This was a good reading month for me. There were a couple of 5 star reads that I really enjoyed, but there was also some books that were just so-so to me.
Meg and Jo by Virginia Kantra
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I absolutely love “Little Women”! I read it so many times as a young girl and have seen all the movies, so when I heard this was a modern re-telling of it, I was excited to check it out. Well, it was just okay. Parts of it I did enjoy, but for the most part I felt like the author was trying to hard to make it “fit into” the “Little Women” story. I am glad I read it, but still love the original “Little Women” best!
The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This was my second Lisa Jewell book and I was hoping I would like it more than the first one. Well, I didn’t. I mean I wanted to keep reading to just see how it would end, but I wasn’t that invested in it. It wasn’t something that kept me spell-bound and wanting to stay awake to read. I think I’ll put Lisa Jewell on the back-burner for awhile and maybe try another one of her books later on in the distant future.
The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I have been on the waitlist for this book for awhile and was so excited when it became available. I had just read The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek that is also about the Pack Horse librarians of Kentucky and was excited that this book was about that same topic as well. It did not disappoint. I enjoyed the main two characters of the book and how starting this new venture impacted and changed their lives. Highly recommend if you like historical fiction and Jojo Moyes’ books!
The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Oh my! I absolutely loved this book! I love historical fiction especially ones that tie in historical fiction with a modern day story. This was a book that made me tear up several times throughout it and not always in sad way, but also in heart-warming ways as well. I did not want to put this book down and for a couple of days after finishing it, I was still thinking about the story and the characters. This will definitely be one of my favorite books of the year!
Winter Storms by Elin Hilderbrand
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
See below.
Winter Solstice by Elin Hilderbrand
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Last month I started reading the Winter Street Inn series by Elin Hilderbrand and quickly fell in love with the Quinn family! This was such a fun little series to read. I was sorry to see it come to a close, but look forward to reading more by this author in the future.
When Less Becomes More: Making Space for Slow, Simple, and Good by Emily Ley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I’ve been wanting to read this one for awhile and I am sorry I waited so long, but glad I read it at the beginning of the year. There was so much goodness in this about making things simple and slowing down and just enjoying life with your family. There is nothing new or groundbreaking in this book, but it was refreshing and gave me motivation to find contentment in what I have already and not keep searching/wishing for bigger and better things. That I can take time to just be still and enjoy the little things that make up life.
Regretting You by Colleen Hoover
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I was somewhat disappointed in this book. I had heard so many good things about it, but it just didn’t work for me. The storyline just seemed very predictable to me and I just didn’t fall in love with the characters. I wish I liked it more than I did, but unfortunately this Colleen Hoover book was not my favorite.
What have you been reading lately? Please share, because I’m always looking for more books to add to my TBR list!
Until next time….keep it simple!
Lindsey
The Things We Cannot Say has caught my attention… I’ve not read Regretting You but from what I’ve seen, most people don’t seem to be loving it either.
If you like historical fiction especially WWII time period, you should read it! I think you will enjoy it!
I enjoyed the Winter Stroll series, much more so than the current Winter in paradise series. I’m now waiting for the third and final book in that one. The Family Upstairs is my next read.
I will have to check out the Winter in Paradise series out! I am on such an Elin Hildebrand kick right now!
What other Lisa Jewell did you read before this one? I feel like I remember you talking about one but not sure which.
I am going to try Regretting You. Hopefully it will work for me!
Honestly I thought I had read another Lisa Jewell book, but I can not find which one it was. Now I’m wondering if I started one and never finished it. I hope you like Regretting You!
The Things We Cannot Say was one of my favorites of 2019. I have Regretting You on my library list…sorry you didn’t love it!
I LOVED The Things We Cannot say so much!! And Elin Hilderbrand is one of my favorite authors for summer reading.
I just picked up Regretting You from the library today. Sorry to hear you didn’t like it though. I usually love Hoover’s books. The Family Upstairs, The Giver of Stars and The Things We Cannot Say are all on my to read list.
Yay for a few 5 star reads. I have one book by Emily Ley that I hope to read this year.
Lauren
What was the other Lisa Jewell that you read?
Then She Was Gone was the most thriller-y. I Found You had a good story.
I just added Regretting You to my list.
Honestly I thought I had read another Lisa Jewell book, but I can not find which one it was. Now I’m wondering if I started one and never finished it.
I didn’t realize The Family Upstairs was a retelling of Little Women. I’ve seen other reviews that have gotten me interested in reading it, but none of them mentioned that. Thanks! Enjoy your month 🙂
oh, bummer about regretting you – i had heard such good things. the giver of stars is on my list, i have this awful habit of not reading books when i own them. i got a copy of that when i went to see jojo moyes talk when it came out and i *still* haven’t read it lol
You got to see Jojo Moyes?!? Oh I bet that was so fun!