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I'm Shay! I’m a cookbook author, lifestyle blogger, travel agency owner, wife and mama who loves making every day special for my family.

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Mix & Match Mama

Books, Shay ·

October Book Review





Hello, October Book Review.

It’s one of my favorite posts of the month!

This month, I read a book that has a sequel (so now, I’m desperate to read that), I read a book that was a sequel (and I loved it more than the original), I read a parenting book,  a feel good book and a cute little fiction book.

 I read, I learned, I loved and now, I share.

Narci read and recommended Charlotte Street over the summer…and since she loved it so much and it was set in London, I bought it too.  This book was cute!  It’s about a single guy in London who meets a girl for just one second and then finds her camera…and sets out to find her based on the pictures he gets developed off of her camera.  It’s kind of quirky, witty and easy to read.
Well, I’m glad that I bought both Winter Street and the sequel Winter Stroll…because Winter Street just kind of ends and now, I desperately need to read the next book!  Elin Hilderbrand wrote this series and you guys know how much I love her.  This book takes place over Christmas, it’s sweet, it’s kind of surprising and it’s festive.  Despite the fact that it abruptly ends, it was one of my favorite Hilderbrand books to read so far.  Next month, I’m reading the sequel!
Okay friends, I don’t care how old you are, if you’re married, if you have kids, if you’re divorced…whatever your story is…if you need encouragement right now, you need to read Jen Hatmaker’s For the Love.  You will be encouraged.  If you know someone who needs a little encouraging right now, you should get this book for them.  I just cannot recommend this one enough!
My friend Sarah recommend Peaceful Parent, Happy Siblings on Facebook and I bought it.  Sarah and her husband have eight kids between the ages of 2 months and 15.  When Sarah says something about parenting, I listen!  This book was very interesting to me.  I didn’t necessarily agree with all of their parenting advice but I did agree with most of it…and I learned some things about sibling relationships (namely, the better relationship you have with each individual child, the better the siblings will get along).  I don’t know that all of you need to read this one, but if you have sibling issues in your house (especially if you have several kids), I think you really might benefit from this perspective on raising kids.
Oh friends!  I couldn’t wait to read this one and it was my very favorite book of the month!  Back in August, I read the first book in the series, Me Before You and loved it.  Well, this month, the sequel After You came out and I read it cover to cover in two days.  And the best part?  I even loved it more than the original!  I just loved the story line so much in this book.  The story line, the characters, the connections to the first book…it was such a good read!  I really recommend reading both books, but if you have already read Me Before You then I insist you read After You :).
So, that was October! 
What did you read this month?  What else should I be reading?  I love your suggestions!!

Don’t forget, you can find all of the books I’ve read so far in 2015 here and keep up with me on Goodreads here.


And, if you don’t know what to make for dinner before trick or treating, I have my annual Halloween Menu for you…

…one of my favorite nights of the year is Halloween night, and we always start with a fun little supper.

Click here for the details.

See you tomorrow for What’s Up Wednesday!

xoxo

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Comments

  1. J Lemmons says

    I look forward to your book recommendations! We must have the same taste in books because every suggestion has been fantastic so far. 🙂
    Thanks!

  2. Sally Hepworth says

    I loved After You! And I just downloaded Pretty Baby by Mary Kubica. I'll let you know what it's like!

  3. Erika Slaughter says

    Now that I finished Gilmore Girls, I can read again!! Wahoo!!! I'm reading Wild right now and it is stressing me out!! Alone in the mountains? No, thank you! 🙂

  5. Eileen says

    Loved Winter Street! I read it last year around this time and it made me want to decorate for Christmas right at that moment! Can't wait to read the sequel. I also read Me Before You in August (loved it!!!) and must get my hands on After You immediately. I always love your book reviews. So fun to add some new books to my list.

  10. Lorraine says

    I am on the third book of the Shiloh Legacy, and I love it like its my best friend. The character development is rich, the story is gripping, and some of the characters know Jesus, which has been so encouraging to me. It's not your typical Christian novel, which a lot of times I find cheesy. It's a story written where some of the characters believe and trust in God and it's just part of who they are. And who they are is broken and beautiful. I highly recommend the series.

