December 30, 2019

December 2019 Reading Wrap Up

*This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

December was a busy and fun month but also a slim reading month. I read a total of five books, and I DNF two (which is always a frustrating use of time). Find all my December reads listed below in order of Star Rating and preference. 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 Beekeeper of Aleppo. This is closely followed by The Girl With Seven Names.

Did we read any of the same books?

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

 The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri

5 Stars (4.5 rounded up). Historical Fiction. A compelling story of love, loss, hope, and compassion. My full review here.

The Girl With Seven Names by Hyeonseo Lee

4 Stars (4.5 rounded to 4 on Goodreads). Memoir. Page-turning and compelling. My full review here.

More to the Story by Hena Khan

4 Stars. Middle Grade. The heartwarming and wholesome retelling of Little Women (diverse read). My brief Goodreads review here.

The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

4 Stars. YA Free Verse. For fans of On the Come Up. Not yet reviewed.

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November 30, 2019

November 2019 Reading Wrap Up

*This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

November was another mostly satisfying reading month. I read a total of seven books, and one of them was 500+ pages which I think should count for two! Find all my November reads listed below in order of Star Rating and preference. 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 Finding Chika by Mitch Albom (for its emotional impact). This is closely followed by The Stationery Shop and Ribbons of Scarlet.

Did we read any of the same books?

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

 Finding Chika by Mitch Albom

5 Stars. Memoir. Tenderhearted, poignant, heartbreaking, and memorable. My full review here.

The Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamali

4.5 Stars (rounded to 5 on Goodreads). Romantic Historical Fiction. Page-turning and compelling. My full review here.

Ribbons of Scarlet by Kate Quinn et al.
(this was also my 100th read of the year!)

4.5 Stars (rounded to 5 on Goodreads). Well written and researched historical fiction. My full review here.

The Dutch House by Ann Patchett

3.5 Stars. Love and recommend the narration by Tom Hanks! My full review here.

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October 31, 2019

October 2019 Reading Wrap Up

*This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

October was a satisfying reading month. I read a total of nine books, and I am happy to report that several were memorable. Find all my October reads listed below in order of Star Rating and preference. 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 Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer (even though I gave This Tender Land a full five stars).

Did we read any of the same books?

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

 This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger

5 Stars. Well written (literary fiction quality), poignant, heartbreaking, and memorable. My full review here.

The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer

4.5 Stars. Emotional and heartwarming. My full review here.

Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys

4.5 Stars. Well written YA historical fiction. My full review here.

The Curious Heart of Ailsa Rae by Stephanie Butland

4 Stars. (ARC) The feelings and experiences of a heart transplant patient. My full review here.

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September 30, 2019

September Reading Wrap Up

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*This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

September was a mixed result reading month. Three DNFs had me spinning my wheels and took time away from the number of books I wanted to read. I read a total of six books, and I am happy to report that one of those was a five-star read. Find all my September 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 (this month brought me one of these). One star reads are usually shelved as DNF.

My favorite read of the month is The Dearly Beloved; in fact, it will likely be my best read of the year.

Did we read any of the same books?

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

 The Dearly Beloved by Cara Wall

5+ Stars. Thought-provoking and memorable complicated family drama. My full review here.

Cilka’s Journey by Heather Morris

5 Stars. Page-turning historical fiction. My full review here.

The Medallion by Cathy Gohlke

4.5 Stars. A harrowing, heartfelt, and inspirational WW11 tale of survival, courage, loss, hope, and faith. Goodreads review here.

If You Want to Make God Laugh by Bianca Marais

4.5 Stars. For fans of Hum if You Don’t Know the Words. My full review here.

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August 31, 2019

August Reading Wrap Up

*This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

 August was a productive reading month with fourteen total reads, and I am happy to report one five-star read and several four-star reads. Unfortunately, I also read four that were not my cup of tea. Find all my August 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 (this month brought me four of these!). One star reads are usually shelved as DNF.

Most of my time this month was devoted to reading and I’m behind on writing reviews, so all of these have star ratings but not all have reviews.

My favorite read of the month is The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek.

