New year, new books

 I’m starting the year off pretty strong. My Up All Night New Years book from Once Upon a Book Club includes a 40 book scratch off challenge. So I like to start the year by jumping right into it and checking off books. Of the 9 books I read this month, 7 of them were for the challenge!  So this month was a total of 9 books. 2977 pages. An average of 96 pages a day. 

Midnight Spells Murder by Mary Angela (203 pages). This was a very belated (sweet) Halloween book from Once Upon a Book Club (thanks supply chain issues). So gifties on social. Zo Jones, owner of Happy Camper gift store in Spirit Canyon and part time sleuth, schedules a talk with local author and self proclaimed witch Marianne at the shop. Everything seems perfect. Until Zo finds Marianne’s lifeless body near Happy Camper, propped up like a Halloween decoration in a witch’s hat. Turns out, more than one person in town has motive for killing Marianne. And Zo decides that she is just the right part time sleuth to solve the mystery. This book was adorable. I finished in 2 days. 

The Haunting of Leigh Harker by Darcy Coates (338 pages). This was another belated (spooky) Halloween book from Once Upon a Book Club. After 15 years in her beloved home, Leigh realizes it is not the sanctuary it had once been. She can barely make it through an hour in her home without noticing that doors have been opened (or closed), furniture has been moved. And, most disturbingly, a dark figure looms in her bedroom door each night. But Leigh is not going to give up her home without a fight. This book took a while to pull me in. But once it did, the twists kept coming!  I finished in 5 days. 

Hocus Pocus and the All-New Sequel by A.W Jantha (521 pages). Part One was a novelization of one of my all-time favorite movies. While I loved the fact that it added a little more backstory to some of the characters, it also just wasn’t as great as the book. Part Two takes place 25 years later. Max and Allison’s daughter, Poppy, has long held her parents’ secret- that they brought back and vanquished the Sanderson sisters. But when Poppy and her friends inadvertently bring Winnie, Meg and Sarah back, they must do what they can to best the sisters once again. This novel got me excited for the upcoming sequel movie. But I didn’t love the novels. They were fun, but nothing special. I finished in 4 days. 

Animal Farm by George Orwell (105 pages). This is one of those books that just somehow never got assigned in school and therefore was never read.  I already knew the premise of the novel- the animals of Manor Farm rebel and create a self-governed Animal Farm. But nothing is perfect. And “all animals are equal” eventually becomes “all animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”  I’m pretty sure that there has been no time in history that this story has not been timely in its critique of socialism. And its observation that blind loyalty to any governing body is never a smart idea. I finished in 1 day. 

The Rose Code by Kate Quinn (624 pages). Y’all know I love some WW2 historical fiction!  In 1940, Osla (a wealthy debutante), Mab (a girl seeking a better life) and Beth (a henpecked daughter) are all picked to work at Bletchley Park, the country estate where all of the most brilliant codebreakers in England (including Alan Touring) are working to break Enigma. Seven years later, all of England is celebrating the wedding of Osla’s ex boyfriend to Princess Elizabeth. But the three women reunite to help one of them escape an insane asylum and track down the traitor from Bletchley Park who put her there. A traitor who is far closer to home than any of them realize. Omg- this was soooo good!!  I finished in 5 days. 

12 Days of Book-Club-Mas by Lana Gionfriddo et al (223 pages). This is an annual treat I give myself from Once Upon a Book Club. It’s 12 days of short stories and accompanying gifts. Some of the stories are so amazing that I wish they were full books!  Technically, I should have taken 12 days to read this. But I just got so into it that I finished in 3 days. 

One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus (358 pages). It’s a Monday afternoon in September at Bayview High School when 5 students make their way to detention. Bronwyn is an overachiever, bound for Yale. Cooper is a star baseball player, bound for the majors. Addy is a prom princess. Nate is a minor criminal. And Simon is the school gossip page. But when a lethal allergy attack takes the life of one of them, it is quickly apparent that it wasn’t an accident. And the remaining 4 try to figure out who’s secret was worth killing for. There were some great twists and reveals in this one. There’s also a series on Peacock that I decided to watch. And it basically destroys the book. I always say the book is better and this series proves my point!  I finished in 4 days. 

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig (288 pages). This was a reread from over a year ago for a book club that I’m in now. And I loved it as much the second time around!  Recap- Nora Seed decides that her life isn’t worth living anymore. The moment she kills herself, she immediately finds herself in the Midnight Library, an in-between spot where she just simply has to open a book and she falls into a new life that she is living. The librarian suggests she focus on regrets first. And again, I wished this place were real to see how my life could have been different if I’d made different choices (not that I don’t want the life I have, it’s just curiosity). I finished in 1 day. 

