This month I didn't read a ton of books... due to reading one really LONG book. Then I peppered in a more medium length book and two very short books. It ended up being a really good balance for me... I also read two books by authors I've read before, both with different outcomes, which I found a little ironic. I will elaborate below. Without further ado, this is what I read this month!
A Well-Behaved Woman: A Novel of the Vanderbilts... This book was a fascinating look into William and Alva Vanderbilts' life and times during the Guilded Age in New York City. The book reminded me a bit of Downton Abbey in that it fully immerses you in another time and place and really sucks you in. The book follows both the big story lines of the times along with the scandalous little bits that goes along with it. While it a medium to longish length book I really enjoyed it start to finish. I also read Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald by the same author and really start to finish loved A Well Behaved Woman so much more. I often get my 'hopes up' for reading multiple books by the same author so I always think it's interesting to see how they compare.
The Royals... This is an older book, first published in1997 and since updated a little (not to present day), that is a MUST read for all Royal watchers. I am fascinated by the royal family and literally devoured this book even though its quite lengthy. This book is ALL the royal gossip, all in one place. If you are a royal watched I highly recommend this book that is based on personal interviews from staff and insiders behind the palace walls. If you've watched The Crown this cast of characters will be familiar to you and you will love the deeper dive to the story line. This book reads like one long, VERY juicy USWeekly article. One note is that I read this on my Kindle which made it difficult to view the family tree and included photos. This is worth snagging in the book form, unless you are traveling. Other royal inspired books I love are The Royal We and The Runaway Princess.
More than Words... by the author of The Light We Lost (perhaps one of my all time favorite reads!) I was really excited to check out this new book! I never love giving a book a "bad" review and while I won't say this book was terrible - I will say perhaps I overhyped it in my head because it left a lot to be desired. I found the storyline predictable (my pet peeve when it comes to books) and the ending to be quite abrupt - as in: 'that's it?!?' However I will say if you need a light and fluffy vacation read that is quick, this book fits the bill. The story takes place in NYC where the main character Nina, a hotel heiress, is dealing with the fall out of her father's death. When cancer takes her father sooner than they all expected her father leaves a web of lies and secrets behind for Nina to deal with, ultimately changing the course of her life forever. If you haven't read her first book yet - skip this one and go straight to The Light We Lost.
On Being 40(ish)... This is a darling book with short stories from women of all walks of life facing their 40s and beyond with grace and strength. This is a great little book to keep my your bed or bath to read a story here or there! And it's such a cute cover it would make a great gift too!
I had quite a few books I started in February but didn't get into... so I've been burnin through my library waitlist this month like crazy! I don't have a lot on deck for March (though I need to get it figured out for spring travel) but here are a few I have on the library waitlist right now!
What are you reading and loving lately? I would love to hear!
