April 29, 2019

April Reading Wrap Up

*This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

April was a great reading month and I am especially excited to report a few five- and four-star reads. Find all my April reads listed below in order of Star Rating. Keep in mind that I normally recommend five- and four-star reads on the blog; three-star reads received mixed reviews from me for various reasons; and two-star reads are books that were not for me.

Titles are Amazon affiliate links and my available reviews are linked.

Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane (ARC)

5 Stars. Family drama (mental health/alcoholism). ARC: Pub Date: 5/28. In contention for the best read of the year. Full review coming soon.

The Gown by Jennifer Robson

5 Stars. Historical Fiction. Loved the friendship theme. Full review here.

Brown Girl Dreaming (MG) by Jacqueline Woodson

5 Stars. Memoir: Diverse read/own voices. Free Verse. Full review here.

The Scent Keeper by Erica Bauermeister (ARC)

4.5 Stars (rounded to 5 Stars on Goodreads). ARC: Pub Date: 5/21. Coming of Age. Full review coming soon.

A Fall of Marigolds by Susan Meissner

4.5 Stars. Historical Fiction. A heartfelt and memorable read.  Full review here.

(more…)

March 31, 2019

March Reading Wrap Up

I read ten books in March and abandoned one. Titles are listed in order of my star ratings. Although I didn’t have any full five star reads, it was still a good reading month.

*Titles are Amazon affiliate links and available reviews are linked.

March Reads

Beantown Girls by Jane Healey
Genre: WW11 Historical Fiction
4.5 Stars (rounded to 5 Stars on Goodreads)
Find my full review here. (more…)

January 31, 2019

January Reading Wrap Up

What is the best book you read this month?

*This post contains affiliate links.

In January, I finished eight books, abandoned two, and I started two that I will finish in February.

My January reads are listed below in order of my Star Rating (titles are Amazon affiliate links):

Learning to See by Elise Hooper

Genre: Historical Fiction, Biographical
4.5 Stars
Full Review Here

The Beautiful Strangers by Camille Di Maio

Genre: Women’s Fiction, Historical Fiction
4 Stars
Goodreads Review Here
ARC: Available March 5, 2019

Meet Me at the Museum by Anne Youngson

Genre: Women’s Fiction
4 Stars
Full Review Here

Front Desk by Kelly Yang

Genre: Middle Grade Fiction (#ownvoices)
3.5 Stars
Goodreads Review Here

Late Bloomers’ Club by Louise Miller

Genre: Women’s Fiction
3.5 Stars
Brief Review Here

Glory Road by Lauren K Denton

Genre: Southern Women’s Fiction
3.5 Stars
Goodreads Review Here
ARC: Available March 19, 2019

Sold on a Monday by Kristina McMorris

Genre: Historical Fiction
3.5 Stars
Goodreads Review Here

The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim

Genre: Classic, Women’s Fiction
3 Stars
Brief Review Here

Share your best January read in comments!

December 30, 2018

December Wrap Up

Because of December activities, I didn’t read my usual number of books. Plus, I abandoned two so that was discouraging. I did accomplish reading five books. Two of them were Middle Grade selections…..heartfelt and inspirational Middle Grade Literature is a perfect genre for busy seasons!

Listed in order of my Star Ratings (click titles for my blog or Goodreads reviews or affiliate Amazon link):

Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed

4.5 Stars
Genre: Middle Grade Historical Fiction

The Last Year of the War by Susan Meissner

(ARC: Pub Date: March 19, 2019: thanks #NetGalley and #BerkleyPublishing for a free copy of #TheLastYearoftheWar in exchange for my honest opinion)
4.5 Stars
Genre: Historical Fiction

The Dreamers by Karen Thompson Walker

(ARC: Pub Date: January 15, 2019: thanks #NetGalley and #RandomHouse for a free copy of #TheDreamers in exchange for my honest opinion)
4 Stars
Genre: Science Fiction
(not my usual genre but an engaging and easy-to-read December selection)

The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser

4 Stars
Genre: Middle Grade (delightful and heartfelt family drama)

Dear Mrs. Bird by A J Pearce

3.5 Stars
Genre: Light Historical Fiction

The Most Compelling Character from my December reading is brave and determined Amal from Amal Unbound. Please see my review here to find out more about her!

What did you read in December?

