Happy Easter, everyone!

Today I was tagged by Octavia@Mermaid Reads to do the Easter book tag! I haven’t been tagged in anything since the original days of this blog, where I was…a lifestyle blog? Personal development blog? I’m not even sure. But I’m very excited to participate and join the blogging community again, so thank you for the tag!    

The Easter Time book tag was originally created by Theresa@The Calico Books! The rules for this tag are as follows: 

• Answer the prompts
• Tag some friends
• Link back to Theresa’s post, and be sure to mention her in your own post (Theresa @ The Calico Books)
• Have fun!!!

Easter Egg

Name a book that feels like a hidden gem

Show Your Anxiety Who’s Boss: A Three-Step CBT Program to Help You Reduce Anxious Thoughts and Worry by Joel Minden

Show Your Anxiety Who’s Boss is a self-help book that shows why regular coping mechanisms don’t help anxiety, and a guidebook to help readers take the steps they need to help treat their anxiety.

I’ve read a lot of books in the self-help sphere, but never really found anything regarding anxiety. I stumbled upon this book on Netgalley and decided to give it a shot. It ended up being one of the best books on the subject I’ve read so far, and I think more people should pick it up!

You can find my review of this book on my blog here.

Bloom

A debut novel you loved

The Lost Book of Adana Moreau by Michael Zapata

The Lost Book of Adana Moreau follows author Adana Moreau, a Dominican immigrant living in New Orleans in the 1930’s. She wrote a science fiction novel that grew a modest following, and set out to write a sequel. However, she died before completing it, and her son destroyed the manuscripts. Years later, Saul finds that very manuscript in his grandfather’s attic, not knowing its origins or who Adana Moreau is. He sets out on a journey to New Orleans to find out, with Hurricane Katrina on the horizon.

I only just read this book last week! I loved reading about not only about the original storyline, but also how it connects to so many overarching themes. For such a short book, it was packed with so much meaningful dialogue.

You can find my review of this book on my blog here.

Chocolate Bunny

A book so good you didn’t want it to end

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

The Secret History follows Richard, who finds himself at a college wanting to study classics. The classics majors at his college are a part of a small, very exclusive group that he becomes a part of. Being the outsider looking in, he slowly comes to know each one and their darkest secrets – including the story of the death of one of their own.

Might as well include one of my favorite books, right?

Not only did I not want this book to end, but once it did end, I wondered when I could read it again. And I am not allowing myself to reread books until I get my physical TBR substantially, so that’s unfortunately going to have to wait. And writing this up really makes me want to reread it right now!

Cheep, Cheep

A book you bought for super cheap

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

Sharp Objects follows Camille, a reporter who was recently discharged from a psychiatric facility. But her next assignment haunts her – there are two murders in her small hometown that she must cover. And that means she must move back in with her mother and family – something that she’s been dreading. And as she’s growingly uncomfortable being back in her old home again, she finds that she identifies with the victims a little too strongly.

Hooray for 50 cent library sale books! This and almost 40 other books that ended up on my TBR because the price is too hard to resist (as is supporting libraries!). 

Unfortunately, I didn’t like this book all that much though! While I thought the setting was written very well, this book didn’t feel much like a thriller for something so short. Additionally, while points of this book dragged for me, once the reveal was made, everything was wrapped up so quickly. I liked Gone Girl more than this one. 

You can read my full review on my Goodreads here.

Jelly Bean

A book you thought was just so sweet

A Man Called Ove by Frederick Backman

A Man Called Ove follows Ove, an older man living alone after the passing of his wife. His is cranky and not well-liked in his neighborhood. The story alternates from his life growing up to the present day, where his new neighbors attempt to befriend him.

So I initially struggled with this prompt, because I realize a lot of what I read tends to be a bit tragic. Not really of the “sweet” variety, in other words. But this book really threw my emotions for a loop, and for a book of its nature, there were a lot of “sweet” moments.

You can read my full review on my Goodreads here.

The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin

The Happiness Project is Gretchen Rubin’s year-long project to self-improvement and becoming happier. Each month represents a different aspect of her life that she wants to improve, and this book is her documenting how that process went for her.

So I literally just wrote an Instagram post centered around this very book and influential books, so that’s a fun coincidence! But to summarize what I said there, I bought this book at The Strand a few years ago. And in Rubin;’s project, one of the first things she did was start a blog. I did the same. And in that time (in addition to growing and changing), I found the book community, started a blog, changed my blog over to books, and now we’re here. Admittedly, I don’t think it’s the best self-help book I ever read anymore, but I can’t deny what it’s done for me.

Easter Basket

A book filled with so many surprises

The Grace Year by Kim Liggett

The Grace Year follows Tierney James, who, alongside a group of other girls, is about to enter their Grace Year. In a town where women are considered to have the power to lure men, women of coming age must be sent off to fend for themselves for a year – but none of them know what is coming, and no one is allowed to speak of the Grace Year after.

This ended up being one of my favorite reads late last year. There is so much that you are constantly learning about the characters’ motives and what the Grace Year really is. Sometimes dystopian novels can be hit or miss for me, but this book was very well done.

You can find my full review on my Goodreads here.

Since I’m fairly new to the blogging world (again), I’ll tag anybody who wants to participate! Or let me know what your picks would be in the comments. Thanks for reading, and happy Easter!