Happy book day! This is one of my very favorite posts that I do each month! I just love the feedback from all of you guys about what I should be reading next. Sharing books with girlfriends is one of my greatest pleasures, so I’m always so happy to swap ideas with you too.
This month, thanks to our snowy days, I was able to read more than usual. A snowy day, a cup of coffee, three content kids and a big book…life really doesn’t get better for me. Here’s what I’ve read this month…
I have read several Sally Clarkson books before. Sally writes a lot about motherhood, being a wife, and living your life to the fullest with Christ. I always find her books so encouraging and very practical for every day life. I love Own Your Life because at the end of each chapter, she has some specific steps you can take to apply the chapter in your day to day routine.
Um, loved! I’m such a Liane Moriarty fan (I read two of her books this month!), The Husband’s Secret is such a good little read. This book has a little suspense and a little romance all rolled into one book about friendship. Great light read!
Speaking of loved, I loved Watching the English! This book is so clever and quirky…perfect if you’re an Anglophile like myself. It’s subtitled “the hidden rules of English behavior” and I soaked them all in.
I mean, I read everything John Grisham writes, so it’s no wonder I liked Gray Mountain. I think my favorite part about this Grisham book is that the lead character is a girl (typically, he writes male leads). If you like Grisham, you should read this.
I must confess…The Secrets of Midwives was my favorite read of the month. Ladies, this was such a fun, light read very similar to Liane Moriarty and Emily Giffin! I could not put this book down! In fact, one morning, I read it from 5:30 to 7:00 just to finish it before my kids woke up (I had to know how it ended!). Love, love, loved this book! Now, I need Sally Hepworth to write 10 more just like it so I can read them too :).
And then I ended my March with another Liane Moriarty book…The Hypnotist’s Love Story. Here’s what I’ve learned about Moriary…every time I finish one of her books, I declare it my favorite…until I read her next one. The bottom line, I love them all but if you ask me which one is my fave, I’m going to say this one (until I read the next one…they are just all so good!).
One last thing, on Sunday, I hosted a book exchange at my house with the ladies from my church. Everyone brought books that they didn’t want any more and we all shopped them for a $1 a book. This way, if you brought 10 books, you didn’t necessarily have to leave with 10 books (because you might not want that many), but you could make $10 if all of your books sold. And on the flip side, you could bring one book and then leave with 10 if you had $10. My friends and I loved this!! We had a few remaining books that we donated to our local women’s shelter at the end. Everyone brought an appetizer (dips and nibbles) and we ate, “shopped” our books and chatted for almost three hours. It was such a fun night with girlfriends!
Don’t forget, you can see my running list of books for 2015 here.
I love to read your book suggestions! Comment below with what you’re reading now or what we all should be reading next.
On my foodie blog today…
Easter is in a week and a half…if you need a goodie, I have you covered!
xoxo
Sheaffer {Pinterest Told Me To} says
My thought about this post….I'm the girl who wouldn't have 10 books to bring. I would have to swing by Half Price Books on the way and pick up like 8 books.
Anonymous says
Lol!!
Amanda Mcginnis says
First off, I start my day with coffee and your blog! Second, I'm completely stealing your book exchange idea! So clever! Have a blessed day, shay!
Heather says
I'm so impressed that you read so many books in a month! I've been working on putting my phone down, turning off the TV, and reading at night to give myself more time to read.
Have you read "Girl on the Train"? I just finished it and it was pretty good…I love a good mystery! Another good one is "The Last of the Camellias" by Sarah Jio…another great mystery!
Kendra says
It was a good read!!
Narci says
Love, love, love your book review each month. These look like great reads!
Loren F says
I am so happy you are such an early riser and so consistent with your blog posts. I always start my day with my coffee and your blog. My only half hour of peace before the kids wake! Thank you 🙂 I also read Sheaffer's blog! Cracks me up. (& Erika) keep em coming ladies!
Erika Slaughter says
Starting that Midwife book in five!!!
The Boutelle Family says
I just read Girl on the Train & it was SO good! I normally like lighter chick-lit, but I loved this book! I'm definitely going to check out Liane Moriarty, so thank for the suggestion! Oh & the book exchange sounds so fun- what a great idea!
adrienne says
Love this list! Leaving for Florida next week and picking up some books and hair products today :). Thanks!! And totally stealing book club idea!
Anonymous says
Would love to hear your thoughts on the India's Street Kids series from JourneyForth.com. These are Christian young adult or youth novels about human trafficking. Two of the books are currently out. The Third will be out later this year. Current books are Capturing Jasmina and Buying Samir. Seeking Mother is the third.