Come back tomorrow for my Best of the Year List!

Happy New Year Book Buddies!

November 29, 2018

November Wrap Up

I read eight books this month, and there were some hits and misses. In these Wrap Up posts, it’s important to know that I’m not recommending all these books.

All titles are Amazon affiliate links and my reviews have been linked if available. My November reads are listed below in the order of my Star ratings:

* * * * * * * * * *

Kingdom of the Blind by Louise Penny (#14)
4.5 Stars
Review available on the blog tomorrow.
For fans of cozy mystery/detective stories with good character development.

* * * * * * * * * *

House of Dreams: The Life of L.M. Montgomery by Liz Rosenberg
(biography, my November Nonfiction read)
4 Stars
Full Review Here.
For fans of Anne of Green Gables and Emily of New Moon.

* * * * * * * * * *

The Wartime Sisters by Lynda Cohen Loigman
ARC: Pub Date: 1/22/19
3 Stars
Goodreads Review Here.
For fans of WW11 Historical Fiction.

* * * * * * * * * *

The Colors of All the Cattle (#19 in the #1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series)
by Alexander McCall Smith
3 Stars
Full Review Here.
For long time fans and for readers looking for a gentle, character driven, diverse read.

* * * * * * * * * *

Harry’s Trees by Jon Cohen
3 Stars
Goodreads Review Here.
For fans of contemporary fiction with a bit of magical realism.

* * * * * * * * * *

The Children Act by Ian McEwan
3 Stars
Not Reviewed.
For fans of a character driven story (you may know Ian McEwan for Atonement).

* * * * * * * * * *

The Book of Essie by Meghan MacLean Weir
2 Stars
Goodreads Review Here.
I almost didn’t finish this….but pressed on to see how the plot resolved. (others have loved it, but it wasn’t the right book for me)

* * * * * * * * * *

Bridge of Clay by Marcus Zusak
2 Stars
Goodreads Review Here.
This was close to a DNF for me. I ended up skimming a lot to see if it would get better and to give Zusak the benefit of the doubt. Not recommended. (too much profanity, obscure writing) Please read more reviews before making your reading choice.

Happy Reading Book Buddies!

“Ah, how good it is to be among people who are reading.”
~Rainer Maria Rilke

“I love the world of words, where life and literature connect.”
~Denise J Hughes

“Reading good books ruins you for enjoying bad ones.”
~Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

“I read because books are a form of transportation, of teaching, and of connection! Books take us to places we’ve never been, they teach us about our world, and they help us to understand human experience.”
~Madeleine Riley, Top Shelf Text

Links I Love

If you’ve read My Dear Hamilton by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie and provide a review on social media or Amazon, you can fill out this form to receive FREE bonus content!

Have you seen The Hate U Give movie? Here’s the THUG trailer. 
I’ve read positive reviews with some saying it could be one of the best movies of the year. Of course, the movie is never as good as the book so don’t miss this important read.

Looking Ahead:

Tomorrow I’ll be back with my regular Friday review. This week’s review will be Louise Penny’s new release, Kingdom of the Blind.

My Fall TBR

I’ll be updating my Fall TBR list as I complete each read, so check this link often! I have only one more book to read and review after tomorrow’s post, and my library hold of the book is due to come in any day. So I’ll be finished with my Fall TBR soon!

Sharing is Caring

Thank you for reading today! I’d be honored and thrilled if you choose to enjoy and follow along, promote, and/or share my blog. Every share helps us grow.

Today’s post represents my 100th post! I’m grateful for all the support! Thank you so much!

 Let’s Discuss

What did you read in November?

See any favorites?

***Blogs posts may contain affiliate links. This means that at no extra cost to you, I can earn a small percentage of your purchase price. This money will be used to offset the costs of running a blog and to sponsor giveaways, etc.

Unless explicitly stated that they are free, all books that I review have been purchased by me or borrowed from the library.

Book Cover and author photo are credited to Amazon or an author’s (or publisher’s) website.

October 31, 2018

Happy Halloween to everyone celebrating!

 * Pumpkin images are from Pottery Barn*

October Wrap Up

I completed seven reads this month, abandoned one, and set one aside for further consideration. This month I also met my 2018 Goodreads Challenge of 100 books!

Below are my completed October reads listed in order of my Star ratings (4 & 5 Stars are highly recommended).

