• Author
• Recent Posts

Jess Rogers

Hi readers! I’m Jessica, or as I was known for most of high school, Vicki’s sister. I am also the proud aunt of her daughter, who I call Peanut. I’m a lifelong reader and credit a lot of that to my parents reading with me as a kid. Whether I am rereading Harry Potter for the thousandth time, rediscovering my love for YA fiction, or powering through a stack of non-fiction titles, I always have a book in my hands.

Latest posts by Jess Rogers (see all)

• Spooky YA Books that Bring Adult Scares - October 24, 2019
• Untold Histories: Stuff I Wish I Had Learned in School - August 12, 2019
• When Reality is Stranger than Fiction: 5 Must Read Memoirs - June 6, 2019

As far as I am concerned, the year officially begins in February. January is essentially one long recovery from the hectic holiday season. It is basically a hangover. A physical, emotional and financial hangover. Which is why I have such a hard time making resolutions in January. I need a buffer zone between Christmas indulging and the responsibility and effort that a new year brings.

I know that New Year’s resolutions can be a bit controversial. Some people swear by them, but many see them as a giant trap that you will eventually give up by March. Personally, I consider resolutions not to be challenges, but as a way to zero in on areas of your life you want to work on. And for the record, resolutions don’t need to be serious and scary. Trust me, they can be fun.

Standard Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a commission from purchases you make through the links in this post.

If your resolution is to cook more…

Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking by Samin Nosrat

One Saturday night while I was home sick, I found the four-part miniseries on Netflix that this book inspired. After the first ten minutes I was hooked, as chef and writer Samin Nosrat traveled to Italy, Japan and Mexico studying the basics of what makes food tastes good. I binged all four episodes and first thing the next morning I was at the grocery store and inviting a friend over for dinner.

Nosrat believes that anyone can be a good cook once they understand the importance of salt, fat, acid and heat in the cooking process. Her book is part instructional manual and part cookbook, with easy to comprehend science and cooking basics that will make anyone feel like Julia Child. Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat takes all the intimidation out of cooking and will inspire anyone to spend more time in the kitchen.

If your resolution is to take control of your mental health…

Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things by Jenny Lawson

I can’t fully express how much I love Jenny Lawson, aka The Bloggess. Her hilarious, relatable blog is one of my go-to solutions for a bad day.  I challenge anyone to make it through her blog entry about purchasing a giant metal chicken, that she named Beyoncé, without laughing.

In her second book, Jenny delves into her struggles with mental health, an issue that many find hard to laugh about. Jenny is very open and upfront about her struggles with mental illness. From her hilarious inner monologue at her therapist’s office, to her brutally honest chapter on trichotillomania, she holds nothing back. Her writing will inspire anyone to face their issues head on, with a healthy dose of humor along the way.

Related Post: Resolve to Change Your Outlook with These Books on Happiness!

If your resolution is to break your reality TV addiction…

My Fair Lazy: One Reality Television Addict’s Attempt to Discover If Not Being A Dumb Ass Is the New Black; Or, A Culture-Up Manifesto by Jen Lancaster

When my sister was in the hospital, my job was to keep her laughing when she was in pain. She asked me to bring her a book and I brought her the complete works of Jen Lancaster. Part ludicrous, part self-deprecating, Jen is unafraid of chronicling her most embarrassing moments for our amusement. And I love her for it.

In My Fair Lazy, Jen comes to the uncomfortable realization that she has become fairly shallow. While she once could hold conversations about political issues and literature, she realizes that her days are now filled with diatribes on the Real Housewives and celebrity marriages. Resolved to achieve “cultural enlightenment”, she jumps into a crash course of opera, classic literature and artisan cheeses. She would never give up on Bravo completely, but her foray into the finer things in life will make you want to do the same. Think of it as Eat, Pray, Love but far more affordable.

If your resolution is to get out of your comfort zone….

Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed

By now you may have already read this book, or seen the movie, but maybe it is time for a revisit. I have no intention of hiking the Pacific Coast Trail like Cheryl does, but her story was inspiring, nonetheless. Wanting to recover from her divorce, the death of her mother, and her heroin addiction, Cheryl sets off on an over 1,000 mile trek with far too much equipment and very little training.

Her struggles along the trail and her unwillingness to give up will make you wish you had even a fraction of her gumption and courage. That being said, getting out of your comfort zone doesn’t need to be as radical as taking a multi-state hike. Feel free to read this story while sitting comfortably on your couch with a large glass of wine. No one’s judging.

If your resolution is to reignite your love of learning…

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

I sometimes miss being a student. I don’t miss homework, finals and grades, but I miss learning new things daily. (Call me a nerd, I wear that badge with pride.) Educational and informative literature can sometimes be dry and intimidating, which is why a lot of people avoid it. This book breaks that tradition.

There is a very good chance you don’t know the name Henrietta Lacks, and that is a terrible shame. If you have had a polio vaccine, cancer treatment, or in vitro fertilization, you owe a great deal to the woman known to scientists as HeLa. An unassuming tobacco farmer in the south has had more impact on modern science and medicine than any other human being. The fascinating (and at times tragic) story of Henrietta Lacks will completely change your view of patient’s rights and scientific research.  Apologies in advance for the mistrust you will develop every time your doctor hands you a consent form!

Related Post: How to Read More This Year!

At the end of the day, resolutions are only as serious and intimidating as you make them. And while you still may abandon them by mid-March (again, no judgment), at least you can say you read an excellent book along the way!

More Posts You May Enjoy: