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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 ·

March Book Review


It’s my March Book Review!  For all of you readers out there…you feel like this right now…
And for all of you non-readers out there, you feel like this…

…zzzzzzzzzzzzz.
I love, love, love this post each month because you ladies give me the BEST book suggestions!  I always look forward to sharing my picks for the month and reading your picks too.  #bookwormsunite
Okay, first things first, don’t forget that if you missed my 2015 book review (where I recapped all of the books I read last year), you can see them all right here.
If you want to follow me/be friends with me on Goodreads, click here.

And you can keep track all year long by clicking 2016 Books at the top of my blog.  I keep a running list of books right there for you (including January and February’s books).

So, what did I read this month?  The theme was books about people.  It was an accidental theme…but when I sat down and recalled my month, most of the books were about real people.  Here you go…

You guys know how much I love Bill O’Reilly’s Killing series.  Every time I read one, I think that one was my favorite…so, needless to say, if you asked me right now, I’d say his latest book, Killing Reagan, was my fave.  Because these events unfolded during my lifetime (unlike the other Killing books), it made everything even more interesting.  If you’ve read the other O’Reilly books, you have to read this one too.  It was excellent!
Actress Kate Hudson’s new book Pretty Happy came out this month and I quickly snatched it up.  Here are my thoughts: it is a very pretty book.  The pictures and design elements are simply gorgeous, so it’s aesthetically very pleasing.  Content wise, I thought it was interesting.  Some of her ideas about how she stays happy (through diet, exercise, meditation and such) were really interesting and I took away some great suggestions…and then some of her ideas were a little too new age for me.  That being said, since the book is just pretty and well, happy, I’m leaving it out on the end table in my bedroom because I just like it.  
If you’re a Kate Hudson fan (like I am!), then you’ll probably enjoy reading about her and her thoughts on staying happy in this world.  I like a lot of happy in my life…and purposely seek it out every day, so the entire message of her book resonated with me…hippie stuff and all ;). 
Okay…you’re probably going to laugh, but I really liked Teresa Giudice’s new book Turning the Tables.  This book also came out this month and because I love The Real Housewives of New Jersey, I bought it…and it was good!  My honest thoughts are that it’s written like she actually wrote it.  I thought perhaps her co-author would have finessed it a bit more…but it actually reads like I would imagine Teresa to talk.  It is very honest (many times uncomfortably honest), but the overall message about not letting your circumstances define you and how you should put your family first was actually quite inspiring.  Nobody laugh…but at one point, I teared up reading it.  Weird, right? Maybe I had low expectations…or maybe I just found it refreshingly honest?  Either way, I’m glad I read it.
  
You knew it was coming, right?  My monthly French book ;).  Because when Amazon starts recommending books to me based on my previous purchases…I start buying them.  Entre Nous: A Woman’s Guide to Finding Her Inner French Girl was a lot less beauty/health related and a lot more about why French women act the way they do.  Less tips, more insight.  I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Last year, I read both Me Before You and After You by Jojo Moyes, so this time, I read One Plus One.  (Side note: After You is the sequel to Me Before You…but One Plus One stands alone).  I liked this book a lot.  It’s clever, witty and pretty darn charming…but that being said, I felt like it could have been half as long.  The book seemed long for the story.  So…even though, overall, I enjoyed it…I wish it were half as long.  If you liked the other Jojo Moyes books, you’ll like this one too.  If you haven’t read Me Before You, read that one instead of this one.
And last but certainly not least, I had the pleasure of reading my friend Marsha Day’s book In the Waiting.  I met Marsha and her husband Martin years and years ago when we went to church together.  Right after Andrew and I got married, the Days had twins 3 months early.  This sweet book came out this February just one year after their son Brexton passed away at the age of ten.  The book is about their journey from having premies all the way through the most difficult day of their life, when they lost sweet Brexton.  This story is about hope, faithfulness, sorrow, mourning, joy and peace.  It’s beautifully written and a wonderful tribute of their son’s life.  Proceeds from this book go to build Brexton’s House in Africa.  You can read more about their family, Brexton’s House and can purchase Marsha’s book here.  This is one strong mama right here.

