Simple Meals + Honest Book Reviews + Practical Living
As the year wrapped up, I realized just how much reading I managed to fit into life with a baby and three young kids. I set a very modest goal of 30 books — and ended the year around 72.
To close out 2023, here are 23 standout reads, spanning fiction, thrillers, romance, and nonfiction. These are not ranked — just books I truly loved.
For our December book club, I’m thrilled to share a truly thoughtful and beautiful novel: The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammer. I’ll admit—at first glance, the subject matter might feel heavy. This is a fictional story centered around a death doula, her work, and her personal life. But I hope you won’t let that deter you. This book is poignant, inspiring, and deeply life-affirming in the most unexpected way. 🤍
There’s so much to juggle — errands, house projects, hosting, kids, meals — and it can drain you fast if you tackle it all piecemeal. I’m sharing how batching — grouping similar chores and errands together — can help you save time, mental energy, and decision fatigue. Listen below, or skim the highlights and full transcript to see how I plan my days to stay ahead (without burning out).
Today, we’re diving into our November book club pick: Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See. I really enjoyed this novel — it was rich with cultural detail and beautifully immersive. But I also had plenty of issues with it, which I’m excited to unpack with you today!