What I Read in March 2022
I’m so glad I squeezed in so many books at the beginning of March because the last two weeks of the month were tied up with illnesses. We can’t seem to catch a break in 2022! Reading has been my only constant. I utilized our library for audiobooks this month and I’m so glad to have the monetary savings of that resource at our disposal. My month was evenly split. I read 3 books I really enjoyed and 3 books I could have skipped.
Balanced and Barefoot: How Unrestricted Outdoor Play Makes for Strong, Confident, and Capable Children by Angela J. Hanscom
Goodreads Synopsis: In this important book, a pediatric occupational therapist and founder of TimberNook shows how outdoor play and unstructured freedom of movement are vital for children’s cognitive development and growth, and offers tons of fun, engaging ways to help ensure that kids grow into healthy, balanced, and resilient adults.
Today’s kids have adopted sedentary lifestyles filled with television, video games, and computer screens. But more and more, studies show that children need “rough and tumble” outdoor play in order to develop their sensory, motor, and executive functions. Disturbingly, a lack of movement has been shown to lead to a number of health and cognitive difficulties, such as attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), emotion regulation and sensory processing issues, and aggressiveness at school recess break. So, how can you ensure your child is fully engaging their body, mind, and all of their senses?
Using the same philosophy that lies at the heart of her popular TimberNook program—that nature is the ultimate sensory experience, and that psychological and physical health improves for children when they spend time outside on a regular basis—author Angela Hanscom offers several strategies to help your child thrive, even if you live in an urban environment.
Today it is rare to find children rolling down hills, climbing trees, or spinning in circles just for fun. We’ve taken away merry-go-rounds, shortened the length of swings, and done away with teeter-totters to keep children safe. Children have fewer opportunities for unstructured outdoor play than ever before, and recess times at school are shrinking due to demanding educational environments.
With this book, you’ll discover little things you can do anytime, anywhere to help your kids achieve the movement they need to be happy and healthy in mind, body, and spirit.
My Thoughts: As the title states, this is a parenting book all about the benefits of outdoor play. The book felt repetitive and if you were remotely interested in picking up this book, you likely already realize the importance of unstructured playtime. The author approaches the benefits of unstructured outdoor time from the POV of an occupational therapist and in that regard, it was interesting to read some of the science behind movement. Beyond that, it didn't provide much new to me information. There weren't very many new ideas presented and you could probably get the same introduction to outdoor play from a simple blog post. Even though the book wasn't great, I'm still feeling re-inspired to get outdoor with my kids this Spring!
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
Goodreads Synopsis: Between life and death there is a library, and within that library, the shelves go on forever. Every book provides a chance to try another life you could have lived. To see how things would be if you had made other choices . . . Would you have done anything different, if you had the chance to undo your regrets?
A dazzling novel about all the choices that go into a life well lived, from the internationally bestselling author of Reasons to Stay Alive and How To Stop Time.
Somewhere out beyond the edge of the universe there is a library that contains an infinite number of books, each one the story of another reality. One tells the story of your life as it is, along with another book for the other life you could have lived if you had made a different choice at any point in your life. While we all wonder how our lives might have been, what if you had the chance to go to the library and see for yourself? Would any of these other lives truly be better?
In The Midnight Library, Matt Haig’s enchanting new novel, Nora Seed finds herself faced with this decision. Faced with the possibility of changing her life for a new one, following a different career, undoing old breakups, realizing her dreams of becoming a glaciologist; she must search within herself as she travels through the Midnight Library to decide what is truly fulfilling in life, and what makes it worth living in the first place.