Lynn
Barb P. says
My BEST read in a long, long time – The Rent Collector by Camron Wright. A poignont, touching novel set in Cambodia (love to read about new places!)
Melissa H. says
I am currently reading Harvestman Lodge by Cameron Judd. Based on a small town with dark secrets. So good!!
Charlotte says
Love the book exchange idea! And also love Liane Moriarty! I think Big Little Lies is my fave so far. But my question is, when do you find time to read so many?! You are a busy lady!
Kelly says
The Girl on the Train was so good!! Just started the Divergent series and I am hooked! If you read, and liked Hunger Games, you will like Divergent! Love reading your reviews!
Ryan Warner says
I agree with Barb P. about The Rent Collector by Camron Wright. It is SO good. It's not chick lit, but it's a pretty short book so it's an easy read. One of those books you might not think twice about but you totally, completely should! 🙂
Rayne says
Have you ever read a Charles Martin book? He is one of my favorite authors–When Crickets Cry, No Mountain Between Us– you can't go wrong!
Tracy says
Love your book reviews. The book exchange/sale sounds like fun!
Sally Hepworth says
Shay, you are too lovely. I've already written the next two so hopefully you won't have long to wait xo
Jessica Sweeney says
I'm doing a book review on my blog today too!!! Although I am only getting through one book per month at this rate. I'm so amazed you get so much reading done! My next book is Wild .. I want to read it before I see the movie.
Katy Worthen says
I try to get myself to read when i have the down time, i have recently bought You and Me Forever by Francis Chan and Lisa Chan. I have read his other book Crazy Love and did a bible study on it and loved it. Always looking for good reads and love reading your reviews on your books you read each month!!
Leah B. says
Have you ever read any books by Kristin Hannah? I just finished "The Nightingale" and it was fabulous – I didn't want it to end. I have also read "Winter Garden" and it is one of my favorites!
Jen says
I loved Winter Garden and Firefly Lane! 🙂
Goodbyebreadandcheese says
Love the idea of the book exchange with your girlfriends!
Anonymous says
The book exchange party is such a good idea~great reason to get together with friends 🙂
Ashlee says
I recently read Me Before You by JoJo Moyes! Such a great read! I couldn't put it down and finished in on 2 plane rides!
Jen says
Loved Me Before You too!!! Can't wait for the movie to come out!
Kelly @ The OK Momma says
Love this! I need to make time to read again – there just aren't enough hours in a day!
Anonymous says
You have to read Blue Bistro by Elin Hildebrand!!!
Jen says
Loved that book! Great summer read!!!
Coreline Mayfield says
I have to agree with other comments above, The Girl on the Train was great. A page turner, whodunnit that I could not put down. Also a quick and easy read.
Erin C says
Just finished Girl on the Train last week . . . . LOVED IT! And started What Alice Forgot the other night, love it so far! I loved The Husband's Secret so I knew What Alice Forgot would be just as great!
Heather Forcey says
I just finished Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford. It is a story set during WWII in Seattle about a Chinese boy and his best friend who is a Japanese girl. It is a beautiful story about their friendship and love as the Japanese family is sent to a relocation camp. Themes of family loyalty, patriotism, and young love run through the book. I cried at the end. It was just that sweet.
Sarah Shaneyfelt says
I read The Husband's Secret and I would have never guessed what it was! I was thinking what everyone else was–an affair. Did not see that coming!
Janeen Vannoy says
Kathy Herman is grea! I have read all of her books and they never disappoint, and most recently I read Abomination by Colleen coble and it was a super read! Lots of suspense!
April says
I know its not a book but have you ever watched the PBS show "Call the Midwife?" Amazing!!
Lauren says
Love reading your blog and getting book ideas! A friend recently recommended a book by Sara Hagerty called "Every Bitter Thing is Sweet: Tasting the Goodness of God in All Things." It's so good – about a woman who struggled with fertility and eventually adopted 4 children from Africa. Weaved throughout is her struggle with her faith and relationship with God. Great read: http://www.amazon.com/Every-Bitter-Thing-Sweet-Goodness/dp/0310339944/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=&qid=
Kristin McGeeney says
Currently reading Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult and it's sucking me in page by page. I keep finding time to squeeze in a few more pages! and I'm on the wait list for Girl on the Train at the library and based on the reviews here in your comments it will be a good read!
Rebecca Jo says
I want to do a book party now!!!!!
