Reading Lately: February 2020

Which books are worth the read and which should you skip? Find out what books I’ve been reading lately and whether I recommend them.

What are you reading right now?

That’s the question I wish people would ask me, knowing how much I love books. But they never do. They like to stick to How are you? (The answer is always fine no matter how I feel) and How are the kids? (Standard reply: Good. They are getting so big.)

Hence, the joy of being a book blogger. No one has asked me what I’m reading lately, but I’m going to tell them anyway.

Since my January reading update, I have ten more books to review for you. I’ve read more than that, but I save my reviews of advanced copies until closer to publication date.

Nonfiction has been dominating my reading lately. My new year’s resolutions seem to have carried over into February – reading about ways to improve my blog and ways to improve myself.

Scroll on down to read my reviews of my recent reads. Find out which I recommend you read and which I recommend you skip.

February Reading List

How to Blog for Profit

Ruth Soukup

For Christmas, I bought myself several business books to help take my blog to the next level. I decided to try Ruth Soukup’s classic blogging book, How to Blog For Profit Without Selling Your Soul. What a mistake. I wish I had just waited a few weeks before purchasing it because in January she came out with a revised edition. The Second Edition, which I read, was severely outdated. Most of the book was too basic for my current level of blogging, though she did have some excellent advice on sponsored content. All in all, she inspired me to fix several things on my site, but I would only recommend it if you are just starting out. Now the debate is whether I shell out some cash to check out the updated version. Read More →

Essentialism

Greg McKeown

Reading Challenge: Nonfiction Topic You Love. Greg McKeown encourages you to the pursuit of less into all aspects of your life. Described as essentialism, McKeown urges you to learn how to decide what is most essential and then cut out anything else. All about reclaiming your life through powerful choices, McKeown will make you realize it’s not about having more time, it’s about doing the right things with the time you have. Read More →

The Joy of Missing Out

Tonya Dalton

It’s not a secret that most modern moms feel overwhelmed. In her new book, Tonya Dalton explains that this feeling of overwhelm comes more from not having your priorities in order than from having too much to do. Dalton focuses on finding your motivations and be more productive by doing less. If you like a down-to-earth style writing style with relatable examples, this is a great alternative to Greg McKeown’s Essentialism. Read More →

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Influencer

Brittany Hennessey

If you’ve ever had dreams of being a social media influencer, Brittany Hennessy’s book will make them all disappear. Having worked with thousands of influencers at Hearst Magazines Digital Media, Hennessey knows exactly what brands are looking for an influencer, and you’ll realize just how much work it entails. Hennessey’s book is geared toward hugely successful Instagram accounts, generally in the fashion and beauty niches. However, even as a small blogger, I learned a few good tips to understand how influencer marketing works and what I can do to improve my strategy. Read more →

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

Taylor Jenkins Reid

Reading Challenge: A Love Story. At 87 years old, Hollywood bombshell Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to reveal her story – all the salacious details of her unapologetic life rising to stardom and about her seven husbands. After all the hype this book has received I expected a sure-fire five-star read. I loved Daisy Jones & The Six, so of course, I would love this one, right? Unfortunately, I just didn’t. Reid’s writing is just as clever and the story keeps you engaged through all seven husbands. I think I just expected too much. Evelyn Hugo was a more modern-day Scarlett O’Hara whom I just never fully connected with. However, don’t let me put you off from reading the book. I seem to be in the minority here, and if you read it, you’ll likely love it. Read More →

Of Mess and Moxie

Jen Hatmaker

Reading Challenge: Make You Laugh. Bestselling Christian author Jen Hatmaker’s eighth book is a tribute to women. I’d only ever read an article she wrote about the end of school (which was hilarious), so I had no idea what to expect. Her book relies more on her personality than its substance, so I highly suggest you pick up the audiobook. If you don’t like her down-to-earth “Heaven help us” attitude, you won’t like her book. It is a Christian book, so certain chapters are preachy. However, I can see where many Christians will complain: she takes less than conservative stances in positions and language and frequently mentions alcohol. Overall, I took away nothing from this book, but I did laugh a ton. Read More →

Apeirogon

Colum McCann

Palestinian Bassam Aramin and Israeli Rami Elhanan find a connection through grief when both have daughters killed by the ongoing conflict. United through tragedy, both hope to find a way towards peace. Based on a true story, McCann’s novel pieces together stories, literary quotes, biblical references and even art to convey the depth of grief felt by these two families. Different than my usual fare, I ended up giving up at about 15%. The story is told in disjointed little segments that were extraordinarily boring and dry. Read more →

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Random House through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

When Less Becomes More

Emily Ley

You’d think I’d have already read every minimalism book out there, but no. I just can’t seem to stop myself from picking up any ones I can get my hands on. In When Less Becomes More, Emily Ley preaches the benefits of slow living. The book itself is gorgeous – with thick pages, dreamy full-page color photos, and even a ribbon to use as a bookmark. The content itself was nothing special. Ley delves into why you should slow down, but doesn’t give many practical tips on how to slow down. If you’re interested in reading about the slow living lifestyle, I would suggest Brooke McAlary’s Slow instead. Read More →

