Happy happy happy BOOK DAY!
You guys, this Book Review is E-P-I-C!
Thanks to two long flights and a beach vacay, I had oodles of time to read this month.
And bonus! I basically only read the books YOU told me to read last month!
I took my Kindle at the beginning of March, opened my February Book Review, went through the comments and bought only books you suggested for my month. Basically, you ladies know all the good books because I LOVED so many of my reads. Seriously, I asked you for a variety and you delivered. Book after book this month was FANTASTIC! I’m giddy to share these today!
Grab your coffee and settle in, today I have SEVEN books to review (six recs from you and one bonus book many of you need to read!).
I kicked off my month with…
One Night on the Island by Josie Silver
Oh girls, you know how much I LOVE Josie Silver books! She just never disappoints me.
Her latest book, One Night on the Island, was another homerun too 🙂 .
This is the fictitious story of a journalist/love columnist from London who is about to turn 30. What does her editor want her to do to celebrate the occasion? Go to a small island and “marry herself”. Sounds crazy, but it’s the cutest tale of this big city girl going to a quaint and charming little island off of Britain to find herself…and yet, she also finds an American boy too.
This has everything I love about a Silver novel: cute setting, adorable (and independent!) leading lady, handsome boy and fun sub-characters to give the plot some twists and turns. You will read this book quickly and when you’re done, you’ll wish for rainy days inside a cabin. It’s just a cozy read about love and finding oneself.
I do think this book is a bit PG-13/maybe R, so keep that in mind. If you read and loved her other novels (like One Day in December), you will love this one too. In fact, I think it’s my favorite Silver novel to date!
The next book you ladies suggested for me was…
The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell
Ohhhhhh! This book is creepy. Ha!
I asked for some thriller-type books last month and you ladies delivered. Not only did you deliver but YOU KNOW ME SO WELL! Both “thriller” books you suggested aren’t too scary/gory/unrealistic as you all know, those aren’t my jam. I want a little suspense, but I don’t want to be kept up all night.
This book was spot on.
Since this novel is suspenseful, I don’t want to give too much away but let’s say this is the story of present day adults moving towards a home where they all grew up and then thinking back to things that happened in that house when they were younger. Cult-like things happening. I was sucked in right away as the characters are all super diverse, living in very different places and having very different present day lives, so I was intrigued to find out how they were going to all come together…plus, I had to know what the heck was going on in that house when they were younger. This book is suspenseful but not scary. It was the perfect thriller for me!
The third book I read this month was another “must read!”…
One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle
Ohhhhhhh! If you’ll recall, back in 2020, I named her novel In Five Years my third favorite book of the entire year. I absolutely loved that book. Well guess what? I absolutely loved this one too! In fact, I loved it so much that I could very well see it in my Top Three category this year! Here’s the deal though, these are fictional stories that feel like chick-lit on the surface (and you know how much I LOVE chick lit!), but once you start, there is always a twist that takes it from chick-lit to “wow, this book is much deeper and thought provoking than I thought” and yet, it’s still set in a charming little town (this one on the coast of Italy) with a lovable and adorable female lead. I do not want to give away the spoiler here, but just know…you start reading about a woman who takes a trip to Italy by herself on the heels of her mother’s death and you think it’s going to be all spaghetti carbonara and red wine under the sun, but the plot is much deeper and more unique than that.
I. Love. This. Novel.
I would read this one again. I loved it that much.
Read it!
Read both 🙂 .
Speaking of books that very well might land in my TOP THREE this year…
Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult
Holy. Cow.
Wow.
I was blown away with this one.
Is this my first Jodi Picoult novel?
If so, whhhhhhhhy?
Okay, let me be really frank about something…when I read the description for this novel, it says that it is COVID-19 related. I don’t know about you, but I’ve spent the last two years reading to avoid COVID-19, so the thought of reading about COVID-19 did not appeal to me AT ALL. Buuuuuut you all told me to read this one and since I was playing the game “they tell me what to read in March and I do”, I downloaded and (as you can see) saved it for later on in my month (I was working up the desire to crack it open).
Um, this novel is NOTHING like I thought it would be. Wow. It is so original, so genius…I really can’t say much because there is a huge TWIST that I never saw coming, just know…you need to read it. I don’t even know how to describe the book to you without giving anything away, just know it’s about a woman who leaves NYC just as things start to shut down in March 2020 for the Galapagos Islands and well, it all gets fascinating after that. Honestly? This book is so crazy cool that when it was over, it felt like I had read two books (because you’ll swing from one plotline to another). I give it two big thumbs up for being original and sucking me right on in. If you’re like me and use reading to escape the hardships of real life, just know that yes, the author does talk about COVID but really and truly, the story is so much more than that. I promise you this, you won’t forget this book after you’ve read it.
Awwwww, my fifth book this month was…
Running Wild by K.A. Tucker.
This was the fourth book in The Simple Wild series and while I loved the other three (you can find the reviews on all three here on my blog), I wasn’t sure I was going to read this one. I don’t know…I loved the other ones, but I thought maybe I should focus on another book instead of continuing this series. That being said, so many of you suggested I read this one last month, so I added it to my Kindle for Hawaii.
Here’s what happened: Our flight home from Honolulu left at 7:00 AM which means the shuttle bus picked up up from the resort at 4:00 AM which means, my alarm went off at 3:00 AM. By the time I got on the flight, I told Andrew that I was going to read a minute and then try to sleep. Andrew Shull immediately fell asleep for like three hours. Me? I opened my Kindle and started this book (I had finished the other one the night before)…and you guys, I READ THIS ENTIRE BOOK ON THE FLIGHT HOME AND NEVER SLEPT A WINK.
