Hello fellow readers! Today I am sharing the books that I read between December 2020 – February 2021. I read 14 books this winter, and many of them were really good! I was also VERY into Christmas books this year, so many of the books that I read in December were either Christmas or winter themed. As always, check out my Goodreads page to stay in the loop of what I’m currently reading. And be sure to check out Book of the Month! I look forward to choosing my monthly book pick each month and it has introduced me to so many new authors and genres.
In honor of Black History Month, I decided to read only books by Black authors during the month of February. I have marked all of the books that I read in February with an asterisk. Alright, without further ado, here are the reviews of the books that I read this winter!
One Day in December by Josie Silver
I adored this book! My feelings towards the main love interest changed throughout the book (wanting them be together, then not wanting them to be together, and then back to wanting them to be together). I loved that the story was about a one of a kind love, true friendship, and finding yourself. Highly recommend! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander
This was a very informative book and I definitely think I learned a lot about the system, causes, and issues related to mass incarceration. However, I found myself comparing it to “Just Mercy” by Bryan Stevenson, which also discusses mass incarceration. I wish that “The New Jim Crow” included more personal stories rather than hard facts and statistics, since it was the personal stories that made me love “Just Mercy” so much. I’d still recommend this book to learn more about the topic! ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Twelve Dates of Christmas by Jenny Bayliss
A really cute Christmas romance! I loved this book! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A Princess for Christmas by Jenny Holiday
A lighthearted Christmas novel with an adorable ending. Cute and fun to read! ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Home for Unwanted Girls by Joanna Goodman
Based on the true history of orphanages in Quebec in the 1940s-50s, this novel is compelling, heartbreaking, and beautifully written. I absolutely loved this book and want to read more by this author! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Office of Historical Corrections by Danielle Evans
This is an amazing book. It is shocking at times and heartbreaking at others. It is written beautifully and makes you think. I’m not usually one for short stories or novellas, but I loved this and flew through it! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany by Lori Nelson Spielman
I really loved this book. The author did a great job of developing the characters and showing their growth throughout the novel. I also loved the messages throughout the book about love, strength, and confidence. The ending was also a surprise! It totally could have been a predictable ending, but I didn’t see it coming. Loved!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Dating Plan by Sara Desai
I loved that this book showed a love story with diversity. It was fun to read and I just wanted more! So excited that this author has another book with characters who I met in this book. Can’t wait to read more by this author! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sula by Toni Morrison
I feel so bad giving this book a 2-star review because I have heard such great things about it, but it just wasn’t for me. The writing style was hard for me to get through and honestly I was lost at times. I also didn’t find any of the characters to be likable. I really wanted to like this book! ⭐️⭐️
Head Over Heels by Hannah Orenstein
I absolutely adored this book. It was such a fun read with all of the gymnastic references, and it made me SO excited to watch the gymnastics Olympics in 2021. On top of that, I loved that the author balanced keeping the book light-hearted while also including a discussion about mental health and sexual abuse in the sport. Overall, I was super impressed by this book and it totally lived up to the hype. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row by Anthony Ray Hinton*
I truly wish I could give this book 10 stars. It’s that good. Anthony Ray Hinton tells his story of being wrongly convicted on death row for 30 years. He shares how faith and forgiveness made him not lose hope. He discusses issues of race, prejudice, and the broken criminal justice system. His writing is compelling, powerful, and beautiful. This is a must read! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Prophets by Robert Jones Jr.*
I was really disappointed by this book. I think I would have liked it more if I liked literary fiction as a genre, but the style of writing just wasn’t for me. I had to skim the last 100 pages because I couldn’t get through it. I was excited to read this one too, bummer! ⭐️⭐️
Dear Ijeawele, or a Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie*
I loved this letter written to the author’s friend about how to raise her daughter to be a feminist. She brought up things that I hadn’t thought of before and provided actual steps or things to do/not to do. It is a super quick listen! ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers*
This is a really great book. It portrays characters with diverse backgrounds. It highlights the experiences of BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ individuals. It discusses mental health and normalizes therapy. I was even able to relate to the main character as a soon-to-be new grad after years of hard work pursuing a dream and now searching for my next step. I also loved the message that you don’t have to be perfect all the time and that your happiness is important. Such a great read. Highly recommend! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Currently Reading
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
Ruth Bader Ginsburg: A Life by Jane Sherron De Hart
On My List
Hardcover 📚
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
All The Acorns on the Forest Floor by Kim Hooper
American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins
Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall
Mrs. Everything by Jennifer Weiner
A Promised Land by Barack Obama
Audiobook 🎧
The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter – And How to Make the Most of Them Now by Meg Jay
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear
Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily Nagoski
Broke Millennial Takes On Investing: A Beginner’s Guide to Leveling Up Your Money by Erin Lowry
Allison The OT 