Rating: 5 out of 5
If You Like: Marriage Helping Books, Comedy, Autobiographies
Similar To: Scrappy Little Nobody, The Magnolia Story, Capital Gaines
Ages: 18-100
I chose this book on a whim after reading a Buzzfeed article that had a picture of the first page of this book beginning on page 145. Someone in the comments had mentioned the title of the book pictured and I requested it from the library without even doing any research to see what it was really about.
Paul Reiser is a funny guy who shares a lot of little tidbits of information about relationships, marriage, and life itself. He had me nodding my head in agreement and it was uncanny how much I could relate to nearly everything he mentioned. I especially liked the part where he mentioned how one person in a marriage is always hot while the other is huddled up in a blanket and freezing cold. It was almost as if Reiser was a fly on the wall of my living room.
This book was written in 1994 and it goes to show that couples are the same now as they were 24 years ago.
Friday, September 21, 2018
Wednesday, September 19, 2018
Attachments by Rainbow Rowell
Rating: 4 out of 5
If You Like: Romance
Similar To: You've Got Mail
Ages: 13-100
I'm not really a huge fan of the Rainbow Rowell books I have read in the past, but I enjoyed this one quite a bit. I still feel like all of Rowell's novels drag on and then all of the action in the story line is crammed into the last few chapters of the book, but this one was a little better.
Lincoln works internet security for a newspaper. His job is to read and monitor employee emails that get flagged for content and then send them a warning. Lincoln doesn't care for his job, but one day he gets an email conversation between two ladies named Jennifer and Beth. He finds them so funny and entertaining that he doesn't send out the warning email that he is supposed to. Instead, he keeps reading their emails and starts to feel a genuine connection to two people who he has never met. He finds friendship in the vending machine lady, Doris, who was my personal favorite character. She gives him advice and helps him sort out the romantic feelings he develops for Beth.
This is a quick and cute read read half from emails between Beth and Jennifer and half from Lincoln's perspective.
If You Like: Romance
Similar To: You've Got Mail
Ages: 13-100
I'm not really a huge fan of the Rainbow Rowell books I have read in the past, but I enjoyed this one quite a bit. I still feel like all of Rowell's novels drag on and then all of the action in the story line is crammed into the last few chapters of the book, but this one was a little better.
Lincoln works internet security for a newspaper. His job is to read and monitor employee emails that get flagged for content and then send them a warning. Lincoln doesn't care for his job, but one day he gets an email conversation between two ladies named Jennifer and Beth. He finds them so funny and entertaining that he doesn't send out the warning email that he is supposed to. Instead, he keeps reading their emails and starts to feel a genuine connection to two people who he has never met. He finds friendship in the vending machine lady, Doris, who was my personal favorite character. She gives him advice and helps him sort out the romantic feelings he develops for Beth.
This is a quick and cute read read half from emails between Beth and Jennifer and half from Lincoln's perspective.
The Status of All Things by Liz Fenton
Rating: 5 out of 5
If You Like: Romance, Time Travel
Similar To: When We First Met, Ghosts of Girlfriend's Past
Ages: 13-100
This book was super cheesy, but I loved it.
What would you do if you could change your past by going back in time and rewriting it on Facebook? That's exactly what Kate gets to do when her fiance, Max, calls their wedding off the night of the rehearsal dinner. Kate is granted a magic wish and gets to go back knowing to try to change her fate. The problem is that not everything is going the way she had hoped. This book begs the question; can you really change fate?
If You Like: Romance, Time Travel
Similar To: When We First Met, Ghosts of Girlfriend's Past
Ages: 13-100
This book was super cheesy, but I loved it.
What would you do if you could change your past by going back in time and rewriting it on Facebook? That's exactly what Kate gets to do when her fiance, Max, calls their wedding off the night of the rehearsal dinner. Kate is granted a magic wish and gets to go back knowing to try to change her fate. The problem is that not everything is going the way she had hoped. This book begs the question; can you really change fate?
All We Ever Wanted by Emily Giffin
Rating: 4 out of 5
If You Like: Drama, Law, A Little Bit of Romance
Ages: 13-100
Emily Giffin novels are hit and miss for me, but I really enjoyed this one. Although it is a little bit different from her previous novels, it had a similar feel even though the sole focus of this book wasn't a romance.
Nina and her husband Kirk are very wealthy, but they couldn't be more different about how they portray themselves. Nina is humble about her wealth and Kirk flaunts it. Their life seems picture perfect until their son, Finch, posts a scandalous photo on social media of a girl at his school named Lyla. The photo spreads and Lyla's Dad, Tom gets involved and reports Finch to the school. Kirk tries to pay off Tom, but Nina tries to connect with him on a personal level. They search for the truth together and want to make sure that justice is served.
