Happy Monday, friends!! It’s my AUGUST BOOK REVIEW!!!!
PLEASE READ THIS BELOW…
I dare say that this summer (including May!), I read some of the BEST BOOKS I’ve read in a long, long, long time.
Please make sure you go back and check out these book reviews…
…did you see that?! From May through July, I read 22 books and LOVED almost every single one of them. (There were a few flops, but I would say I LOVED 90% of them!!)
I say all of this to say, this month was a letdown.
Agh!
Please read this book review but then if you’re truly looking for a great book, go back and read one of the above reviews instead.
Sigh.
Here we go…
The Royals Next Door by Karina Halle
Um, this one was okay. This is a fictional story that’s a nod and a wink to Harry and Megan leaving Britain to live in Canada and have a family.
So, that’s the inspiration.
These royal characters move to a Canadian island and live next door to this single woman and her mother. Obviously, they befriend the royals and then also their bodyguard. That’s the gist. It was cute and sweet with a charming little setting (I want to live in that town) and a likeable lead character. I liked this book, but here’s why I didn’t love it…I didn’t think the royals were relevant at all to the story. They just weren’t. It annoyed me. Has anyone else read this and thought the same thing??? They weren’t detrimental to the story, but they certainly weren’t beneficial either. You could have inserted a variety of characters next door who needed a bodyguard (singer/author/politician/actor/billionaire) and had the same plot from beginning to end. I don’t know, it annoyed me, and that is what knocked it from love to like.
One more thing…buyer be ware. I always note a little rating on my phone as I read a book and this one here was super Hallmark and PG for about half the novel and then plummeted to R in about three sentences. Hahaha! If you don’t purchase books that could lean R, then I just want to point that out. I had this one pegged as Hallmark and then it hit HBO fast.
My next book…
Smells Like Tween Spirit by Laurie Gelman
…this is the fourth novel in the Class Mom series. These books come out every single August, and so far, I have LOVED them all. I would say out of every book this year, I was the MOST excited to sit down and read this one.
Guess what?
I LOVED IT!!!!!!!
This was the shining star of the month for me 🙂 .
Friends, if you’re a mom to kids who have or are going through elementary school, you must read these books. BUT BONUS, if you have or have had a middle schooler, this novel is about them. I COULD SO RELATE! Laurie Gelman has a gift of articulating what it’s like to be a parent in today’s world. She’s funny, she’s spot on, her novels are charming, cute and laugh out loud funny. The first three books in this series follows her as the class mom for her kindergarten son and then as he gets older into elementary school. This novel has him in middle school and she (hysterically!) covers youth sports, their hygiene, what they eat, how loud/ridiculous/impulsive/dumb middle school kids can be. I just love these novels.
Start with BOOK #1 and then just read them all. I have gifted these books to friends and last year, I gave it to the mom who was in charge of our elementary school volunteers. Trust me, YOU WILL RELATE! Nothing will put you more in a back to school mood than this series!
Next up…
The Office BFFs by Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey
So, I’ve said this before, but I’ll say it again…The Office Ladies is my VERY FAVORITE PODCAST!!! Each and every week, I get SO excited to listen to their new episode and always am sad when they take a week off. I love these ladies, so, of course, I bought their new memoir about being on The Office. After listening to them discuss the new book on podcast episodes, I bought the hardback book because I knew it included over 400 personal, behind the scenes photos from their time on the show. If I’m being suuuuuper honest, the first half of the book really annoyed me, but I liked the second half (buuuuut there’s a reason why).
So, they said over and over again on their podcast that the book would have behind the scenes stories they haven’t shared before…except as I was reading, I had already heard all of those stories on the podcast. I mean, I’m sure there were maybe a handful that I didn’t’ know, but I would guess that 85% of them had already been shared on the podcast. Why did I love the second half? Because they haven’t discussed those episodes yet on the podcast, so I didn’t know those stories…but as their show continues (and seasons of The Office get discussed), then I’m sure they’ll be talking about those stories too. So, great stories, adorable ladies…but it just felt boring to me since I listen to the podcast.
Annnnnnnd…yes, they had SO MANY FUN PHOTOS of their time behind the scenes, but they didn’t have a single caption. I’ve been listening to their podcast now for two years, so I know all of these people’s names that they worked with (not the actors…because they’re recognizable, but the crew), but without a caption, I couldn’t appreciate/didn’t care about those 400 photos of faces I didn’t know.
