Remember that time I said (twice ) I would start blogging again and yet life gets in the way. But I am back with Short and Sweet Book Reviews.
The last time I did book reviews was last MAY! Since then I have read 37 different books.(!!!) Most of them were amazing and I can't stop talking about them, there were a few that I read but I was let down with. Let me know in the comments if you read any of these!
The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels by Ree Drummond ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I love watching the Pioneer Woman on the Food network. This book gave me a real honest backstory to her life, how she grew up and how she met her now husband, the Cowboy. Her honest approach makes this read an enjoyable one and makes me feel like we are friends, sitting down for a cup of tea. She also has some recipes in here too!
A Small Indiscretion by Jan Ellison⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Twenty something years ago, Annie is living in London and as the title hints towards, a small indiscretion happens. Fast forward to present, Annie is happily married and a lighting designer in San Francisco. When an unexplained letter from London arrives, the past and present collide. Her marries begins to unravel, her secrets cannot stay secrets any more and her son is fighting for his life after a car accident. Annie's small indiscretion is still making waves in her present live, more than twenty years later.
Summerlong by Dean Bakopoulos⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
I found this book in the new section of the library and I liked the cover (TBH!) and as i started reading this book, it was a little wacky but I really enjoyed it. Don and Claire's marriage is straining and hanging on by a thread. One night, Claire sneaks out to go running and Don mysteriously ends up in a hammock with a young woman wondering how he got their. Their misadventures throughout the summer make you realize that sometimes things aren't what they seem on the outside.
Congratulations, By the Way: Some Thoughts on Kindness by George Saunders⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is such a great quick read for anyone who is graduating from any type of schooling or for someone who needs a little pick me up.
Private Paris (Private # 10) by James Patterson⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Jack Morgan is now chasing a murder who is targeting Paris' most influential persons. Can he solve this crime and also keep tabs on a young girl who on the run from a dangerous drug cartel? Only Jack Morgan can juggle such extreme cases.
Eight Hundred Grapes by Laura Dave⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Secrets keep people out for specific reasons and secrets are kept to protect people. A week before Georgia’s wedding her fiancée drops a bombshell on her and she is forced to make a decision. The only way she can clear her head is heading back to her families vineyard, hoping for comfort from her parents. When she arrives home, it seems like everyone in her family is keeping secrets. Its up to Georgia to decide which secrets are the ones that are worth working through and others to forget completely.
Beware the Wild by Natalie C. Parker⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is a YA book that I found on accident and I ended up really liking it. It was an unusual story set in Louisiana where there is a part of the town that is forbidden because there is a mysterious swamp that takes townsfolk and somehow the rest of town never remembers those people were ever living. When Sterling goes into the swamp, she finds out things she never intended to find out.
Five Days Left by Julie Lawson Timmer⭐️⭐️⭐️
I picked this book up because it dealt with adoption but what I didn’t realize there was another tale also intertwined with the adoption is someone who just received a life shattering diagnosis. These two stories tugged at my heartstrings and there were many times I found myself crying; not only for the sad story but also for anyone else who has to go through this in real life.
The Divorce Papers by Susan Rieger⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book was really cute. It was written in the form of all different types of corrspondance-faxes, memos, letters, depositions, etc. The story itself is funny and engaging. This is a little longer read but it was really enjoyable.
The Games (Private #11) by James Patterson⭐️⭐️⭐️
Another Jack Morgan adventure, this time set in Rio de Janeiro right before the summer Olympics and there is someone planning on making a HUGE commotion and statement during the Olympics opening ceremony. Jack Morgan is on the case with Tavaia who is part of the Rio Police force. A biological attack is staged AND a billionaries daughter is missing. Jack Morgan and Tavaia have their hands full for this adventure in Rio de Janeiro.
Present over Perfect: Leaving behind frantic for a simpler, more soulful way of living by Shauna Niequist⭐️⭐️
I wanted to love this book and after reading so many positive reviews, I was excited to get my hands on it. I was sorta was disappointed with this book. Great idea and I got some times out of it but It didn’t really resonate with me.
