The start of my year has been rocky. I’ve gotten through it (so far) by keeping busy — both creatively and logistically. I read a lot (and listened too—thank you, Audible). That helped.
Here are some abridged reviews with book links:
Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah
I know this is beloved, but my Leningrad background made me question the accuracy—brushing teeth during the Siege? Unlikely. Still: beautiful prose and strong character development.Growing Up Urkel by Jaleel White
If you’ve read Year One, you know what Family Matters meant to me. Fascinating memoir—some parts tough to read, but honest. Worth it for fans.Kantika by Elizabeth Graver
A luminous multi-generational saga of a Sephardic Jewish family. Rare to find—enlightening and beautifully written.I Want to Be Where the Normal People Are by Rachel Bloom
I loved Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, so I had high hopes. It’s inventive—mixing memoir with essays—but got a bit too allegorical. Still, refreshingly honest.We'll Prescribe You a Cat by Syou Ishida
I adore cat stories, but this one didn’t click for me (maybe a translation issue). It had beautiful moments, but dragged.Long Island Compromise by Taffy Brodesser-Akner
My first loved it book of the year. Genius—sharp satire, brilliant prose, deep character study.Unlovable: A Memoir from the Voice of Savage Garden by Darren Hayes
Memoir era continues! As a longtime fan of Savage Garden, this one revealed so much. Painful, honest, and illuminating.Currently Reading: Fleishman Is in Trouble by Taffy Brodesser-Akner
A big, ambitious novel. I hoped for another Long Island Compromise but it's something different—still early days, so let’s see.
What about you? What have you read so far this year? Have you tried any of these? Let’s trade recs!