Lighten Up

Lighten Up by Chieko N. Okazaki
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Chieko Okazaki is one of my very favorite women of faith. I love her optimism and her honesty. Her tenacious spirit and commitment to being herself was remarkable. I loved reading this and appreciated her encouragement during a very chaotic stage of life. Both the audio and the hard copy are equally enjoyable to read.

Happy reading and happy lighter living--

Anxious People - Round Two

Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I knew I would revisit this book because I wanted to reread it almost as soon as I finished it last year. Issues in this book hit close to home, and I wanted the chance to see it through clearer, less emotional eyes. The book was still just as enjoyable, though I did miss the big surprises. I love Fredrik Backman, and I can't wait for my annual reading of his Christmas novella.

Happy reading, and remember, you are fine just the way you are. Here's to less anxious living in 2022, since 2021 certainly didn't mellow out the way we thought it would.

The Soul of a Woman

The Soul of a Woman by Isabel Allende
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Ummmm - this book was a little odd. I love Isabel Allende's fictional writing. She's very talented. This was a bit rambling for me. I appreciate her candor and her feminism, but if she wasn't a famous author, an editor would have totally reworked this or not published it in the first place. There are some good passages, but overall I wouldn't recommend it. Allende's fiction is much more worth your time.

Happy reading--

ps. 2.5 stars rounded up.

The Trials of Morrigan Crow - Round Two

The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When real life is a bit all over the place, I love to reread books. Morrigan Crow and her world were a perfect escape. I love the audiobook reader, and I can't wait to introduce this enchanting story to my boys when they're older.

Happy reading--

ps. On a second reading, I'm bumping up my star rating from 4 to 4.5, so 5 rounded up. 

Restoration: God's Call to the 21st-Century World

Restoration: God's Call to the 21st-Century World by Patrick Q Mason
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I don't read a lot of books about faith and religion. I just can't seem to finish most of them, but Patrick Mason's Restoration is exactly the type of book we need right now. Mason pares back anything extra and deep dives into what members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints should and can be doing to lift themselves and others.

When I was in college, Bonnie Parkin, the then-Relief Society General President said, "If I could have one thing happen for every woman in this Church, it would be that they would feel the love of the Lord in their lives." That became one of my core beliefs - if people could feel our Heavenly Parents' love daily, so many of the world's ills could be cured. Mason's words give me hope that the core of what the church does could one day focus again on things that are that simple and profound, and that the culture of the church that so often takes over our faith could be restored to something better. I look forward with hope until that day.

Happy reading--

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Incense and Sensibility

Incense and Sensibility by Sonali Dev
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Sense and Sensibility is my favorite of Jane Austen's books - mainly because of Elinor Dashwood's character and the bond between the Dashwood sisters. This meant that I was extra excited to hear the Sonali Dev's newest Austen adaptation would be a take on Sense and Sensibility. Just like Dev's first two books, Incense and Sensibility is clever in its adaptation. I still love the Bay Area ties and the portrayal of the Indian-American community. It's not a perfect book - certain phrases and commentary gets a little repetitive, but I loved the update to Elinor as India Dashwood and the modernization of the issues facing the characters. As in all of Austen's novels, you know that Dev will always give her characters a happy ending, and we could all use a little more of that in this world.

Happy reading--

ps. 3.5 rounded down.

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Garlic and Sapphires

Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise by Ruth Reichl
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love books about food, and Ruth Reichl is great at writing about food. What's not to love? The book got a little long in portions, but overall it was a thoroughly delectable read. I only wish I could have walked the streets of New York as I was reading to get a better feel for what she was describing.

Happy reading and happy eating--