Between rebranding the blog, some major changes at work and taking on more side projects, I have not been reading nearly as much as I used to. I’ve set a goal to get through at least 20 books this year, and so far I’m off to a pretty slow start.
Instead of focusing so much on my goal number, I’m more interested in trying new authors and genres and actually enjoying reading, whenever I can. Here are some of the titles I’ll be making my way through in the new few weeks!
In Short Measures: This collection of short novellas instantly caught my eye, as the complexities of romantic relationships has been on my (and a lot of my girlfriends) minds of late. I started this one at the top of the new year and I’m slowly making my way through. I’m nearly through one of the three novellas, and I find the characters super complex but very real and so relatable.
To Kill a Mockingbird: When my high school English teacher, Mr. Thompson, made the class read TKAM, I wanted no part of it. And once he forced me to try to dig into it, I was so upset by the ending I deemed it the worst book ever. Now, I think 22 year old Amber can have an appreciation for this that 17 year old Amber just didn’t catch on to. I’m excited to read this over with a new and fresh perspective (and without a homework assignment due around it).
The Book of Laughter and Forgetting: One of my reading goals this year is to open myself up to new authors. Flipping through the first few pages, I knew I would be taking this title home with me. The book is broken into 7 parts and explores various aspects of human existence (which we can all use some insights on). I plan to start digging into this one this week during my morning commute.
One Hundred Years of Solitude: Another reach back from my high school reading list. I studied Spanish from second grade through high school and minored in it in college, so Spanish authors continuously showed up in my studies. I’ve read so many snippets of Gabriel’s work, but have never read a full piece and decided to start with this one.
That about sums up whats on my current to-read list. I’d love to hear what books you all are diving into or wrapping up – and I’m always taking suggestions!
Ah, I love myself a good existential book! // To Kill a Mockingbird was never a part of my high school syllabus, but I know that it was for most people (or at least most people who studied in the States). I think To Kill and Mockingbird and The Great Gatsby seemed to be many high school students’ favourite assigned readings. (The Great Gatsby wasn’t on my syllabus either.) They’re on my TBR, but I haven’t read them yet! I’m currently reading #GIRLBOSS (after seeing so much hype about it), and I think I’ll be finishing that soon. RIP Harper Lee. -Audrey | Brunch at Audrey’s
One of my friends is currently reading #GIRLBOSS and is loving it, but I’ve seen a lot of mixed reviews so definitely let me know your thoughts! I never had to read Gatsby in school, and didn’t even see the movie?! Maybe I’ll give the book a go this year?!
Oh really? I’ve only seen good things about #GIRLBOSS, but I was still a little skeptical because I didn’t know if it really was that good or if it was just trendy. I finished it just yesterday and I quite enjoyed it 🙂 It’s a quick read. It feels like you’re talking to a friend, as in Sophia Amoruso writes with good energy, is very matter-of-fact/down-to-business/no-nonsense. It’s a good book for entrepreneurs! I feel like it embodies “hustle,” although I have mixed feelings about that word glorifying business and all that 😛
(oops, I mean “glorifying busy-ness”)
I have To Kill a Mockingbird on my to-read list as well, however I did read it in high school and absolutely adore it. The ending is tough, but it’s one of the most human books I’ve ever encountered, and I can’t wait to re-read it. I recently got Got Set a Watchman on my TBR list as well, so I want to re-read To Kill a Mockingbird first xx
Harper Lee definitely had a way of writing that makes the words connect with the reader on a human to human level. If you start Go Set a Watchman soon, let me know how you like it! I may want to add another H Lee book to my TBR!
Oh, her writing was epic. I have a great story that I learned when I first read To Kill a Mockingbird, long ago before Go Set a Watchman was even heard of. My high school English teacher told us (because we asked if Harper Lee had any other books we could read) that she had only ever written one book, and that she had made it known that she would only ever, ever publish one more – a sequel to To Kill a Mockingbird. Lee had made it clear that the book already existed, and that she would publish it when she was good and ready. When I heard that Go Set a Watchman was coming out, I was nearly heartbroken. xx
I don’t know how I made it through school without having to read TKAM, but it’s definitely on my list, too! I get really attached to characters in books and have such a hard time when things end tragically (The Great Gatsby and The Secret Life of Bees took me OUT!), so I’ve been a little cautious about reading it. Maybe we can read it together?!
xo Parys
PS… the rebrand is gorgeous! So good to have you back 🙂
Haha I know what you mean. A book with characters I really love will have me in all of the feels when something tragic happens. We can definitely read it together! Let me know when you’re starting it and we can trade thoughts 🙂
Also so glad you like the rebrand! It feels good to be back 🙂