(keep in mind this list will update often... so check back!)
2012
Southern Charm: A Novel
... this book was given to me by Simon & Schuster to review. In general I love reading books about the South, fashion, New York City and girls going after what they want in life. This book was all of those things and more. It's the perfect beach read and while this book would definitely be described as chick-lit - it's the most delightful of chick-lit out there. Be sure to pack this in your beach bag this summer!The Book Thief
... I had heard from multiple people that this book was an absolute must read. And I agree. At first it's tricky to understand the narrator-style writing... but once you get into the book the chapters and pages just fly. Even though it's a nearly 400 page book I read it very quickly. The main character, Liesel, still floats through my mind like she is a living, breathing person. I loved her so much. Ethan Frome
... this was a "classic" book selection for my book club. It's classic American literature in short story/novella form. It's a quick and interesting read (we all agreed it's a page turner!) that makes you stop and think and the characters develop quickly and stick with you. We all enjoyed this book, but couldn't figure out what Edith Warton was trying to express with this story... have you read it? I would love to know your thoughts!Bond Girl: A Novel
... this was perfect light reading that I was in the mood for recently. But at the heart of it, I really enjoyed this book. Along the lines of Nanny Diaries and The Devil Wears Prada this was a funny and candid look at life on Wall Street. The main character was endearing and I love that she worked hard and followed her dreams (cheesy, I know) and I really love how the story wrapped up in the end. I definitely recommend this book!The Lucky One
... there is not much I can say about this book that you probably can't already infer if you have seen a Nicholas Sparks movie or read one of his books. But in general, I often enjoy his romantic/drama stories. This one was no exception. Perfect for a beach read.Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption
... I recently joined a book club and this is the first book I will have read with this group. I don't think I would have read this book on my own, it's very intense. But it was quite the page turner - I read the entire 400 pages in less than week - and it has a very redeeming ending. I felt like this was a piece of WWII history that I wasn't aware of previously and I do think it's important to know the costs of our freedom today. Overall, despite my initial thoughts on it... I would highly recommend it.Falling Together
... Marisa de los Santos books are the perfect balance between good literature and chic lit. They have a little fluff, but not much and always intriguing characters and well woven words. I have read all of her books and loved them and this was no exception. I loved the maturation and development of these characters as well as their likability. Bringing Up Bebe: One American Mother Discovers the Wisdom of French Parenting... this book completely rocked my parenting world. For a lot of reasons, but one because I realized how much I relate to the "french" model of parenting and how much I really have to learn from them. This book was a complete game-changer for me as a mom and I wished I could have read it years ago. It also (for our family) held the number one golden bullet for getting my kids to eat good dinners and for that I am eternally grateful. (as in, my kids hardly ate dinner two weeks ago and now they eat anything I put in front of them - yep, pretty amazing!)
Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky
... I really, really loved this book. I loved the portrayal of Coco Chanel (realizing some others may not) as a strong woman that went after what she wanted. While the book moved slow in a few spots (the beginning and about 75% through) it was a complete joy to read.MWF Seeking BFF
... This was one of the best books I've ever read (and hopefully life changing as well). It is a fun and hilarious peek into one woman's search for a new best friend. But more than that it's about friendship in general and the importance of it in our lives. I highly, highly recommend it!Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?
