Hello hello!
I am back, and back for good. These past few weeks away have been incredibly restorative, and I’m excited to return back to the space. Tomorrow’s post will share what’s next for HOTG, but today I wanted to share my favorite recent books with you.
As evidenced above, I spent a good portion of my vacation in Mexico reading, which was incredible. I haven’t been able to indulge in a massive binge reading marathon since before Rho was born. And when I wasn’t constantly pestering my parents with FaceTime calls, I was reading these amazing books, with a margarita in hand.
FICTION
Fates & Furies – A book about marriage – and so much more. The book is beautifully written, the story poignant and raw, and hints to the Greek mythology origins of the book’s name (which I LOVED, given my love for all things ancient mythology).
BIGLAW – brain candy at its best. Following a young associate lawyer as she navigates various corporate law cases, firm politics, and her personal life. The perfect book for a rainy/snowy afternoon and a cup of cocoa.
The Paper Magician Series – if you have Harry Potter withdrawals, this series is for you. The book follows an apprentice and her teacher as they wield paper into fantastical creations while battling dark magicians who have a death wish for them.
Ten Thousand Skies Above You -Â I’m pretty sure Claudia Grey was reading my mind when she began writing her Firebird trilogy. Alternate dimensions, tsarist Russia, physics, and a woman protagonist who embodies the best qualities of Hermione Granger and Katniss Everdeen while being unlike anyone I’ve ever read about. Ten Thousand Skies was just as good (if not a little bit better) than A Thousand Pieces, and I’m eagerly awaiting the final book (as well as Grey’s new Star Wars novel!)
Magnus Chase: The Sword of Summer -Â While this book took me longer to get into than his other series (Kane Chronicles, Heroes of Olympus, Percy Jackson), I really did enjoy Riordan’s first book in his Norse mythology series. A word to the wise – bookmark the glossary/character list BEFORE you start reading. You’ll be referencing it often…
BIOGRAPHIES
Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future – I was hooked on this book from the first page, when Elon asks the author Ashlee Vance “Do you think I’m insane?” Musk’s story reads like a Hollywood movie – rough childhood, Ivy League education, starting revolutionary companies. Musk’s accomplishments aren’t without his failures; he was essentially fired from PayPal, clashed with colleagues who dared to disagree with him, and his three divorces from two ex-wives.
Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Baden Ginsberg – What. A. Badass. I’m embarrassed to admit how little I knew about Justice Ginsberg (only that she was the 2nd woman justice on the Supreme Court). What struck me the most about the book was how Ginsberg just did what we spend so much time talking about (work-motherhood balance, climbing the professional ladder, etc). And did it quietly, with grace, and skillfully. The Biggie lyrics titling every chapter was brilliant, as well.
Total Recall: My Unbelievably True Life Story – let me preface this by announcing that I am, by no means, an Arnold fan (mostly because he fathered a child out of wedlock). But the man’s life story is both unbelievable and true. In addition to his bodybuilding/film/political careers, he’s quite the businessman, having invested in real estate and Boeing jets alike. I still don’t really like him – but I definitely respect his hustle and business savvy.
Read any great books over the holiday? Let me know below!
