Try It, You Might Like It #12: Dark Romance

"Try it, you might like it" - it's what someone says when they present you with some food you've never had before or your mom wants you to try on some clothes she picked out for you.  I'm using it here on the blog as inspiration to choose books in genres I don't normally read; to branch out from my reading comfort zones; and to maybe find some new favorites!  One of my goals this year is to bring this feature back, so here we go!

 

Basically since the pandemic began, I've found myself drawn to romances more than normal.  I don't know if it's the happily ever afters or the generally light tone, but I've really been enjoying them.  For this edition, I've decided to branch out beyond the contemporary romances I've been reading and try a new-to-me sub-genre - dark romance.  Dark romance is - no surprise - romances with darker themes, morally grey characters, and/or dangerous situations.  These books often come with content warnings because they can explore triggering topics such as kidnapping, captivity, BDSM, abuse, and dark fantasies.  These are definitely for adults only.  One of my favorite book bloggers, Stephanie at Bookfever, has mentioned Pepper Winters as one of her go-to dark romance writers, so I decided to try out her 2020 novel Once a Myth.

 

Eleanor is backpacking with her new boyfriend when she is kidnapped by sex traffickers.  She is purchased by Sully Sinclair, a man who owns an island that caters to even the most extreme fantasies.  While Sully normally doesn't partake of his own "goddesses," for some reason Eleanor intrigues him and he finds himself jealous that she'll be with the other guests instead of him.  I also found myself intrigued by Eleanor - the way she is able to remain mostly clear-headed about her situation, showing a strength that most people couldn't.  Although she lashes out a few times, it's understandable considering the horrific circumstances she finds herself in. It was Sully I had the most issues with it.  I understand that he's not going to be a perfect character, but I really found him to be pretty despicable.  I feel like Winters tried to add minor elements to humanize him and balance his dark side, but for me they didn't work.  At the end of the day, he still feels justified buying women and forcing them into sex work.  His feelings toward Eleanor included too many descriptions of using her and destroying her.

The pacing of the book didn't work for me.  It's a relatively short book that takes place over only a few days, but it felt like nothing really happened.  Eleanor learns more about her new home, and she and Sully dance around each other, but many scenes felt so dragged out at the expense of moving the plot forward.  This is just the first book in the series, so I'm guessing this was a set-up to establish the characters and world, and the action will ramp up in later books.  There are plenty of steamy scenes, although less actual sex than I was expecting and they were twinged with violence.  I did enjoy the writing, however.  I think Winters did a great job elevating what could easily devolve into something too simplistic and base, and I was really able to get inside Eleanor and Sully's heads.  Although I can see the appeal of this genre, I think the violence and grit was a bit too much for me!

Try It, You Might Like It #11: Nordic Noir

"Try it, you might like it" - it's what someone says when they present you with some food you've never had before or your mom wants you to try on some clothes she picked out for you.  I'm using it here on the blog as inspiration to choose books in genres I don't normally read; to branch out from my reading comfort zones; and to maybe find some new favorites!  One of my goals this year is to bring this feature back, so here we go!

 

For this edition, I'm exploring Nordic Noir, sometimes also referred to as Scandi Noir or Scandinavian Noir.  It's a subgenre of crime fiction that's set in Scandinavian countries.  They are usually from the police's point of view and feature a troubled protagonist; the reader really gets to know the inner workings, memories, and feelings of the protagonist more they would in other mysteries or thrillers.  Nordic Noir books are often very atmospheric - bleak and ominous - and feature disturbing or violent cases.  I was inspired to try this genre when I came across this article on Book Riot - interestingly, I had one of the books on my TBR, so it worked out perfectly!

 

I read The Tenant by Katrine Engberg, originally published in 2016.  It's the first book in the Korner and Werner series.  Korner and Werner are two Danish police detectives whose most recent case involves a woman found murdered in her apartment, with a distinct pattern carved into her face.  They then discover that the victim's landlady is writing a murder mystery with the same premise and they work to discover what the connection is.  I've read a lot of mysteries and thrillers, but this definitely story definitely falls more into the crime fiction genre.  We follow the case along with the detectives, as the evidence is dissected and witnesses and suspects are interviewed.  Although there are twists and turns, there's not a ton of action or explosive scenes.  Engberg's writing, however, flows nicely and keeps the reader involved in the story.  We mainly follow detective Jeppe Worner; he's recently divorced and just returning to work after an injury.  He seems to have a love/hate relationship with his partner, Werner.