... In general I don't really enjoy these "I'm a celebrity so I wrote a book" books. Same goes for the Tina Fey book (Bossypants
). I just like more sweeping drama and intense character development. This was cute and funny though.My Week With Marilyn
... loved this book, the first half more so than the second half (you'll see why when you read the book). I always find true stories like this to be a little sad/tragic and this book is no different, but regardless it was a great read and so very interesting!Breaking Night: A Memoir of Forgiveness, Survival, and My Journey from Homeless to Harvard
... this book got great reviews, although a few pages in I didn't know if I could stomach the heartache and neglect that the author had endured in her lifetime. But after setting it down for a few days, I couldn't stay away from it and the ending will have you in tears and so proud of human kind. It is A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
meets The Glass Castle: A Memoir
(two of my all time favorite books!). I highly, highly recommend.Cranberry Queen
... a gift from a friend so I didn't know what to expect... but it's a heartwarming story about finding yourself and grief. A perfect beach or break read!2011
Loving Frank
... I had heard a lot of hype about this book. It's the story of Frank Lloyd Wright and his mistress Mamah Borthwick. It was an interesting but very tragic story. But despite the ending I loved the themes that the story discussed like women's rights and Chicago and of course, Wright's place in history as 'America's Architect'. I would highly recommend - just prepare yourself for a heart wrenching ending.The Reliable Wife
... I loved and hated this book. Part of me felt like it was predictable and unnecessarily 'steamy'. The other part of me loved the author's words and the story he painted. I would recommend this book but just wish it could have avoided the sex/drugs/violence/desperation a bit. I think a great story can be told without all that.The Giver
... an interesting book about an imaginary society that stretches your idea of society in general. A short and quick read.Clara and Mr. Tiffany: A Novel
... a fabulous book that takes place in early 1900's in New York City. Women working for Mr. Tiffany's glass company offers a unique view of the creative force behind the famed stained glass and mosaic pieces. It's also an inspiring tale of chasing your dreams, following your heart and living life to it's fullest. I loved every page of this book!The Night Circus
... amazing. I don't know what else to say. Read this!Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother
... a controversial book about one mother's choices in parenting style. I enjoyed the unique perspective of this book - it was 'don't take no for an answer', persevere at all costs and be true only to yourself. While I don't agree with all of the author's theories on parenting, I enjoyed and admired the unapologetic voice.Rules of Civility: A Novel
... a page turner with deep character development (my favorite attribute of a book) and an inside look at the glitz and glamour of New York City in it's hey day. I hope this book becomes a movie. This was one of my favorite reads of the year!Outliers: The Story of Success
... a non-fiction book on the statistics behind success and successful people. Intriguing and thought provoking.The Paris Wife: A Novel
... an intriguing look at the life of Ernest Hemingway and his marriage to his wife Hadely. This book was an interesting peek into the lives of authors that are now considered American classics. The book contains lots of name dropping and travel as well as the troubled lives that sometimes creatives live. Saving CeeCee Honeycutt: A Novel
... this book is part The Help and part Ya-Ya Sisterhood. A fun and quick read about a girl coming into her own in the South. It was a simple and sweet read.Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet
... residents in wartime Seattle suffer persecution. This was a heart warming story about a boy after the history of his father. It was also a really great love story.Women Food and God: An Unexpected Path to Almost Everything
... if you eat food and you are a woman - you need to read this. A fascinating look at how we view ourselves, our eating habits and our God. This is a book you can read again and again. LOVED this book.Lunch in Paris: A Love Story, with Recipes
... fun memoir slash cook book. A young gal moves to Paris to follow a boy and begins to cook and call Paris home.One Day (Vintage Contemporaries)
... this book is now a movie. I absolutely loved the wandering story line that covered several years of two friends turned lovers.Never Let Me Go
... a unique and almost disturbing (although it's not) book about life, love and choices... I don't want to give away the premise of this story. This is also a movie and a good one!American Rose: A Nation Laid Bare: The Life and Times of Gypsy Rose Lee
... I'm obsessed with historical fiction. This one was about a pair of sisters that were vaudeville performers. Set during an oft-forgetten time period - I enjoyed this book while it did feel a little slow moving at times.A Million Miles in a Thousand Years: How I Learned to Live a Better Story
... if you are human you need to read this. End of story. A fantastic book about creating your own life story.Lit: A Memoir (P.S.)
... a woman's memoir of her struggle with alcoholism. This book gave me a new-found respect for the disease that so many American's face. Truly an eye-opening book.Little Bee: A Novel
... a moving and riveting story. If you've heard anything about this book you have probably heard that it has a sad/bad ending. While that is true, it's also a great read.The Glass Castle: A Memoir
... a memoir from the author of Half Broke Horses. Both are stunningly written books about fascinating lives. There really aren't words to describe these amazing stories.2010 and before... I'll work on updating soon!
2 comments:
Hey Jill! Do you have a Kindle? I thought I read a while back you were thinking about getting one. I was wondering how you liked it since I have a Kindle on my Christmas list.
Yes! I did get a Kindle this fall and I LOVE it! I still read "regular" books from time to time if I find them at the library before the digital copies are available (my library 'rents' out digital ebooks that download right to my Kindle for FREE! so def check out if your local library system offers that!) I most like the portability of the Kindle, I take it with me while I wait at school pick up or on trips, etc. I even read it in the bathtub! Eeek! I put it in a plastic ziploc bag to keep it safe!
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