September 29, 2021

September 2021 Reading Wrap Up

How was your September reading?

September was an OK reading month for me. One long book affected my total book count (average month is 8-10). Why can’t these long books be worth three?!
Out of seven books, I had one 5-star reads (if I round the 4.5 up), three 4-star reads, three 3-star reads (and no 2 or 1 star reads or DNFs for the win!).
I’ve now read 86 books towards my year end goal of 100. Do you set a year-end goal?

My favorite reads of the month are Cloud Cuckoo Land (for its ambitious, creative, and complex story telling) and The Day the World Came to Town (for its memorable and inspirational content).

Did we read any of the same books?

***This post contains Amazon affiliate links.
Titles are Amazon affiliate links or my linked reviews.
ARC=Advanced Readers Copy (complimentary copy for review)

Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr

4.5 Stars (can easily be rounded up to 5). (ARC) Historical fiction, science fiction, contemporary fiction, myth mashup. Ambitious and complex storytelling. My review of Cloud Cuckoo Land here.

The Day the World Came to Town by Jim Defede

4 Stars. Narrative nonfiction. Inspirational and poignant. Review coming in November.

Joy in the Morning by Betty Smith

4 Stars. Historical fiction. Inspiring optimism. My favorite Smith is still A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. Not reviewed.

Daughters of War by Dinah Jefferies

4 Stars. (ARC) Historical fiction. Compelling story of three sisters living and surviving during WW11. Review coming on November 16.

The House Swap by Jo Lovett

3.5 Stars. (ARC) Contemporary women’s fiction, rom-com. Quick, easy, and enjoyable. My review of House Swap here.

The Madness of Crowds by Louise Penny

3 Stars. Detective, mystery, police procedural, crime fiction. #17 in the Inspector Gamache/Three Pines series. A good story but I’ve enjoyed others in the series more. Great cover though! My review of Madness of Crowds here.

Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner

3 Stars. Nonfiction, memoir. Mother/daughter relationship and cancer content is too sad for me. Ended up skimming. Not reviewed.

QOTD:

What was your favorite September read?
Did we read any of the same books?
Which of these books is on your TBR?

ICYMI:

September Blog Posts:

Ten Books that Live Up To Their Hype
Cloud Cuckoo Land
The House Swap
The Medallion
Top 5 Stand Alone Books of Summer 2021
Fall 2021 TBR
Do Hype, Book Buzz, and High Expectations Affect Your Readng Experience?
The Dearly Beloved
The Madness of Crowds
The Only Plane in the Sky
Other Words For Home
If you Want to Make God Laugh
10 Books to Put a Smile On Your Face
The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman
The Vanished Bride
Bloomsbury Girls Cover Reveal

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

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

Book covers are credited to Amazon.

© http://www.ReadingLadies.com

August 31, 2021

August 2021 Reading Wrap Up

How was your August reading?

August was a productive reading month for me.
Out of eleven books, I had three 5-star reads, six 4-star reads, one 3-star read, and one 2-star read.
I’ve now read 81 books towards my year end goal of 100. Do you set a year-end goal?

My favorite fiction read of the month is Three Words For Goodbye by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb.

Did we read any of the same books?

***This post contains Amazon affiliate links.
Titles are Amazon affiliate links or my linked reviews.
ARC=Advanced Readers Copy (complimentary copy for review)

Three Words For Goodbye by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb

5 Stars. Historical Fiction. Two sisters restore a relationship. My review of Three Words For Goodbye here.

Other Words For Home by Jasmine Warga

5 Stars (Middle Grade). Heartfelt refugee story. Not reviewed.

Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry

5 Stars. Literary Fiction. Not reviewed.

Our Italian Summer by Jennifer Probst

4 Stars. Contemporary Women’s Fiction. Poignant multigenerational story. My review of Our Italian Summer here.

The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman by Julietta Henderson

4 Stars. Contemporary Fiction. Quirky and humorous. Mother/Son. Not yet reviewed.

The Last Chance Library by Freya Sampson (ARC)

4 Stars (ARC). Heartfelt book about books/libraries/librarians. My review of Last Chance Library here.

Snowflakes Over the Starfish Café by Jessica Redland (ARC)

4 Stars. (ARC) Contemporary Women’s Fiction. Romance. My review of Snowflakes Over the Starfish Cafe here.

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July 30, 2021

July 2021 Reading Wrap Up

How was your July reading?

