Remember the days back when I actually used this blog to write about books? No? Me neither. Somewhere between having two babies under two and working three-ish jobs, I found myself opting for Bachelor in Paradise over the books on my shelf. It's a little sad, but I'm hopeful that our family will settle down into a little more of a routine and I will make more time for reading than I have in the last four months.
Here's what I did manage to read this summer (please don't judge):
Sweetbitter
by Stephanie Danler (★★★) | I listened to this audiobook back in May when I was driving a lot for work. I loved the familiarity and nostalgia that it stirred up in me as I was reminded of my days as a server back in college. For those who have worked in the food service industry, a lot of this will probably hit home. However, I found all of the characters annoying and the story was ultimately forgettable.
After You
by Jojo Moyes (★★★) | SPOILER ALERT. This sequel to "Me Before You" was a little disappointing to me. The book focuses on Louisa and how she finds her way after losing the love of her life, Will. Like most everyone else, I loved Me Before You, and cried huge, fat, ugly tears at its conclusion. However, I think the story should have ended there. The plot of "After You" felt weird, forced and uncreative.
Wildflower
by Drew Barrymore (★★★★) | I confess, I'm a sucker for celebrity memoirs. Drew's was sweet and I loved her positive take on what was not always an easy life for her. To hear her gush over her daughters is just the sweetest. I listened to the audiobook and there were parts where she would randomly scream that I found to be annoying, but for the majority of the book, I enjoyed listening to her story in her own words.
After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid (★★★★) | This was my first book of Reid's and I loved it. She has quickly become one of my favorite, go-to authors. This book chronicles the relationship of a couple who after their marriage reaches a breaking point, decide to separate for a year. I love that all of the characters felt familiar, the couple's issues didn't feel sugarcoated or fictional- it all just felt real. Highly recommend for fellow chick lit lovers.
Sorry Not Sorry by Naya Rivera (★★★) | I told you I'm weirdly into celebrity memoirs. Probably because they're the literary version of reality TV which is also a guilty pleasure of mine. Anyhow, I recognized Naya Rivera from Glee so I thought I would pick this up. I didn't love it and I didn't hate it. I don't think I would care for her in real life and I don't agree with a lot of the choices she made, but it was interesting enough.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid (★★★★★) | Loved it. Love, love, loved it. Because I love celebrity memoirs and this felt very much like the memoir of Marilyn Monroe or Elizabeth Taylor, I highly recommend this book. It's so well-written, sucks you in, and keeps surprising you until the very end.
The Magic of Motherhood by Ashlee Gadd (★★★★) | I've followed Ashlee's blog and her collaborative blog, Coffee + Crumbs for some time. Although I love both, I was hesitant to pick this up thinking that it was going to be over-the-top, cheesy, Chicken Soup for the Soul-type stuff. Please believe me when I say, it is so raw, so real, and so beautiful. This collection of essays about motherhood was fantastic. And if you subscribe to my newsletter, you know that one in particular really hit home with me.
Currently, I'm in between books. All of my library borrowed e-books came in at the same time, so I'm frantically trying to decide which to choose. I just finished The Hate U Give and I'm thinking about starting Of Mess and Moxie by Jen Hatmaker next. What are you reading?
Here's what I did manage to read this summer (please don't judge):
by Stephanie Danler (★★★) | I listened to this audiobook back in May when I was driving a lot for work. I loved the familiarity and nostalgia that it stirred up in me as I was reminded of my days as a server back in college. For those who have worked in the food service industry, a lot of this will probably hit home. However, I found all of the characters annoying and the story was ultimately forgettable.
After You by Jojo Moyes (★★★) | SPOILER ALERT. This sequel to "Me Before You" was a little disappointing to me. The book focuses on Louisa and how she finds her way after losing the love of her life, Will. Like most everyone else, I loved Me Before You, and cried huge, fat, ugly tears at its conclusion. However, I think the story should have ended there. The plot of "After You" felt weird, forced and uncreative.
Wildflower by Drew Barrymore (★★★★) | I confess, I'm a sucker for celebrity memoirs. Drew's was sweet and I loved her positive take on what was not always an easy life for her. To hear her gush over her daughters is just the sweetest. I listened to the audiobook and there were parts where she would randomly scream that I found to be annoying, but for the majority of the book, I enjoyed listening to her story in her own words.
After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid (★★★★) | This was my first book of Reid's and I loved it. She has quickly become one of my favorite, go-to authors. This book chronicles the relationship of a couple who after their marriage reaches a breaking point, decide to separate for a year. I love that all of the characters felt familiar, the couple's issues didn't feel sugarcoated or fictional- it all just felt real. Highly recommend for fellow chick lit lovers.
Sorry Not Sorry by Naya Rivera (★★★) | I told you I'm weirdly into celebrity memoirs. Probably because they're the literary version of reality TV which is also a guilty pleasure of mine. Anyhow, I recognized Naya Rivera from Glee so I thought I would pick this up. I didn't love it and I didn't hate it. I don't think I would care for her in real life and I don't agree with a lot of the choices she made, but it was interesting enough.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid (★★★★★) | Loved it. Love, love, loved it. Because I love celebrity memoirs and this felt very much like the memoir of Marilyn Monroe or Elizabeth Taylor, I highly recommend this book. It's so well-written, sucks you in, and keeps surprising you until the very end.
The Magic of Motherhood by Ashlee Gadd (★★★★) | I've followed Ashlee's blog and her collaborative blog, Coffee + Crumbs for some time. Although I love both, I was hesitant to pick this up thinking that it was going to be over-the-top, cheesy, Chicken Soup for the Soul-type stuff. Please believe me when I say, it is so raw, so real, and so beautiful. This collection of essays about motherhood was fantastic. And if you subscribe to my newsletter, you know that one in particular really hit home with me.
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Currently, I'm in between books. All of my library borrowed e-books came in at the same time, so I'm frantically trying to decide which to choose. I just finished The Hate U Give and I'm thinking about starting Of Mess and Moxie by Jen Hatmaker next. What are you reading?
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