What have I been reading this month?
March is Women's History Month. I do quite a bit in this month because it's my month. I'm a woman and I like to think I'm making history or contributing to it in some way.
I made a commitment this month to read books written by and/or about women. I also tried to read a cross-section of material - fiction, non-fiction, different genres. I would like to have read many more books but I also have a day job and a side hustle. I read primarily at night when I need to unwind. What did I read this month?
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, by Rebecca Skloot - I can't lie. This was a book I've had on my list for many years. It was an all freshmen reads book at my university. The story itself is heartbreaking, disturbing and page-turning. Sadly, this book was not. I felt that the book itself could have been written as a magazine feature article.
Haben, by Haben (a memoir) - I read this book as part of Literati's book club with Stephen Curry. This remarkable young woman is the first deafblind graduate of Harvard's School of Law. Her journey is inspiring. It also gave me much information to use to make sure my podcast and classes are available and compatible for persons with disabilities.
Mexican Gothic, by Silvia Moreno-Garcia - A fun fiction book that takes place in Mexico (hence the name). I love a good thriller that mixes in a bit of fantasy, but that isn't too wildly fantastic. Just a damn good read with a cup of tea (or any beverage but I drank tea). I still think about the ending and if it could happen and I finished this several weeks ago.
Caste: The Origins of our Discontents, by Isabel Wilkerson - Blown away. Blown away. I thought I knew so many things about U.S. and world history but I did not. This was so well-done that I immediately bought Isabel's book, The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America's Great Migration. Her research was incredible and disturbing. This is a must-read for those wanting to understand more about our sordid past and present (and sordid is putting it mildly).
What have I started and not finished yet but want to mention because they are women and it's March?
The News Sorority, by Sheila Weller - I'm on page 29 and can't really comment. It is a biography of three women who've greatly impacted the world of journalism: Katie Couric, Diane Sawyer, and Christiane Amanpour. I have an enormous amount of respect for each of these women and look forward to learning more about them.
The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together, by Heather McGhee - I am on page 3, just past the introduction. This book was recommended by several sources so I am excited to get past page 3!
I will report back at the end of April with my April reading list and my commentary. I could go into greater detail but I think the summary is enough. If you would like more information or would like to ask a question about any of the books I've read, shoot me an email. I welcome the conversation. A couple of the books above I do have as physical books. Most, however, are on my Kindle. I am an ebook reader because I can power through many books when I travel and rather than tote books, I tote my reader which has a library of books on it and fits in my purse.