On January 1st, 2018, I set out on a mission, to read 24 books during the year. It seemed idealistic at the time- the plan to read two books every month- but as with most things, life happened, quickly making idealistic unrealistic.
The only consistent thing I can say I did in 2018 was wake up- even the basics like eating or drinking water were a hit or miss. But the times I did manage to sleep, I did wake up and had yet another chance at getting another day right. And for that I’m grateful. I’m grateful for the 4 international trips, learning how to swim, Lion King on Broadway, seeing my brother in-law graduate from pharmacy school, finally starting my novel and finally finishing it, running a 10K, salsa classes, October 2nd, spending Christmas with family, reconnecting with old friends, and making news ones. It was a good year, but like the ones that came before, it was seasoned with its own share of loss, teaspoons of regret, and sprinkles of longing. Through it all, these 21 books gave me the escape, wisdom and motivation to push through to the next day:
- When you are in Engulfed by Flames by David Sedaris
- Thanks Obama: My Hopey, Changey White House Years by David Litt
- Before were Yours by Lisa Wingate
- Born a Crime by Trevor Noah
- We’re Going to Need More Wine by Gabrielle Union
- Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
- The Immoralists by Chloe Benjamin
- Uncommon Type by Tom Hanks
- The Power by Naomi Alderman
- An American Marriage by Tayari Jones
- Stay with Me by Ayobami Adebayo
- Educated by Tara Westover
- Crash the Chatterbox by Steven Furtick
- Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
- The President is Missing by James Patterson and Bill Clinton
- Calypso by David Sedaris
- Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
- Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty
- Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
- Greater by Steven Furtick
- Holy Bible by Multiple Contributors (yes, cover to cover)
What I’d read again:
To laugh: Calypso by David Sedaris
To learn: Educated by Tara Westover & Born a Crime by Trevor Noah
To grow: Holy Bible
What I’m reading now:
The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris
Happy New Year!
Read! And most importantly, write!
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