Happy Monday, friends!
Guess what?! It’s our favorite blog post of the month! It’s BOOK REVIEW DAY!!
Grab your pumpkin spice latte and settle in…I read FOUR BOOKS this month that you might want to read.
I read a chick lit, a motivational book, one about family and one that surprised the heck out of me.
Here we go, starting with…
BOOK #1
Hello Stranger by Katherine Center
So, if you’ve read these reviews for a while then you know that I really love Katherine Center books. Her novels are always cute little chick lit reads that are happy, feel good, easy to read with strong. female leads and adorable love interests. I was excited to pick up this one here, her latest novel, but if I’m being honest…it fell a flat for me.
This book started off really promising. She’s an artist whose surgeon dad doesn’t approve that she’s no longer pursuing medicine. She goes out one night, there’s a fall, she wakes up with a condition where she can’t see people’s faces. I know. It sounds weird, but that’s the premise of the book. She can see other things, but her brain doesn’t comprehend faces, so she can’t recognize people. Now, at the end of the book, this author explains this particular condition and how it really is a thing WHICH IS TERRIBLE, but I thought for this particular book, it made it “cheesy”. The condition isn’t cheesy, but how the book plays out and how it ends felt very cheesy/unrealistic to me.
Light, happy, feel good and adorable…yet just a bit too “out there” for this romcom loving reader.
BOOK #2
Thirty Chic Days Vol 3 by Fiona Ferris
I have read many a book by Fiona Ferris and listened to her interviewed on many different podcasts. This New Zealand Francophile speaks my language about living each and every day to the absolute fullest. I picked up this book which breaks down each day over a one month period and ways to really enjoy/maximize/live your very best life. Each day had ideas/applications/her wit and banter as she truly does motivate and encourage women. I love a lot of things about Fiona Ferris, but one of them that I love the most is that she’s always so complimentary of her husband. You can really tell that she loves and respects him and even when her days can hurried and frazzled, it doesn’t appear that she ever takes it out on him.
This book (and honestly, her others too!) are about lifestyle, leisure, travel, beauty, fashion, and are just plain inspirational and motivational. If you need a little “oomph” right now in your life, I highly recommend it. It will just encourage you to be the best version of yourself right now today.
BOOK #3
Maame by Jessica George
This novel has been all over the place. Everyone who seems to be anyone in my feed has read and reviewed this story, so needless to say, I was “influenced” to read it too.
This book is about a young London-born woman whose parents immigrated over from Ghana before she was born. She has to learn to navigate life after tragedy for the first time truly on her own. She, of course, is influenced by her British culture but also that of her parents’. This is a story about grief and growth, complicated family dynamics, loss and forgiveness. It’s also about not being too hard on yourself or people you love…we’re all human.
I really liked the main character, and my heart was broken for her and her situation, but I did feel relieved when it was over. I felt this book was a bit too long and honestly, just kind of sad all the way through. I was really looking for any sort of joy/relief/moment of happiness, but they were very few and far between. This is good book, but a heavier book. I will say that other than a few curse words sprinkled in, this book was pretty PG-13 until about the second to last page where it got R, so if you’re sensitive to that, just a heads up.
I was thinking this novel might have ended up in my top based on other reviews, but I really kind of think it’s going to end up being a forgettable read for me.
BOOK #4
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
My sweet friend Erin had suggested this novel to me before but you know, the list is long of books I want to read, so when she told me about it again at a football game this month, I told myself I needed to try it. You guys…I LOVED IT! This book here will be one that I will recommend/think about/talk about/share for years to come. I could NOT put this down.
This is the fictional story of two “friends” who are authors…one successful and one not so much…and then the successful one dies…and well, the other one takes her unpublished book and passes it off on her own.
Whoa.
You guys.
It was suspenseful, it was thrilling, it was very provocative in that way that makes you think…I MEAN THINK about what you would do/how you would handle it/who is really the victim and who was just capitalizing on an opportunity. This story is about race, racism, how we handle those very sensitive topics these days and who is better/not allowed/shouldn’t be writing/sharing/telling certain stories.
This book was everything and more. I LOVED THIS BOOK. I can’t say much more because it’s fast paced, twisted and will keep you on your toes. You do not want me spoiling one delicious page of it. Read it. It’s a thought provoker. The entire book is one topic after another that could really lead to a myriad of great conversations between friends and family. In fact, if you’re in a book club, I would say this would make an excellent book club book as there is truly just too many nuggets to discuss. Read it.
And those, my friends, are my SEPTEMBER reads!
