I’ve kicked off a new year of reading and I’m feeling good about my book choices. I finished six books this month and quit three.
Yep, I’m not wasting time on books I don’t love. If they don’t have me hooked pretty quickly, I’m dropping them.
I would rather read fewer, great books than more mediocre ones.
Here’s what I’ve been reading lately…
The Hotel Nantucket by Elin Hilderbrand
I normally read the newest Elin book as soon as it’s released, but after learning there was a ghost in this book it set on my shelf for months. Her last book had a ghost. I just wasn’t sure I wanted to read another book with a ghost. I decided to give it a try because it was listed as a book choice for the The Book Girl’s Guide Read Around the USA Challenge.
I love Elin’s writing style. She makes me fall in love with her characters. I didn’t love the fact that a ghost haunts the hotel, but it didn’t ruin the book for me. It’s not my favorite Elin book, but it’s worth the read if you’re a fan. It also didn’t feel like much of a beach read like so many of her books do, so I’m glad I didn’t save it for my beach vacay in March. MY RATING: 4/5 STARS
Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score
This book is a spicy romance with depth. I fell in love with the characters; even grumpy Knox. Naomi Witt has spent her life cleaning up her twin sister’s messes. This time her sister has left Naomi her daughter. Naomi’s perfectly planned life has fallen apart – she’s a runaway bride, responsible for an eleven-year-old and apparently not welcome in the small town of Knockemout.
*This book is definitely rated R for language and sexual content. MY RATING: 5/5 STARS
Spare by Prince Harry
I decided to listen to the audio book and I’m so glad I did. I think hearing Prince Harry tell his story made it even better. This is a story of heartbreak, trauma, bravery, breaking generations of toxic cycles. It’s a story about Harry discovering who he truly is. This book is divided into three sections and covers his childhood and mother’s death, his time in the military and finally his marriage and decision to leave the Royal Family. It took courage to tell his story. I applaud Prince Harry for wanting a better future for his children. MY RATING: 5/5 STARS
The Banned Bookshop of Maggie Banks by Shauna Robinson
Maggie doesn’t remember the last book she read, but she’s determined to help her best friend run her struggling bookstore. There’s just one problem – she can’t sale the latest best sellers. She’s been banned from selling good books. Maggie isn’t one to follow the rules, so she gets creative to save her friend’s store. A secret book club. Forbidden book sales. Will it be enough?
This was a cute, quick read. MY RATING: 3/5 STARS
Just the Nicest Couple by Mary Kubica
This one wasn’t getting great reviews, but I loved her book Local Girl Missing and wanted to give her new release a chance. I’m glad I did. I was pretty hooked from the start. I knew there was more to the story then Lily defending herself and thinking she accidentally killed her friends husband. I honestly couldn’t figure out where the story was headed and had to keep reading. Several of the characters gave me creepy vibes. Lots of unexpected revelations as one couple tries to cover up a potential murder and a wife searches for his missing husband. MY RATING: 5/5 STARS
I Guess I Haven’t Learned that Yet by Shauna Niequist
I’m not really sure what made me decide to pick up this book. I absolutely loved Shauna’s book Present Over Perfect when I read it several years ago. This book was okay. It wasn’t life changing, but it did offer nuggets of encouragement that I found myself highlighting. I connected with the parts about living a small, simple life. Realizing it’s okay to change. That less is more – stuff, people, etc. Finding joy in the smallest of things. I also appreciated her vulnerability sharing about her body image struggles at the age of 45. MY RATING: 3/5 STARS