As much as I love the three books that come before this one in the series, THIS ONE WAS BY FAR MY FAVORITE!!!!! In fact, I really don’t think you have to read the other three to read this one. The other three focus on Calla and her journey to Alaska and her love life there…well, this book focuses only on Marie (the veterinarian from the other three books) and was SO ADORABLE! I loved her character even more than I loved Calla. I loved her little cozy cottage, I loved learning about dog sled racing, I loved her relationship with her family…I loved it all. This book would be Rated R (as are the other three), but they’re so cute, so light, so easy to read and so cozy set there in Alaska that you’ll want to book your flight to Anchorage ASAP. By the time we touched down in Dallas, I was sad there wasn’t a fifth book in the series for me to read.
The sixth book I read this month that you suggested for me was…
The Maid by Nita Prose.
I thought it was okay.
I read so many really amazing books this month that the bar was really high by the time I got to this one…and it was entertaining but honestly, a little boring too. This is a suspenseful (but not scary) book about a hotel maid who discovers a body in one of the suites…and well, the plot unfolds as we all have to figure out “who done it”. The character is quirky and you see the events and other characters unfold through her eyes as someone very regimented and not super social. I was intrigued and interested but there were parts in the middle that seemed to drag on a bit for me. I don’t know, it was just okay to me. Am I the only one? I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t love it.
Now, the seventh and final book I read this month really rocked my world…
Thirty Million Words by Dana Suskind, M.D.
So, this one is one I bought in hardback and read over the course of the month each morning after I did my quiet time. Ashby and Madeley’s speech therapist suggested this book to me, and as soon as I started it, I was sucked in. The author is a pediatric cochlear implant surgeon who realized after years of giving babies the ability to hear, that didn’t always address or “fix” all of their language issues. Some kids immediately did well while others still couldn’t pick up the language despite now being able to hear. This sent Dr. Suskind on a journey to realize how important it is for kids to hear lots and lots of words (30 million of them) before they turn three and if they grow up in homes where the TV babysits them all day long, or they grow up in homes with socioeconomic challenges that prevent the parents from being able to spend a lot of quality time at home with them, hearing or not, it’s next to impossible to pick up language without it being spoken directly to you.
You guys.
I underlined and dog-earred so many pages.
This book is about Ashby.
I could cry right now thinking about it, but this was the first book that truly explained to us why it’s so hard for Ashby to pick up the English language…she wasn’t really spoken to for the first two years and seven months of her life. Sweet Ashby missed out on her 30 million words and despite all of the therapies and ways we’ve tried to help her learn language over the last 7+ years, missing out on language for those three very valuable years has done almost irreversible damage to her ability to grasp language and articulate it correctly. If you have been around me over the last month, you’ve heard me talk about this book. It was just so eye-opening and helpful to me because now, I understand the root of the struggle. I told our social worker about this book and she read it in two days. She called me back to tell me that she had told so many of her adoption/foster care families about this book too because it’s just so clear…talking to children the first three years of their lives is so important. Their brains need to hear the words and feel the connections between a human speaking the words to them and the words.
I could go on for days.
This book has really opened my eyes to a whole new way of thinking about sweet Ashby.
Now, what about Madeley?
Mades is in speech therapy and still working on articulation but her language came about so much faster and with much more ease than Ashby. Madeley never has to “look” for a word. Mades has all of her words in her head and even if she might not articulate them all correctly, the language makes sense to her. You can tell that when you speak to her, by her writing samples, her testing…she understands the language. Ashby has come SO FAR but she still daily has to “look” for a word as you can just tell her brain seems a bit more chaotic when processing the language.
When we go back and review the documentation we received on both girls prior to meeting them, it appears that Mades spent her 23 months in a smaller orphanage with a higher nanny to child ratio. We have so many videos of Mades playing with other children, playing with the nannies, interacting with balls and little tyke bikes and things like that. When we look back at Ashby’s information, we don’t have a single video. We only have still shots of Ashby alone in every picture. I don’t think anyone intended not to speak to Ashby, but I think that was just the reality of the situation. She lived the first two years of her life in a single room with over 100 babies. Even if she “heard” language being spoken around her, that didn’t mean anything to her brain as it most likely wasn’t spoken to her. I could stand in a room for a year and “hear” German being spoken around me but unless someone speaks German to me and connects with me, it won’t even begin to sink in or make sense. I won’t have any connections.
So…basically this book could have been a post in itself. If you have kiddos that are adopted or kids with hearing loss or language issues, I really think this book will be helpful. Even though the book says nothing about adoption, it really says everything about our adoption.
Well dang, that was a lot of book talk! There were just so many great books in March!!!
As always, I would love a few suggestions please for April!!
You guys NAILED the book recs for this month, so I’m anxious to see your suggestions for next month!
Also, don’t forget…
To see the complete list of books I read in 2015 (all 63 of them), click here.
To see the complete list of books I read in 2016 (all 62 of them), click here.
To see the complete list of books I read in 2017 (all 62 of them), click here.
To see the complete list of books I read in 2018 (all 61 of them), click here.
To see the complete list of books I read in 2019 (all 54 of them), click here.
To see the complete list of books I read in 2020 (all 54 of them), click here.
To see the complete list of books I read in 2021 (all 59 of them), click here.
That wraps up Book Day! But guess what else it is?! It’s also…
…Podcast Tuesday!
Today, Erika and I are breaking down BIRTHDAY PARTIES! We’re chatting all things kids birthdays…from the big parties we’ve thrown over the years to the small, why we’ve changed our philosophy and party planning over the years, our best tips, tricks ,ideas and funny stories all in one brand new episode of The Bestie Breakdown. You can catch us HERE or wherever you love to listen to your favorite podcasts.
I will see you back here next month ? . xx
Jane Lemoine says
These all look SO GOOD!!!
Margie says
Love your book review posts. I have ready many of your recommendations and enjoyed so many of them, including recent reads Running Wild and Katie Couric’s Going There. A couple books I read recently that I LOVED, Atomic Habits (so, so, so good, especially since you’re a go-getter ennegram 8, I think you’ll appreciate this), Everybody Fights by Penn/Kim Holderness (I recommended their podcast/blog to you yesterday, this one is BEST done in audiobook form because they are so funny), Where You Go Is Not Who You’ll Be by Frank Bruni (I know Kensington is not in high school yet, but I highly recommend to read this once she becomes a freshman, even when she’s in 8th grade), Cal Newton’s How to Be a High School Superstar without burning out (another good one even when you have an 8th grader), Learning How to Learn by Barbara Oakley (great for parents that have kids in middle school and up). Keep the books coming!
