You guys. I love to read. And not just cookbooks. Although I do love me a good cookbook like this (my newest obsession) or this (an old favorite!) or this (above).
Mostly though I’m talking about novels. Sometimes I take breaks from reading and then I get another good book and I think why have I been doing anything else with my free time?? (Although you can check out some of my other hobbies here–because remember weight loss is not a hobby!)
So I’m going to add what I’m currently reading to this post and perhaps update it monthly. You can get to know me in a little different way and maybe suggest a book in the comments as well!
Oh and in case you’re wondering–I predominantly use my Kindle and check out books from the library using the Overdrive app. I love it! I also have a subscription with the app Scribd for audio books. It’s unlimited audio books (and many digital books as well) for $8.99/month. Not an ad–just telling you what I do!
A few standouts from last fall and some of my favorite non-fictions:
- The Giver of Stars, by Jojo Moyes ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Depression era Kentucky women run horseback library.
- Call Your Daughter Home, by Deb Spera ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Southern women in the 1920s lives collide.
- Where the Crawdads Sing, by Delia Owens ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Girl lives alone in Carolina marsh, simultaneous story of a murder
- The Light Between Oceans, by M.L. Stedman ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Couple lives alone on island off the coast of Australia to run the lighthouse.
- The Nightingale, by Kristin Hannah ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
WWII France–two sisters separated and fight in their own way.
- Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams, by Matthew Walker ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Fascinating look at sleep and its affects on our daily lives. A little redundant but worth it
- Year of Yes, by Shonda Rhimes ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Busy working mom learns to say yes to everything that scared her, including herself.
- Girl, Stop apologizing, by Rachel Hollis ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Learning to be yourself.
- Bare, by Susan Hyatt ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Good self-help. You’ll notice I use her “what feels like love” concept with my clients.
What are you reading?? Tell me in the comments!
January:
- Good Riddance, by Elinor Lipman ⭐️⭐️
Stolen yearbook wreaks havoc on daughter’s life. Not much depth.
- The War that Saved My Life, by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley ⭐️⭐️⭐️
WWII girl and her brother leave London to live with single woman (middle grades level book)
- The War I Finally Won, by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley ⭐️⭐️
Sequel to above. More of the same. I read these because my daughter was reading them so we could discuss.
- Tidelands, by Philippa Gregory ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
1648 woman tries to earn a living for her family amongst impending war over King Charles. (audio)
- The Dutch House, by Ann Patchett ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Brother and sister can’t leave past behind. The house is a main character. (audio–Tom Hanks!)
- When We Believed in Mermaids, by Barbara O’Neal ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sister fakes death; flashbacks of terrible neglectful childhoods.
- I Was Anastasia, by Ariel Lawhon ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Did Anastasia Romanov survive the Russian revolution?
- In Another Time, by Jillian Cantor ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Part WWII and after, part love story, part importance of music–historical fiction with a heavy emphasis on the fiction due to a “timely” plot twist. (audio)
February:
- Garden Spells, by Sarah Addison Allen ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
A little magical love story. Compelling enough to read the sequel.
- Everything I Never Told You, by Celeste Ng ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Chinese American family in 1970s–parent expectations meets teen secrets
- House Rules, by Jodi Picoult ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Asperger’s boy is accused; with accompanying family drama and a look into life with a child on the Autism spectrum. (audio)
- Secrets of the Millionaire Mind, by T. Harv Eker ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Mindset work similar to what I teach. Good thoughts and mantras for improved relationship with money
- Hold on But Don’t Hold Still, by Kristina Kuzmic ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Inspiring and humorous non-fiction for moms. Some super great stuff in this one
- One Plus One, by Jojo Moyes ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Unlikely paring of single mom with quirky kids and a millionaire tech nerd.
- Flight of Dreams, by Ariel Lawhon ⭐️⭐️
Fictional possibility of how the Hindenburg went down. Struggled to finish.
MARCH:
- The Strange Journey of Alice Pendlebury, by Marc Levy ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Journey for love.
- How Not to Die Alone, by Richard Roper ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Awkward man, awkward job, one big lie
- Conviction, by Denise Mina ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Podcast obsessed, true crime solving woman with random neighbor. (language warning)
- The Phantom Tree, by Nicola Cornick ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Dual plot–Tudor history with present day. A time twist and a love story
- The Secret Letter, by Debbie Rix ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Story of two young girls–one English, one German. Good people everywhere.
- The Jettsetters, by Amanda Eyre Ward ⭐️⭐️
Dysfunctional family, unlikable characters. Meh.
Started but abandoned because language was too aggressive for me:
Nothing to See Here
Such A Fun Age
APRIL:
- The Guardians, by John Grisham ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
False accusations overturned by small town lawyer. Many political statements.
- Attachments, by Rainbow Rowell ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Email is read and reviewed for violating company standards–what a way to get to know a stranger.
- Skyward, by Brandon Sanderson ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Love a good fantasy–haven’t read one in a while! Stranded on a distant planet, kept there by alien fighter pilots. Reading the sequel!
- Murmur of Bees, by Sofie Segovia ⭐️⭐️
Difficult to follow the plot as the timeline jumped around constantly. Sweeping family drama set in the ranches of turn of the century Mexico. (audio)
MAY:
- First Frost, by Sarah Addison Allen ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
Magical realism–sequel to Garden Spells. Did not care for the ending.
- Starsight, by Brandon Sanderson ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Second book in series. Teleporting spy seeking to save the human race. Long wait now for the 3rd book!
- The Rosie Project, by Graeme Simsion (current read)
I love book list. I just discovered your blog. Excited to check it out.
So glad you found me! This is not quite the “norm” post for me so hopefully you’ll find other things you like as well!
I came across this website. I’m going through it and tagging the books I want to read. I certainly don’t agree with all of the selections, but it’s a good list to browse.
https://www.1000bookstoread.com
Thanks–I’ll check it out!