February Reads... in the middle of March

I've been traveling a lot lately and just can't seem to get my self together and get my "to do" lists at home done.  I've been wanting to post my February reads since March 2nd, but alas just now sitting down to write this "February Reads" post. 

In no particular order here they are.

Hello Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly

Audiobook with my daughter.  4 star read.  I liked how the author did a great job tying in diversity: race/ethnicity, and learning disability into this story.  Virgil who's nickname is "turtle", thanks to his family, is bullied at school, by one boy in particular.  He's not alone, he wants to be friends with  Valencia Sommerset. Valencia has her own struggles due to being deaf.  Despite this disability she comes across being very independent, strong, and secure in herself.  I appreciated this depiction of Valencia, instead of typical quiet, weak, frail deaf girl picture seen in so many other narratives with a deaf child.  The story is an adventure story and I thought it was very good, up until the end when the abrupt ending disappointed me.  My daughter really enjoyed this story and the characters.  

Lost for Words by Stephanie Butland

Another audiobook- 4 stars.  I'm a sucker for a book that takes place in a library or a bookstore.  This book was good, but the content was harsher than I thought it was going to be.  Loveday is the main character.  She is a young adult who lives on her own and works in a used book store.  Her boss Archie is her friend, and coworker Melody, not so much.  Loveday's past and present life intersect throughout the telling of this story.  It was not a feel good book, but was a real picture of what happens in people's lives.  

A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving

This book has been on my physical "to be read" shelf for a couple of years.  I've had many friends say they love this book, it is one of their favorites.  So when I was recently on Anne Bogel's "What Should I Read Next" podcast and she suggested this book as a book for me to read I took it as a sign.  My goal for this year of reading was to work on reading some long books, and this is a long one- 637 pages.  I dove in feet first and found the first 300 pages really a "struggle bus" read.  I felt like I was reading and not going anywhere.  The story line is basically there is a boy- Owen Meany, and his best friend- John Wheelwright.  They have some fun adventures, and not so fun adventures together.  I can't say a whole lot or else I'll ruin the story for those that want to open this book.  Many of my friends and respected Bookies, loved this book so don't let me be the one to rain on John Irving's Owen Meany parade.  I think the last 336 pages redeemed the book for me.  I just felt like I was getting frustrated with the first half; not getting the answers I wanted and feeling like I was reading in circles.  In general I'm a person of high expectations and so I fear my expectations for this book were above it's earthly ability.  I gave it three stars.

The Reality-Based Rules of the Workplace by Cy Wakeman

4 star read.  I read this book for a book club my work colleagues had.  I was a tad bit skeptical about the book club, but I think those of us that attended found it to be a good and positive experience.  Cy Wakeman is a motivational speaker and has many books, you tube videos, and podcasts out there addressing issues in the work place.  I appreciated her no nonsense approach to getting down and dirty in addressing work place issues.  She has some great quotes that bring to light issues in the work place and how to fix them.  I feel this book would be great for any work place to read together and discuss.  

Becoming by Michelle Obama

4 star read- this was the Bookies pick for February.  I enjoyed this book quite a bit.  I also had PTSD at the end of the book with the discussion of the Obama's end of their White House days, the election in 2016 and current state of the WH.  Michelle is a very well read, well spoken, intelligent, and true "leading lady".  I appreciated her honesty about what it was like being a part of the political scene- first in Illinois, then on national stage, and ending at the White House.  I also appreciated reading about her upbringing and her childhood background.  She is a self-made woman and we need many more of those in today's "privileged" society.  Great read, but alas did give me some tears and heart ache over our current administration and the what could have been if Hillary had won the electoral college and not just the popular vote.  So grateful she and her husband were in the WH for 8 years.