Overall, July was a satisfactory reading month because of the variety of reads.
Out of eight books, I had two 5-star reads (one rounded up), four 4-star reads, and two 3-star reads.

My most compelling fiction reads of the month are a tie between Gilead by Marilynne Robinson and  The Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley. They are very different so it was difficult to choose a favorite.

Did we read any of the same books?

***This post contains Amazon affiliate links.
Titles are Amazon affiliate links or my linked reviews.
ARC=Advanced Readers Copy (complimentary copy for review)

Gilead by Marilynne Robinson

5 Stars. Literary Fiction and Pulitzer Prize in Fiction Award (2005). Reflective and poignant. My review of Gilead here.

The Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley

5 Stars (4.5 rounded up). Page-turning Historical Fiction and Family Drama. My review of The Firekeeper’s Daughter here.

Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean

4 Stars. Young Adult Contemporary Fiction. An interesting story. Not yet reviewed.

Under the Magnolias by T.I. Lowe

4 Stars.  (ARC) Family Drama, Coming of Age. My review of Under the Magnolias here.

The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth

4 Stars. Family Drama with an unreliable narrator. My review of The Good Sister here.

Pride by Ibi Zoboi

4 Stars. Diverse read. Pride & Prejudice retelling. Not yet reviewed.

A Place Like Home: Short Stories by Rosamunde Pilcher

3 Stars. (ARC) Light-reading short story collection. My review of A Place Like Home here.

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June 28, 2021

June 2021 Reading Wrap Up

How was your June reading?

Overall, June reading was mostly satisfactory.
Out of ten books, I had one DNF, one 5-star read, three 4-star reads, and four 3-star reads, and one 2-Star read.

My favorite fiction read of the month is the AUDIO version of Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir.

Did we read any of the same books?

***This post contains Amazon affiliate links.
Titles are Amazon affiliate links or my linked reviews.
ARC=Advanced Readers Copy (complimentary copy for review)

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir (AUDIO)

4.5 Stars (rounded to 5). Compelling science fiction. My review of Project Hail Mary here.
Audio HIGHLY recommended.

The Kitchen Front by Jennifer Ryan

4 Stars. Historical Fiction (England, WW11). My review of The Kitchen Front here.

The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Murray

4 Stars. (ARC) Historical Fiction (Gilded Age, New York City). My review of The Personal Librarian.

From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankwiler by E.L. Konigsburg

4 Stars  Well-loved Middle Grade. (reread).

One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot by Marianne Cronin

3.5 Stars. Heartwarming and Poignant Contemporary Fiction. My Goodreads review.

The Cornish Midwife by Jo Bartlett

3 Stars. Light-reading, character-driven contemporary fiction. Not reviewed.

A Summer Wedding For the Cornish Midwife (ARC) by Jo Bartlett

3 Stars. (ARC) Light-reading contemporary fiction (sequel to The Cornish Midwife). My review of A Summer Wedding here.

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May 31, 2021

May 2021 Reading Wrap Up

How was your May reading?

Overall, May reading falls into the “mixed bag” category.
I had three DNFs, two 5-star reads, one 4.5-star read, and four 3-star reads, and one 2.5 Star read.

My favorite fiction read of the month was tied between The Invisible Husband of Frick Island and The Forest of Vanishing Stars….two very different reads.

Did we read any of the same books?

***This post contains Amazon affiliate links.
Titles are Amazon affiliate links or my linked reviews.
ARC=Advanced Readers Copy (complimentary copy for review)

The Invisible Husband of Frick Island by Colleen Oakley (ARC)

5 Stars. (ARC) Quirky contemporary fiction. My review of Frick Island here.

The Forest of Vanishing Stars by Kristin Harmel (ARC)

5 Stars. (ARC) Compelling Historical Fiction (WW11). Author of The Book of Lost Names. Review coming on July 6, 2021.

Sparks Like Stars by Nadia Hashimi

4.5 Stars. Historical Fiction (Afghanistan) Author of The Pearl That Broke Its Shell. Review coming June 4, 2021.

Yours Cheerfully by A.J. Pearce (ARC)

