2025 Pithy Book Reviews
#1. The Amen Effect by Rabbi Sharon Brous: This was a good first read of the year with a lot of reminders about the power of community and showing up.
#2. Super Psyched: Unleash the Power of the 4 Types of Connection and Live the Life You Love by Dr. Adam Dorsay: I underlined a lot of well-said points in this book about the deeper reasons we need to connect not only to others (in a personal way), but also to ourselves, to the world around us, and to something greater than ourselves. Listen to Dr. Adam on episode #132 of Dear Nina. And you can hear me on Dr. Adam’s show in episode #247 of SuperPsyched, “A Conversation With Nina Badzin”).
#3. Styles of Joy by SC Perot: This was a delightful memoir from Vanderbilt professor, SC Perot, and how she overcame the grief of her divorce in the most unexpected (to her) way– through becoming a Harry Styles superfan and attending many of his concerts around the world. I was fascinated about the fellow fans–strangers–who became her friends. Look for an episode on Dear Nina in late Feb or early March.
#4. A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows by Diana Gabaldon: This is an Outlander novella! I’m a big fan of the show, but I’ve never read the books. I don’t want to go back and read all the books now that I’m so far into the series. However, a novella here and there is fun for me.
#5. What I Ate in One Year (and Other Related Thoughts) by Stanley Tucci: As much as I adore Stanley Tucci, this story was not great. I do love his voice, but there wasn’t enough of a narrative.
#6. You Didn’t Hear This From Me: (Mostly) True Notes on Gossip by Kelsey McKinney: currently reading as an early release on my kindle.
#7. On Brand by Aliza Licht: Currently reading
#8. Happy to Help: Adventures of a People Pleaser by Amy Wilson: currently listening
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