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Well, I never was very good at pacing myself. What do you say we just finish this thing in one foul swoop?

Buckle up, I have a lot of books to tell you about.

Thanks for reading with me!

~AT

The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty

3.4/5 Stars

I know what you’re thinking: am I going to be super suspicious of my husband while I read this? The answer is -yes. Is it worth it? Well, if you appreciate a well crafted story with shocking twists and inter-tangled webs, then yes.

In this story Moriarty takes a deeper look into those “perfect little families” and the secrets that no one else knows… sometimes not even the wife. This is the perfect light mystery to dive into.

Things You Save in A Fire by Katherine Center

3.5/5 Stars

Another great light read for vacation or a long weekend. Center challenges the idea of cultural and gender norms through the story of a female fire fighter, and the obstacles she has to face to not only make it in a male-central career, but also at a male-only firehouse.

This story follows all the rules of a romance- take that as you will. The dialogue made me cringe just a little– but hey, once again, a romance. Nevertheless, this book was a quick read, and it certainly kept me turning the pages.

Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane

4.5/5 Stars

Brilliant- this book was brilliant. The way Keane explores the hard topics of mental health, nature, nurture, and how it all impacts relationships… brilliant!

This is the type of story that keeps you engaged even if you aren’t exactly flying through the pages. But more than that, this is the type of book that your mind returns to for weeks after you finish it. Definitely a book to have on your list, especially if you’re interested in the many layers of the mind and health.

The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris

3.5/5 stars

As far as historical fiction goes, you can’t beat a solid WWII story, as far as WWII novels go, this one was solid, but I think there are much better contenders in the running.

The WWII genre is a hard one to compete with in terms of story and character., The story was unique, and the characters were relatable , but this was not exactly a book that will stick with me for years to come.

The Last Book Party by Karen Dukess

3/5 Stars

A book for book lovers, clearly written by a book lover. This book was a fun, fierce, and interesting view into the late 1980’s world of publishing.

While this book was an interesting view into a unique story, there were times that it could really drag out. If you are an avid fan of 1980’s literature and really want to see the underlying secrets of that world, then this could be a great book for you. If not, you might be better off with another story.

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

4.5/5 stars

“To live each day as if it had been stolen from death. That is how I would like to live.”

Oh man. Cuddle your fur babies close, and dive into this sweet world with the goodest boy! The Art of Racing the Rain is an heart-warming tale of love and loyalty on multiple dimensions.

I took a few days to process this book. It’s definitely one to make you want to hold your family and your pups a little closer. Is it perfect? no. There are plenty of moments where you stop and think? “Oh a dog would never think that,” but the love and loyalty between Enzo and Denny is something that any dog owners knows, and that was captured beautifully in this book. The Art of Racing the Rain took hard topics and presented them beautifully through the eyes of a wise old dog. It is one of those books that you genuinely feel better in your soul for having read it.

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

4/5 stars

Endearing- that’s the absolute best way I can describe this story, and that’s the only reason I can possibly recommend that you push through the first 200 pages, which unfortunately, was a bit of an uphill climb, to come to the heartfelt climax and conclusion of this story. The unique characters and the meaningful conversations work together so well to make an incredibly impactful novel.

As mentioned before, it took me about half the book to really get into it, and that’s about 150 pages more than I typically give most books, but I promise if you just hang with this story to that midway point you’ll fly through the rest.

Dominicana by Angie Cruz

4/5 Stars

This book broke all the rules. Admittedly, when I first started, I was hesitant to keep reading, because the structure and lack of (what I consider) appropriate grammar and quotation marks made me uncomfortable.

As I trudged through, I realized that this is all apart of the point being made. Everyone needs to read things that make them a little uncomfortable, stories that feel incredibly unfamiliar.

This coming of age story is like no other as Ana struggles to become a woman, a wife, and a mother at the young age of 15. It is truly empowering to walk along this young woman as she finds her voice, her strength, and her independence.

Recursion by Blake Crouch

4.5/5 Stars

I’ve never been a huge fan of science fiction, but this novel absolutely blew me away. It explored the philosophy of time and memory, and how both of these things can absolutely torture the soul.

I don’t even know how to explain this novel without giving it all away. I’ll just leave you with this- If you like science fiction, read this book. If you don’t like science fiction- read this book.

Juliet Naked by Nick Hornby

3.5/5 Stars

Cute, quirky, witty. Those are the three words I choose to describe this book. Hornby creates fascinating characters, and allows these characters, their goofy personalities, and their passions to drive the entire book.

It’s is by no means the best book I read this year, but the writing is solid, and the plot is a fun journey.

Unplanned by Abby Johnson

4/5 Stars

And this is where I lose my readers… but if you are interested in keeping an open mind, hear me out.

I hate to be preached at, no matter what side is being preached, and because of that, I was hesitant to read this book. However, there was so much buzz, that I thought I would give it a chance.

This book did not preach. It was simply her experience with a controversial topic. She shared about her time at Planned Parenthood, shared about all the good she saw there, and also some of the things that just didn’t sit right with her.

She shared the good and evil she experienced on both sides of the choice vs. life argument. This is a challenging book, and it is uncomfortable to read no matter what side of the platform you stand on, but I do think it was worth my time, and if you are interested in the topic, it could be worth your time as well.