My Thoughts: This book is so divisive and honestly, I can see both sides of the argument. For me, it was exactly the right book at the right time. The world feels heavy at the moment and this book is a great reminder that there is still hope and joy to be found in life. I think you can tell from the first few chapters whether you'll like it or not. It's fairly predictable once the library analogy is presented. I was hooked from the beginning and really enjoyed the parallel universe/time aspects of this story. At times some of the writing was cliche, but I think the addition of quotes from other novels helped drive home the concept of the library and overall was an interesting tool. Tidbit-- I kept picturing the library as the scene in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix when they're in the Hall of Prophecy. Haig's writing felt warm and compassionate, amplified by Carey Mulligan's soothing voice. It felt like a good therapy session, complete with a warm hug. I wish the ending had an epilogue because I wanted a bit more. But as the book says-- "That's the beauty isn't it? You just never know how it ends."
Find Your Unicorn Space: Reclaim Your Creative Life in a Too-Busy World by Eve Rodsky
Goodreads Synopsis: With her acclaimed New York Times bestseller (and Reese's Book Club pick) Fair Play, Eve Rodsky began a national conversation about greater equality on the home front. But she soon realized that even when the domestic workload becomes more balanced, people still report something missing in their lives--that is, unless they create and prioritize time for activities that not only fill their calendars but also unleash their creativity.
Rodsky calls this vital time Unicorn Space--the active and open pursuit of creative self-expression in any form that makes you uniquely YOU. To help readers embrace all the unlikely, surprising, and delightful places where their own Unicorn Space may be found, she speaks with trail blazers, thought leaders, academics, and countless real people who have discovered theirs everywhere--from activism to artistic endeavors to second careers.
Rodsky reveals what researchers already know: Creativity is not optional. It's essential. Though most of us do need to remind ourselves how (and where) to find it. With her trademark mix of research based, how-to advice and big-picture inspirational thinking, Rodsky shows you a clear path to reclaim your permission to have fun, manifest your own Unicorn Space in an already too-busy life, and unleash your special gifts and undiscovered talents into the world.
My Thoughts: I had pretty high expectations of this book going into it because I loved Fair Play and thought Rodsky created an excellent system for parents. Something about this book didn't sit right with me even though I'm pretty sure I am the exact target audience. The second half of the book proved to be much more valuable than the first but even so, I'm not interested in monetizing or sharing the product of my creative endeavors. I want my "unicorn space" AKA hobbies (although the author clearly doesn't like that word) to be just for me. Two stars. Just OK in my mind.
A Very Nice Girl by Imogen Crimp
Goodreads Synopsis: A bitingly honest, darkly funny debut about ambition, sex, power, and love, A Very Nice Girl cracks open the timeless questions of what it is to be young, what it is to want to be wanted, and what it is to find your calling but lose your way to it.
Anna doesn’t fit in. Not with her wealthy classmates at the selective London Conservatory where she unexpectedly wins a place after university, not with the family she left behind, and definitely not with Max, a man she meets in the bar where she sings for cash. He’s everything she’s not—rich, tailored to precision, impossible to read—and before long Anna is hooked, desperate to hold his attention, and determined to ignore the warning signs that this might be a toxic relationship.
As Anna shuttles from grueling rehearsals to brutal auditions, she finds herself torn between two conflicting desires: the drive to nurture her fledgling singing career, which requires her undivided attention, and the longing for human connection. When the stakes increase, and the roles she’s playing—both on stage and off—begin to feel all-consuming, Anna must reckon with the fact that, in carefully performing what’s expected of her as a woman, she risks losing sight of herself completely.
Both exceedingly contemporary and classic, A Very Nice Girl reminds us that even once we have taken possession of our destinies we still have the power to set all we hold dear on fire.
My Thoughts: I’m not entirely sure how I feel about this book. I gave it 3 stars because it was an engaging read but not a book I think will stick with me very long but the more I think of it, maybe it’s 3.5 rounded to 4?
This debut novel by Imogen Crimp follows Anna, a naive and insecure (although talented) singer studying at a conservatory in London. While she’s moonlighting as a singer in a bar, she meets Max, an older, almost divorced man working in finance. The two start a relationship but it’s clear to the reader from the beginning that their power dynamic isn’t balanced.