The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter by Hazel Gaynor
Genre: Historical Fiction, Women’s Fiction
5 Romantic Stars
Full review coming Friday 11/2

The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris
Genre: Historical Fiction, WW11, Holocaust
4.5 Brave Stars (5 Stars for compelling story and 3 stars for writing)
Full Review Here

Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan
Genre: Biographical Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance
4.5 Determined Stars
Full Review Here

Louisiana’s Way Home by Kate DiCamillo
Genre: Middle Grade Fiction
4.5 Wiley Stars
Brief Review Included Here

The Clockmaker’s Daughter by Kate Morton
Genre: Historical Fiction, Women’s Fiction, Mystery
4 Atmospheric Stars
Full Review Here

The Rain Watcher by Tatiana De Rosnay
Genre: Fiction (some historical elements)
3 Reconciliation Stars
Goodreads Review Here

That Kind of Mother by Rumaan Alam
Genre: Women’s Fiction, Contemporary Fiction
2.5  Family Stars
Goodreads Review Here

Abandoned: Still Lives by Maria Hummel

Set Aside For Further Consideration: Bridge of Clay by Marcus Zusak

Happy Reading Book Worms!

“Ah, how good it is to be among people who are reading.”
~Rainer Maria Rilke

“I love the world of words, where life and literature connect.”
~Denise J Hughes

“Reading good books ruins you for enjoying bad ones.”
~Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

“I read because books are a form of transportation, of teaching, and of connection!
Books take us to places we’ve never been, they teach us about our world, and they help us to understand human experience.”
~Madeleine Riley, Top Shelf Text

THUG

Have you seen The Hate U Give movie? Here’s the THUG trailer. 
I’ve read positive reviews with some saying it could be one of the best movies of the year.

Goodreads Choice Awards for Best Books of 2018

If you have a Goodreads account, voting is open for the Goodreads Choice Awards for the Best Books of 2028.

There are three opportunities to vote before the winners are announced in December. Click the link to see the voting schedule.

If you do not have a Goodreads account, it’s fun to look at the categories to see what readers have nominated.

My Fall TBR

I’ll be updating my Fall TBR list as I complete each read, so check this link often!
So far, I’ve read 8 out of the 12 titles listed on my Fall TBR.

Looking Ahead:

Friday I’ll review The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter by Hazel Gaynor (The Last Christmas in Paris). This is a milestone read because it’s my 100th read of the year!

Sharing is Caring

Thank you for reading today! I’d be honored and thrilled if you choose to enjoy and follow along, promote, and/or share my blog. Every share helps us grow.

 Let’s Discuss

What were your favorite reads this month?

***Blogs posts may contain affiliate links. This means that at no extra cost to you, I can earn a small percentage of your purchase price. This money will be used to offset the costs of running a blog and to sponsor giveaways, etc.

Unless explicitly stated that they are free, all books that I review have been purchased by me or borrowed from the library.

Book Cover and author photo are credited to Amazon or an author’s (or publisher’s) website.

September 30, 2018

September Wrap Up

I read nine books this month (most of them 4 star reads!) and abandoned one.

 As always, I’m not recommending all these books. Please carefully notice my Star ratings. Generally 4 & 5 Stars are highly recommended.

Listed in order of my Star ratings:

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
Fiction/Family Life
5 Stars. Full Review Here.

Virgil Wander by Leif Enger
(author of Peace Like a River)
Literary Fiction/Magical Realism
4.5 Stars. Review Here.

Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
Nonfiction/Legal/Memoir/Biographical
4 Stars. Full Review Here.

The Lost Girls of Paris by Pam Jenoff
(author of The Orphan’s Tale)
WW11 Historical Fiction
4 Stars. GoodReads Review Here. Pub Date: 2/5/2019
(Free ARC in exchange for an honest review.)

The Lieutenant’s Nurse by Sara Ackerman
(author of Island of Sweet Pies and Soldiers)
WW11 Historical Fiction
4 Stars. Review Here. Pub Date: 3/5/2019
(Free ARC in exchange for an honest review.)

Hard Cider by Barbara Stark-Nemon
Women’s Fiction
4 Stars. Review Here.
(Free ARC in exchange for an honest review.)

