Happy Thursday, friends!
It’s BOOK DAY!
And this month, I am reviewing SIX books…
…spoiler alert, I am almost finished with Book #7, but it’s so so good that I don’t want to rush it.
Stay tuned in November for the review of the one I’m currently reading!
Alrighty, a beautiful day in October + six books to discuss sounds like a great way to spend a Thursday.
Let’s get to it with…
Book #1 this month was:
….Hollow Bones by Jodi Picoult.
As many of you know, this was our OCTOBER 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 spoiler-free review below…
Friends, I gave this novel a big FIVE STARS!
If you’re a fan of Picoult, you will be a fan of this one.
This book is one of those books you will think about long after you finish the last page. It’s relevant, it’s timely, it’s thought provoking, it’s perhaps a little controversial…it’s a page turner. I do not want to give away any of the twists and turns (and there are some downright SHOCKING moments in this one), but this is a story of a Rhode Island woman whose mother died on September 11th.
That’s all I’m going to say.
If you want a meaty book you won’t soon forget, here you go.
Book #2:
Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman
Here’s the deal, I was going to do an entire blog post on this book last week when I punted and decided to do a post on MY BEST TIPS FOR RETURNING FROM TRAVEL {WITH EASE}, but I promise you, at some point, I will do a post on this book alone. In the meantime, I cannot recommend this one enough.
You know how much I enjoy a book on time management/making the most of our time/etc and dare I say this was *the best* one I’ve read to date.
The author attacks the topic, how the average person gets about 4000 weeks in their lifetime, and does not hold back any punches when discussing the hows and whys we tend to overschedule, overcomplicate, overbook…and flat out not enjoy those weeks.
I annotated the heck out of this book and have been thinking about it all month long. Burkeman has this no-nonsense approach to the topic of time management that really resonated with me.
A dedicated blog post will be up at some point with my favorite takeaways, but for now, I highly encourage you to take a peek at this one.
Two thumbs up!
Book #3:
Falling For Peachtree Bluff by Kristy Woodson Harvey
Well yes, this one was adorable.
I have read all of the Peachtree Bluff books by this author and loved them all. The first three take place during the summer, the fourth one takes place at Christmas, and this latest novel takes place in the fall.
This adorable, quintessential chick lit series follows one family in all five books. Honestly, I think the author does a great job of recapping enough about each character that it’s not imperative you read them all (should you just want to read this one), but if you have time and love an easy, happy, sweet, feel good novel, you should read all five in order.
I could read book after book after book just like this series. They just give me all the happy feels.
And now it’s time for…
I’m on a roll, friends!
If you read my dedicated post on AUDIOBOOKS, then you know that I am new to enjoying books this way but have jumped in with two feet.
This month, I listened to THREE audiobooks 🙂 .
First up…
Book #4:
Dear Debbie by Freida McFadden
I have so many thoughts.
So many.
I selected this audiobook for three reasons:
#1: You guys keep telling me to listen to a Julia Whelan audiobook.
#2: I said in my Audiobook post that I enjoy listening to heavier/thriller type books more than reading them (as I like to read non-thrillers at night).
#3: I have read and enjoyed this author before.
Let’s address all three:
#1: I love Julia Whelan as an author. In 2018, I even named her novel, My Oxford Year, my #1 BOOK OF THE YEAR (out of 61 books!). Without a doubt, you ladies have made it clear that she is your favorite audiobook narrator, so I was excited to take a listen. I think I screwed up though because she read this along with two other narrators and if I’m being honest, the male’s voice drove me mad.
I should have just listened to a book only Whelan reads.
The problem is that I have already read so many of the audiobooks you suggest narrated by Whelan. If you have any other suggestions (outside of books I have already read) from Julia Whelan, please send them my way!
#2: True.
#3: This book was ridiculous. I listened to it quickly because I kept waiting for it to get less ridiculous, but it never did. It was shockingly ridiculous to me.
This is the fictional story of a woman who works part-time as a Dear Abby type writer for her local paper. Since it’s a mystery, I won’t spoil anything for you…but the plot is so utterly ridiculous that I can’t even describe it. I didn’t like a single character, and I thought the plot was extremely weak.
Please tell me someone else has read this one and agrees with me. Please.
I would absolutely say skip this book.
Books #5 & #6:
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion Volume 1 and Volume 2 by Beth Brower
I took your advice and began this series 🙂 .
