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Circe

By Madeline Miller

This is the first book I’ve read by Miller, and I quite enjoyed it. If you enjoy Greek Mythology, or a strong heroine, or magic, I recommend this book. The story will feel familiar if you know your greek mythology. It is still a good read if you don’t. The first person perspective of a goddess is not common, and this hopefully won’t be the last.

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[readingriley]

A Study in Charlotte

By Brittany Cavallaro 

This was a fun read. As always I enjoy a good mystery with twists you don't see coming. This book is also fun because it plays with the idea of what the Great-Great-Great Grandchildren of Sherlock and Watson would have been like. If you enjoy a strong female character, you'll enjoy this. Charlotte Holmes is uniquely herself and much like the original Sherlock Holmes. Jamie Watson narrates you through their grand adventures. I'll definitely be reading the next book in this series. 

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Hunger: A Memoir of My Body

By Roxane Gay

I really wanted to like this book but could not get into it. It’s a really tough read. At first I felt empathy for Roxane. After awhile though I realized the book wasn’t really looking up. The entire read is about how hard her life is and how awful people are to her, with no positivity in sight. I will certainly do my best not to judge a person by their body after this book. That said, I didn’t enjoy this book and wouldn’t recommend.

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Turtle All The Way Down

By John Green

I know this is a YA genre book, but I enjoyed it all the same. Aza’s point of view is one I’ve never experienced in a book before. Her inner turmoil turns out to be both infuriating and fascinating along the way. While it has its classic high school, best friends clichés, it felt like an original story. If you’re looking for something quick and entertaining I’d recommend.

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Make Time: How to Focus on What Matters Every Day

By Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky

I was intrigued with this book after attending a talk by Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky. Balancing work and thinking about starting a side hustle, but still making time for family and friends, felt a little overwhelming. This book helped me sit down, make a plan, and realize it can all work out. They recognize we aren’t superhuman, we can’t all be on all the time. But they are familiar with the distractions of today’s world. Some of the tips are obvious, sure, but sometimes we need reminders. Others were new that I can’t wait to try. I highly recommend this book. Whether you’ve got a side hustle or not, even if you have a hobby, I recommend this book.

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[readingriley]

Cross Her Heart

By Sarah Pinborough With October on its way I knew I wanted to read a thriller and I'd heard only good things about Cross Her Heart. I'm here to add to the positive reviews! This was an exciting page turner. So many unexpected twists. This is definitely one of the better thrillers I've read. It was nice to think I knew the answers only to be proven wrong.

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[readingriley]

Crazy Rich Asians

By Kevin Kwan 

This book is one of those quick entertaining reads. I would compare it to the likes of Gossip Girl, if it took place in Singapore. Although it was entertaining I don't think I'll be reading the rest of the series.

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Feminist performance art was an ingenious exploration of the market value of the female body: although women’s bodies are used to sell almost everything, through menial work and violence they are too often taken for cheap. Their work was an exploration of the performance required daily of all women. While men played at being outlaws with their guns, women played the parts given to them in order to survive.

Alice Bolin’s “Dead Girls: : Essays on Surviving American Culture”

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Dead Girls: Essays on Surviving an American Obsession

By Alice Bolin

Having had not an obsession, but and interest in: Joan Didion, Twin Peaks, Patty Hearst, and various other pieces of literature and pop culture Alice Bolin's "Dead Girls" had my attention. This provided for interesting commentary on the way our society looks at, reacts to, and the roles it gives to women. While I didn't expect her to talk about witches, and werewolves, and certainly not to look at the drought that is Los Angeles and creeping throughout California, I enjoyed it all the same. As Bolin mentions in her book its sort of a book about books, it might not be for everyone, but if you're the essay type then I definitely recommend. 

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Sophia of Silicon Valley

By Anna Yen

Sophia of Silicon Valley is a fast paced, fun read, about a young woman navigating both her career and personal life in the Bay Area. There's no denying who the powerful men are, that she works for. Working in the tech scene in the Bay Area Sophia's character is relatable at times. But the insane jobs she takes are wild and crazy and certainly entertaining. You can have fun reading this while learning a thing or two. 

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[readingriley]

Educated

By Tara Westover

This is one of those unforgettable stories that you can’t put down. About a third of the way in I had to double check to be sure this was a memoir and not fiction. What a hard and heartbreaking life Tara has had and what an amazing feat that she is able to share her story today. This is a must read!