2024 Reading Achievements

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Every year I try to set the goal of reading at least 12 books a year, one a month. It doesn't sound like a lot but the last couple of years I've been struggling to reach that goal. However, I do read a lot of news article...so maybe that counts as part of my reading? Asking for a friend...lol

#KatNLiterature

I managed to read 7 books for 2024! Hey, something is always better than nothing! I usually purchase books but recently I have been trying to check them out from the Los Angeles Public Library (Budget Friendly). You can also use the app Libby which allows you to access libraries e-books.

GOODREADS

I track my reading through the app or website GoodReads! It's a social media platform for readers! You can see what your friends are currently reading, how far along they are, or what they would like to read. They have reading challenges, giveaways, etc. If you don't have an account yet, make one! Now, if you have an account and were not friends yet, let me know!

SPARE

By: Prince Harry

Reading through Prince Harry's memories and thoughts you can see how traumatic the loss of his "mum" was. He writes on how he really thought that his mom was out there hiding and would one day just come back for him and take him away. Mental health is at the core of his book, and I love that. It doesn't matter if you are a Prince, a soldier, a teacher, a father, rich, poor, etc. your mental health is very important. I think that if you read this book with empathy, you will understand the message or purpose of Prince Harry's book.

He chose himself and his happiness. He chose himself for his growing family. He chose to remove himself from a system that allows "toxic behaviors" and a system that creates "toxic environments". I empathize with the young boy who lost his mother and had to navigate and grow up in a world without his mother's guidance. I read his book and never once thought that this was written with the intention to hurt his family (The Crown). On the contrary I think he did it with so much respect and empathy.

It's very nice to see that after many years of the media telling or speaking for Prince Harry, he can now do it on his own terms and own words. I just hope that he continues to search and work towards his happiness. After all that is what life is about!

• I bought this book on Amazon but you can also buy it from any bookstore.

  • $15 - $18

• You can also borrow this from the Los Angeles Public Library 

FRIENDS, LOVERS, AND THE BIG TERRIBLE THING: A MEMOIR

By: Matthew Perry

I finished reading this book around the time the news came out about the arrests that were made in connection to his death. It really made the final chapters of the book hard to read. I knew who Matthew was like many people know him by, Chandler Bing. Chandler the funny awkward guy in one of the most beloved TV sitcoms called F.R.I.E.N.D.S.

Reading through the pages of his memories, and his battle with his addictions you can empathize with him. He allows you to know what he was thinking in the moment of his actions. What he was thinking in the moment he wrote his memoir. Mathew was an addict, and his experiences are a great memory that every day we walk among others who are probably struggling with an addiction. The early chapters of his book really had me wishing I could just hug Matthew as a child and tell him that he was a brave little boy. He writes how he feels and thinks that his childhood really had a lot to do with his actions and addictions. As a reader and someone who really cares about kids and the environment that children grow up in, I can really empathize with him.

It's very tragic that the "Big Terrible Thing", finally took him...I just pray and hope that his story can be a form of support and experience for others who are struggling with addictions.

• I purchased this book from Amazon, but you can buy it from any bookstore.

  • $17 - $15

• You can also borrow this from the Los Angeles Public Library 

THE WOMAN IN ME 

By: Britney Spears

I was looking forward to reading this book and I enjoyed it. I was flying through the chapters like nothing. I enjoyed getting Britney's POV in her own words, writing, and her thoughts. After so many years of hearing it from the media and the media's convoluted information on her life and her thoughts and opinions it was refreshing to get it from the source.

Reading how she really felt about certain events in her life and how it affected her mentally and emotionally made me empathize with her. You can see how all of these events in her life affected her with her family and the young woman growing up into a woman. I always thought how sad it was to see all these young women artists be scrutinized and bullied by the media for living a life that many of us do. As a woman I can relate, I call it our "rebel, adventuring, self-discovery" years. Fortunately, most of us don't have cameras following us and chasing us 24/7.

Despite it all she is still hopeful and fighting for her happiness. She always found a way to find the light in the darkness and is still here now fighting and enjoying her newfound freedom. I look at her as a woman who her years of self-discovery and self-understanding were robbed from her. Yeah, some of her posts now a days are a little weird (for me) but that is who she is. How many artists do we know that are famous and are remembered for being a little eccentric? Many! She's been working from a young age, I say let her be and live! She has earned that right.

