Book 61: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

I really enjoyed listening to this audio book. It was beautifully recorded.



Sometimes the subtle exposition required by the epistolary style grated on my nerves a bit (as in when it was necessary to describe a gift that had been received--which surely the giver would have known all about), but overall, this was a lovely listen. It makes me want to go to Guernsey and stay in a cottage.

Book 60: Feeling Good

I officially started this book almost a year ago, though I had really started reading it many, many years ago. I am glad to have actually finished it!



This is a great book--a very accessible and user-friendly explanation of cognitive behavioral therapy.

Book 59: Cooked

It's been a very slow month for reading. But I did have a real treat to listen to: Michael Pollan himself reading his newest book.



I loved it. In addition to describing his experiences learning various cooking techniques, it discussed the philosophy of cooking and food preparation quite extensively: What does it mean to roast a pig over coals? What is the meaning of cheese? Right up my alley.

Michael Pollan can come and barbecue a whole pig in my backyard any day.

Book 58: How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk

This is such a good book. This is the kind of book I will probably read multiple times, and I don't generally re-read books.



I started this last May, and for some reason, set it aside. I picked it up again last week when it became apparent that interrogating my soon-to-be-five-year-old was not an effective way to get information.

The cartoons in the book are a little cheesy in the drawing style (perhaps dated, since the book was originally published in 1980. But don't let that put you off; the information is very relevant and practical.

Book 57: Selfish Reasons to Have More Kids

Can a book jump the shark? I felt like this one did. The central arguments of the book were good, and quite convincing.



But there were some sections that just seemed ridiculous, like the chapters in which the author re-hashed the book in imaginary arguments with imaginary detractors, and the one about assisted reproductive technology. When I told a friend I was reading this book, she laughed, "What, is it a pamphlet?" Maybe these chapters were added as padding so that it reached book length?

Book 56: Gulp

I used to be really squeamish about anatomy and would never have gotten through this book years ago. Something has changed, though! I found some of it was a bit gross, but most of it was just fascinating.



I do still know enough about myself not to google "megacolon," though.

Book 55: The Light Between Oceans

This is a recent work of fiction that I'd heard about and decided to try.



I enjoyed this more than I expected to; it's quite an emotional ride, though.