Hello, hello and HAPPY BOOK DAY, friends!
I apologize for not being here yesterday. Last week, I told you I would be taking Thursday through Monday off to enjoy my last weekend on Nantucket and well God, er, I mean American Airlines, had other plans. We were supposed to have been back in Texas on Sunday afternoon, but we actually didn’t get back until almost noon on Monday.
Nothing says “welcome back to reality” more than being a mom traveling solo with three kids, two dogs, and seven pieces of luggage with flight delays/missed connection/an unexpected ferry ride to the Cape/car service/night in Boston. Ha!
Needless to say, I took a page out of Slow Productivity and gave myself one more day to get my life together 😉 .
More Nantucket content to come as I wrap up our summer and transition into BACK TO SCHOOL season (school starts next week!), but for now, I wanted to make sure we got my JULY BOOK REVIEW out here in blogland!
We are BIG BIG fans of summer reading around here…
…and I know you are too! This month, I read FIVE BOOKS…and I’m ready to chat about each and every one of them.
Let’s get to it!
First up…
Book #1 this month was:
…The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett.
As many of you know, this was our JULY 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 this one? Here is my review (without spoilers):
If you are a fan of The Help (and who isn’t?!), then you are going to LOVE Kathryn Stockett’s latest novel.
Set in Mississippi, this novel toggles back and forth between an 11 year old girl living in an orphanage and a young woman who has traveled to see her newly married sister in order to get some financial help to take back home.
These two very different storylines go back and forth as the book begins and then slowly start to overlap and in a very unexpected way. I truly, truly don’t think I’ve ever read a book with a bigger, wider, more amazing cast of characters than this one. Except PLOT TWIST, I actually didn’t read this book. For the first time ever, I listened to this particular novel on Audible.
Without giving too much away, this book is very very long (about the size of two books) and for me, it started off so slowly that I just could not get engaged with the story. After I switched to Audible, I could not stop listening.
This is a FIVE STAR STORY friends no matter if you read it or listen. If you want a book with endearing, strong, funny, hardworking, and determined female characters, here you go. I think you’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll be shocked, you’ll be sad, you’ll be relieved, and you’ll be highly entertained.
Next up…
Book #2:
Slow Productivity by Cal Newport
I have spent the summer reading through this book, and it was so impactful that as soon as I finished it, I started it over again. I did AN ENTIRE BLOG POST just on this book and how it has already changed the way I go through my day. Whether you’re self-employed like me, work for someone or even if you’re retired or stay at home, there is something to be learned in this one.
Make sure you read THIS POST for way more info on this book. It has been a total game changer for me.
We move from non-fiction back to fiction with…
Book #3:
Down with the Shipmans by Meg Mitchell Moore
This novel is about three sisters returning to their widowed father’s seaside beach house for one final week before he sells it. Spoiler alert though: he’s recently remarried (to someone younger) and each of the sisters is bringing with her baggage from their adult lives. One sister has a work situation in New York hanging over her, one can’t seem to settle down, and one is a “trad wife” influencer who is facing some bad press.
I love chick lit all the time, but I especially love it during the summer season. This one checked several of my boxes (cute setting, easy little story, pretty PG, lots of coastal vibes), but if I’m being honest, it’s going to be pretty forgettable. It was cute enough, light, happy, and I always enjoyed picking it up each day…but it’s not remarkable.
I always have high expectations though when I read something from…
Book #4:
Love You More by Emily Giffin
Who doesn’t still remember reading Giffin’s early work Something Borrowed and immediately falling in love? I honest to goodness think that book was one of the main ones I read when I had two babies at home that got me out of my “no time to read because I have two babies at home” funk and back into being a voracious reader. That novel reminded me of why I love to read.
In recent years, I always read her books as soon as they’re released, and they’re kind of hit or miss for me. This latest one fell somewhere in the middle. I was reading this one at the same time as one of my friends and one night she texted me and said she was finished and had mixed feelings. I was about 80% through and powered through to finish as well and texted her back the next day and said “me too”.
This is the story of a New York City doctor who left her small town for medical school at Columbia and never really returned. She gets a great job, creates an inner circle of good friends, falls in love and then has to head back to her town when tragedy strikes.