Grace not Perfection by Emily Ley⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I absolutely LOVED this book. This was inspiring and comforting that everything doesn’t have to be perfect. I loved Emily Ley’s tips for living a graceful life. A quick must read and a helpful guide.
The School of Greatness by Lewis Howes⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I follow Lewis Howes on Instagram and I thought he had a really interesting story. After reading his book, he has become really passionate about pursing his dreams and helping others do the same. The book was very passionate and well written.
The Penny Jumper by James Grippando⭐️⭐️
This was a book of short stories. The main story, the Penny Jumper was about a young woman who is a scientist who was recuited by a top Wall Street Firm to help them get an advantage over their competitors. When the government gets involved, she become intertwined into tangled web of lies and deceit. The other short stories could have been left out but over a nice quick read.
Before the Fall by Noah Hawley⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This story has a weird aurora around it before I even read it. The story flipped back from the day of the plane crash to present day. It was an unique book and super suspenseful; I couldn’t put it down and it kept me guessing up until the very last word. I couldn’t believe it. Its interesting how one persons outlook and experiences in the world can affect everyone they run into.
Scrappy Little Nobody by Anna Kendrick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
If you thought you wanted to be Anna Kendrick’s best friend before reading this book, you will definitely want to be after reading it. She is such a likable and down to earth person. I loved how the book read like she was speaking with you. I came away from this book with a new appreciation for actors and how hard it is to break into the acting world.
Private Sydney (Private #12) by James Patterson⭐️⭐️⭐️
Craig Gisto is on the case to find a missing father- with each turn in the case, it begins to get weirder and weirder. Craig Gisto isn't the only one who wants to find this missing father. This adventures takes places through the outback and sometimes you just don't want to be found.
Welcome to Night Vale by Joseph Fink (Audiobook)⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was the first audiobook I ever listened to and I am so glad! This made me fall In love with audiobooks. The two people narrating the story were so engaging and the story was broken up with new reports from Night Vale. There is a podcast under the same name but the two aren’t connected. This is a must read/listen.
Whiskey Words and a Shovel by R.H. Sin⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
A coworker lent me this book and I was able to read it in an afternoon. It was filled with poems and prose that really hit home. It was beautiful how Sin paints a picture with words.
The Circle by Dave Eggers ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I read this specifically because I heard it was going to be a movie. It was SO good; The whole premise is kind of creepy but overall it’s a great read- I devoured it over a weekend. I am so excited to see the movie and how it was adapted.
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children #1 by Ransom Riggs⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was recommended by a coworker and to tell you the truth, I was not excited about this book at all. After reading it, I couldn’t believe how good it was and how the photos matched perfectly with the story.
The Hopefuls by Jennifer Close⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was an interesting book. I got it from a recommendation and this was such a fun, quick read. It follows the lives of a young married couple named Beth and Matt living in Washington DC during the Obama years. He was a government worker and Beth hated DC the first few years. After Matt met Jimmy at work, and the boys and their wives, go out to dinner and hit it off immediately. Jealously immediately sets in for Beth and Matt when they are around Jimmy and Ash. I love how this book is over four years and you see how each character grows and what happens to them. I really enjoyed this book.
Private Royals (Private #12.5) by James Patterson⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was a one off in the Private series. I love the Royal family so I was eager to read this “book shots”. The story followed the normal pattern of the other Private Series book. This one had a twist that I didn’t see coming which I liked.
A Voyage for Madmen by Peter Nichols⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
This book was totally outside my comfort zone. This was an interesting book- the tag line was 12 sailor’s set out for a race around the world and only one made it to the finish line. It intrigued me. Some of the sailing terms I didn’t understand but the whole premise of the story was great. How the sailor’s each prepared so differently for each of their journeys and how their plans were sorta different. It was interesting to learn about how sailing around the world was so hard and how it had to be expertly planned. I really enjoyed this.
Happily Ever After by Trista Sutter⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book caught my attention because it talked about being happy and positive in life, even though you might be going through a rough patch. Trista was honest and truthful about how her Bachelor and Bachelorette experience was and it made me feel like at the end of the book, I know the real her. It was a fun book filled with helpful hints and tips.
