On the Jill list, this is 'Read the last five of Jill’s book club books and discuss'. These are books Tessa was gifted to by Jill. She told me that when she turned 30, Jill sent her what she called "Tessa and Jill's Blind Date Book Club" which was a big box with 30 books in it, each wrapped in brown paper with some words written on the front as clues. She was meant to guess what each book was from the clues and write her guess into a little spreadsheet. At the time of Jill's passing she had apparently read all but 5. She had forwarded these to Anna, who in turn was to forward them to me. But realising the end of year was fastly approaching, and rather than put pressure on Anna to finish reading these, I decided I would just read 5 new books.
I'm not a big reader, not because I don't enjoy it, but because I'm a slow reader, and I'm often bad for starting a book and putting it down and forgetting about it. But this year, because of the Jill list I've actually got into reading a little more. It started with reading, what I consider one of the most depressing books I've read in my life 'A Little Life' by Hanya Yanagihara - you can check out my full review of that book here:
This then kicked off a short lived/failed Jill Book Club. We only read two more books, 'Three Women' by Lisa Taddeo and 'Homecoming' by Kate Morton which we are still yet to discuss. As with everything, people get busy and life gets in the way, so our book club has stalled. Whether it recommences when everyone has more time who's to say. But it did inspire me to read more and to continue to read more. Earlier in the year I also read my cousin's books 'The Magpie's Sister by Kerri Turner and 'The Next Thing On My List' by Jill Smolinski which was gifted to me by my friend Sarah.
So without realising it, I actually already had read 5 new books before when I decided I would make a variation to this item on the list. But to claim these as my 5 books didn't feel challenging, so I tasked myself with reading 5 more new books instead.
1. Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey - Finished reading 17/10/23
I had recently seen an interview between Matthew McConaughey and Jimmy Fallon where they were talking about his book which came out in 2020. I quite enjoyed his story and philosophies and he certainly writes the way he speaks, so it was easy to hear that McConaughey voice as I was reading. He certainly has lived an interesting and spiritual life.
2. I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy - Finished reading 25/10/23
I was a little too old for the iCarly tv show phenomenon, but I was aware of the show and had seen the odd episode here and there. When this book came out I saw multiple interviews with Jeanette McCurdy and her story sounded so interesting and she spoke so intelligently, so this book was on my radar. It was a really interesting read and is amazing to hear what goes on in someone's mind behind the scenes. Comes back to that whole Instagram vs Reality conversation and not really knowing the struggles someone could be facing.
3. The Subtle Art Of Not Giving A Fuck by Mark Manson - Finished reading 21/11/23
I had two other books on order that I wanted to read, so I needed a 'filler in' book whilst waiting for those to arrive, so I didn't lose my reading mojo. So I just went to Kmart and this one caught my eye. Coincidentally, my Dad who was on a holiday at the time picked up the same book at an airport and had started reading it too. If I'm being honest, the book wasn't anything to rave about, but it had its comical and insightful moments. But the last chapter made up for where it was lacking. The last chapter is called ‘…And Then You Die’ and it’s about the author staring over the edge of Cape of Good Hope in South Africa and facing one’s mortality. It then goes into talking about one’s legacy, see photo below and of course made me think of Jill's legacy.
I just thought this was cool, always finding little pieces of Jill in the most random of places. It also made me wonder if Jill had ever been to Cape of Good Hope herself, and so I did a Facebook search and found out that of course she had been there, with her sister Megan and brother in law Jye in 2019!
4. Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate - Finished reading 30/12/23
I had seen this recommended on Facebook, but I could not find it locally, so I ordered it from Amazon. I don't have a kindle, so I'm old school and purchase books. I must admit after finishing my last book, my reading mojo did die off a little. I've been busy in the lead up to the Xmas, so I started this one later than I should have, so this last week I have made sure to keep myself on task with finishing this by the end of the year. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, but it was a sad story. While the characters in this book where fictional, the story is based on real life events of a Tennessee adoption agency that kidnapped children and then sold them to wealthy families. Many children at the home were often abused, or—in some instances—murdered. It's scary to think that these terrible things have happened and scarier to think that things like this still happen. Google search 'Georgia Tann' for more information into the horrid crimes this lady was involved in at this home, all for power and profit. Unfortunately she died before she could ever answer to any of her crimes.
5. Freefall by Brad Guy - Finished reading 31/12/23
I had heard this author discussing his book on the radio a while back, so it was another one on my radar. I ordered this book back in October and it was supposed to come into the book store early November. Then it was delayed and I was told early December, but it still didn't arrive. Given I was running out of time, and I was still reading book 4, I thought I would just use one of the books I'd read earlier in the year as my book no. 5, but then the book arrived in store on the 29th December. Luckily the book was a lot smaller than I was anticipating - only 95 pages! So after finishing book 4 only yesterday 30/12, it was a mad rush to the end but I completed this book this morning 31/12. This was again another interesting story to read. I've been skydiving once and I, fortunately, had an amazing experience.
But this book was moreso about the recovery and depression that followed in the wake of the accident. One thing I loved about this book was actually a passage in a review/recommendation included at the begining on this book highlighted below:
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