While there were a lot of the elements I was expecting from a Nordic Noir (police POV, troubled protagonist, disturbing case), one thing I was missing was the bleak atmosphere.  The story takes place over a few days in August, so it's bright, hot, and sunny in most scenes (although it does contrast nicely with some of the scenes in police headquarters).  However, I thought there were some great descriptions of Denmark, and Copenhagen in particular, so it was fun to kind of get a little tour of the area.  I think if the story had taken place in winter, it might have helped elevate the dark, creepy factor.  But, I did really enjoy this book - Nordic Noir is definitely a genre I would read again, and I would seek out more books from this series.

Try It, You Might Like It #10: Space Opera

"Try it, you might like it" - it's what someone says when they present you with some food you've never had before or your mom wants you to try on some clothes she picked out for you.  I'm using it here on the blog as inspiration to choose books in genres I don't normally read; to branch out from my reading comfort zones; and to maybe find some new favorites!  One of my goals this year was to bring this feature back, so here we go!

I read a lot of books set in space, but I've never read a space opera, so I thought it would be a great genre to try.  So, what is a space opera?  According to Wikipedia, a space opera "is a subgenre of science fiction that emphasizes space warfare, melodramatic adventure, interplanetary battles, chivalric romance, and risk-taking. Set mainly or entirely in outer space, it usually involves conflict between opponents possessing advanced abilities, futuristic weapons, and other sophisticated technology."  A classic example of a space opera movie would be Star Wars.

The first book that came to mind was The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet by Becky Chambers (2014).  I have Greg at Book Haven to thank for this because he has mentioned this book several times!  I'm so glad I finally listened to him, because I really enjoyed this book!

Most of the books I read about space are pretty limited to humans doing exploration of some kind or maybe starting a new civilization on a distant planet because Earth is no longer inhabitable.  This book, however, is set on a bigger scale - in the future, humans have colonized Mars and Earth is a distant memory.  Humans aren't the only beings in the universe, either - there are countless races of aliens, and by this point, many have learned to co-exist.  That brings us to the crew of the Wayfarer - a motley mix of humans and aliens who live and work together.  It was so interesting to learn about the different alien cultures and backstories for all the crew members.  Becky Chambers is so creative and inventive - each character felt well-rounded and fleshed out.

The main storyline deals with the crew being hired for a tunneling job out in deep space, potentially dangerous but very lucrative.  We follow the crew as they get ready for the job; at some points the story felt a little slow, but it was also a good chance to introduce us to the characters and be immersed in the world-building.  The action starts building up near the end, and the story has a bit of an open ending that makes me want to continue the series and learn more about this world!

What's your favorite space opera?

 

Try It, You Might Like It #9: Cookbooks

"Try it, you might like it" - it's what someone says when they present you with some food you've never had before or your mom wants you to try on some clothes she picked out for you.  I'm using it here on the blog as inspiration to choose books in genres I don't normally read; to branch out from my reading comfort zones; and to maybe find some new favorites!  I haven't done this feature in over a year (!), but one of my goals this year was to bring it back, so here we go!

Much to my mother's dismay, I am a pretty terrible cook.  She is a wonderful cook and baker, but no matter how many times she's tried to teach me, I've just never gotten the hang of cooking.  I have a few tried-and-true recipes, but luckily, I snagged a husband that is not only an awesome cook, but who actually enjoys the process.  However, there's still a part of me that longs to be a boss in the kitchen, so I picked up Chrissy Teigen's Cravings: Hungry for More to check out some recipes.

I picked Chrissy's cookbook because, well, it's Chrissy.  She's fun and funny, and I find it so refreshing that she's a model who doesn't hide the fact that she loves to eat.  This is her second cookbook and it promised quick recipes with fewer ingredients (ostensibly for busy parents, but also good for people who have little confidence in the kitchen!).

There are about 100 recipes in this book, and they run the gamut - breakfast dishes, salads, soups, dinners, Thai-inspired recipes, some desserts, even a section called "Potatoes & Their Friends"! I liked the large variety, but there were some I skipped over automatically (anything with fish, really, as my husband is allergic to shellfish and doesn't particularly like the types of fish he can eat).  Although the recipes occasionally called for cookware we don't own, I thought most of the methods were pretty do-able.  The ingredients weren't too outrageous, as well - a pet peeve of mine is recipes that call for expensive or hard-to-find ingredients, especially where you have to buy a ton just for a small amount in the recipe.  The blurb promised quick dishes, but I found that A LOT of them took more than 40 minutes, and there were some that would take a couple hours!  That's not practical for me.

