I’m back with another book review with some great recommendations for those kicking off their reading year strong! Last year was my best reading year, and I hope to continue that habit into 2022. As always, you can see my latest reads on Goodreads. In the meantime, here’s my book review volume VI:
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear
This book is perfect for someone who’s into setting New Year’s resolutions and looking to change their habits. Sometimes I find self-help books to be dull. However, this one was enjoyable because the author writes articulately and engagingly. All the concepts are easy to follow and understand, and I constantly wanted to highlight nuggets of wisdom (“You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.”). To build good habits, the author suggests making them: obvious, attractive, easy, and satisfying. To break bad habits, invert the ideas by making them: invisible, unattractive, hard, and unsatisfying.
The Mother-in-Law by Sally Hepworth
Brett’s coworker recommended this one night while we were out for dinner, and it just so happened that I had it sitting on my nightstand, so I immediately read it and flew through it in four days. It’s told from alternating points of view of Lucy, the daughter-in-law, and Diana, the mother-in-law, about Lucy’s complicated relationship with Diana that ends with Diana being found dead. There was a suicide note, but could someone have wanted her dead? I appreciated the dual narrative that showed how Lucy and Diana misread each other throughout their relationship. Also, according to my Goodreads, I read The Things We Keep in 2018 and liked that one, too (I thought this was my first Sally Hepworth novel, oops!).
The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren
I’ve read a few books by Christina Lauren, and this has probably got to be my favorite thus far. Jess discovers GeneticAlly, an up-and-coming matchmaking company that finds your soulmate based on DNA. Her results come back with a rare 98% compatibility with another subject in their database: the company’s founder, Dr. River Peña. GeneticAlly has a proposal: get to know him in exchange for monetary compensation. In desperate need of the money, Jess agrees despite her doubts. There’s an unexpected plot twist near the end, and I was (pleasantly) caught off guard since romances usually tend to be predictable. All in all, it’s a charming and cute novel with a great cast of characters.
Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus by John Gray
So I decided to finally pick this one up because it’s like a modern classic guide to understanding the opposite sex in relationships. There were some nuggets of wisdom (nothing you couldn’t find elsewhere); however, I found this book dry. I hate not finishing books, so I struggled through it and continuously forced myself to pick it back up. More importantly, I discovered a slew of negative reviews calling the book sexist after I picked it up and wondered how it became so popular. A big concern is that the author assumes individuals in a relationship always follow gender stereotypes (men need alone time, and women are needy). I’d love to hear your thoughts on this if you’ve read it.
The Ex by Alafair Burke
Olivia Randall is a top criminal defense lawyer who agrees to defend her ex-fiancé when his daughter calls her. He’s charged with triple homicide, and Olivia feels like proving his innocence might help alleviate her guilt over their breakup decades ago. However, as Olivia gathers evidence, even she starts to have doubts when the evidence starts stacking against him. She’ll have to ask herself if she ever truly knew him. The Ex was my first Alafair Burke book, and I’m looking forward to checking out some of her other novels. I loved the legal aspect of this mystery (especially given the author’s background), which I found unique and a welcome change of pace from the usual mysteries/thrillers I read. Some people might figure this one out early on (I didn’t, but I should’ve), but I still found it entertaining.
What have you been reading? What should I add to my to-read list? Please leave your suggestions in the comments! To read my other book reviews, click here. xo
I listened to the mother in law and thought it was so wild! I loved the soulmate equation – would make a cute Rom Com!
Thank you for the review! I almost bought Atomic Habits, but wasn’t sure if I’d like it, but your review convinced me! I’m also interested in the Christina Lauren book! Her other books are great.
Great book recommendations and reviews. I also read Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus.
Such great recommendations! I’ve just finished reading atomic habits, I’d definitely recommend
I’m reading Atomic Habits right now and really enjoying it!
I enjoy Alafair Burke and Sally Hepworth books. I liked both of these! Hepworth has a new one coming out this year.
These are great reviews! I’m going to check some of these books out 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
The Soulmate Equation sounds really cute. I’m going to have to read that one! Men Are From Mars sounds interesting but I don’t have it in me to slog through a dry book. Lol.
Just added you on GR!
Oh I am excited to read The Soulmate Equation and The Mother-In-Law. I like plot twists.
I enjoyed The Soulmate Equation and The Mother-In-Law.
I love the sound of Atomic Habits! Thanks for reviewing because I agree self-help can be boring.
Thanks for this post! The Ex by Alafair Burke – in my cart right now. x
I’ve been seeing Atomic Habits popping up a lot lately, and your review definitely makes me want to read it more! I love the premise of The Soulmate Equation too!
I love reading and these all sound really great, but I’m definitely going to check out Atomic habits! Thanks for the book reviews!
I keep hearing about Atomic Habits and how good it is. I definitely need to add it to my TBR list. Thanks for the recommendations!
I started but never finished Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus. The sexism is the problem in a book that could be more helpful if called Some People Are Like This, Some People Are Like That and it focused more on how to find common ground. Another classic relationship self-help book is The 5 Love Languages, which also involves some sexism and other assumptions, but at least it’s based on identifying what kind of people you and your partner are by how you think/feel rather than your gender. Here’s my review with a link to my more detailed thoughts about it, because it’s not a perfect guide but it really got me thinking!
Men are from Venus, Women are from Mars sounds like an interesting read. May check it out
I have to read the soulmate equation by Christian Lauren She is one of my favorite authors.
You have several interesting books here! With “Men are From Mars, Women are from Venus”, the problem with the book is that author John Gray wasn’t clear in his intent. Interviews with him show that he intended his male vs female differences outlined in the book to be general, but he doesn’t do a good job conveying that in the book. He needed to make it clear by saying things like “not every man is like this, of course, but there is a tendency…” He fails to do that, and thus the book comes across as stereotypical, one size fits all.
I’ve been looking for good books! Thank you for sharing!
Great breakdown of the books. I may check out Atomic Habits, and I think it would be an excellent resource for some of my readers. I’ll be sure to link back to you if I add the book as a recommendation.
Very interesting list! I know someone who might be interested in a couple of these books. I’ll definitely pass them on.
I haven’t read very many self-help books because they do tend to be kinda dull but I’ve heard good things about Atomic Habits! I’ll have to pick that one up! The Soulmate Equation sounds really interesting too–definitely adding that to my to-read list as well!
Atomic habits was really good! I love your recommendations and saved the post so I can look for a few of them on the Libby app!
Great reviews! I’ve heard really good things about The Soulmate Equation.
-Lauren
I love Atomic Habits! My favorite books are self-help and personal development. Thanks for the other recommendations too.
So glad to hear that you enjoyed Atomic Habits! I’ve been meaning to pick it up and this is the push I needed!
Atomic Habits has been on my radar for a while now. It’s good knowing the book is written in and enjoyable to read way as sometimes habit/personal development books can be a bit “bullet-pointy” and hard going!