I’m all about self-care these days and reading has been a life-long hobby I’d also consider as self-care. Here are a few books I’ve read since the year started.
Recent Reads: January + February
On My Radar: Print Magazines
I have had a lifelong love of magazines (print magazines forever!). But I am pretty choosy about the magazines I purchase these days. I’m looking for magazines with fresh voices, representation of women of color, interesting perspectives, and beautiful imagery and stories that inspire me. Here are a few magazines on my radar that I would be willing to invest in as reading material and pretty additions to my coffee table.
Described on their website as “CRWNMAG exists to create a progressive dialogue around natural hair and the women who wear it. We’re reaching beyond trendy clickbait and #BlackGirlMagic to address the whole Black woman; a woman who is more educated, well-traveled and sophisticated than ever before — largely because generations before her have fought to ensure her seat at the table.”
Described on their website as “is an unapologetic celebration of + safe space for Black women.”
Described on their website as “a magazine for those that want to live thoughtfully. We believe in giving thought to what you put in and on your body, and how it affects the environment. We’re an independent publication inspired by nature + design.”
Darling Magazine – described on their social media as “more than a print magazine, Darling redefines beauty & empowers women.”
Described on their website as “an advertising-free women’s magazine on self, identity and meaning in today’s society. Womankind magazine features the top journalists, authors and artists in a 132 page, perfect-bound magazine – offering a signature mix of reporting and commentary on culture, creativity, philosophy, nature and ways to live a more fulfilling life.”
Described on their website as “the healthy living guide for today’s African woman. We began as Nigeria’s first women’s health magazine and have grown globally to reach African women on the continent and across the diaspora as Africa’s leading health magazine.”
I’m looking forward to diving into the latest issues of all of these magazines soon!
Image: Unsplash
Favorite Reads of 2016
I don’t feel the need to re-hash much about 2016…but I did want to highlight my favorite reads of the year. I didn’t make it through all of the books on my to-read list, but there were still some notable ones I’ve read and enjoyed!
Recent Reads – August + September 2015
Here are my recent reads for the end of the summer (August and September).
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before | Type: Novel/Fiction | Rating: 4/5 – To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is a YA novel about a teen who writes love letters to all of her crushes and has to deal with the fallout when the letters she never intended anyone to see somehow get mailed. She never intended for her crushes to actually see the letters. It was a breezy read perfect for anyone who likes to read the more light-hearted of contemporary YA books out there (i.e. no paranormal or dystopian story lines).
Station Eleven | Type: Novel/Fiction | Rating: 4/5 – A far reaching flu pandemic changes the modern world as we know it in this post-apocalyptic novel. Years later a travel acting troupe who performs Shakespeare every where they go face a religious zealot who threatens the life the troupe has carved out for themselves in the new world. The interconnected stories of the characters before the pandemic and after weave this haunting story together. Though I read across the board from all genres, this book is definitely a departure from the type of books I’m usually drawn to. This would be a great novel to discuss in a book club. It definitely warrants conversation, the characters stick with you.
The Royal We | Type: Novel/Fiction | Rating: 4/5 -This fictitious take on the Royal couple (Will and Kate) features an American protagonist named Bex who while studying abroad in England befriends Great Britain’s future King. The book takes you through several romantic twists and turns to see if this unlikely couple will have their happily ever after. I thought I’d get a couple of chapters into this book and let it go, but much to my surprise I devoured it. It was a great light read. I don’t follow news about the real Royal couple too much. But you don’t have to be an existing fan of the Royals to like this book. It was love story with a cool setting that is a great option to take along on your next vacation.
The Knockoff | Type: Novel/Fiction | Rating: 4/5 – This book focuses on Imogen, the Editor-in-Chief of a fashion magazine called Glossy who returns to work at Glossy after a six month medical leave to be surprised at all of the changes that took place while she was away. Her former assistant Eve, a recent Harvard Business School graduate, made drastic staff changes including firing more seasoned (older) staff members and running the company like a tech start-up. Imogen is forced to figure out how to manage the huge changes in culture and technology at her magazine and deal with her aggressive former underling. Anyone who has worked in a professional office environment has run into office challenges presented in the novel such as office bullies, under-appreciated staff, ageism, organizational restructuring/changes, among other things. The Knockoff had a likable protagonist you wanted to root for which is definitely not necessary in all books, but can be enjoyable for a lighter read like this one.
Recent Reads: July
Here are my recent reads from the month of July.
Emma: A Modern Retelling | Type: Novel/Fiction | Rating: 3/5 – I’m a fan of Jane Austen novels, so this retelling from Alexander McCall Smith who I am familiar with from his No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency caught my eye while perusing a local bookstore earlier this summer. But I have to say, I was pretty underwhelmed with this book. The characters were a bit lackluster to me and I didn’t really care for McCall Smith’s version of Emma. She was a bit too self-centered and her redeeming qualities didn’t come through enough for me. Next time I feel the need to revisit Emma, I’ll read the original or watch my modern day variation, the movie, Clueless.
I Take You
| Type: Novel | Rating: 3.5/5 – This book honestly wasn’t a favorite, but was entertaining enough. Lily is a promising NYC lawyer who seems to have it altogether with her career and a handsome fiance. But things start to unravel during her wedding weekend when she is forced to take on a challenging case, managing family dynamics, and deal with the double standards women face when it comes to love and marriage.
The Fringe Hours
| Type: Non-Fiction/Creativity | Rating: 4/5 – I learned of this book via the Lively Show Podcast earlier this summer. Turner interviewed women who were from different walks of life (mothers with young children, wives, single professionals) and asked them about how they managed work life balance and making time for themselves for creative outlets and hobbies. This book was a quick read and I enjoyed learning how the author who is a wife, mother, and full time employee makes time for hobbies, a successful blog, and book-writing. After all if she can carve out time for these things, I have no excuse! After reading this book, I felt recommitted to making time for my hobbies and creative pursuits a priority.
Don’t Waste Your Pretty | Type: Non-Fiction/Advice & Relationships | Rating: 4/5 – I enjoyed Demetria Lucas’s first book, A Belle in Brooklyn so I added her latest book to my list when I learned about it. Overall, I thought all of Lucas’s advice was spot-on. She offers advice for most life situations (Married/Single/Dating), but I would most likely recommend it to my single friends. I wasn’t a fan of the book being entirely Q & A, but I understand why the book was structured like that since her advice originates from answer real questions that people ask her on social media.
Picnic in Provence: A Memoir with Recipes
| Type: Non-Fiction/Memoir & Recipes | Rating: 4/5 – Bard is an American expatriate who relocated to France to live with her French husband. This book is a continuation of Bard’s first memoir that recounts how she met and married her French husband and they started their life together in Paris. In this book, Bard’s husband navigate parenthood, a move to Provence, and starting an ice cream store business. I enjoyed this book for the glimpses of every day French country life from an American’s perspective and the delicious-sounding recipes included at the end of each chapter. This is a good read to pack for any vacations you have during the remainder of the summer.