Beth Knecht says
As an English teacher and a new mama I’m so intrigued by 30 Million Words! Adding it to my Amazon cart!
Lindsay says
I’ve read so many good books lately!!
A Brush With Love- Mazey Eddings. (So. Cute.)
Weather Girl- Rachel Lynn Solomon
Lease on Love- Fallon Ballard
I Must Betray You- Ruta Sepetys
Meet You In The Middle- Devon Daniels
Elspeth says
I’m adding so many of these books to my list to read! Thank you for the suggestions!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Eileen says
I loved One Italian Summer, Wish You Were Here, and One Night On the Island too!!!! Jodi Picoult is one of my favorite authors, and it’s funny because usually her books have each chapter from a different perspective, but this one did not. My two favorites of hers are My Sister’s Keeper, Small Great Things, and Nineteen Minutes. All 3 are books that have stayed with me for years after reading them. I really liked If You Ask Me by Libby Hubscher this month.
Becky says
I loved Wish You Were Here and was blown away by the twist in the middle, and loved the ending. I am currently reading The Admissions…. It was reccomend by Elin Hilderbrand about a month ago on her Instagram.
Sheaffer Sims says
Well, I’m going to pop over and read about the cheesy brisket sliders. Now THAT sounds like an interesting post.
Mix and Match Mama says
I just lol!
Emilee says
I just finished “One Italian Summer” last night – so good! I immediately downloaded “Wish You We’re Here.” I always appreciate your blog for new book ideas!
Maureen says
I felt the same way about Jodi Piccoult’s book! The best thing for you about this being your first Jodi book is that there are so many great Jodi books for you to read. Most of them are amazing – although I think I like some of her older ones the best!
Mix and Match Mama says
Any one in particular?
Mal says
Must read My Sister’s Keeper! I read that 15+ years ago, and it’s still with me!
Ashley says
My Sister’s Keeper and The Pact are 2 that come to mind. I used to read her years ago. She’s very hot topic related.
Brittany Swain says
The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult is my all time favorite book!
Allison Stein says
I love all of Jodi Picoult’s books- but the one that has stuck with me and that I still think about is The Storyteller. It is not what I would consider a light and easy read and the content was heartbreaking at times, so I think you need to be in the right frame of mind to read it. But it is one of my all time favorite books! It is thought- provoking and made me look at a part of history in a different way. I love books that leave me thinking about them long after I’ve finished them- I think you will love this one!
Katrina says
I agree that some of her older ones are the best… Nineteen Minutes, Plain Truth, My Sister’s Keeper, Handle with Care, and The Pact are some of my very favorites.
Amy brooks says
My Sister’s Keeper! So good!
Alicia says
I recommend Small Great Things
Shalimar says
Small Great Things for me too! I so admire the way Jodi Picoult researches her characters (and befriends) and topics to write her books!
Roxie says
Love Jodi Picoult! I’ve read My Sister’s Keeper, House Rules, Plain Truth, The Storyteller, and Small Great Things. All are great and makes you really question yourself deep down. My favorite is My Sister’s Keeper but The Storyteller is right there with it!
Diane says
Nineteen Minutes and Salem Falls were two of my favorites!!! Also My Sister’s Keeper and Handle With Care. I don’t think you can go wrong with any of her books!
Tanya says
Small Great Things I s amazing!
Kristen says
My Sister’s Keeper and Small Great things. Her books are wonderful, interesting and so thought provoking! Not usually my typical go to read but I am always astonished after I read one.
Katie M says
I actually just finished One Italian Summer last night – I listened to the audiobook in one day! It is narrated by Lauren Graham ? So good! I also read Wish You Were Here this month and agree that it is so much more than a book about COVID. I loved it, too. I listened to the audiobook and it was just so fantastic, both in the storytelling and narration.
I also read The Tobacco Wives, The Last House on the Street, and The Magnolia Palace, but I think the two books above are definitely my favorite! I am almost done with Greenwich Park, and it is suspenseful and twisty!
I also agree so much with you on language development. I have a masters in literacy and there is so much research on the word gap (I’ve mostly read about it before age 5 with it relating to entering school). Reading with children is so important for vocabulary development and how many words kids hear. I even started an IG account with my favorite kids’ books a year and a half ago (and my reads, too ☺️) called Little House of Reading to make it easier for families to find great read aloud books because I believe reading together is so important. However, there are so many great accounts of you search #kidsbookstagram. I also love finding my new reads through #bookstagram
Jamie F. says
Started following @littlehouseofreading!
Tricia says
following @littlehouseofreading now too. love your recs.
Carlin Smith says
Vocabulary acquisition and the gap when children do not hear language was my project in my Masters program. It is so so fascinating! And disheartening . I have never read or thought about it from an “Ashby” perspective. Now I want to read about it!
Melissa Terry says
I am definitely checking out your last suggestion (among others as always ha) because our daughter (who we adopted at birth) just started speech therapy and I’d love to see how we can enrich that experience at home. She’s surrounded by the same language her older brothers were, but is still struggling to articulate words despite our efforts at home. Thank you for sharing!
Kim says
I just finished the book, With Love from London and really liked it. I also read The Tuscan Secret and enjoyed it.
Holly says
I read both Meet Me in Paradise and Weather Girl this month and they were really good. Both would be categorized as “chick lit”…but they have a deeper side too. I would recommend both!
Ashley says
Thanks! I’m going to check them out!
Lindsay says
Yes to Weather Girl!!!
Anna says
I’ve read many of Jody Piccoult’s books but have been hesitant to read this one because of the same reason you were. Going to try it now! If you’ve never read her books, My Sister’s Keeper and House Rules are my faves of hers.
Mal says
For the first time every, all books except the last are on my to-read list or I’ve already read and loved. So many good ones! And as a mom of a kid in speech therapy, thanks for the last rec!