If You Like: Drama, Law, A Little Bit of Romance
Ages: 13-100
Emily Giffin novels are hit and miss for me, but I really enjoyed this one. Although it is a little bit different from her previous novels, it had a similar feel even though the sole focus of this book wasn't a romance.
Nina and her husband Kirk are very wealthy, but they couldn't be more different about how they portray themselves. Nina is humble about her wealth and Kirk flaunts it. Their life seems picture perfect until their son, Finch, posts a scandalous photo on social media of a girl at his school named Lyla. The photo spreads and Lyla's Dad, Tom gets involved and reports Finch to the school. Kirk tries to pay off Tom, but Nina tries to connect with him on a personal level. They search for the truth together and want to make sure that justice is served.
In Search Of Us by Ava Dellaira
Rating: 4 out of 5
If You Like: Coming of Age Novels, Romance, A Good Cry
Similar To: Nicholas Sparks novels but actually pretty unique
Ages: 13-100
This book was unlike anything else I had read. I loved the alternating story lines between mother (Marilyn) and daughter (Angie).
Marilyn grew up with a mother who wanted her to make it big as an actress. When Marilyn is seventeen, her mother and her move in with Marilyn's alcoholic uncle in Los Angeles so that she can accomplish the dream that Marilyn's mother, Sylvia, has planned. While there Marilyn meets a boy her age named James and she falls in love with both him and his family Years later (in Angie's timeline), we find out that Marilyn no longer lives near Los Angeles and works a regular job that provides for her seventeen year old daughter, Angie.
Angie grew up without a father. Her mother has always had a hard time talking about it, but Angie has been told that her father and his brother died in a car accident when they were young. Angie snoops through her mother's things and finds some clues about her father and his family and she enlists an old boyfriend to drive her hundreds of miles in search of her past.
This story was devastatingly beautiful and I would recommend that everyone reads this book.
If You Like: Coming of Age Novels, Romance, A Good Cry
Similar To: Nicholas Sparks novels but actually pretty unique
Ages: 13-100
This book was unlike anything else I had read. I loved the alternating story lines between mother (Marilyn) and daughter (Angie).
Marilyn grew up with a mother who wanted her to make it big as an actress. When Marilyn is seventeen, her mother and her move in with Marilyn's alcoholic uncle in Los Angeles so that she can accomplish the dream that Marilyn's mother, Sylvia, has planned. While there Marilyn meets a boy her age named James and she falls in love with both him and his family Years later (in Angie's timeline), we find out that Marilyn no longer lives near Los Angeles and works a regular job that provides for her seventeen year old daughter, Angie.
Angie grew up without a father. Her mother has always had a hard time talking about it, but Angie has been told that her father and his brother died in a car accident when they were young. Angie snoops through her mother's things and finds some clues about her father and his family and she enlists an old boyfriend to drive her hundreds of miles in search of her past.
This story was devastatingly beautiful and I would recommend that everyone reads this book.
Capital Gaines: Smart Things I Learned Doing Stupid Stuff by Chip Gaines
Rating: 5 out of 5
If You Like: Autobiographies, Funny Stuff
Similar To: The Magnolia Story, Scrappy Little Nobody
Ages: 13-100
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If you have read The Magnolia Story by Chip and Joanna Gaines, this has some similarities. There were still enough unique stories to make this new and interesting, although I wouldn't mind listening to both this book and The Magnolia Story again.
I'm so fascinated by The Gaines family. Chip and Joanna are living the dream and have a real life love story. I loved hearing both their good moments and their bad ones. They are real people trying to figure out life just like the rest of us.
One thing I loved is that Chip Gaines (along with some small appearances from his wife Joanna) narrates the audio book and I just love hearing his stories in his own voice.
To All The Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
If You Like: Cheesy YA Romance
Similar To: Hallmark Christmas Movies
Ages: 12-50
I have had this book series on my "to read" list for years. I recently watched the Netflix movie and thoroughly enjoyed how wonderfully cheesy it is. I know that movies and books always tend to differ (usually books are better), but this time I wish the book was as good as the movie.
