Let’s FALL into this month’s readings

 Thanks to Helene and the lack of power/internet for a few days, I ended the month quite well!  10 books. 3,429 pages. An average of 114 pages a day. 

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas (426 pages). Feyre is 19 years old and the sole provider for her family.  Her hunting skills keep them fed. But during one hunt, she kills a wolf. And quickly learns that she killed more than a wolf when Tamlin, a High Fae from Prythian, shows up to enforce the Treaty between their people. Feyre must live in Prythian for the rest of her life or immediately die. She is taken to the Spring Court, where Tamlin is High Lord. The more time they spend together, the more Feyre realizes that she cares about him. Then there some stuff about a curse and some Fae infighting that could cause the destruction of both the Fae world and the human world. Honestly, for all that this series was talked up, I didn’t love it like I thought I would. I finished in 4 days. 

Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry (250 pages). I heard really good things about this memoir when it first came out in 2022. But I’m not a massive memoir fan. The last time I was at Books-A-Million, it just called out to me though. And reading it was bittersweet. Matty was brutally honest about his addiction. His prayer before Friends, telling God that He could do whatever He wanted, as long as he could become famous.  Heartbreaking. I finished in 3 days. 

The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods (431 pages). There’s a magical bookshop on a street in Dublin. A bookshop that can only be found by people who need it most. In 1921, Opaline doesn’t want the life her mother and brother have planned for her. So she flees the family home and tries to start a new life. First in Paris. And then in Dublin. A life surrounded by books.  But life isn’t so kind to unmarried women in the 1920’s. And her brother has her confined to a lunatic asylum for years until she escapes and returns to her magical bookstore in Dublin. 100 years later, Martha finds herself similarly fleeing her family home, leaving behind an abusive husband, to start a new life in Dublin. While there, she meets Henry, a man who has long been searching for a bookshop, Opaline and a manuscript for Emily Bronte’s second novel. This book was magical. Truly. I finished in 4 days.

Funny Story by Emily Henry (384 pages). Daphne’s life is perfect- she’s about to marry the perfect man and live forever in his perfect hometown with her perfect job as a children’s librarian. Until Peter realizes he’s actually in love with his childhood best friend (and grooms-woman) Petra. with her life blown up, Daphne turns to the one person who can commiserate- her roommate by default, Petra’s ex boyfriend Miles. Yep- that’s two relationships turned upside down. When Daphne gets an invitation to Peter and Petra’s wedding, she’s RSVPs that she’s not coming alone- she’s bringing her new boyfriend Miles. The two of them hatch a plan to get back at their exes. But along the way, Daphne realizes that she’s never been a ME gal, never made her own friends, never headlined in her own life. And being without Peter and living with Miles might just be the best thing that ever happened to her. It was typical cute Emily Henry. Honestly, the most annoying thing about it was that the evil exes literally have the same name (Petra is the feminine version of Peter). And really, one could argue that was a genius move that added to the couple being annoying in general!  I finished in 3 days. 

Golden Girl by Elin Hilderbrand (375 pages). Vivian Howe is a beach read novelist. Thirteen books, all set on her home of Nantucket Island. And on June 19, Vivi is struck and killed while jogging. Martha is assigned to guide Vivi to the Beyond. But first, she gets to spend one last summer on Nantucket, watching her family. One last summer and three last Nudges. Between her three kids (happily married Willa who is stressed about her pregnancy after 3 miscarriages, wild child Carson who is having an affair with a married man, and high school graduate Leo who is struggling to figure out his life), her ex husband JP and the woman he left her for 10 years ago, her best friend Savannah and her new book that is about to be published and holds a secret from her childhood, Vivi has a lot to worry about and watch. This wasn’t your typical Hilderbrand novel. But I loved it! I finished in 4 days. 

The Third Gilmore Girl by Kelly Bishop (239 pages). If you know anything about me (other than I love to read), it’s that Gilmore Girls is my absolute favorite show. I watch it every night to fall asleep. I’m trying to convert the hubs into a fan (he likes it more than he’ll admit). And Emily Gilmore has always been a favorite character. I knew that Kelly Bishop got her start on Broadway (Tony winner for A Chorus Line anyone?). And that she was the mom in Dirty Dancing (“she gets that from me”).  But that’s about it. Wow- she has had an amazing life. And to learn that At the Ballet was basically HER childhood, set to music by Marvin Hamlisch is just, wow!  I finished in 1 day. 

