White Sparkles & Shoes is primarily a fashion and travel blog when I describe this passion project of mine I often include the word “lifestyle”. I put it in quotes because it can be defined in so many ways but I refer to it as a catch-all for my favorite things. Whether that is home decor, beauty, or updates on my real life – so welcome to a lifestyle post today. In writing this I am wondering if I can go a whole week without mentioned lockdown but I am not sure that is truly possible. Sure I could take it out but it would not bean authentic representation of February 2021 and because it is affecting nearly everything in my life right now. And as tempting as it is to just sit on the couch all day, everyday and watch Netflix I am also trying to not make sure my brain does not turn to mush.
The past few years I have read the most on vacation, going through three or four books in a week long beach holiday, but my reading at home has fallen off a cliff. Yes, I still listen to quite a few audiobooks but there is something quite relaxing about flipping through actual pages of a novel. Currently I am reading The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, which I am liking, but when I am finished I have nothing on deck. Thus I have asked friends and colleagues for recommendations and looked at my bookmarks of anticipated new releases. This combination has left me with nine books on my reading list – some are serious and others are beach reads. Some are fiction and some are not. A few were published years ago and others are are still in pre-order but all happen to be written by women!This is my current list of what to read next:
1 | The Bermondsey Bookshop: Book by Mary Gibson
2 | The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose
3 | The Meaning of Mariah Carey by Mariah Carey
4 | The Hill We Climb: An Inaugural Poem for the Country by Amanda Gorman
5 | Surviving the White Gaze: A Memoir by Rebecca Carroll
6 | One To Watch by Kate Stayman-London
7 | The Vanishing Half: A Novel by Brit Bennett
8 | The Lost Apothecary: A Novel by Sarah Penner
9 | Happy And You Know It by Laura Hankin
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In case you are looking for somme other recommendations here are some books that I enjoyed recently; Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng, Dear Mrs. Bird by A J Pearce, The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr, and Where’d You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple.
Do you have any recommendations on what to read next?

Christa says
I don’t have too much time to read but listen to a lot of book tapes that I can get for free out of my local library using overdrive. You can even put audio books on hold and then I listen to them when I am driving, walking, folding laundry and making dinner.
A great way to squeeze some books into my busy day. Will have to see which of these they carry on overdrive.
Sharon says
Just finished a true story called The Last Kings of Shanghai. It was really fascinating and I think everyone would find it really interesting.
Happy reading Kelly.
Kelsey says
The Vanishing Half was one of the best book I have read in 2020!
I also really liked the Girl in Cabin 10, very different.
Marsha says
I just finished a book called Eleanor. It was based on Eleanor Roosevelt and took it from her being a young child through her Death. She was certainly a woman ahead of her time and very inspirational despite having a rough life. She always seem to see things on the bright side. I think you would like it.
Ari says
I’ve had a couple of these I never heard of a couple of these so will have to take a look. Did you ever read Beneath A Scarlet Sky? I think you would really like it. It’s a wonderful story with a lot of perseverance in it. Happy reading
Emily says
I have only read one of these so this will keep me busy for a while. The silent patient was very good. I think you would like it.