I enjoyed reading Chrissy's little blurbs at the beginning of each recipe, either with her feelings towards the dish or some memory associated with it or the inspiration behind it, and I've definitely copied a couple recipes that I would love to try in the future.  I don't think I'll be reading more cookbooks any time soon, though, especially considering I have an entire Pinterest board of recipes I've saved and have yet to try!

Do you like to cook?  Do you have any go-to cookbooks?

Try It, You Might Like It #8: Science

"Try it, you might like it" - it's what someone says when they present you with some food you've never had before or your mom wants you to try on some clothes she picked out for you.  I'm using it here on the blog as inspiration to choose books in genres I don't normally read; to branch out from my reading comfort zones; and to maybe find some new favorites!

Wow, I haven't done one of these in forever!  Over Christmas, I was talking to my sister and brother-in-law about books and how I was looking for something new and different to read.  My BIL suggested Astrophysics for People in a Hurry, by Neil deGrasse Tyson (2017).

I was a bit leery.  Science fiction is one thing, but actual science?  And astrophysics at that?  Science and math were not my best subjects in school (I only passed calculus by reading over my twin sister's shoulder).  I was worried that this book would just make me feel stupid, but my BIL assured me it would not.  Deciding to trust him on this, I took a chance on it - and I'm so glad I did!

In Astrophysics for People in a Hurry, Tyson has compiled a short book touching on the major areas of his field.  I wouldn't say this book "dumbs down" the science - there were definitely sections I could have used more background or definitions - but it does give an overview on various subjects explained in a more approachable way, like bringing in comparisons to dancing or cooking, for instance.  Tyson's dry humor kept the book from getting too textbook-y and made me chuckle a few times (like when he calls dark matter our "frenemy").

I have to admit, the first couple chapters were not my cup of tea.  He starts out with some of the most abstract topics, like dark matter and dark energy.  I was more than a little confused.  But as the book went on, I became more and more interested.  Tyson talks about different types of telescopes; why the sphere is the most common shape found in the universe; and the various types of matter found in our own galaxy.  I even started reading some of it out loud to my husband.

Some of the things in the book just blew my mind; these definitely aren't topics I think about on a daily basis - how the building blocks of the universe are smaller than you can even imagine; the sheer size, scale, and even age of our own galaxy, let alone the universe; how science has come forward in leaps and bounds in such a short period of time.  It's just astonishing the things we know now, compared to even 10 years ago, and new discoveries are being made all the time.  Tyson freely admits that there are so many things we still don't understand, and his last chapter reflecting on the role science plays in society is particularly inspiring.

I may have said before that I'm not a science person, but this is one book I would gladly read again and again.

Try It, You Might Like It #7: Short Stories

"Try it, you might like it" - it's what someone says when they present you with some food you've never had before or your mom wants you to try on some clothes she picked out for you.  I'm using it here on the blog as inspiration to choose books in genres I don't normally read; to branch out from my reading comfort zones; and to maybe find some new favorites!

For this installment, I've chosen short stories - or rather, short stories chose me.  I was browsing the new release shelves at my library and Jojo Moyes' distinctive font caught my eye.  At first I was a little reluctant to check out Paris for One and Other Stories (2016), but since I loved Me Before You so much, I decided to give it a try.

From the #1 "New York Times" bestselling author of "Me Before You" and "After You," a sensational collection featuring the title novella and eight other stories. Quintessential Jojo Moyes, "Paris for One and Other Stories" is an irresistibly romantic collection filled with humor and heart. 

Nell is twenty-six and has never been to Paris. She's never even been on a romantic weekend away to anywhere before. Everyone knows travelling abroad isn't really her thing. But when Nell's boyfriend fails to show up for their romantic mini-vacation, she has the opportunity to prove everyone including herself wrong. Alone and in Paris, Nell uncovers a version of herself she never knew existed: independent and intrepid. Could this turn out to be the most adventurous weekend of her life? Funny, charming, and irresistible, "Paris for One"is vintage Moyes as are the other stories that round out the collection. - from Goodreads

I think there must be a real art to writing short stories - being able to create characters and a story arc in just a few pages, adding just enough detail so the reader understands what's going on without inundating them.  I think Moyes was successful here in that each short story (and one novella) felt mostly complete; I was able to get a clear sense of the characters and what was happening in each story, without the benefit of many pages and chapters of background.  Some of them had twist endings, which helped.