If I had to do it over again, I would have skipped this book. I love their podcast and will continue being a loyal listener, but I didn’t need to waste my time on the book.
And finally…
This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub
…another nope for me.
Geez.
So many of you told me to read this novel, but it left me feel ugh every time I put it down.
Am I going crazy here? Please let me know.
This novel is kind of like the Jennifer Garner movie 13 Going on 30 but also kind of like the Bill Murray movie Groundhogs Day. I just didn’t love it. I don’t exactly know why either? It’s set in NYC. There is a charming townhouse involved. It has a strong female lead. I don’t know? It just felt kind of gray and blah. Every time I opened it up, I just didn’t love it. It was kind of depressing to read. Is that weird? Why didn’t I enjoy this one? It wraps up at the end and honestly, I couldn’t even appreciate it…I was just thankful it was over.
Please tell me what you thought about this one! I’m dying to here why so many of you loved it.
Okay, here we go…FALL BOOKS are next up!
I would like some recs for thrillers, memoirs, and cozy chick lit. Please share your latest suggestions!!
I’ve wrapped up a summer of beach books and now, it’s time for the fall reads. Thank you in advance for sharing them with me!
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! Sending you all so much love on this Monday! I’ll see all of you back here tomorrow! xx
Elspeth says
I keep referring to your book reviews when I’m searching for new reads! Thank you for being real with your reviews! Happy Monday!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Laura says
I picked up Come Fly The World by Julia Cooke about being a few of the Pan Am stewardess’…NOT about bed hopping party girls but more about being a part of a new global jet setting company….I always regretted being too short to fly….being a traveler, you might enjoy this memoir.
Kristin Arreola says
Unbroken by the author was seabiscuit is an amazing true story about a prisoner of war during WWII. It has done incredibly hard parts but it is just amazing. It covers his faith in Jesus too.
Jennifer Monroe says
HI Kristin! I’d second this 1,000 times! The story is incredible and so well told. I actually got to meet and have lunch with Louie Zamperini and we became friends for the last few years of his life. He was even a greater man than the book depicts. Such a strong faith and simply beautiful story of redemption. I always love it when someone else discovers this book too!
Lorelei Boyett says
Unbroken is ALWAYS at the top of my favorite book list. Just so good!! I would love to hear the story of how you met him???
Secondly, Nora goes off script was soooo good. Best book I’ve read in awhile. Thank you for the recommendation!
Erika Slaughter says
It sounds like I need the latest Class Mom book in my life now! Thanks for the rec!
Lindsay says
Lease on Love by Fallon Ballard (so cute!! Main character is a florist!)
Meet you in the Middle- Devon Daniels (I loved if so much that I’ve read it several times now!)
Julie Eggleston says
Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez is a Hallmark movie in book form. I absolutely loved it, and I think you would too.
Paula says
100% agree to the above statement from Julie, I am listening to it on Audio and have laughed out loud many times and it is also steamy is many areas which is fun to listened to. It is given me all the feels which is what a good book should give you. I want to clean more of my house just to keep listening to it and to see where the story will lead next. It’s so good!
Deb says
Yes! I loved this book and her books in general – so if you haven’t read her other books, go read them all now!
Sam V. says
I second this suggestion! I just finished Part of Your World and it was SO good! I would go even further than saying it’s like a Hallmark movie. It definitely has substance to it!
Shana says
Definitely read “Wrong Place Wrong Time”!!!!
Kathy says
Loved this book.
Melanie says
Great book! Definitely read it.
Janice says
Yes I totally agree – great book!
Sheila DeSpirito says
Please, please, please read Black Cake, by Charmaine Wilkerson. I could not put it down. A friend from work recommended it to me. So I read it and absolutely loved it! I think in my heart of hearts, you will love it too. Another friend after reading it decided she wanted to make a Blake Cake and she did. The story of The Black Cake is a big part of the story line.
Taylor says
I agree-Black Cake was so good! All of the dynamics of the different characters kept me coming back for more.
Stephanie says
I second this, such a great read!
laura sotelo says
I agree!! One of the best books I’ve read this year. You will not be disappointed.
Abbey V says
I also loved Black Cake!
My fav this year –
The Bloomsbury Girls… which then led to delightfully reading 84 Charing Cross.
