March Review: Books I Read This Past Month
The Honest Enneagram, Sara Jane Case (★★★★★)
I love learning more about personality types, it’s one of the reasons I fell in love with Psychology (my undergrad degree)! I think while they are not always accurate or a “tell-all” they are a great way to better understand ourselves and the people in our lives. I’ve been familiar with the enneagram types but never dove into it enough to fully understand what made each type unique or even what type I resonated most with. Many of the tests I’ve taken in the past have had different results but this topic had recently come up multiple times for me so I wanted to do some digging!
This book was great for outlining the basic information for each enneagram type - the attributes, core desires, fears, and different varieties (wings) available for each number. I FINALLY resonated with one of the types, took a test, and feel aligned with Type 9. Which makes sense because they’re known for feeling like ALL of the types… guilty!
Whether you’re a beginner to Enneagram or an expert and want to expand your knowledge, this book is a great resource.
Wish You Were Here, Jodi Picoult (★★★★★)
I haven’t been a huge fan of Picoult’s writing in the past, aside from the YA novels written with her daughter, but when my sister recommended this book I wanted to give it a shot. Going into it, I was told that her writing style was very different from her previous books and I was really surprised! This was a book I couldn’t put down and had an unexpected turn that pushed me to keep reading.
I was hesitant that because this is set at the very beginning of the recent pandemic that the story would be a little too real and heavy, but it was a great balance. The story follows the main character as changes arise due to the outbreak and she has to decide whether to continue her old life, make changes, and what really brings her joy. A lot of us had these realizations during the pandemic but it was nice to read about it in a gentle, interesting way that was very relatable.
The Dating Plan, Sara Desai (★☆☆☆☆)
I love me a romantic, chick-lit book that’s quick to read through. This was definitely in that category but I just wasn’t a fan of the writing style and overall storyline. Most romantic books are pretty predictable, we read them for the feel-good feelings, right? Two old friends who had a fall out appear in one another lives again and the feelings between them are sparked up. For individual reasons, they come up with a dating plan to fake being an engaged / married couple. But there are a lot of obstacles and real feelings that make faking it harder than they anticipated.
There were moments I thought were cute but overall I felt like there were a lot of events jammed into the storyline which just made this hard to read. There were bits that escalated rather quickly and jumped around. It was a fast read but hard to push through. There were a lot of mixed reviews on this one, I took a chance and didn’t love it.
Lockdown on London Lane, Beth Reekles (★★★☆☆)
This one was another quick read and was actually originally on Wattpad. I used to read stories on Wattpad in middle school and it was so fun to see they’ve started printing books too! This is great if you’re looking for a quick, light-hearted, kind of cheesy book to either add to your rotation or get you out of a rut.
Also set at the beginning of the pandemic (a theme apparently), the storyline follows five different residents of the apartment complex that gets put on strict lockdown due to a case in the building. Each person is so unique, some are quarantined alone, others with partners and a one-night stand. The week of lockdown shows how relationships can develop or break, the pressures of being quarantined, and really questioning what matters and is important in life. Again, what a lot of us went through! Every character is intertwined with one another, even if they aren’t aware of the connection. I loved the character development and message of community in such uncertain times because relatable!
You Can Heal Your Life, Louise Hay (★★★★★+)
This has been on my reading list for over a year but every time I’ve gone to borrow it from the library or buy it in a bookstore it’s been unavailable. I was FINALLY able to get my hands on a copy of my own and believe it was fated timing. I have admired Lousie Hay’s work for years while diving deeper into my healing journey and typically this is the book many people start with.
This goes through her philosophies on how mental work is linked to many causes of dis-ease in the body, how to move past limiting beliefs, and how to overall improve quality of life by utilizing the mind. Many of her philosophies I resonated with and agree with, from personal experience, her words really spoke to me. This also includes a list of metaphysical (emotional / mental) causes for common conditions (which is also a separate book). With each condition, she lists an affirmation to reframe the harmful mindset that may be contributing. This is full of such knowledge and even action steps that Louise gave her coaching clients so you can follow along and start to reframe your mind as well!
I highlighted a lot in this and have been using her affirmations to add to my own!
Apples Never Fall, Liane Moriarty (★★★★★)
Liane Moriarty is one of my favorite authors, I’ve read every book of hers. This is a newer one and it did not disappoint. I really love her character development and ability to create such complex and grabbing storylines. I felt like this one was going to be darker but I was (thankfully) wrong and couldn’t put it down!
The story follows a family dealing with the disappearance of their mother. A lot of the past is brought up as they try to figure out what happened, where their mother could possibly be, and who may be involved. There were so many unexpected turns in this but that’s why I couldn’t put it down! There was also humor tied in which I love. Honestly, just read any of Liane Moriarty’s books and you’ll get out of a reading slump. I need her to release more books!
Light is the New Black, Rebecca Campbell (★★★★★+)
Much like the book by Louise Hay, this was another book that’s been on my list for over a year but every time I’ve gone to read it it’s unavailable. Well, it came at the perfect time - I’m definitely going to by my own copy and reread / highlight / write notes. I love Rebecca Campbell’s work, I use her oracle cards daily and her message of empowering others to be who they came here to be is so admirable.
This book is channeled, Rebecca talks about her own journey in trusting the Universe, coming into her power as a light being, remembering why she chose to be here and how she connects with her soul. In every chapter I kept saying “YES” with the words she shared on her beliefs, why we’re here, our higher calling, how to step into our power, etc. I felt so seen and understood reading this because as I’ve learned more about myself and my calling, I’ve felt so supported as a light being and Starseed. There were points I was reading and literally teared up because things I feel so deeply were being said and affirmed - it was so powerful.
If you have ever felt like you were a part of something greater, this deep knowing that you’re here for a deeper reason, I highly recommend this book. I believe we’re all light workers, we have the ability to share our innate light with the world, these words of wisdom may give you that extra push to shine.
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