The Fairytale Life of Dorothy Gale by Virginia Kantra (363 pages). Dorothy Gale is a little lost in her life. After her initial graduate school attempt falls apart (never get involved with a professor who is also a novelist and writes a best selling novel that turns you into a life-destroying Lolita), Dee flees Kansas University, her Uncle Henry and Aunt Em, and her little sister Toni (nicknamed Toto) to start anew at the writing program at Trinity College in Dublin. There, she learns that her advisor was killed when a house fell off of a moving truck and her new advisor Maeve Ward is a bit of a witch.  Professor Glenda Norton offers her a job and a place to live (but turns out to be a bit of a witch herself). And along the way, she befriends Sam Clery (who had to drop out of college), Tim Woodman (who seems a bit heartless and cold) and Reeti Kaur (who is scared to tell her parents what she wants out of life). Turns out, Dee just needed to learn who she was as a woman and as a writer. And the power to do that was inside her all along. It was a super cute reimagining of The Wizard of Oz. I finished in 3 days.

The Three Lives of Alix St Pierre by Natasha Lester (412 pages). In 1937, 18 year old Alix arrives in Paris, fresh out of finishing school and with a dream to work in fashion. 10 years later, she finds herself back in Paris. Taking on a new job- PR for the newest fashion house, the House of Christian Dior. But Alix lived a very different life in Europe during the war. She worked as a spy, trying to get close to nazis who would spill secrets. But when a mission goes horribly wrong, Alix struggles with her guilt. And when her past comes back to haunt her upon her return to Paris, she decides to face the man who betrayed her. Once and for all. Y’all know I love some WWII historical fiction!  I finished in 1 day (thanks Helene for knocking out our power). 

Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle (254 pages). Ever since fifth grade, Daphne has received a piece of paper with a name and an amount of time. And she then knows her next relationship and how long it will last. Anywhere from one night to a few years. Until she finally gets a piece of paper with only a name- Jake. And now Daphne can finally wonder what could happen if there is no expiration date on love?  But love requires honesty. And there are things that Daphne is hiding from everyone in her life. Except her parents and one of her exes, Hugo 5 months. This book had two things I love- short chapters and a completely original concept!  And a most satisfactory ending. I finished in 2 days.

Lady Macbeth by Ava Reid (295 pages). I’ve taken whole semester long classes on Shakespeare. Admittedly, I haven’t read any since college. But Lady Macbeth was never a character I thought about, outside of her connection to her husband. And obviously her losing her mind (out out damned spot). In this, Lady Roscilla is betrothed to the Thane of Glammis, Lord Macbeth, in a power move by her father, a Duke. Roscilla is beautiful but rumored to be witch kissed and poison eyed. When she arrives in Scotland, a strange new world awaits her. One where her husband believes that three witches can see his future. One where ancient traditions and superstitions still reign supreme. And one where her own power can finally come forth. Honestly, I did not like this book at all. I typically love a reimagining. This one was disappointing. I finished in 2 days.

This month’s favorite is……The Lost Bookshop. I think. Or was it Expiration Dates?  Or The Three Lives?  Honestly, I liked all but the first and final books of the month. 

I never seem to have too August a month as the summer winds down

 Not too outstanding of a month last month. About average, to be honest. I read 7 books. A total of 2,589 pages. An average of 83.5 pages a day. So let’s get to it, shall we?

The Women by Kristin Hannah (473 pages). Frankie is 20 years old in 1966. She’s freshly graduated from college as a nurse and cheers as her brother Finley is shipped out to Vietnam. But at his going away party, his best friend Rye tells her that women can be heroes too. And when Finley is killed in action, Frankie enlists as an Army nurse. During her two tours, Frankie grows as a nurse and as a woman. She makes unlikely friends for life and even reconnects with Rye. She also sees the truth of the war. But her return home isn’t smooth. She’s met with hatred from strangers and shame from her family. And nightmares. So many nightmares. And unfortunately, there is no help. While some Vietnam vets could get help, “there were no women in Vietnam”. Y’all- I wasn’t sure about the hype surrounding this book. It was beyond well deserved!  A beautiful story of friendship, love, survival and life. I finished in 4 days.