Okay, that’s my March Book Review!  What did you ladies read this month?  Comment and share!  I love getting new ideas and suggestions from you!  Let me know what to read (or maybe what not to read).  

Also, don’t forget to link up with us for What’s Up Wednesday is tomorrow!  Our bonus question for the month is… What is your favorite spring cleaning tip!

And on my foodie blog today…

…Chicken Enchilada Quinoa Soup!

Your family will love this simple supper!

Have a great Tuesday!

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Comments

  1. Sarah Shaneyfelt says

    I don't think Jojo Moyes can ever top Me Before You–it's just her best! And I read Kristin Cavallari's new book this month and it's similar to Kate Hudson's…really pretty with some good suggestions, and I'll keep it to look through the pictures. I love your book reviews each month!
    Sarah at MeetTheShaneyfelts

  3. Jamie Allen says

    the first two photos: hysterical with the captions. my book reading in january was fantastic and felt wonderful. february and march not so much. i didn't read one book. guess i need to hop over to the library and grab some books for april! shay: what do you do with all your books? are they shelved in your office? do you share them with your friends? do you ever borrow books from the library? i honestly go back and forth about buying books/keeping them and just borrowing them from the library to avoid clutter. a weird struggle to have…

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      I share them with my friends and family. Every time I'm done with a book, I swap with someone and they share with me :).

  4. emily @ a little bit of emily says

    I just got Teresa's book as an Easter present – I am so excited to read it! Glad to hear you enjoyed her book!

  5. Katherine Madsen says

    This month I read If I Did It (OJs confession book) Media Circus by Kim Goldman and Troublemaker by Leah Remini so I guess I read all people books too! I highly recommend all three!

    • Angie says

      I totally second the Leah Remini book, I read it in two days, I just couldn't seem to put it down!

  7. *J says

    I'm reading "A Little Life" right now and I love it. It's really hard to read (super emotional/sad), but it's so good! At around 800 pages, I'll be reading it for awhile I guess haha 🙂 Everyone I know that's already read it says that it's worth it though!

  9. Scavenger Hunt Blog says

    I always love love LOVE your suggestions. I actually have a loooong list of books waiting for me in my cart over at Amazon. This should be a link up!
    Hope your caught up on laundry because I am no where near the bottom of mine.
    Have a great day
    Lesley McFarland
    http://Www.kltfamily.blogspot.com

  10. Heather Forcey says

    I recently found books by Malcolm Gladwell and LOVE them! I read the Tipping Point and am a chapter away from finishing David and Goliath. Gladwell takes a topic and analyzes it in a way that I would never have even dreamed of doing. (The books remind me of Freakonomics.) My 8th grade girls have gotten me hooked on author Jenny Han. I like her easy style aimed at young adults. Easy and sweet reads that remind me of high school romances.

  11. Your Older Selves says

    I read me before you (based on your suggestion!!) but I can't find 'after you'online! It says it doesn't come out until June. Where did you find it?!

  12. kimm atwood says

    I read me before you and loved it but was so disappointed in the ending! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on these books! I'm definitely looking forward to read the Teresa book. Happy Tuesday

  13. Kelly says

    I'm almost done reading Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter and it's a page turner that I can't put down! It's a crazy story but I recommend it! Also, I read The Nightingale last month based on your list and I absolutely LOVED it!! That's a book that will stay with me for awhile.

  14. Amy says

    I have a recommendation for you….The Coincedence of Coconut Cake by Reichert. It is a fun, quick read that I did not want to put down!!

  15. Erica says

    We are heading to London next week for my sisters 30th birthday and I just bought The Royal We to take along!!

  16. Julie Krintzman says

    Shay, I think you would LOVE "The Miniaturist" by Jessie Burton. It is such a good mystery and very well written.

  17. Rebecca Jo says

    I think I liked One Plus One better than Me Before You… now, let me see the movie & let it freshen up my memory of it & I'll probably switch back 🙂
    I wanted to read Teresa's book too – she just intrigues me.

  18. Brittany Jackson says

    Don't feel bad I full on cried more than once reading Teresa'a Turning the Tables. No shame in my game.

