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

(more…)

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.

(more…)

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.

(more…)

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.

(more…)

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.