Dana P says
Aww..that breaks my heart about Ashby and the thousands (millions?) of babies growing up like that! That sweet girl has been through SO MUCH.
On a lighter note, I’m going to reserve some of these books at the library instead of playing will-it-be-there? ? I requested Practising Parisienne last month and they actually bought it! ??
Ashley says
This is my absolute favorite post you do! I’ve been looking forward to it so much. Awesome post and can’t wait to start reading! ?
Elizabeth says
I’m a pediatric SLP and Thirty Million Words is just so insightful.
You should definitely read all of Jodi Piccoult! I’ve never read a book of here that I didn’t love. The way she writes is so captivating.
Ashley says
I’m in the middle of reading, The Paid Bridesmaid by Sariah Wilson and I LOVE it!! Out of the four books I read this month, I think it’s going to be my favorite.
Erika Slaughter says
Girl!! I’ve gotta get to adding to my Kindle now!!
Beth says
Fantastic recommendations! Thank you!!!
Megan Ferchen says
Make April the month of Jodi Picoult! They’re all good, but I’d especially recommend ‘My Sister’s Keeper’, ‘Nineteen Minutes’, and ‘The Storyteller’,
Kristen says
You need to read more Jodi Picoult books!!! They are so thought provoking , interesting and all around wonderful reads!
Ellen says
I highly recommend The Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamali. It is excellent, and I could not put it down. Also, Once Upon A Wardrobe by Patti Callahan is also very good!
Erin H says
I would suggest adding Unmissing to your list. It’s a mystery but not scary or anything. It was so good I read it in less than two days.
Mary says
I am just finishing The Book of Cold Cases by Simone St. James(on Audible) and it is soooo good! A not too creepy thriller 🙂 Going to recommend Big Lies in a Small Town by Diane Chamberlain. I know you weren’t a fan of the book you read by her last month, but you NEED to read this one!! My favorite book of 2020!
Tricia says
I don’t know if you’ve read it, but “The London House” by Katherine Reay was so good! I really enjoy all of her books, and this one is, by far, my favorite of hers. 🙂
Amanda Bordonaro-Kvil says
Jodi Picoult books are incredible – I would highly recommend My sister’s keeper, change of heart and nineteen minutes
Lisa C says
Have you ever explained how you organize your books on your kindle? Do you keep them on your kindle once you’ve read them? Etc. Thanks for the great reviews each month.
Mix and Match Mama says
I don’t thin I have…I keep them until my Kindle tells me it’s out of room (which takes a long time!). I can almost always go the whole year without deleting one. After each book is read, it says “read” in the corner so that helps me stay organized.
K.K. says
My favorite post of the month – YAY!! I noted all these books I need to buy now. Thanks, Shay!
Also, thanks for sharing about the book about language and hearing. That’s fascinating!! Praying your sweet girls continue to grow and overcome language struggles.
Leslie S says
I love Jodi Picoult. Her books are always thought provoking and have a twist. I’ll have to read this one. Thank you!
Gretchen says
I read Wish You Were Here this month too. I didn’t care for it as much as you did. I thought it was OK. Maybe 3.5 stars out of 5. I found the COVID stuff to be so ? especially in the first plot line part of the book. It seemed to advance far too quickly, way faster than it did IRL. I really hate when elementa of books that are supposed to be realistic are factually incorrect or track real-time and don’t. But it was a quick and easy read.
Jennifer Maynard says
I’m reading The Lobotomist’s Wife right now and it is fascinating! I am obsessed with biographical fiction books.
Julie says
Hi Shay-
OH how I loved this post! I read (and LOVED) two of the books you reviewed (Wish you were Here, One Italian Summer) and have some on my list that I was nervous about (Running Wild, The Maid) so you answered so many questions for me. I’m glad you loved Jodi Picoult. She is amazing, and if you want another fantastic one by her, I highly recommend “Small Great Things.” Such! an interesting story and soon to be a movie, which I lOVE!
I got ‘The book of Lost Names’ from many reader comments on your book reviews, and I LOVE IT! It is beautifully written, centers around mother-daughter/family love, love of reading and books, beautiful descriptions of parts of France and is such a touching and poignant read. Highly recommend.
And thanks to your new podcast, I braved the 20 degree Boston weather (insert me crying) to take a dog walk and listen to the fun.
Hope you have a great day!
Mix and Match Mama says
Awwwwww! Julie thank you for listening today in the cold!!! Sending you so much love!
Morgan says
The Book of Lost Names was SO GOOD.
Jenny says
Diane Chamberlain’s latest book The Last House on the Street was fantastic!
Maria says
I felt the same way about The Maid. I enjoyed it but it didn’t blow me away. I did love One Italian Summer! I just finished The Golden Couple and really enjoyed it. It’s a thriller of the mind, not scary creeper at all (I can’t do those). You would also enjoy The Husbands, also not creepy but makes you think. For chick lit, you should also check out Jamie Brenner and Meg Mitchell Monroe- they are friends of Elin Hilderbrand and write about various beach towns.
Ali Patterson says
If that is your first Jodi Picoult book, you definitely need to read more of her stuff. She is one of my favorite authors! I’ll have to get this one for sure! Thanks for all of your suggestions!
Chrissy says
Wait….you’ve NEVER read Jodi Picoult?! She has soooo many good ones! They basically all tackle an issue that you think is one-sided, but you get all points of view and they really make you think! My Sister’s Keeper is one of her best and most famous (and beautiful and heart-breaking), The Pact, Nineteen Minutes, Small Great Things. All so great!
Jacqui says
Just chiming in to say that I think “Nineteen Minutes” by Jodi Picoult should be REQUIRED READING in all schools at some point (not sure which age) and truly that most adults should be re-reading it at least once too!
But my next Jodi rec is definitely “Small Great Things.”