The novella is a cute story about a woman stood up by her boyfriend who makes the most of a weekend in Paris; it's quite romantic and hopeful, but almost a bit too sweet.  However, some of the stories were just strange - particularly the ones about a robbery at a jewelry store and a woman finding someone else's cell phone.  There wasn't anything particularly special about most of them.  They are all told from a female point of view, and many feature an unhappy woman who is taking control of her life.  The writing was good, but not great. 

My issue with short stories is that I just want more - I know I said the stories here felt mostly complete, but in a lot of the cases, I wanted more detail.  The stories could be fleshed out, particularly the stories about long marriages.  I wanted to know how the characters got to these places in their lives instead of being dropped in, in the middle of the story.  It's hard to feel connected or invested when you only get a few pages.

Try It, You Might Like It #6: Science Fiction

"Try it, you might like it" - it's what someone says when they present you with some food you've never had before or your mom wants you to try on some clothes she picked out for you.  I'm using it here on the blog as inspiration to choose books in genres I don't normally read; to branch out from my reading comfort zones; and to maybe find some new favorites!

For this installment, I've chosen science fiction.  Dark Matter by Blake Crouch (2016) has been on my radar for a few months now, but I was hesitant to read it because it's labeled as science fiction.  I'm not a big science/math person, so I often just feel confused/frustrated/annoyed with books that have too much focus on those topics.  But, this book was also described as being a thriller and a love story, so I wanted to try it out.

“Are you happy with your life?”

Those are the last words Jason Dessen hears before the masked abductor knocks him unconscious.  Before he awakens to find himself strapped to a gurney, surrounded by strangers in hazmat suits. Before a man Jason’s never met smiles down at him and says, “Welcome back, my friend.”

In this world he’s woken up to, Jason’s life is not the one he knows. His wife is not his wife. His son was never born. And Jason is not an ordinary college physics professor, but a celebrated genius who has achieved something remarkable. Something impossible.

Is it this world or the other that’s the dream? And even if the home he remembers is real, how can Jason possibly make it back to the family he loves? The answers lie in a journey more wondrous and horrifying than anything he could’ve imagined—one that will force him to confront the darkest parts of himself even as he battles a terrifying, seemingly unbeatable foe. - from Goodreads

Guys, this was just... wow.  Even if you don't think you're a science fiction fan, I think you need to read this book.  Jason Dessen is a physics professor with a beloved wife and son.  After being abducted, he wakes up in a strange place surrounded by people who claim to know him - but he's never met them before.  He escapes to find that his home looks completely different, he isn't married to his wife, and his son doesn't exist.  Is he dreaming?  Does he have a brain tumor that has altered his perception of reality?  Is someone playing an elaborate hoax on him?

I don't want to talk too much more about the plot and spoil it, because finding out what truly is going on is really the essence of the book and just the most fantastic twist.  It does get a bit science-y, but even I could understand what the characters were talking about, and I loved it.  Every few chapters I would say to my husband, "Guess what's happening NOW?"  This book would be totally up his alley.

As I said before, this book is more than just science fiction - it's also a thriller that I could not stop reading.  I literally read this book in a few hours.  The short, staccato sentences kept the story moving, and I had to know what would happen next.  I loved Jason as a character - I felt invested in his journey, and I was rooting for him.  I was really impressed by his ability to remain mostly calm and really think through his situation and the next steps to take.

And then there's the love story - Jason and his wife have been married for years, and they have such a great relationship.  They really do seem to love each other more now than they did when they first met.  Finding his wife and son is Jason's top priority, and I just loved his focus.  Even when things seemed dire, his only thoughts are of them and how to get back to them.

Try It, You Might Like It #5: Coloring Books

"Try it, you might like it" - it's what someone says when they present you with some food you've never had before or your mom wants you to try on some clothes she picked out for you.  I'm using it here on the blog as inspiration to choose books in genres I don't normally read; to branch out from my reading comfort zones; and to maybe find some new favorites!

