The Last 5 Books I’ve Read

We’re officially back at home in Boston and I’m back to listening to audiobooks. I’m playing catch up on my list and it feels good to have so many new ideas coming in.  Here’s what I’ve been reading, what I just finished, and what is up next!

 

Last 5 books I read

Homegoing:

In this fictional account of two half sisters in Africa one is sold into slavery and the other is married to a white slave trader. The story follows their posterity over hundreds of years, eventually leading to America. It brings up tough questions about race, slavery, and accountability. It is a little hard to keep track of all the different names + characters but if you’re looking to get into the discussion about racism right now but not ready to commit to a non-fiction textbook, this is a great one.  

 

So You Want to Talk About Race:

This book was in my stack of anti-racism reads and I moved it up to the front of the line so I could read it while my sister was going through it. Don’t start with this one. I hope people don’t dismiss the important problems brought up in this book because of the poor logic used to back them up. Instead try “How to Be an Antiracist,” “White Fragility,” or “Waking Up White.” 

 

Tweet Cute:

I was looking for something light after “So You Want to Talk About Race” and this one was so fun! Think all the fun of elite NYC high schoolers of Gossip Girl without all of the sex and drugs. 

 

The Mother-in-law, a Novel:

I loved that this one ended with a twist I never saw coming. Plus, the alternating perspective of the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law are an interesting reminder that there are always two sides to a story. 

 

 

The Huntress:

I couldn’t put this one down. If you haven’t read “The Alice Network,” start with that one but if you’re looking for more by ____, The Huntress sucked me right in. There was one of the rotating perspectives/plot lines I skipped through a bit (violence, language, and sex) but I needed to find out how it ended. 

 

5 Books I’m reading right now: 

 

1. White Fragility: I’m not very far into this but this is top of the list of recommended anti-racism books so I’m digging in. 
2. Permission to Feel: This one is all about unpacking emotions to help ourselves, our children, and our society thrive. I love a good emotional intelligence book So far I’m liking the psychological research integrated with practical advice. 
3. Why We Sleep: READ THIS ONE. Can this be required reading in high school? And again in college? And again as an adult? I knew sleep was important for a lot of things but I didn’t realize the huge impact it has ON EVERYTHING. If we’re talking about books that inspire change, this is my #1 (religious texts aside) from the last decade. And I’m not even finished with it yet. If you read one book I tell you about, please, please, let it be this one. 
4. It’s Okay Not to Share: I just finished this one and it’s a great parenting read. It pushes back against a lot of the traditional limits we set on kids and gave me more confidence in managing my child’s interactions with others. The author gives you “renegade rules” along with phrases to use and avoid for when implementing these rules. 
5. Come as You Are: I’ve been slowly working my way through this one over the last few months. I haven’t finished it yet but if you haven’t read anything about female sexuality, (I think) its a good place to begin. I appreciate the sex-positive and scientific approach. I’ll keep you posted. 

Up Next – 5 books on my list I haven’t started:

• The Royal We
• How Emotions are Made
• Big Friendship: How We Keep Each Other Close
• The Myth of the Spoiled Child
• Evicted