Andrea says
Shay, I LOVE your book reviews. I have to agree with One Italian Summer. I LOVED it. I loved the location and food descriptions and the story was just fabulous and made me think about my mom. 🙂 Have you read ” Who is Maud Dixon?” by Alexandra Andrews. Its another location and and descriptive mystery/thriller but on the not as scary side I think. I really enjoyed that one. Thanks again for your fantastic reviews!
Keisha Dawson says
As always, my favorite post of the month! So many good suggestions, and my library holds list had room. I added 4 to my holds. I preordered Running Wild, but I don’t want the series to end, so I haven’t even opened it yet. I keep seeing how wonderful it is, so I will probably get to that this month. Our book club picked The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley for our April book, but I haven’t gotten into it yet. Two of my favorite March reads were The Room on Rue Amelie by Kristin Harmel and The Cheat Sheet by Sarah Adams. Both very different books, but I enjoyed each of them so much!
Joanne says
I LOVE Jodi Picoult books and usually snap hers up right away but I have been shying away from her latest mainly because it mentions Covid right in the synopsis and yeah I had the same thought– I’ve been living it; I don’t need to read about it. Plus I really disliked her last book– like DNF after the first chapter! I have both The Maid and One Italian Summer waiting on my pile to be read.
Carol says
I love your book recommendations, but I have to say I am unexpectedly in tears over your comments about sweet Ashby. And I am NOT a person who cries. Hardly ever! Bless her precious heart. And what a blessing you have all been to one another! Yet another reason why this special little girl is tough as nails, and yet another prayer for me to pray for Ashby. (((hugs)))
Mix and Match Mama says
Thank you so much, Carol! I appreciate your big heart and prayers!!
Kelli says
My favorite day of the month!! My favorite book I read this month was With Love, From London by Sarah Jio. It just came out last month! American girl inherits a book store from her estranged mother in London. Perfect blend of light, but deeper issues!
Sandy says
I appreciate your speech/language struggles with your daughter. I am a speech therapist and I have a daughter adopted from China. Although she learned English at a rapid rate and was within normal limits when she was first adopted, she is showing more and more “searching” for words and struggles to express her thoughts at a socially appropriate rate. I see my social and talkative daughter clam up and remain silent in the presence of other kids and it breaks my heart. I had not heard of this book so I just ordered Thirty Million Words. I have our daughter listen to audio books as often as we can and always looking for ideas to help increase her language skills. I just last week reminded my husband and her siblings to ask open ended questions to require longer responses and NOT to answer for her as is so easy to do! I really enjoy your book reviews and especially excited to read this one.
Libby says
Thank you for sharing. One of our children has had issues with speech. Turns out she has mild ADP (auditory processing delay). She has always done well in school, so we didn’t think it was affecting her. Living with it for so long, she has learned to adapt, but her struggle began to effect her self confidence. She now has a listening device system to help her with this. These kids are so resilient and adaptable to a point. Hugs to you and your girls.
sandi says
I have read so many Jodi Picoult books but the one that stayed with me the longest was Small Great Things. Like all of her books, it is a very hard read. The language and the hatred from the husband was so real it was disturbing… but so good and it had to be written for the story line. Every one of her books has a plot twist and this has a huge one that caused me to read the last several chapters multiple times so I could grasp what just happened. I can only read a few of her books a year they are so heavy and thought provoking. You definitely need several light books to clear your mind after reading her books. Others have recommended My Sister’s Keeper which is also well written. The only one that I did not like was Lone Wolf which for me was just weird.
Melanie says
Love your book reviews! I actually loved The Maid. I would say she was high functioning Asperger’s which made it fascinating to me. As someone with a deaf education background your book about language development was spot on! I thought The Family Upstairs was creepy/disturbing. Definitely looking forward to reading your other suggestions!
Sandra Reynolds says
I loved The Maid too! It was quirky and sweet and just enough mystery to be a good “who dunnit.” I thought the author did a great job portraying Molly’s neurodiversity. I believe it was picked up by a movie studio before it’s release. Molly will be played by Florence Pugh.
Thanks Shay for another amazing month of reviews ☺️
kristne says
Immediately added most of these to my library app. Thanks! 🙂 I love book day!
Laura says
I recommend Jodi Picoults Small Great Things. I thought this was very well done and I remember I read the authors notes at the end because I was fascinated with how she prepared to write it. I’m a Nicu nurse and thought the medical side of this was done well. I also liked My Sisters Keeper but I read that a long time ago.
I read One Italian Summer too and didn’t expect to like but I LOVED it! Loved the story and loved the way she described Italy, the food, and the scenery!
I read a couple more Diane Chamberlain books because so many people recommend them in the comments here. I find they are slow to start and I needed to get use to her writing style but by the end I enjoyed both.
Megan says
I loved, loved “You Were There Too” by Colleen Oakley!
Lindsey says
Have you read any RS Grey? Her books are SO funny… so very witty. They are set all over the world. The cutest characters. I have read every single one and I can tell you there is not a bad one in the bunch!!
Lindsey says
Have you read any RS Grey? Her books are all so witty, charming, and full of strong characters. I’ve read them all and I can tell you there’s not a bad one in the bunch!
Mix and Match Mama says
I don’t believe I have! Thank you for the rec!
Colleen S says
If you loved Jodi Picoult, you must read Small Great Things and A Spark of Light by her. Both fantastic reads that really make you think and test your beliefs.
Kim says
Welcome to the Jodi Picoult club! The Pact is by far my favorite book of hers and stays with you long after reading. I’m curious if anyone has read The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan and would love to read reviews. I just finished it loved the beginning and hated the idea of the school (fake dolls no thank you) almost stopped reading at that point but really loved the ending! Wow!
Ami Sato says
Another great Jodi Picoult book is Small Great Things and apparently it’s going to be a movie!
Paula Barry says
I think you should read Pachinko by Min Jin Lee if you haven’t already, and The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh,
Madison says
Yay I’m glad you read a Jodi Picoult book! She has been my favorite since the early 2000’s. I would say her most popular book is My Sister’s Keeper, so good it was made into a movie (of course the book was way better). But my other favorites are The Pact, Nineteen Minutes, and Small Great Things. I hope you add at least one of these to your list for next month. I always love reading your reviews. Most of the books I read come from your recommendations, so thank you for that!