For this installment, I've chosen coloring books!  I was fairly artsy as a kid - I loved drawing and painting.  As I got older, I sort of fell out of it, but ever since my stepmom started a crafting club a few months ago, I've been getting back into it.  So for Christmas, I asked for colored pencils, sketchpads, and coloring books. 

Adult coloring books have become super-popular in the last couple years.  It's such a fun throwback to childhood and lots of people think they're great stress relievers.  There are coloring books for practically everything: simple ones like patterns, flowers, or gardens to specialized ones like those for Harry Potter or The Wizard of Oz fans.  And you can find them everywhere - from Amazon to Barnes & Noble to craft stores like Michaels and A.C. Moore.  There are even coloring pages on Pinterest that you can print out yourself, if you don't want to commit to a whole book! 

My sister and I found these books at Walmart:

I've actually been having a lot of fun with these coloring books!  When I took a little break from reading at the end of the year, this was a great activity to fill in the time.  It's something I can do while catching up on tv shows, and it lets me be creative without breaking the bank.  Coloring books are a definite keeper!

Try It, You Might Like It #4: Christian Fiction

"Try it, you might like it" - it's what someone says when they present you with some food you've never had before or your mom wants you to try on some clothes she picked out for you.  I'm using it here on the blog as inspiration to choose books in genres I don't normally read; to branch out from my reading comfort zones; and to maybe find some new favorites!

For this installment, I've chosen Christian fiction.  I read Through Waters Deep (Waves of Freedom #1) by Sarah Sundin (2015).  I was drawn to this book because it's also historical fiction set during WWII, one of my favorite time periods to read about (okay, maybe I cheated a bit by choosing something I already knew I would like!).

It is 1941 and America teeters on the brink of war. Outgoing naval officer Ensign Jim Avery escorts British convoys across the North Atlantic in a brand-new destroyer, the USS Atwood. Back on shore, Boston Navy Yard secretary Mary Stirling does her work quietly and efficiently, happy to be out of the limelight. Yet, despite her reserved nature, she never could back down from a challenge. When evidence of sabotage on the Atwood is found, Jim and Mary must work together to uncover the culprit. A bewildering maze of suspects emerges, and Mary is dismayed to find that even someone close to her is under suspicion. With the increasing pressure, Jim and Mary find that many new challenges--and dangers--await them. - from Goodreads

I'll be honest, I've read a couple Christian fiction books before, because I didn't realize they were classified as such when I picked them up.  It's not a genre I would normally seek out because I'm not religious; it's not a mindset or lifestyle that I particularly relate to.  But I wanted to try it again and keep an open mind.

I did have an issue with this book almost right from the start.  Mary is a secretary at the Navy yard.  Because of an embarrassing incident in her childhood, Mary looked to her faith and decided she was guilty of the sin of pride.  She spent the next several years making sure she never called attention to herself.  She downplayed all her talents, allowing others to finish ahead of her; she wore drab colors; she felt sick when someone even looked at her.  I felt so bad for her that she felt she had to live her life this way.  She could have been doing things that made her happy, like singing, but she felt this need to hide herself away.  Too much of the story is devoted to Mary's inner struggles every time she has to make a decision about anything, questioning her motives about whether she is being prideful.  She started to open up a bit when she began spending time with Navy officer Jim, an old friend from high school, and I enjoyed their friendship that teetered on romance.  Although, at times I just wanted to yell at the two of them to just tell each other how they felt, instead of just assuming they knew what the other wanted!

The historical fiction aspect of the book was something I liked a lot more.  Sundin does a great job of bringing this era to life.  The story focuses on sabotage taking place at the Boston Navy yard, in 1941, before the United States has officially entered the war.  Tension fills the air, from those who want to enter the war and those who may have loyalties elsewhere.

I don't think I would read a lot of Christian fiction in the future.  Although I did appreciate the historical fiction part of the novel, this genre is just not for me.

Try It, You Might Like It #3: Horror

"Try it, you might like it" - it's what someone says when they present you with some food you've never had before or your mom wants you to try on some clothes she picked out for you.  I'm using it here on the blog as inspiration to choose books in genres I don't normally read; to branch out from my reading comfort zones; and to maybe find some new favorites!

Inspired by Halloween, I've chosen a horror novel for this installment.  I read a lot of Stephen King novels as a teenager, but horror is not a genre I usually gravitate towards these days, probably because I'm a huge scaredy cat (I cover my eyes when I watch scary movies and peek out between my fingers).  I chose The Ruins (Scott Smith, 2006) because although it's classified as a horror novel, it's something different from the typical zombies, vampires, or ghosts.