The Martian by Andy Weir (369 pages). I did not expect to like this book as much as I did. Yes, the scientificy stuff wasn’t easy to understand. But a basic story of human survival and compassion?  Sign me up. Astronaut Mark Watney didn’t expect to get left for dead on Mars on day 6 of his team’s expedition but that’s exactly what happened. With Masters degrees in engineering and botany, Mark decides he can survive. And when NASA learns he’s still alive, an all out worldwide rescue mission is on. It probably helps that I saw the movie years ago.  But it’s been long enough that I didn’t remember details. I finished in 4 days.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan (375 pages). I love mythology. Always have. And learning that the author created these books for his own son who had dyslexia and ADD and a love for mythology made me smile. I really liked the book. Hubs and I watched the Disney series earlier this year. And they did a really good job of staying close to the book (I guess it helps when the author is also the screenwriter). Then I watched the movie from 2010. And completely understand why the author HATED it.  It was literally nothing like the book and even got some non-book related things wrong (like the statue of Athena in the Parthenon in Nashville is gold. The whole dang thing). But back to the book. Percy is 12 years old and miserable. He hates his boarding school. He hates his stepfather. He hates his dyslexia and ADHD. But he loves his mom. And when he eventually learns that he is a demigod and son of Poseidon, his whole life changes. He becomes friends with Grover, a satyr, and Annabeth, a daughter of Athena.  And the three set off on a quest to recover Zeus’ stolen thunder bolt and uncover a plot that is threatening Olympus. I finished in 3 days.

Capote’s Women by Laurence Leamer (316 pages). I’ve read several books about Truman Capote and his swans. I’ve watched the FX series. I find the whole situation fascinating- an author who decimates his 20+ years of friendships by exposing secrets in a thinly veiled work of fiction? This book focused more of the women themselves and how they became the swans. It was more detail than I’ve ever read about these women and I really enjoyed it. I finished in 3 days.

The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix (333 pages). Lynette Tarkington has lived her entire adult with one thought- survival. As a real-life final girl, she survived a massacre that took her family and her security. But for over a decade, she’s been a part of the Final Girl Support Group with 5 other final girls and their therapist. But when one of their members is killed at the camp where she survived, Lynette knows that someone is tracking the final girls. And the new killer should know one thing- a final girl never gives up. It was good. Surprisingly a little draggy at times. I finished in 3 days.

For You and Only You by Caroline Kepnes (430 pages). Joe Goldberg is back, y’all!  Off the screen and onto the pages where we first met his crazy. Joe has been accepted to a prestigious writing fellowship at Harvard, headed by Pulitzer Prize winning author Glenn Shoddy. Most of the other fellows are published authors (or nepo babies). Except for Wonder Parrish. Wonder is a local girl. And Joe is convinced he’s finally met The One. Again. But when Glenn’s criticism breaks Wonder’s spirit, will Joe have to revert back to his old ways to rescue her?  I finished in 6 days.

The Girl with the Make-Believe Husband by Julia Quinn (293 pages). Did you know there are prequels to the Bridgeton series? Neither did I!  Before Edmund bridgeton met and married Violet (and began having the 8 Bridgerton offspring we’ve come to love), his family was friends and neighbors with the Rokebys. In June of 1779, Cecilia Harcourt arrives in New York Town. She left her family home of Marswell in Derbyshire when she received news that her brother (and only surviving family member) had been injured in the war. Rather than face marriage to a cousin, she decided to do the unusual and leave. But when she arrived, her brother had vanished. And his best friend, Edward Rokesby, shows up injured. Cecilia declares herself his wife so she can tend to him. But what happens if and when he wakes up?  I finished in 3 days. 

This month’s favorite is……The Women. Hands down