Everyone who watched the movie just swoons over Peter, and he was sweet in the movie, but I cannot stand the Peter in the book. I'm over his too cool to care attitude and his ego that makes him think Lara Jean would be lucky to date him. The more I read this book, the more I disliked Peter and thought I couldn't imagine him coming back in my mind once I reached a certain extent of dislike. I was right. I started the second book and I still don't like him. To be honest, Lara Jean isn't that likable either. She's pretty naive, but love does strange things to a teenage girl. I felt like Lara Jean's sisters, Kitty and Margot were also pretty whiny. The only likable character in the book for me was Josh, and at first I secretly hoped that Lara Jean would end up with him even though he dated her sister, but now I think Josh deserves better than any of the Covey sisters.
I'm making this book sound worse than it is. It's actually a quick and fun read. It's exactly what you might think: a cheesy teen romance. Despite this review I still feel like I need to read the two sequels so onto P.S. I Still Love You...
If You Like: Cheesy YA Romance
Similar To: Hallmark Christmas Movies
Ages: 12-50
I have had this book series on my "to read" list for years. I recently watched the Netflix movie and thoroughly enjoyed how wonderfully cheesy it is. I know that movies and books always tend to differ (usually books are better), but this time I wish the book was as good as the movie.
Everyone who watched the movie just swoons over Peter, and he was sweet in the movie, but I cannot stand the Peter in the book. I'm over his too cool to care attitude and his ego that makes him think Lara Jean would be lucky to date him. The more I read this book, the more I disliked Peter and thought I couldn't imagine him coming back in my mind once I reached a certain extent of dislike. I was right. I started the second book and I still don't like him. To be honest, Lara Jean isn't that likable either. She's pretty naive, but love does strange things to a teenage girl. I felt like Lara Jean's sisters, Kitty and Margot were also pretty whiny. The only likable character in the book for me was Josh, and at first I secretly hoped that Lara Jean would end up with him even though he dated her sister, but now I think Josh deserves better than any of the Covey sisters.
I'm making this book sound worse than it is. It's actually a quick and fun read. It's exactly what you might think: a cheesy teen romance. Despite this review I still feel like I need to read the two sequels so onto P.S. I Still Love You...
Tuesday, September 11, 2018
Foolish Hearts by Emma Mills
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
If You Like: Teen Romance
Similar To: Sarah Dessen Novels
Ages: 13-100
There was a lot going on in this book, a lot of different interacting stories and a lot of different characters, and although I might not normally like that, it seemed to work for me.
The main character, Claudia goes to an all girls school that is situated right across a field from an all boys school. Claudia's brother, Alex, her best friend, Zoe, and her sister Julia and Julia's husband, Mark all play an online computer game similar to Dungeons and Dragons. Claudia has her people and keeps to herself in school. She has some acquaintances and gets along with pretty much everyone but doesn't really have any close friends at her school until a failed project causes her to join a play with the girl she can't stand to be around, Iris. The play is between both the all girls school and the all boys school. During the course of the play, Claudia branches outside of her little circle and finds friendships (and maybe even a little romance) in unlikely places. This book is about realizing what really matters and taking risks that might get you hurt but might also be the best choice you could have ever made.
Emma Mills is very quickly becoming one of my favorite authors, alongside Meg Cabot, Nicholas Sparks, and Sarah Dessen. There is just something about the simplicity of a cheesy teen romance, and this gave me everything I wanted. I would recommend this and Emma Mills's other two novels.
If You Like: Teen Romance
Similar To: Sarah Dessen Novels
Ages: 13-100
There was a lot going on in this book, a lot of different interacting stories and a lot of different characters, and although I might not normally like that, it seemed to work for me.
The main character, Claudia goes to an all girls school that is situated right across a field from an all boys school. Claudia's brother, Alex, her best friend, Zoe, and her sister Julia and Julia's husband, Mark all play an online computer game similar to Dungeons and Dragons. Claudia has her people and keeps to herself in school. She has some acquaintances and gets along with pretty much everyone but doesn't really have any close friends at her school until a failed project causes her to join a play with the girl she can't stand to be around, Iris. The play is between both the all girls school and the all boys school. During the course of the play, Claudia branches outside of her little circle and finds friendships (and maybe even a little romance) in unlikely places. This book is about realizing what really matters and taking risks that might get you hurt but might also be the best choice you could have ever made.
Emma Mills is very quickly becoming one of my favorite authors, alongside Meg Cabot, Nicholas Sparks, and Sarah Dessen. There is just something about the simplicity of a cheesy teen romance, and this gave me everything I wanted. I would recommend this and Emma Mills's other two novels.
