I'm just finishing up a series of good books, but I need your help in finding good reads for my summer travels and leisurely days at the lake. What are you reading right now and would you recommend it? Here are my recommendations:
Anything by Adrianna Trigiani
When I heard her speed at the Women of the (IT) Channel conference a couple of years ago, she was so funny and such a great storyteller, I decided to check out The Shoemaker's Wife. I fell in love with the characters and her writing style, and have now read half a dozen of her books. They are fast reads with heartfelt story lines and unpredictable characters. I also recommend The Big Stone Gap series. Read it before the movie comes out later this year with Ashley Judd and Whoopi Goldberg.
My dear Swedish friend recommended this series to me as I am from Minnesota and have always been interested in why in the hell early settlers came to the cold tundra, and how they made it through cold winters. It's historical fiction about the first emigrants to leave Sweden, why they would want to leave, what they knew about North America, and how and why they made it all the way to Minnesota. The first of four books started slow, but then about 20% through I was hooked. It's fascinating, and you become quite attached to the characters, rooting for them through every challenge. I'm on book 3, The Settlers.
The Divergent series, Veronica Mars
I love YA lit. I even feel hip abbreviating young adult literature, even though I'm probably doing that wrong. Reading YA connects me to my tween cousins and nieces, plus they are typically fun, fast reads. Divergent is sort of like the Hunger Games, but less of a violent subtext. Maybe you've already seen the movie, but I like reading the books first. Plus, having a baby means I wait until it's out ONDemand. I've enjoyed all 3 books in the series - Divergent, Insurgent and Allegiant. The best part is they take place in Chicago in the future, so it's cool to visit hot spots from the book and view them through the main character's point of view.
I finally read Tina's autobiography. She is my favorite feminist and celeb. Proof of it's amazing funniness: I schnarfed at least three drinks on several occasions reading it. Definitely worth the wait.
Lean In, Sheryl Sandberg
I bought the book as soon as it came out, but had to stop reading it while pregnant as it made my blood boil (and my husband was worried I would get fired from my job!). Not at Sheryl, but at the Corporate American institution. I know of a woman who's colleagues literally had to have an intervention on her because she became so angry and aggressive at work after reading this book! I hope that doesn't deter you, as it's a very valuable read. Much of the media have turned this into Sheryl vs. stay at home moms. That's not what I got out of this book at all. I felt very empowered after reading it, whatever choice I make in the future. I also thought it was a helpful tool for men and women alike to make change in the workplace. I am even thinking of starting a women's group as suggested to try and implement new women friendly policies at work. But you should decide for yourself and let me know what you think.
WHAT I'M READING NOW
No Place to Hide: Edward Snowden, the NSA, and the U.S. Surveillance State, Glenn Greenwald
In between YA and romantic lit, I like to throw in a little political non-fiction to keep me smart. I heard Glenn being interviewed by Terry Gross on Fresh Air and just had to read his book. I was very focused on my pregnancy and baby when a lot of the Snowden stuff went down, and I desperately want to get up to speed. Ironically, I'm passionate about privacy. I am trying to strike a balance between having fun with tech and keeping me, my data and family safe online. I am incredibly appalled at how apathetic people are about their own privacy though. People seem to want it, but are OK with legislation passing that doesn't protect it (e.g. Patriot Act). But times, they are a changin'. I'll blog about this topic more after I finish the book.
Let me know if you recommend anything you've read lately by posting in the comments section.
When I heard her speed at the Women of the (IT) Channel conference a couple of years ago, she was so funny and such a great storyteller, I decided to check out The Shoemaker's Wife. I fell in love with the characters and her writing style, and have now read half a dozen of her books. They are fast reads with heartfelt story lines and unpredictable characters. I also recommend The Big Stone Gap series. Read it before the movie comes out later this year with Ashley Judd and Whoopi Goldberg.
The Emigrants by Vilhelm Moberg
FUN FACT: Did you know you could get a lot of reading done with a newborn by balancing an iPad tri-fold case on your Boppy pillow? Thank you, Marg!
My dear Swedish friend recommended this series to me as I am from Minnesota and have always been interested in why in the hell early settlers came to the cold tundra, and how they made it through cold winters. It's historical fiction about the first emigrants to leave Sweden, why they would want to leave, what they knew about North America, and how and why they made it all the way to Minnesota. The first of four books started slow, but then about 20% through I was hooked. It's fascinating, and you become quite attached to the characters, rooting for them through every challenge. I'm on book 3, The Settlers.
The Divergent series, Veronica Mars
I love YA lit. I even feel hip abbreviating young adult literature, even though I'm probably doing that wrong. Reading YA connects me to my tween cousins and nieces, plus they are typically fun, fast reads. Divergent is sort of like the Hunger Games, but less of a violent subtext. Maybe you've already seen the movie, but I like reading the books first. Plus, having a baby means I wait until it's out ONDemand. I've enjoyed all 3 books in the series - Divergent, Insurgent and Allegiant. The best part is they take place in Chicago in the future, so it's cool to visit hot spots from the book and view them through the main character's point of view.
FUN FACT: You can read in the dark using a Kindle app on your iPad. I do all of my reading on it now, as my only opportunity to do so is at bed time, typically when my baby is in the pack-n-play next to me. It's also helpful when I can't sleep and my husband is in full REM next to me.Bossypants, Tina Fey
I finally read Tina's autobiography. She is my favorite feminist and celeb. Proof of it's amazing funniness: I schnarfed at least three drinks on several occasions reading it. Definitely worth the wait.
Lean In, Sheryl Sandberg
I bought the book as soon as it came out, but had to stop reading it while pregnant as it made my blood boil (and my husband was worried I would get fired from my job!). Not at Sheryl, but at the Corporate American institution. I know of a woman who's colleagues literally had to have an intervention on her because she became so angry and aggressive at work after reading this book! I hope that doesn't deter you, as it's a very valuable read. Much of the media have turned this into Sheryl vs. stay at home moms. That's not what I got out of this book at all. I felt very empowered after reading it, whatever choice I make in the future. I also thought it was a helpful tool for men and women alike to make change in the workplace. I am even thinking of starting a women's group as suggested to try and implement new women friendly policies at work. But you should decide for yourself and let me know what you think.
WHAT I'M READING NOW
No Place to Hide: Edward Snowden, the NSA, and the U.S. Surveillance State, Glenn Greenwald
In between YA and romantic lit, I like to throw in a little political non-fiction to keep me smart. I heard Glenn being interviewed by Terry Gross on Fresh Air and just had to read his book. I was very focused on my pregnancy and baby when a lot of the Snowden stuff went down, and I desperately want to get up to speed. Ironically, I'm passionate about privacy. I am trying to strike a balance between having fun with tech and keeping me, my data and family safe online. I am incredibly appalled at how apathetic people are about their own privacy though. People seem to want it, but are OK with legislation passing that doesn't protect it (e.g. Patriot Act). But times, they are a changin'. I'll blog about this topic more after I finish the book.
FUN FACT: Did you know you can download free books onto your Kindle or Kindle app from your local library? You just need a library card and have the librarians activate your account for e-delivery. It's so easy, you never have to worry about returning a book late again, and you'll save tons of money.WHAT ARE YOU READING?
Let me know if you recommend anything you've read lately by posting in the comments section.