Did we read any of the same books?

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

 The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek
by Kim Michele Richardson

5+ Stars. Thought-provoking and unforgettable historical fiction. I love memorable characters! My full review here.

The Huntress by Kate Quinn

4 Stars. Page-turning historical fiction with a generous serving of mystery, intrigue, suspense, and romance. My full review here.

A Better Man by Louise Penny

4 Stars. For fans of the Inspector Gamache/Three Pines series. My full review here.

The Vanished Bride (ARC) by Bella Ellis

4 Stars. An imagined story of the Bronte Sisters before they became famous authors (mystery, historical fiction). Not yet reviewed.

The Curious Charms of Authur Pepper
by Phaedra Patrick

4 Stars. Charming, poignant, character-driven, heartfelt, and quiet. Harold Fry meets Ove. Beautiful ending. Not yet reviewed.

Meet Me in Monaco
by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb

4 Stars. Romantic historical fiction. Goodreads review.

With the Fire On High by Elizabeth Acevedo

4 Stars. Contemporary YA fiction (diverse read). Not yet reviewed.

Searching For Sylvie Lee by Jean Kwok

4 Stars. A mystery including cultural diversity. My full review here.

The Time Keeper by Mitch Albom

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July 31, 2019

July Reading Wrap Up

*This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

July was a productive reading month and I am happy to report several four-star reads. Find all my July 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 Hum if You Don’t Know the Words.

Did we read any of the same books?

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

Hum if You Don’t Know the Words by Bianca Marais

4 Stars. Thought-provoking historical fiction. I love diverse reads! Brief Goodreads Review.

The Unlikely Adventures of the Shergill Sisters
by Balli Kaur Jaswal

4 Stars. Engaging, zany, and light women’s fiction with some thoughtful themes. A great choice to take on vacation in August! Full review here.

The Romanov Bride by Robert Alexander

4 Stars. For fans of Russian history. Brief Goodreads Review.

The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy
by Rachel Joyce

4 Stars. A companion read to The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry (5 Stars). Full Review Here.

What the Wind Knows by Amy Harmon

4 Stars Romantic time travel. Not yet reviewed.

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June 30, 2019

June Reading Wrap Up

*This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

June was a productive reading month and I am especially excited to report one five star reads and four four-star reads. Find all my June 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 Resistance Women.

Did we read any of the same books?

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

One More Day by Mitch Albom

5 Stars. Poignant, reflective, and heartfelt contemporary fiction. I love Mitch Albom! Not yet reviewed.

Resistance Women by Jennifer Chiaverini

4.5 Stars. (wavered between 4 and 5 stars on this one) Ordinary women choose to risk their lives in support of the resistance (WW11). Full review here.

The Cactus by Sarah Haywood

4 Stars. This was a slow start for me….after 60% I settled in and started enjoying the read.  Full review here.

Looking For Me by Beth Hoffman

4 Stars. A lovely story from the author of Saving CeeCee Honeycutt. Goodreads review here.

The Secret of Clouds by Alyson Richman

4 Stars For the love of teaching, middle-grade literature, and poignant stories. (By the author of The Lost Wife) Full review here.

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May 31, 2019

May Reading Wrap Up

*This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

May was a great reading month and I am especially excited to report a few five- and four-star reads. Find all my May 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.

Did we read any of the same books?

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

Paper Hearts by Meg Wiviott

5 Stars. WW11. A poignant and memorable story in free verse (YA).  Full review here.

On the Come Up by Angie Thomas

5 Stars. Contemporary Fiction. Powerfully told from an “own voices” perspective (YA). Review coming soon.

The River by Peter Heller

5 Stars. Wilderness survival/suspense/thriller. Review coming soon.

The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See

4.5 Stars (rounded to 5 Stars on Goodreads). Historical Fiction/Korean island of Jeju. Full review here.

The Lost For Words Bookshop by Stephanie Butland

4.5 Stars (rounded to 5 Stars on Goodreads).  For fans of Eleanor Oliphant. A heartfelt and memorable read. Review coming soon.

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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.

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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…)