Reading Round Up
all the books I tried to read this year
My New Year’s goal for this year was to read 30 books, but let’s be real—does anyone actually complete their New Year’s goals? I finished 18 books, which is more than I read in 2023, so I’m counting that as a success! Let’s dive into the good, the bad, and the downright horrible books I read this year.
Non-Fiction
Everyone thought it was odd that I was reading a parenting book when I don’t even have kids. But my love for the French, combined with every influencer I follow being pregnant this year, made me pick it up. I was fascinated by the differences between American and French parenting styles. My biggest takeaway was that the French focus on fitting children into the parents’ lives, rather than making the children the center of the family’s universe. I’ll definitely read this again when I have children.
Atomic Habits - 2.5/5
I tried to read this for two years and finally forced myself to finish it this year. Unfortunately, nothing about it felt profound or life-changing.
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up - 5/5
I first discovered this book in 2015, and after nearly a decade, I decided it was time for a reread. It did not disappoint. As someone who loves organizing and decluttering, this easily became one of my top books of the year. Marie’s methods have never failed me.
Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus -5/5
TikTok introduced me to this book, and the title couldn’t feel more accurate at times. It’s as if men and women are from different planets, speaking different languages, and even experiencing entirely different realities. What I appreciated most is that this book remains neutral, placing no blame on either gender. Instead, it offers genuine insight into how the other gender’s mind works—almost like a translator for the sexes.
Everything I Know About Love - 2/5
TikTok didn’t hit the mark with this recommendation as well as it did with others. This book was trending over the summer, but I wasn’t familiar with the British journalist who authored it. As I read, I quickly realized that Dolly and I had very little in common—whether it was our childhoods, young adult experiences, or even perspectives on life. While differences can sometimes add intrigue and broaden your perspective, in this case, they made the book difficult for me to connect with. If you see a bit of yourself in Dolly, you might love this book, but for me, it was a hard pass!
Martha Stewart’s Organizing - 5/5
With my love of organizing, I picked up this book on a whim, having never really experienced the phenomenon that is Martha Stewart (don’t worry—I’ve since seen the documentary and now have an intense love/hate relationship with her). This book is filled with fun activities for every month, cleaning schedules, and little tips to make life, cooking, and cleaning both easier and more enjoyable. Thanks to this book, I’ve found so much joy in small seasonal activities—whether it’s an at-home Oktoberfest celebration or a reminder to book Nutcracker tickets to make the holidays extra festive.
The Creative Way: An Act of Being - 2/5
Being part of art and design circles, I heard so many glowing reviews of this book. They were all lies! This book is meant to illuminate the path an artist takes to create, but while some points had substance (albeit minimal), the wording was so pretentious that the very people who might benefit from this insight likely wouldn’t make it past the prose. Meanwhile, those who can decipher the pompous advice don’t need it—they’re already living the creative life it describes. Ultimately, this felt like a book designed to make self-important artists feel like philosophers.
The Dysautonomia Project - 4/5
In 2023, I was diagnosed with Dysautonomia, and I wish I had found this book back then. While I didn’t love the layout—half of it is aimed at doctors and the other half at patients or caregivers—I could overlook this because of the limited resources available on the subject. It wasn’t as helpful for me now, being further into my diagnosis, but I would highly recommend it to those who are newly diagnosed.
The Little Book of Feng Shui - 2/5
Halfway through the year, I decided to dive into Feng Shui to arrange the furniture in my new house—making sure it felt uncluttered and flowed perfectly. Unfortunately, this book wasn’t quite what I needed, as it focused more on the energetic principles of Feng Shui rather than practical layout tips. To be fair, this was entirely user error and not the book’s fault! That said, I did learn an interesting tidbit: dogs help move energy around your house, which feels very true to me.
Fiction
Fourth Wing & Iron Flame - 3/5
The Fourth Wing series is kind of like a trainwreck—you know it’s bad, but you can’t stop reading. As long as you don’t treat it as a serious source of literary genius, it’s actually pretty entertaining. And yes, I will be reading Onyx Storm.
Crescent City: House of Flame and Shadow - 3/5
As an avid SJM fan, I read it in 24 hours on the day it came out. To be honest, this installment was a bit of a letdown. Apparently, she had a completed version of the book but scrapped it to release this one instead. I can’t help but feel I would have preferred the original iteration. This version felt rushed, lackluster, and a bit forced. After the world-colliding cliffhanger in the second installment, I honestly expected more.
The Cruel Prince Trilogy - 3.5/5
This was a quick and satisfying fantasy trilogy. While it wasn’t anything particularly special, it kept my attention the whole time. If you’re in a reading rut, I’d definitely recommend giving it a try.
The Shadow and Bone Trilogy - 3.5/5
I was gifted this trilogy by a friend, which was such a sweet gesture! I can understand why she wanted me to read it. It’s a young adult trilogy that’s very easy to read, with an interesting world-building setup and an engaging overarching plot. My only qualm is that I feel it could have been deeper, though that would likely mean a longer, darker story—which wouldn’t fit the young adult genre, so I understand the decision. I’ll be watching the Netflix series adaptation very soon!
Currently Reading
Little Women - Projected 5/5
Little Women has been my favorite book since my first (and, if I’m honest, only) read-through when I was 12. The Greta Gerwig adaptation is always playing in the background of my home. This read-through has been just as delightful as my first. It perfectly captures the essence of both womanhood and sisterhood, and I don’t see it losing its title as my favorite story anytime soon.
The Perfectionist’s Guide to Losing Control - Projected 5/5
This book has been life-changing in the way I look at my perfectionism. It doesn’t demonize it but rather helps you understand and embrace it as a positive trait, almost like a superpower. I recommend reading it slowly and putting it down when something really resonates, rather than forcing yourself to digest too much at once. I haven’t finished it yet, but I’ve already purchased copies for others in my life who also struggle with perfectionism. One thing to note, though, is that I have the hardcover version, which has the author’s initials in the center of the book when the jacket is off. It’s an odd choice in itself, especially considering the author’s initials are KMS—a bold acronym to put on the front of a book about perfectionism!
Here’s to a new year of reading!