Okay, please share! What did you read and love this month? What do you think about these books above? What should I read next month? I can’t wait to read your comments!
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.
To see the complete list of books I read in 2022 (all 60 of them), click here.
That wraps up Book Day! I just LOVE Book Day!
I hope you had a wonderful weekend! I’ll see you all back here tomorrow! xx
Laura says
I just finished Remarkably Bright Creatures last night. It really was so good! It reminded me a lot of Fredrik Backman’s Anxious People. If you haven’t read that one, you might like it!
Nancy says
My favorite ok of the year by far! Loved it so much!
Susan Jeffries says
Thanks for the review! I think I will add Yellow Face to my TBR list. We read Only the Beautiful for book club this month and I loved it! I listened to Everyone Here is Lying and give it 3 stars. Good read but a bit dull. I am finally reading The Plum Tree and love it so far.I am looking forward to some good scary picks for the month of Halloween! Happy reading!
Elspeth says
I love book review day for all the suggestions! Looking forward to reading some fall books next month!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Erika Slaughter says
Adding one to my list!
Sheaffer says
Send me some show recommendations, please.
Mix and Match Mama says
The Bear! You NEED TO WATCH! It’s on Hulu 😉 .
Jen Stephenson says
+1 for The Bear!
Laura JeanS. says
We just watched the Christmas episode of The Bear with the 7 fishes… WHOA. That was intense! Great show… and putting Yellowface on my Kindle now. thanks!
Jenn Workman says
Sheaffer, I had a big Netflix weekend because my plans were canceled due to the threat of Hurricane Ophelia. Have you seen Life and Death with Tyler Henry? OMG. I was mesmerized and watched 4 episodes before I even realized how much time had passed. I also highly recommend Take Care of Maya…oh my word. This is a true story and simply heartbreaking.
Tracy Graham says
Just finished Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe by Heather Webber. It was enchanted and charming and sweet — but with some realistic family drama and challenges that were worked through. Easy to read. Heartfelt. Really enjoyed it! Felt like a Hallmark movie!
Stacy says
I did not care for mame- it’s my least favorite book of the year- I work with Parkinson’s patients and it just made me so sad at the isolated treatment of the dad. And the gooogling of everything drove me crazy- I kept thinking just get outside with your head up and experience life stop googling!!😂Adding yellowface to my TBR.
Kelly says
Going to add Yellowface to my list. I read The Senator’s Wife after reading your review and it was good. I also just finished Lisa Jewell’s None of This Was True and I really liked it, too! Happy reading.
Maria says
I also enjoyed None of this was true. Rarely does a book stay with me afterwards. That one was just mind boggling! Just finished The Guest – hated the ending. Anyone else?
Kit says
The boom TOM LAKE is everything!!!
Also, this book is wildly weird and wonderful, but I know that you had Remarkably Bright Creatures as your number one last year, and this reminded me of that, but I thought it was even better!! Shark Heart is the name. Love love love your book days and, probably about seven or eight years ago now you inspired me to read so much more and it has been just such a joyful thing in my life. Love everything you do and keep doing it you’re such a ray of light!!!! <3
Christi says
Another vote for Shark Heart-it was WAY outside the norm for me but I thought it was SO good!
Catherine says
I second Tom Lake!! But listen to it because Meryl Streep does the audio.
Anna says
I LOVE Katherine Center books and couldn’t wait to read Hello Stranger. I think the reason it fell flat was because it lacked the sarcasm and wit that I love in all of her books. The main character had so much trauma to work through, she came across as insecure and honestly not that likable. Still an easy read but not my fave Katherine Center book. My heart will always belong to Happiness for Beginners and How To Walk Away.
Mix and Match Mama says
I love her too! I think you are exactly right about the lack of “pop”. I missed it.
Erin Rivers says
You, With a View (Jessica Joyce)- I can’t even fully explain how or why I loved this book so very much. I was sobbing by the end (so be prepared!). It is intense (rated R in some parts, emotional, hilarious, healing, heart-filling and just overall so so good. I can’t believe it’s a debut novel but will now forever put anything Jessica Joyce writes at the top of my TBR pile.
One True Loves (Taylor Jenkins Reid)-an oldie but a goodie. If you haven’t read this one, it needs to be at the top of your list. This one is gonna sit with me for a long time. I keep going back and rereading the last 2 pages because I just can not get over the words and the heart there. The whole book is both heart wrenching AND heart filling at the exact same time.
Hello Stranger was a bit cheesy but I really did love it. I’ve been meaning to add Yellowface to my list!
