I can't believe it - but I am really keeping up the reading streak so far this year! I am staying well ahead of my goal of 45 books; here we are at the end of April and I have already read 22 of 45! Something tells me I might just meet my goal! My books in April were a hodge-podge of memoirs, romantasy (that's what people call the romantic fantasy genre), rom-com style and a Christian author. Variety is the spice of life!
If I Don't Laugh, I'll Cry by Molly Stillman: Molly Stillman has lived the type of life that when shared, people stop in their tracks and ask, "Wait, what happened?" Molly's mother, Lynda Van Devanter Buckley served as an Army nurse during the Vietnam War and wrote the bestselling memoir, Home Before Morning. When Molly was seventeen, Lynda passed away after an eight-year battle with an autoimmune disorder due to her exposure to Agent Orange. Four years later, Molly turned twenty-one and unexpectedly inherited a quarter of a million dollars form her mother's estranged family's estate. Through "retail therapy" and a long series of grossly irresponsible financial decisions, Molly found herself broke with over $36,000 in credit card debt less than two years later. Shame, guilt and embarrassment set in.
With aspirations of a career in comedy, Molly used humor to mask the pain and brokenness she felt, believing that if she looked joyful and put together on the outside, it would eventually be true on the inside. Instead, she spent the next few years depressed, lonely and feeling alienated from those closest to her. But an unlikely call with a compassionate credit counselor, meeting the spreadsheet-loving man who eventually became her husband and a surprising visit to a church started her on a path that changed everything.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐of five: I really enjoyed this book! I was a reader of Molly's blog for almost ten years (I don't think it even exists anymore) and so excited to read more about her story. The book reads like a conversation with Molly and it's funny, full of joy and of course - some heartbreak - but overall, a really inspiring and easy read!
House of Sky and Breath by Sarah J. Maas: Bryce Quinlan and Hunt Athalar are trying to get back to normal - they may have saved Crescent City, but with so much upheaval in their lives lately, they mostly want a chance to relax. Slow down. Figure out what the future holds. The Asteri have kept their word so far, leaving Bryce and Hunt alone.
But with rebels chipping away at the Asteri's power, the threat the rulers pose is growing. As Bryce, Hunt, and their friends get pulled into the rebels' plans, the choice becomes clear: stay silent while others are oppressed, or fight for what's right. And they've never been very good at staying silent.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐of five: The second installment of three books in the Crescent City series; this book was really enjoyable and expanded the world of Crescent City with numerous new characters/the fleshing out of a ton of the characters. The storyline was engaging and of course; it ended on a cliff hanger! Luckily, I have the third book on hand to start soon!
Ready or Not by Cara Bastone: Eve Hatch is pretty content with her life. Her apartment in Brooklyn is cozy and close to her childhood best friend, Willa, but far from her midwestern, traditional family who never really understood her. While her job is only dream-adjacent, she's hoping her passion and hard work will soon land her a more glamorous role. And sure, her most recent romantic history has consisted of not one but two disappointing men named Derek. At least she always knows what to expect... until she finds herself expecting after an uncharacteristic one-night stand.
The unplanned pregnancy cracks open all the relationships in her life. Eve's loyal friendship with Willa is feeling off, right when she needs her most. And it's Willa's steadfast older brother, Shep, who steps up to help. He has always been friendly, but now he's checking in, ordering her surprise lunches, listening to all her complaints, and is... suddenly kind of hot? Then there's the baby's father, who is supportive but conflicted. Before long, Eve is rethinking everything she thought she knew about herself and her world.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐of five: I absolutely loved this book! It was a perfect rom-com and I wouldn't be surprised to see it turned into a rom-com one of these days (I wish). It was such a fun and easy read; I was through it in two days and had a bit of a book hangover when it was done because I loved the characters so much!
Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez: Justin has a curse, and thanks to a Reddit thread, it's now all over the internet. Every woman he dates goes on to find their soul mate the second they break up. When a woman slides into his DMs with the same problem, they come up with a plan: They'll date each other and break up. Their curses will cancel each other's out, and they'll both go on to find the love of their lives. It's a bonkers idea... and it just might work.
Emma hadn't planned that her next assignment as a traveling nurse would be in Minnesota, but she and her best friend agree that dating Justin is too good of an opportunity to pass up, especially when they get to rent an adorable cottage on a private island on Lake Minnetonka. It's supposed to be a quick fling, just for the summer. But when Emma's toxic mother shows up and Justin has to assume guardianship of his three siblings, they're suddenly navigating a lot more than expected - including catching real feelings for each other. What if this time Fate has actually brought the perfect pair together?
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐of five: Oh my goodness I loved this book! I think I have become hooked on all things Abby Jiménez; her books are just so real! She writes romantic comedies that play out in very real situations and include the hardships of day to day life! Her books are like a true fairy tale - if such a thing exists - and I am a huge fan!
Two O'clock on a Tuesday at Trevi Fountain by Helene Sula: Like many young professionals, Helene settled into a steady 9-5, watching the clock tick by and dreaming of seeing the world one day. But after a climbing incident leaves her bedbound for months, she finds a new voice connecting with others online and starts a blog to write about her true passion: travel. When her blog takes off and a sponsored trip overseas opens her eyes, she wonders: could she lead a stable life while traveling the world?
From skinny dipping in the icy Baltic and hiking Germany's storied Black Forest, to wrestling with visa applications and apartment hunting in medieval Heidelberg, Helene shares the realities - both the magical and the mundane - that come with chasing bold dreams and learning that home is where you make it. For those who fear change, the secret lies in taking calculated risks.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐of five: This book was such an easy and fun read! I am inspired by the way Helene and her husband have worked so hard to create a life that allows them to see the world; talk about a dream come true! I certainly love to travel myself, so I found all her adventures so exciting!
*****************************************************
That's all I've got for the month of April! It was a great book month and I'm looking forward to continuing my reading into the month of May... I already have a couple books lined up!
No comments:
Post a Comment