The best authors are those who read extensively. Here is what I’ve been reading lately.

If you're interested in learning more about the non-fiction books I've read and the insights gained from them, be sure to listen to the Two Booked Up podcast.

I’ve started thinking about and making notes for my next book, and have found nonfiction books are less distracting, as they help me stay creative without confusing my ideas. Although, I still read some terrific fiction this past month!

The vast majority of these books were borrowed from my local library. If you have access to a local library, it is a brilliant resource for electronic, audio, and print books. Some of these I also listened to on Audible, as part of the Plus Catalogue.

Fiction Reads

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

This was a different read for me, and a long one! Sam and Sadie love each other, but this book is not a romance. Set over many years, the story follows Sam and Sadie as their friendship develops; they play and then make games together, and they experience creative differences, rivalry, and betrayal. There’s a lot in there! An award winner and much hyped, I can see why as the book explores the commonality we all share—a need to connect, to love, and be loved.

Enemies to Lovers by Amelia Jones

The premise for this book hooked me immediately: a modern retelling of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, set in the world of musical theatre, where they are performing Liz and Darcy, a musical adaptation of Pride and Prejudice! It's a perfect example of a romantic comedy, with lots of laughs, fun and, yes, romance. I loved it, but a quick heads-up: there are a couple of steamy scenes (very unlike the original Austen), which made me glad to be reading this one and not listening to the audiobook version. 😉

An Elderly Lady Is Up to No Good by Helene Turstan

An Elderly Lady Is Up to No Good by Helene Tursten

This is a quirky, slightly dark, quick read with a dash of murder and mischief thrown in for good measure. Once again, the premise appealed to me, as Maud is an irascible 88-year-old Swedish woman with no family or friends and no qualms about a little murder! This book is a collection of short stories featuring Maud’s (mis)adventures, translated by Marlaine Delargy.

Love Literary Style by Karen Gillespie

Another romantic comedy novel, again with books as the theme, and again, the premise proved irresistible! Opposites attract, and when a stuffy literary writer falls for a self-published romance writer, mistakenly believing her to be a renowned writer of important fiction, it gets interesting! This was a very enjoyable read, especially as it pokes fun at the divide between low and high-brow fiction, publishing and the writing process.

Deconstructed: A Novel by Liz Talley

An unlikely sleuth with an even more unlikely side-kick, this novel was a fun escapist read for the long weekend. Forty-something antique-store owner Cricket Crosby discovers her husband is having an affair, and her life is turned upside down. Her plan: make her husband pay. Her assistant, Ruby, is reinventing herself as a designer, deconstructing vintage haute couture, and is willing to help Cricket. I enjoyed this story about a mid-life woman embracing change and figuring out what she really wants, and the descriptions of the clothes Ruby wears and designs were fabulous!

Lonely Harts Radio by Adeline Knight

I loved this audiobook because it was fully dramatised, with different voice actors performing each role. It reminded me of the old-fashioned radio plays my grandparents used to talk about. I also enjoyed that it’s set in 1999, like my novel, when there were no mobile phones, email was hard to access and no social media. Eira Hart and Ru Tattersall are set up to co-host The Lonely Harts Club, a new late-night radio show to help New Yorkers find love, and the story unfolds from there.

Non-Fiction Reads

Build The Life You Want by Arthur C Brooks and Oprah Winfrey

I was so excited to read this book, as I always enjoy Arthur C Brooks's weekly column in The Atlantic and devoured his earlier book, ‘From Strength to Strength’, which also happens to be my most recommended book to friends, family and clients! This book didn’t disappoint. Written in an easy-to-understand format, Arthur draws on philosophy, religion, and complex scientific research to explain HOW you can improve your happiness and improve your life now. This is one I may re-read, to really appreciate and get the most from the ideas and suggestions.

The House That Joy Built by Holly Ringland

I’d heard a lot of good things about this book, and honestly, chose it for the beautiful cover! This book is about the importance of creativity and how we can find joy by choosing to create despite the fears and vulnerabilities that can often hold us back. Holly’s focus is on writing, but the lessons could apply to any creative endeavour. It’s NOT a how-to, but an exploration of how to find a way into, or back to, your imagination.

The Minimalist Home by Joshua Becker

I have enjoyed Joshua’s blog posts on Becoming Minimalist for many years and have read many of his other books. I’d wanted to read this book for a few years, so I was thrilled when my local library finally had a copy available for loan. It is an incredibly simple-to-follow, practical approach to embracing minimalism; I really enjoyed it. And it inspired a lot of action in my home! Which is always a good thing from a non-fiction book.

Messy Minimalism by Rachelle Crawford

You might notice a bit of a theme this month! This is another book about Minimalism, one with a very realistic, practical approach for people who are not naturally tidy. I enjoyed this book a lot, as Rachelle writes with humour and relatability, and shares straight-forward, doable suggestions. Of all the minimalist books I read in March, this one felt kindest. Rachelle calls it empathetic, grace-based messy minimalism, and that captures it well.

4AM: Answers to the conundrums that keep you up at night by Michelle Andrew and Zara McDonald

A library recommendation, this book was not quite what I expected based on the subtitle. Instead, it’s a collection of popular advice columns written by the Shameless podcasters and a team of young Australian female writers. Dating, friendship and self-development are explored, and sometimes there are follow-up responses. It was a quick read and revealed that the challenges faced by contemporary women in their twenties ultimately are not so different from those of previous generations.

Sustainable Minimalism by Stephanie Marie Seferian

The subtitle for this book is, ‘Embrace Zero Waste, Build Sustainability Habits That Last and Become A Minimalist Without Sacrificing the Planet’. I’ve read a lot of books about minimalism and sustainable living over the years, and so thought this book combining the two would be a good read. With a three-part structure, I appreciated the stepped, practical approach to changing personal and household behaviour. With lists of resources and suggested options for cleaner choices, this book is a useful reference, especially for North American readers.

This Year Will Be Different by Dominque Bertolucci

An audiobook choice by fellow Sydney-based life coach Dominque Bertolucci. It is a quick listen full of very practical tips for how you can decide to make this year (starting any time) better than last year. The vast majority of her recommendations are things I talk about here in my articles. I enjoyed the validation, but sometimes we need to hear our own advice, and this book provided that, too, from an excellent, well-respected coach.

What have you been reading lately? Do you have a recommendation for a book you read and loved?

Do you listen to audiobooks? For the last few months, I’ve been enjoying Audible Plus for access to a huge range of audiobooks.

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