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte (317 pages). This is another one that I can’t believe I’ve never read. The moors, Heathcliff, Catherine, doomed love. Everyone knows that. But I wasn’t aware of the fact that Heathcliff and Catherine are literal monster characters- there isn’t much redeeming about either of them. I also did not realize the levels of cousins marrying cousins that happened in the generation following Heathcliff and Catherine. Despite how horrendous Heathcliff and Catherine were, I actually liked the novel quite a bit. I finished in 6 days. 

This month’s favorite was…..The Rose Code. Obviously. It’s WWII historical fiction!

The year is done and so is my monthly reading

 This month was not the best month of reading for me. I was kind of trying to clean off some of my shelves to make room for new books for the new year. So this month was 7 books for a total of 2,381 pages. That’s an average of 77 pages a day. 

The Breath of Dawn by Kristen Heitzmann (437 pages). Quinn Erin Reilly loves her job. She cleans out houses for families who have lost a loved one and sells the treasures she finds online. But the thing she loves best about her job is that she can stay off the grid. Which is very helpful when you helped put a conman behind bars. During one of her jobs, she meets Morgan Spencer, a man still mourning the loss of his wife and raising his 2 year old daughter with the help of his brother and sister-in-law. Soon, they realize that they need each other more than they would have ever thought. Especially when the conman is released from prison and Quinn’s very life is in danger.  This book was fine- it had sweet Christian overtones that I enjoyed. I finished in 4 days.

Fatal Tide by Iris Johansen (338 pages).  Melis is a dolphin expert and the adopted daughter of a bona fide treasure hunter. But when a rival hunter who is also an arms dealer enters the picture, death and danger follow Melis and her new friends in the quest for the most elusive treasure ever.  I did not enjoy this book at all. I finished in 4 days. 

Hidden by Fern Michaels (308 pages). Cullan Bodman and his sister Luna are as different as siblings can be. He specializes in furniture restoration and is as businesslike as they come. Luna owns a cafe adjacent to her brother’s shop and is a free spirited psychometric. When a piece of furniture speaks to Luna, the siblings find themselves in the middle of a mystery that is truly life or death. I finished in 3 days. 

Children of Exile by Margaret Haddix (296 pages). This is the first in a series (that I have no plans to complete). For 12 years, all children of a certain town have been raised in Fredtown, by their Fred-parents. But one day, they are told that they are not orphans and they are going home. But home is nothing like Fredtown. And 12 year old Rosi must do what she can to protect herself, her brother and the other children from this strange new world. I didn’t like anything about this book- the reason the children were taken was ridiculous. And the people in charge were as well. This was one dystopian novel that left me confused. I finished in 4 days. 

The Round House by Louise Erdrich (321 pages). During the spring of 1988, Geraldine Coutts is attacked on the North Dakota reservation where she lives with her husband Bazil, a tribal judge, and 13 year old son Joe. In one evening, Joe’s whole world is turned upside down. His mother retreats into herself. Joe’s father tries everything he knows to learn who the culprits are. And Joe takes it upon himself to do his own research, with the help of his best friends. Their search for answers leads them to the Round House, one of the most sacred places on their reservation. And a quest for vengeance. I finished in 6 days. 

Everything is Perfect When You are a Liar by Kelly Oxford (316 pages). This was a memoir. And a very amusing one at that. Kelly’s adventures (or misadventures) from childhood to adult seem like that can’t have all happened to one person. But apparently they did!  I laughed a lot. And even found myself reading several passages out loud to my normally not interested in what I’m reading fiancé. He laughed too!  I finished in 4 days. 

Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens (365 pages). I had never read this classic before, but I felt like I already knew the story (thanks to movies and musicals and cartoons). Long story short- orphan Oliver Twist finds himself in all sorts of situations, both good and bad, until he escapes Fagin’s clutches and finds his forever family. I’m not going to lie, the entire time I was reading, I kept hearing the song “Oliver” from the musical. I finished in 6 days. 

This month’s favorite was…..Everything is Perfect. It was truly LOL!

Apparently, this was No(read)vember for me……

 This month was kind of slow, reading-wise. But in my defense, I did have a few other things going on. I did manage to finish 6 books at a total of 2,106 pages. Which averaged 7- pages a day. Yes, fat below my normal average. But still respectable. 

Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty (464 pages). Retired tennis coach and mother of 4 adult children Joy Delaney is missing. Something unheard of in the Delaney family. Joy was their rock- the very foundation upon which their tennis obsessed family rests. But one year earlier, a strange girl named Savannah showed up at the Delaney house one night. And wormed her way into Joy’s affections. Now, as everyone searches for Joy, people are left wondering who is responsible for her disappearance. I finished in 6 days. 

