I think you should be proud of me because I read some books this month out of my typical genres. One surprised me with how much I liked it. If you read the whole blog post you’ll see that I really gave you five book reviews this month. Happy reading!

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Project Hail Mary

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed Project Hail Mary, it’s not my typical genre. But I think it’s good to add variety to your reading every once in a while. Let me start by saying that science is not my forte nor do I enjoy the subject much at all, yet I still liked reading this book. But to warn you it has a lot of science in it!

Something is draining the energy from the sun and soon the Earth will go into another ice age if something isn’t done to stop it. Scientists around the World work together to discover what it is and then think of a plan to stop it.

Eventually, a spaceship is created to send astronauts out into space to discover a solution and send it back to Eath hopefully in enough time to save the human race.

I don’t want to give too much away, but a middle school science teacher ends up as one of three crew members. He and an alien work together to try to save their planets and themselves.

This book is WAY BETTER than I am making it sound. As long as you don’t mind a lot of science talk (that’s easy-ish to understand), I would recommend this book.

The Body Is Not An Apology

I read The Body Is Not An Apology for book club. I’m not sure what I was expecting but I just didn’t need to read this book. I am not disgusted by my body. Do I want to make changes to my current body? Absolutely, but I’m not ashamed of it, especially after all it’s been through the past seven years.

The parts of the book I did enjoy are the historical aspects touched on and the political ones. I appreciate how the book addresses homosexuality and transgender issues. Also, I enjoyed the section when the author talked about finding ways to exercise you actually like. That really resonated with me. Plus, when she wrote about how women tend to point out their own body’s flaws in a one-ups-manship in the opposite direction. We totally do that!

Unfortunately, the overall concept didn’t speak to me. But I am a white woman who is of average height and weight, I’m probably not the target market. Even if I had major issues with my body I’m not sure this book would lead me to radical self-love. There were a lot of general ideas but no action plans or ah-ha moments. As a reader (actually listener), I was annoyed at how often she brought up her website and gave a call to action to visit it.

Ugly Love

Ugly Love is about a woman who moves in with her brother as she starts a new job. Across the hall lives her brother’s good friend. The friend is confusing, standoffish, and silent yet there is something about him she can’t quite put her finger on.

Eventually, they start hooking up and she agrees to a casual relationship that has no future. But feelings aren’t always that cut and dry.

The reader learns the backstory of why the man has put up such a wall around his heart. It’s very sad and it was actually hard for me to read for personal reasons.

Will she be able to break down that wall or was the relationship doomed from the start?

American Duchess

American Duchess is the perfect historical fiction follow-up to Vanderbilt (which I also give 4 stars!!).

Consuelo Vanderbilt was born into one of the wealthiest families in America. Her extremely controlling mother basically forces her into a loveless marriage with a duke from England. The Duke has a massive castle but needs funds for its upkeep. Their wedding is a very publicized event.

The couple produces two male heirs though one is very weak in health. Eventually, the Duke and Duchess separate and each has romantic affairs. It’s tricky to get divorced as a royal. It’s even trickier when everyone loves your American-born wife and you need to stay in the royal family’s good graces.

The story takes you through world wars and describes Consuelo’s roles as a mother, daughter, and philanthropist. She had a fascinating life despite her sad start.

Want more book reviews? Take a look at my January Book Recommendations.