Hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl
The original theme for this week was “Books I HAD to Have Immediately but Still Haven’t Read.” It’s quite rare for me to buy books without immediately reading them, so I’m tweaking the topic a little to talk about some library books on my TBR list that I am looking forward to reading instead.
1. The End of My Life Is Killing Me: The Unexpected Joys of a Cancer Slacker by Annabelle Gurwitch
Why I’m Interested: Stage 4 cancer doesn’t seem like something that’s inherently funny, but I’m drawn to the idea of making the best of whatever is happening to you and trying to find the humour in hard circumstances when possible. No, I’m not talking about toxic positivity here. Think of it more like living in the moment and looking for the good when you can.
2. The Pillow Book of Sei Shonagon: The Diary of a Courtesan in Tenth Century Japan by Sei Shōnagon, Dennis Washburn , Arthur Waley
Why I’m Interested: I’ve never read a book like this before.
3. Church Girl by Naima Simone
Why I’m Interested: Every so often I peek over into the romance genre to see if anything looks interesting, and this is one of those rare titles from it that I might want to read.
4. I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
Why I’m Interested: My parents and the vast majority of my other relatives are wonderful human beings with whom I have warm, healthy relationships, but I also know what it’s like to be related to or otherwise socially connected to someone who stirs up difficult and painful emotions. If only we lived in a world that was more open to discussing such topics and emotionally supporting people who don’t have the “typical” reaction to complex relationships or the death of a relative. You never know what’s really going on behind the scenes in a family or social group in general, so these folks won’t receive any judgement from me about how they should behave under these circumstances.
5. The Future of Work Is Grey: The Untapped Value of Age in the Workforce by Dan Pontefract
Why I’m Interested: This isn’t something that personally affects me (yet, of course), but I wholeheartedly support all efforts to reduce and eliminate discrimination, especially in the workplace given that just about everyone must work for a living. There’s absolutely no reason to make the job hunt harder than it already is for many folks!
6. The Beauty of Being Weird: A Psychologist’s Guide to Living Guilt-Free by Sergi Rufi
Why I’m Interested: There is definitely something to be said for learning to be comfortable in your own skin.
7. Playmakers: The Jewish Entrepreneurs Who Created the Toy Industry in America by Michael Kimmel
Why I’m Interested: This is another slice of history I know nothing about, but I want to change that.
8. You x Me by Ayla Vejdani
Why I’m Interested: I know nothing about dating app culture these days, so this anthology could be a good read. (Can you tell I love learning new stuff?)
9. Homesick for a World Unknown: The Life of George B. Schaller by Miriam Horn
Why I’m Interested: I’m intrigued by the lives of scientists who worked generations ago and want to know more about their lives and accomplishments.
10. Big Worlds: Politics and Elections in the Canadian Provinces and Territories by Jared J. Wesley
(Apologies, but this was as large as this image could be sized).
Why I’m Interested: Canadian culture is fascinating and I love learning about the differences between one place here and another. It’s not a topic that our local news covers very often, and I have not travelled to most parts of my country yet.
Fab list. The Beauty of Being Weird looks great!
Thank you. I’m glad you think so.
Playmakers looks really interesting, and I hadn’t come across it before. I’ve read I’m Glad My Mom Died. It’s very upsetting but quite powerful, and I especially appreciated the audiobook version narrated by the author.
Thanks for the heads up. I might have to listen to the audiobook instead.
I think dating app culture is bound to be….depressing. I never hear anything good about it. I’d lost all interest in dating myself when one of my friendships suddenly took on another aspect!
The Jennette McCurdy title is….intriuging. I liked watching her on iCarly, so as interested as I am in the actor I also don’t want to ruin the show for me. (I watched it babysitting my niece and nephew — they also got me into Phineas and Ferb. XD)
I’ve never seen iCarly, but maybe I should watch it sometime. What a fun way for you to connect with your niece and nephew.