The Hiding Place by C.J. Tudor (276 pages). The small (former) mining town of Arnhill has a difficult history, especially for former resident Joe Thorne. The last place he wants to go is back home. But a horrific set of events when he was a teenager needs to be faced. The loss and return of his younger sister, his friend’s death. Joe wants answers. And Arnhill is the only place to find the answers. I finished in 3 days. 

The Guest List by Lucy Foley (313 pages). A remote, almost uninhabited island of the coast of Ireland is the setting for Jules and Will’s exclusive wedding.  The bride, her sister, her best friend’s wife, the best man and the wedding planner all have secrets. Secrets so big that one of them will kill for them. I literally did not see any of the twists coming. This book was sooooo good!  I finished in 4 days. 

One Day in December by Josie Silver (392 pages). It’s right before Christmas in 2008. When Laurie meets the love of her life. And by meets, I mean locks eyes with him while she’s on a bus and he’s at the bus stop. She’d never believed in love at first sight. But now she’s on a mission to find him. And she does- one year later, her best friend Sarah introduces her to bus boy Jack. Who is Sarah’s new boyfriend. Over the next 9 years, Laurie and Jack are intertwined in each other’s lives- as friends, during marriages, through breakups. But can someone you had a moment with at a bus stop actually be your forever?  I finished in 5 days. 

IQ by Joe Ide (323 pages). Isaiah Quintabe is known as IQ in his East Long Beach neighborhood.  He is, for lack of a better description, a ghetto detective. He is brilliant and devoted to uncovering wrongs i his neighborhood. Any case that the police see no merit in is a case that’s right up his alley. So it’s not at all surprising when he gets a call about an attempt on a rapper’s life. What is surprising is the case itself. Honestly, I did not really enjoy this book. The language was rough, the facts of the case were confusing, and the way the chapters time jumped kept me confused.  I finished in 4 days. 

Exposed by Lisa Scottoline (338 pages). Attorney Mary DiNunzio is asked to take on a case for an old family friend from her neighborhood. Which she happily does for free- the facts are heartbreakingly in her favor. Unfortunately. the parent company is represented by her partner Bennie Rosato. Can these partners and friends actually face off in court?  And when someone connected to the case dies, can Mary and Bennie figure out who is behind it?  I finished in 4 days. 

This month’s favorite was…..The Guest List. 

October is over, my reading was average

 October was nothing out of the ordinary. 8 books read. A total of 3,055 pages. An average of 98.5 pages per day (so a little less than my normal average). But here we go!

Wunderland by Jennifer Cody Epstein (367 pages). Ilse and Renate have been best friends all of their lives. But their once inseparable bond is ripped apart as Hitler begins to take power in Germany. Ilse is the perfect example of an Aryan girl. Renate and her family do not agree with the Nazi race laws, especially when it hits close to home. A shocking betrayal is the final nail in the coffin of their friendship. 50 years later, Ilse’s daughter Ava receives letters that her mother never sent- letters that will show Renate was really happened and share a deep family secret. I finished in 6 days. 

Seeing Red by Sandra Brown (421 pages). Kerry Bailey is a TV reporter in Dallas, ready to snag the interview of her life. 25 years prior, Major Franklin Trapper became a national hero when he helped lead survivors to safety after a hotel bombing. After decades of giving interviews and living in the spotlight, the Major unexpected left the public life. But Kerry knows she has a secret that will get that interview. But it will take getting his estranged son John to help her. Trapper, a former ATF agent, has long wondered about the bombing and who was truly behind it. But the interview ends in disaster when the Major and Kerr are attacked. Trapper and Kerry join forces to bring the gunman (or men) to justice and to uncover a conspiracy that has plagued Trapper for years. I finished in 5 days. 

Courting Mr. Lincoln by Louis Bayard (379 pages). In 1839, Mary Todd moved to Springfield, Illinois, to live with her sister and brother-in-law. And to possibly find a husband. She quickly makes the acquaintance of Joshua Speed and his best friend, Abraham Lincoln.  While Speed is charming, Lincoln remains a mystery. And as her relationship with Lincoln deepens, Mary must navigate his inseparable friendship with Speed. Honestly, I didn’t know too much about Lincoln and Mary Todd. But their love story was quite fascinating. I finished in 5 days. 

