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What's On My Book Shelf

What is this, a new post? How in the world did this happen? 

It's been 2 months since I've blogged..the longest gap I've ever had between posts in 3 years.

What's been going on around here? Life stuff, I guess. Stuff that just require my full attention and finding the time to do even my favorite things has been few and far between.

Moving into our dream house, work, work, work, kids starting school...it's a wonder I get anything done around here.

I have manged to read a couple great books amidst the craziness, so I thought I would dive back into blogging with some recommendations of books I've read lately and what is up next on the reading list. 

If you have read any of these, let me know what you think of them, I would love to read your thoughts! 





Who Do You Love by Jennifer Weiner- I always answer Jennifer Weiner when asked who my favorite author is. Jennifer W is, in the words of Lena Dunham, "the voice of our generation." She just speaks to me. So, as you do when your favorites come out with a new book, I pounced on it. And I am so glad I did. 

It's told from the alternating view points of Rachel and Andy and their life long love story, which I love because you get in depth looks from both sides. Rachel struggled through her life as a child and teen because of a heart problem, which is how she found herself talking to a young boy in a hospital when she was 8. After the boy was gone, Rachel received a love letter from Andy and never really stopped thinking about it. Fate brings them together again years later. It's like a modern day Harry Met Sally, except everyone has better hair and there's no wool coats and plaid everywhere. You keep wanting them to find each other again. The story about whether or not they'll end up together is a satisfying, endearing and emotional story that I really really enjoyed. 

 Oh, and Jennifer Weiner herself likes my review so that means it's legit. 




The Rumor by Elin Hilderbrand - I know the summer is over but this is the ultimate beach read. So if it wasn't already September and if you had a beach, you would be set. It made me wish so bad that Desperate Housewives was still on TV. I need Gabby and Bree back in my life so bad, but this book was a nice little substitute. Two best friends Madison and Grace are roughing the waters of their rich lives, mansions and secrets. Rough, huh? Yeah right. But you do have to feel sorry for them a little bit. Madison is a novelist with a major case of writer's block that leads her to buying an apartment to get away and write. Someone sees her going into the apartment with the realtor and rumor number 1 starts. Grace shows up at a garden club event with a totally hot landscaper and rumor number 2 takes off. And then there is Grace's husband who has a secret all his own that no one sees coming.

It's just a great read you can probably finish over the weekend when you're relaxing and just want to get away to Nantucket for a little bit. 

Summer Secrets by Jane Green- What is it with me and these juicy summertime reads? Apparently I love them because that's the pattern I am on. This story, however, is a little moodier than the others. Cat is an alcoholic. What's worse, at one point, she doesn't even know it or won't admit it. This is the story of how Cat fights to live a normal life, and the story follows along as she tries to pick up the various pieces that her addiction leaves shattered in its path of destruction. 


Here's what I'm currently reading: 



Rising Strong by Brene Brown- I first fell in love with Brene Brown from TED Talks and now I love her books. You just need some soul food once and a while, you know?

Infinite Home by Kathleen Alcott- I chose to this because it kept showing up again and again on my Goodreads recommendations and plus I really liked the cover. However, once I read the sample I know I had to read it- I didn't even know what it was really about I just loved the style of the writing so much. I love stories with several layers that all have something in common and are somehow connected. The connection in Infinite Home is Edith, a landlady who houses a collection of misfits in her apartments. They each have their own stories of struggle, love, disappointment, and need for human connection and comfort. They are living separate lives until they realize that Edith needs help. 

It's a beautifully written story that I am really excited to dive further into!  

And what's up next? I picked up a copy of East of Eden at a used book story because I've always wanted to read it so I figured if I had a copy of it in the house I would eventually find the time to read it. 

For even more great book ideas, head over to Life According to Steph for Show Us Your Book Tuesday 

When I'm not reading, I'll be happily putting up fall decor in our new house and hopefully painting our living room and bathrooms. I can't stopping browsing Pinterest for more floating shelf ideas and mantle decor tips. If you need me, I'll be here: 



Comments

  1. I loved The Rumor, it's one of my favorite Hilderbrand books. She puts out great summer reads.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Looks like we had similar reads lately. I was excited when Jennifer Weiner favorited my tweet too. I hope it was her and not her people!!

    My best friend just told me I had to read Brene Brown.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I would totally die if a favorite author interacted with me on twitter.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I added Infinite Home to my list. Once, I had Rainbow Rowell favorite a post of mine on twitter, and I was giddy for days.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Whenever an author favorites or responds to a tweet of mine, I freak out. I had a brief chat with Caroline Kepnes, who wrote You, and I was giddy for days. DAYS.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I read The Rumor earlier this summer in 2 days. It's basically an easy read book that you bring to the beach.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I've never read any of Jennifer Weiner's work, but if you say she's grand I'll trust you! Can't wait to try something new :)

    ReplyDelete

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