5 Books That Stuck with Me This Year

“Reading in bed in autumn is one of life’s true pleasures.”

– Unknown

As the air shifts, the days get shorter, and those autumn skies start to roll in, something stirs deep within my soul. I know for a fact all of you basic fall-loving bitches know exactly what I mean. The onset of September feels like one big giant permission slip to slow down, just because. What could be more of an invitation to lean into the season, than crunchy leaves, soups and stews, and pumpkin spice everything.

Book lovers, this season is for you.

Earlier this year, I set a goal to read a book a month and I’m proud to report I’m ahead of

schedule. That said, I’d be lying if I didn’t admit to quitting several books before chapter two. If I can quit a Netflix show mid-episode without a second thought, why wouldn’t I do the same with a book that isn’t cutting it? If I’m going to slow down and read for pleasure, it better damn well be pleasurable.

Here is my short but solid stack of standout reads from the year so far. These books made me think, feel, laugh, or question everything I thought I knew.

Mary Magdalene Revealed by Meggan Watterson

This book blew my mind right out of my skull and made me question everything I was taught in religion class at SJC. This book is best described as feminist theology, spiritual memoir, and historical reclaiming, specifically of Mary Magdalene’s true role in Christianity.

What if Mary wasn’t the repentant prostitute we were all told she was, but actually Jesus’s

number one disciple, and lover? I know, right?! What if she actually understood his teachings on a deeper level? What if his teachings were really about inner knowing and the divine is in all of us? What if we actually hold the power? This book changed me and I can’t wait for my “Justice for Mary Mags” t-shirt to arrive.

Read if: You are a seeker or a skeptic and a woman who always knew there was more to the

story.

Stolen Focus by Johann Hari

I’ll be honest, I was nervous to read this one because I live every day fighting to keep my own focus in check. Stolen Focus completely shifted the way I think about my phone, my attention span, and most importantly, my precious brain. Hari makes a powerful case that our inability to concentrate isn’t a personal failure, it’s a systemic problem fueled by (drumroll, please) the tech industry, hustle culture, and nonstop stimulation. I learned a ton and Hari’s message left me doubling down on our mission to slow down, care less and do more of nothing.

“You are not a machine. You are an animal whose needs include rest, exploration,

and deep focus.” ~ Johann Hari

Read if: You are tired of feeling scattered and ready to reclaim your focus.

Everyone is Lying To You by Jo Piazza

This juicy, funny, witty, fast-paced novel is loosely inspired by Ballerina Farm and influencer

culture, but beneath the satire, sourdough, and milk maid dresses is a poignant commentary on motherhood, ambition, and what it costs to build a picture-perfect life online. Spoiler alert: It’s all a facade. Piazza’s writing is smart, edgy, and full of moments that made me LOL. This is an easy read and very entertaining. I couldn’t put it down.

Read if: You’re addicted to Instagram stories that make you feel like you are failing at life but you are also into a good story with a killer twist.

Lost Connections by Johann Hari

I picked this up after I finished Stolen Focus. There is a joke about hypefocus in there

somewhere, but I’ll stay on topic. Lost Connection explores the root causes of depression and anxiety, beyond just chemical imbalances. This topic has always interested me as I have navigated mental health struggles of my own over the years. Hari argues that many of our mental health struggles are deeply tied to disconnection: from purpose, from each other, from nature. He makes a strong case.

Read if: You’ve ever felt alone in your struggles, or wondered if there's a better way forward.

Quit Like a Woman by Holly Whitaker

Part memoir and part cultural critique, this book offers a fresh perspective on drinking. The

biggest takeaway? How much our relationship with alcohol has been shaped by marketing. It’s sold to women as self-care, empowerment, even wellness. Booze never felt like self-care to me, and when the author breaks it down for what it really is (ahem, ethanol), it finally makes sense why.

Read if: You’ve ever asked yourself why you drink or if you really want to.

For more of what I’m reading (and watching and listening to), be sure to tune into Cozy
Conversations for new episodes every Thursday. Every episode ends with our favorite segment: Reading, Watching, Listening.

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