Good morning. I hope this finds all of you well and taking care of yourself and your loved ones during this pandemic holiday season. If you are hunkering down at home then I hope this post will be helpful for you. I’ve collected a list of things that I’ve been reading and listening to lately.
FICTION BOOKS I’VE READ LATELY
I’ve been on a pretty strong reading kick for the last few months. The only problem is that I’m so tired when I get in bed that I don’t get far in my books so it takes me forever to finish. I’m trying to get better about reading in small spurts during the day too instead of going straight to reading the news app on my phone or opening Instagram.
Here are the books that I’ve read recently. I have found myself very drawn to fiction and nothing too heavy. It’s just what my brain needs right now.
The Lies that Bind by Emily Giffin
I tend to like Emily Giffin books and this was no exception. This was an enjoyable read that kept me engaged and turning the pages. I liked the main character a lot and I also appreciated some of the overall themes of not settling in relationships and figuring out and making the best of tough situations.
This Time Next Year by Sophie Cousens
I’m almost done with this one. It’s an easy, cute book and would be a good choice if you tend to like the British romcom genre.
In Five Years by Rebecca Serle
Loved this book, so much. There aren’t many books that make me cry but the tears were streaming at the end of this one. A beautiful book about friendship, love and life.
The Last Flight by Julie Clark
This was the best suspense book that I’ve read in a while! Highly recommend.
The Guest List by Lucy Foley
“A wedding celebration turns dark and deadly in this deliciously wicked and atmospheric thriller reminiscent of Agatha Christie from the New York Times bestselling author of The Hunting Party.”
This is another thriller. It takes place around a wedding celebration on a remote island in Ireland. I was very surprised by the ending.
My Lovely Wife by Samantha Downing
This one was so twisted but I couldn’t turn away.
PODCASTS I’VE BEEN LISTENING TO LATELY
“In My Feelings” a podcast from Thought Catalog talks about the humanness and realness of being a sensitive and feeling person.
I have become a big fan of Bianca Sparacino over the last year. She’s the editor of Thought Catalog and records this podcast. If you are a sensitive/empath type of person, you might enjoy this podcast but if you tend to be more direct/practical you may think this crosses the woo-woo line and want to skip out. 🙂
Tara Brach: Remembering Our Belonging, Part 1 and Part 2
If you’ve been reading along with my blog this year, you’ve heard me mention Tara Brach on several occasions. She has been the most relatable and impactful teacher for me in 2020 and I can’t get enough of her talks and meditations. I loved these recent talks she gave on Remembering our Belonging. So relevant for this difficult year.
Rachel Hollis Podcast, Episode 170: What To Do When Everything Feels Hard
I don’t listen to the Rachel Hollis podcast regularly but every now and then there are episodes that I really like. This was one of them. I absolutely loved the distinction here between “are things actually hard or do they feel hard?,” recognizing both as valid and creating actionable strategies for dealing.
MUSIC I’VE BEEN LISTENING TO LATELY
Along with everyone else in the world, I got my Spotify 2020 Wrapped a couple of weeks ago. There was A LOT of listening time in 2020. In addition to using Spotify for all of my yoga and fitness classes, I also have it playing all the time in my car, on my laptop and on my kitchen speaker.
Here’s a playlist with my top 100 songs of 2020 if you want to follow along. Warning: you will hear Super Buster at some point. 😉
Taylor Swift’s New Album, Evermore
I must be living under a rock because I had no idea that Taylor Swift was releasing another album last week. I’ve been listening to it a lot the last few days and I think it’s great. I think I may like it even more than Folklore.
Josh Groban Holiday Radio on Pandora
Josh Groban Holiday Radio on Pandora is my favorite holiday music station for a fun and festive mix of beautiful holiday music. I also like Christmas Cocktail Jazz and Peaceful Christmas Piano on Spotify when I want something more low-key and instrumental in the background.
QUESTIONS
What books have you read this fall? Any that you would recommend?
What podcasts are you listening to right now?
Do you use Spotify? Who was your top artist and what was your top song of 2020?
What do you think of Taylor Swift’s new album?
I am reading This Time Next Year right now too! Perfect, light contrast to the heaviness of celebrating a holiday without many loved ones this year. I recently read The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes and think you’d like it. What a story of female friendship and human resilience.
Podcasts: I’ve just started listening to Dear Therapists and am loving it so far. For a lighter listen, I like Forever35 and Joy and Claire! Relatable and great conversations.