P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern (470 pages). My bestie and I both love this movie (she probably more than me). So I decided I wanted to read the book. It was different than the movie, in that the whole thing takes place in Ireland rather than only Gerry being Irish. But the premise is still the same. A few months after her beloved husband dies of a brain tumor, Holly is in the depths of despair. But she gets a packet of letters from Gerry, to be opened each month. These letters challenge her to remember to keep living. And each letter ends with “P.S. I love you.”  It’s a beautiful story about how life is full of moments of pain and joy. And we must embrace all of those moments in order to fully live. I finished in 4 days. 

Postscript by Cecelia Ahern (295 pages). This takes place 6 years after the first book. Holly has a whole new life going on- a new job, a new relationship. But when her sister invites her to share her PS I Love You letters story on a podcast, a group of people reach out to her for help. They want to do for their loved ones what Gerry did for her. At first, it seems like the wrong decision- it’s bring up all the pain of losing him. But eventually, Holly realizes that remembering Gerry is what makes her the woman she is today. I finished in 3 days. 

The Night She Disappeared by Lisa Jewel (398 pages). This was my Once Upon a Book Club box, so gifties on social (per usual). I love this author. She always has an unexpected twist. In this, young parents Tallulah and Zack are last seen enjoying a rare night out. When they don’t come home, Tallulah’s mom, Kim, is worried. And when she learns that they went to a house party after dinner at the local pub, she knows something is wrong. But nothing is ever found. A year later, Sophie moves to this small town to join her boyfriend at his new position as headmaster at a school. Sophie is an author of detective novels. And when she sees a note that says “dig here,” she finds herself drawn into the mystery of the teens disappearance. Told over 2 years (the year before they disappear, their disappearance and the year after), the novel kept me on the edge of my seat! I finished in 4 days. 

Not All Diamonds and Rose by Dave Quinn (465 pages). The ultimate Housewives Bible. This book was amazing (if you love the Real Housewives, which I do). The behind the scene details, the production secrets, so juicy!  Dave Quinn interviewed Housewives AND production. Meaning we got multiple sides to almost every story (including the actual truth)!  I finished in 3 days. 

Nala’s World by Dean Nicholson (260 pages). I’ve been following an Instagram account called 1bike1world for about 2 1/2 years. This is the story of the man who started the account (Dean) and his amazing cat (Nala). I already knew some of the story, just by following him on Instagram. But my heart warmed to Dean even more. In 2018, he left Scotland and began a journey to bike around the world. And found “wee” Nala on the side of the road. They are now world adventurers and soulmates. She also happens to be one of the most gorgeous and photogenic cats I’ve ever seen. I finished in 2 days. 

This month’s favorite was…..Not All Diamonds and Rose. I know, I know. There were some other really good ones. But for this Housewives fan, this book could not be beat!

September was a glorious month for reading

 This month was great. Between pool time and vacation, I got a lot of reading done. 12 books. 4,029 pages. An average of 134 pages per day. So here we go!!

Eyes of Justice by Lis Wiehl (292 pages). Triple Threat have been friends and cohorts for 6 years. Cassidy is a crime reporter, Nicole is an FBI agent and Allison is a federal prosecutor. Between the three of them, no crime is too big of a mystery. Until one of them is killed. The other two find themselves teaming up with private investigator Ophelia to solve this crime. Before it’s too late and another one of them dies. I finished in 3 days. 

If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy (292 pages). This was my Once Upon a Book Club book. A fun modernization of a classic fairy tale. Cindy is a recent Parsons grad with a major shoe obsession. After all, shoes are the one things that always fit, even when you are a plus-sized girl like Cindy is. When her stepmother’s hit tv show (basically The Bachelor) needs a few new contestants, Cindy and her two stepsisters join the cast. A chance at winning prize money that could help boost her career?  Sign her up!  A chance to be a role model for women of normal sizes as the first plus sized contestant?  Sure, that’s a fun bonus. But as the show goes on, Cindy realizes that she and Prince Charming might actually have a real connection. Can a girl really get everything she wants, all by being on a reality tv show?!   I finished in 2 days. 

Labyrinth by Catherine Coulter (497 pages). FBI Agent Sherlock is simply driving her car one afternoon when she is t-boned by another vehicle. And then hits a man who is running across the street. Eventually, through DNA, they learn his name and that he is a now missing CIA analyst. Turns out he is missing because of something he may have uncovered. And what he may have uncovered could have massive effects. Meanwhile, in a small town in Virginia, FBI Special Agent Hammersmith happens upon a serial kidnapping ring that encompasses the local sheriff’s nephew and a very powerful family. Two twisty and frightening stories overlap in this very interesting crime novel. I finished in 1 day. 