Tuesday, July 10, 2018
The Cafe by the Sea by Jenny Colgan
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
If You Like: Romance, Finding Yourself Novels
Similar to: Sweet Home Alabama
Ages: 13-100
After having read The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan, I was looking for another sweet and cheesy romance book. This book isn't what I was looking for exactly, but it was still a pleasant book. I felt like it was more about finding yourself and getting back to your roots rather than romance. There were still a few bits of romance to satisfy your cravings, but I just wanted something a littler more.
Ever since Flora's mom passed away, she has lived in London as a lawyer. She comes from a background in Scotland where her father and brothers farm their family owned land and their mother used to cook everything before she passed away. A client, Colton, owns a property in Flora's hometown and recruits Flora to help him get the locals to like him.
Flora comes back to the home she grew up in and finds that her father and brother's need her more than she ever expected. Add in some delicious descriptions of food, a cute dog, and a couple of romances and you have yourself a complete feel good novel.
If You Like: Romance, Finding Yourself Novels
Similar to: Sweet Home Alabama
Ages: 13-100
After having read The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan, I was looking for another sweet and cheesy romance book. This book isn't what I was looking for exactly, but it was still a pleasant book. I felt like it was more about finding yourself and getting back to your roots rather than romance. There were still a few bits of romance to satisfy your cravings, but I just wanted something a littler more.
Ever since Flora's mom passed away, she has lived in London as a lawyer. She comes from a background in Scotland where her father and brothers farm their family owned land and their mother used to cook everything before she passed away. A client, Colton, owns a property in Flora's hometown and recruits Flora to help him get the locals to like him.
Flora comes back to the home she grew up in and finds that her father and brother's need her more than she ever expected. Add in some delicious descriptions of food, a cute dog, and a couple of romances and you have yourself a complete feel good novel.
A Whole New World by Liz Braswell
Rating: 0 out of 5 stars
If You Like: Aladdin, but have never read any other fiction novel, maybe
Similar to: Aladdin
Ages: 13-40
If I could give this book zero stars, I would. I got about 7/8 of the way through this book and finally gave up. I'm not a quitter, and have read many awful books all of the way through in hopes that the ending would redeem the whole book. That is actually why I didn't give up sooner. I fully expected it to just get better, but it never did.
I have always loved the Disney movie, Aladdin, so finding out there was a whole series of Disney stories with a twist made my heart happy. The book started out just like the story I grew up with, and I was looking forward to seeing some changes, but the story was long and drug out and not interesting or face paced. I guess it just goes to show that if it isn't broken, maybe we shouldn't try to fix it.
Because I disliked this book so much, I decided to remove the other books in the Twisted Tale series from my to read list.
If You Like: Aladdin, but have never read any other fiction novel, maybe
Similar to: Aladdin
Ages: 13-40
If I could give this book zero stars, I would. I got about 7/8 of the way through this book and finally gave up. I'm not a quitter, and have read many awful books all of the way through in hopes that the ending would redeem the whole book. That is actually why I didn't give up sooner. I fully expected it to just get better, but it never did.
I have always loved the Disney movie, Aladdin, so finding out there was a whole series of Disney stories with a twist made my heart happy. The book started out just like the story I grew up with, and I was looking forward to seeing some changes, but the story was long and drug out and not interesting or face paced. I guess it just goes to show that if it isn't broken, maybe we shouldn't try to fix it.
Because I disliked this book so much, I decided to remove the other books in the Twisted Tale series from my to read list.
I'll Be Your Blue Sky by Marisa de los Santos
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
If You Like: Romance, Mystery, Feel Good Books
Similar To: Hallmark movies
Ages: 13-100
This book is a wonderful book filled with mystery and romance. It was fast paced and so interesting. I definitely recommend it to anyone who loves a feel good book. The only now found out this is the third book in a series. It works well as a standalone novel, but I wish I had read the other two first just to know all of the stories leading up to this one.
Clare is about to marry a man that she isn't sure is the one. She takes a walk before her wedding and meets a wise old woman named Edith who influences her to follow her heart. Clare ends up breaking up with her fiance.
Shortly after Clare calls of the wedding, she learns that Edith has passed away and left her a house called The Blue Sky House. Clare needs a change, so she plans to stay at the house and starts to uncover the real story of Edith's life and The Blue Sky House. She rounds up her handsome best friend, Dev, and they get swept up in a wonderful mystery.
This book alternates between the present while Clare is finding out the story of Edith's past, and the past, as Edith's story is unfolding. Sometimes you find something unexpected that was right in front of you all along.