Mix and Match Mama says
One True Loves was my #1 book of 2017! It’s such a great one! Thank you so much for the other recs!
Michele Martin says
One True Loves is now a movie on Amazon Prime too!
Amy Owens says
I second You with a View! It was so good! Shay, I think you’d really like it!!
Sarah says
Third vote for You With a View 🙂
It’s not going to necessarily win any awards for the most original, but it was sweet and it moved fast. I think main character’s relationship with her grandmother will speak to you.
Alexis says
Fourth vote for You With a View! By far one of my favorites from this year. Goodness gracious, I loved it so much and the grandparent relationships were just SO heartwarming!!!
Ashley says
Two of my favorites that I recently read where, Scent of Magnolia by Ashley Farley and The Memory House by Rachel Hauck. Both were fabulous reads and may end up being in my top 5 books for the year. I love the writing style of both authors, and I didn’t want to put the books down- I highly recommend!
Kristen Smith says
Yes to The Memory House! It was so good!
Lorrie T says
I love the Memory House! I am a fan of many of Rachel Hauck’s books.
M says
I just finished Fourth Wing and highly recommend it. It’s totally outside my normal genre as it’s fantasy but it’s so good and the first book of a 5-book series, #2 coming in November. Not sure who recommended it to me (I don’t think it was one of yours) but it’s excellent!
Karen Stoltenberg says
Best book I have read this year! I also normally don’t read this genre, but it was excellent!
Shanda Nation says
Yes! The Fourth Wing was so good! I can’t wait until November for book 2. If you haven’t read the ACOTAR series, I highly suggest that one. I just finished it and a huge fan now. I’m committed to Sarah J. Mass for long haul now as I’m obsessed.
Marilyn Giuliano says
I’m on the long haul with SJ Maas also! I finished ACOTAR series and am now reading Throne of Glass series! My daughter loved The Fourth Wing – that is next for me!
Megan says
I forced myself through Maame thinking there would be something that made it worth it in the end and it never came. It was just dull. I completely understand she was dealing with some heavy things but it just felt sad and she never really seemed to work through her issues or come up with a way to move forward in at least a healthy way if not a happy one.
I am not normally a thriller person but have just finished the first two books in Caroline Kepnes’ series that starts with You and I was sucked right in. Clearly, there is a lot of crazy going on among all of the characters but I really couldn’t stop reading.
Elizabeth Bartlett says
Interested in the 30 Chic Days – have you read the first two and/or do you recommend reading them in order? Thank you!
Mix and Match Mama says
I have! You can read them in any order, but the Type A person in me wants you to start with #1 🙂 .
Bridget Duhon says
The Simple Wild
Hello Beautiful
The Five Star Weekend
Anna Phillips says
These Silent Woods! Sooooooo good! Thought provoking, heartbreaking, hope filling, etc. Probably the best book I’ve read this year!
Ramona says
Love book review day! Now to pick the ones to read!
K.K. says
Ah, yay! Love these days. 🙂
Kay says
I’m midway through “Cutting Teeth” by Chandler Baker and it is SOOO good. She GETS motherhood and I always enjoy reading her books. I also love the murder-mystery aspect. I am a huge baby with giving blood…so I will say that if any of you are nervous about that, you may have to skim some parts! It does get very graphic and gory. But! the rest of it is so good.
The other romance book I LOVED was “Cross Country Wedding” by Courtney Walsh. She wrote my literally #1 all time favorite holiday book “A Cross-Country Christmas” which I think you would LOVE. It has so much holiday cheer, festive descriptions and the romance is SO adorable. “Cross Country Wedding” was the sequel, though you can reach each as a stand alone, no problem.
Thanks for reviewing Yelloface! I actually JUST added that to my library request list and now can’t wait for it to come in. Happy fall reading!
Kathleen Compton says
Just started Cutting Teeth! I love all her other books, so I’m excited for this one!
Kelly says
The Housemaid and The Housemaid’s Secret!
sandi says
Do you know how giddy I got when I realized it was book review day? With RV life you cannot take along too many extras and one of those extras is books. We are all avid readers. My husband has had a kindle for a few years and over the summer when they went on sale we purchased one for our youngest and myself. I love the feel of a book in my hand, but I have so enjoyed having the kindle and not having bulky books around. We have paired our library cards to Libby and have checked out books that way to save some money. I have gone back to your 2015 book reviews and added books to my to be read list in GoodReads. Between your recommendations and reader recommendations I have quite an ambitious reading list for the next few months.