Jami says
We have the same favorite Jodi books! My first was The Pact, I like to say I’ve been reading her books back when you had to find her on the P shelf at the local book store.
Brianne Sykora says
I read The Pact in High School and it set me off on my love of books. It was so so good! All of her early work is phenomenal. Keeping Faith, Plain Sight, Salem Falls, Vanishing Acts. Can’t go wrong!
Caitlin Howard says
I always love you book recommendations! Have you read Mitch Albom? I just read Stranger in the Lifeboat last month and just finished Finding Chika this month. I highly recommend both of them. They are both thought-provoking and tug at your heartstrings.
Lindsay Larger says
Have you read I Must Betray You? So good, so suspenseful. One of those books you just keep reading because you’re itchin to know what happens!
AliJ. says
Aw, love that you read a book by Dr.Dana Suskind! She is a wonderful person, doctor and a field instructor for my graduate students in social work at the University of Chicago. She is one of the kindest people you’d ever meet and has overcome tragedy with her husband’s sudden death – he died saving some children in Lake Michigan.
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh goodness, I didn’t know that. Wow! That’s devastating. Thank you for sharing this with me.
Dana says
Just read some really great ones: Cloud Cuckoo Land, The Song of Achilles, The Lincoln Highway, and Unbroken.
Michelle says
Oh, how I choked up as I read about sweet Ashby’s first years as she was waiting for her family. Our adopted daughter has been with us for all but her first 2 nights but I am very interested in reading this book and learning more this important concept. Thanks (as always) for all the great book recommendations. And yes, you need to read more Jodi Picoult! Her books aren’t always easy to read but they are worth it.
Shirley says
I loved this month’s book reviews! In particular, the last book resonates with me. I have told anyone who will listen to read to your babies, toddlers, & kids every day as long as you can! It is one of the most important ways to put all of those words in your little one’s head. My husband & I read to our two sons every night before bed until they reached middle school, which is 7th grade for us. I really credit that with our boys’ reading comprehension levels that have always been above & beyond the highest level on any standardized tests. When you read to children, you are reading at levels above their own regular reading level, which increases the words they are introduced to & begin to understand. I’m sure you’re already doing this Shay, but keep reading TO Ashby as much as you can. Even though she has missed out on 2 1/2 years of words, reading to her can only help with her continued comprehension of the English language.
Kristen Perry says
The Love Hypothesis was so stinking good!! Highly recommend it (a little spicy though)
Tricia Hall says
Adding these to my reading list! Also loved Wish You Were Here despite the topic!
As an SLP your words about the last book brought tears to my eyes ❤️ Couldn’t have said it better myself. I recommend it to any parent or adult who spends a lot of time with the kids in their lives! It’s a must read.
Julianna says
I loved Wish You Were too… I thought I was going to be disappointed by the plot twist, but nope. So good! I agree with all of the other comments that say you should add Small Great Things to your list. I also read Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty this month. Her books are hit or miss for me, but I could not put it down!
Jayne says
I was able to read an early copy of Lost and Found in Paris by Lian Dolan – it’s art heist meets treasure hunt in Paris with a little romance and peek into the life of celebrities thrown in. Comes out April 5th. It’s a fun one!
Amanda Peterson says
Great reccs! I want to read them all. I also wanted you to know that the rights to the Jodi Picoult book were sold to Netflix.
Melissa Davison says
I also LOVED Marie’s story. I really liked Calla, but loved Marie. You need to read Finlay Donovan is Killing it!
Stacu says
I also highly recommend Jodi Picoult books. She is one of my favorite authors! I’m currently reading Before We Were Yours which is based on the true story of Georgia Tann who stole thousands of children from poor, uneducated, single and sick families and illegally sold them to wealthy and influential people for inflated prices. She made millions by tricking families into signing over their rights while under sedation or by lying about it being temporary. Also, the children she kept in her Tennessee Children’s Home Society were subjected to abuse – physical, emotional, verbal and sexual, neglect, and other horrible atrocities. So much so that an estimated 500 children died in her care. The novel is written from two different protagonists in two different time periods. The first is Rill who is a child who is stolen, and the other is Avery who learns that her wealthy and prestigious family might have a few secrets.
Erin says
This was such a HARD book to read, but so, so good. Eye opening, heartbreaking, so well written.
Paige Connell says
I loved The Library of Legends–part historical fiction/part fantasy set in 1930s China!
Also: People We Meet on Vacation, The Rose Code, any of the Class Mom series, or the Thursday Murder Club series–that one is about four British 70-year-olds in a retirement home who happen upon crimes and solve them before the police. They’re cozy mysteries, not thrillers.
I can’t always remember what you’ve read before, but I think you’d like these! 🙂
Tarryn says
Eeeek I didn’t know there was a new Wild book! Can’t wait to start! Also wanted to suggest a religious one – Gentle and Lowly. It’s not a beach read but it will stay with you forever. Highly highly recommend!
Dana P says
Gentle and Lowly is so good! Also, the Read Aloud Family by Sarah Mackenzie is a good one to get motivated to read together as a family. It’s been a while since I’ve read it, but I really enjoyed it!
Kelli says
I second this!
Julie Anderson says
Loved “Wish You Were Here” so much too! I read it on our spring break trip too. 🙂 The other great Jodi Picoult book you HAVE to read is “Small Great Things”. It is so so good!
Rayne says
I agree with small great things, it was such a “stick with you” kind of book. She researches and develops her topics so well.
Jen says
Small Great Things is one of my favorite books too! It’s SO good!!
Andrea says
Yes!!!! Love this day!
More Jodi Picoult books for sure! Change of Heart and Nineteen Minutes are just stellar, but my very favorite is Handle With Care. It’s phenomenal and I think you would love it!
Lisa Kasiski says
I second Nineteen Minutes as it is one of Jodi Picoult’s best.
