The Time Keeper

Book 37 in 2020.

“The Time Keeper” by, Mitch Albom.

I am a Mitch Albom fan. I have absolutely loved every book of his that I have read. I am actually running out of books of his to read. Ha. This one however, just wasn’t my favorite.

It’s not that I didn’t like it. I just thought it was so heart wrenching. Now most of his books are difficult or sad. They are not necessarily light and fluffy. But I felt like every character was so sad. Father Time was a man from the beginning of time who was locked in a cave for six thousand years listening to souls plea for more time. A lonely teenage girl was contemplating suicide, because the boy she loved did not love her back. An elderly man with cancer was considering cryonics to not have to die, without talking to his loving wife about it. Heartache, loss, tears, sigh…

I just wasn’t up for it this time. Time. I guess it makes you think about time. The time we have. Am I using it wisely? Am I loving enough? Making the most of my time? Or just going through the motions while running out of time. Overall afterthought, sad.

Bossypants

Book 36 in 2020.

“Bossypants” by Tina Fey.

I have always enjoyed Tina Fey. Her movie “Baby Mama” makes me crack up, every, single, time. I was looking for a nonfiction book and saw this on one of my lists.

If you for some reason do not know who Tina Fey is, she is an actor, comedian, writer, and producer. She was on “Saturday Night Live” from 1997- 2006. She wrote and acted in several movies. And also wrote and starred in the show “30 Rock” from 2006-2013. In her book she talks about her life growing up through her experiences on television and as a boss.

There was so much to laugh with throughout her story. I listened to the audiobook which was read by Tina. There is something about listening to the actual person telling their story that I love. Overall afterthought, fun read.

The Bookish Life of Nina Hill

Book 35 in 2020.

“The Bookish Life of Nina Hill” by Abbi Waxman.

This is the first book of Abbi Waxman’s that I have read. I loved it. It was such a heart warming story. I will definitely be checking out some more of her books.

Nina Hill was an only child raised by a nanny. Her life was always surrounded by books. She was living a comfortable life working at a bookstore, participating in multiple book clubs and winning with her trivia team. One day a lawyer unexpectedly shows up while Nina’s at work and lets her know her father has passed away and left her in the will. Nina was shocked because she had never met her father or known his name. Insert instant family into her small bookish life.

Loved the characters. Loved the books. Loved the story. Loved the love. Overall afterthought, really cute.

The Henna Artist

Book 34 in 2020.

“The Henna Artist” by, Alka Joshi.

I love stories of different cultures. Sometimes I think people tend to put themselves in tiny little boxes and cannot see there is an entire world out there. I have read several books that take place in India and have enjoyed them all.

The Henna Artist is about a woman from the 1950’s who decided to take her own path, break down the barriers society had placed on her, and be financially independent with a respectable trade. When a thirteen year old sister, who she did not know existed, comes to her house unexpectedly, all of the hard work she had done for herself begins to unravel.

This was a hard read. So much sadness. If you are looking for a sweet uplifting story, this is not it. However, reading about other people’s struggles has always forced me to recognize the pain so many have gone through. Overall afterthought, challenging.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

Book 33 in 2020.

“I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” by Maya Angelou.

A friend brought me this amazingly large bag of books the first few weeks of quarantine. I was so excited! I am not going to lie, not having the library open has been rough, ha. I am a firm believer in helping keep libraries open! Anyway she came to my rescue and saved the day. This book was in that sweet, sweet bag-o-books.

Maya Angelou wrote about her life experiences growing up in the 1930’s in southern Arkansas, then St Louis, and finally San Francisco in the 1940s. She is such an amazing story teller, it is raw, real, and witty. Even though she went through incredibly challenging, overwhelming, heart wrenching experiences, I really enjoyed her book. Overall afterthought, human endurance at its absolute finest.

Summer at Willow Lake

Book 32 in 2020.

“Summer at Willow Lake”, by Susan Wiggs.

I love reading series. I just love ongoing character stories. I am not sure how many books there are I this series “The Lakeshore Chronicles “, but I am willing to keep reading.

I thought this was great. There was a little language and a little love, but pretty much stayed classy. It is about a family who grew up going a camp on Willow Lake that their grandparents started. They have all gone their separate busy ways, but are coming together for the grandparents fiftieth wedding anniversary. I looked a little into the next book, and it will be about a different member in the family. I can’t wait to keep reading, light and fluffy, family drama and a little love story. Overall afterthought, cute.