On the books that saved me in 2016
Everyone has been throwing some major haterade all over 2016. (And yes, I just said "haterade," to be said like "gatorade," just instead of copious amounts of sugar, it's copious amounts of hate.) And while I agree that 2016 was a less than ideal year for many. And by many, I mean, basically everyone. Here are the books I read in 2016 that made the year bearable, exciting and forced me to challenge myself and grow.
"Year of Yes” by Shonda Rhimes // Davis, California
I picked up this book at the end of 2015. It inspired the "Year of Amor," cemented my resolve to take charge of my life and encouraged me to say "yes" to things that scared me, including going to Thailand with someone I only dated for five days. So basically, this very blog would not even exist without this book. And I probably would still have a baby toenail*(read Chapter 11 of "Before I Exhale") if not for this book either. You win some, you lose some, I suppose. Either way, thank you, Ms. Rhimes.
*bay toenails are overrated anyways
Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur // Los Angeles, California
I've seen Rupi's poetry and corresponding artwork all over Instagram in 2016. She embodies #girlpower. I finally bought the book and read it in a half hour this past December. It is short but incredibly impactful, beautiful, and poignant. After reading it, I snot-cried and then found a giant spider in my bathroom. After panicking on Snapchat over the size of the spider for a good ten minutes, I remembered the calm relief that Rupi's poetry gave me. I believe her words gave me the confidence to face my fears and dismiss my anxiety over the spider. I didn't end up killing the spider. In fact, I think it is still somewhere roaming my house, making MY home ITS home as well. But Rupi's poetry reminded me of the beauty and complicated nature of life. Things are never just black and white; life is often complicated and messy. People are complicated and messy. Spiders are complicated and messy. This book is all the things you need and want in life and love and poetry. It is cuddles from your favorite person and simmering hot chocolate on a rainy day.
Commonwealth by Ann Patchett // Auckland, NZ, Thailand, & Los Angeles, CA
I was recommended this book by a bookstore owner in Devonport in New Zealand. He was an older man, he had shaggy white hair and a visibly anxious tone to his demeanor. But you could tell that he lived to love books and share them with others. The store was covered in books in a haphazard, almost cluttered way, but he roamed the store knowingly. On a rainy day, I asked him if there was something he thought I would enjoy. He gave me a look, seemingly sizing me up, and picked up a copy of "Commonwealth." I didn't end up finishing it until I was back home from Thailand. But it could not have been a more fitting story for me to read. It gave me the "holy shit, this is so relevant to my life," kind of goosebumps. I don't want to ruin the story for you. But if you're also writing a story about your life, then this book will give you chills. Actually, scratch that. You would love it regardless. Trust me. But how that old bookstore owner knew this was the very book I needed, I will never know. Anyhow, thank you bookstore man.
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert // On the plane and in the car // Amsterdam, Netherlands & Los Angeles, CA
I listened to the audio version of this, narrated by Ms. Gilbert herself, when I started writing the story. This book is incredible for anyone going into a creative field or trying to navigate their craft. She's also a lovely driving companion when you've been stuck on the 405 freeway to Santa Monica for two hours.
Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornby // Los Angeles, CA
I surreptitiously snagged this book from my dad's bookshelf over the summer. If you haven't read anything by Hornby, please do. He's a fucking fantastic writer. This book in particular is a story about obsession and failure, being an artist and feeling lost. Each character is full and real and I felt like I could sympathize with everyone's plight. I want to grab a coffee with Hornby, you guys. In fact, I would like to have coffee with his characters too. Just putting that out there.
Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson // Bathtub & In the Car // Los Angeles, CA
Lawson is a blogger, famously known for having depression and a penchant for taxidermy. I know, right? But Jenny Lawson is my soul sister-spirit twin. She just doesn't know it yet. I often listen to her books while in the bathtub or in the car. She has a great narrative ability that somehow heightens her already flawless writing style. Lawson seamlessly writes about having a mental disorder with humor, grace and honesty. If I were to get coffee with Hornby, I would want to be in group therapy with Jenny Lawson. I hope she takes that as a high compliment, because it is.
Diary of an Oxygen Thief by Anonymous // Los Angeles, CA
A story about a guy who likes to emotionally torment his girlfriends. Pretty sure an ex of mine wrote this. I am impressed.
What I Was Doing While you were Breeding by Kristin Newman // Los Angeles, CA
A story about a TV writer who travels the world while everyone else is out making babies and getting engaged. So much major wanderlust all over this. I personally loved the chapter entitled, "Frodo is the Hottest Guy in New Zealand" in which she proceeds to describe how all the men in NZ are unattractive.
You Are A Badass by Jen Sincero // Los Angeles, CA
I listened to this when I didn't get into "This American Life," and my feelings of badassery were at a negative 20,000. Most of the text is somewhat obvious, but it's a consoling read if you've just gone through a breakup or didn't get your dream job or forgot what it means to be a badass.
Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed // Davis, CA
I was recommended this book by my therapist. It's a collection of Strayed's best responses in her advice column and subsequent podcast, which you should also give a listen. (It's called, "Dear Sugar radio.") Anyways, I only bought this book for one chapter. I'll let you be the guess if you ever give it a read. It is so flipping good though. It might be the best thing my therapist every told me to do.