Profit First

Mike Michalowicz

Reading Challenge: Less Than 200 Pages. Finances and accounting can seem overwhelming if you have no first-hand experience, so that’s where good business books come in. Mike Michalowicz takes an easily managed profit-first approach to Accounting – ensuring that you don’t let your business become a “cash-eating monster.” I devoured this book in one evening, and I am so excited to start implementing his strategy. One of my 2020 blogging goals is to finally pay myself a salary, and Michalowicz has inspired me to pay myself what I’m worth and still run a profitable business. Read More →

Anxious For Nothing

Max Lucado

In Philippians 4:6, the Apostle Paul tells us we should be “anxious for nothing.” Americans today are more anxious than ever before, and Lucado uses insights and scripture to help you find inner peace despite the turbulence in the world today. Apparently, I didn’t read the description for this book before I started listening to the audiobook. I don’t mind when authors mention scriptures or their faith, but I can only tolerate a certain level of preachiness. The publisher’s description would have clearly shown me that Lucado’s book was way above my threshold. About 15 minutes in when Lucado said, “Let me introduce you to my friend” and his friend is a scripture verse, I immediately DNF’d.

Slave Stealers

Timothy Ballard

Timothy Ballard is the founder of the nonprofit Operation Underground Railroad, an organization that works to stop global sex trafficking and rescue the victims of those heinous crimes. While I have the utmost respect for his incredible organization, this book was terrible. Ballard should have hired a better editor or a ghostwriter because his writing is stilted, his transitions are atrocious and he has no grasp of narrative drive. The first half of the book is a rehash of Harriet Jacobs’s autobiography, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, but it loses all force in his retelling. The remaining portions are dedicated to stories of Operation Underground Railroad’s work in Haiti and historical stories of famous abolitionists, neither of which are told well. My suggestion, skip the book but donate to the cause because it’s worth it.

Upcoming Releases

One of the best perks of being a book blogger is receiving advance review copies (ARCs) of upcoming book releases from publishers.

At the beginning of each month, I cover all the new book releases coming out, and the March 2020 book releases are right around the corner. Here’s a peek at the March releases I’ve already read.

book cover In Five Years by Rebecca Serle

In Five Years

Rebecca Serle

book cover The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel

The Glass Hotel

Emily St. John Mandel

book cover The Red Lotus by Chris Bohjalian

The Red Lotus

Chris Bohjalian

My To-Read List

What’s up next for me? Before I let you go, here are a few of the titles I’m hoping to get through this upcoming month.

Be sure to come back in March to see which ones I read.

book cover A Long Petal to the Sea by Isabel Allende

A Long Petal of the Sea

Isabel Allende

book cover With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo

With the Fire on High

Elizabeth Acevedo

book cover Refugee by Alan Gratz

Refugee

Alan Gratz

What books have you read in February?

Comments

Terra W says

February 24, 2020 at 10:01 am

February for me….
5. By an author of color – “A Thousand Splendid Suns” by Khaled Hosseini (omg WOW)
6. A Love Story -> Currently reading “the Best of Me” by Nicholas Sparks
7. A History Book -> Currently Reading “A Brief History of Secret Societies : The Hidden Powers of Clandestine Organizations and Elites from the Ancient World to the Present Day” by David V Barrett – Have to go slow with this one – tons of info! (Had on hand – so thought cuz of HISTORY it would fit good here)
8. Title With Five or More words – will be starting soon – ” The Spontaneous Fulfullment of Desire: Harnessing the INfinite Power of Coincidence to Create Miracles” By Deepak Chopra
14. Famous Author You have never Read – “Twenty Wishes” by Debbie Macomber
23. A Beach Read – “Where’d You Go, Bernadette” By Maria Semple
(these last 2 cuz I was on a beach vacation in Punta Cana for my 40th and Didnt’ want to read the Book by someone of Color, nor the history book so I grabbed a couple of “lighter” ones)

- Rachael says
  
  February 24, 2020 at 8:18 pm
  
  Happy 40th! I hope you had fun on your vacation. All of Khaled Hosseini’s books are amazing! Though definitely not beach reads.
  
  - Terra W says
    
    March 6, 2020 at 12:18 pm
    
    Thankyou!! Vacation was so very great!!
    
Penny says

February 26, 2020 at 3:53 pm

I Laughed at your comment wishing people would ask what are you reading right now. I had a friend who as a joke would say if the conversation flagged.’read any good books lately?’. The biggest joke of all of course was that that was exactly what I wanted to be asked!
I love tracking my reading. This month I’ve read>: the Yield by Tara June Winch, an Australian Wiriadjuri woman for Black History month, River by Esther Kinsky, Evie Wyld’s the Bass Rock. Others too but they have been the best.
In March I am planning to follow more closely your March reading suggestions for categories. Good news letter thanks.

- Rachael says
  
  February 26, 2020 at 5:01 pm
  
  Read any good books lately is much better than commenting on the weather. Unless of course the person doesn’t read much.