3.5 Stars. (ARC) Light Historical Fiction (WW11, London). Author of Dear Mrs. Bird. Review coming August 10, 2021.

The Penderwicks (#1) by Jeanne Birdsall

3.5 Stars  Light-hearted Middle Grade family drama. Not reviewed.

Haven Point by Virginia Hume (ARC)

3.5 Stars. (ARC) Light-reading, character-driven family drama. Historical Fiction. My review of Haven Point here.

Beth & Amy by Virginia Kantra (ARC)

3.5 Stars. (ARC) Light-reading contemporary family drama (sequel to Meg & Jo). Review of Beth & Amy here.

(more…)

May 2, 2021

April 2021 Reading Wrap Up

How was your April reading?

My April was a brilliant eleven-book reading month: five 4.5-5 Star reads; three 4 Star reads; three 3-3.5 Star reads.

My favorite fiction read of the month was The Rose Code by Kate Quinn.

Did we read any of the same books?

***This post contains Amazon affiliate links.
Titles are Amazon affiliate links or my linked reviews.
ARC=Advanced Readers Copy (complimentary copy for review)

The Rose Code by Kate Quinn

5+  Stars. Page-turning and unputdownable WW11 historical fiction.

The Warsaw Orphan by Kelly Rimmer

5 Stars. (ARC) Compelling Historical Fiction (WW11). Review coming on June 1, 2021.

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

5 Stars. Middle-Grade Historical Fiction (WW11). Not reviewed.

The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba by Chanel Cleeton

4.5 Stars (rounded to 5). (ARC) Interesting Historical Fiction (late 1800s Cuba). Review coming on May 3, 2021.

The Social Graces by Renée Rosen

4.5 Stars  (ARC) Entertaining Historical Fiction (Gilded Age).

Birth and Other Surprises by Kimberly Davis Basso

4 Stars. (Instagram book tour) Light-reading humorous essays on birth and parenthood.

Arsenic and Adobo by Mia Manansala

4 Stars. (ARC) Light-reading Contemporary Cozy Mystery. Review coming May 6, 2021.

(more…)

March 31, 2021

March 2021 Reading Wrap Up

How was your March reading?

March was a great fourteen-book reading month. Because I read several Middle-Grade books for Middle-Grade March, I’m dividing my list between adult and middle grade.

My favorite fiction read of the month is Radar Girls by Sara Ackerman closely followed by The Women of Chateau Lafayette by Stephanie Dray, and my favorite nonfiction was Open by Andre Agassi. My favorite middle-grade read was Ghost by Jason Reynolds.

Did we read any of the same books?

***This post contains Amazon affiliate links.
Titles are Amazon affiliate links and my available reviews are linked.
ARC=Advanced Readers Copy

Radar Girls (ARC) by Sara Ackerman

5  Stars (ARC). Page-turning and unputdownable WW11 historical fiction.
Pub Date: 7/27/21 Review coming July 27, 2021.

The Women of Chateau Lafayette by Stephanie Dray

4.5 Stars (rounded to 5). (ARC) Compelling Historical Fiction (French Revolution, WW1, and WW11). My review of Women of Chateau Lafayette here.

Open by Andre Agassi

4.5 Stars (rounded to 5). Nonfiction, Memoir, Sports. My review of Open here.

The Windsor Knot by S.J. Bennett

4 Stars  Light-reading Cozy Mystery featuring Queen Elizabeth. My review of Windsor Knot here.

Hana Kahn Carries On by Uzma Jalaluddin

4 Stars. (ARC) Light-reading Contemporary Fiction, Rom-Com. Muslim. Inspired by You’ve Got Mail.
Pub Date: 3/13/2021. Review coming April 13, 2021.

Love at First by Kate Clayborn

3.5-4 Stars. Light-reading Contemporary Fiction. Women’s Fiction. Romance. Not reviewed.
Pub Date: 5/4/21 Review: 5/3/21

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February 27, 2021

February 2021 Reading Wrap Up

How was your February reading?

It feels like February was a short book-reading month: I had zero five-star reads, six four-star reads, one three-star read, and one two-star read. Find all my February 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 receive mixed reviews from me for various reasons; and two-star reads are books that were not for me. One-star reads are usually shelved as DNF.

