Shipped by Angie Hockman

  • Twitter summary: Henley and Graeme, work rivals are competing for the same promotion, are on an adventurous Galapagos Island cruise together. I wish I was on this cruise!
  • The good: This book makes me want to go back to Ecuador and explore this beautiful planet. Oh, how I missing travelling! There were beautiful moments between Henley and Walsh and Henley and Graeme that solidified the storytelling and made it more than a simple enemies-to-lovers trope. Despite this being predictable from the start, I throughly enjoyed Walsh and Graeme’s characters and their development. Renata also sounds like she would be an awesome mentor.
  • The bad: I lost count of the number of times I wanted to tell Henley to wake up and stop assuming the worst. It was annoyingly childish and her attitude docked (haha no pun intended) this book down to a 3/5 rating. I understand being career oriented but her negative and presumption thoughts about Graeme were off putting and juvenile.
  • Recommendation: Besides Henley’s presumptuous attitude, I do recommend this book.
  • Overall rating: 3/5 blue-footed boobies
  • Goodreads link

The Rest of the Story by Sarah Dessen

  • Twitter summary: Emma Saylor spends three weeks with her maternal grandmother and mother’s family to discover they have always been a part of her.
  • The good: I loved the initial plot and lead up. I was immediately intrigued by Waverly’s story and Emma Saylor’s (I can’t decide if she’s an Emma or a Saylor so full name it is) connection with Bailey, Trinity, Roo and the whole lake crew. I believed in their emotions, both the highs and lows. However…
  • The bad: I’ll admit that I was expecting more. I haven’t read a Sarah Dessen book since I was in high school (probably) and it wasn’t as magical as I remembered. Guess I’ve actually grown up. Also, I was disappointed with the last 15% of book — it felt rushed and unnatural. All of a sudden, her dad turned 180 and Emma Saylor, made a move on Roo? What? Who are these characters?
  • Recommendation: If you’re looking for an easy, summer vibes read, with a touch of high school nostalgia.
  • Overall rating 3/5 ice cream trucks
  • Goodreads link

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

  • Twitter summary: Set during California’s gold rush, Michael is drawn to Angel for better or for worse. Spoiler alert – he doesn’t give up / lose faith.
  • The good: Let me preface with the fact that I am not religious but I decided to read this book anyway (mostly because it has a good ~200,000 number of reviews on Goodreads and 4.5 average rating). It had a decent plot and I enjoyed a couple of the supporting characters, Miriam and Ruthie. I can see the appeal of this book for its story of love, faith and redemption for the target audience. I appreciated how Rivers wrote Angel as a character — her struggles and flaws felt real.
  • The bad: Ultimately, I was bored. I found it terribly predictable and was not invested in the lead characters because of this. I was hoping for at least one unexpected turn of events.
  • Recommendation: Yes to those looking for faith.
  • Overall rating: 2/5 lace dresses
  • Goodreads link

Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates

  • Twitter summary: A brutally honest yet beautiful narration of Coates’ life as a Black man growing up in Baltimore and then as a father.
  • The good: Coates’ narration in the audiobook is perfect. I found myself closing my eyes to truly listen to his prose, words and emotions. If I had read this book, I’m sure many pages would be flagged, sentences underlined and thoughts written in the margins. I can’t begin unpacking all of the feelings and experiences. Style wise, I loved how Coates was writing this letter to his child with his use of “you” and finally saying his child’s name (I won’t spoil it!) at the end. This book weaved in personal experiences, community/societal influences and American history to create a beautifully honest truth of the racial injustices of yesterday, today and tomorrow if we can’t find the way forward together.
  • The bad: None.
  • Recommendation: Definitely listen to the audiobook!
  • Overall rating: 5/5 childhood memories
  • Goodreads link

The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller

  • Twitter summary: The perfect COVID-19 pandemic physical distancing book because Kallias, the Shadow King, must stay at a distance to not accidentally touch anyone.*
  • The good: This was sold to me as a Slytherin (because the “good” girls shouldn’t always be the winners) YA fantasy/romance story and the best part is that it’s a standalone novel! No duology, trilogy book series here! Yes! This book did not disappoint; there was an oblivious older sister, greedy father, vindictive former lover, sketchy uncle, even sketchier cousin and a number of stereotypical characters. I also appreciated Alessandra’s character development (see below for an exception) as she begins to realize love is not heartbreak.
  • The bad: I completely missed when Alessandra actually fell in love with Kallias. All of a sudden, it went from “I have a poison,” to bam, “I love him and must protect him.” What? When? How? Why? I wish this aspect of the plot was better developed.
  • Recommendation: Yes.
  • Overall rating: 4/5 skinny dips
  • Goodreads link

*I’m not kidding. In one chapter, Kallias sits down on a bench two feet apart from Alessandra. Is it sad that I giggled shamelessly?