  11. Cheryl says

    Loved winter street as well! Elin is coming to talk about winter stroll and sign copies in a few weeks and I am so excited to meet her and hear her talk! I live in MA which is local for her! Thought of you when I reserved my tickets!!

  13. happymomof4 says

    Looking forward to your recommendations/what you are reading next!!!! I read two Jodi Picoult books: Vanishing Acts and House Rules. I LOVED them both! They are older books. I have to get my books from the library- which doesn't usually have what I want to read in, and if it's new then there is a long waiting list; borrow from a friend or go to the used bookstore. I soooo want to read Jen Hatmakers new book!!!

  17. Jennifer says

    Right now I am reading The loveliest chocolate shop in Paris by Jenny Colgan. It is really good and seems like something you would love since it has food, Paris and romance. It looks like there are several more by this author with the same kind of story line, so I can't wait to read more!

  18. Katie Shira says

    I bought "a girl on the train" for our 9 day trip to Anguila this week and I finished it in 5 days. Ugh ITS SO GOOD!!!

  19. Jessamyn says

    Love reading your book reviews! I suggest the Big Stone Gap series by Adriana Trigiani. The movie just came out but I've read these four books twice over the years – they are so quirky and fun but also deal with some real issues…and a quarter of each book is set in Italy (the main character is Italian). If you're looking for something new I bet you'd like them!

  20. Kelley Cerny says

    I read a couple chapters in "For the Love" while enjoying a cup of coffee in Barnes and Nobles a few weeks ago and I was cracking up alone at the Thank You Notes section!! She is great.

    • Sascha says

      Me too , laughing with tears and trying to read aloud to my husband. Jen hatmaker is brilliant

  21. Dana says

    Oh I am so excited to know about Winter Stroll and After you. I have read both of the firsts and now look forward to reading the others! 🙂

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      I read the family/faith based books in the morning as part of my quiet time and then I read the other books any time I'm waiting (car pool line, doctor appointment, etc) and also, I read at night after the kids are in bed. You'll always find a book in my bag and/or car :).

  23. Dani Lee says

    I know I've suggested this before, but I still say you must read The Rosie Project! It's the sweetest book, and funny too!

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      Okay! Adding this one to my Amazon cart right now! Everyone says it's good, so I need to read it too!

    • HungryCatCreator says

      Omg I'm so happy you're going to read this. I've put the recommendation out to three others and they've loved it (& one was a guy!)!

  24. Happy Green Home says

    I'm currently reading Balancing It All by Candace Cameron Bure (my fav) and it's totally great! I definitely recommend it for the busy mama's and ladies out there!!

  25. Tracy says

    I'm reading my first Jojo Moyes book now — One Plus One. Do you think For the Love would be good for a Bible study group to read together?

  26. Lora G says

    Winter Street had your name written all over it! I have heard mixed reviews about it (as well as, After You), but I am so excited you liked them, now I have some great books to read!! Yay! Thank you for your recommendations. You actually inspired me to start back reading, and I'm so glad I have!! 🙂

  27. Carrie says

    I am reading Me Before You right now and I am 75% through it… I did NOT know there was a sequel! Oh YAY! I can't wait to read After You next!!

    Carrie
    curlycraftymom.com

  28. Amy Huth Youngblood says

    I get so encouraged by your book reviews because it makes me think that someday I'll be able to read again…is that true or do you do all your reading when your kids are asleep? I only have ONE child (he's a 15 months) and I can't imagine ever being able to read on plane with him or while he's up at all. Is there hope? I bought What Remains and hope to get to it sometime before he goes to college 😉

  29. Jodi says

    I read Winter Street a few months back and didn't realize Winter Stroll was the sequel. Thank you for enlightening me!

  30. Mix and Match Mama says

    My favorite adoption book is Forever Mom by Mary Ostyn :). This is such a good book!

  31. Cristina Pennington says

    Choosing Hope! Ones of the best books I have read in awhile. It's by the teacher at Sandy Hook who hid her whole class and herself into a single person bathroom and how she hasn't allowed the day define her life.

