Secret Daughter, it isn't. I loved that this book gave me a greater understanding of the Indian culture and allowed me to create some beautiful pictures in my mind of a place I've never been. It was a beautifully written book with a story that captured my interest. If you liked Secret Daughter, you'll like this one!



Synopsis here.




Rescue

by Anita Shreve


I gave this book to a friend as a birthday gift and eagerly waited for her to finish it and lend it to me. I thought it was a good read but not my favorite. I liked the point of view and the story and it was a nice, quick read. Good entertainment even though it didn't strike me as one of my favorites.



Synopsis here.



Testimony

by Anita Shreve



This is one of my current reads. I'm only a few chapters into this one but am enjoying it immensely. The first page really sucked me in and I can't wait to find out where this story takes me. I'll try to remember to update on my thoughts in my next book post.




Money Smart Mom
by Sarah Deveau

My other current read. The author is a business woman that lives in Airdrie. I know of her (our paths have crossed at a few events) and she recently spoke at MOPS on her book. I like that the book is from not only a Canadian perspective but a local perspective as well. She has some great tips and others that are just not for us, but overall I'm finding that its a worthwhile read. I'm hoping that once I finish the book and decide on which suggestions to implement I will have a whole post about it!

What are you reading these days? What is on your "must read" list right now?