Happy happy BOOK DAY!
Okay, first and foremost, THANK YOU for all the love yesterday about Andrew’s spinal fusion. After one night in the hospital, he came home yesterday and is recovering well. He is officially on the road to recovery…I will just be doing all of his BLT work for the foreseeable future (bending, lifting and twisting).
Truly, from the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU!!
Okay, this month, I read four very different books. I read an historical fiction, a suspenseful novel, a book on being a mom, and a wellness book…a little something for everyone.
My August reads kicked off with…
Book #1:
Husbands & Lovers by Beatriz Williams
As many of you know, this was our AUGUST BOOK CLUB pick! If you have read this book, please head to THIS POST to discuss. If you haven’t read this book, let me give you a few deets and also encourage you NOT to read the Book Club post as it does contain spoilers.
Curious about Husbands & Lovers by Beatriz Williams? Here is my little summary should you also want to dive in:
As much as you know I love Beatriz Williams’ novels, this was my least favorite of hers to date. This book toggles between two different story lines (one present day and one from post WWII), and I just did not love either. I thought both plots were flat (one more than the other), too predictable/unrealistic/tied too nicely in a bow and the ending left much to be desired. This wasn’t a terrible book, it just wasn’t, in my opinion, nearly as amazing as her other books.
Up next…
Book #2:
M Is For Mama by Abbie Halberstadt
Whoa. This one hit close to home for me.
I was on Amazon trying to locate me a new Bible study when this book came across my “if you like this, you might like that” screen. I bought it, read it, and was really challenged by a lot of it. The author is a Christian mama of 10 (including two sets of identical twins) speaking to why we should be Bible based mamas and not mediocre mamas. This book is VERY faith based, so I’m not sure it’s for everyone, but man, I was convicted. I told several friends to read it as well.
Did I relate/agree with everything she said? No. She has ten kids and homeschools and is a twin mom, clearly I can’t relate to any of that, but between that content was a lot of really rich and meaningful content about focusing more on being a mom that follows Christ than a mom that follows culture/what my kids want/what other moms I know are doing. You guys, there were many “awww, I can do this too” kind of moments as I read.
Want to know one of the best parts about our trip last weekend? Just talking to other mamas and realizing that we are all in the trenches together. Marriage, kids…it’s all amazing but also hard, and it’s so encouraging to know we’re not in this alone. This book made me feel this way too.
Book #3:
The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
THIS BOOK WAS SO GOOD!!
You guys, if you’re looking for a suspenseful (but not scary) book, here you go. Erika told me to read this one, and I was not disappointed!
This is the story of a summer camp and well, a girl goes missing. There are so many twists and turns as the story toggles back and forth between the day she’s discovered missing and years before when someone else previously went missing…and then it also toggles some more. It’s fast, it’s suspenseful, it’s not gory/scary/dark…it’s just a fun and fast ride to find out what happened to this girl, what happened to the other kid…and all the players who have been living/working at this camp for decades.
Two big thumbs up from me on this one here!
And finally…
Book #4:
Fast Like a Girl by Dr. Mindy Peliz
Another book for the health and wellness community here. I heard this author on a podcast and loved her, so I bought and devoured her book Fast Like a Girl.
As a reminder, I don’t always follow every single thing these experts say in all of these books, but instead, I just educate myself and then pick and chose what I want to incorporate based on me/my life/my schedule/my health…ME. I loved how easy this book was to read (she totally breaks down complicated topics for the layperson reading), and I loved how it was written specifically for women. I actually think this might be the easiest/simplest of the intermittent fasting books so far that I’ve read. Even though I’ve read others, I found her book valuable, insightful and encouraging.
Another two thumbs up 🙂 .
And that wraps up this month’s book review!
Don’t forget…
…we would love to have you join us on September 22nd for this month’s BOOK CLUB! We are reading By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult
That’s it for today! Please, please, please comment and share new book recs for me! Right now, I am open to ANY book suggestions from any genre. I just want to read a good book, y’all!
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.
To see the complete list of books I read in 2023 (all 51 of them), click here.
If you want to stay current on all of the books I’m reading in 2024, THIS PAGE HERE is where I keep the books, authors and reviews each month.
Happy happy BOOK DAY!
Please comment and share your thoughts, opinions and book recs below! xx
Elspeth says
I love the diversity of books! Thanks for sharing!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Courtney says
I just finished “The Inmate” by Freida McFadden and really enjoyed it (audiobook because two toddlers keep me busy). It’s a tame thriller.