See What I Have Done by Sarah Schmidt (325 pages). Historical fiction about Lizzie Borden?  Yes please!  The story was told by Lizzie, her older sister Emma, the maid Bridget, and a stranger named Benjamin. As someone who has been to the Lizzie Borden house, I love reading books about her. Because I can literally picture exactly where everything happened (I even have photos axing my dad in the sitting room and my mom in the guest room- yes, we are morbidly funny). I enjoyed the addition of Benjamin- he was hired by Lizzie and Emma’s uncle John to talk to Mr Borden (aka- hurt him in some way). But before he could get the job done, someone else took care of both Mr AND Mrs Borden. While hiding around the property, he found (and kept) the ax head. And tried to use it later on to blackmail the Bordens. I did not enjoy the bouncing around of the timeline though. Literally, my only complaint.  I finished in 1 day. 

The Lake by Natasha Preston (356 pages). Esme and Kayla are now counselors in training at Camp Pine Lake, a camp they haven’t been to in 10 years. Because something happened during their last summer at camp. And the lake never forgets. This had a great twist ending. I finished in 3 days. 

Miss Austen by Gill Hornby (268 pages). I know what you are thinking, a book about Jane Austen. Probably historical fiction. Correct on the genre. Incorrect on the subject. This was about Jane’s older sister, Cassandra. The sister who took it upon herself to make sure Jane’s legacy outlived them all. Cassandra had been engaged at one time, but lost her fiancé to yellow fever. After that, she swore never to marry. She and Jane lived together with their mother until the end of their lives. When Jane predeceased her, Cassandra gathered up all of her correspondence and got rid of any that she felt was too personal.  Their relationship was something very special and beautiful. I finished in 3 days. 

The Light Over London by Julia Kelly (293 pages). Historical fiction about WW2?  Yep, I’m in. In 2017 England, Cara is a freshly divorced woman, working for an antiques dealer. When she discovers a diary from 1941, she decides she wants to learn everything she can about the young woman who served in the ATS (the Auxillary Territorial Service, a women’s branch of the British army). Louise Keene was 19 years old when she met pilot Paul Bolton at a dance. Meeting and loving him changed the course of her life. She left her small town and joined the ATS, quickly becoming a gunner girl. Finding Louise’s diary helped Cara finally find out family secrets from her only living relative, her grandmother who had also served in the ATS. I loved this one so much!  I finished in 3 days. 

Tailspin by Sandra Brown (424 pages). Rye Mallett is a fearless freight dog pilot. One night, he agrees to fly a black box down to a small airport outside of Atlanta for a Dr Lambert, despite impenetrable fog in the area. The trip is a disaster, starting with a sabotage attempt that leaves him with a crashed plane, a female doctor named Brynn O’Neal who claims she was sent by Lambert to retrieve the box for him and a 48 hour race against time (and people who really want what is in this package) to deliver the box to the right recipient. I finished in 4 days. 

Her by Christa Parravani (306 pages). This memoir was heavy. Christa and Cara are identical twins. And at the age of 28, Cara overdosed and died, leaving Christa truly alone for the first time in her life. She didn’t know how to function without her other half. It is truly a love letter to a lost sister. I finished in 4 days. 

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid (365 pages). The Riva kids have always taken care of themselves. Their father is famous singer (and always absent) Mick Riva. Their mother June died when they were young. But they’ve managed to do quite well for themselves. Oldest Nina is a surfer and model, married to the biggest tennis star in the world. Twins Jay and Hud are a dynamic duo- Jay the pro surfer and Hud the photographer. Youngest Kit is still trying to find herself. Told hour by hour the night of their famous end of summer party, the Rivas’ stories are told through flashbacks. And truths come out during the party that will ultimately change their lives. I finished in 2 days. 

Pretty Guilty Women by Gina Lamanna (319 pages). The wedding of the year is happening at Serenity Spa Resort. Among the guests are Lulu (aunt in law of the groom), Ginger, Emily and Kate (college friends of the bride). 24 hours after check-in, a man is dead. And all four women have confessed to murder, each swearing she acted alone. I finished in 3 days. 

The Dinner by Herman Koch (292 pages). Two couples (brothers and their wives) meet up for dinner one evening to discuss their sons. A video has surfaced that could affect the boys future. And could also affect the parents. As dinner goes on, the differences in the boys and their parents come to light. I didn’t really like this one. I finished in 2 days. 

This month’s favorite was .....The Light Over London. 

What an AUGUST month of reading I had

 This month was the best one of the year. I got 13 books read. A total of 4,548 pages. Which averaged 147 pages a day. Yay!

Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro (245 pages). This is my second novel by this author. I had hoped (seeing as this one was made into a movie) that perhaps I might like it better than the first. Alas, I did not.  It’s the summer of 1956. Stevens, butler at the famous Darlington Hall, has been given permission by his new employer, an American, to take a car trip to visit the estate’s former housekeeper. Stevens’ memories of his former boss, the late Lord Darlington, the Lord’s connections to Germany, and the former housekeeper all keep his company in his 6 day trip. As does the realization of what could have been had he not been such a proper British butler. I finished in 2 days. 

Reset by Sarina Dahlan (312 pages). This was my Once Upon a Book Club box, so gifties on social media. Imagine all the people, living life in peace. That’s what the Planner did when he created four self-sustaining cities in the middle of the Mojave Desert after the Last War destroyed most of the world. Every four years, the citizens of these cities undergo Tabula Rasa, a memory wipe that allows them to start anew with no prejudices or attachments. Living life to the fullest for four short years means people are kinder to each other. Aris is a scientist who loves Tabula Rasa. But when she meets writer Benja, she begins to open her mind to the possibility that dreams are actually memories of prior cycles. And after Benja draws her into the world of the Dreamers, their leader Metis shows Aris that remembering the past can open up your heart to the future. I finished in 3 days. 

Romancing Mr. Bridgerton by Julia Quinn (466 pages). The fourth in the Bridgerton series focuses on third child, Colin.  Unlike his older brothers, Colin feels as though he has no purpose in life. Anthony is the viscount, Benedict has his art. But Colin is a born traveler. Who loves writing in his journals. Upon a return to England, he realizes that neighbor (and his sister Eloise’s best friend) Penelope Featherington isn’t just Penelope anymore. She is witty and challenging and everything he never realized he always wanted. But Penelope has a big secret. One that could threaten their courtship before it even begins. I finished in 4 days. 

Bookish Boyfriends: The Boy Next Story by Tiffany Schmidt (429 pages). The second in the Bookish Boyfriends series focuses on younger sister Rory and takes place immediately after the first book. Rory is the artist and the introvert in the family. And is hopelessly in love with next door neighbor (and her sister Merri’s best friend) Toby. But Toby has always been in love with Merri (even though she’s now dating one of his good friends). The magical English teacher at their high school quickly realizes that The Great Gatsby just isn’t speaking to Rory. But she knows exactly what book will- Little Women. And as Rory reads this new book and chases her dreams, she realizes that sometimes the boy next door truly is the perfect boyfriend. I finished in 2 days. 

Sisters of the Resistance by Christine Wells (388 pages). Another Once Upon a Book Club book this month (woo hoo), so gifties on social. Gifts AND historical fiction?  This girl is in heaven. In 1944 Paris, sisters Yvette and Gabby are simply trying to survive. Yvette is a bicycle delivery girl for House of Lelong (where Christian Dior first made a name for himself) and Gabby is the concierge/superintendent for their apartment building. A building where Mr Dior and his sister Catherine are tenants. Catherine isn’t simply the sister of a fashion designer though- she is part of the Resistance. In 1947, Yvette is summoned back to Paris to testify at the trial of actress Louise Dulac, accused of treason. By this time, Christian Dior has his own atelier. And the beautiful Yvette finally gets an opportunity to live her dream- as a mannequin for Dior. But the world of lies and spies that the sisters had been a part of during the war finally comes to a head and truths come out. I finished in 3 days. 

The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen (343 pages).  I really don’t even know how to describe this book without giving it away. Vanessa is the jilted ex-wife, obsessed with the young woman her ex-husband has replaced her with. Or is she? There is so much more to Vanessa’s story than meets the eye. I finished in 3 days. 

Bookish Boyfriends: Talk Nerdy to Me by Tiffany Schmidt (324 pages). The third in the series. It’s spring semester at Hero High. Merri and Fielding have been together for a few months, Rory and Toby have been together for a week. And now it’s Merri’s best friend Eliza’s turn to have a book change her life. This one I totally connected with, as the book is Anne of Green Gables, one of my all time favorite books. In her English class, her magical teacher allows the students to pick a book for their new project. Eliza picks Frankenstein. And quickly realizes the book hits a little too close to home (she’s always felt like an experiment rather than a daughter for her Nobel prize winning scientist parents). So when she’s allowed to trade with academic rival Curtis, Anne of Green Gables finally speaks to her in a positive way. And she learns that rivals don’t have to stay that way and speaking your truth is always a good thing. I finished in 3 days. 