Jenn says
Shay! I can’t believe you’ve never read Jodi’s books! Handle with Care was the first of her books that I have read and I haven’t stopped since. I also loved The Storyteller, My Sister’s Keeper, and Harvesting the Heart. She puts so much research into her books. I’ve always felt they are so well written.
Margaret says
I just can’t with Jodi Picoult. I think she writes a great story…and then takes the easy way out. (Y’all don’t yell at me!)
As a teacher of little people-YES-talk to the babies! Read, sing, rhyme…all of it!
Mare says
I just read A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman and it was so good!! I really think you would love it.
Mix and Match Mama says
You know…I read that one a few years ago. I don’t think that author is my favorite. I’ve never loved any of his books.
Sharon S says
Ohmigoodness, my daughter has this same issue. Adopted at 3 from China and she is very bright. But she just struggles to get out the thought she is thinking a lot of times. And now I realize I finish her sentences for her to help her and that’s not a good thing. She didn’t talk much before she was adopted b/c like you said she didn’t have much, if any, one on one time with anyone talking to her. We worried when her file said she only said two words at age 2, but she is completely fine and wonderful. We also figured out she has a slight hearing loss so I’m guessing that hurt her too. In a crowded room, it really is hard for her to hear the words. So, not great she spent her first three years in rooms with lots of kids.
She reads a ton, but is only at grade reading level which shocks me because she reads so much – more than our bio kids. So, now I’m thinking maybe this is her issue. Does the book tell you how to address it? Or is it already done and she will always struggle? I hope not! But, I am so happy to hear this. I have been so puzzled b/c she is so bright, but then she struggles with this which doesn’t seem to match her ability level. It even translates to math with us with word problems. She is so good at doing the math part, but translating what they want her to do from the words can sometimes be a struggle. We are eager to help her if we knew what to do. If you know what to do, please share!
Mix and Match Mama says
She sounds so much like my sweet Ashby! Ashby loves math the most and it comes so easily to her. She loves reading and writing too…but it takes more effort. I highly recommend you read this book. It’s not geared for adoption, but it does offer ways to help/assist/strengthen a kiddo who has missed out on their 30 million words.
Katie C says
I second all the Jodi P. recommendations. I’ve been reading her since college (late 90s). I’ve always been a reader but I can honestly say her books made me fall in love with reading as an adult, if that makes sense. They always tackle mainstream issues but are so well written you see so many perspectives. They can be hard to read and I’ve wanted to throw some books across the room! But I have loved every single one of them. As a teacher and a mom… “19 Minutes” stuck with me the most (I read it when it first came out in 2007 after just having my baby girl.) But I agree with everyone saying try Small Great Things next!
Lori Mast says
Thank you, Shay! I’m buying the last book right now! I have 4 kiddos as well & my younger 2 are also adopted from China:) My son has cleft lip/palate & I hear you 100% when you said Ashby is “looking for words”. I have seen them same thing with my son. We have worked tirelessly in helping him to process the English language. He is in 9th grade this year & we have watched miracles unfold as he has done a great job navigating school this year. Keep up the great work because I’m confident you will continue to see strides in Ashby as well:) 🙂
Amber Walker says
I just finished Falling by TJ Newman and loved it. It’s suspenseful but not scary/gory suspenseful. I really enjoyed it!!
Danielle says
Thanks for the recommendations! I really think you would like The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman and Just Haven’t Met You Yet by Sophie Cousens.
Robin says
I LOVED Just Haven’t Met You Yet (and her first novel too). Sophie Cousens is my new favorite!!!
Meg says
I just finished The Star Crossed Sister of Tuscany and really liked it. It had some surprises for me. I’d love to hear your review of it. Just love your monthly boom reviews.
Leslie says
I really liked this one too! Would recommend adding to your list.
Mandy says
Agree! I liked The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany, too! It had both the light-hearted parts but also more meaningful moments and insights.
Jaren Dubois says
These all sound soooo good!! Can’t wait!
Alexis says
I am so excited you finally read a Jodi Picoult book! I recommended Small Great Things in comments for months after it came out but figured you might just not be interested in her books – which was totally fine! But – now that you’ve read one, I would recommend – oh gosh, so hard to pick – so many of hers! Small Great Things was phenomenal, Handle with Care will probably always be my very favorite book she’s written, Nineteen Minutes is incredibly well written, and I adored The Storyteller. I also LOVED Perfect Match (an older one). Honestly – you can’t go wrong with any of those!
Yessss to everything you said about Running Wild. I couldn’t put it down! Adored every bit of it. I didn’t want it to end.
Reading One Night on the Island now and am loving it!! I adore Josie Silver books.
Clearly we read the same things. ?
Just finished The Golden Couple and liked it a lot. Also just read Drive by Kate Stewart and WOW. I could not put it down. Look that one up!
Amanda says
I am shocked you’ve never read Jodi Piccoult. I enjoy all of them but would echo that Small Great Things is PHENOMENAL and important. Nineteen minutes is brutal to read but I’m glad I did. I think about it a lot and I read it over 15 years ago.
The Storyteller though, wow. Incredible and boy, it challenges you.
The thing I love about most of her books, is that they make you think. They push you past your gut belief and I think that’s important. They don’t always change what I believe about things but they do help me consider different aspects of situations than I’ve ever stopped to consider before.
Stephanie Paul says
Read “We came. We saw. We left”. It’s about a family who took a year to travel the world together even though their kids were still in school. Funny, honest, and also inspires wanderlust.
Debbie Keith says
I highly recommend Lisa Wingate’s Before We were Yours. It is a tough read but worth it. I loved Jodi Picoult but her novel The Book of Two Ways did not appeal to me at all. Small Great Things was one of the best novels I have ever read. I will certainly put some of this months books on my list.
I also enjoyed Wish We Were Here.
Thank you for doing these book reviews.