Think Like a Monk by Jay Shetty (Audiobook)

  • Twitter summary: Learn why and how to practically think like a monk.
  • The good: I heard about Shetty early in the pandemic when Jim Kwik was releasing his book, Limitless. I was immediately drawn to his communication style and the way he described concepts simply and practically. He always made me stop and think. I jumped on pre-ordering his book and then, I just didn’t read it. Finally, I decided to listen to the audiobook, which is read by Shetty, and I’m grateful that I did. Each chapter is digestible, full of tips and examples and most importantly, he explains why he is recommending it. Long story, short: (1) have a morning ritual that includes TIME: thankfulness (gratitude), insight, meditation and exercise, and (2) BW present in everything that you do.
  • The bad: I’ll admit that it was a bit difficult to always be present and to listen and absorb the words — haha, yes I’m aware of the irony — and so, I will definitely read the book to dive deeper. This wasn’t the type of book where I could only listen via audiobook. I need to go back, read, underline, flag pages and apply.
  • Recommendation: Yes, I enjoyed the audiobook and definitely recommend reading the book to supplement all the valuable lessons.
  • Overall rating: 5/5 meditations
  • Goodreads link

An Elephant in My Kitchen by Françoise Malby Anthony, Katja Willemsen

  • Twitter summary: “[Frankie] shows me again and again what an amazing leader and teacher she is, and how she lives every day with compassion, insight and kindness, […] to remind me that I have nothing to be afraid of.” — Chapter 27, Frankie vs Frankie
  • The good: I have beautifully fond memories of my travel to South Africa and so, I was immediately swept away in Françoise’s story and Thula Thula. These are the people who help make the world go round, the compassionate human beings helping to keep the world a better place. I won’t lie, it was heartbreaking to read about poaching and how much these wild animals have suffered. How we are directly influencing their well being without a care. I loved the anecdotes about the herd throughout the book. There’s beauty to the world and many lessons to learn. I am always in awe of Mother Nature.
  • The bad: The timelines jump around a bit from chapter to chapter but readers can easily put the events in order chronologically.
  • Recommendation: Yes and I want to read The Elephant Whisperer now.
  • Overall rating: 5/5 game drives
  • Goodreads link

The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski

  • Twitter summary: The general’s daughter wins a bid for Arin at the market and brings him home.
  • The good: I’m trying to come up with something but having a difficult time. Maybe I can say I enjoyed Jess’ personality but that would be a stretch. I didn’t understand her purpose and her friendship with Kestrel seemed superficial. Okay, see, I have nothing to say for the good of this book.
  • The bad: I know this is fiction but I can’t even type out the word “slave” for the Twitter summary. It was extremely difficult to dive into this world and the characters. I tried to give Kestrel and Arin the benefit of the doubt but there was no emotion or viable connection between them. Unfortunately, all aspects of the story fell flat. The big elephant in the room was the book’s use of slavery to build purpose and plot — it was unpleasant to say the least.
  • Recommendation: A solid and resounding no and I will not continue reading this series.
  • Overall rating: 1/5 curses
  • Goodreads link

Untamed by Glennon Doyle

  • Twitter summary: “Tabitha. You are not crazy. You are a goddamn cheetah.”
  • The good: This book gripped me from the very beginning — I loved the prologue. I lost count of the number of pages I’ve flagged, sentences underlined and re-read. I also took my sweet time reading this book, approximately 7 months (started it in May 2020 after watching an IG live with Sophia Bush). I related to Doyle’s feelings and analogies. Doyle is a master of no BS, straight to the point, mic drop analogies. I want to live my life with my Knowing and be held and free at the same time. This book is powerful and I urge everyone to read it. I will definitely be re-reading whenever the mood strikes.
  • The bad: I haven’t read Doyle’s other book and probably never will. I want to know more about Amma.
  • Recommendation: Yes.
  • Overall rating: 5/5 cheetahs
  • Goodreads link

In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren

  • Twitter summary: “It never occurred to me that you might be mine.”
  • The good: This book gave me all the feels — seriously, I had tears in my eyes and I melted several times over the sweetness that is Mandrew and Maisie. I know I’m reading this book a bit late or it could be said, I’m reading this early since the holiday season is basically a year away but I’m thrilled that I did. I won’t lie: I was unsure of how I felt in the beginning but once Mae’s Groundhound Day hit two, I was fully invested in this book. It was beautiful. I appreciate that the male protagonist is not the typical bad boy or even the stereotypical older brother of the best friend — Andrew was sweet, attentive and charming. I loved their banter. Go, Mae, go! You do what you want! Exactly the story I needed on a quiet Friday evening, wrapped in blankets. Can I have a Benny in my life? And, of course, a love like theirs?
  • The bad: I know this is fiction but what happened to the first reality?!
  • Recommendation: Yes! I will definitely re-read when I need a warm holiday hug.
  • Overall rating: 5/5 childhood loves
  • Goodreads link