The Dream Daughter by Diane Chamberlain
Science Fiction/Historical Fiction/Suspense/Family Drama
4 Stars. GoodReads Review Here. Pub Date: 10/2/2018
(Free ARC in exchange for an honest review.)

Clock Dance by Anne Tyler
Women’s Fiction
3.5 Stars. Full Review Here.

To the Moon and Back by Karen Kingsbury
Christian Fiction/Family Life
2.5 Stars. Not Reviewed.

Happy Reading Book Worms!

“Ah, how good it is to be among people who are reading.”
~Rainer Maria Rilke

“I love the world of words, where life and literature connect.”
~Denise J Hughes

“Reading good books ruins you for enjoying bad ones.”
~Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

“I read because books are a form of transportation, of teaching, and of connection!
Books take us to places we’ve never been, they teach us about our world, and they help us to understand human experience.”
~Madeleine Riley, Top Shelf Text

My Fall TBR

I’ll be updating my Fall TBR list as I complete each read, so check this link often!

Looking Ahead:

I’m reading The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris.

Sharing is Caring

Thank you for reading today! I’d be honored and thrilled if you choose to enjoy and follow along, promote, and/or share my blog. Every share helps us grow.

 Let’s Discuss

What have you been reading in September?

***Blogs posts may contain affiliate links. This means that at no extra cost to you, I can earn a small percentage of your purchase price. This money will be used to offset the costs of running a blog and to sponsor giveaways, etc.

Unless explicitly stated that they are free, all books that I review have been purchased by me or borrowed from the library.

Book Cover and author photo are credited to Amazon or an author’s (or publisher’s) website.

August 31, 2018

August Wrap Up

Zero books were rated 5 star reads this month, but The Map of Salt and Stars came close and I consider it my best read of the month.

These Wrap Up posts are published with some trepidation because I’m concerned you might think that I’m recommending all these books. Please carefully notice my Star Ratings. Generally, I can confidently recommend 4 or 5 star reads, and I usually consider 3 star reads OK.

I’ve listed my August reads in order by my Star Ranking and my level of enjoyment. Titles are Amazon affiliate links and review links (blog or Goodreads) are also provided.

As always it’s OK to disagree! You might see a favorite that I’ve awarded 2 Stars or I might have rated a book high that you disliked…..Reading is a personal experience and each book makes a unique connection with the reader. Take my star ratings as simply one opinion.

The Map of Salt and Stars by Jennifer Zeynab Joukhader
4.5 Stars
(best read of the month)
Full Review Here

The Boat People by Sharon Bala
4 Stars
Full Review Here

Tell Me More by Kelly Corrigan
4 Stars
Full Review Here

I Was Anastasia by Ariel Lawhon
3.5 Stars
Full Review Here

Lucy’s Little Village Book Club by Emma Davies
3 Stars
Brief Goodreads Review Here

The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan
3 Stars
(not reviewed)

What We Were Promised by Lucy Tan
2.5 Stars
Goodreads Review Here

The Perfect Couple by Elin Hilderbrand
2.5 Stars
Brief Goodreads Review Here

Happy Reading Bookworms!

“Ah, how good it is to be among people who are reading.”
~Rainer Maria Rilke

“I love the world of words, where life and literature connect.”
~Denise J Hughes

“Reading good books ruins you for enjoying bad ones.”
~Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

“I read because books are a form of transportation, of teaching, and of connection!
Books take us to places we’ve never been, they teach us about our world, and they help us to understand human experience.”
~Madeleine Riley, Top Shelf Text

My Summer TBR

I’ll be updating my Summer TBR list as I complete each read, so check this link often!
(So far I’ve read a good portion of the list (crossing off one more next week), some I’ve been more thrilled with than others, and I’ve only abandoned one)

Looking Ahead:

Next Friday, I hope to bring you a review of Anne Tyler’s Clock Dance.

Amazon Information Here

Sharing is Caring

Thank you for reading today! I’d be honored and thrilled if you choose to enjoy and follow along, promote, and/or share my blog. Every share helps us grow.

 Let’s Discuss

What were your best reads of the month?

Are you looking ahead to fall reading? I have compiled a fall TBR list that I’m eager to share with you in September!

***Blogs posts may contain affiliate links. This means that at no extra cost to you, I can earn a small percentage of your purchase price. This money will be used to offset the costs of running a blog and to sponsor giveaways, etc.