Fresh Release —-> The Many Daughters of Afong Moy was also very good 😊
Cindy Slay says
Agree! I audiobooked this one for a road trip from the Great State if Texas to Alabama.
Susan Jeffries says
I appreciate the honest reviews! I am gathering up books for my September list now(:
Katie Compton says
I loved Smells Like Teen Spirit! I read Class Mom years ago on your recommendation and have loved every book in the series. I thought this last one was as hilarious as the others BUT a little touching and meaty too. It was great!
Jennifer Goodwin says
August was a dud month with books for me as well, I only read three this month because of that, which is a low number for me. I always read at least four, but my July books were the best of summer and very hard to beat. I tried a new author at the rec of some of the comments readers left here, but I didn’t love it either! It’s a series, but I won’t be continuing in it, even though I love series of books. Thanks for sharing with us! I’m ready for fall books now!
Michelle Bingham says
I am reading the Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post and loving it. Its super interesting. I highly recommend.
Holly says
Just looked this book up on Amazon and purchased it for my Mom (which means I will get to read it after her!). Looks interesting. Thanks for sharing!
Robin says
So good!
Stephanie Parisotto says
I always look forward to your monthly book reviews and have read several of your suggestions! Not sure if your read the family upstairs by Lisa jewel, but it’s a thriller and might be just what your looking for for fall! Her follow up to this book just came out – the family remains! I read both back to back and enjoyed both!
Mix and Match Mama says
I did!! That one is SO good!!
Maria says
I loved the latest class mom book too. Felt the same about This Time Tomorrow, I’m just not a fan of these time travel books. Check out Nora Goes Off Script. I loved it! The main character Nora is a writer for the “hallmark channel” such a fun story I really enjoyed it! Also, A Shoe Story! Oh it was so adorable! The shoes had me! Each chapter states the designer shoes the character wears. Such a fun NYC story. Both books will not let you down! Promise!
Abby says
Loved Nora goes off script! One of my fav reads this summer
Rachel says
Yes! I was coming on here to recommend Nora Goes Off Script! So cute!!
Sheaffer says
The covers are cool. That’s all I’ve got.
p.s. Follow @officebloopers on ig. HYSTERICAL.
Mix and Match Mama says
I’m lol! Looking that up now!
Lynne says
I hope Boys in the Boat is on your list. Outstanding story.
Mary says
Love this book! Also, just finished One Night on the Island and thought it would be a good fall/winter read.
Renee says
Read Black Cake. It is so good.
Lisa D says
Last month a few readers recommended Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt and it was delightful! It’s my favorite book so far this year. (I’ve read over 70 books to date this year!) My other *double starred* books that I read in August are Under The Magnolias by T.I. Lowe, and The Last Year of the War by Susan Meissner. Terrific books! Highly recommend!
Robin says
So delightful!
Kathleen Gaul says
The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles
Liz Thorson says
I loved The Lincoln Highway, too! My favorite of his 3 big hits is A Gentleman in Moscow. I know Shay has read that one!
Shawna says
Thank you for your book reviews! Have you read Martha’s Vineyard: Isle of Dreams by Susan Branch (not a beachy read!). As a child, I remember Susan Branch books my mom had but I read this one as a 40 year old and fell in love! It has a great story, recipes and more! Just made me yearn for the northeast!!
Julie says
I’m liking ‘Smells Like Tween Spirit’ so much too! Jen is such an upbeat, positive character and I absolutely love reading about her adventures in parenting.
I LOVED Jennifer Close’s “Marrying the Ketchups.” It’s a book about family, food and Chicago! I think it would be a good/cozy Fall read. She is one of my favorite authors. She is smart, funny!, witty and poignant. I just love reading her novels and they’re the kind I don’t ever want to finish. If you like her newest, you may go back and try some of the others.
For Fall, I’m excited about Mad Honey/Jodi Piccoult in Oct, Sally Hepworth’s new book!, and ‘It Starts with Us!” I think you’re a big fan of “It Ends With Us” too!? And ‘My Hygge Home!” I love those little books.
DeeAnn says
I love your book reviews! They have helped me pick so many great books this summer! Here are a few recs—Wrong Place, Wrong Time for a suspense/mystery/thriller. And for an amazing book that is such a beautiful story (and probably my favorite book of 2022 so far), I can not recommend Remarkably Bright Creatures enough. It made me laugh and cry and touched on so many aspects of life (family, death, grieving, aging, redemption, friendships, love, motherhood, community) in the most original and unexpected way. I thought the plot sounded absurd, but I am so glad I gave it a try.