My favorite read of the month is Surviving Savannah by Patti Callahan followed closely by The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee.

Did we read any of the same books?

***This post contains Amazon affiliate links.
Titles are Amazon affiliate links and my available reviews are linked.
ARC=Advanced Readers Copy

Surviving Savannah (ARC) by Patti Callahan

4.5  Stars (rounded to 5) (ARC). Compelling and unputdownable historical fiction.
Pub Date: 3/9/21 My review of Surviving Savannah here.

The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee

4 Stars. (YA) Engaging Historical Fiction (non WW11). My review of Downstairs Girl here.

Love Is a Revolution by Renée Watson

4 Stars. (YA)  Contemporary Fiction. Review of Love Is a Revolution here.

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

4 Stars  Historical Fiction (classic).

Saving Ruby King by Catherine Adel West

4 Stars. Contemporary Fiction.

The Woman With the Blue Star (ARC) by Pam Jenoff

4 Stars. (ARC) WW11 Historical Fiction.
Pub Date: 5/4/21 Review: 5/3/21

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January 31, 2021

January 2021 Reading Wrap Up

How was your January reading?

January was an eleven book reading month: I had zero five-star reads, seven four-star reads, three three-star reads, and one two-star read. I also had one DNF. Find all my January 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 receive mixed reviews from me for various reasons; and two-star reads are books that were not for me. One-star reads are usually shelved as DNF.

My favorite read of the month is the Great Escape From Woodslands Nursing Home by Joanna Nell (contemporary fiction) closely followed by The Invisible Woman by Erika Robuck (WW11 histfic).

Did we read any of the same books?

***This post contains Amazon affiliate links.
Titles are Amazon affiliate links and my available reviews are linked.

The Great Escape From Woodlands Nursing Home by Joanna Nell

4.5  Stars. (ARC). Heartfelt contemporary fiction. Quirky, mature characters.
Review of The Great Escape From Woodlands Nursing Home here.

The Invisible Woman (ARC) by Erika Robuck

4.5 Stars. (ARC)  Histfic WW11. Pub Date: 2/9/2021. Review of Invisible Woman here.

Piecing Me Together by Renée Watson

4.5 Stars  Contemporary YA fiction. A gentler The Hate U Give with similar themes. Review coming soon.

Inside Out & Back Again by Thannha Lai

4.5-5 Stars. Middle-Grade histfic (Vietnamese refugees). This is a reread and I enjoyed it as much as the first time. My brief review of Inside Out & Back Again can be found in this post.

The Answer Is…Reflections On My Life by Alex Trebek

4 Stars. (NF) Memoir. Candid reflections on his life by beloved game show host of Jeopardy!, Alex Trebek. Review of The Answer Is… here.

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December 28, 2020

December 2020 Reading Wrap Up

How was your December reading?

December was a twelve book reading month, but it weighed in heavily on the “meh” side with only one five-star read, four four-star reads, six three-star reads, and one two-star read. Find all my December 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 receive mixed reviews from me for various reasons; and two-star reads are books that were not for me. One-star reads are usually shelved as DNF.

My favorite read of the month is The Girl From the Channel Islands by Jenny Lecoat (histfic).

Did we read any of the same books?

***This post contains Amazon affiliate links.
Titles are Amazon affiliate links and my available reviews are linked.

The Girl From the Channel Islands (ARC) by Jenny Lecoat

5 Stars. (ARC). Compelling and memorable WW11 histfic.
Pub Date: 2/2/2021 Review coming soon.

The Nature of Fragile Things (ARC) by Susan Meissner

4.5 Stars. (ARC.)  Histfic (San Francisco Earthquake)/Suspense/Mystery/Family Drama mashup. Pub Date: 2/2/2021. Review coming soon.

The Paris Library (ARC) by Janet Skeslien Charles

4 Stars (ARC). WW11 histfic featuring the American Library of Paris. A book about books. Pub Date: 2/9/2021. Review coming soon.

The Chanel Sisters (ARC) by Judithe Little

4 Stars (ARC). Interesting imagined story of Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel from her sister’s perspective. Pub Date: 12/29/2020. Review coming soon.

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