It’s the perfect time of year to curl up in your favourite spot and indulge in a good book. I have kept a running list of books that I have read in 2019, partly in case anyone needs a recommendation and also because I like to see them stack up as the year goes on. This year I have completed reading 22 books (so far!) in a mix of fiction and nonfiction and I hope I can get that number even higher by the end of the year.
The last five books I have read are:
5. Joanna Gaines - Homebody I am a little late to the game on this one. I never watched Chip & Joanna’s show Fixer-Upper until this past month, but I enjoy their style and the Magnolia line of products (some available at Indigo). This book is full of beautiful inspiration images and is really accessible in terms of ideas for budgets of all sizes.
4. Kevin Kwan - Rich People Problems The third instalment in the Crazy Rich Asians saga - this is such a funny, easy read that is the epitome of escapism. I love these kinds of books when my day feels a little crazy and I can turn off my brain in the evening with this and unwind.
3. Orlando Soria - Get it Together This book is laugh out loud funny and very politically incorrect. It’s a home decor how-to written by Orlando Soria who used to co-star on Emily Henderson’s show Secrets from a Stylist. A lot of good inspiration images and he drills it home about some design mistakes to avoid at all costs!
2. Cheryl Strayed - Wild Wow. This caught me off guard. I did watch the movie first a few years ago, but the book is still definitely worth reading. It was hard to get into as the first chapter is very sad, especially knowing that it is a true story. But it’s worth it to push on and see how the author does her best to overcome personal struggle.
1. Alan Bradley - I am Half Sick of Shadows I’m not entirely sure if this is a series for children or adults, but I love it either way. This is the fourth book in Bradley’s murder mystery series that keeps the same main cast of characters including an 11-year-old girl who defiantly steps in to help solve the cases. I typically would steer clear of suspenseful novels like these, but the witty humour lightens the content!
Bonus #6: Mary Oliver - Devotions: The Selected Poems of Mary Oliver Some of these poems made me cry - especially the ones about her dog. Do yourself a favour and if you pick up one book this year, let it be this one full of beautifully touching nature imagery.
All of these books were borrowed from the Toronto Public Library.
Happy reading!
AK