Unless explicitly stated that they are free, all books that I review have been purchased by me or borrowed from the library.

Book Cover and author photo are credited to Amazon or an author’s (or publisher’s) website.

July 31, 2018

July Wrap Up

Out of the ten books I read in July, I can generally recommend the first five and wholeheartedly recommend the first three (indicated by 4 & 5 star ratings).

As well as making some progress on my Summer TBR, I also read one that I’ve declared my favorite of the year so far. My reads are listed below in the order of my Star Rating and enjoyment. Titles are affiliate Amazon links, and links to blog or Goodreads reviews are included when available.

As a reminder, here are my Star Rating category descriptions

5 Stars=loved it for all the reasons, highly recommendable to everyone, considered one of my best reads of the year

4 Stars=a great read, recommendable, and memorable

3 Stars=an OK read, I liked it overall but it also has some areas of weakness or it didn’t appeal to me (but others may have liked it)

2 Stars=it wasn’t to my taste for several reasons (but I did finish it) and I’m hesitant to recommend it… lack of appeal could be a genre or subject matter or writing style preference

1 Star=I abandoned it (DNF), not recommendable

Star ratings are extremely subjective and a book that I rate as 1 Star could be rated 5 Stars by someone else. Always check several reviews before making your reading choice, and please don’t be offended if we disagree on preferences.

What I Read

A Place For Us (Fiction) by Fatima Farheen Mirza
5+ Stars
(Full Review Here)
***MY FAVORITE of the year so far!***

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry (Fiction) by Rachel Joyce (author of The Music Shop)
4.5 Stars 
(Full Review Here)

An American Marriage (Fiction) by Tayari Jones
4.5 Stars
(Full Review Coming Soon)

Jefferson’s Sons (MG) by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley [author of the delightful The War That Saved My Life (MG) and The War I Finally Won (MG)]
4 Stars
(Brief Goodreads Review Here)

Sisters First  (Memoir) by Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush
4 Stars
(Brief Goodreads Review Here)

The Ensemble (Fiction) by Aja Gabel
3.5 Stars
(Full Review Here)

All We Ever Wanted (Fiction) by Emily Giffin
3 Stars (writing=2 Stars & relevant content=3 stars)
(Brief Goodreads Review Here)

The Sweetness of Forgetting (light historical fiction) by Kristin Harmel
3 Stars
(Brief Goodreads Review Here)

Still Me (Fiction) by Jojo Moyes (sequel to Me Before You and After You)
2.5 Stars
(no review: if you’ve read the first two in the series and are a Jojo Moyes fan, you may enjoy this easy reading chick lit title)

Warlight (Historical Fiction) by Michael Ondaatje (author of The English Patient)
2 Stars
(Brief Goodreads Review Here)

Happy Reading Bookworms!

“Ah, how good it is to be among people who are reading.”
~Rainer Maria Rilke

“I love the world of words, where life and literature connect.”
~Denise J Hughes

“Reading good books ruins you for enjoying bad ones.”
~Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

“I read because books are a form of transportation, of teaching, and of connection!
Books take us to places we’ve never been, they teach us about our world, and they help us to understand human experience.”
~Madeleine Riley, Top Shelf Text

Give Away!

There’s still time to enter my giveaway for A Place For Us. This link will take you to the Blogiversary Give Away post.

My Summer TBR

I’ll be updating my Summer TBR list as I complete each read, so check this link often!
(So far I’ve read more than half of the list, some I’ve been more thrilled with than others, and I’ve only abandoned one)

Looking Ahead:

 I finished An American Marriage this week and I am eager to bring you a review on Friday.

Amazon Information Here

Sharing is Caring

Thank you for reading today! I’d be honored and thrilled if you choose to enjoy and follow along, promote, and/or share my blog. Every share helps us grow.

 Let’s Discuss

How’s your summer reading progressing? Are you finding some entertaining beach/pool/plane reads?

***Blogs posts may contain affiliate links. This means that at no extra cost to you, I can earn a small percentage of your purchase price. This money will be used to offset the costs of running a blog and to sponsor giveaways, etc.

Unless explicitly stated that they are free, all books that I review have been purchased by me or borrowed from the library.

Book Cover and author photo are credited to Amazon or an author’s website.