Trapped in the Mexican jungle, a group of friends stumble upon a creeping horror unlike anything they could ever imagine. Two young couples are on a lazy Mexican vacation–sun-drenched days, drunken nights, making friends with fellow tourists. When the brother of one of those friends disappears, they decide to venture into the jungle to look for him. What started out as a fun day-trip slowly spirals into a nightmare when they find an ancient ruins site . . . and the terrifying presence that lurks there. - from Goodreads

I actually really enjoyed this book!  Two American couples are vacationing in Mexico when they befriend a German tourist.  When the brother of the German tourist follows a woman into the jungle, he and the Americans (plus a Greek tourist they also met) decide to go find the brother, thinking they will only be gone a few hours.

Things start going wrong almost from the start.  Reliable transportation is iffy in this part of Mexico, and at first they have trouble finding the archaeological dig that the German tourist and woman were supposed to have gone to.  The group comes across a Mayan village, but not speaking the language, they have no way of communicating.  They find the dig site, on a hill, but no one is there.  They also realize the Mayans have followed them, armed with guns and bows, and aren't letting them leave.  And there's this plant, a vine really, covering the hill, and it totally isn't what it seems.

This book showcased horror and fear on a few different levels.  The first is being lost in another country.  The second is being trapped on this hill by the Mayans, with little in the way of food or water.  Although it seemed a bit extreme, one character thinks almost immediately that they could be stuck here for days or weeks and tries to come up with a survival strategy.  The third is the monster, which is this pervasive and deadly vine.  As the story goes on, the characters learn that this vine can burn with its sap; mimic sounds; create smells; and attack its victims.  Not your typical horror monster, but creepy nonetheless!

There's lots of gore, there's suspense, there's desperation, there's a bit of mystery - where did the vine come from, how did it get these supernatural powers, why don't the Mayans let anyone off the hill?  Is it some sort of sacrifice, an understanding with the vine?  Will anyone come looking for the tourists?  So many unanswered questions!  To prevent myself from having too many nightmares, I probably won't read much horror in the future, but it was definitely fun to read something like this at Halloween!

Try It, You Might Like It #2: Self-Help

"Try it, you might like it" - it's what someone says when they present you with some food you've never had before or your mom wants you to try on some clothes she picked out for you.  I'm using it here on the blog as inspiration to choose books in genres I don't normally read; to branch out from my reading comfort zones; and to maybe find some new favorites!

For this installment, I've chosen self-help books.  I don't think I've ever actually read a self-help book, but with the popularity of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing (Marie Kondo, 2014), I figured I'd see what all the hype was about.

Despite constant efforts to declutter your home, do papers still accumulate like snowdrifts and clothes pile up like a tangled mess of noodles?

Japanese cleaning consultant Marie Kondo takes tidying to a whole new level, promising that if you properly simplify and organize your home once, you'll never have to do it again. Most methods advocate a room-by-room or little-by-little approach, which doom you to pick away at your piles of stuff forever. The KonMari Method, with its revolutionary category-by-category system, leads to lasting results. In fact, none of Kondo's clients have lapsed (and she still has a three-month waiting list).

With detailed guidance for determining which items in your house "spark joy" (and which don't), this international best seller featuring Tokyo's newest lifestyle phenomenon will help you clear your clutter and enjoy the unique magic of a tidy home - and the calm, motivated mindset it can inspire. - from Goodreads

Marie Kondo has created a system for tidying and organizing a home that she claims will change lives.  While I agree with her overall message, I found some of her methods to be a little strange and impractical.

Kondo theorizes that an uncluttered home allows us to think more clearly, be confident in our decision-making, become healthier and happier, and help us realize our goals for the future.  I agree that not being bogged down by material items can help someone feel more relaxed and clear-headed, at least to a certain extent.  Some people just like "stuff," and as long as it's well-organized and neatly displayed, I don't see a problem with having lots of things.  When it gets to the point where you can't see your floors or you just have messy piles of things everywhere, ok, that's a problem.  I also think this could even be applied to the workplace - when my desk is tidy and organized, I feel like I can be more productive.

