My reading life for the past two months is very reflective of our move. For one thing, I got way more audio book time in than I usually do because I listen while unpacking. Also, because the beginning of the month was so chaotic I never did get around to writing my January reads, so I’m lumping them in with February’s books. I’ll keep the descriptions short and sweet. I read 4 books and listened to 5 audio books.

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (audio)

This was a re-read for me, and I loved it as much or more than I did the first time I read it at 13. Can I just be Marmee when I grow up?

The Year of Living Danishly by Helen Russel (audio)

This book was unexpectedly funny, and I loved the peek into Danish culture.

The Wonder by Emma Donoghue

I picked this book up because I’ve read and enjoyed another book by this author (Room), but mostly because the cover so pretty. Although it took me a while to get drawn into the story, it became hard to put down and I loved it.

The Light of the World by Elizabeth Alexander

This has been on my radar ever since I first heard about it on What Should I Read Next about a year ago. At the beginning, that author’s husband dies suddenly and unexpectedly. The book is sort of like her tribute to him, she wrote it as part of her healing process. I was afraid this book would be difficult to read, and parts of it were, but the poetic language, getting to know her fascinating husband and peeking into their multi-cultured life made it worth it.

Love Warrior by Glennon Doyle Melton (audio)

You may be familiar with the author as the writer of her popular Momastery blog. This is her recently released memoir. Her story is so honest and heartbreaking its inspiring. She talks of her struggle with eating disorders most of her life, becoming a mother, and her often strained relationship with her husband. I was surprised by how much I loved much of what she said.

Rules of Civility by Amor Towles

This is probably my favorite of the books I’ve read in the last two months. The characters were great and the atmosphere of New York in the 1930s so real. I love everything about this one, it will probably go down as one of the best books I’ll read this year.

Gifts of Imperfect Parenting by Brene Brown (audio)

I’m not sure if this counts as a book, but I did get this on Audible. I love everthing Brene Brown does, and this was no exception. If you’re familiar with her books, none of this is new, but its great to look at her guideposts from a parenting perspective. One I’ll probably return to again and again.

After You by Jojo Moyes (audio)

The sequel to Before You. I hesitated to read this, but am so glad I did. I thoroughly enjoyed revisiting Lou, and because this one had so much less hype than the first, I think I enjoyed it more.

Chance Developments by Alexander McCall Smith

I love this author, and I picked up this collection of short stories to read for Valentine’s Day, and because I was intrigued by the premise. He found some old, unclaimed photos of people and imagined stories behind them. I enjoyed it, but not as much as I’ve enjoyed some of his others.