One of my biggest goals for 2020 was to take a step back from being online/social media and educate myself more. I have always loved getting lost in books- mainly non-fiction, but sometimes fiction too. I realized that I hadn’t read as much as I spend pointless time scrolling online! Be sure to follow me on Good Reads for real time updates & recommendations!

I decided that I would download my most used app, Libby, and begin setting limits on time spent on my social media apps. Once I realized I was spending too much mindless time, I could switch over to reading a book.

Libby is AMAZING. It’s an app where you can borrow e-books and audio books from your local library! All you need is a card. (In my case, I owe my library $10 for a magazine I KNOW I RETURNED TO THEM when I was in 5th grade. So I just use my husband’s card.)

I thought I would share the books I have read in the first half of 2020, a speedy quick blurb about the book, and whether I recommend. I set a goal to read or listen to 20 books in 2020, and don’t you know it? I have already read 27. (And one of the books twice!) Today I am sharing books 1-15 below in the order of completion! I’ll be sure to * my favorites!

BOOKS 1-15 OF 2020

1. **Conversations with Friends– Rooney / I’m so glad I started off the year with this book! It was one of those weird, twist and turn types of books that compelled me to keep reading!
2. *Dear Girls– Wong / Ali Wong is hilarious. I love listening to comedian’s books because they usually read them themselves, and Ali’s did not disappoint! If you have a daughter, you will appreciate this one even more!
3. *Daisy Jones & the Six– Jenkins / This one was a story of drugged out rock stars. A compelling read that gave a glimpse back in time, told from the perspective of all the members of the band.
4. Crazy Rich Asians– Kwan / I loved this trilogy! I think they are quick, fun reads that broach the lives of rich, powerful people we will never be! This is technically a YA novel, but as a woman in my 30’s, I loved it too.
5. Normal People– Rooney / Normal People is now a series on Netflix, I believe. It touches on young love, class/financial differences, and is another excellent read by Rooney!
6. Distant Shores– Hannah / This book was so boring and predictable. I had a few chapters left in the book and decided I had better things to do with my time. I do have friends who loved it though!
7. **Big Girl– Miller / Kelsey tells her story of dieting from childhood and into disordered eating as an adult. She then tells about her journey with intuitive eating and I found this book to be compelling. It made me think about my own dieting life cycle and re-evaluate! I’m happy to say I have made positive changes since then! Highly recommend!!
8. China Rich Girlfriend– Kwan / Another of the Kwan China trilogy. My least favorite of them all, but still good! A nice pool read!
9. *Three Women– Taddeo / This book was pretty intense. It followed around three women into their lives and sexual/emotional instances over the course of 8 years. I found the teacher/student plot line to be the most interesting but also screwed up! It’s slow to start, but gripping by the end.
10. A Dream About Lightening Bugs– Folds / Ben Folds is one of my favorite musicians. I had listened to him lightly in college, but my husband turned me on to him- now a bigger fan than him probably! Our daughter’s first concert at 11 months was Ben Folds, so I hold a huge spot in my hear for that. This book shares more about his life, his experience in music, and the funny stories along the way!
11. Rich People Problems– Kwan / 3rd and final book from the trilogy, and my favorite. It was nice to see views apart from the original main characters!
12. Bachelor Nation– Kaufman / I LOVE the Bachelor and this book sucked. I even might be one of the only people who likes to hear Amy Kaufman on the Almost Famous Pod, in which she is a producer. But I hated this book and swear I fell asleep reading it like 20 times.
13. The Wife Between Us– Hendricks / This was a kind of eerie, suspenseful read without it being scary. I loved the twists and turns and the intricacies in which the story of abuse was told.
14. The Financial Diet– Fagan / I didn’t like this book either. I liked some of the profiles (AKA Ashley Ford because she’s dope,) but the book didn’t give me much insight on finance that I have’t already heard a million times.
15. *American Dirt– Cummins / I was excited to read this book, then I heard some controversy about the author (linked here.) I wasn’t sure how to feel, but read anyway. Despite the controversy and some stereotypical content, the book was eye-opening to a way of living I had never even thought of. The cartel, violence, immigration, crossing the border- I have never had to deal with these things. And I think it was a view I needed my eyes opened to! It caused me to do actual research, think about those matters more seriously, and for that- I can appreciate this book!

I hope this list can help you to choose your next read! I will have another list coming out to you just as soon as I finish 3 more books. What book recommendations do you have for me? I’d love to hear!