The Winter Street Series by Elin Hilderbrand

4/5 stars

The Quin family. I was honored to spend four whole novels with them. You will absolutely fall in love with this family as you enter each of their unique perspectives to deal in both hardship and joy.

This series was the perfect holiday read- even if I started it way before the holiday. Hilderbrand is master at putting you right there in the drama to enjoy Christmas in Nantucket with the owner of the Inn and his goofy little family.

Winter in Paradise Series by Elin Hilderbrand

4/5 stars

I warned you guys earlier, this year I was introduced to Elin Hilderbrand, and I became obsessed with her quick and engaging reads.

This series has yet to let me down. In true Elin fashion these books promise drama, likeable characters, and plenty of scandal. Hurry up and read these two, number three in this series is coming at you this fall!

Night Music by Jojo Moyes

4/5 Stars

JoJo Moyes never lets me down. While I wouldn’t necessarily chart this as one of her best, it was certainly by no means bad.

Reasons I love this book and author?

Moyes’ strong women characters are incredible. She always creates a world with the most unique and inspiring of women.

Her writing style always keeps me engaged by switching points of view pretty regularly.

And finally, her research is always there. In this book, it was the beloved mayhem of renovating an old home. But not matter the story line, the time period, the crisis, there is never a moment where you think a little more research should have been conducted. Moyes always seems to deliver.

This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger

4/5 Stars

The Strays by Emily Bitto

4/5 Stars

Art and scandal, family and friendships. This book explores it all and how it all can effect the lives of children growing up in the midst of it.

In a sense this is a coming of age novel, in another sense it is so much more. It is a deep exploration of humanity and desires, and how this can impact others when explored selfishly.

The Giver of the Stars by Jojo Moyes

Another Jojo Moyes, so you know it’s going to be good, and guess what? It was.

This is the perfect story for book lovers, for strong women, for independent souls.

Set in the depression-era, this is based off the true story of women who trudged all through the mountains of Kentucky to deliver books to the community.

While on this trek, in true Jojo fashion, the women establish an independence and strength in a world determined to oppress them. Truly an incredible historical fiction novel.

Things My Son Needs to Know About the World by Frederick Backman

4/5 stars

Backman is just so darn endearing, so you better beleive that a novel written as a letter to his infant son is guaranteed to gear up all the feels.

This book is exactly what the title declares it to be- a whole letter touching on all of the things he beleives his son needs to know about life from what Futbol teams to pull for to how to best navigate Ikea.

It was beautifully written, incredibly witty, and so full of love and admiration for his child. I don’t even have kids and my heart was warmed by this short book of essays. It is definitely a read to add to your list if you’re a new parent. Also congrats!

All the Ugly and Wonderful Things by Bryn Greenwood

3.5/5 Stars

This book was hard to stomach. The writing was well-crafted, but the subject matter was incredibly uncomfortable.

Full disclosure, this is a love story, but the story starts when the man is a young adult, and the girl is a child.

I can see the thought behind it- love conquers all, age is just a number, all that stuff. But the vsual was just too much for me. I managed to make it all the way through- it was a slow process, but it will definitely take a VERY open mind to be able to push through this book.

The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell

4.5/5 stars

I had the immense privilege of reading a Lisa Jewell novel in January and one in December, and I was completely baffled by both.

The way Jewell explores psychology, family, and mental dynamics is mind blowing. She creates unique characters and leads you down a million different paths.

If you are like me, and you love a good thriller, but you are also prone to nightmares, her books are the perfect match, as they as way more psychological than thriller, but so very addicting.

American Wife by Taya Kyle

4/5 stars

I read her husband’s book earlier this year, and I knew I needed to know more about this brave and heroic family.

Battles don’t just exist in the war zone, the family of these heroes face so much on this side of the world, and this should be recognized.

American wife is a story of love and strength through some unfathomable circumstances. If you enjoyed American Sniper, this book is the perfect way to see behind the scenes of it all.

The Gifted School by Bruce Holsinger

4.5/5 stars

Everyone wants to be the best- and everyone wants their kids to be the best. This is a deep dive into how petty parents can actually get.

This book explores what happens in a small town when kids are given the option to test into a new “gifted school.” parents go nuts putting outrageous amounts of pressure on their kids.

This book is such an interesting outloook on the pressures thats parents can put on theri kids, and the ways it can affect them.

Wild Game by Adrienne Brodeur

4/5 stars

I was actually listening to this audbile book while reading The Gifted School, and the two books seemed to go hand and hand.

This is a memoir by a woman who was forced to keep her mother’s affair a secret for years. Brodeur explores how the pressure of being her mother’s confidant weighed on her and her choices for years following. It also explores the idea of what a kid will do to get their parent’s approval, and how this can damage relationships for the rest of their lives.

It’s an interesting view into humanity, parenting, and how the two aspects go hand in hand.

The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary

3.5/5 stars

Just another fun, quick, quirky read for your trip to the beach or relaxing weekend.

This is a goofy romance of two people who shared a flat, but never saw each other due to different work schedules.

Obviously, their interactions are hilarious when they finally do meet, as is their entire relationship.