A new year is upon us, and that means TONS of great new books are releasing! Over the past two months, I’ve been reading a LOT between downtime for the holidays and now spending time on the beach in Baja. Here are some of my favorite reads for the New Year!
Green Lights
By Matthew McConaughey
I’m a sucker for a good celebrity memoir, and after hearing Matthew McConaughey talking about his book (and sharing hilarious stories) on Dax Shepard’s podcast, I immediately ordered it. (Of course, I’ve always loved me some MM so it was a no-brainer.)
Chock full of wisdom, McConaughey covers the first 50 years of his life, including his rise to fame. It reads part- memoir, part-motivation. His optimism and perspective is contagious and uplifting!
I ended up getting the book because I wanted to see the throwback pics, but in hindsight I would’ve preferred to listen on Audible so I could hear his stories in his voice. ?
Long Bright River
By Liz Moore
Two sisters, living completely different lives. One a cop, the other an addict and prostitute. The latter, Kacey, suddenly disappears at the same time that a mysterious string of murders begins in her sister Mickey’s district. As an officer, Mickey becomes dangerously obsessed with finding the culprit–and her sister–before it’s too late.
I literally could not put this book down. Every chapter would end with such a bang that I couldn’t help but read more. The author paints a raw and gripping portrayal around the opioid epidemic, sex work and the impact it has on dysfunctional families.
Know My Name
By Chanel Miller
There are some memoirs that will linger with you for days, even weeks, after reading. Chanel Miller’s story, Know My Name, will stay with me forever.
You probably know more about her rapist than you do about her. In early 2015, she was attacked and raped by Brock Turner. You know, the guy who was supposedly a great f-king swimmer? I remember being INFURIATED at the time given the way the media were churning out fluffy headlines. What they always failed to capture was how traumatic and life-altering this was for the victim, who at the time was only known as Emily Doe.
Chanel’s story — the trauma of her attack, as well as the repetitive ways the system fails rape victims — is not for the faint of heart. Yet, everyone should read this book. It is the best example of why our justice system must change. Through her own words, we bear witness to Chanel’s pain, her resilience and the aftermath as she stands to survive. I felt as though I was standing by her side throughout her entire journey, and I am so grateful she chose to share her story. Your life will change after reading this memoir.
It’s absolutely phenomenal. One of the best memoirs I’ve ever read.
Thirst: 2600 Miles From Home
By Heather Anish Anderson
Can you imagine hiking 2,653 miles from start to finish? Many people accomplish this incredible feat — but then there is Heather “Anish” Anderson, who set out to hike the Pacific Crest Trail in the fastest recorded time. And she did it! This is her story about how she hiked upwards of 40-50 miles a DAY to break the previously held record. It’s unreal… and also so bad ass! Anish writes so beautifully that you literally feel like you’re right there on the trail with her.
If you enjoyed Cheryl Strayed’s memoir Wild, you’ll dig this book!
The Yellow House
By Sarah M. Broom
I’ve been holding off on reviewing this book for so long — simply because I fear that I won’t be able to fully articulate how well-written and poignant this book is. The Yellow House is centered on the home of a Black family in New Orleans East, but not the NOLA you think about. Their abode sits on the outskirts of the city, in an area not even registered on maps or documents about Louisiana or its most famous city. Sarah M. Broom weaves together her family’s history, through the lens of her mother, brothers and sisters. She chronicles the depths of her family tree and their beloved home in such a poetic way that you feel like you’re right there with her.
This book serves as part memoir and part social history, and is one that I highly recommend all should read.
The Arrangement
By Robyn Harding
First book of the year! And boy, was it a good one. Before I get into it, I must say that Robyn Harding has become one of my favorite authors. She always delivers!
The Arrangement centers on a young NYC college student, Nat, who’s barely making ends meet. Her roommates are also ready to kick her out for late payments and general annoyance by her presence. After she hangs with Ava, a classmate with plenty of cash to spend, Nat is drawn into a world of sugar babies and sugar daddies: older, rich men who pay young women for their companionship (etc.). Soon enough, Nat is embroiled in a passionate love affair with a daddy named Gabe… who seems too good to be true.
While I found myself having to suspend belief in some areas of this novel, I did tear through it in a matter of days. Harding always knows how to hook the reader in, enticing you to devour chapter after chapter before yo realize it’s well into the night! Overall, a fantastic read to kick off my goal of 50 books in 2021!
Amelia Unabridged
By Ashley Schumacher
There are some novels that are written in the first person so well that it feels as though you’re reading a heartfelt memoir. Amelia Unabridged is that kind of story.
Amelia is a teenage girl with the world ahead of her as she and her best friend Jenna navigate the last year of high school and prepare for college. But Amelia is a lot different than Jenna. Amelia comes from a split family, living with a mom who struggles with the outcome of divorce and poverty. Through a shared love of reading, particularly the bestselling books, the Orman Chronicles, the girls create an unbreakable bond. Until tragedy strikes, and Amelia is left wondering how to pick up the pieces.
Without going into too much detail on what unfolds, I will say that this novel tugs on the heartstrings in the most beautiful way. It’s incredibly well-written; so much so that I finished it in a span of two days. I highly recommend this book for fans of YA novels!
Thank you to NetGalley, Wednesday Books and St. Martin’s Publishing Group for providing an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
Between Two Kingdoms
By Suleika Jaouad
Imagine being in your early twenties, on the cusp of having your whole life in front of you, only to discover that you have a severe form of leukemia that will take tortuous years to battle. Such is the true story of Suleika Jaouad, which she tells with such vividness, honestly and heartbreaking clarity.
This memoir reveals the horrific side of cancer in the rawest form. Jaouad writes the worst parts of her life so beautifully that you can’t help but flip through the pages at lightening speed. Her story, which balances the before, during and after of a cancer diagnosis, treatment and recovery, also documents the impact of all of those around her. I’ll be honest — I’ve never fully understood the savagery of cancer and chemo, and the imprint it leaves on the patient forever — until now.
If there’s ever a book to shake you awake, and encourage you to live your life to the absolute fullest, it’s this one.
Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for providing an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
What’s on your reading list for 2021? Share your picks with me in the comments below!
One quick note before I sign off: each book image is linked back to Amazon. If you’re planning on buying one or more of these books, please consider doing so through our affiliate links. Each purchase helps our family travels continue! ?
