Here's what I read in January:
- Decluttering at the Speed of Life by Dana K. White (3 stars / Owned on Kindle)
It’s always good to read decluttering books in January, and between this one and the new Tidying Up series on Netflix I think I’m ready to tackle some projects again. There were some great tips in this book that walks you through decluttering each room in your house. - One Day in December by Josie Silver (4 stars / Owned in hardcover)
I got this book from Book of the Month and they never let me down. It’s about a man and woman who fall in love at first sight but then can’t find each other again. When they do see each other again much later, the man is dating the woman’s best friend. What I really liked about this book was that it followed the characters over a decade, showing a more realistic view of how relationships change over time (as unrealistic as the premise of love at first sight is!). - No Bad Kids by Janet Lansbury (5 stars / Borrowed hardcover from the library)
I loved this straightforward guide to parenting toddlers! Our daughter is just past the toddler stage (3.5) but every bit of this book still applies. I loved the focus on treating your child like a human being (and not a tiny monster, which I have to admit she can sometimes feel like!) and honoring her feelings as she grows. I’ll definitely be following the author’s blog. - Off The Clock by Laura Vanderkam (5 stars / Borrowed hardcover from the library)
I LOVED this book, the second book I've read recently by Laura Vanderkam. It focuses on time management but from the perspective of truly enjoying our lives while still being productive. I especially loved the chapter on "lingering" - really enjoying being in the moment and not thinking about what you have to rush off to do! The research she cites is fascinating, and the real-life examples really motivated me to make some changes in how I spend my time. I don't re-read books often but I already know I'll be revisiting this one. - Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens (5 stars / Borrowed hardcover from my aunt)
Can I give this book six stars? I loved it so, so much. The title and cover didn’t draw me in, but enough people recommended it that I gave it a chance. It was everything I want in a great book! - An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks (2 stars / Borrowed hardcover from the library)
An interesting premise but I couldn’t get attached to the characters and just wanted something more from this one. - The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang (4 stars / Borrowed paperback from the library)
Quick, fun read with really compelling characters. (Steam level is high on this one!) - I'll Be There For You by Kelsey Miller (4 stars / Owned on Kindle)
I couldn’t get enough of this book about one of my favorite shows of all time! It follows Friends (and its cast and creators) from its creation to its final season. I learned a TON and also just really enjoyed the nostalgia factor. Could I BE any happier? :)