Because these novels are not very long, I was easily able to listen to the first two books.
If you are looking for something charming and sweet and wholesome and British, here you go.
This is the story of Emma M. Lion as told through her journal entries. The cast of characters you meet along the way are wonderful, the setting is warm and inviting, the whole book just oozes that delightful British charm I adore so much. This little series is one I would recommend to both women and preteen/teen girls.
Delightful. I can see why everyone is reading these books.
And that’s my OCTOBER 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.
Don’t forget, we would love, love to have you join us in November for our BOOK CLUB!
Next month, we are reading…
…Every Story is a Love Story by Imbolo Mbue and discussing it on November 22nd.
Let’s chat books in the comment section, friends!
I can’t wait to hear your thoughts!
Happy Book Day! xx
Lorraine says
I love Emma M Lions!!! She is just delightful. The writing is wonderful. There are so many moments that made me giggle. And the books just get better and better. The last one is my very favorite. My 15 year old daughter also loved it. So glad you also enjoyed it!
Taylor says
Your next audiobook should be “this story might save your life.” It’s a mystery and I couldn’t stop listening! The narrators did a good job which made it even more enjoyable to listen too.
Dawn Timmons says
I couldn’t agree more about 4,000 weeks. I am looking forward to your blog post dedicated to this book.
Elspeth Mizner says
I loved Oliver’s book! So insightful and can’t wait to hear your thoughts! I am also listening to Emma M Lion. I love how they are short and easy to follow!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Jeralee Giacinti says
I’m just listening to Into the Blue by Emma Brodie and narrated by Julia Whelan – I’m loving it so far!!! Highly recommend giving it a try.
Mix and Match Mama says
I read the book! Great read!
Alison says
I borrowed a physical copy of Peachtree Bluff from the library and I didn’t want it to end because carrying that gorgeous cover around with me made me so happy! It was the perfect fall read.
Arika says
I don’t get the hype around Freida McFadden books at all. Sounds like you read some other great ones this month, though!
Heather Green says
I always get such great book recommendations from yours and even reference back throughout the years so thank you.
Chrys says
Julia Whelan is my girl! She could read the dictionary and I would be enamored by it haha. I LOVED Dear Debbie because of it’s ridiculousness, so I don’t know what that says about me lol. I am not a Freida fan because I feel like her writing is a bit juvenile and I only gave Dear Debbie a chance because Julia was narrating it. With that being said, Debbie was completely unhinged and I loved every part of her insanity lol.
Mix and Match Mama says
What did you think about the male narrator? He drove me crazy. What’s another Whelan audio book I should listen this month?
Chrys says
I was NOT a fan of the male narrator in Dear Debbie. But I am very particular about my male narrators. Julia narrates ALL of Emily Henry’s books. So you can listen to the new one coming out next year. She also recently narrated Christina Lauren’s new book, The Romance Survival. It also has a male narrator and I didn’t mind him at all. It was very cutesy and I thoroughly enjoyed it as a palate cleanser.
Mix and Match Mama says
Thank YOU for the specifics! I want to listen to a Whelan novel and LOVE it!
Melissa B says
Totally agree about Frieda McFadden books. They read very juvenile. My daughter reads them and loves them, but I usually DNF them. However, I didn’t mind Dear Debbie. I can’t remember how I felt about the male narrator, though. I love the Emma M. Lion series. I read them first and I’m about to listen to book 8. They get better and better.
Becky says
I listened to the Dear Debbie audiobook also and thought it was terrible as well! So bad!
Bridget says
Same! Dear Debbie was one of my first audiobooks and made me want to never listen to another. Thankfully I decided to give The Calamity Club a try on audio and LOVED it!!!
Heather P says
I could not agree more about dear Debbie.. I keep seeing it everywhere and think why is this book so popular it was not great!!!
I’m going to start the peach tree bluff series thanks to your reviews!! I love book review day!
Linda Oesterle says
I always look forward to Book Review Day. Loved, loved, loved Hollow Bones! May I recommend Receipts from the Bookshop? It is a delightful book written by Katie Clapham who records her daily interactions and observations while running her bookstore in the English seaside town of Lytham St. Annes. A bookshop in an English seaside town? Sign me up!!
Mix and Match Mama says
I read that one last month! It was delightful!
