Another year, another stack of books! I really enjoyed revisiting and reviewing the books I read last year, so now it’s an annual thing. I read a l o t of borrowed birth books this year––if you’re looking at my top pregnancy books, I have a post for just those––so my stack looks a little smaller. However, I still managed to get through a few books. Let jump into my 2019 reading list!
An Absolutely Remarkable Thing
Hank Green
For anyone who doesn’t know, I’m a very long-standing nerdfighter (aka someone who watches the vlogbrothers, some of the original vloggers, on YouTube). as such, I purchased Hank’s book to be supportive, and because I was interested in the topics the book brought up. Overall, it was a relatively easy read, and well written. It did explore some interesting parts of humanity, and internet culture/fame, and the ending did leave me curious about the sequel. That being said, I didn’t strongly connect with any of the characters, and I felt it was trying be be purposefully inclusive, though it felt a little unnatural. I don’t regret reading it, but I don’t think I’d necessarily recommend it to everyone.
Kevin Kwan
The sequel to Crazy Rich Asians, did not disappoint. Though it obviously felt slightly less contained than the original. As with the first installment of the series, I was able to read through it really quickly, as the story has a way of sucking you in. Though it really expands the characters and universe, it’s not hard to keep up with, and the insights into a culture Ive never been a part of are eye-opening, and surprising. Warning: like the first, it does have some language.
Lynne Truss
This was in my stack of books from school that I never actually finished for class due to time-constraints. I read it from where my bookmark was, but then decided to go back and re-read what I’d read years ago. Only 4 stars, because it is just a punctuation book. However, as most people may be aware by now, it is completely hilarious. I really connected to the author over her anal preferences in punctuation.
Brené Brown
Since I read it a while ago, I don’t remember tons of details. However, it was not a difficult read. As much as Love Marie Kondo, Todd loves Brené Brown. After he read it, he recommended I do the same. Unlike in her TED talk, or Netflix special, she goes into things in great detail, outlining personal examples of how we can better connect with others, be kinder, and how choosing the harder, more vulnerable path, though difficult, is better ultimately. I think everyone could benefit from reading it.
Dr. Laura Markham
My pregnancy hormones really rocked my parenting capabilities, and I love having as many tools as possible under my belt, so I picked this up. This book has loads of recommendations for dealing with various behaviors we’d rather not deal with in our children. There was a strong emphasis on the emotion behind everything, which, when understood, really helps you parent better as you asses the situations you have to work through. Definitely recommend to other parents.
The Attachment Pregnancy
Laurel Wilson & Tracy Wilson Peters
During my second pregnancy this last year, I felt like I was having a harder time getting to know who the little baby inside was, so I borrowed this book from my doula. I highly, highly recommend it to all expecting, or hopeful-expectants (i.e. you think you may want children in the next couple of years). It talks all about connecting with your baby, and making sure you have the healthiest––particularly mentally––pregnancy you can.
Robert A. Bradley
This was another borrow from my doula. The only thing I wanted to do better with my second baby’s birth was to have my husband more involved, especially together as a unit. Though this book has the occasional odd suggestion, it had some nice birth stories, and good information about the birthing process. Plus, it gave me lots of ideas for how I could have Todd more actively involved in the birth with me.
Ina May Gaskin
This was my second time reading this book. It was the only pregnancy book I read the first time I was expecting, and it thoroughly prepared me. I re-read it for the positive birth stories, and just to make sure I could pick up some more birth troubleshooting ideas (hands and knees if the shoulders get stuck!) If you are pregnant, and don’t want to read much, then this is the only book you must read. Honestly, I think it should be required reading for, like, 16 year old girls. So informative and important. 5 cats.
Elizabeth Davis & Debra Pascali-Bonaro
Don’t let the title throw you off. The premise is that birth can be enjoyable, relatively pain-free, or even feel alright. After my first birth went so well, I was interested to read this before my second. It, too, has lots of very positive birth stories (you can never have too many of those!), as well as talking about why birth is not troubling, and how it can actually feel okay, instead of, you know, awful. If your interest is at all piqued, I’d recommend picking it up.
And then I had my baby in September, and haven’t finished the book I’m currently reading! There were quite a few baby-specific books on this list, but, hey, that was my 2019, so…
I’m hoping I can carve out some more reading time this year––I already have a stack of books I want to get through. But, just because I l o v e visiting to bookstore: do you have any great recommendations that I should add to my list? Have you read any of the books on my list? If so, what’d you think? Let’s talk books!
