Recent Reads (Show us your Books link up!)

I had a weird reading month this month. I read a few books that I absolutely LOVED and would recommend. I also read a few so-so books. Mostly, I got super overwhelmed by a million library holds coming in at once and now I have 17 books to read in the next 2-3 weeks. I think I'll have to pick my favourites and send the others back. That's not counting some Netgalley books I have & a few other books that I own and want to read soon. Too many books, not enough time. :) I did love what Steph said a few weeks ago about hoping she never sees the end of her TBR list. This is true for me too. Do I need to read everything on the list? No, of course not. I love having books to refer to when I'm in the mood for something in particular though. Linking up with Steph & Jana today and looking forward to reading about others' recent reads!!

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah (5 stars) This was my last book in my Book Challenge by Erin 4.0 list and knowing that it would make me feel emotional kind of made me put it off for a bit. It was a hard book to read in the sense that many WWII novels are - and it was sad, but it was beautiful too. I enjoyed not knowing who the narrator was for the entire book although I did have a guess ;). I really felt drawn to this book as a woman and as a mother. It made me so grateful to have grown up & to currently live in our free country. I'd highly recommend this book if you think your heart can take it. I need to read a few more of Kristin Hannah's books sometimes - I am leaning towards Firefly Lane as my next one sometime. 

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry (4 stars) Listened to this one on audio via the library. I am pledging to read more Newberry Honor books this year, and this was one of them. It was pretty quick, and it was a cute story. It wasn't as profound as the adult WWII books I'd read lately, but I appreciated that very much. A very solid middle-grade/YA book and a perspective I hadn't read much about (occupied Denmark). 

Living in the Moment & Gratitude by Dani DiPirro (3-4 stars) I got both of these books from Netgalley. I love books like this. "Gift books" that make you feel good when you're browsing through the pages and that have quotable quotes and look great on a coffee table or bookshelf or nightstand. These books both had some cute ideas for ways to better express gratitude in your life or ways to stay present. I would not hesitate to buy one for a friend someday.

The Distant Hours by Kate Morton (4 stars) This seems to be many peoples' least favourite of Morton's books, but since it was my first by her, I wasn't able to make that comparison. I really enjoyed it. It took me a long time to read, and I think I read a book or two while reading it, but the story was really good in my mind. I loved the Mud man component, and I really enjoyed how much Edie enjoyed books. I had sorted out the ending a bit, but not entirely, so there was an element of surprise in it for me. If it's not her best, then I am looking forward to reading her other books (currently reading The Secret Keeper). Her books seem to be long but they're worth it. They kind of remind me a bit of Kristin Hannah's.

My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout (3 stars) I received this book from Netgalley. I had been approved for this a long time ago, and read about half of it in one sitting and then forgot about it completely until it was published and a lot of people were suddenly chatting about it. For me, this book passed the time but it wasn't anything too special. I just couldn't relate enough to the main character. It wasn't a super bad book, but I just felt like not enough really happened to keep my attention. If it had been longer, I might not have even finished it.

Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld (4.5 stars) I recieved a copy of this book from Netgalley. I started reading this the second I was approved for it on Netgalley, and I barely did anything else until it was done. As in, I read 500+ pages in about 24 hours. Haha. I actually think I need to go back and re-read it again before my copy expires. It was JUST the book I needed at the time. I'd been in a WWII/tough plotline-kind-of-book slump in the sense that the books I'd been reading (see above) were REALLY good, but really tough. This one was adorable and it made me so happy. If you are a puritan Jane Austen fan, this book might not be your favourite. The modern updates might be a bit too much for you. And honestly, some of them were a little too much for me (ahem *Ham*), but there were so many parts of it that were really just cute. I enjoyed this book A LOT.

One Plus One by JoJo Moyes (4 stars) After falling in love with Moyes' writing in Me Before You, and then also enjoying After You, I wasn't sure that her other books would be as good, but this one was very solid. I adored the characters and I am a big "root for the underdog" kind of person, so I just wanted something good to happen to these people. It was well written, funny, heartwarming, and unique. I was going to follow this one up with The Girl You Left Behind, but I had a feeling it was a bit more emotional and I needed a break from war stories so I'm going to get it again at the library in a bit.

A Little Something Different by Sandy Hall (3.5 stars) I remember seeing Kristen post about this book *ages* ago and thinking, wow, what a pretty cover! I saved it for when I needed a fun and easy YA read ;) It was a really cute story and I didn't mind the different perspectives. I definitely felt like it was a bit predictable, and a bit too YA for me (it's me, not it, haha) and I wouldn't recommend it as earth-shattering literature, but it was a quick and cute read. I read the interview with the author at the end and I couldn't believe she wrote the whole book in 6 days!!! whoa.

Ivy in Bloom (various authors) (4 stars) via Netgalley - I enjoyed this poetry anthology, especially at this time of the year. I am not big into poetry, but this one passed the time nicely and I am sure I will reference it again sometime. It's meant for children, but that's ok :)








Other reads this month:

Miss Match by Catherine Avril Morris (via Bookbub) - fluffy but I wanted to find out how it ended - 2/5
Online Dating, the Good, the Bad, the Hopeless by Francis James - via Netgalley - I thought I would enjoy some of these anecdotes since Brian and I met online, but it was pretty much not what I expected.
Calling Me by Louise Bay - via Netgalley (DNF) - not what I expected it to be.
Three Year Olds are A Holes - via Netgalley  (3 stars) pretty funny.

And favourite kid reads:

Who Broke the Teapot? by Bill Slavin Via Netgalley - This is a hilarious book about blame, and Molly really liked it. I can easily see this situation happening in any house with kids, or childish adults ;)

Let's Play by Hervé Tullet - what can I say, he is one of our favourites and his newest book is a fun one!

The Littles by John Peterson - started this chapter book with Molly which used to be my sister's favourite series. It is so cute and I love that we can read chapter books a bit now!!