  20. Erin C says

    Ha – I was on the same kick this month too. I read Rosemary: The Hidden Kennedy Daughter and Down the Rabbit Hole by Holly Madison. Both pretty good! I read Big Little Lies and The Secrets of Midwives as well. I started When I'm Gone by Emily Bleecker – A Mom dies of cancer and leaves her husband and three kids. The husband starts receiving letters from her and some secrets are revealed.

  21. marla says

    I read your book reviews monthly and love them. I didn't go back to double check what you have or haven't read but if you haven't read Did You Ever Have A Family by Bill Clegg I highly recommend it. It will tug at your heartstrings but is very inspiring. I say just read it…..it's a must read in my opinion! I just finished reading Everyrhing I never told you by Celeste Ng and really liked it. It's about the complexities of family living with diversity but also offers good insight into allowing our children to set their own dreams and to love them equally. I read it on a flight from London to Chicago and it kept my attention. Would recommend. Those are my top picks for this month.

  22. dresselfamily.blogspot.com says

    I just started ' all the light we cannot see '.. I've been told the first 70 pages are slow and then you won't be able to put it down….I'm hoping so lol
    Be before you. .. one of my fav ever

  23. Lindsey says

    Not sure if you like scary books but I just finished "Find Her" a book about a kidnapping victim and I couldn't put it down! Also read "The Gifts of Imperfections" by Brene Brown. So much truth in her books, a must read for sure.

  25. Amy Rae says

    This month I've read: Turning The Tables -Teresa Giudice, Make A Christmas Wish -Julia Williams, The Bridge -Karen Kingsbury (I highly recommend this book!), The Wild One -Gemma Burgess and I'm currently halfway through A Girl's Best Friend by Lindsey Kelk.

    Amy @ http://befilledwithj0y.blogspot.com/

  26. Kelly Wolf says

    I'm reading "The Good Girl" and so far it's really good, I'm getting to the end and I can't wait to see how it ends. It's written like The Girl on the Train, switching back and forth between different people's perspectives. I had just finished "Chasing Spring" and loved it, couldn't stop reading it!

  27. Sarah says

    I just read Paris by Edward Rutherfurd and loved it! It's a historical fiction novel on the history of Paris. It is very well written and captured my attention from beginning to end.

  29. LindyNicole says

    I have a recommendation!! Calendar Girl! It's four books – each book has three months in it. I was addicted and absolutely loved the story!!

  30. Lindsay at Lindsay'sSweetWorld says

    I've seen a couple of other bloggers mention the Kate Hudson book and I think I might check it out! Not sure about the new age stuff bc I'm not typically a new age gal, but it might be worth the read if there are some other ideas to take away.

  31. Jess says

    I tend to find an author I like and then READ all of their books 🙂 Right now, I'm on a Harlan Coben kick. They're all great but I think my favorite is "Tell No One". So good!

  32. AbigailCarter says

    I always look forward to your book reviews! I liked Beach Town by Mark Kay Andrews, and I have been obsessed with checking out all OJ books from the library right now! Murder in Brentwood by Mark Furhman is pretty crazy. The most facinating book lately by far has been A Mother's Reckoning by Sue Klebold. She is the mother of Dylan Klebold, one of the shooters in Columbine. I couldn't put it down. She goes through signs she missed and what she would have done differently. Dylan came from the most normal family, so it makes it even scarier…I truly believe every parent or parent of a boy should read it. She stresses that she made sure all of his physical needs were met, but didn't work hard enough on making sure his mental health was supported. She simply says that "loving our children is not enough these days.". Which is so true when I think about it. Highly recommend and all proceeds from the book go to mental health support services which I think is great. It is obvi not a beach read, but still very good.

  34. 30 Something.... says

    Hi Shay!I am reading "The day the world came to Town" It about a small town in Newfoundland that had 38 planes land on 9/11. I recently saw a play based on this (Come from Away) and it is a wonderful story of a community coming together. A positive story to come out of such a horrific day.

  35. Mary C. says

    I have a suggestion for you. "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell. It's a fabulous book about first impressions and instincts. Sooo good!