Uninvited Bible Study by Lysa Turkeurst
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
If You Like: Growing in your Christian Faith, especially if you're a woman
Similar To: The Armor of God Study by Priscilla Shirrer
Do you see a photo of friends hanging out on Facebook and realize you weren't invited to the party? Does it instantly ruin your whole day and make you feel left out, lonely, abandoned, and unloved? Maybe you haven't experienced that exact situation, but you've found yourself feeling any of those ways at some point in your life. This bible study addresses many of the insecurities we face as humans, and how to seek God for happiness and fulfillment rather than looking for it in all of the wrong places and repeating the hurt all over again. It helps us to live loved by knowing our identity is in Christ rather than the world.
If You Like: Growing in your Christian Faith, especially if you're a woman
Similar To: The Armor of God Study by Priscilla Shirrer
Do you see a photo of friends hanging out on Facebook and realize you weren't invited to the party? Does it instantly ruin your whole day and make you feel left out, lonely, abandoned, and unloved? Maybe you haven't experienced that exact situation, but you've found yourself feeling any of those ways at some point in your life. This bible study addresses many of the insecurities we face as humans, and how to seek God for happiness and fulfillment rather than looking for it in all of the wrong places and repeating the hurt all over again. It helps us to live loved by knowing our identity is in Christ rather than the world.
Landline by Rainbow Rowell
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
If You Like: Time Travel, Romance
Similar To: Time Traveler's Wife, The Status Of All Things
Ages: 13-100
This book fully had the potential to be a good one. A phone that allows you to travel time and speak to someone from your past? How cool is that? Unfortunately it fell short for me. I was bored and this book felt like it was much longer than it should have been. If it had been a shorter, less drawn out story, I believe I would have enjoyed it more. I appreciate the concept of the story and enjoyed some parts, so I wouldn't consider it a total loss, but it won't be making it on my all time favorites list.
If You Like: Time Travel, Romance
Similar To: Time Traveler's Wife, The Status Of All Things
Ages: 13-100
This book fully had the potential to be a good one. A phone that allows you to travel time and speak to someone from your past? How cool is that? Unfortunately it fell short for me. I was bored and this book felt like it was much longer than it should have been. If it had been a shorter, less drawn out story, I believe I would have enjoyed it more. I appreciate the concept of the story and enjoyed some parts, so I wouldn't consider it a total loss, but it won't be making it on my all time favorites list.
Friday, March 9, 2018
The Opposite of Lonliness by Marina Keegan
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
If You Like: Essays, short stories, inspirational quotes
Similar to: Other anthologies
Ages: 13-100
If you're into anthologies, you'll probably love this. I enjoyed this book and Marina Keegan was a beautiful writer. I enjoyed hearing her collection of stories.
If You Like: Essays, short stories, inspirational quotes
Similar to: Other anthologies
Ages: 13-100
If you're into anthologies, you'll probably love this. I enjoyed this book and Marina Keegan was a beautiful writer. I enjoyed hearing her collection of stories.
The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
If You Like: Romance
Similar to: Nicholas Sparks
Ages: 15-100
I checked this book out on a whim and knew before the first chapter even started that I loved this author from the foreword alone. You'll probably have the story figured out in the first few chapters, but I love a good old romance. Even though this book is cheesy and predictable, the fire is still there, and I know I'll be reading books by Jenny Colgan for a long time.
If you're in need of a book in the UK, Nina is your girl. She knows the perfect book for everyone. When she loses her job when the library closes, Nina decides to follow up on a lifelong dream of owning a bookstore. With limited resources, Nina decides to buy a van that she can fill with books and travel to different places to bring joy to others. One big life change leads to another and Nina finds herself moving to Scotland where they need her the most. There she finds the peace and quiet she didn't know she needed in the rolling hills and open air, and she might even find love.
If You Like: Romance
Similar to: Nicholas Sparks
Ages: 15-100
I checked this book out on a whim and knew before the first chapter even started that I loved this author from the foreword alone. You'll probably have the story figured out in the first few chapters, but I love a good old romance. Even though this book is cheesy and predictable, the fire is still there, and I know I'll be reading books by Jenny Colgan for a long time.
If you're in need of a book in the UK, Nina is your girl. She knows the perfect book for everyone. When she loses her job when the library closes, Nina decides to follow up on a lifelong dream of owning a bookstore. With limited resources, Nina decides to buy a van that she can fill with books and travel to different places to bring joy to others. One big life change leads to another and Nina finds herself moving to Scotland where they need her the most. There she finds the peace and quiet she didn't know she needed in the rolling hills and open air, and she might even find love.
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