I won’t give away any spoilers, but when she returns, she is pulled back into her old life and old flame and well, I was just sort of torn about her and some of her decisions. Honestly, I’m not sure I just “loved” the main character in this one, so that didn’t really help.
I don’t know…I’m curious if you read this one and felt the same way? If you loved it, please let me know!
This one was just okay for me.
And finally…
Book #5:
The Shampoo Effect by Jenny Jackson
Well, I have so many mixed thoughts on this one too.
I selected this book because after reading two “okay” chick lit novels in a row, I wanted to read one that really wow-ed me. Silly me, I thought this was chick lit. It’s not. Ha!
The title and the cover had me convinced this would be a light little summer read, but what do they always say…NEVER JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER. Silly, silly, me.
This book is set in a small town on the New England coast as a group of adults (all former high school friends) welcome (or unwelcome) someone new into their group. This new addition (a woman with her own complicated backstory) consciously (and accidentally) makes each of these friends take a good, hard look at the lives they’re living and how their relationships mingle with each other all of these years later.
There isn’t one “main” character in the book as it toggles back and forth between multiple people, but to me, it just felt a little heavy. Are they living their best lives or are they still all living lives around this small high school group because it’s comfortable and easy?
I honestly liked the book better after it ended and I read the author’s note at the end. Once she shed light on her inspiration for the story, it came around more for me.
This certainly wasn’t the chick lit I thought I was cracking open, and I’m not sure that I loved it…but it will be memorable. I’ll remember this one much more than I will the previous two.
And that’s my JULY BOOK REVIEW!
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.
To see the complete list of books I read in 2024 (all 58 of them), click here.
To see the complete list of books I read in 2025 (all 58 of them), click here.
If you want to stay current on all of the books I’m reading in 2026, THIS PAGE HERE is where I keep the books, authors and reviews each month.
We would love, love to have you join us in August for our BOOK CLUB!
Next month, we are reading…
…When You Loved Me by Beatriz Williams and discussing it on August 22nd.
Now, if you happened to have missed ELIN HILDERBRAND DAY a few weeks ago, make sure you pop over there today too! I shared my TOP FIVE ELIN BOOKS along with so many other faves in the post (and in the comment section!). I know today’s review didn’t include a ton of “oh my gosh, I loved that book” recs but ELIN HILDERBRAND DAY does 🙂 .
Alrighty, I’m BACK, baby!
I’m in McKinney and excited to spend August here with YOU!
Let’s head to the comment section and chat books. I’ll see you all here tomorrow! x
Susan Jeffries says
I just bought the book Slow Productivity for my husband for his bday. I hope to read it when he finishes. I didn’t read anything 5 star in July so I am hoping for a five star August!!!
Elspeth Mizner says
Lots of good recommendations! I’m going to have to check a lot out!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Becky says
I read Down With the Shipmans and The Shampoo Effect. Down With the Shipmans was ok. I thought the writing and character description of The Shampoo Effect was excellent. Emily Giffin’s book is on my TBR pile. Same, I loved and was hooked on Something Borrowed years ago. Currently reading the August book club pick!
Karen in VA says
My good friend was stuck in the airport for 12 hours in Florida on Sunday trying to get home on American Airlines. She said it all started when there was a loud boom of thunder that shook the airport foundation. This was followed by severe lightning. They told people to board the plane anyway and my friend said “absolutely no way I am getting on that plane”.
Smart move as the airport went into a ground stop and those poor people spent hours sitting on the runway. After delays and more bad weather, she made it back home at 3 am to the Washington DC area. I kept her company through text. Lol. Glad you made it back safely! There were flights cancelled and delayed everywhere on Sunday.
Mix and Match Mama says
You are such a sweet friend!! I’m sure that helped her long travel day more than you know.
Ashley D says
A book I absolutely loved this month was, Before I Called You Mine by Nicole Deese! It will probably end up in my top five books for the year.
The storyline is centered around a First Grade teacher who has longed to be a mother. Lauren decides to take a leap of faith and adopt a child from China even though she’s not married, and she must keep that commitment. Well, surprising circumstances brings Joshua into the picture. Her heart becomes torn between falling in love with an amazing man and falling in love with becoming a mother to a child who deserves a beautiful life. How will she choose? Read this book to find out! It also had so many wonderful “God truths” that will encourage your own walk with the Lord.
