I’ve been reading an eclectic range of books lately, from Verity by Colleen Hoover, the thriller that keeps on thrilling, to Write for Your Life by Anna Quindlen, a book about the joys and imperfections of writing; and Freezing Order by Bill Browder, a book about Russian money laundering and attempts to arrest an American finance bro who wants to tell all. It’s been one heck of a ride.

If I’m honest that’s one of the things that I L O V E about reading books, you get to go on an enumerable amount of adventures in this one itsy, bitsy lifetime.

Before I get into those reviews, I’m currently reading Blacktop Wasteland by SA Crosby and Super Attractor by Gabrielle Bernstein. I’m also listening to Dave Grohl’s autobiography, The Storyteller, on audible and it’s the perfect walk companion; the number of times I’ve laughed out loud is astounding.

Verity by Colleen Hoover

This is my first Colleen Hoover book and if the others are anything like this one, I’m Sold! That this book kept me guessing until the last minute is a remarkable feat that doesn’t often happen to me. I read this in my book club and we had a lively discussion about the end result, some healthy debate/revealing of plot points as supporting arguments for those feelings, and generally the dark and twisty state of mind that one had to be in for this book. I very much enjoyed it and highly recommend to the non-squeamish and also those who are not pregnant or recently had a baby. You’ve been warned.

Write for Your Life by Anna Quindlen

I, unfortunately, missed a book signing by Anna hosted by my local bookstore due to a migraine, however, the book was exceptional. She makes excellent points about the pros of writing as a therapeutic technique. I can name so many times in which I’ve been overwhelmed by my thoughts or found myself in an anxiety spiral and where with the help of a pen and paper or a computer I was able to purge my brain of those thoughts. A friend and I were at a dinner the other day discussing the overwhelming benefits of journaling. The thing I think people get most wrong about journaling is what it has to be. It could be as simple as a few lines in a planner reviewing your day or a book you keep by your bedside and dumping all those thoughts that could keep you awake at night into when you find yourself in that mental space. What it isn’t is a chore or an assignment to be dreaded or feared. I hope everyone gets a chance to experience this at one point or another.

Freezing Order by Bill Browder

Any readers of this blog or individuals who have talked to me about books in real life may be tired of hearing me lead with this, but, I heard about Bill speak on NPR about his new book and his investigations into a lump sum of money. An investigation that previously lead to the torture and death of his lawyer in Russia and, in the opening of this book, led to his arrest by Interpol while he was traveling abroad in Spain. The book is a true story that is riddled with twists and turns that can only be real life, because, as I also always say “you can’t make this shit up.” Recommended reading for any truth seeker.

So, what have you been up to? What books have you been finding yourself curling up inside during these hellish days of 2022. Inquiring minds want to know and add to their TBR so comment below!

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