Bookish Boyfriends: Get a Clue by Tiffany Schmidt (326 pages). The fourth and final book in the series. Yes, once I found out it was a series, I had to get all of them. This one focuses on Rory’s best friend Huck and Curtis’s little brother Win and takes place just a few days after Eliza and Curtis make things official. When an email goes out denying Win’s transfer to Hero High rather than the typical letter of acceptance or rejection, Huck quickly realizes it’s a fake. And with the help of his magical English teacher’s recent extra credit assignment of Sherlock Holmes, Huck decides to get to the bottom of it.  Turns out, there is a lot more going on than a fake rejection email. I finished in 2 days. 

Lady in the Lake by Laura Lippman (337 pages). In 1965 Baltimore, Maddie Schwartz is in a perfectly fine marriage. But she’s not happy. So on an impulse, she decides to leave her husband and start over again at 37. After finding the body of a young Jewish  girl who had been murdered, she gets a job at a local paper. Between first hand insights from people all over the city and tips from her black policeman lover (so scandalous), Maddie decides to look into the possible murder of Cleo Sherwood. What she learns is eye opening. And further cements that she has finally found something she loves. I  finished in 3 days. 

Women Talking by Miriam Toews (216 pages). In the early 2000’s, a remote Mennonite colony in Bolivia was completely rocked. The women (over a hundred of them and of all ages) were awakening groggy and sore. It was assumed they were being visited by demons as punishments for their sins. The truth was much worse- 8 Mennonite men were drugging and raping these women. For years. This novel focuses on a fictitious meeting between 8 women of the community as they discuss whether to do nothing, stay and fight, or leave.  I finished in 2 days. 

Good Riddance by Elinor Lipman (288 pages). Daphne Maritch, broke divorcee living in New York City, inherited a high school yearbook from her mother. A yearbook from 1968 that had been dedicated to her. Turns out, the yearbook is heavily annotated after every reunion that her mother attends. But Daphne has no desire to keep it. Until a nosy neighbor finds it in the recycling bin and decides it would make a perfect subject for a documentary or a podcast. But turns out the mysteries of the yearbook contain more than just mysteries about the class of 1968. I finished in 3 days. 

The Desolations of Devil’s Acre by Ransom Riggs (503 pages). The sixth and final book in the Peculiar Children series. Caul has returned and is intent on taking down the peculiar world. Jacob and his friends (including Noor, one of the few peculiars who can save them) must do everything they can to save their kind and their world. I finished in 4 days. 

The Flip Side by James Bailey (371 pages). When Josh’s New Year’s Eve proposal turns into a breakup, he loses his girlfriend, his apartment and his job in one moment. So he’s forced to move home (with the rabbit he’d bought for his now ex girlfriend’s Christmas gift. Josh decides he’s had no luck making his own choices, so for one year, he’s going to flip a coin to make decisions. Perfect poolside book!  Total chick lit, but with a twist because a man was the lead character. I finished in 2 days. 

This month’s favorite was .....Romancing Mr Bridgerton (although Sisters of the Resistance was a VERY close second)

July is over, my reading was as pleasant as the weather was

 This was a pretty solid month. 8 books. 3,165 pages. An average of 102 pages per day. So let’s get into it

How to Be Fine by Jolenta Greenberg and Kristen Meinzer (224 pages). These two women have a podcast called By the Book, where they live out a self-help book for 2 weeks and then talk about how it went. The book was divided into 13 things that worked (kindness to self and others, decluttering, trying new things), 8 things that didn’t work (diets, meditation) and 8 things they wished books recommended (stop comparing yourself to others, see a therapist, make friend with your body). I feel like I got the readers digest versions of some of the best and worst self-help books out there. And while I’m not a massive believer in self-help books, I certainly saw some areas in my own life that could use a little extra love and attention. To be honest, I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. Probably in no small part to their writing style. It was fun and funny, they seemed approachable and likable. I finished in 3 days. 

The Golden Hour by Beatriz Williams (465 pages). Ah, historical fiction. My old friend. The novel takes place over 3 times lines. The first begins in 1900 Switzerland. Elfriede von Kleist is convalescing from postpartum depression (for 2 years already) at a sanitarium. A new arrival, Englishman Wilfred Thorpe, catches her interest. And soon her heart. But Elfriede must eventually return to her husband and son, blithe of whom have moved on without her. In the summer of 1941, journalist and recent widow Lulu Randolph is sent down to Nassau to learn more about the intriguing Duke and Duchess of Windsor. After finally making her way into Nassau society, Lulu finds herself enthralled by Benedict Thorpe. She also finds herself in the middle of scandals that surround the Windsor society- a murder, disappearances, etc. In the winter of 1943, Lulu makes her way to London to find whatever news she can of her new husband, who is missing behind enemy lines in Germany. The way the stories all intertwine was just wonderful. It took me a while to get into the book. But once I did, I couldn’t put it down. I finished in 4 days. 