Mix and Match Mama says
Thank YOU for the rec!!!
Jodi says
Nicole Deese’s books are phenomenal!!
Carly T says
Sounds like Nantucket didn’t want to let yall go this week! Glad that you made it home safely.
Didn’t love Emily Giffin’s new book either…
Fun dinner party question- if you could only recommend ONE book to a friend, what would it be?!
Mix and Match Mama says
Die with Zero 🙂
Nilda Allen says
I agree about Love You More. The first half sucked me in. The second half I just like you knew how it would end and her books don’t normally do that.
Cynthia Taylor says
My husband and I are 74. This book has changed how we’re living each and every day.
Mandy Stephenson says
Well, now I have to go back and try again. I also “quit” this book after getting through a good portion of it. I just couldn’t get invested. I’ll have to get back in there and keep going now!
Paula Hobbs says
Welcome back! You have been missed for sure! I hope you have a good rest of the week settling back in.
Bren says
Welcome back, Shay! I just finished Dolly All the Time and knew you would have a great recommendation for my next Audible download (for my commute). Now to try and decide which one I want to go with! I did just add Slow Productivity to my Amazon cart, because I have the feeling there are going to be parts, or all of it, that I will want to read and reread.
Hope the Texas heat doesn’t welcome you back by putting on a show! ☀️🔥
Lee Ann Vicary says
Was it a test to find a hotel in Boston that would let you spend the night with the dogs? Did you have to find dog food for them? I traveled when my daughter and when my granddaughter were little and never really had problems, but I traveled with a girlfriend (before I had my daughter) and we got diverted and dilly dallied in Tulsa, OK before the airlines finally put us all on a bus for a two hour road trip to get home. Did not have enough bottles or diapers (this was 45 years ago and I still remember how much fun it wasn’t). The bus driver was driving way above the speed limit trying to get us back sooner and managed to get pulled over twice and get tickets. Sometimes things don’t go like you wish they did and it is especially not fun when you’re flying and really not in control. The good news is your kiddos are at least big enough to understand and not be to whinny. Sorry you trip was stinky but it’s always nice to know that other peoples lives aren’t perfect and it’s not just our own that has bumps.
Mix and Match Mama says
I opened my Marriott Bonvoy app and filtered it by “pets”, so it was pretty easy! Travel inconveniences are always yucky. Jesus and I have a lot of chats during them. 😉
Arika says
I felt the same way about the Shampoo Effect. I think the problem is that I just didn’t find any of the characters very likeable. But I was engaged in the book, curious. Can’t say I necessarily disliked it, but also not sure I liked it! Which makes no sense! Agree that Calamity Club on audio was spectacular!
Mix and Match Mama says
I agree! Van was probably the most likeable character…it was a complicated story.
Mara Kreiling says
Completely agree with “Love You More”. The writing seemed amateur maybe?? I am about 85% the way through and don’t really care what happens which I hate!!
Mix and Match Mama says
That was me too!
Kristi says
Yes! Me too! I feel like it isn’t even Emily Giffin writing them anymore. I miss all the rich detail that she had in her first books. I probably won’t even read her future books since the last couple have been so disappointing to me.
Angie Wilbur says
I was disappointed with Love you more. Like you, I loved her initial stuff, and now I am meh… I am still chasing my love for her first books, though. The way this one wrapped up, felt extremely unrealistic, rushed, and just didn’t do it for me. I am so bummed.
Katrina Goodman says
I’m still listening to The Calamity Club! I like it, but it is so long! I am reading The Shampoo Effect in hardback and it is very easy to read. I agree that it is heavier.
Robin Coco says
I loved the Emily Giffin book. I have enjoyed Getting Away With Murder by Shari Lapena and The Judge by James Patterson and Olivia Spencer.
Bernadine says
Have you read the “The Let Them Theory” by Mel Robbins yet?
Mix and Match Mama says
It’s on my list, but I have not gotten around to it yet. I have only heard great things!