Amy Oliveira says
Suspense books that I read and liked in the past year included The Last Mrs Parrish, The Last Thing he told me, the Paris Apartment, And The Lost Apothecary
Tiffany says
I’d suggest The Sun Does Shine. It’s a memoir about an innocent man on death row. There is a YA version too that Kensington could read and you could have your own book club 😊.
Just finished Black Cake and really liked it. Currently reading The Yellow Wife and enjoying it so far.
Alli says
Check out The Vacationers by Emma Straub- definitely her best book!
Carolyn says
Have you read Miss Cecily’s Recipes for Exceptional Ladies?
Mix and Match Mama says
I haven’t!!
Kayla Bruce says
I also had kind of a dud month in August! Only got through one book because I just couldn’t get into anything. But I’d highly recommend Richard Osman’s two murder mysteries (third coming out in September!) called The Thursday Murder Club and The Man Who Died Twice. British, wry, heartwarming, mysterious, and wonderful!
Cherie Bush says
Kayla- I enjoyed ‘The Thursday Murder Club’ and was going to make that suggestion. Just started book two. I enjoy a good British mystery.
Kelli says
I also loved Thursday Murder club! They’re making it into a movie too!
Kristen says
Yes! I absolutely loved both of the books and can’t wait for the third! Highly recommend!
Tanya says
Yes!! I can’t wait for book #3!
Lisa says
The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams is really good. It’s about a list of books that people keep finding and how the list brings them together and what they learn from each of the books, it’s really sweet. The books are all classic, some more recent, but you’ve probably read some of them.
Lori says
The Reading List warmed my heart. Such a sweet story!!
Eileen says
I highly recommend Boys in the Boat. It’s a wonderful story and I could hardly put it down. I wasn’t sure I would even like it since I know nothing about rowing. My top read of the summer!
Holly says
Thanks for the review! I can’t remember if you’ve read them, but I thought The Guilt Trip by Sandie Jones, Local Woman Missing, The Night She Disappeared, and The Wife Upstairs were all entertaining thrillers and quick reads. I am getting ready to start The It Girl by Ruth Ware, and have The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager in my fall reading pile. They both have a lot of hype is good fall suspense!
Also, if you haven’t read The Bodygaurd by Katherine Center, it’s really cute! (But not a thriller at all!)
Jennifer Whitten says
I just downloaded Smells Like Tween Spirit! I love her books and didn’t realize a new one was out, so thank you for the reminder!
If you haven’t read The Summer House by James Patterson, check it out for a good thriller.
Jennifer Maynard says
I second Nora Goes Off Script, just a cute Hallmark book. And I loved Take My Hand.
Someone recommended The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches for a fall book, so I have that on my list to read stat.
And can’t wait to see the fall books you pick. I need some fall in my life!
K.K. says
One of my top posts of the month!! Love it when the book one comes around! 🙂 Thanks, Shay.
Dianna says
A thousand boy kisses by Tillie Cole, the overdue life of Amy Byler by Kelly Harms, the housekeeper by Natalie Barelli
Susanne says
For a thriller, I recommend Rock, Paper, Scissors by Alice Feeney. I would love to know what you think of it. Can’t really say anything about it without giving things away but I will say that I was well into the book (like over 100 pages) and I still didn’t know what was going on! I think it’s a great thriller. Also reading her new one, Daisy Darker, and don’t know what’s going in with it either!
KD says
Yes to Rock Paper Scissors!!! Plus it was so great to have a thriller that’s PG
Dianna says
The last house on the street by Diane Chamberlain, the night swim by Megan Goldin, the book of Essie
Kelley says
I really liked the last house on the street too!!
Liz says
Black Cake is a must read! Lincoln Highway is also very good.
Taylor says
So you said memoirs so I’m going to share a book that EVERYONE is talking about. It sold out on Amazon the first day it was published..”I’m glad my mom died” by Jeanette Mccurdy. I know the title is very cringe but I keep hearing about it everywhere so it’s next on my list. I’m thinking it’ll live up to the hype.
Kelley says
It’s in my to-read list also!
Alexis Murrell says
You have to read A Flicker in the Dark!! It’s a thriller set in Baton Rouge and I could NOT put it down!! When I finished reading it I was immediately excited to recommend it to you!!