  32. Lindsay at Lindsay'sSweetWorld says

    I guess I need to really jump on that For the Love book… I think you're the nine millionth person to recommend it! It's been everywhere lately! As always, thanks for the recommendations. Winter Street seems like my kind of book as well… you can't go wrong with a book that takes place at Christmas!

  34. Blu and Darbi says

    I read 2 books on vacation last week – Little Bee and Americanah and they were both amazing!!!

  35. Laura says

    Hi! I have a couple of suggestions of books out of your norm. I think you would like Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen (technically teen fiction but I'm not a teen and loved it!) and a TOTALLY different book that I loved (quirky and weird!) was Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, by Ransom Riggs. Another favorite I've read this year is the Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver! So, so, so good and I think you would love it.

  36. Melissa D. says

    I just finished The Bullet by Mary Louise Kelly (former NPR reporter) last night. It was soooo good! It's been a while since I've read a good mystery and this one did not disappoint. Not too grisly or graphic and awesome plot. I highly recommend! Jen Hatmaker's book is on my nightstand!

  37. Aubrey says

    Jenn Hatmaker is amazing. Someone gave me Out of the Spin Cycle when Ella and Kate were little, and I swear it saved my sanity. She is allowed to be your SECOND favorite Oklahoma (right behind yours truly). 😉

  38. Sara Glomski says

    Hi Shay! Wow, all these books in one month is amazing! I admit, I don't like to read. 🙁 Except when it comes to your blog! I am a mom to three kids also ages 4, 3, and 14 months. I love to cook, bake, have fun with the kids, keep the house clean, paint my nails, decorate for holidays, craft and try to be fashionable– all the things you do but I feel like there's no time to read! And on top of that you blog and travel and so much more. How on earth do you have enough hours in the day? I would love a post about what a few days back to back are like in your life. xoxo!! @sglomski on Instagram 🙂

  39. dresselfamily.blogspot.com says

    I just this second finished after you.. oh I loved it.. I don't know if it's because I'm English but I loved her character of her parents.. they are so typical English lol.
    I just ordered For the love!
    Im just about to start The lake house the new kate morton book.. love her

  40. Courtney says

    You should try one of the Jane Green books!! She has been my favorite author for years. Most of her books are either set in London or one of the main characters is British. She has even included British recipes in several of her more recent books! Her books are easy to read but very captivating. She has a way of really pulling you in and then you can't put the book down! Look up her bio. You won't be disappointed!!

  41. Tiffany Bagalini says

    Girl I cannot keep up with you and the number of books you read, but I'm trying! Thanks to you I am now fully hooked on Elin Hilderbrand. I just finished Beautiful Day last night and could not put it down. Now I'm just going to have to get Winter Street. I promised myself I would not buy anymore books until I finish the ones I already have, so I have to choose between The Luckiest Girl Alive or Big Little Lies.

  43. Jeanie says

    I'm currently reading Orphan #8. I'm only about a third of the way into it, but it's keeping me interested. I recently read The Rumor and All the Light We Cannot See. Truthfully, I was somewhat disappointed in both of them. They just didn't live up to all the hype.

  44. Unknown says

    Hi Shay! I have a friend who was just put on bed rest at 29 weeks pregnant. Do you have any good book suggestions for me to send her?

  47. Valerie says

    I just finished The Night Circus and loved it. It's a quirky little book that is magical, fantastical, with a sweet romance thrown in. If you like quirky and unique, you'll love it!

  49. Chelsea says

    I cannot wait to read the new Jojo Moyes and that Elin Hildebrand looks like just the book for the chilly winter months ahead. Thanks for the suggestions! I would recommend Beach Town by Mary Kay Andrews as a fun book that I read this month!

  50. Catherine says

    I just finished reading "the waiting" by Cathy LaGrow. It is a tragic, yet beautiful true story of a mother who gives up her daughter for adoption as a result of rape. After nearly 80 years apart, they are reunited. Amazon gives a much better description of the story, but it shows the love and care the mother still had for her child all those years apart, and how blessed she felt by her daughters adoptive family. Just a remarkable book.

  51. Dianna says

    I am loving Elin Hilderbrand books. I listen to audiobooks to and from work. I just added Winter Street and Winter Stroll to my wishlist. I also added the two Jojo Moyes books. Thanks for sharing!

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