September Reading Recap

make big plans, especially for your reading 

October starts tomorrow, and with it, of course, my healthy eating and mindful living resolutions. We had friends visiting this weekend and after a Saturday spent at Fenway and the surrounding bars, I'm at the point where I'm ready for vegetables again, or at the very least, a break from fried foods and beer. 

Until my birthday, which is Wednesday and the start of a week long celebration that includes indulgent desserts, lots of alcohol, and finally finally finally seeing Hamilton.

September is going out with a bang as the month I read nine books. Nine is almost ten, which is practically double digits, and probably the most I've ever read in one month, not counting back in the day when I was reading Baby-Sitters Club and Little Sister books by the dozen. 

Below are the books I've read, complete with a brief summary and my yay or nay recommendation. 

Do Not Become Alarmed - Maile Meloy

Two families go on a tropical vacation and the children go missing. 

Recommend? Sure, I enjoyed this one.

Here's to Us - Elin Hilderbrand

A celebrity chef dies and his three (ex) wives, his children, and his best friend gather on Nantucket to tie up loose ends and pay respects. 

Recommend? When I'm in the mood, Hilderbrands' books (banal and shallow as they may be) are entertaining, but this one didn't do it for me.

The Awkward Age - Francesca Segal

A new relationship unites two households and the children's actions threaten any new happiness they might have found. 

Recommend? The synopsis pulled me in and ultimately disappointed; thumbs down. 

What We Were Promised - Lucy Tan

After years of chasing the American dream, a Chinese family settles into a luxury apartment in Shanghai and deals with the radically transformed city. 

Recommend? Yes and no; I enjoyed parts of this book, but the overall pace was too slow for me.

Not That Bad - Roxanne Gay

Edited and with an introduction by Roxane Gay, this anthology of essays tackles rape, assault, and harassment head-on. 

Recommend? Yes, a must read for men and women. 

When Life Gives You Lululemons - Lauren Weisberger

Emily Charlton, former first assistant to Miranda Priestly, is back, bitchy as ever, and making some unlikely friends in the suburbs. 

Recommend? Eh. If you liked Devil Wears Prada, you'll probably like this. It was a textbook chick-lit summer read, but the characters (okay, just Emily) are selfish and superficial and hard to root for. 

The Incendiaries - R.O. Kwon

A young woman at an elite American university is drawn into acts of domestic terrorism by a cult tied to North Korea. 

Recommend? The book jacket synopsis pulled me in, but this book didn't do it for me.

Bad Feminist - Roxanne Gay

In these funny and insightful essays, Roxane Gay takes us through the journey of her evolution as a woman of color while also taking readers on a ride through culture of the last few years and commenting on the state of feminism today (from Goodreads) 

Recommend? Enjoyed these essays, big thumbs up.

Whiskey in a Teacup - Reese Witherspoon 

Reese shares her families most delicious recipes and her favorite holiday traditions in this light, charming homage to the south. 

Recommend? Browse this book for the pictures alone, which are beautiful, and the recipes, many of which look legit. I read this book in an hour or so and would recommend it to anyone who loves Elle Woods. 

Hope you find some good reads as we head into fall and the absolute best weather for snuggling up on the couch with a furbaby and a book. Tune in tomorrow for a week old Chicago recap and how to dress for chilly weather in a big city. Hint: scarves and boots.