Oh I read The Giver of Stars and really loved it a lot! I have not heard of any of these podcasts so THANK YOU for the recs!
Sometimes I feel like I’m the only person that does not listen to podcasts. It’s not that I don’t want to but when do people have time to listen? If I’m not at work I’m with my kids – so, really, when do people fit it in with everything else?
My goal is always to read more. I love it but I have the same problem of falling asleep two pages in every night. I usually like to read suspense and thrillers but for something lighter I just started One Day in December by Josie Silver.
I use Spotify (just the free version) and most of the playlists I have created are for the kids 🙂
I listen in my car on my commutes! May not work if you’re working remotely. But when I was working at home, I listened on walks everyday. I second Forever35!
I’ve tried podcasts but have never gotten into them either. I work remotely now but back when I commuted I preferred the radio and I also prefer music for exercising. I’m not a fan of audiobooks either. I think I just don’t like receiving information via spoken word.
I totally get that and it makes so much sense to me that people learn/absorb/are entertained differently!
Aw, I don’t think you’re the only one who doesn’t! I listen when I’m on walks, runs, driving around town in the car, folding laundry, food prepping, getting ready, etc. One of the things that I personally love most about audio books and podcasts is that I can listen to them while I’m doing mindless tasks and I can be learning something/inspired/entertained/etc. I love reading because I literally cannot do anything else and it forces concentration!
How did I *not* know about the Josh Groban Holiday option on Pandora? I love him! Tuning in now. . . .
The best books I’ve read recently: The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett (IMO, it lived up to the hype; great book), When All Is Said by Anne Griffin, and (surprisingly) I really enjoyed Jessica Simpson’s memoir, Open Book.
I just ordered The Vanishing Half – so glad it’s good:) I also loved Jessica Simpson’s memoir. She is so funny – I had no idea.
I really loved The Vanishing Half! One of my favorite books I have read this year. My book club read this and The Guest List.
I enjoyed The Guest List and finished it quickly. I did NOT predict the ending either! Overall it was a light read felt like it would work well if turned into a movie. I have been enjoying books that take place outside of the US with the lack of travel this year.
I selected The Silent Patient as our Halloween book club pick when I saw it mentioned in previous comments on your blog. I devoured it! It’s a psychothriller so maybe not exactly holiday season reading but the ending made it such a worthwhile read for me! I immediately recommended it to a few friends I know enjoy books like that.
I don’t know why but I really struggled with The Vanishing Half. I got through half of it and started something else. I have only heard the best things about it so I plan to revisit it again in 2021 because I really think I would enjoy it.
Meredith – love your point about books outside of US with limited travel. I read The Silent Patient last year and it was a good one!
You’re going to LOVE the JG holiday station! So so good! I also LOVED Jessica Simpson’s memoir…like so much that it surprised me.
Hi, thank you for these great book suggestions. I LOVED the Wedding Party. I didn’t love Lies that Bind … I’ve felt like her books lately have been a bit off compared to her first.
Anyway I always love your suggestions and podcast options:) I just listened to The Midnight Library on Audible. It’s narrated by Carey Mulligan, who I love. It’s about a girl who has so many regrets, and she has the opportunity to live a new life (s) where she makes different choices. I loved it!
Take care,
Pamela
You are so welcome! I have felt the same way about other authors so I get it!
Ohhh thank you so very much for your Audible suggestion. I am going to check it out!
I loved In Five Years! I loved that it had some depth, but wasn’t too heavy!
completely agree!
I love Taylor Swift’s new album, my favorite tracks right now are : Gold Rush, Ivy and Champagne Problems.
I enjoyed The Guest List but haven’t read any of these other books thank you for the recommendations! I’m going to try to find In Five Years at the library.
I am loving champagne problems, happiness and evermore. such a sucker for anything with bon iver!
Such great recs! Thank you!
You’re welcome!
Thank you for the amazing suggestions. I really loved The Guest List . I love reading and would love to read other books which you’ve suggested. And, also it would be great to start the new year with these amazing books and podcasts.
I never listened to Taylor Swift until this year because Coco started listening to her! I have loved so many of her songs and just watched the documentary on her. About to start “The Last Flight” – heard lots of good things and need to get into a good suspense novel!
I love Taylor Swift’s new albums! Her songwriting always amazes me. I actually did a review of evermore on my podcast C’est La Me if you’re interested in checking it out!