Book Review: May 2023
Despite having a longer month, I actually didn’t read more. My schedule varied a good bit so and I tend to read less in Spring and Fall (during times of transition). Please enjoy my recap + review. And let me know what books you’re loving…and which missed the mark.
“What Lies in the Woods” by Kate Alice Marshall
4 stars
Secrets, lies and friendship across 20+ years. I actually liked this book more than I thought I would. I find some “suspense” novels to be too gorey but this was a pager turner that kept me interested until the end. I had a few of the twists and turns figured out but still some surprises kept me guessing. It was weird, woo-woo without being over the top. Check it out!
“Healing Night: The Science and Spirit of Sleeping, Dreaming and Awakening” by Dr. Rubin R. Naiman
5 stars
This is the book I needed and the universe literally dropped it off to me (well, I found it in a Free Little Library 2 blocks from my house) I have been obsessed with dream work since I was a kid. I love sleeping and consider it a critical part of my overall wellness plan. And here, the cool intersection of science and how we sleep / why we need it along with the collective consciousness that is restfulness and what dreaming provides at a spiritual level. Some points in this book were ones I have thought about for years: how caffeine is the most widely used drug in the world and how our capitalist culture doesn’t fully value rest. The idea that a good night’s sleep is based on a good awakening is really cool. I see this alllllll the time with my health coaching clients: sleep impacts all areas of life. We need rest yet we carry the lack of it around like a badge of honor. The dream and shadow work practices in the book are also fascinating, I loved it!
“Five Tuesdays in Winter” by Lily King
3 stars
I like the short story format of the book but only a few really grabbed my attention. Some stories didn’t resonate with me, while others had the deep ping of love, loss and pain. Overall good, but I was left wanting more.
“Black Cake” by Charmaine Wilkerson
5 stars
Totally lived up to the hype! The character development across multiple continents and generations was fantastic. I fell in love with the characters and deep family structures, especially sibling dynamics. Really well done, I was hanging on every word. I actually laughed and cried, it was all so moving. A must read!
“The Marriage Portrait” by Maggie O’Farrell
4 stars
A richly bright and detailed book set in Florence in the 1550’s. The depth of the descriptions was really lovely. A story of a weird rich girl, doing her duty even if might kill her. Living in this time would be been so different than now, although the themes of honor and duty for the family still persist. It could have been a bit shorter but overall I enjoyed it.
“Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow” by Gabrielle Zevin
5 stars
Another book that lived up to the hype. I was waiting for this book for several weeks on the Libby app. I loved the characters for being in love without being in love. The vibe that love can transcend friendship and how well can we really ever know another person. I’m not a gamer (literally the opposite) but after reading this book I can certainly see how they could be interesting and even artistic to some folks. The connection between those that game is cool and this book highlighted how a closeness to those in our lives can span geography.
Monthly Book Total: 6
Annual Book Total: 36