Somehow between all the shuffling around this month – living in Missouri for a week, staying at a friend’s lake cottage for eleven days and finally closing on our new home in Michigan – I still managed to read quite a few books. Actually, books probably saved my sanity during this crazy transition period.
Last year I chose Trish Doller’s book Float Plan as one of my top reads for 2021. This month I read her new book The Suite Spot and I loved, loved, loved it! I could totally see this book being one of my top picks for 2022.
This is a sweet story about Rachel, a single-mom, who leaves her home in Florida to pursue her dream job of running a hotel. When she arrives on Kelleys Island she discovers the hotel isn’t even complete. Mason, the owner, is recently divorced, good-looking, and dealing with his own grief. Together, they set out to build the perfect brewery hotel and rebuild their lives.
This book isn’t cheesy or rated R. Just a sweet rom-com. I finished it in one day!
Here’s what else I read this month…
The Unsinkable Greta James by Jennifer E. Smith
I really enjoyed this book about Greta – a grieving rock star who is trying to find herself after the death of her mom and a public breakdown. She’s agreed to join her dad on the Alaskan cruise that he was supposed to take with her mom. Now she’s stuck on a cruise ship with the man who doesn’t understand her or her career choice. Their relationship is complicated. Will Greta find the courage to pick up her guitar again? Will the time at sea bring her closer to her dad or will they drift further apart?
We Are Not Like Them by Christine Pride and Jo Piazza
Jen is white. Riley is black. They’ve been best friends since they were little girls. Now adults, their friendship is put to the test when Jen’s husband, a police officer, is accused of shooting an unarmed black boy. Things become even more complicated when Riley, a local reporter, is given the high-profile story to cover.
Told from each woman’s point of view, this book tackles racism, police brutality and interracial friendship.
I decided to read this book after my friend Kenna recommended it to me. It’s a great book. It’s a heavy book. It covers deep, important topics that need to be addressed. However, it took me a long time to finish. Reading this book wasn’t an escape from the real world, like most books are – it almost felt like I was watching a long, never-ending newscast.
Paige’s Turn by Jennifer Peel
This book was exactly the light, cute, rom-com I needed to read after finishing such a heavy book about racism. Paige returns to the small beach town in Florida where she grew up to run her aunt’s bookstore. She reconnects with her brother’s best friend, Sam, also her childhood crush. This book is predictable and a fast read, but I was hooked from the moment I read bookstore and beach.
The Book of Cold Cases by Simone St. James
This was the perfect book to listen to on my long road trip to Michigan. Shea Collins is a true-crime blogger who finds herself interviewing Beth Greer, a woman who was acquitted of two murders in the late 70’s. The more Shea discovers about the Lady Killer Murders, the creepier her life gets. A great thriller with lots of twists. This book will leave you guessing with each turn of the page.
The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez
Rachel and Josh meet because their best friends are getting married. Despite how hard they try, they both fall hard for each other. But Rachel has rules and a secret – she can’t have children. She’s determined to keep Josh in the friend zone. But Rachel’s rules and sarcasm won’t deter Josh. He’s in love and he’s determined to win her over. This was a cute rom-com; but be warned, it’s definitely rated R. This is book one in a three book series.
Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
I had never read this book until Jackson and I read it together this month. It’s a sweet story about a girl named Opal and her dog, Winn-Dixie. Opal and her father have moved to a new town and she’s lonely. She finds companionship in the stray dog she found in a grocery store. Together, they make an eclectic group of new friends in their new town. Jackson and I watched the movie after we finished the book.
Undistracted by Bob Goff
Let’s face it, we live in a world full of distractions. When I saw this book I knew I wanted to read it. I’ll be honest, I didn’t love it, but I think that’s just me. I’ve had a hard time getting into non-fiction books lately. However, there were several great take aways from the book. For me, a much needed reminder that one of the biggest distractions in life is when we compare ourselves to others.