Katie says
Yes, I could not put it down either!
Emily says
I always have such hopes for Emma Straub’s books but have never really enjoyed them. I have this one but keep moving other books ahead of it in my to be read pile
Amy Josse says
The last book I read that I couldn’t put down was Every Summer after by Carley Fortune. I haven’t cried from a book in a long time. It was so good but a little rated R. The Wrong Place at the Wrong time by Gillian McAllister is a good suspense/mystery that I just finished.
Mix and Match Mama says
YESSSSSS!!! One of the best books I’ve read all year!!
Sarah says
Can’t wait to start the Class Mom series! =) Have you read Hope Heals by Katherine and Jay Wolf?? Highly recommend! I also really enjoyed Viola Davis’ memoir-Finding Me. Just finished a good thriller by Megan Miranda- The Last to Vanish.
Crystal D says
I completely agree with your Office BFF review! (Just typing that almost makes me feel like I’m “cheating on” or gossiping about my friends Angela & Jenna). I love the podcast and didn’t hate the book…. but two weeks later I could barely remember that I even read it. It was good, but their podcast is way better!!
Mix and Match Mama says
Yes, yes, YES!!! I hated writing my post…like I was being unkind to friends. I’m in the exact same boat as you! I love them and their podcast!
Keisha Dawson says
I just finished Nora Goes off Script, and I loved it. I was at 26% when I got into bed a few nights ago, and I had the book finished before I went to work the next morning. It took me a bit to get into, but then I couldn’t stop.
H.F. says
I read The island of missing trees by Elif Shafak this month and loved it – recommend!
Lindsay Bull says
Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover! Or really anything by Colleen Hoover!
Shannon Hutchings says
You must read Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover – WOW such a great one and I think you will be hooked!
Tricia says
In the last month I’ve listened to two AMAZING books and can’t recommend them enough.
1. Out of a Far Country: A Gay Son’s Journey to God, a Broken Mother’s Search for Hope by Christopher Yuan and Angela Yuan 2. Women Who Risk: Secret Agents for Jesus in the Muslim World by Tom and JoAnn Doyle
I could not stop listening to either of these! Both stories were so impactful and powerful.
Faye says
I love Kate Morton’s books. She always has beautiful old glorious homes in England as the backdrop to her story. Always a mystery to solve. Sometimes they go back and forth quite a bit in time and you’re wondering where is all this going – but questions are always answered and lovely twists along the way. The Clockmaker’s Daughter is very good – but I really love all her books.
Jelena says
Yes, to this! Kate Morton’s books are so good!
Susanne says
Love Kate Morton! The Secret Keeper is my very favorite!!
Jennifer says
Thank You for Listening by Julia Whelan was a really good one this month, although it is another love story/romance/chick-lit! I remember you reading her previous book “My Oxford Year” and loving it too, so I’m sure you’ll enjoy this one too! Apples Never Fall would be perfect for you for fall!
Kim says
I love your book reviews!! I don’t have any recommendations because I wait for your book reviews before I read a book🤓. You always have the best reviews and recommendations and never have lead me astray. Also can I thank you for always including in your reviews if a book is a little rated R. That is so super helpful when deciding what I want to read and narrowing down my choices!! 😊
Brenda Thompson says
Recently I read “The Nature of Fragile Things”, a historical fiction book that reads like a thriller. It is a story set during the San Francisco earthquake. It was very good! My favorite book this year has been, “This Tender Land” by William Kent Krueger. It is about 3 orphaned boys who escape an orphanage and take a young girl with them. There is suspense and adventure and danger and survival with glimpses of kindness and love. It is told through the eyes of a 10 year old boy and this author has a gift for storytelling because I could not it it down.
Susanne says
Wasn’t The Nature of Fragile Things so good?! My book club read it and it was so interesting to talk about. Susan Meissner can’t write fast enough for me! I want her new book now!
Brenda Thompson says
Yes!!! Loved it! I hear her other books are great but so far this is the only one I have read!
Megan Dunham says
I always love your book reviews and have read so many of your favorites.
Have you read all of Christina Lauren’s books? The Unhoneymooners, My Favorite Half Night Stand, Twice in a Blue Moon, Love and Othwr Words… they have so many great books’ Have you read any books by Prescott Lane (Goodbye Never and All My Life) or Rebecca Yarros (The Last Letter, The Things We Leave Unfinished and Great and Precious Things). Those are two authors I read for the first time in August and really enjoyed.
