This past year I have managed to hit an all-time high for the number of books I've read (YAY FOR ME!), but for some reason I have let this little blog slip my mind and have failed to post many of my book reviews here for those two or three of you who check in to read them (YAY FOR YOU!).
Writing book reviews is an important process for me, even though most reviews I write are fairly concise and certainly nothing too earth-shattering. My main reason for taking the time to write them is simply so that I will better remember the books I read. My brain is crammed full of bookish info, so writing short book reviews is a way for me to file away little tidbits of information for future reference, conversations, etc.
As I mentioned, this year I have already far surpassed my reading goal, and there are still two months left in the year! There are a number of reasons for this, but mostly it all boils down to just having a more peace-filled year I think. When there is a sense of peace in my everyday life, there you will find me a happy and content reader.
Another reason I try to find time to write short book reviews is that I often read ARCs (Advance Reader Copies) that publishers have sent me, so I feel a responsibility to rate and review these books I've been gifted with. So far this year, I have been mailed 30+ ARCs, which is super exciting stuff to a nerdy girl like me! Not all have been books I would have chosen to read on my own, so I've often stretched out of my reading comfort zone and have, for the most part, been pleasantly surprised.
The book below is a perfect example of this. Although I have read Mitch Albom's works before, I wouldn't necessarily say he is an author I gravitate toward. He dabbles a little too closely in the heartache and finality of life for me, but I did find his latest book to be one I would recommend.
Below you'll find my review for Albom's new memoir, set to release in early November.
Writing book reviews is an important process for me, even though most reviews I write are fairly concise and certainly nothing too earth-shattering. My main reason for taking the time to write them is simply so that I will better remember the books I read. My brain is crammed full of bookish info, so writing short book reviews is a way for me to file away little tidbits of information for future reference, conversations, etc.
As I mentioned, this year I have already far surpassed my reading goal, and there are still two months left in the year! There are a number of reasons for this, but mostly it all boils down to just having a more peace-filled year I think. When there is a sense of peace in my everyday life, there you will find me a happy and content reader.
Another reason I try to find time to write short book reviews is that I often read ARCs (Advance Reader Copies) that publishers have sent me, so I feel a responsibility to rate and review these books I've been gifted with. So far this year, I have been mailed 30+ ARCs, which is super exciting stuff to a nerdy girl like me! Not all have been books I would have chosen to read on my own, so I've often stretched out of my reading comfort zone and have, for the most part, been pleasantly surprised.
The book below is a perfect example of this. Although I have read Mitch Albom's works before, I wouldn't necessarily say he is an author I gravitate toward. He dabbles a little too closely in the heartache and finality of life for me, but I did find his latest book to be one I would recommend.
Below you'll find my review for Albom's new memoir, set to release in early November.
Finding Chika: A Little Girl, An Earthquake, and the Making of a Family
by Mitch Albom
by Mitch Albom
🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
----------
Mitch Albom is no stranger to the best-sellers lists, and certainly takes the literary world by storm with each book he releases. Finding Chika will be no different with its release in November.
Finding Chika is the heart-warming story of Chika Jeune, a Haitian orphan born just a few short days before the devastating earthquake of 2010. Following the death of her mother, Chika was brought to the orphanage that Albom operates. This chance encounter between Albom and Chika set off a chain of events that forever change the course of both of their lives. Once Chika is diagnosed with a disease that can not be treated in her homeland, Mitch and his wife Janine make the decision to bring Chika to America, and thus into their hearts and into their home.
The book is told in an interesting point of view -- told in hindsight, with Chika often leading the conversations herself. This added a very personal element to the memoir, I thought, with the reader really feeling the heartache and emotions that the Albom family must have experienced.
While this is not necessarily an uplifting, feel-good tale, it is a celebration of life story. Like all of Albom's works, it is a very quick, read-in-one-sitting kind of book.
Special thank you to Harper Collins for gifting me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
----------
Mitch Albom is no stranger to the best-sellers lists, and certainly takes the literary world by storm with each book he releases. Finding Chika will be no different with its release in November.
Finding Chika is the heart-warming story of Chika Jeune, a Haitian orphan born just a few short days before the devastating earthquake of 2010. Following the death of her mother, Chika was brought to the orphanage that Albom operates. This chance encounter between Albom and Chika set off a chain of events that forever change the course of both of their lives. Once Chika is diagnosed with a disease that can not be treated in her homeland, Mitch and his wife Janine make the decision to bring Chika to America, and thus into their hearts and into their home.
The book is told in an interesting point of view -- told in hindsight, with Chika often leading the conversations herself. This added a very personal element to the memoir, I thought, with the reader really feeling the heartache and emotions that the Albom family must have experienced.
While this is not necessarily an uplifting, feel-good tale, it is a celebration of life story. Like all of Albom's works, it is a very quick, read-in-one-sitting kind of book.
✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴✴
Want to read along with me? Here are the next few books I'm looking forward to reading!
1. "Where'd You Go, Bernadette" by Maria Semple -- I think I'm a little late in jumping on the Bernadette bandwagon, but after seeing this book in our book fair this past week, I knew it was time I gave it a whirl. It has been dubbed an "aspiring comedy," which there just isn't enough of in life.
2. "Dear Evan Hansen" by Val Emmich -- I heard a review of this book at my librarian's conference this Spring, and was very intrigued. It is a Broadway musical that has been adapted into novel form. Not only that, but Universal Pictures has purchased the rights to make a film version of this, which is always promising!
3. "Rhythms of Renewal: Trading Stress and Anxiety for a Life of Peace and Purpose" by Rebekah Lyons -- I saw Rebekah speak at a Lifeway women's conference in Nashville years ago, and she made a lasting impression on me, to say the least. I began listening to her podcast in August, and she just has the most soothing voice and the most special message for women who live busy lives. I can't wait to dive into this one. Bonus -- the book is absolutely beautiful!
I'd love for you to comment below with any book recommendations you might like to throw my way! While my TBR (To Be Read) pile is mile-high, there is ALWAYS room for more! HAPPY READING!
Yay....please keep the reviews coming!
ReplyDelete