Down the Rabbit Hole by Holly Madison (audiobook)⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was an interesting read. I loved the Girls Next Door and having Holly narrate the book was such a treat! It was interesting to see how she got started and where she ended up. I really enjoyed this. It made me laugh a lot.
Hollow City (Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children #2) by Ransom Riggs⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
After reading the first book, I couldn’t wait to read the next one. This was just as good as the first one. The story got more into about the Peculiar children and it was so so good! The adventure the children go on it so good and the photos make the story even more real!
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery⭐️⭐️
I have heard such good things about this book. When I finally sat down to read it, I wasn’t impressed. It was hard for me to read, even though it was a children’s book. I couldn’t get into the story.
I don’t know what you know me from: Confessions of a Co-Star by Judy Greer⭐️⭐️
This one was a let down. I love Judy Greer yet her book wasn’t as interesting as her movie roles were. I really wanted to like this, I really did but nothing about her life, was interesting for me. I wish she didn’t try so hard.
The Magnolia Story by Chip and Joanna Gaines⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I waited 3 months to get this book from the library and I was happy it was such a good book! I loved how Joanna told the story but then Chip put his sense into it. It was so cute. I loved hearing about how they met and their struggles that they overcame early in their marriage. I love them even more and I feel like they were very real in the book.
Modern Lovers by Emma Straub (Audiobook)⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I previously read the Vacationers and I really enjoyed it. This book was a fun audiobook. I really enjoyed Ruby, Iggy Pop, Andrew, Elizabeth, Zoe and Harry were all such engaging characters and their own stories were each engaging on their own and the bigger story was really good. Set in New York City, this book was a fun read!
Library of Souls (Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children #3) by Ransom Riggs⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The final book in the Peculiar children series- this took me the longest to read because I just didn’t want it to end! The beginning was a little slow for me but it picked up and I really loved the ending. I was actually sad to see this series end.
Buffering by Hannah Hart⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
I picked this book up without knowing who Hannah Hart is or what she is about. I thought this book was very honest and ‘hart’felt. Hannah spoke about her no-so-perfect childhood and how she rose above adversity to where she is now. The book had sounded like you were sitting down with your best friend and chatting. It was an easy read.
The Dinner by Herman Koch⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was a curious story about two families getting together at a very public restaurant to discuss a very serious matter that involves their children. At first, I questioned why these families got together to discuss this topic at a very public place yet as I read the story, I quickly realized that there was reason for this. The twist at the end really made you think, how would you deal with this situation if you were involved.
The ExPats by Chris Pavone (audiobook)⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This narrator of this book, Mozhan Marno, who I think made this book so much more enjoyable to read. The whole premise is how Dexter and Kate moved from their life in Washington DC to Luxemburg because of Dexter’s work. They befriend another Expat couple, Bill and Julia. Kate feels something is fishy with Julia and Bill. This book is filled with secrets and lies. We follow Kate and Dexter around Europe and how their lies are catching up to them quicker than they can keep up.
I Take You by Eliza Kennedy⭐️
The whole story was a cute idea. Lily is on her way to being married to a wonderful archeologist, Will, yet she couldn’t stop sleeping with other men, spending her days drinking a cocktail or 5, and thinking that marrying might be her biggest mistake. Her parents and Will’s parents become so concerned with Lily behavior; they don’t know what got into her. Lily questions if marrying Will is the right decision and Will is questioning if he really knows Lily after all. The whole book was interesting , definetly not a favorite of mine but it was an interesting read. It was filled with humor and questionable decisions. I received this book from Blogging for Books for my honest opinion.
I had just finished this book the other day after I made the graphics but I couldn't leave it out!
Everything, Everyhting by Nicola Yoon⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
This was a great book. I loved how the chapters were short and sweet and it kept me wanting to read more. Everything about the story and the how the characters were written were really good, I wanted to learn more about them with each page. I am curious to see how this was adapted into a movie later this month.
I am currently making my way through
This is Where it Ends by Marieke Nijkamp. For the first 100 pages, it has kept me on the edge of my seat and kept me guessing I am curious to see how the rest of the book is.
Yikes! I was quite the book worm! I am always looking for new reccommendations-do you recommend any books?