I also want to try The Pillow Book.
I had to do something special today, alas: https://wordsandpeace.com/2026/07/28/top-ten-books-by-keigo-higashino-1958-2026/
Cool!
These all look like interesting books! When they do come in, I hope you enjoy each and every one.
Thank you. 🙂
I’m Glad My Mom Died was such a heartbreaking read but I really respect the author for talking about hard things. The End of My Life is Killing Me and The Future of Work is Grey both look really interesting too! Enjoy your books!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
I read Church Girl and was surprised by how much I enjoyed it! I hope you do as well 🙂 I also still need to read McCurdy’s book and of course, I’ve heard very positive things about it, but the hype is kinda intimidating, lol. I hope you enjoy all of these books whenever you get to them though!
So glad to hear that, Dini!
Great List!
Thanks.
The Future of Work is Gray sounds very interesting. AI affects my entire job and the corresponding data centers are trying to destroy my neighborhood so I may request this one. Thanks!
I hope you like it! I’m sorry those data centres are doing that. It makes me angry.
Changing this to library books was a great twist on the topic. I do enjoy sharing library love!
Thank you. I love to spotlight my local library on TTT posts on occasion.
I’m Glad My Mom Died is such a great read, but also a hard read! I hope you enjoy it when you get to it!
Thank you. Fingers crossed.
The cover of that first book has my LOL-ing! Also, I have heard good things about Jennette’s book! It did really well on the charts (if I remember right) and people seemed like to like it. 🙂 Thanks for visiting my list today.
You’re welcome, and glad to hear it.
I heard many great reviews for I’m Glad My Mom Died, even if it’s such a heard book. Hope you’ll enjoy all of these!
Thank you. 🙂
These all look like some quite serious reading. I hope you get to enjoy some of them soon.
Thanks!
Very nice list Lydia!
The End of My Life sounds like a book that could give many people a breath of fresh air I think. Cancer has run its course in so many families at this point.
I have been hesitant to read I’m Glad My Mom Died just due to the negative emotions that will without a doubt be brought up in my own life. It sucks when you did not have the best relationship with a parent that has passed away. Maybe I will give it a try anyways.
Thank you for visiting my post today 🙂
You’re welcome. I wish you well as you decide whether or if to read those titles. It’s hard to deal with triggering stuff for sure.
These all look good, I hope you enjoy them! I have seen that McCurdy book all over the place it’s so popular.
Thank you, and it sure has been.
Despite the topic, the cover of The End of My Life Is Killing Me is adorable!
I know, right? 🙂
I’m a little jealous at your ability to read the print books you buy! I am not terrible at it but it was still easy to find 10 that had slipped through the cracks 😂 I hope you enjoy all the books on your list!
Aww, thanks.
I’m Glad My Mom Died is amazing.
Yay! Glad to hear it.
Lots of intriguing titles here! 🙌
Thank you.
Great list. I hope you enjoy them when you get a chance to read them.
Thanks!
I’m very curious about I’M GLAD MY MOTHER DIED. I’ve heard good things about it. I hope you enjoy it and all these others when you get to them.
Happy TTT (on a Wednesday)!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
May you enjoy it!
When I originally saw I’m Glad My Mother Died when people were posting reviews, I immediately said, No Way will I read that. But, I did and it was not what I was expecting. It was heartbreaking though. I wish I just added books to my library shelf, I tend to buy way too many, then not have time to get to them.
Thank you for sharing. I really appreciate it.
I absolutely love that you’re utilizing your library this way! 😀 Yay for supporting libraries. “The End of My Life Is Killing Me” has a super striking title and funny cover, which seems so at odds with the subject matter. Makes me super curious to check it out!
Aww, thanks. Libraries are the best. I’m reading The End of My Life Is Killing Me now!
I hope you enjoy reading these books 🙂 You x Me sounds interesting – I hear such mixed things about dating apps!
Thank you, and same here.