what I’ve been reading…

by Kaylah Stroup

Without a doubt, buying a Kindle was one of the best purchases I’ve ever made. Throughout the years I’ve gone through different phases with reading. For the longest time I hated reading (thanks to being forced to read things I didn’t like in school) then I read obsessively. The last two years my numbers have been pretty low but things have definitely taken a turn since buying a Kindle. I’m finally at a point where I feel like I’m reading the perfect amount for me!

I swear I read so much faster on my Kindle, and the fact that I’m never without a book kind of rules. I can’t tell you how many times in the past I’d be somewhere, finish a book, and not have a new one to start but still have to carry around the weight of the one I finished. Books obviously aren’t that heavy but in my mind as soon as I’ve finished it it’s just dead weight, ya know? Now I basically always have at least three new books ready to read as soon as I finish my current and it adds no extra weight to my bag! I really can’t say enough good things about the Kindle Paperwhite. If you’re on the fence just go for it, you’re going to love it!

What I’ve been reading… 
▴  Playing Dead: A Journey Through the World of Death Fraud by Elizabeth Greenwood. Think the idea of faking your own death is exciting? Me too. That’s why I chose to read this book. Don’t worry though (Hi Mom!) this kind of changed my thoughts on the whole idea. In this book you read about lots of different people from the guy who helps folks fake their own death -for a handsome fee, of course – to the guy in charge of investigating whether or not someone is actually dead to the people who tried faking their death, and obviously failed for one reason or another. It was a super interesting read!

Smoke Gets in Your Eyes by Caitlin Doughty. For the longest time people have been telling me to read this book. I hesitated because I honestly couldn’t remember if I had read it or not already since I’d read so many books on the funeral industry. At some point they kind of all just blur together. I finally downloaded it on my Kindle and within a few pages I realized I definitely had not read it before. I was in love with her writing immediately. The book was filled with bits of morbid humor but also lots of interesting ideas that really make you think. While telling her story, which is interesting enough on it’s own, Caitlin Doughty makes so many important points about how our culture views, and essentially tries to hide death. If you read one book on the funeral industry, make it this one!

Riding Fury Home by Chana Wilson. This is a memoir by a woman who had a really rough childhood. Her mother was suicidal and she basically had to become the parent since her mother wasn’t able to take care of herself any longer. Many years later she learns that her mother’s anguish was because was in love with another woman. This wasn’t exactly a time in history when coming out as a lesbian was accepted and her mom dealt with some really horrible things in mental hospitals because of it. That’s the first half of the book. The second half is the author’s relationship with her mother as an adult after learning her story. I enjoyed the first half of the book. It was a little depressing, of course, but otherwise interesting. The second half of the book kind of dragged on and on for me though.

Dreamland: Adventures in the Strange Science of Sleep by David K Randall. This book is a super interesting look at one of the most important parts of everyone’s life – sleep! I loved this book and came away with a ton of factoids to ramble at Jeff about. I would recommend this book if you’re a fan of Mary Roach. I mean, he’s no Mary Roach, duh, but I’d venture to guess if you like her books you might like this one too.

Sex Object by Jessica Valenti. I had really high hopes for this book. Everywhere I looked I was being recommended that I read it. Basically every book I looked at on Amazon was like “Oh, you like this book? TrySex Object!” I’m not sure what I expected but I spent most of my time reading this wishing it was over because it made me feel uneasy. I probably wouldn’t recommend this one.

I woke Professor up specifically for this photo. You are welcome.

What have you been reading? 
xoxo 

Check out my ‘books‘ tag if you’re looking for more recommendations! 

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16 comments

Scout March 16, 2017 - 2:12 pm

Hey, can you expound on why Sex Object made you uneasy? I've been dying to get my hands on that one, so I'd love to know more, especially if it might not be worth it. Some spoilers are okay. You can email me at ashicoth@gmail.com if you'd prefer!

Kaylah March 18, 2017 - 4:31 pm

It's hard to explain. I just didn't love her tone or feel any connection to the writing. It had such good reviews I kind of felt like I was alone in that but some commenters below expressed the same feelings.

If it's something you're interested in I definitely wouldn't want to sway you from reading it! If you do end up reading it, I'd be interested in hearing what ya think!

Alexandra March 16, 2017 - 2:26 pm

Adding "Playing Dead" and "Dreamland" to my list immediately! One day I'm going to cave on buying a Kindle and it will definitely be because of you 🙂

Kaylah March 18, 2017 - 4:22 pm

I think you'd really love it! I can't believe how much more I read now that I have one. It's just so convenient.

Lisa N. March 16, 2017 - 2:35 pm

That's good you found the Kindle to be helpful and that you read more with it! I just discovered that my library has books online last month and that was also exciting because I could decide I want to read a book at home and then get it right away on my laptop.

Kaylah March 18, 2017 - 4:22 pm

I'm still in shock that the library lets you borrow books to your kindle. It's seriously THE COOLEST. It's saved me SO much money.

Katie March 16, 2017 - 2:42 pm

I love my Kindle! I was on the fence about getting one but I'm completely converted now. I used to carry 2-3 books around with me and I don't know how I did it!

Jotting down these recs. I'm really into Stephen King at the moment – currently halfway through IT and I love it.

Katie | And Katie

Kaylah March 18, 2017 - 4:23 pm

Yeah, carrying multiple books around is for the birds!

Kate @ GreatestEscapist.com March 16, 2017 - 6:30 pm

I didn't like Sex Object, either, & I was really hoping to. I had such high hopes for Jessica Valenti, but this book just fell very flat for me. I found her to be very unlikable & to be surprisingly off-tone.

Kaylah March 18, 2017 - 4:24 pm

Exactly. I just didn't vibe with her!

Tana Kiwifruit March 16, 2017 - 7:11 pm

I love sex AND feminist books so I thought sex object was going to be great! I even like Jessica Valenti but I alsodidn't like the book and was really uncomfortable the whole time. Book twins.

Kaylah March 18, 2017 - 4:25 pm

So weird! I thought I was alone in it too since it has so many good reviews. I just didn't dig it.

House of Asheroo March 17, 2017 - 3:50 am

Recently read Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea (fantastic read), Furiously Happy, Spook, and Rain: A Natural and Cultural History. Currently Reading H is for Hawk and A Walk in the Woods. In my cart right now is Let's Pretend This Never Happened, Packing for Mars, and Lab Girl! Thanks for showing me the way to Mary Roach!

Kaylah March 18, 2017 - 4:26 pm

Certainly sounds like you have a ton of good books in your future!

Jasilyn Albert March 17, 2017 - 6:05 am

I love these posts because you have a great taste in books. There was a woman on the podcast Criminal who talked about faking her own death, and it just seems so complicated. I'm interested in reading that book.

Kaylah March 18, 2017 - 4:27 pm

Definitely seems complicated, especially these days with cameras, and technology EVERYWHERE.

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