As I write this, I still can’t believe that it’s 2021. While 2020 was filled with chaotic doom of the unknown, it did make many of us realize the little luxuries that we used to take for granted. I’ve definitely learned.

Even if it’s not completely true, I think of January as a clean slate. It’s the perfect time to read that non-fiction book that’s been collecting dust or dive into a new literary adventure. I’m trying to work on reading more books that I wouldn’t normally gravitate to. Time to switch things up a bit.

Let Me Tell You What I Mean by Joan Didion: I think it’s safe to say that Team GG has read its fair share of Joan Didion. She is one of my favorite non-fiction writers, always finding a way with words that give me clarity and comfort.
The Far Away Girl by Sharon Maas: Maas gives us an emotional journey through the eyes of 7-year-old Rita, whose world is turned upside down with the arrival of her new stepmom. She finds solace in making new discoveries of the mother she never knew, but a dark family secret threatens it all.
Burnt Sugar: A Novel by Avni Doshi: This chaotic take on a fragile mother-daughter relationship truly made me appreciate my own childhood and relationship with my parents. Even when things seem terribly wrong, Doshi has a way of making you feel empathy for each character.
Confessions of a Curious Bookseller: A Novel by Elizabeth Green: A story that takes place mostly in a used bookstore? So very GG. Fawn Birchill adores her bookstore in West Philly, but a new indie book store threatens everything she’s built. This book is a fun escape from whatever reality you’re facing.
Lie, Lie Again: A Novel by Stacy Wise: Three women’s stories come together under the roof of 1054 Mockingbird Lane when a body at the bottom of the apartment staircase is found. Now, three neighbors must wade through lies, secrets and revenge to uncover the ultimate truth.
A Glimmer of Death by Valerie Wilson Wesley: Odessa Jones has a psychic gift, but even her ability to read emotions and foretell danger couldn’t prepare her for the death of her own husband. As she tries to piece her life back together, she finds herself entangled in a workplace horror that changes everything.
All That We Carried: A Novel by Erin Bartels: Forgiveness is never a light topic. Ten years after sisters Olivia and Melanie Greene lost their parents in a car accident, they are still trying to cope with their loss. A hike in the Porcupine Mountains of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula threatens to tear the sisters further apart if only they can learn to work together once again.
Rituals Roadmap: The Human Way to Transform Everyday Routines into Workplace Magic by Erica Keswin: I’m a huge fan of facts and numbers, and Keswin’s research takes you through the prominent workrooms of Starbucks, Microsoft, Chipotle and more. In this world of remote work, you’ll definitely be able to find a way to create your own work rituals.
Aftershocks: A Memoir by Nadia Owusu: This memoir is often compared to The Glass Castle thanks to Owusu’s unstable, nomadic childhood. Layered in family secrets, you’ll often forget that this actually happened. Aftershocks follows Owusu’s journey to self-discovery while finding a way out of the wreckage.