Leslie says
You HAVE to read "The Girl on the Train." It was one of the best books I've read in awhile. I couldn't put it down and found myself trying to finish it before the kids woke up too!
Chris says
Adding my plug for The Rent Collector. Loved it! I also am just finishing Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. If you like historical fiction it's a must. I must say it has a few F-words thrown in, which is definitely not my favorite, but still worth reading.
Danielle says
I just finished reading The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls. It is a memoir and is so interesting! I would definitely recommend reading it, if you haven't already.
Jen says
I loved that book; it was really thought-provoking.
Michele @ The Joyful Home says
I love, love, love the idea of a book exchange! I just finished Big Little Lies and can't wait to read her other books.
Morgan Eckert says
The Girl on the Train is such a page-turner and hard to put down. I would definitely recommend that one!
Stacy says
I am so glad I came across your book reviews And discovered Liane Moriarity. I started reading her books about 2 weeks ago and I only have 2 to go…..love her!!
midwestmom says
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes! I started it yesterday and can not put it down!
dresselfamily.blogspot.com says
Ooh it gets even better !!!
ml says
I knew Shay was an early riser, but oh my goodness ladies! Most of you posted before 6 am. I am a theology professor and spend most days reading…well, theology. I am on spring break now and look forward to reading one of your suggestions.
Alison says
Such great books!
Nikki says
Thanks for sharing your books recommendations! I'm in need of a good book! I just made a list of the ones you posted! 🙂
dresselfamily.blogspot.com says
My last few fav were
me before you by Jojo Moines.. loved it
girl on a train.. I couldn't put it down!
Libba says
Going to start Girl on a train tomorrow. Just finished WhAt Alice Forgot by Liane Moririty…it was great!
Mindy Marshall says
Love, love, love the idea of a Book Exchange! Question about the logistics: how did you keep track of who brought the books when it was time to pay for them?
Katie Fountain says
I too LOVE reading biographies and autobiographies! That being said I just finished Amy Poehler's book Yes Please(and I wasn't particularly a huge fan of hers before) but oh my goodness! I laughed out loud and ended it feeling like we were friends! SO SO good. Now I'm about to finish Diane von Furstenburg's The Woman I Wanted to be, and talk about THE MOST fascinating woman EVER!!! The woman married a Prince and created the Wrap Dress! Both are highly recommend!
Anonymous says
I am sooo addicted to your blog. This is a great post and has given me some ideas for new reading material. Thanks, Shay! Also loved your post on your favorite hair products and wanted to echo a request from several other readers… could you show us how exactly you do your bun to sleep (and how it looks when you take it out in the morning)?
Thanks and have a great rest of the week!
https://onlyfunnyonpaper.wordpress.com/
Kim Grevenstuk says
You need to try Charles Martin and Richard Paul Evans. Great authors, I love them both! Kate Morton is great too, I would start with the Forgotten Garden. If you like chick lit Kristen Hannah usually does not disappoint. Happy Reading!
Anonymous says
Shay-Have you read The Red Thread by Ann Hood? It's a great book about the ties of families through adoption.
Libby Gordon says
I LOVE Lianne Moriarity and these two yiuve mentioned are my favorites of hers. If yiu like her, yiu should read some books of JoJo Moyes. She's wonderful too, I have a copy of Own Your Life but I'm reading/studying The Best Yes (which is SO good) right now…Own Yiur Life is my next personal study book.
Thank you for sharing Yiur precious family with us and your book reads!
Anonymous says
Hi Shay! I am a new mom and have been looking into reading one of Sally Clarkson's books. I was wondering which of her books you would recommend over the others? Thanks so much!
Angela at The Little Things says
Loved The Husband's Secret! The Hypnotist's Love Story will be next on my reading list! Thanks for doing these posts. Such great ideas!
Meredith says
You have to read the girl you left behind by Jojo Moyers, she has several but this one starts with some sisters living if France durin WW I, it was so good. I read it on a weekend car trip then after school drop off on Monday came home and read for 3 more hours just to finish it, so good and I love Lainey Morarty too.
Mrs. Thomas says
You must read A Life Intercepted by Charles Martin. It's a fabulous book and it's about college football so it's right up your alley! My favorite since reading all of Moriarty's.
Brooke says
Just finished A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller. It's about the life you make and the memories you create as well as creating a life bigger than yourself. Wonderful, inspirational read.
Jen says
I took your suggestion and read "The Secrets of Midwives" and I absolutely LOVED it!! Thank you for the book suggestions 🙂