Happy Book Day friends!
I really look forward to this post each and every month. The books you ladies suggest have filled my spare time with so much joy!
Confession: I read fewer books this month for one reason and one reason only…
…I had to finish binge watching Gilmore Girls. Sigh. I’m honestly relieved it’s over for two reasons: one, I now know how it ends…I was dyyyyyyying to know! And two, I can focus on other things now…you know, like my life.
And bonus today…Narci is starting a new series where you link up with posts about books, so today, I’m linking up with her too! To participate in he Carpool Book Club, click here.
Okay…so, here is what I read this month…
Well, I’ve read all of Bethenny Frankel’s books, so when her new one came out in April, I thought I should read it too. I Suck At Relationships So You Don’t Have To is a book with 10 rules for not screwing up relationships. She pretty much tells you what she always does wrong in a relationship so that you can hopefully avoid her mistakes. If you love Bethenny and have read her other books, you’ll think this one is pretty funny too. She’s very “Bethenny” in this book…and if you know Bethenny, then you know what I mean.
I mentioned Flash on my What’s Up Wednesday post. This is such a sweet little memoir about a mom who finds a homeless donkey and in raising him, really realizes a lot about herself, her faith and how the Lord is working through her. This is really a feel-good book.
I read Beyond Orange County this month too. This author was on the Real Housewives of Orange County, but her book is more about her faith and living a life for Jesus than the TV show. She even includes Bible study questions in case you want to use this book as a study. I loved this book! I thought Lydia was very sincere and genuine, I appreciated how she used a lot of scripture and really showed how the Lord worked in and through her.
I feel like I must apologize. You ladies have been recommending Elin Hilderbrand books to me for almost a year now and I just now read my first one. What is wrong with me?!?! These books are EXACTLY what I love to read most! I’ve already bought a second Hilderband book to read and plan on reading many more after that. I started with The Matchmaker and it is the perfect little read. I highly recommend it if you’re going out of town or need a beach read…love, love, love her writing!
And then I read Let. It. Go. by Karen Ehman. Oh mamas, this is a great book for you to read! Not just moms, but all of us ladies can benefit from this book on faith. In fact, after I read this book, I quoted it several times to myself during the month. Sometimes, you just have to let it all go and focus on your faith. Such a great read that can truly be life changing.
So, there you have it friends! My five books for May. As always, I covet your recommendations in the comment section. Summer is here! I have places to go and many more books to read :).
As always, you can see a complete list of the books I’ve read in 2015 here.
And you can follow me on Goodreads here.
And on my foodie blog today…
…my suggested Memorial Day Menu!
Have a great day!
Sally Hepworth says
I love your book posts (and not just because you included The Secrets of Midwives a few months back). I will go and check out Narci's page–I'm always keen to hear what others are reading and loving. Oh and I concur, Elin Hilderbrand is magnificent.
Narci says
Thank you so much for linking up!! I am heading over to order that Elin H book and Let it go! They both look so good!! 🙂 Have a great day, girl!! Xoxo
Eileen says
Love Elin Hildebrand books! Every time I read one I want to take a trip to Nantucket.
Sara says
I'm obsessed with Nantucket because of Elin Hilderbrand! She has many books to choose from that I've loved. She usually has a new one come out each summer!
Sarah Witowski says
I love Elin Hildebrand!! All of her books are wonderful! Also, I was just thinking yesterday of the book written by Lydia. I may have to check that one out!!!
Blake Callahan says
It looks like I need to put that book by Elin Hilderbrand on my list to read! And Let It Go too! Have a great day!
Mallory Marn says
Thanks for the recommendations Shay. My all-time fav book is The Last Lecture by Jeffrey Zaslow and Randy Pausch. It's a quick little read that will give you great reminders for how to put life into perspective!
Melanie Smith says
OH my. The Last Lecture is just amazing. I remember sobbing in my bed as I read it. Just amazing.
Sheaffer {Pinterest Told Me To} says
Reading, Books, Blah Blah Blah. STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE TRIFLE! BAM! 🙂
Melanie Smith says
Sheaffer…while in the blardigan??? Hahahahaha
Courtney Kaker says
I love your book reviews! I currently have about 70 books in my "to-read" section because of these posts!
daniellem02 says
I just read "copper crown" and it was one of the best books I have ever read. It is set in Texas in WWI, and is about friendship between two women, and race relations, but somehow manages to avoid the cliches that most books like that fall into. Can't recommend highly enough!