The way Crimp describes gaslighting in Anna and Max’s relationship is powerful. I felt empathy for Anna. I think anyone who has struggled to find a path for themselves as a young woman can relate to Anna constantly questioning her worth as she is consumed by the opinions of outsiders.
While I enjoyed the writing, the plot was predictable and I just couldn’t get behind the element of the opera. This has been marketed for fans of Sally Rooney and it’s definitely worth a read if you enjoy similar lyrically written character studies.
I won this advance reader copy in a Goodreads sweepstake from Henry Holt Books and am so grateful for the opportunity to read and review.
Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead by Elle Cosimano
Goodreads Synopsis: Finlay Donovan is―once again―struggling to finish her next novel and keep her head above water as a single mother of two. On the bright side, she has her live-in nanny and confidant Vero to rely on, and the only dead body she's dealt with lately is that of her daughter's pet goldfish.
On the not-so-bright side, someone out there wants her ex-husband, Steven, out of the picture. Permanently. Whatever else Steven may be, he's a good father, but saving him will send her down a rabbit hole of hit-women disguised as soccer moms, and a little bit more involvement with the Russian mob than she'd like.
Meanwhile, Vero's keeping secrets, and Detective Nick Anthony seems determined to get back into her life. He may be a hot cop, but Finlay's first priority is preventing her family from sleeping with the fishes... and if that means bending a few laws then so be it.
With her next book's deadline looming and an ex-husband to keep alive, Finlay is quickly coming to the end of her rope. She can only hope there isn't a noose at the end of it..
My Thoughts: So, so good. If you need a fun murder mystery with a quirky character, you MUST pick up this series! There's so much action to take in with this sequel and you will not be able to put it down... I promise!
I loved Finlay Donovan is Killing It last year and Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead was one of my most anticipated books of 2022! I am so glad I listened to the audiobook again because the delivery is pure perfection.
This sequel starts off where the first book ends and somehow manages to pack in even more action and drama than the first book. Finlay's messes are even bigger and harder to clean up. There were so many scenes I found myself holding on to the edge of my seat because I thought for sure she was going to ruin everything beyond repair! This book is just plain FUN. The situations Finlay and Vero get into are absurd but I love their partnership. There were a couple of times that I found myself getting confused by all the female characters and how they related to Finlay's ex-husband, Steven. I wish the love triangle (square?) storyline would resolve itself, but overall the entire book kept me engaged and wanting more.
I could not believe the ending and will read as many more books in the Finlay Donovan series as Elle Cosimano can come up with!
In Five Years by Rebecca Serle
Goodreads Synopsis: When Type-A Manhattan lawyer Dannie Kohan is asked this question at the most important interview of her career, she has a meticulously crafted answer at the ready. Later, after nailing her interview and accepting her boyfriend's marriage proposal, Dannie goes to sleep knowing she is right on track to achieve her five-year plan.
But when she wakes up, she’s suddenly in a different apartment, with a different ring on her finger, and beside a very different man. The television news is on in the background, and she can just make out the scrolling date. It’s the same night—December 15—but 2025, five years in the future.
After a very intense, shocking hour, Dannie wakes again, at the brink of midnight, back in 2020. She can’t shake what has happened. It certainly felt much more than merely a dream, but she isn’t the kind of person who believes in visions. That nonsense is only charming coming from free-spirited types, like her lifelong best friend, Bella. Determined to ignore the odd experience, she files it away in the back of her mind.
That is, until four-and-a-half years later, when by chance Dannie meets the very same man from her long-ago vision.
Brimming with joy and heartbreak, In Five Years is an unforgettable love story that reminds us of the power of loyalty, friendship, and the unpredictable nature of destiny.
My Thoughts: Maybe this was just a case of wrong book, wrong time, but I was bored with the predictable storyline. I saw more tension than friendship between Bella and Dannie. And don’t even get me started on that ending! In Five Years is greatly adored by many but I can’t say the same for myself.