Another five books down already; I’m getting through these books way too quickly.
30 books in the bag now for 2020, I’m almost at my target of 52 books for the year. I remember thinking in January that just surpassing my number of 15 for 2019 would be good enough, but it seems that I may actually be able to surpass 52 if I keep this consistency up.
Anyhow, here are the five most recent books I’ve read and as always you can keep up to date with my books over on Instagram at @ocbookshelf.

1. SHOE DOG BY PHIL KNIGHT
I read Shoe Dog in the space of three days. It was personal, funny and a great insight to the beginnings of the Nike sports brand.
I guess it’s true when they say, ‘Do what you know,’ as Phil Knight was an avid runner, going on to sell running shoes and then building the sporting empire that is Nike.
The book was a 5/5 for me as I hadn’t the slightest clue about the brand, how it came about or that it started in Oregon. When I think of Nike, I just think of some large billion-dollar corporation. I don’t think of one guy in his parents’ house in Oregon, trying to sell shoes imported from Japan in the 70’s.
It’s a truly great book that shows how something so small can grow into something much larger than you ever imagine.

2. WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING BY DELIA OWENS
Oh my word, what a book. At the beginning, I wasn’t convinced and it did take me a while to get into it as the book flits between past and present quite a lot.
However, I’m so glad I stuck with it as it took me two full days to read. An excellent book that is written so perfectly. I can even imagine that this book might be made into a movie in the future.
I’m definitely getting back into my love for fiction books and somehow, the hype around best-selling books is mostly always for a good reason!

3. THE TATTOOIST OF AUSCHWITZ BY HEATHER MORRIS
Another book I couldn’t put down, I finished reading The Tattooist of Auschwitz in just one day.
It’s a relatively short story, so was easy to get through quickly, but the story is what kept me reading. A harrowing, awful insight into the concentration camps during the second world war, this book tells of a Slovak prisoner who finds love within the camp walls.
Based on a true story, I’m surprised this hasn’t been made into a movie yet. A truly great book.

4. THE ONE THING: THE SURPRISINGLY SIMPLE TRUTH BEHIND EXTRAORDINARY RESULTS BY GARY KELLER
I purchased this book on New York-Irish influencer @retroflame’s recommendation, but I have to say, I didn’t really rate it. The entire book was centered around the ‘one thing’.
The ‘one thing’ you could do right now that would get you closer to your goals. The ‘one thing’ you could do this week, this month, this year etc. I just feel like this could have been written as a blog post instead of a book.

5. BIG LITTLE LIES BY LIANE MORIARTY
I watched the TV series in the space of two days last summer and I was obsessed. I was so eager to read the book to see how it would compare.
I loved this book. I got through all 500 pages in the space of one weekend because it was so easy to read. There were a few changes from the TV series, like the setting and the ending, but other than that, I couldn’t put it down.
I think it really helps if you’ve already seen the TV show or the film, as you can picture everything in your head already and imagine the book playing out in your head.
If you’ve watched the TV series and liked it, then I would fully recommend reading the book. Even if you haven’t yet watched the TV series, I couldn’t recommend it enough!
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