What I read in December

What I read in December

December 31, 2020

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December was for all the romantic winter books. I have long past my goal of 52 books and I wanted to disappear into some books that didn't require heavy thought. I just wanted to be swept away to a simpler world for a little while. And while all of these books didn't exactly tick the "simpler world" box for the characters, I loved them all anyways!

Winter Street The first in the Winter collection by Elin Hilderbrand. I loved this series and I am almost done with the last book in the series. The Quinn family reminds me of the family in The Family Stone and you just want to curl up in their inn and root for them! 

The Tourist Attraction Another series! This one was more of a romantic comedy set in Alaska. The books each focus on a different set of characters from the series. It was short, sweet, easy to read and exactly what one needs in the middle of December.

Winter Stroll The Quinn family trials and triumphs continued in this book and made me fall even more in love with the characters.

Mistletoe & Mr Right More Alaskan fun.. Another easy, short & sweet read with characters that are completely likable.

The Two Lives of Lydia Bird I loved this one. Possibly my favorite of the month. It had depth and charm and a quality that I've noticed Josie Silver threads into her books. I loved the story and I couldn't help but hope Lydia Bird found her way through the story. 

Winter Storms The Quinn family members have found a solid place in my heart! I can't wait to finish the series.

I don't think I'll make another reading goal for 2021 but I will continue to share my monthly reads here on the blog. I think I'll share the kids' reads more often too! 

Here's to all the good reads awaiting us in the next year!

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What I read in November

What I read in November

December 2, 2020

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I started the month off slow with Cleo McDougal (a decent read but nothing earth shattering) then didn't read another book until last week when I plowed through a few romantic comedies, more of the Mindy Kaling short stories (always good!) and All Adults Here (more enjoyable than I expected!).

I haven't read a rom-com novel in YEARS but Would Like to Meet and One Day in December were the perfect reads for the end of the month. Cozy, romantic, and perfect to snuggle up in bed with.

All Adults Here was about a mom questioning her parenting mistakes (how relatable is that?) and her life/choices alongside her now grown children and their life/choices. It was full of family, changes, acceptance, and love. I loved it!

Cleo McDougal Regrets Nothing hit the spot for a political novel with a female lead right in the midst of our very political month. Fitting with the rest of books I read this month, there was a little love mixed in but it wasn't a rom-com at all. It was mainly about motherhood, friendship, and owning up to oneself.

Mindy Kaling's short stories are short and sweet. Think 30ish pages of her fresh, fun, personality shining through the pages with a large dash of her real life.

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What I read in October

What I read in October

November 2, 2020

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This month had a good mix of thrillers and just everyday stories! 

The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires was exactly as it was described. "Steel Magnolias meets Dracula". The 80's vibe was a major player in this novel. I laughed, I cringed, I occasionally inwardly wondered why I chose this book and in the end, I was pretty happy with it. 

The Voting Booth is a YA novel, which isn't usually my type, but it was the perfect read leading up to November and the looming election.

Eleanor Oliphant, Friends and Strangers, The Secrets We Kept and What You Wish For were all solid reads. Lots of family, love, life situations. I really liked them all.

When No One is Watching was... different. I had to finish it as I can't not finish any thriller book I start. But, this one crawled along and I wasn't sure what was really going on and then the ending kind of exploded all at once. 

Ah, then we have Mindy Kaling. Her new mini stories on Amazon are short reads (think 20 pages or so) and her voice shines through the pages. Funny, entertaining, down to earth - just like her!

Here's to all the November reads!

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What I read in September

What I read in September

October 13, 2020

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Another month of good books down! I'll say, reading has really helped get me through this year. Behind every rough day was a book I could lose myself in. 

The Vanishing Half was my top choice from last month. I liked the back and forth storyline and how the author intertwined the lives of the characters. 

Loud Mouth and Roommaid were the perfect light rom-com books! And, The Lies that Bind and Chasing Fireflies were good stories overall. 

The Other Mrs had a lot of potential but I found myself skim-reading almost the entire book. It wasn't catching and I didn't retain much of the plot. 

I think the most exciting thing about these past few months of reading is picking the actual book. I like to browse book stores and the book aisles at Target for ideas. It's the idea of a new story to fall into that does it for me. Now that our library has officially opened again, we'll be back to bringing home stacks of books and not a whole lot makes me happier than a stack of books!

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What I read in August

What I read in August

September 15, 2020

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August was a short month for the books. I wrapped up my 52 books project! Then, I took a little break and decided that while I wouldn't create a new goal for the rest of this year, I am going to still track what I read and share the books here and on my Instagram.

I have always loved to read but I realized that I haven't made it a priority in the last few years. When I decided to start the 52 book project, I really wasn't sure if I'd stick to it or finish it, but it really re-instilled that love of reading and the joy of the hunt of finding a good book!

An American Marriage was hauntingly beautiful. A wrongful conviction becomes a harsh reality for a young couple and the book weaves in and around their lives as they find themselves separated and figuring out their new lives.

The Sun Is Also A Star was wonderful! I'm not big on young adult books but this one felt beyond its' times.

The Guest List was a dark thriller. The setting was so perfect for the end of August. We get lots of summer thunderstorms here and the book was set on an isolated island with rough weather and choppy seas. While it wasn't my favorite thriller, I will admit that I didn't guess the "who done it" ending!