Kondo talks about clients who have thrown out 35 bags of clutter and 200 books on their first round of decluttering.  My husband and I live in a small condo that is pretty full right now, but pretty much everything has its place and our closets are neatly organized - I don't think we could get rid of that much stuff.  Kondo suggests only keeping those items that "spark joy" - my cleaning supplies don't spark joy, but I still need them, and they are kept neatly out of sight.  However, I do agree with trying to surround ourselves with only things that we LOVE, not just for the sake of having things or because they were a gift from someone.

I found some of Kondo's decluttering methods to be impractical.  She says we should not ball up our socks, but instead fold them and line them up in the drawer.  She also says we ladies should unpack our purses at the end of each day.  Some of these methods seem to add a lot of unnecessary work that most people just don't have time for.  As for documents, she basically suggests throwing everything out, as user manuals have no use and paystubs aren't needed past pay-day.  She also seems kind of unsentimental about things like photographs and books.

Kondo believes that one house-wide massive tidying-up is better than doing things piecemeal, even though it may take awhile.  I can't imagine having everything in my house in one big pile, touching each item and deciding if it sparks joy in my life, for possibly a month or more.  I believe doing a little at a time is still a great approach, so it's not completely overwhelming.

I don't know that I would read more self-help books in the future, maybe if I had some specific issue I wanted to work on (kinda obvious, that's what they're for!).  I think instead of trying to apply every piece of advice in a self-help book, I would just pick and choose the best methods that will work for me.  Sometimes you don't need a complete overhaul, but maybe just a change in your point of view, a new way of looking at things.  As far as Marie Kondo and her decluttering methods, I may try some of them, such as paring down our clothes, cleaning out those junk drawers, and getting rid of items we clearly don't need or use - but I'm still going to ball up our socks! 

Try It, You Might Like It #1: Autobiography/Memoir

"Try it, you might like it" - it's what someone says when they present you with some food you've never had before or your mom wants you to try on some clothes she picked out for you.  I'm using it here on the blog as inspiration to choose books in genres I don't normally read; to branch out from my reading comfort zones; and to maybe find some new favorites!  Thank you to my sister for suggesting this topic to me (hi, Michele!).

For this first installment, I've chosen autobiography/memoir.  I've read a few memoirs before (and even reviewed one here), but it's definitely not a genre I gravitate towards.  I decided on I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban by Malala Yousafzai (with Christina Lamb, 2013).

When the Taliban took control of the Swat Valley in Pakistan, one girl spoke out. Malala Yousafzai refused to be silenced and fought for her right to an education.

On Tuesday, October 9, 2012, when she was fifteen, she almost paid the ultimate price. She was shot in the head at point-blank range while riding the bus home from school, and few expected her to survive.

Instead, Malala's miraculous recovery has taken her on an extraordinary journey from a remote valley in northern Pakistan to the halls of the United Nations in New York. At sixteen, she has become a global symbol of peaceful protest and the youngest-ever Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

I Am Malala is the remarkable tale of a family uprooted by global terrorism, of the fight for girls' education, of a father who, himself a school owner, championed and encouraged his daughter to write and attend school, and of brave parents who have a fierce love for their daughter in a society that prizes sons. - from Goodreads

I chose this particular book because, first, I felt like everyone was reading it except me.  It also talks about a culture I'm not familiar with.  I can't quite put my finger on it, but there is usually something about the way autobiographies and memoirs are written that just turns me off.  But I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed I Am Malala.  It had a straightforward writing style that didn't feel pretentious at all.

Malala details the history of the Swat Valley in Pakistan and the various customs her culture observes, which were interesting to learn about.  Sometimes the numerous names of individuals and groups in the region were confusing, but I think the basic ideas came across.

Malala's family is not a typical family.  Her father was delighted at the birth of his daughter, and he encouraged her to go to school.  Malala loves school and learning and believes every child should have the same opportunity for education.  I didn't realize until I read this book how outspoken Malala was before she was targeted and shot by the Taliban.  She gave many public speeches and interviews and won prizes and awards for her efforts.

I found Malala's story to be very inspiring.  For someone so young to have such strong convictions is rare.  In some ways she is a typical young girl: she gossips with her friends and fights with her brothers.  To know she has accomplished so much already, and she is still only a teenager, makes me excited to see what she does in the future.

I know it's hard to judge an entire genre by one book, but Malala's story is beautiful, and if I could find other autobiographies or memoirs like this one, I think I would read more of them.