January 2022 Reads

Is it just me or did January feel like it took a YEAR instead of 31 days? I'm eager for a new month and all that it will bring. In the meantime, here's a roundup of my January reads:

1. Cribsheet: A Data-Driven Guide to Better, More Relaxed Parenting, from Birth to Preschool by Emily Oster. I loved how this one laid out the facts and encouraged parents to do what felt best for their families. It's the approach more of the world should take to something as personal and varied as parenting. It also taught me that I can (and should) trust my intuition as a soon-to-be mom.

2. Postcards from Venice by Dee Romito. This was a fun middle grade book, with slight Emily in Paris vibes.

3. Fierce, Free, and Full of Fire: The Guide to Being Glorious You by Jen Hatmaker. Although I had heard of Jen Hatmaker, this was my first time reading anything of hers. It was all about being fiercely ourselves and how important it is that we show up as we are. I'll definitely be looking into more of her books.

4. The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: How to Free Yourself and Your Family from a Lifetime of Clutter by Margareta Magnusson. Okay, it seems like a morbid topic, but this was a delightful read. It tackled all the hurdles of cleaning out one's home before dying and avoiding burdening those of us who are left behind. I loved the reminder of how truly irrelevant our stuff is in terms of our big-picture existence.

5. My Lovely Wife by Samantha Downing. I've fallen into the genre of mysteries/thrillers, and I can't seem to get enough (side note: please comment your favorites that aren't too gory!!). My Lovely Wife started with a million questions, and I had fun seeing how things all unfolded.

6. The Teacher of Warsaw by Mario Escobar. This one's expected release is June of this year, and I was lucky enough to get an advanced reader copy. It's based on the life of Janusz Korczak, a Jewish doctor who ran an orphanage in Warsaw during the Nazi invasion. It's a beautiful, heart-wrenching story of the love Janusz poured out to his students and those around him during such a hateful time.

7. The Kitchen Front by Jennifer Ryan. This guy had been on my list for quite some time. It's a unique take on World War II, with a cooking contest using rations that brings together a ragtag bunch of women. I thoroughly enjoyed listening.

8. The Messy Life of Blue by Shawna Railey. A middle-grade reminiscent of Junie B. Jones but so much better. Blue lives with her dad and three brothers, navigating life as the only girl after her mom passed away. It made me laugh out loud at multiple parts and painted family in such a beautiful way.

9. Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover. Colleen Hoover is all the rage with her latest release, Reminders of Him. I'd read a few of her books and thoroughly enjoyed Ugly Love as well. It's about tragedy and grief and love, all things that make a good book in my opinion.

10. All Joy and No Fun: The Paradox of Modern Parenthood by Jennifer Senior. This book had startling statistics about how parenthood affects parents (some good and some bad). I'm not sure if I need to reread and pay better attention or if it was more of a foundational mindset builder and less of a practical tips kinda book. I enjoyed it all the same.

I'd love to hear what you've been reading or any of your thoughts on these books! Here's to connecting to more stories, learning more, and reading more in February.

-J