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I was listening to podcasts for the longest time, and I got tired of the same old story. Self help, current events, murder mysteries, and they were just too much. I was ready for fiction and narratives. Below are books I have been reading this month. There are some good ones, enjoy and be sure to share your favorites too!

I choose Audible to read. You can get three free months today!

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens – I picked up this book because it was recommended by a lot of people. I can see why. It was a really good read. Kya, is a young girl who grows up alone. That deterred me. I dislike reading stories when I hate the main characters situation. I also wondered if it would keep my attention, since it was the solo adventure of one person, but it did! Definitely add to your wish list.

For years, rumors of the “Marsh Girl” have haunted Barkley Cove, a quiet town on the North Carolina coast. So in late 1969, when handsome Chase Andrews is found dead, the locals immediately suspect Kya Clark, the so-called Marsh Girl. But Kya is not what they say. Sensitive and intelligent, she has survived for years alone in the marsh that she calls home, finding friends in the gulls and lessons in the sand. Then the time comes when she yearns to be touched and loved. When two young men from town become intrigued by her wild beauty, Kya opens herself to a new life–until the unthinkable happens.

Perfect for fans of Barbara Kingsolver and Karen Russell, Where the Crawdads Sing is at once an exquisite ode to the natural world, a heartbreaking coming-of-age story, and a surprising tale of possible murder. Owens reminds us that we are forever shaped by the children we once were, and that we are all subject to the beautiful and violent secrets that nature keeps.

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah – I think this was my favorite of the four. There is domestic violence, and that is hard to read, but I really fell in love with the characters and I also fell in love with Alaska. The author does an amazing job of capturing your setting. Makes me want to take a trip to the wilderness! Highly recommended! Also read The Nightingale by the same author.

Set in 1974 Alaska, this sweeping tale follows a girl coping with the dangers of domestic violence. Though ill-prepared for the extreme and harsh conditions, 13-year-old Leni and her parents, Ernt and Cora, have to learn how to survive in the unforgiving wild of their new home on the Kenai Peninsula. With the help of the small-knit community of endearing fellow homesteaders, the Allbrights manage to just barely stay afloat. But Ernt, who has never recovered from the trauma of fighting in the Vietnam War, struggles with the isolation and the interminably dark days of winter. Leni grows up witnessing her father (who is increasingly unable to control his paranoia and jealousy) abuse her beloved mother. Leni’s greatest comfort and escape is her schoolmate and neighbor Matthew. Over the years, their friendship evolves into a forbidden romance. Hannah highlights, with vivid description, the natural dangers of Alaska juxtaposed against incongruous violence. .

Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan – Oh boy! Great book but frustrating none the less. I had not seen the movie, so I wanted to read this book first. Really interesting to see the dynamic of this family as they get to know Rachel. I am ready to see the movie now. Can anyone compare the two?

When New Yorker Rachel Chu agrees to spend the summer in Singapore with her boyfriend, Nicholas Young, she envisions a humble family home and quality time with the man she hopes to marry. But Nick has failed to give his girlfriend a few key details. One, that his childhood home looks like a palace; two, that he grew up riding in more private planes than cars; and three, that he just happens to be the country’s most eligible bachelor.

On Nick’s arm, Rachel may as well have a target on her back the second she steps off the plane, and soon, her relaxed vacation turns into an obstacle course of old money, new money, nosy relatives, and scheming social climbers.

When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi and Abraham Verghese – I am only in the middle of this book, but so far I like it. It’s a stray from my normal non-fiction story and is the autobiography of a neurosurgeon and his own health journey. I read when I was in poor health, so it was captivating to refocus my own thought – what makes life worth living. I think it’s a must read for everyone!

This inspiring, exquisitely observed memoir finds hope and beauty in the face of insurmountable odds as an idealistic young neurosurgeon attempts to answer the question What makes a life worth living?

As a reminder, get 3 months FREE on Audible. You can also purchase these books online if you prefer a hard copy.

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