What is with 2016? In some ways it's the fastest year of my life, but then I realize we're still talking about Trump and Clinton and it feels like the slowest, most painful year of my life. Reading-wise this was a pretty good month! I'm feeling confident that my Goodreads 100 books challenge is in reach and I'm on track to finish a reading challenge with actual categories. I'm not sure you realize how big of a deal this is for me. I have been participating in various reading challenges for five years now and have yet to actually finish a reading challenge with categories.
The Singles Game by Lauren WeisbergerWeisberger was added to my auto-read list way back in my junior year in high school. Her books were just the escape I needed, and I've enjoyed the books that have been released since, with this exception of this particular book. I enjoy tennis, but have never played for anything more than fun, nor have I ever been a rabid fan. Maybe that has something to do with why I found myself bored out of my mind. Then again, maybe it was just a novel that never delved past a superficial level. I had no connection to any of the characters and found it frustrating that the book ended up being one giant circle.*Received courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley.
Lauren Conrad Style by Lauren ConradI thought I knew nothing about style, but this book proved me wrong. If you've spent any amount of time reading blogs or looking at magazines then you already know enough to not read this book. To be completely honest I think the audience for this book was intended to be teenagers.
Sophie and the Rising Sun by Augusta TrobaughThe premise of this book sounded like something I would love, a white woman and a Japanese-American man find love in a small southern town during WWII. That's some interesting material right there! Imagine all of the conflict that could arise during that time with that particular romance. Unfortunately, I found myself struggling to make it through the entirety of the book, 224 pages.
The Nest by Cynthia D'Aprix SweeneyFour siblings are relying on their portion of a nest egg that their father set aside, until one sibling messes everything up. This wasn't a super memorable book to me, but I enjoyed listening to it. It makes me grateful for the siblings that I have. We may be slightly messed up, but these rich kids take the cake.
How to Look Expensive by Andrea Pomerantz LustigI found this book to be really useful. I know next to nothing about makeup and hair and have some of the worst skin on the planet. This book had some great tips that I likely would have discovered if I enjoyed watching YouTube videos or reading makeup blogs. I've tried out some of the tips and suggestions and I don't know that I look more expensive, but I feel slightly more confident. I like to think that my resting bitch face adds the expensive element. 
Gift From the Sea by Anne Morrow LindberghThis is a timeless little book that is definitely worth a read. It contains little nuggets of wisdom that will likely resonate with most women. Honestly, it felt like a reminder rather than a revelation. I doubt I will read it again, but that's only because I feel like there isn't anything new there. It's information that I know, but needed a reminder of.
This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila SalesThis book was such a surprise to me. It's been sitting on my shelves for years, but I never really had the motivation to read it. I had no idea what to expect, but assumed it was likely a YA romance that involved music. I was wrong. There is an element of romance, but it's more of a coming of age, discovering your tribe book. Anyone who likes music or anyone who has felt like they don't quite belong will likely enjoy this novel.
The Absolutely True Story of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman AlexieSherman Alexie got on my radar thanks to a fellow creative writing classmate. He told me that my writing reminded him or Alexie and I didn't know whether or not that was a compliment. Five years later, I feel very flattered. I LOVED this book. Then again, I have a thing for male narrators in YA. They seem so much more real to me than most of the female narrators, because they seem to hold very little back. The voice in this book is phenomenal and reminds me of all of the reasons I preferred to hang out with the guys while growing up. I cannot recommend this enough.
Linking up with Steph and Jana for Show Us Your Books!