• I received this book as a Christmas Gift! Thank you!

• You can borrow this from the Los Angeles Public Library. 

• Amazon: $13 - $18

CRYING IN THE BATHROOM A MEMOIR

By: Erika L Sanchez

I really appreciated Erika's vulnerability and honesty with sharing her memories, experiences, and emotions on certain topics, or experiences that many of us as Latinas go through as first-generation in the USA. Some topics are school, religion, college, travelling, friends, family, relationships, sex, stress (work related), mental health, emotional health, and etc.

My experiences and thoughts on certain topics are not the same as Erika's, but that is what I love about reading and talking to others about these things. It's from our differences on opinions and experiences that I believe we can learn and grow from one another. We are more alike than we would like to believe. Reading through her memoir I had moments where I kept telling myself, "I knew I was not alone! I knew I was not the only one who had felt or thought the way. I'm not crazy."

I am a fan of memoirs or biographies from Latina writers because I can relate to them and it's a nice reminder that I'm not alone. I feel validated at the end of the reading. It's like a form a therapy for me.

• I borrowed this book from the LA Public Library.

• You can buy the book in any bookstore or Amazon.

  • $14 - $17

BRIDEGERTON Series Book No. 3 & 4

AN OFFER FROM A GENTLEMAN and ROMANCING MR. BRIDGERTON

By: Julia Quinn

"Dear Reader"...like many out there I was introduced into the world of Bridgerton through the Netflix series and have become a fan. For that reason, I decided to read the book series. I know that the TV series is different from the books, but I’m a fan of looking into firsthand what the inspiration was for the writers & producers. Also in between the books I tend to read now a days I like to make room for some other genres.

AN OFFER FROM A GENTLEMAN (Book No.3)

This one was my favorite of the two books that I read. It could be because the story between Benedict and Sofia reminded me much of a Cinderella story, and if there is something you should know about me and stories it is that I'm a sucker or fan of a Cinderella story. So, it goes without saying that I can't wait to see how Bridgerton Season 4 turns out, as it has to do with Benedict & Sofia's story!

• I borrowed this book from the Los Angeles Public Library.

• Amazon: $13 -$20

ROMANCING MR. BRIDGERTON (Book No. 4)

I enjoyed getting a look into Colin's and Penelope's story through the literature, but I can say that I prefer the TV show's portrayal of their story. After I read the book, I could see why so many prefer the TV Show Colin over the Book Colin...he is a little of a jerk in the book. But overall, the story was a good read.

• I borrowed this book from the Los Angeles Public Library.

• Amazon: $10 - $16

GENGHIS KHAN AND THE MAKING OF THE MODERN WORLD

By: Jack Weatherford

I saw this book in Costco, and it caught my attention. I had heard a lot about Genghis Khan and was curious to know a little more. I can say that I was very surprised to learn how Genghis Khan became who he became and his fingerprint on the current world. The way he thought and learned is very admirable and how he conquered all these groups of people. It's the ability to learn from everything that is what I really took from this book and his experiences. He learned from his failures, and he adapted and tried again.

He is an example of someone who had a very hard life since the start of his mortal life like many of us do, but he didn't let it define him. Considering what was going around the world during his time and how much he conquered until his death is very remarkable. I love reading about history. Whether it's about the USA or another country I am always learning something new that is useful in my empathy towards humanity.

• I borrowed this book from the Los Angeles Public Library.

• Amazon: $11.49

• Costco: Probably $1-$2 cheaper

YOU MADE IT!

If you made it this far, big congrats to you! To see other books, I have previously read you can just check out my hashtag #KatNLiterature. These are some that I loved, and recommend:

1. The Distance Between Us by Reyna Grande

2. Solito by Javier Zamora

3. For Brown Girls with Sharp Edges...A Love Letter to Women of Color by Prisca Dorcas Mojica Rodriguez

4. Born a Crime by Trevor Noah

5. The Devils Highway by Luis Alberto Urrea

 #KatNLiterature. 

Oh! and if you have any book recommendations, please let me know I am always open to receiving recommendations. Happy reading!