I have been on a Katherine Center/Sophie Kinsella/Elin Hilderbrand roll reading some of their older books. So fun! My daughter is reading some Karen Kingsbury and The Keeper of Lost Cities books. Young adult titles are hard because of content. Can’t wait to see what others suggest also.
Leah Claire says
If your daughter enjoys Karen Kingsbury, she should try the Christy Miller Series by Robin Jones Gunn. I had the same problem as a young adult with content, and really enjoyed that series. Another great book for young adult is A Place To Hang the Moon.
Always love book review day!
Laura says
Totally with you and some of the other commenters on Maame. It was a slog, and I hoped it would be a little more redemptive in the end, but it just wasn’t. I had a hard time understanding how it took the Bookstagram world by storm. I did enjoy Hello Stranger. Totally cheesy but after getting over the odd premise, I was there for it! The other two sound like great adds to the TBR! I am currently reading Tom Lake by Ann Patchett, and it’s a little slow unfortunately. The audio version is narrated by Meryl Streep, so I’m pushing through because how cool is that, but it’s definitely not one that sucks you in. On the bright side, I just started Homecoming by Kate Morton, and I’m already loving the moody, mystery vibes for a cozy, fall read!
Rayne Osborn says
Stay with Tom Lake, I felt the same way the first 1/3 then it got so much better and ended up one of the best books I have read this year!! I loved Meryl Streep narrating!
Kristen says
My daughter graduated high school with Rebecca Kuang. Can you believe she is only 27 years old?!!
Mix and Match Mama says
I cannot! I actually looked her up on the internet after reading the acknowledgments in the back of the book. This book is brilliant!
Lisa C says
Before She Finds Me by Heather Chavez is so good!
Paula says
Homemade pumpkin bread & your Book Review & my cat Lady Gaga = Monday morning bliss!
Amy Heinl says
I read Yours Truly NY Abby Jimenez and I loved it. First time reading this author and the characters were so well written and the story was so charming and cute with a different spin on traditional Rom Com. I read it in one sitting because it was too good to put down. This was my first book by this author but it won’t be my last. This would be a wonderful movie
Ryan says
Amy- I am a HUGE Abby Jimenez fan! She’s so awesome! I love her life story, accomplishments, her dogs, all of it that she shares with fans! I have all her books (5 so far, I’ll have the 6th in April), autographed, and I highly recommend reading them all, you will not be disappointed! All her characters are amazing. My fave was Life’s Too Short, she ties in characters from all books. Yours Truly is the 2nd of 3 books. After her 6th release in April, she’s already contracted for three more! As you can tell, I love her writing and support everything she does! 😁
Amyheinl says
Thanks…I already ordered 2 more of hers
Dana J says
Love book review day!! So many great suggestions to add to my already long tbr list!! I just finished West With Giraffes and LOVED IT!! It may be in my top 5 of the year!! Highly recommend!!
Cindi says
Putting Yellowface on my list! I just finished “How to Human” by Carlos Whittaker and it was SO good! The book is inspiring, funny, heartfelt and very encouraging. It helped me to take a good look at me: do I “human” well? I truly believe our world could change if everyone read this book and lived as better humans! (Also, Carlos has a strong following on Instagram-@loswhit! He’s a great human to follow! 😉)
Leticia says
I thought it was recommended here, but can’t find it. I just finished Island of Sea Women by Lisa See. A glimpse of WW2 from Korean perspective. Not a feel good book, but very intense and made me reflect on my ideas and beliefs as an American. I recommend it, just not a chick-lit book!!
Currently reading Killers of the Flower Moon (movie coming out soon!). Gripping story, a little bit slow beginning for me but by chapter 3 I was hooked.
Ginger says
I recently read Island of Sea Women too. It certainly made you stop and think about all the things we take for granted, and it shows a way of life that I had never even contemplated. Definitely worth reading, but, as you say, not chick-lit.
Dena says
What a nice surprise that today is only the 25th and it’s BOOK REVIEW DAY!! I’ve added Yellowface to my list. Currently reading The Wishing Game. I will have to actively find time to read now that my youngest got her driver’s license today – I used to love getting in the pick up line a little early so I could read – lol.
Becca says
I just finished Jackie Public Private Secret. I never read books like that and enjoyed it, not really knowing much but the highlights of her life. Adding yellow face. Rock, Paper, Scissors another book about guy who couldn’t see faces. I didn’t know that was real.
