Skip to content
  • HOME
  • THE DREAMER
    • CONTACT
  • DISCLOSURES
  • HOME
  • custom-logo
  • THE DREAMER
    • CONTACT
  • DISCLOSURES

Books Read in January 2021

February 13, 2021February 13, 2021 Crystal // Dreams, etc. Post a comment
Books Read in January 2021

It’s been a year and a half since I shared any of the books I’ve read. I’m still trying to trying to figure out the best way to share the books that I read from that period of time because I actually had a great year and a half of reading. I feel like I finally hit my reading stride again. But this year I want to stay on top of sharing the books I read. Here are the books I read in January 2021. Look below the graphic to see my fave and least fave, as well as a short review of each of the books. If you’d like a synopsis, you can find them at the end of the post. What did you read in January?

Fave Book of the Month: Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid. Social commentary with an engaging plot and the cutest relationship between a babysitter and one of the children she babysits. 💙

Least Fave Book of the Month: Virgin River by Robyn Carr. Just… no. Skip the book and stick to the show.

Listen to on Audiobook: Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates. It’s like he’s talking to you, although sometimes that threw me off since our experiences are different.

If You Like: Crime Non-Fiction, The Library Book by Susan Orlean is a fascinating look at the fire at the Los Angeles Public Library and the arsonist who might have caused it. Reminded me of The Feather Thief by Kirk Wallace Johnson about the theft of rare feathers from the British Museum of Natural History.


Thoughts On the Others:

📚 White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo would be a good “starter” book for those who are defensive when it comes to anti-racist reads because it’s more analytical/educational and less emotional due to lived experiences.

📚 An Indigenous People’s History of the United States by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz will likely give some historical background that many in the US don’t have.

📚 The Honey-Don’t List by Christina Lauren was cute and the escape I needed after some heavier reading throughout the month. Definitely enjoyed it, but might not remember it in a few months. Another one to listen to on audio.

📚 The Midnight Library by Matt Haig is probably the most “me” book out of all these. I love a story that explores the what if’s and different paths we could have gone on. It was definitely a contender for fave, but it was a little long. I was sad when Such a Fun Age was over, but I was ready for this to be done before it was.


Here’s a summary of all the books, in the order that I read them.

Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates: In a letter to his son, Coates discusses living as a black man in America by weaving together historical narratives, along with his own experiences.

White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo: An anti-racist educator talks through some of the counterproductive reactions white people have when talking about race.

Virgin River by Robyn Carr: A nurse practitioner/midwife accepts a job in Virgin River as she looks for a fresh start following the death of her husband.

The Library Book by Susan Orlean: A lover of books, Orlean discusses her love of books and reading while taking a look at the fire that destroyed the Los Angeles Public Library in 1986 and the person who might have started it.

An Indigenous People’s History of the United States by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz: The history of the United States, looked at from the perspective of indigenous people.

Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid: Emira is the African American babysitter of Briar, the daughter of a wealthy white couple. When they ask her take Briar out for a few hours late one night, a woman and a security guard at the grocery store they go to accuse of her kidnapping. Race and class are explored from a variety of perspectives.

The Honey-Don’t List by Christina Lauren: Design gurus Melissa and Rusty Tripp are about to go on tour for their book about marriage–but behind-the-scenes, the couple can’t stand each other and their marriage has already crumbled. Unable to lose their jobs, it’s up to assistants Carey and James to help the Tripp’s keep up the appearance of a loving couple during their book tour.

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig: Ready to give up on life, Nora finds herself at the Midnight Library–a place between life and death where you can explore all the what ifs of life and explore routes not taken in search of the life you want to live.

WHAT DID YOU READ IN JANUARY?

About Crystal

About Crystal

Hi! I'm Crystal, a millennial learning how to live slowly and sustainably, while still seeking adventure and following my dreams, etc.

Share Your Thoughts! Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

hi!

I'm Crystal, the storyteller behind Dreams, etc. I'm all about learning how to live slowly & sustainably, while also seeking adventure as we follow our dreams, etc.

Picture it. It’s the day after Thanksgiving. I d Picture it. It’s the day after Thanksgiving. I didn’t go on my weekly dam walk earlier in the week when I was excited about it. On this day I was tired after a long week and my least favorite holiday. My bed was oh so comfortable. I forced myself to roll out of bed and journey to the dam. It was filled with people and I was pokey…taking my time to get there and even journeying down one of the other paths to avoid walking across the dam. (Which isn’t long.) I finally joined the crowd and walked across. And then came back, happy to have made my weekly journey. This is when the top layer of the water started to freeze.
From March: an old mini vlog from a bagpipe rock c From March: an old mini vlog from a bagpipe rock concert, which is mostly me trying the say bagpipe rock. Some word combinations are hard! 😂 There was a sign asking us not to film, which is why there’s no concert footage.
Some of my weekly dam walks have been therapeutic Some of my weekly dam walks have been therapeutic and while the walks haven’t fixed the problems, they’ve help me breathe and connect with the world and relieve stress. 💕
April 2023. We got more snow, but it also melted. April 2023. We got more snow, but it also melted. The dam was almost overflowing. The animals are beginning to emerge. Spring is here!
Happy Independent Bookstore Day! After a coffee st Happy Independent Bookstore Day! After a coffee stop (of course) a friend and I checks out two indie bookstores that we have never been to before. I definitely want to go back to Uncle Hugo’s and Uncle Edgar’s! Did you do anything for #independentbookstoreday

#indiebookstore #indiebookshop
After watching some shopping ASMR videos I had to After watching some shopping ASMR videos I had to try it.

#asmr #groceryshopping #groceryshop  #asmrvideos
I’m a little behind in weekly dam walk reels. Le I’m a little behind in weekly dam walk reels. Let’s go back to the third week in November when there was just a little snow on the ground and the footprints in the snow seemed notable.
Happy Easter! Happy Easter!
March 2023. You felt like a million years, but als March 2023. You felt like a million years, but also ended in the blink of an eye.
See More Follow on Instagram

RECENT POSTS

  • Saying Goodbye to Crystal the Writer
  • The Day the Sorcerers Visited Baby Jesus
  • Thoughts on Hope
  • Christmas Playlist // 2022
  • Life Under Construction

CATEGORIES

  • Adventures (52)
  • Beauty (16)
  • Books (147)
  • Creativity (57)
  • Entertainment (18)
  • Life (224)
  • Uncategorized (539)
  • Wellness (8)

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING?

Follow
  • Book Review Policy
  • BOOKS
  • Contact
  • DISCLOSURES
  • Insta Links
  • Seint Links
  • THE DREAMER
Copyright © 2023 | All Rights Reserved | © 2023. All text and photos belong to Crystal Brutlag, unless otherwise stated. Theme designed by Little Theme Shop: https://littlethemeshop.com

We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website.

You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings.

Dreams, etc. // Minneapolis Lifestyle Blog
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.