WhittyWife (Lindsay) says
I read a handful of your recommended Summer books and enjoyed each one. So thank you!! 😊 Also, I know it wasn’t your favorite, but I really loved Golden Girl (not so much the spirit part, but all the current day stories and backstories)! I finished it about a week ago on vacation, and I still miss reading about Vivi. ❤️
Brenda Thompson says
Recently I read “The Nature of Fragile Things”, a historical fiction book that reads like a thriller. It is a story set during the San Francisco earthquake. It was very good! My favorite book this year has been, “This Tender Land” by William Kent Krueger. It is about 3 orphaned boys who escape an orphanage and take a young girl orphan with them to escape the mistreatment of the orphanage. There is suspense and adventure and danger and survival with glimpses of kindness and love. It is told through the eyes of a 10 year old boy and this author has a gift for storytelling because I could not it it down.
Lori says
YES! Both excellent books and all time favorites list!
Gail says
I read Mika in Real Life after it was recommended in your comments last month and really enjoyed it – great story about motherhood in all its forms. I also loved The Wedding Pearls by Carolyn Brown – such a sweet, funny, moving story with appealing characters – and the month of September features in it!
Melissa says
The next time you need a fun little extra book, grab “Forty Days on Being an Eight.” It’s a daily devotional specifically about your enneagram number. Only a couple of pages every day, so definitely an add-on to your regular daily devotional. I can’t actually speak to the 8 book, because I’m not an 8, but as soon as I finished the book on 1s I started over again. Just a small encouragement or challenge every morning, based on things that speak to my very strong One personality!
Sarah says
You might like Woman on Fire by Lisa Barr. Hope September is better than August!
Kelley says
Loved this suspense/mystery book too!!
Nikole Shooshan says
Notes on an Execution!!! So good! Recommended by Elin!
Julie says
Didn’t realize another class book was out, I love them! Thanks for the recommendation!
Danielle says
I couldn’t get into The Royals Next Door either! I actually stopped reading it. Do you always finish a book even if you don’t like it? A librarian friend once told me not to waste my time finishing a book if I’m not enjoying it because there are so many other books out there to try…since then I don’t hesitate to stop reading something. I forget if you’ve read Float Plan, but try it’s sequel The Suite Spot! You’ll love it!
Mix and Match Mama says
If I don’t love a book by the time I’m 15 or 20% in, I will stop it. I used to always make myself finish, but I don’t do that anymore. I don’t share the books that I quit on here, but occasionally (maybe 8 or 10 a year), I quit.
WhittyWife (Lindsay) says
Ohhh, can you start sharing the books you don’t finish?! That could be really helpful! Especially if it’s due to R-rated or triggering content, etc. – anything that might help some of us avoid a book that could be upsetting. ❤️
laura sotelo says
Thank you for the book review – it’s my favorite post every month 🙂
Elizabeth says
Have you read Louise Penny’s Inspector Gamache series? I’m on the 9th book – definitely better to read them in order. Perfect cozy mysteries for fall!
Kelli says
I’m only on book #3, but definitely makes you want to visit 3 pines, especially in the fall! 🍂
Olga says
These books are so good!
Amy says
Are these PG-no sex or language? Thank you!
Elizabeth says
Yes, I think pretty PG. There is crime and some violence, and a little language but it’s mostly in French!
Kat L says
Half Blown Rose by Leesa Cross-Smith I know you will love this one!
Counterfeit by Kirstin Chen.
The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager thriller ish
Lauren says
The Lies we Tell
And
Tell me Lies (soon to be a hulu series!)
My august favs
Dana Parker says
I’ve been on a memoir kick lately! I have recently read 3 new ones that I would recommend:
Mean Baby by Selma Blair
Back to the Prairie by Melissa Gilbert
Out of the Corner by Jennifer Grey (as in Dirty Dancing.. “Nobody puts Baby in the corner..”
Not a memoir, but a new release and good: Notes on Your Sudden Disappearance by Alison Espach
Might be on the sad side for you and your readers, as it deals with different forms of grief after a death. It’s a coming of age story and stays with you after you have finished it.
I love the Class Mom series of books!! Can’t wait to read this new one!!
Kellie M says
Hi,
Not a book recommendation, but a podcast. Have you listened to What Women Binge with Melissa Joan Hart? I recently started listening and I like their style and variety of guests. I haven’t checked out the Office Ladies, but I’ll be adding it to my library.