Lauren says
I thought The God of the Woods was only ok. It had a lot of characters and a lot of timelines to keep track of. It finally picked up toward the end for me. I would only say 3 out of 5 stars.
Susan Jeffries says
Thanks for the in depth reviews! Our book club meet tonight so I will add a couple of these to our list of possible choices for September!
Leslie says
Love Dr. Pelz! Read her book and follow her on Instagram. She does a lot of YouTube videos too. It’s exactly as you said, she makes the science and information easy to understand so you know what’s right for you. The biggest lightbulb moment for me was when she gets into the monthly cycle of our hormones and how that relates to when/how you should fast.
Dawn Timmons says
I am so glad to hear that Andrew is home already and on the road to recovery. Prayers continue for him (and you) for a smooth recovery journey with great results! ❤️🙏🏻
Thank you for your book reviews. I already downloaded two and have a third on hold.
Angela Krutz says
I devoured One-Star Romance by Laura Hankin this month. It’s the story of an author who has to walk down the aisle at a wedding with the man who gave her book a one-star review on Goodreads. It ended up going much deeper than I was expecting but I loved it nonetheless.
Lauren says
I met her last weekend! She did a book signing at a store near me. I hadn’t read anything by her but Ashley Spivey raves about her so I went and got a few of her books. She was so nice and I chatted with her for quite awhile. I’m a fan now just based on how nice she was!
Angela Krutz says
That makes me so happy to hear that she was nice in person! I’m currently reading The Daydreams which is my last book of hers and I’ll be caught up. I’m amazed at how different all of her books are yet they’re still equally as good!
Ashley D says
I’m currently reading, Swan Song and I must admit- I am on the struggle bus with this book! My friends and I are reading it for our book club, and I am super anxious to discuss the book with them once we meet. One minute I’m into the book and thinking, “Oh this is pretty good.” Then the next minute I am thinking, “When is this book going to be over?!” LOL, I for sure have mixed emotions on this book!
Martha says
I just finished Mayluna by Kelley McNeil and it was a 5 star read. It’s also a kindle unlimited which is a plus.
Alyssa says
Two recent reads that were great on audiobook were The Briar Club by Kate Quinn and The Outlaw Noble Salt by Amy Harmon. I think you’ve read prior books by these authors and would enjoy these new releases.
Addy Robinson says
The God of the Woods — SOOOO good. That Erika has good taste! 🙂
I’m in the middle of By Any Other Name for the next book club!
Stacey says
Glad to hear the fusion went well. I had mine done in 2009 at the age of 44. best decision I ever made…At 58 almost 59:( I can still get my big toe in my mouth. I know I know but seriously I feel GREAT!
CJ says
Same here! I had a triple lumbar fusion done in 2011 at the age of 45. My only regret was not doing it sooner. Recovery was long and hard but soooo worth it! That surgery gave me my life back. 13 years later (and older), I am pain free and more active than I have ever been. Prayers for Andrew….he takes great care of himself and is in great shape. He will rock this recovery! 💛🙏🏻
Hillary says
I just read “James,” by Percival Everett. It was SO good — difficult at times, but overall fast-paced, easy to read, and just really profound. It gave me so much to think about. Highly, highly recommend.
Mandy says
I second “James” as outstanding! It’s especially good on audio, as his language/grammar changes significantly depending on who he is talking to…an important read and so, so good!
Marian says
Shay, if you liked God of the Woods I highly recommend All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker. These two books, along with The Women, are my top 3 so far this year!!!
Beverly Byerly says
So glad to hear that Andrew s doing well. Continued prayers for his healing!
K.K. says
The BEST day of the month! 🙂 ha ha… Thanks, Shay!
Tierney says
Go as a river by Shelley Read!!!
Tracy Graham says
I’m reading The Spectacular by Fiona Davis right now and enjoying it very much!
Lauren P. says
Shay, are you on Goodreads?! I would love to follow you if so!
Mix and Match Mama says
I am, but I haven’t posted in years. I always forget! Should I??
Maureen Harpring says
yes! Love checking out other people on Goodreads.
Lauren P. says
I love it and I love seeing what people are reading in real-time! It’s a great way for me to keep track of books when people recommend them as well (I always find myself on Goodreads after your reviews)! I definitely think you should 😊
Kelley says
Yes! You can link your kindle to good reads in your kindle settings so it automatically adds the book to your goods reads account after you finish it on your kindle. You can even rate it on your kindle and it will add that too.
