
Today I’m sharing five books that I’ve recently read and would recommend adding to your reading list. At the beginning of 2021, I set a goal to read 24 books this year, and I’m well on my way to that goal. I share some book recommendations in my Weekly Edit posts, but I thought I’d make a quick list of five books that I’ve loved. I’m sharing mostly fiction books, but I’ve also included one nonfiction book (it’s life changing!). If you’re looking for more recommendations, I made a list of the best books I read in 2020.
Five Books to Add To Your Reading List

Fast Girls: A Novel of the 1936 Women’s Olympic Team by Elise Hooper
This was a fascinating novel about the 1936 woman’s Olympic Track and Field team. It follows a few different woman and their turbulent rise to success during the era of the depression and Hitler’s rise to power. The novel highlights the struggles of women and especially black women to find credibility and fair treatment in a male dominated athletic world. It was interesting to hear that professional organizations were denouncing the participation of women in the Olympics with justification being that is was harmful to women to exert themselves in this way. I like hearing the stories of these women who paved the way for our generation.

Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones by James Clear
You’ve probably heard that success (whatever that means!) is less about motivation and discipline and more about having sustainable habits. This book breaks down the science of habits and gives practical tips for getting rid of bad habits and maintaining good ones. This book was life changing for me.

This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger
This historical fiction novel is set in the time of the Great Depression and follows the story of two brothers who end up at a school for Native American children after losing both of their parents. It is a heart-wrenching story that explores the issue of the treatment of Native Americans, and the lengths the brothers will go to find a permanent home for themselves.

Code Name Héléne by Ariel Lawhorn
I love historical fiction novels, and this one was no exception. It takes place during a few different time periods, before and during WWII. The main character of the novel is Nancy Wake (a real person) who is a reporter living in Paris where she witnesses the rise of Nazi Germany. She participates in the war effort as a smuggler of people across the border and as a special operative in charge of supplying weapons to the French resistance effort (hence the code name). I love reading true stories about bad ass woman so I loved this novel.

I actually read this book in 2019, but I wanted to include it on this list because it was so good. It’s like nothing I’ve read before. It’s a fantasy novel about Circe, a nymph and daughter of Helios (the sun god). She has no powers, but she learns witchcraft to protect herself. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I read this book and I’m usually not into this genre of books, but I ended up loving it.
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