My MarchReads!

I left Dakar on March 4th and went back to the US. To say that my nervous system was in shock and my routine was out of whack is an understatement. During my near three months in Dakar, I spent very little time on social media, even deleting my apps and more time reading. I fell short of my reading goal this month, but still got some good reads in and had so much fun at my book club!

If you want to join my monthly book club, the info is at the end of this email.

1. The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba by Chantel Cleeton: This was the fourth book in the series that started with last month’s book club selection “Next Year in Havana.” I was a bit disappointed in this book because I loved the other ones so much. I didn’t truly connect with the characters in the book though I did appreciate the historic setting and learning more about how publishing operated in NYC in that era. Marina was the stand out character for me and I enjoyed following the growth of the relationship between Grace and Rafael. 3.5/5 listened to on Libby

2. Plastic Inc.: The Secret History and Shocking Future of Big Oil’s Biggest Bet by Beth Gardiner: This book is a must read for everyone on this planet! It walks you through, in painstaking detail, the origins, maintenance and vast expansion of plastic production globally. Hint: It was spurred by a deep desire for corporate profits and not to waste anything when processing oil into fuel. I learned a lot reading this, particularly the use of PR campaigns to shift the blame of plastic waste to individuals, from the corporations that produce it. Please read this and yes, it has spurred me to change a lot about my behavior as it relates to plastic and all things disposable. 5/5 listened to on Libby

3. The Art of Hearing Heartbeats by Jan-Phillipp Sendker: This was my second time reading this book, as I selected it for my March book club pick. I read it back in 2018 so didn’t remember it clearly but I knew I loved it. After reading it again, it confirmed my love of this book. It is a beautiful love story which transported me back to my time in Burma. To know a love as beautiful and long lasting as Tin Win and Mi Mi is one we can all only long for. I loved the twist at the end as well. I cried A LOT in this book as there is so much heartbreak and loss, but in those losses was proof of so much love. This is a book that is hard to put down! 5/5 read the paperback

4. Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage by Belle Burden: This book required a lot of courage to write. It was recommended to me by my photo editor while on set. I was hooked from the first chapter; it took me less than a day to finish! To share this level of intimate detail about a deep betrayal and her leaving herself wholly unprotected was fascinating, particularly because she is a lawyer. She rebuffed legal advice in the name of love. They built a beautiful life together and she has her kids and that is a beautiful thing. She touches on her privilege which I can appreciate, but what I think might not be clear for people who don’t understand this level of privilege is that this is the story of the 1% perhaps the 0.5%! 4.5/5 Listened to on Spotify.

5. Just For the Summer by Abby Jimenez: I enjoyed this book, though I felt it dragged at times . This was the third book in the “Part of Your World” series, but I took too much time between the books and now want to go back and reread the first two to connect all of the characters. I appreciated the themes of serious mental health challenges that were explored through a rom com. 3.5/5 listened to on Audible

Have you read any of these books? Did you enjoy them?

As always, if you have recommendations, please send them over. But only share if you would rate them 5 out of 5!

I started a monthly book club last year, aptly titled “Catch Us Reading.” Our next book is Kin by Tayari Jones. If you are not already on the book club email list, please sign up here. We will be meeting virtually on April 26th this month!

Be well. Travel well. Live well. Until next time: catch me if you can!

- Jessica