  36. Megan says

    I really need to pick up, You Before Me. And your friend's book sounds so good too! I'm guessing I would cry all the way through it!

  38. Kary D says

    My favorite post of the month. I really need to get back into my reading. I've been reading too many Christian books lately. Which I ADORE of course but I need some variety. 🙂

  39. The Rohman Family says

    I am so excited…I'm starting a book club THIS MONTH! I've already read the book and it was fantastic! The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls. I guess you'd call it a biography or memoir? Not sure, but a really really good read. The club already read those Moyes' books so I'm going to have to see if our local library has any of those, they've gotten good reviews by you and others! I've gone from zzzzzzzzzzz…. to super excited about these posts 🙂

  40. Kasey Short says

    A french book that I saw and made me think of you was Bringing Up Bebe: One American Mother Discovers the Wisdom of French Parenting by Pamela Druckerman. It's on my list to read! Right now though I am in the middle of The Choice by Nicholas Sparks.

  41. Kim says

    I just read 100 Days of Happiness by Fausto Brizzi. Great story, funny, sweet and entertaining. You're in for a good cry at the end. I really enjoyed it!

  42. Sarah Tharp says

    I have Turning the Tables on hold at the library! Can't wait to read!

    I think I commented on your last book review post and recommend this book already but I will again… The Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore. It's beautiful! And Wonder by RJ Palacio (a young adult book but I got sooo much out of it!!)

  43. Kim says

    I just read 100 Days of Happiness by Fausto Brizzi. Great story, funny, sweet and entertaining. You're in for a good cry at the end. I really enjoyed it!

  44. Taylor says

    I read a several books a month, too, and last month one of my favorites was These Is My Words, by Nancy E. Turner. Now I'm wondering if I heard about it from your blog?? Regardless, it was the most beautiful story I've read in quite some time. If you were the one who mentioned it before… thank you! And if it wasn't you, you really should give it a go!

  46. Leslie Seror says

    I always love your book reviews! But I'm still working my way through the Liane Moriarty books. I have no idea how you read so many books in a month! You're a rockstar:)

  48. Paula Nichols says

    I just love these posts so much and have read several of your suggested books, but I always check out all the reviews before purchasing. In the case of the Reagan book, quite a few reviewers state the inaccuracies and non-fact based "truths" in the book, as well as the (apparent) bias against President Reagan…I was curious as to whether you found this to be true? I had planned on purchasing it, but if the research and "sources" are based off of known Reagan haters, with axes to grind, I prefer not to. I haven't read any of his other Killing books…thanks again for your post!!

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      I did not feel that way at all! As for inaccuracies, I'm not sure…I'm hoping there weren't any, but I'm not knowledgeable enough to tell you that. As for O'Reilly's thoughts on Reagan, I thought it was very honest but flattering at the same time. He pointed out his weaknesses but praised him at the same time. I thought it was a great read!

  50. Camilla G says

    How fast do you read and how do you find the time? I'm amazed you can read so many books in one month! And – you're cute as a bug and I'm pretty sure we'll be friends in heaven. xoxo

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      I do think I'm a fast reader. This month was easy because we flew to Orlando and back, so I was able to read one book each way. I read at night, in the morning, while my daughter is at dance, when I have a spare five minutes…I just love to read and always have a book near me ;).

  51. The Lovely One says

    My favorite book this month was Wreckage by Emily Bleeker. It's about two people who survive a plane crash, and live for two years on a deserted island before they are rescued. It's about their feelings before, during, and after their time on the island. A great read!

  52. mamahuse says

    Have you read Lunch in Paris or Picnic in Provence? With your love of French books you will LOVE these. Read lunch in Paris first 🙂

  54. Liz Winter says

    You have to read Jojo Moyes "The Girl You Left Behind"! Every time I hear someone say that nothing tops "Me Before You", I'm like- you haven't read my favorite yet!

  55. Melissa Miley says

    Love your reviews! Thank you. I recently started reading "Party Girl" by Rachel Hollis! Fun and easy to read, but love the characters. Thanks again!

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