Tag: book reviews

September 2022 Books in Review…a bit after the fact

The start of the school year combined with the marathon training left much less time for keeping up to date with my blogging. Here it is October 22 and I’m just getting around to sharing about my September reads. I think I’ve finally come out the other side of the hectic fall to have a moment to gather my thoughts. You can tell it was a busy month, I only read four books. There was a time when reading four books in a month would have seemed like a lot, but given the amount of reading I’ve been able to do over the last year it feels a little below the monthly average. The fall was a time for many new releases. So while, the number of books I already have to read is….a lot, I still had to grab these new releases as soon as they came out. Two new releases I couldn’t wait to read were The Most Likely Club and Carrie Soto is Back.

The Most Likely Club, by Elyssa Friedland (September 3-5)

Hello, the 90s are calling. This was a much anticipated book for me this fall. I’ve been following Elyssa Friedland on Instagram and enjoyed all of the advance fun she was providing by way of Blockbuster cards, CK cologne and the like. I’ve greatly enjoyed her other books as well. This was a fun, skip my long run to finish kind of book. It really made me stop to think about where I thought I was headed in HS and the road that came after. Five stars!

Carrie Soto is Back, Taylor Jenkins Reid (September 5-11)

If you have read any of my reviews, you know that TJR is one of my absolute favorite authors. This was another book that I pre-ordered and had waiting for me on release day. While I don’t know much about professional tennis, I was sucked into the story. This book was one of those that I was sad that it as over because I wanted to know more about where the characters went after. A book about life, expectations and our own misgivings about ourselves. Another must read by TJR.

When we Were Bright and Beautiful, by Jillian Medoff, (September 11-20)

The bar for books this month was set high. I’m not completely sure what I was expecting from this Book of the Month book by Jilian Medoff. The best words to describe it were raw emotions and intense. While fiction, this book tackled some serious issues. I read to not think about serious issues- so this was a little much from that perspective and might be why it took me so long to get through. Honest thoughts- pass on this one there are too many other great books to read.

The Dinner List, by Rebecca Serle (September 21-27)

I needed the comfort of a favorite author after my last book. I’ve been carrying around The Dinner List for well over a year. While this too was an intense book, it was thought provoking and enjoyable to read. Had a great aha moment. There were definitely laughs and tears along the way. Signs of a great book!! Highly recommend this quick read by Serle.

August 2022 Books in Review

August signifies summer coming to a close, but I intend to eek out the last little bit of vacation, extra time with family and time for reading this month before the hustle and bustle of back to school and a busy fall. With a week long vacation on tap this month I’m anticipating it to be a month full of reading.

The House Across the Lake, Riley Sager (July 28-August 5)

This was my first book by Riley Sager. He has a ton of thrillers, but was an author I was not previously familiar until The House Across the Lake was one of the most anticipated books of summer. The book was intriguing and kept me on my toes. I must admit that it got a bit extreme in the last 1/4 or so, but with that sad I will look at some of Sanger’s other books in the future. While I love a good thriller, and I can’t wait to read House Across the Lake I’ve been tending to steer towards “calmer” reads of late.

After I Do, by Taylor Jenkins Reid (August 6-August 8)

What if the only way to save your marriage was to take a break from your marriage? Taylor Jenkins Reid has another winner as she weaves together a story of a couple who take a one year break to hopefully save their marriage. With no contact with one another for the entire rear they are left to deeply consider what went so wrong to hopefully come back together. Filled with laughs and tears, and surprises another quick read by TJR left me smiling.

One True Loves, by Taylor Jenkins Reid (August 8 – August 10)

What if you thought your husband was dead, so after years of grieving you begin to move on and find yourself broken but able to love again only to learn that your husband isn’t actually dead and he’s coming home?? Can you have more than one true love? Emma, Jesse and Sam are about to find out. Seriously, I don’t know how TJR does it, but she continually finds new ways to write thought provoking, truly enjoyable reads. Another must read!

Daisy Jones & The Six, by Taylor Jenkins Reid (August 10-August 13)

I thought TJR had finally written a book that I wasn’t going to love…but alas I was wrong and I was sucked into drugs, sex and rock and roll of the 1970s in this interview style book. Reid really set the stage (literally and figuratively) for the decade of music, while weaving in the relationship of the band, addiction and the struggles of life on the road. Completely different from all her other books, but again a winner!

Daisy Darker, by Alice Feeney (August 14-21)

I was eager to read another book by Alice Feeney. I enjoyed Rock, Paper, Scissors. This was a dark, twisty turvy book filled with family drama, death and who done it. There was a time that I was reading primarily mystery/thriller books. Following the intensity of this read, I’m going to follow it up with something “lighter.” It’s hard to really review this book without giving away too much. That said, there was definitely a moment when I said “I didn’t see that coming.” A solidly good, not quite great book!

The Unhoneymooners, by Christina Lauren (August 26-31)

The perfect romantic comedy “lighter” book to follow up Daisy Darker! This was my first book by Christina Lauren. I know, I know late to the party again with an amazing author. It will definitely not be my last. This feel good book, reminds of finding love when we least expect it. I really enjoyed this book, so much so that I stayed up way past my bedtime to finish it! Highly recommend.