A Very Lucky Girl

This fall line-up was straight FIRE, y'all! I read a couple more that didn't make the cut for this post because I'm not here to waste your time with mediocre literature. Add these to your Christmas list, cozy up to your Christmas tree, and get your read on! The Day We Met by Rowan Coleman 4 stars This is a heart-wrencher! The main character is learning how to navigate the diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer's. Her relationships with her own mother, her daughters, and her husband take center stage as she struggles with knowing her own identity. A sweet read the whole way through.  That's What Frenemies are For by Lauren Gershell 4 stars Wealthy Julia has it all: perfect husband, kids, and house in NYC (complete with a housekeeper, of course). She also has the Midas touch when it comes to catapulting places and people to Upper East Side fame. Gossip Girl meets Big Little Lies in this sizzler about keeping up appearances in this Instagram age. ...

Remember when I wrote monthly book reviews? Oops. Between Bachelorette recaps, trying to keep up with Blake’s Stagecoach conquests on Bachelor in Paradise, and having to come up with something to make for dinner 5 nights a week -- I fell behind. I have every intention of getting back on track with these in the fall, but I finished some amazing books this summer so I’m laying out my top-rated so you can finish off your year on a high note!  Before diving in, allow me to explain my personal rating system. I adhere pretty closely to Goodreads star standards with some variation:  Goodreads 1 star - “did not like it”  My 1 star: I hated this book and I’m really annoyed that I selected it. Thought about quitting partially through multiple times.  Goodreads 2 stars - “it was ok ” My 2 stars: I would not recommend this book to anyone and likely powered through. Did anyone proofread this text?  Goodreads 3 stars - “liked it” My 3 stars: Thi...

Blaming podcasts for my short-ish reading lists lately. Cold ( detailing the disappearance of Susan Powell in Utah) created a monster and now I can’t stop listening to true crime. HELP ME. Crime Junkie is my current audio of choice and I'm surprised I'm sleeping at night tbh. self-portrait anytime Chris Harrison isn't on my TV screen What If It’s Us by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera 3 stars A little more YA than I anticipated, but cute dialogue and relatable sentiments. It was infinitely more fun reading this after a trip to NYC because I definitely understood “there are a million and a half people in Manhattan, but none of them make eye contact unless you already know them.” But even several references to Levain bakery didn’t make up for a relatively shallow storyline and the theory that “the universe” works for us and against us. The Never List by Koethi Zan 3 stars Even though I’ve been listening to true crime podcasts like villains are going...

February was a “light” month in terms of novel volume, but some gems were certainly uncovered. March has been mind-blowing and I hope to share those soon!! Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens 5 stars Be prepared to feel all the feels with this one. It’s our book club read for April and I’m looking forward to discussing it with some of my favorite ladies. The books covers themes from one spectrum to another: prejudice, resilience, desperation, and determination (to name just a few). You’ll be captivated by Kya and intrigued by the mystery of her life in the marsh. Swimming Pool Sunday by Madeleine Wickham 2 stars Fun Fact: Madeleine Wickham is a pseudonym for Sophie Kinsella (whose books I adore), so I was looking forward to this read. Unfortunately, I wasn’t impressed by the storyline and the writing wasn’t nearly as fun as the Shopaholic series. If you were considering picking this one up, stick with Becky Bloomwood and her persistent overdraft habit instead...