I’m a huge bookworm and love to chill out with a good book. My favorite thing about winter is laying in the hammock, reading a book, and watching the kids play. I recently got into audiobooks and have been enjoying listening to the classics in the car with my kids. I want to share my love of reading with all of you too. So, let’s try something new. I’m going to start sharing reviews of the books I read each month. Hopefully, it will spark your interest and encourage you to pick up a book or try a new genre you wouldn’t typically read. Here are my most recent reads.
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Top Pick For The Month
People We Meet On Vacation by: Emily Henry
People We Meet On Vacation is one of my all-time favorite rom-coms. It is witty, fun, and smart all rolled into one. It is the perfect beach read.
Alex and Poppy. Unexpected best friends. Poppy is charismatic and full of wanderlust, while Alex is the play-it-safe kind of guy. Polar opposites in every way. Yet, isn’t it opposites that attract. From one summer vacation to the next, you watch this unspoken love affair and attraction come to life. You can’t help but root for them the whole way through.
Reviews of My February Reads
Salt To The Sea by: Ruta Sepetys
Salt To The Sea is equally heartbreaking and gut wrenching as it tells the story of a group of refugees fleeing from Russian troops during WWII. It’s the maritime tragedy we’ve never heard of.
The story follows four individuals from different backgrounds to outline the tragedy unfolding during World War II. Joana is a Lithuanian nurse who takes care of her group as they make their way to the coast. She wants to save everyone, the way she couldn’t save someone important to her. Florian, an artist and Prussian soldier, hiding from the Nazis to escape with a secret and stolen goods. There’s a young Polish girl, Emilia, who fantasies her story to protect her heart from the truth and motivate herself to make it out alive. And then there’s Albert, the Nazi soldier who wants to be honorable and brave, but is rather cowardly.
All four characters meet on the deck of the Wilhelm Gustloff, the German cruise liner that will take them to freedom. But will they make it to safety?
The Stand-In by: Lily Chu
The Stand In is light-hearted, fun, and an easy listen on audible. It mixes glitzy and glamour, with a dose of real life. A great car listen while you’re stuck in traffic or driving around town.
Gracie, a Chinese-Canadian, was just fired from her job when someone mistakes her for movie star, Wei Fangli. The resemblance between Grace and the movie star is uncanny, even to them. Wei Fangli is struggling with mental health issues and asks Gracie to pretend to be her for some public appearance. With the help of Sam, Wei Fangli’s best friend, Gracie plays the role of a lifetime. The only problem is, Gracie didn’t plan to fall in love with Sam.
The Set Up by: Falguni Kothari
The Set Up is another audible rom-com that is an easy car ride listen.
Aditi is a single, pediatric resident, who is focused on her career and making her grandfather proud. She has no interest in dating or an arranged marriage. Her hope is to fall madly in love and have a story like her parents and grandparents. One day after a long shit, she comes home to a proposition from her grandfather. Three dates. Reluctantly, Aditi agrees and goes on a date with the handsome Krishna. Their date goes horribly wrong, but on the second date they realize how their family’s history is intertwined.
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by: Mark Twain
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, the classic American novel, has been banned from the public school system but is must read for families. Follow the adventures of a runaway boy and an escaped slave as they seek to find freedom and civilization. There is so much history packed in the story that is great for young readers.
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by: Mark Twain
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is another one of Mark Twain’s great American novels. It has also been banned by the public school system because of language and racial content, however it has a lot of history packed in. Tom Sawyer is a mischievous schoolboy, growing up along the Mississippi River with his Aunt Polly and half-brother Sid. He finds himself in constant trouble and always seeking the next adventure.
Dear Edward by: Ann Napolitano
Dear Edward is a coming-of-age novel about a boy named Daniel Adler who is trying to figure out life after a tragedy.
One summer afternoon, a 12-year-old boy, his family, and 183 other passengers board a flight to Los Angeles. While on the flight, we meet some of the passengers and get a peek inside their lives. Tragically, the plan crashes and Edward is the sole survive. He moves in with his aunt and uncle and struggles to find a place in the world without his family.
Better Than A Box Of Chocolates by: Emily March
Better Than A Box Of Chocolates is a quick Valentine’s rom-com audible. An entertaining listen for in the car or while you’re cleaning.
Ali Lovejoy, photographer and Valentine’s Day loather, has a habit of hiding out in her pjs, alone, on V-Day. Her best friend asks her to photograph the reenactment of her engagement at a romantic location in the Colorado mountains and she can’t say no. The only catch is, the venue is only available on Valentine’s day. While scouting the location, she meets a man who just might put an end to her Valentines misery.
A Vineyard Valentine by: Nina Bocci
A Vineyard Valentine, another audible rom-com, is both funny and relatable. It’s a “I hate Valentines” kind of story.
Eloisa owns a family winery and every year they host a Valentine’s Day singles soiree. It’s one of their biggest money makers of the year. This year, she plans to spice it up a little bit. While her best friend, and marketing manager, hosts the big event, she hosts an anti-valentine’s day party. Her plan is to gather a group of like-minded people to celebrate their dislike for the holiday together. But, interesting things happen at her party. Things she never expected to happen.
Currently Reading
The Last Green Valley by: Mark Sullivan
The Making Of Us by: Lisa Jewell
Take Back Your Time by: Christy Wright
Okay, so clearly I was really into the rom-com and Valentine’s day audiobooks this month. My most recent reads this month were mostly audiobooks. I spent a lot of time in the car and decided to give them a shot. Turns out, I really enjoy listening to books while I drive. Have you gotten into audiobooks yet?
Did you find your next read or add something to your must read list? I always love to know what others are reading. If you’re a fellow bookworm, let’s connect on goodreads. Share your favorite books with me so I can add them to my list to read this year!
Let’s Get Connected!
[…] me joy. Reading forces me to slow down, disconnect, and step into another world. I just love it. Last month, I really got into audiobooks and I shared everything I read and listened too. I thought I would […]