Tiffany says
Almost finished w Crow Mary and love it. Recently read and loved These Silent Woods. But my favorite book for 2023 is still Solito, I finished it in the spring and still think about it/the characters (who are real people since it is a memoir,
I didn’t like Maame because it was too heavy, even though I really liked the main character.
Rayne Osborn says
Definitely a random rec from me but I just finished on audible The Many Lives of Mama Love and really liked it. I don’t normally read biographies but this one was fascinating-a carpool mom that went to jail because of addiction issues and her experience and growth. I won’t tell more not to spoil it, but I thought it was great! I flew through it!
Laura says
LOVE coming here every month to see all of the great book recommendations in the comments 🙂
I agree, it wasn’t Katherine Centers best book, but I still thought it was cute. I read the Paris Agent this month and I have loved all of Rimmer’s book but this one just wasn’t good. The book did not flow and I found it hard to get through. I also read a few more which were recommendations from here and I thought they were all good – The Secret Book of Flora Lea, West with Giraffes, and Go as A River. Happy reading everyone!
Patti Stanford says
Great review of Maame. It wasn’t a bad book, just depressing, irritating at times and forgettable.
I have read two (2) great books this month I want to pass on.
Beyond that, the sea – About Bea, a young girl from London, 1940’s, who goes to Boston to live with a host family for a while during the War. It really was so sweet. They all became so close, even after she went back home. I will never forget this book or the characters. Yes, it is that good.
Mother Daughter Murder Night – I wasn’t sure about this one, but what a surprise. It was about a sharp tongued, successful grandmother, her independent daughter who is a single mother, and her sweet, sensitive, smart granddaughter. When the grandmother gets sick, she has to go stay with them. They end up getting involved in solving a murder. This was the sweetest, funniest most uplifting story I have read in a while. It was even touching at times. I did not want it to end.
SS says
I don’t know if it’s your style of book, but I just finished the best book I have read in years. The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle. It is so fun. Mystery, twisty, you never know what’s going to happen next. Full of surprises and super fun to read. It is long and has a ton of characters to keep up with ,but I found a list of them all to help me out :-). Ohmigoodness, it was so good! Don’t read spoilers. Just read it. 🙂
Erin says
Well I am so thrilled you loved Yellow face because it’s sure as heck not your typically chicklit and I thought you’d probably hate me once you started reading it. I totally agree with your review though, it gives you so much to think about and it gets more twisted as it goes on. It actually kept making me think of American Dirt in regards to certain themes and then I was surprised when the narrator mentioned it at one point. Anyways, so glad you loved it. Now go read Demon Copperhead and The Measure next! I’m currently reading Dairy Tale by Steven King (first King book I’ve read since middle school) and am really liking it so far.
Mix and Match Mama says
I loved it, friend! Thank you for suggesting it! xx
Kelley says
Agree with both of these recs…if you haven’t read the measure, read it now! I still think about that book and I read it 9 months ago.
Maureen Werner says
I love Katherine Center’s novels!! I just watched the adorable movie based on her novel Happiness for Beginners on Netflix!! It was sooo good!❤️
Christine says
I just finished “Reshape Your Life” by Ali Landry. I think you’d like it! Her faith and enthusiasm for life remind me of you. 🙂
Katie says
I just finished Keeping Lucy by T. Greenwood and couldn’t put it down! As a special needs mama myself this had me cheering for the main character the entire book! There’s nothing like a mama bear who is willing to fight for her children!
Melody Siau says
I just finished The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. Such a good book that keeps you thinking about it long after you have finished reading it. My second favorite book I read this year with Carrie Soto is Back as my favorite.
Mix and Match Mama says
Both are EXCELLENT books!
Jeanine says
You may not see this in time, but one of my favorite books ever has been made into a movie and the last showing is tomorrow at 2:00. The book is Surprised by Oxford, and I’ve recommended it before, but I know you have a lot of recommendations. Still, you would not regret reading this one! Here’s the trailer to the movie: https://www.google.com/search?q=surprised+by+oxford+trailer&rlz=1C5CHFA_enUS811US820&oq=Surprised+by+&aqs=chrome.0.69i59j69i64j69i57j69i59j46i131i433i512j69i60l3.6232j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8.
Heather Manderson says
I just read Yellowface based on your recommendation. I liked the story generally, but the bashing of conservatives was too much for me. She flat-out called Republicans racists and fascists. It was so unnecessary for the storyline.
Kristen says
Just read Tom Lake by Ann Patchett, couldn’t put it down! Highly recommend. Also Jennifer Wiener new one , The Breakaway was good too!!