Mix and Match Mama says
I haven’t heard of that podcast! I’m looking it up now!! Thank YOU!
DeAnn says
I love Wrong place, wrong time by Gillian McAllister! It’s a Reese Witherspoon book club pick and mystery/thriller. It starts off with a murder, and works its way backward in time so you have to try to figure out what happens.
Liz says
Iona Iverson’s Rules of Commuting was great. Reading The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post now. So far so good.
Emily says
Recs for the fall: Carrie Soto Comes Back (Taylor Jenkins Reid’s new that comes out tomorrow), and Colleen Hoover’s new one: It Starts With Us (sequel to It Ends With Us), but that one doesn’t come out until October.
Jess says
The Ex Wives by Jenna Kernan
Carol Cannon says
Shay, I have been following for you for a few years and enjoy your blog about your sweet family. I have gotten Lots of good book recommendations from your posts. I hope to run into you at Trader Joe’s or Market Street one of these days.
I wanted to tell you about an author who lives here in McKinney. She has just published her first book, a thriller/suspense with a dash of romance, “The Clients” by Bonny Fawn. It is available on Amazon. I would love to see you read it and blog on it.
Julie Sizemore says
I read the thriller Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney this month. It was a great read and first time reading Alice Feeney.
Patti Stanford says
Hi! My fave recent reads are Thank You for Listening by Julie Whelan and Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. They are great and the second one is set in the Northwest which I love. A Shoe Story is a fun good and quick read with a romcom feel to it. Happy September!
Bridget Brockmann says
The measure was such a great read!!!
Rhea says
I could not finish This Time Tomorrow. I also heard it raved about and couldn’t understand why I couldn’t get into it.
I really enjoyed The Girl in his Shadow and The Good Girl this month. There’s a very good chance you’ve read both as I get most of my recommendations from you 😉
Lauren Gohn says
For a thriller I HIGHLY recommend The One by John Marrs. It’s soo good without making you scared to go to sleep. A touch violent at times that is a little graphic, but I loved it. This is coming from someone who doesn’t typically like thrillers. I also enjoyed the Lion’s Den by Katherine St John.
Kim says
Nora Goes Off Script —- so good, it’s perfect for you! Also, Pack up the Moon by Kristin Higgins.
Dena says
I always look forward to your book reviews and am bummed when you don’t care for the ones you’ve read….BUT….I’m also here for the comments and got a few good ones…. Black Cake and Wrong Place, Wrong Time.
Shirley says
Please read the memoir, Thunder Dog. It is amazing!!!
Hannah says
I would love to hear your thoughts on something by Colleen Hoover, Taylor Jenkins-Reid or Beth O’Leary – these are all hugely popular authors on Bookstagram!
Aparna says
Hello! I read 3 good books this month
Part of your world by Abby Jimenez and as usual she didn’t disappoint! She has become one of my fav romance author!
Night works by Nora roberts…she has been one of my fav authors since I was a teenager (I’m in my 40s now) so of course I have to read anything new from her…I felt the start was a bit slow but after first 100 pages I got hooked on
The IT girl by Ruth ware…another of my fav author for suspense/thrillers…and a I loved her latest book…also loved the whole Oxford setup and the Brit lingo.
Jennibell says
Sometimes you just have months (or periods) where nothing “appeals”. In the last month I’ve restarted two books that I previously began, know that in a different “mood“ I would like them, and have now come back around to them. And I was right… They have both been very, very good books. So maybe you just weren’t in the “mood” for these last few light Chicklit books at the end of summer. Better luck in September!
Stacie says
If you haven’t read The Wish by Nicholas Sparks you should.
Amber Walker says
All Good People Here by Ashley Flowers is excellent!!!! A great mystery/who done it!!
Kathi Mackintosh says
I just finished Emily Giffin’s Meant to Be and had to come on here to remind myself of what you thought of it. I too loved her early books, but just have not felt the same about her more recent work. It just felt intrusive to me how she used exact/specific details about JFK Jr/Carolyn in this book (the wedding details for example). It made me uncomfortable. And then I was just dreading the end, thinking is she going to have them die too? I’m sorry, Emily Giffin, but I just feel you like you took advantage of someone’s real-life loss.
Julee Patterson says
A Shoe Story was a very cute read chick lit read.