2019 end of year book wrap up
In 2019 I set a goal for myself to read twenty books and I ALMOST did it! I finished my 20th book just after the start of the new year. Along the way, I read some great books and I want to share them with you!
My usual genres of choice are memoirs and self-help books (but not the lame ones). I also enjoy an intricate and intense fiction book, usually something a little dark. Finally, I’ll enjoy a quick rom-com or chick flick kind of book when I want something lighter.
Below are the books that I read from July through December 2019. These are going to be in alphabetical order by the author’s last name because I could not rank them!
The Universe Has Your Back – Gabrielle Bernstien
This is actually the last book that I read in 2019 that bled in to 2020. Gabrielle is a leader in the field of manifestation and meditation. This book is a different kind of self-help and much more “woo-woo” but it was really great. I want to add more meditation into my lifestyle. Personally, I do not think meditation has to be about opening your chakras but it can be good to just let go, relax, and trust. Trusting the universe is a big theme here and I think this can be a very beneficial book for anyone who is looking to add more trust or meditation to their life!
You Are the Girl For the Job – Jess Connolly
Jess is a Christian writer who helps women recognize their strengths and step in to their full power. The recurring theme of this book is that God gave you a dream because you are meant to achieve it. Jess and her husband lead a church and a lot of her stories involve the hardships and insecurities involved with leading. If “words of affirmation” is your love language, you will like this book. I really enjoyed Jess’ storytelling and am looking forward to reading more of her books.
Everything is Figureoutable – Marie Forleo
CAN YOU SAY BEST MOTTO EVER? I am fully embracing the “Everything is Figureoutable” attitude in 2020. Marie is a life coach who hosts her award-winning show MarieTV and The Marie Forleo Podcast. She came from humble beginnings and tells us about events in her life that she faced head on with a positive attitude. This book is a workbook and has assignments for you to actually think and write about your life in order to make real steps to overcome your challenges. If you have something you want to accomplish (okay, that should be everybody) you need to read this one!
Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear – Elizabeth Gilbert
Elizabeth Gilbert has written a memoir style novel and usually writes fiction but this business self-help book is well worth the read. This book is all about embracing creativity. While it may seem that only artists, inventors, etc. can be creative in their field of work, this book challenges that idea. I have always felt that I thrive in creativity and this book reminded me how important it is to work my creative muscle. If you are bored with your life, read this book.
Rockettes, Rockstars, and Rockbottoms – Keltie Knight
Keltie Knight is the host of the Ladygang podcast, an Emmy award-winning host on Entertainment Tonight, a former Radio City Rockette, and an all around gem of a human. In this book, Keltie tells us about three of her greatest heartbreaks on her journey to stardom. As someone who used to dance, I loved reading about the realistic side of being a Rockette; it’s not all sequins and smiles. If you like reading about showbiz and love, this one is for you! This is a fun read and I think it would be a great one for a vacation!
Confidence Creator – Heather Monahan
Heather Monahan is a straight up BOSS. She tells the reader all about her time in the corporate world and motherhood and the growth of confidence. You wouldn’t think that someone who had been fired more than once would be a confidence expert, but Heather is. Confidence, like I said earlier with creativity, is a muscle that needs to be exercised. Heather teaches all kinds of people how to be more confident and the advice she gives in the book is able to be implemented right away! If confidence is something you need to work on, you need to read this book.
Big Little Lies – Liane Moriarty
This was the only fiction book that I read in the second half of the year! I wish I had read this before watching the HBO series but it was still great! If you loved the HBO series you need to read this and if you haven’t seen the series yet, read this first and then GO WATCH BIG LITTLE LIES BECAUSE IT IS THE BEST THING THAT HAS EVER GRACED MY TELEVISION SCREEN. Anyways, this book broken up into over eighty really quick chapters so it is perfect for an off and on read. There is a lot of drama, a lot of money, and a lot of secrets in this small town and it leads to a big lie. If you like dramatic stories similar to the Real Housewives, you will love this book!
Rabbit – Ms. Pat
This was my favorite book of the year and I strongly recommend it! Ms. Pat is a comedian that has been featured on many podcasts including the Joe Rogan Experience, Ari Shaffir’s Skeptic Tank, and now her own podcast, The Patdown. This memoir is not your average coming of age story but it is REAL. Ms. Pat doesn’t sugarcoat her unconventional upbringing or her past missteps with the law. Dealing drugs to feed your babies when you should be in high school isn’t the usual path to success but it is Ms. Pat’s life and story and she tells it really well.
Dear Girls – Ali Wong
Ali Wong is a comedian, actress and writer with multiple Netflix specials. If she made you laugh with Baby Cobra and Hard Knock Wife, you will like this book. This memoir is written as a letter to her two daughters with stories of childhood through college to motherhood. The language used in this book is raunchy to say the least, so consider yourself warned! I enjoyed learning more about Asian-American culture and the path to a comedy career while laughing through the oddly heartwarming stories.
I read some great ones this year and my goal for 2020 is to read at least 25 books! Please leave me suggestions in the comments!