Erika Slaughter says
I'm so glad you finished Gilmore Girls!! Now you can have your life back. Hahahahaha!! 🙂
Melanie Smith says
Ok, girls. After I finish Friday Night Lights, Gilmore Girls is on my list. It's your all's fault!
Goodbyebreadandcheese says
We're going to the beach in June so I'll have to pick up Matchmaker for it! Also, have you ever read God Never Blinks? I think you would LOVE it! Totally inspiring.
harsha rathore says
Everyone should read 'Me before you' by Jojo Moyes…Trust me it will become your fav book ever 🙂
Ashley says
Yes! And I loved The Ship of Brides by JoJo Moyes, too!
lorisavage says
Me Before You- so good!!! And I heard they are making it into a movie and also that she is writing a sequel….I hope both rumors are true!!
harsha rathore says
Everyone needs to read 'Me before you' by Jojo Moyes….trust me it will become everyone's fav book
Deena Simair says
Thanks for the recommends, I keep seeing Erin H. Books everywhere, will add them to my list. My fave book to read every summer is Fortune's Rocks by Anita Shreve, it's an old fashioned love story.
Joanne Holbein says
If you are done with Gilmore Girls and still missing Lorelei, I recommend reading Someday Someday, Maybe by Lauren Graham! Such a fun read!
Melanie Smith says
Ive heard of this book. I want to read too!
Laurie S says
I recommend the books by Richard Paul Evans. I think he's most noted for "The Christmas Box". His books are fairly short reads but full of subtle meaning about family, love, Jesus.
Lauren says
Do. Not. Tell. Me. What. Happens. On. Gilmore. Girls. (But I totally want to know!!)
I haven't seen the last season and it's on my Summer Binge list.
Check out The Rosie Project and The Rosie Effect. Different but quick reads.
Tracy says
I love your book reviews. I read Big Little Lies this month based on your review and loved it. I'll have to pick up that Karen Ehman book. I'm just now finishing up one of her other books — Keep it Shut. It's really good and I find myself quoting her often!
Andrea Buggy Brown says
I just finished Cold Tangerines and highly recommend it.
Kristin says
Love Elin Hilderbrand — she is one of my all time faves! I read The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins this month and have recommended it to everyone I know. We have all read it in about a day and a half. GET IT, PLEASE GET IT, AND THEN BLOG ABOUT IT!!!! Trust!
Mix and Match Mama says
I did!! Check my April post! Loved it!!!
Natalie Zambreski says
Let it go looks like a great read! Thanks for the suggestions! 🙂
Slightly Askew Designs says
Off to add Let It Go to my Amazon cart!!! Thanks for the great recommendations!
Ramona says
Me too and Lydia's book as well!!
Karen says
I'd like to recommend "If You Find This Letter" by Hannah Brencher. I cannot put it down!
MC says
I love Elin Hilderbrand! My favorite is The Blue Bistro. It's got a great restaurant storyline in the background, and it's just so good!
Johnna Bradley says
I love Elin Hilderbrand books. Blue Bistro is one of my faves by her! 🙂
Kelsey Mann Peacock says
Glad you enjoyed Gilmore Girls, that show never gets old! Definitely adding Erin Hilderbrand's books to my summer to read list 🙂
Kelsey
http://www.thepeacockroost.com
carlsonl says
hi Shay! I HIGHLY recommend Finding Grayce by Emma Wallace. I just finished it and it's such a powerful read. This is one of those books that keeps you thinking about the characters even when you put the book down and especially when you finish it. I'm hooked, and I can't wait for the next book in the Grayce series! It's a smart read and very well-written. I love how the author weaves faith throughout the story.
Summary is- Grayson Blackstock has just moved to Birmingham, Alabama on the eve of his senior year. Wealthy, handsome, and intelligent, Grayson is anxious to establish himself and regain the popularity he enjoyed in his affluent community back home. As he navigates a public school for the first time in his life, the things of which Grayson is most confident become uncomfortably vague as he interacts with Abbi, a girl from the other side of town. In a real world devoid of vampires and werewolves, Finding Grayce sheds light on the profound lessons of teenage life as the intertwining dilemmas of multiple characters eventually collide in the first book of the Grayce series.
Whitney Woolley says
I just finished "The Nightingale". It was amazing!
Melanie Smith says
I picked up The Best Yes yesterday because of your review on it. I hope I love it!
Morgan Eckert says
I know you love Liane Moriarty so you should read some books by Lisa Scottoline! I have read 5 of her books so far, and I've loved every single one. Keep Quiet has been my favorite! Thanks for all the suggestions each month!