Shirley says
Four awesome books I’ve read lately: This Book Made Me Think of You & with Rosemary by Libby Page , also The Museum of Second Chances & Tell Me How This Ends by Jo Leevers. I highly recommend them!
Shirley says
Mornings with Rosemary by Libby Page – sorry, I’m typing in the train station & somehow deleted part of the title!
AJ says
July was a hit-or-miss book month as I didn’t enjoy the popular books Whistler by Ann Patchett or Land by Maggie O’Farrell, but I did find some gems:
A Pair of Aces by Marie Benedict
The Wind Blows in Sleeping Grass by Katie Powner
The Other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow
Tina says
I have read all of these except the productivity book, and that’s not for me. I gave Calamity club 5 stars and the rest 4 stars. I loved each of them for different reasons. I really enjoyed the Emily Giffen book, I think that was my favorite of the other three. I have already read next month’s book club pic, so I’m hoping the comments have some good recommendations. I am currently reading Villa Coco. I am having a hard time finding interest in finishing.
Dana J says
I have Calamity Club in my TBR list and so many recommend to listen on audible! I’m a book in hand girl and never use audible but I may try it like you did on this one!! Welcome back to Texas…it’s hot!!
Mix and Match Mama says
Yup, it sure is. Agh!
Dena says
Settled in with my morning cup of coffee yesterday ready to read Book Review and it wasn’t there :-(. I figured you must be busy. Glad you made it back to Texas – travel delays are the worst! The Calamity Club was ok until about 1/2 way through and then I was hooked. Currently reading Dolly All The Time and it’s good! Looking forward to checking out this month’s recon – especially the Slow one!
sandi says
I read a few cute romcoms in July and one that I almost did not finish.
Purple State by Dana Perino
The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez
The Vineyard at Painted Moon by Susan Mallery
The Dressmaker by Rosalie Ham (too many characters, half way through I just didn’t care to read any more, but I finished and it did not improve – the clips from the show seems more exciting)
The Love Haters by Katherine Center
Loaded on my Kindle (or checked out from the library) for the next few weeks:
Finding Me by Viola Davis
The Swans of Fifth Avenue by Melanie Benjamin
Talking to GOATS by Jim Gray
kristen says
Always love a book day! I read Calamity Club this month and really enjoyed it, too. I had strong feelings about most of the characters – either really loved them or really didn’t! I read The Burning Side by Sarah Damoff and really liked it – a family drama with tragedy, love, forgiveness, etc. It was my first read by that author (it’s maybe her 2nd book?), and I’ll definitely go back and read her first. I think you would enjoy. Bless you as the Texas heat tries to burn you alive!
Maria says
28 hour audiobook😲You’ve intrigued me into downloading it. I haven’t listen to a book that long since Barbra Strisand’s 48 hour memoir – which was worth every minute!
Since you now have audible, check out The Widows Series. The first book is the best, Young Rich Widows. The cast is phenomenal, each character has their own narrator. “When the four partners of a prominent law firm are killed in a mysterious plane crash, their widows must come together to uncover the truth in this explosive, edge-of-your-seat novel.” Crystal is my favorite scene stealer! It’s set in 1980’s Rhode Island.
Mindy says
Our book club book for September is The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club by Martha Hall Kelly. I’m excited to read it and thought it might be something you would enjoy too!
Alexis says
I absolutely loved Emily Giffin’s new one. This was the first one of her books in so many years that reminded me of her earlier works and I felt like I was reading “old Emily” again. I cried so many times during the story and thought it wrapped up in the best way it could.
I’m halfway through The Shampoo Effect and am feeling like something is wrong with me because it has rave reviews and as of now, I’m pretty bored. I can’t say I like any of the characters and nothing big has happened – maybe something will and I’ll understand where the story is going because right now, it all seems kind of aimless if that makes sense?
My favorites this summer were Dolly All the Time, North Country by KA Tucker, and Star-Crossed Summer by Devon Daniels (inspired by the real life romance of Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams after filming The Notebook). Highly recommend all three as light summer reads!
Lisa says
This is totally off topic from your July reading list but our flight was cancelled as well on that first Sunday in August! We were only flying from New York to Cleveland. Luckily, we got to spend an extra night with our daughter and son in law and fly out late on Monday afternoon.