Amy says
I was listening to an audiobook being read chapter by chapter via a podcast recently. At the end, there was an interview with the author and her friend Sally Hepworth. I know you like her and thought you may enjoy the interview. Their conversation was about motherhood and how they got into writing. I really enjoyed it. They seemed to have such a good time talking to each other!
https://poddtoppen.se/podcast/1449997236/case-closed/bonus-anna-downes-and-sally-hepworth-in-conversation
Ruby Huling says
I just finished reading the Blake Wilder series of books by Elle Gray, all 24, and can’t wait for #25! These might not be for everyone, but I love the FBI series on TV so love, loved the books!!
sandi says
Nora Goes Off Script was the only book I read this month. I’m getting ready to read We’ll Always Have Paris: A Mother/Daughter Memoir and am counting on some good recommendations in the comment section!
Rachel says
I see the book club book is by Jodi Picoult, but consider reading Mad Honey too! SO good.
Aparna says
Glad to hear that Andrew is doing well…I read some really good books this month…2 thrillers from Shari lapena what have you done and everyone here is lying…she never disappoints…both were engrossing reads.Another Frieda Macfadden, the perfect son and thought this one was one of her better ones. And also read a romance I loved you first by cate beauman..which was also a fast read. Right now I’m halfway through The Rom commers by Katherine center
And am laughing my way through!
Lesley says
Love the variety of books you read! Some of my 4 and 5 star reads lately: You are Here by David Nicholls (another book I loved of his One Day was recently made into a Netflix series), Small Mercies by Dennis Lehane, The Color of Water by James McBride (an oldie but truly a classic and such a beautiful read ), Small Things like These by Claire Keegan (save this for the Christmas season– small book, big message– set in Ireland), The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music by Dave Grohl (even if you aren’t a Foo Fighters fan), Iona Iverson’s Rules for Commuting– such a charming book–set in England! These Precious Days by Ann Patchett, a really lovely collection of short stories. I’m currently reading All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker which has been receiving similar reviews and attention as The God of the Woods.
Jess says
I loved The Storyteller by Dave Grohl! I hasn’t listened to Foo Fighters much before either but it kept popping up on my recommendations. He is very talented. His mother wow a book too, along with other mothers of musicians called from Cradle to Stage. Interesting stories!
Courtney Cammarano says
Am I the only one who was hoping that “BLT work” had to do with the construction and consumption of BLT sandwiches? 😂
Shannon Gifford says
The Wedding People… So good!
Amanda says
All the Colors of the Dark is the best book I have read in a long time! I couldn’t put it down!
Terra Reed says
Have you thought about reading Hannah Brown’s book?
Mix and Match Mama says
I don’t know that I know this book?! Looking it up!
Mary says
My August reads were:
1) Dark Roads by Chevy Stevens ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ (a thriller)
2) The Wilds by Sarah Pearse ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ (another thriller)
3) What Have You Done by Shari Lapena ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ (thriller)
4) Iron Lake (Cork O’Connor #1) by William Kent Krueger ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ (mystery)
5) Boundary Waters (Cork O’Connor #2) by William Kent Krueger ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ (mystery)
Currently reading Purgatory Ridge by William Kent Krueger (book #3 in the Cork O’Connor series) and Middle of the Night by Riley Sager
I also have read All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker and is definitely my fav book so far this year!
Ginger says
I loved the Cork O’Connor series. If you haven’t already, stop and read Lightning Strike — which is listed as No. 18, but is really the prequel to the series.
Becky Carl says
All of Freida McFadden books are awesome.
Also, The Color of Heaven Series by Julianne MacLean. I’ve read the first 2 and loved them.
And Kiersten Modglin books are great.
Megan Barker says
I think I’m the only person who didn’t really like God of The Woods. I didn’t hate it, but it was just meh for me. I really disliked a lot of the adult characters and I think that played into it for me. It’s always interesting to see what different people get out of different books. Putting these others on my list!
~B~ says
Catching up on blog posts over the weekend! Wishing Andrew all the best as he recovers and hope the weekend brings some down time and relaxation for all of you!
Kristen Smith says
I have been looking for something new to read so I always appreciate this inspiration every month! I added several titles on hold at my library so I have a lot to look forward to now!