It's mid-September now and I'm in the middle of another really good book. I'd love to know, what are you reading now?

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What I read in July

What I read in July

August 11, 2020

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Oh, July. This may have been my favorite month of books overall! 

First off, go read Becoming. I'll be the first to admit that I didn't pay enough attention to this amazing woman while she was FLOTUS. But her book? It read like fiction and I was hooked. I read it here and there between other books. It was there with me during my miscarriage, it was there while my kids splashed in the pool, I read it in the car and while in bed, stopping every now and then to share something that I loved with M. It was SO GOOD.

The Islanders and Big Summer both gave me all the summer vibes with a hint of mystery mixed in.

I'm Still Here was a quick read but I really liked seeing another perspective and hearing another's persons' words and experiences. It was an eye-opening book, for sure.

Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy is a graphic novel that retells Little Women in today's world. Modern, lovable, SO GOOD! This was a book Lia read this month and she loved it so much that she left it on my nightstand for me to read.

The Scent Keeper. This book! I struggled the first few chapters. I was totally confused on the concept of the book and what was going on with the characters, but I pushed through and I'm so glad I did. It was the perfect book while we're in quarantine. The characters, the settings, the descriptions - they all take you to a whole new world. Instead of my living room, I was on tiny island and it was a little magical.

Cold Tangerines and Dear Edward were both okay reads. I really was hoping for more from Cold Tangerines and while there were bits that really spoke to me, overall I found myself skim-reading it. Dear Edward was a solid read, but not my favorite from this month.

That puts me at 49 books and we're only halfway through the year. I don't know if I'll extend my goal this year but I do want to keep tracking what I've been reading! 

Have you read any great books lately? 

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What I read in June

What I read in June

July 10, 2020

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I started June out strong with A Better Life. I devoured the book and then regretted not having read it slowly with a highlighter and post-its handy. There was so much that resonated with me. It's definitely a book I'll be reading again!

Exciting Times was not exciting. I picked it up and put it down so many times. I slowly trudged through it. I usually finish most books that I start - call it FOMO or blind hope that the book will get better. This one didn't. It was odd and slow moving. 

Two Truths and A Lie was the perfect beach read! I have another one by the same author lined up for July. 

But, Five Years was my favorite. It wasn't what I was expecting yet it was SO GOOD. A love story but not the one you'd expect to read. 

The Mothers was another top contender. It had heavier topics than everything else I read this month, making it the perfect balance for me. I'm waiting on a library copy of her newest book, Vanishing Half. I'm hoping it comes in soon - I've heard great things!

Real Life was another slow read. Great content, but it just didn't flow for me. And, Someone Else's Secret was good. But, I'll admit, I had to google it to remember what it was about. Beach-y type read with a little mystery/heavier topics.

With 10 books to go before I reach my goal, I think I'll finish my goal and then focus on a picking stack of books per month to read. I'll set a new goal next year! But, having this goal has really pushed me to focus on reading again and it couldn't have come at a better time.

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What I read in May

What I read in May

June 10, 2020

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May was a good mix of heavy reads balance out with lighter ones. The books spanned through so many subjects and categories.

 I found myself diving into heavy issues with American Dirt - both in the book AND the real life controversy to the book. I found myself sad and in awe while reading Educated. I laughed at Parental Guidance and Red, White & Royal Blue. 

American Dirt, When We Believed in Mermaids, and Red, White, & Royal Blue were my favorites. Though they were all good and worth reading!

I also re-read the Hunger Games series to refresh my mind before I read this one.

I'm at the point where I now need to decide if I should extend my goal (currently I'm set to read 52 books this year) or finish strong and then just keep reading until I make a new goal next year. What would you do?

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What I read this year

What I read this year

May 19, 2020

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In January, I made a goal to read 52 books this year. I was pretty sure I could average a book a week and still have some cushion if I found myself burnt out. 

I hit a small bump exactly halfway in, but I picked up another book, kept going, and I just finished book number 34 last night. So, I'd say the goal is going pretty strong! 

I've been documenting my progress on my Instagram highlights reel and in my Get To Work Book (the planner that has ended my search for planners!) and it's really great to actually get the products of this goal down on paper and be able to flip back through the pages.

There's so many good stories in this mix but these are a few favorite mentionables...

Daisy Jones & The Six - An easy, fun story written in interview style. It was a different style than what I usually go for but it was so well-written that for most of the book I was convinced these characters and this rock band were real.

This Is How It Always Is - This one pulled on my heartstrings. Parenthood and love and being different were central topics in this book and it was such good one!

Little Fires Everywhere - I loved the little mystery thrown in the mix of a story about two families from two different worlds and what happens when they collide.

Big Lies in a Small Town - I've been a fan of Diane Chamberlain for a while. This book was no different. A beautiful story about an artist, second chances, stories of the past wrapped up in small-town history, and love.

The Alice Network - By far, my favorite book of the year. Powerful female characters, a gripping storyline, a historic background, and a sprinkling of love and family. SO GOOD.

I'm in love with books and feeling SO GRATEFUL that there are so many good stories to read. Especially in today's current quarantine. 

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