The Hating Game by Sally Thorne (363 pages). Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeman are the assistants to the co-CEO’s of Bexley and Gamin publishing house. Coworkers and bitter rivals. In fact, their favorite thing to do is play games with each other- the Staring Game and, most importantly, the Hating Game. But when the opportunity for a promotion is offered to both of them, they take their competition up to a whole other level. And then one moment changes everything. Because the line between hate and love is pretty thin. This was total beach-read, chick lit. Which is just delightful during the summer. I finished in 5 days. 

All the Ways We Said Goodbye by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig and Karen White (434 pages). Three women during three different time periods, connected by one building- the Paris Ritz. In 1914, Aurelie de Courcelles finds herself torn between her childhood home and legacy, her American heiress mother at the Paris Ritz and a handsome German aide-de-camp, Maximilian Von Sternberg. In 1942, Daisy Villon is married to a horrible man who is a Nazi collaborator. But her free-spirited American grandmother raised her at the Paris Ritz and with a sense of loyalty. She becomes a resistance fighter alongside her spunky grandmere. In 1964, Babs Langford is mourning the death of her husband. And when she is asked to meet American lawyer Drew Bowdoin at the Paris Ritz to learn what they can about elusive French heroine and resistance fighter  La Fleur, Babs jumps at the chance. This woman’s name has long haunted her memories of her husband and she wants answers. The three time periods were so distinct. Yet the connection between the women was so wonderful. I finished in 7 days. 

The Duke and I by Julia Quinn (438 pages). The first of eight in the Bridgerton series. And a limited edition box from Once Upon a Book Club (which means gifties are on social!). I absolutely ADORED the Bridgerton series on Netflix. The book was even better. Obviously, I was completely unable to picture the Duke and Daphne as the books described them (the Duke has ice blue eyes in the novel), but other than that, so easy and enjoyable. In case you’ve been under a rock, the book is about Daphne Bridgerton, the fourth of the eight Bridgerton children (and eldest daughter) who is worried she will be a spinster or in an unhappy marriage. When her older brother’s former school chum, the new Duke of Hastings, arrives in the ton, they quickly join forces in a sham courtship. Pursuing Daphne will keep the Ambitious Mamas and their Darling Daughters from plotting for his proposal (which will help Simon) and will make Daphne seem more desirable (which will help Daphne). But sham courtships have a way of becoming the truth. I finished in 4 days. 

The Viscount who Loved Me by Julia Quinn (451 pages). The second book in the series  focuses on Anthony Bridgerton, eldest child of the Bridgerton family and a viscount. Anthony has finally decided that this will be the year he gets married. It’s high time now that Daphne is married. Of course, he has no plans on doing anything so silly as marrying for love (he has his reasons). So he sets his sights on Edwina Sheffield, the Incomparable of 1814. But to get to Edwina, he must win over her older sister Kate. In Kate, Anthony has finally met his match. When a compromising moment forces a hasty marriage, Anthony realizes that marrying for love might actually be the best thing that ever happened to him. I finished in 4 days. 

The Black Dahlia by James Ellroy (337 pages). Everyone knows the story of Elizabeth Short, aka the Black Dahlia, and her unsolved murder. This novel focuses on two  policemen involved in the investigation. Bucky Bleichert and Lee Blanchard are partners and friends. And they both become obsessed (in their own way) with the case.   After Lee disappears, Bucky takes an even more personal interest in the case. His inability to let the case go results in him finally figuring out who killed the Dahlia. But he is unable to actually arrest the guilty party. So the case remains unsolved. Technically. I finished in 3 days. 

An Offer from a Gentleman by Julia Quinn (453 pages). The third book in the series focuses on Benedict Bridgerton, the second child of the Bridgerton family. Sophie Beckett is the bastard daughter of an earl. But her life is rather pleasant. She’s treated better than a servant but not as a true born daughter. Then her father marries a truly horrible woman. When the earl dies four years later, Sophie is immediately made into a servant by her stepmother. For seven years, she works as a lady’s maid. Until one night, the housekeeper helps her out in true Cinderella fashion- she gets sent to the masquerade ball. There she meets Benedict. When her stepmother figures out what she did, she kicks her out. While she and Benedict spend the next two years dreaming about each other, they finally reconnect. But Benedict has no idea that Sophie is his mystery woman. And Sophie knows that a gentleman cannot marry a bastard child who is now a servant. I finished in 3 days. 

This month’s favorite was .....All the Ways We Said Goodbye. Although the Bridgerton books were super enjoyable (An Offer from a Gentleman was my favorite)