Erin says
I can’t wait to read ‘Thirty Million Words’ ??? This may explain sooooo much about our Chambliss, adopted at age 3 years 10 months from China ❤️ She was in an orphanage for the first 2.5 years then a foster home the last year. But we have done testing, neuropsych tests, all types of things & keep thinking we will get a ‘true diagnosis’ — auditory processing disorder, dyslexia, apraxia, SOMETHING. Because it’s like she KNOWS what she wants to say or understands what’s going on, but can’t find the words to tell you. She struggles with expressing her feelings & emotions. She has very limited short term memory & struggles to tell me what she did at school each day. She can talk your ear off & is very articulate, but can’t process what I’m telling her. This would make SO.MUCH.SENSE! She has Spina Bifida & was abandoned at 4 days old. She went straight to the hospital for surgery & shunt placement & was there alone for 3 months. Then at 8 months old had a shunt malfunction & was put back in the hospital (alone) for another surgery & several weeks recovery there ??
Thank you so much for recommending this book!!!!!
Jamie says
I can’t wait to read the Josie silver book. Thanks for the rec, your reviews have led me to some of my all time faves!
For a cute light funny check out back in the burbs. By Tracy Wolff. ?
Kensey says
The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek was my favorite read this year. So incredibly fascinating! Also a second follow up book is coming out in May.
Also I looooved the 4th book in the Alaskan series too!! I’m hoping for a fifth book!
And lastly, Jodi Picoult used to be my favorite author years ago. It seems like all of her books have a twist at the end, some of them causing me to want to throw the book across the room. I finally gave her up for good after ruining an ending for me one too many times. ?
Susan Jeffries says
Thank you for the great book suggestions and reviews! I added 3 to my TBR list! Do you need to read the entire series before you read Running Wild or can you just read that one and understand what is going on? Thanks again!
Hannah says
Jodi Picoult’s Handle With Care….just wow. First time I read it I threw it across the room when I was done. Then about a week later picked it up and read it again. So good! You really can’t go wrong with her books. I’ve read them all and loved them!! Can’t wait to check our some of your recommendations!
Shelby Denison says
Love all these reviews, and just added multiple to my list!
I thought about you this month with one of the books I read: New Girl in Little Cove By Damhnait Monaghan.
It’s about a French teacher, who moves to a new little town for a do over and it’s just the cutest!! I finished it in two days ?
Elizabeth B. says
Have you read the A Court of Thornes and Roses series by Sarah Maas? My reading preferences are almost exactly like yours. My sister and friend bugged me to read this series for a year and I kept reading the description and was like ehh I’m not really sure that is my thing, but OH MY GOSH I was wrong!! I read that entire series, then her Throne of Glass series, and now I am on her latest series. The obsession is intense. If you haven’t given them a chance I think you should!
Shelly says
I love your book reviews and just added a ton! I read Leaving Time by Jodi and loved it.
Patti says
Just ordered Thirty Million Words- I’m so pumped to read this! As an SLP who works with toddlers and preschoolers, I can attest that ALL parents can benefit from understanding language development:)
Between Covid and overuse of technology at a young age- we have tons of work to do! Let’s do this peeps!! TALK TO and WITH your child.
Amy says
Gosh, what a month! So many good ones for sure, they were also some of my favorites as well. Recently some books I have loved were The London House by Katherine Reay, Blake Cake, 100 years of Leni and Margot and Jackie and Maria by Gill Paul!
Ashley P says
I LOVE Jodi Picoult~ She’s an auto read for me. I HATED this book. I loved the beginning and then was so mad at the twist, I just couldn’t get over it to love the ending.
Also, because I automatically pick up anything JP, I guess I didn’t read the synopsis before starting, so the COVID 19 surprised me and I was mad at it ?
Not a fave, but I’ll still read what comes next from her!
Sarah says
I’m pretty new to your book reviews so a lot I would recommend you may have already read. However, I just finished Francine Rivers new book, “The Lady’s Mine” and it was so good. It is a romance but with a very strong leading lady and a little mystery. It also points to her relationship with the Lord and I just thought it was such a good book.
“Pretty Things” by Janelle Brown was also great. Very different with a great twist and I loved it.
Thank you for your book reviews!
Madeline H says
I love reading your book reviews each month!! I am a pediatric speech therapist. I would love to hear what has been helpful for you regarding Ashby’s and Madeley’s speech therapy journey from a parents perspective! I totally understand privacy and not wanting to share but if you have any insight to their journeys or helpful tips to parents through therapy or school services I would love to hear!
Sami Moss says
Just added almost all of these to my library holds. Love your monthly reviews. I currently can’t put down The Golden Couple, like reading before my kids wake up and way too late in the night. It’s a thriller/suspense without being too creepy and I have literally no idea what will happen. Also loved The Do Over by Bethany Turner and Meet Me In the Margins by Melissa Ferguson as 2 easy cute clean rom coms this month.
Lara says
Thanks for this comment! Picked up The Golden Couple on this recommendation and finished it last night !! Couldn’t put it down!
Jen says
As a former special ed teacher and adoptive parent here’s my advice. If you have young kids who struggle with speech, put them in a music class. My kids have always been in Kindermusik classes and it has always been a game changer for them. I had a bio who only had 5 words at 2 and music class changed his speech abilities completely. I have 2 kids who were adopted from foster care and music classes have helped them make amazing strides. Music changed the pathways in the brain – instruments, singing, moving to music – get your kids into it.
Ashley says
I finally read the book, ‘Thin Girls’, and was talking to my sister about it while reading it saying, “I kind of hate it, but love it at the same time. It’s just so disturbing.” I couldn’t remember for sure, but told her I thought I had downloaded it from your recommendation. I then went back through your blog and was pleased to see that I had downloaded it based on your recommendation and that you had the same reaction that I had. Thank you for always posting great book recommendation.
Mix and Match Mama says
Boy…that one will stick to you. I still think about that book often. It’s so hard…but so good.
Stacy says
I would recommend reading The Love of my Life by Rosie Walsh. I
Could not put it down!
Thanks for all your book recommendations!!
Shannon schupp says
If you haven’t read any Jodi Picoult books you are in for a treat bc they are all so good!! But by far My Sisters Keeper and the Storyteller are my two favorites!! So so amazing!