Valerie A says
Shay, thank you for sharing your thoughts and book reviews. I’ve found many titles that I don’t think I would have without you writing about them, so thank you so much!
I feel the same way about Frieda McFadden books.
Question: Do you use a physical copy of the books you annotate or do you do it on your Kindle?
Mix and Match Mama says
I only annotate physical copies…and for those, it’s almost exclusively health/wellness/French inspired books. I read almost every single novel on my Kindle.
Katie says
I have recently started listening to Emma M Lion books, and find them delightful! They are perfect for my short drive to work in the morning. Glad you’re enjoying them, too! My favorite audiobooks tend to be biographies read by the authors…great way to “feel” the story a bit more.
sandi says
I’m not sure if it was a Shay recommendation or in the comment section, but Where the Grass is Green and the Girls are Pretty (Lauren Weisberger) did not disappoint! I also read The Fixer Upper an older book by Mary Kay Andrews, These is My Words: The Diary of Sarah Agnes Prine, 1881-1901 and The Writing Desk by Rachel Hauck.
A non-fiction book that pulled me in was Like, Follow, Subscribe: Influencer Kids and the Cost of a Childhood Online. It was an eye opening look at the monetizing of childhood.
No Two Persons (Erica Bauermeister) is my current read so I will be checking back to see what others are recommending!
Mix and Match Mama says
Thank you, thank you for the recs, Sandi!!
Ann A says
Have you read Educated by Tara Westover? I quickly searched your blog and didn’t see it but not sure if I missed it. Anyway, it’s an excellent memoir that I think you would love, and the audio is narrated by Julia Whalen.
Mix and Match Mama says
Yes!! I did! I read a lot of books, but this one ABSOLUTELY stands out to me. https://mixandmatchmama.com/2018/12/2018-books-in-review/
Christina says
Consider These Summer Storms by Sarah MacLean as an option for audiobook narrated by JW.
I just read The Road to Tender Hearts and it was really great. I didn’t listen so can’t speak to the audiobook version but I highly recommend it!
Gail says
Second the recommendation for These Summer Storms on audio – and the audiobook of Road to Tender Hearts is great!
Gail says
I know you read and liked The Bright Years – this month I read and LOVED The Burning Side by the same author. It’s a beautiful story of love and betrayal and grief and forgiveness and family, and much of it felt very real to me. Highly recommend!
Rachel Jones says
Almost all Frieda McFadden books are ridiculous. Everyone says they have such great “twists” but the twists are only shocking because if you go back and read the earlier parts of the book the twists don’t make sense and don’t fit. So annoying as a thriller fan who loves to piece things together! I enjoyed the audiobook Spectacular Things.
Jenny Curtis says
I always listen to memoirs on audio if the person narrates it themselves. Highly recommend it! Right now I’m listening to Michael Douglas, Collin Gosselin and Hayden Panettiere.
Please do yourself a favor and listen to Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey! Even if you’ve read it. He does such a great job with that voice of his and the book’s great too. 📚❤️
Allena says
Freida McFadden is ridiculous – sometimes I appreciate it and sometimes I don’t but if you know going into it you’re getting a bonkers story, it’s easier to enjoy haha. I read The Oxford Year because of your book reviews – have you read Thank You For Listening by her – that would be a great one to listen to on audio (she reads it) and it’s a delightful book and a great narration. Emma M. Lion is AMAZING – they do get longer but they also just get better and better! I’ve read them with my ears and eyes and they are great both ways. Also did you know you can check audiobooks out from the library? I read so many audiobooks that way and also love non-fiction on audiobook – holds my attention better for some meatier topics.
Amanda says
Dear Debbie — yes! Then again, all of Freida McFadden’s books are basically the same. If you’ve read one or two, you can skip the rest.
Jamie S. says
I think you’ve probably read all of the best books Julia has narrated. She has done a lot of books by Kristin Hannah, Emily Henry, Taylor Jenkins Reid and Abby Jimmenez. She did write and narrate another book after My Oxford Year. I’m not sure if you’ve read that one. It’s called Thank You for Listening. A couple more off the top of my head that I’m not sure if you’ve read are, The Invisible Life of Addie La Rue, The Measure, It’s One of Us.
Kim B says
Can you explain how you choose a narrator by their name? Is there a list somewhere?
Mix and Match Mama says
I’m sure there are easier/better ways, but I just typed it into my Amazon app “Julia Whelan audible” and they popped up.