Anonymous says
Thanks for the suggestions! I'm looking for some good summer reading. However, not sure if I'm willing to take relationship advice from Betheny! Lol…her divorce is an ongoing circus!!!
Anonymous says
No kidding! That woman is a train wreck!
Rahel says
Glenbrooke Series by Robin Jones Gunn – so so good!! And when your girls are jr high/teens her Christy Miller Series is a must!!
Anonymous says
Hi Shay! I have very similar book preferences to you and am absolutely loving Jodi Picoult's Leaving Time : )
AmyJ says
You are in for a treat with Elin Hildebrand! While I liked "The Matchmaker," she has so many others that I have loved even more. I keep bugging my husband to take me to Nantucket because of her books. "The Nightingale" by Kristin Hannah is amazing, as are her books "Firefly Lane" and "Winter's Garden."
Anonymous says
Feminine Appeal is great book, too!! 🙂
Allison says
Hi! Love seeing what you are reading each month, I am ALWAYS on the lookout for new, great books. I have been reading the Outlander series, and am OBSESSED. They are by Diana Gabaldon, and are about a time traveling nurse from WW2 who travels back to 1740's Scotland and falls in love with a handsome Highlander warrior… but there's so much more to it than that. It's a love story, but also has a lot of adventure and suspense and keeps you glued to the pages! 🙂 There are currently 8 books (and they are LARGE), but I always tell people to start with the first one and you will more than likely be hooked. 🙂 Thanks for the book recommendations this month!
Emily Garant says
Hi, Shay! I just got done reading The Hardest Peace by Kara Tippetts! It's about a mama of four that is battling cancer and preparing to go home to Heaven… While trusting Jesus through all of it. She has the most amazing, inspiring faith! It is so good and I know you would absolutely love it as well! Being a Christ loving mother yourself, this is a must read! 🙂
Laura Youker says
Your monthly book reviews (and the comments) have caused to "To Read" pile of books to grow quite a bit lately, it makes me wish I could read faster 🙂 Oh and my favorite Elin Hilderbrand book is Barefoot.
Frenchie says
How did you like the 7th Season of Gilmore Girls? Just in case you hadn't heard the background on that season, the show creator, Amy Sherman Palladino, wasn't involved in that last season at all because of contract disputes during the switch from the WB to the CW!
Mix and Match Mama says
That's interesting! You know…I thought it all ended great, but you're right, the first few episodes (maybe even the first half) were not typical GG.
Alisha B says
I love love love LR Nicolello books! She is a newer author but has such a strong voice and her characters come to life. I can't put her books down!
Vicki Watt says
Hi Shay, I'm not sure if you have heard of Sarah Jio. She lives in Seattle and used to write for Glamour mag and has now written a number of novels. I recommend starting with her first book – Violets of March – it is one of her best!
JB says
The Matheny Manifesto by Mike Matheny
Quick read and so good!
Anonymous says
American Wife by Taya Kyle is really good.
GlitteryKitchenTable says
I always look forward to your book posts! 🙂
Andrea Terrell says
James Patterson's Alex Cross books are my absolute fave. Also, Janet Evanovich and her Stephanie Plum series are laugh out loud funny.
Katie A. says
Hi Shay, in the spirit of preparing for the epic release of Harper Lee's new book: Go Set a Watchman, I would recommend reading (or rereading) To Kill a Mockingbird. You will never be able to get enough of Atticus Finch and his incredible, unbreakable integrity and will be ceaselessly amused by Scout's little precocious self and spirit. I teach it every year to my freshmen in high school, and rereading it never gets old. I love it!
<3, Katie A. in Cali.
Anonymous says
You might enjoy Kate Morton's books – her books usually span the long life of her main character. I second the vote for Janet Evanovich – I always laugh out loud reading her books! Also highly recommend Mary Kay Andrews. I love that you do these books posts…we all benefit from the tips shared. ;o)
Whitney Erickson says
If you get a chance, pick up The Blue Bistro by Elin H! Loved it 🙂
Megan says
Books make me so happy!!! So far this month I have read Killing Jesus by Bill o' Riley The Help (I know where have I been?? It was so good) Reconstructing Amelia Still Alice Me Before You and now I started What Alice Forgot!!!
Jaren says
After I finish Downton Abbey, I'm going to start Gilmore Girls!! I may take a little hiatus to get some reading in though too!
Laura says
Have you read Lunch in Paris by Elizabeth Bard? It's a cute memoir but the really fun part are all of these recipes throughout the book. I love to read recipe books and this book was a story and recipe book in one! Happy reading!