In honor of my *birthday* and my love of books, here is my latest Colette's Library post! To see the 9 books I read earlier this year, click here.
Photo credit: Michael :)
Click the book title for more info on the book. :)
10. For the Love by Jen Hatmaker (non-fiction) -So, I kinda fell in love with Jen Hatmaker while reading this book. She is funny. She is kind. She is REAL. Her insights on life as a Christian are on point, and she doesn't shy away from the truth. Read this if you want to be inspired and laugh at the same time. I need to find more of her books!
11. It's What I Do: A Photographer's Life of Love and War by Lynsey Addario (memoir) -Lynsey Addario tells her story of being a war photographer in this beautiful memoir. Whether you are a photographer, girl boss, world traveler or just enjoy exciting true stories, you should read this book.
12. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes (fiction) - I LOVED this book. It is a beautiful and unique love story that had me in tears. The symbolism and realness of this story made me want more, and I literally JUST realized there is a 2nd book. I need to read it ASAP. I saw the movie and was disappointed because it just could not stack up to this emotional tale.
13. The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom (non-fiction) - My grandma gave me a book about Corrie Ten Boom when I was 11 or 12 years old. I remember the feelings the story gave me--sadness, anger, awe--but I couldn't remember all of the details. So I decided it was time to revisit Corrie, and I am so glad I did. The Hiding Place is in reference to the secret room Corrie and her family had in their home to hide Jewish people during Hitler's takeover. Every twist and turn will remind you that God is in control and is watching over us--even when the very worst is happening.
14. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs (YA fiction) - One of my favorite things to do is read a book and then watch the movie version of the book. I'm anxiously waiting for the movie premiere of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (September 30th) even though I can tell from the movie trailer they changed quite a bit of the story. This young adult book mixes fiction with real life photographs that the author found which made me like the book even more. It's about a normal teenage guy who finds himself in a surreal world of "Peculiars"--people with unique gifts like floating, making fire with her hands, turning into a bird, to name a few. It's a fun read. :D
15. Room by Emma Donoghue (fiction) - This book is also a movie but I haven't seen it yet. The whole story is told by 5 year old Jack which is a fresh perspective on a story but sometimes I was really wanting to hear his mom's thoughts as well. Jack's whole world is "Room"--the small space he shares with his mom. At his young age he doesn't comprehend they are being held prisoner by the man who comes in the night to bring them food and visit his mom. As he grows, his mom becomes more desperate to tell Jack the truth--that there is a whole world outside of room--and to escape. I couldn't put this book down. It was scary, breathtaking, and heart wrenching.
16. Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer (non-fiction) - I found this book because photographer Jasmine Star (I LOVE her) posted about it on her instagram. I think everyone can benefit from this book! Joyce shares personal stories and scripture about dealing with worry, doubt, confusion, depression, anger and feelings of condemnation. Every chapter was a breath of fresh air!
17. The Assistants by Camille Perri (fiction) - This was a fun "lounge" read. It's about educated but underpaid and overworked women in NYC--particularly assistants. The protagonist Tina takes advantage of a financial fluke at her job but is then blackmailed into digging deeper into her boss's pockets.
18. Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness by Susannah Cahalan (memoir) - Talk about an intense and frightening read. Susannah Cahalan is a young, successful journalist one moment with friends and a serious boyfriend, and then suddenly she is literally going crazy and unable to control herself. She recalls the time building up to her "month of madness" and relays details about her illness via video surveillance of her hospital stay, doctor notes and her family members' recollections. This medical mystery book is so scary because it is so real.
19. Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things by Jenny Lawson (non-fiction) - Jenny Lawson has always struggled with mental illness, and she also has a great sense of humor. This book is random, funny, honest and sometimes uncomfortable. Through her thoughts and anecdotes, the main theme is maybe crazy isn't too bad afterall.
20. Foxcatcher by Mark Schultz (non-fiction) - Again, I read this book because it is a movie! haha However, after reading this book I'm not sure I want to see the movie. The descriptions of John du Pont made me want to literally throw up and I'm not sure I can handle seeing Steve Carell play him (because like every sane person, I love Steve Carell). This was an interesting and sad story but there was a lot of talk about wrestling (which makes sense) that I kind of skimmed since I'm not really a wrestling fan. I learned a lot about it though.
What are you reading? Have you read any of my 2016 books yet??
xoxo~
Colette