I'm so blessed to be able to spend Valentine's Day with my three loves though. Molly is so excited about it and has been drawing hearts and talking about love non-stop for the past two weeks. We had heart-shaped pancakes this morning and we'll probably try to do a craft or two this afternoon.
Linking up with Steph and Jana on this LOVEly day to chat about books!!! I expected to read more lately, but honestly only a few books this month (5ish weeks!) really grabbed my attention. I'm not sure why that is...I think a few of the books I read just took awhile to get into. I found myself reading a chapter, and then checking Facebook or Instagram....and then falling asleep. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but I only felt like I really read three (ish) books that kept me thinking about them like crazy while I wasn't reading them. Anyway...happy Show Us Your Books day!!!
The Best Books I Read this Month
Salt to the Sea by Ruta SepetysMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
I've seen Ruta Sepetys and this book recommended all over the blog world in the last year, and then it also won the Goodreads Choice award in 2016 so it has been on my to-be-read list for awhile. I agree with all the other fans out there - this book was incredible. I had no idea that this event actually took place. It makes me wonder how many other little WWII stories are out there that have not been shared widely. The multiple points of view really built this story for me, and I felt horror, sadness, and hope for all of the characters at different points in the story. It was a relatively quick read compared to other WWII novels I've tackled - I think the short chapters really helped to build the story. I would highly recommend this amazing story.
Loyalty by Ingrid ThoftMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
I'm so glad Steph recommended this series to me because this first book was really good! There's not much that is unlikeable about Fina Ludlow's character. She is smart, sassy, and good at her job. Her relationships are interesting. She's surrounded by men, but she is powerful. There were some possible triggers in this book, but it was still really, really good. I will absolutely read the others in this series at some point.
I Let You Go by Clare MackintoshMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
I am really glad that I was told beforehand that this book was a bit slow at the beginning, because I really found it hard to get into until about the halfway point. It was a great thriller though, and sadder and more intense than I was expecting (I completely expected it to be more focused on something that it was not). Highly recommend it if thrillers with a twist are your kind of thing.
Other Enjoyable Books
I Capture the Castle by Dodie SmithMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
It took me a long time to read this book, but that wasn't because it wasn't good. There was just so much detail in the narration and some of the language was meant to be savoured. In some ways, it feels like one of those books in which not much seems to happen, but that's not really the case at all. It's just one person's story and reflections over the course of about a year. It reminded me of the storytelling in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, and some of the subject matter also felt similar.
It's in His Kiss by Julia QuinnMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
Almost done the series of the Bridgertons...I loved Hyacinth's character and the subplot in this story. I turn to this series when I need a fun break from whatever else I'm reading and I have yet to be (too) disappointed. The Bridgertons are a fun family!
Valley of the Moon by Melanie GideonMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
This book didn't grab me the way I expected it to, and although I did like it enough to finish it, it fell a bit flat for me. I'm not sure why...maybe it just came to me at the wrong time (during a bit of a book slump). I usually love it when books jump back and forth between time periods but this one left me feeling a bit torn. The concept is still great, and the characters were mostly very likeable. I'm glad I finished it, because the ending was really very good.
Winter Storms by Elin HilderbrandMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
I quite enjoyed this conclusion to the trilogy. I'm not usually the biggest fan of "Christmassy" stories, but this series was a quick and fun read around the holidays. I loved all of the family dynamics. It was fun to follow along with everyone and easy to picture oneself on Nantucket with all the crazy Quinns for Christmastime :)
Miracle On 5th Avenue by Sarah MorganMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
Although this romance trilogy is totally fluffy and at times a bit sappy, I love the characters, I love the NYC setting, and the friendships are unbeatable. This was a cute conclusion to the series. I think the world could use some more people like Eva in it.
The Best Mistake Mystery: The Great Mistake Mysteries by Sylvia McNicollMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a great little book and I know my daughter will enjoy it in a year or two. The characters were sweet and I loved the dog parts. Probably good for about age 8. I'm reading a few books in this age group here and there because I have an avid 5 year old reader and I want to keep her in books!! Thanks for the copy of this, Netgalley :)
Any Time, Any Place by Jennifer ProbstMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
Fun, quick, contemporary romance read. I like these ones that are in a series because you can see where the next story is going. I hadn't read the first in this series but this was still fine as a standalone. The characters were fun, the female protagonist is strong and sassy, and the extra twist was interesting to see resolved. Thanks for the copy of this, Netgalley :)
Year of No Clutter by Eve O. SchaubMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
This book was not quite what I was expecting, but it was motivating to read about someone else's attempts to clear their clutter. It also made me feel better about some of the stuff that I *haven't* kept around for years, haha. Thanks for the copy of this, Netgalley :)
I'm currently still reading The Count of Monte Cristo (ugh I might end up giving it up because my motivation to read it is almost zero - my attention span just isn't there these days), Red Rising (trying so hard to get into it! 40 pages in!! Tell me it is amazing, please!!!), and I started The Kitchen House but the library is taking it back (digitally) tomorrow so I'll have to pause that one!
What have you been reading lately!?
4 feet of snow is crazy, though I'm sure it's fun for the kids, but hopefully you guys can get out soon & I hope Lucy is feeling better! I love how excited they are about Valentine's Day. I really loved the format of Salt to the Sea too, she did such an amazing job capturing the emotions and seriousness of what was going on at the time without making it too heavy. That Sarah Morgan series sounds so fun- I keep hoping it will pop up at the library!
ReplyDeletethe Fina series is on my list, as are both books by Ruta Sepetys. i'm glad you liked i let you go :) i capture the castle is on my list.. has been for years lol. oh so sad about the valley of the moon. i really liked it. i really enjoyed the sarah morgan series too, super cute.
ReplyDeleteomg red rising is definitely amazing - though i don't know if you like those kinds of books? but anyway, i tried and started it like 75 times, i kid you not. it took me ages to get into it, then i loved it. hope you like it soon!
I am reading a book now that I expected to grab me, but I'm in a bit of a slump so it might not be the right book to get me out of it. Valley of the Moon definitely would not be!
ReplyDeleteI pink puffy heart love Fina. I'm glad you enjoyed her!
The Fina series is on my "I know I need to read this and I'll get to it eventually maybe just get all the books and read them in a month" list.
ReplyDeleteI just commented on Steph's post that I need to start the Fina series and seeing another person rave about it, makes me commit to giving it a try soon. Salt to Sea is one of the books I'm reading for Erin's 6.0 Challenge and I've heard nothing but great things about it. I love Red Rising and the beginning is a bit slow. If Darrow hasn't reached the academy/training part yet - keep slogging through, if possible. It picks up a lot then.
ReplyDeleteI'm in complete agreement about Salt To The Sea. It really hooked me on Ruta Sepetys as an author. I highly recommend her other books as well. All three books are superbly written! I wanted to read Miracle on 5th Avenue this holiday season but couldn't find it in stores by me. I think I will keep it on my TBR. I love a NYC setting!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed Salt to the Sea and I Let You Go too!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that you loved Salt To The Sea! It was one of my favorites from last year! And I think that I chose I Let You Go for Erin's Challenge, so your review makes me even more excited to read it. I have Loyal already on my list, which makes me think that I added it because of Steph's recommendation. I can't wait to read it!
ReplyDeleteI have got to read Salt to the Sea. I read another one of Sepetys' books and loved it. I read I Let You Go a few days ago and I'll post my review in next month's SUYB linkup. I found it to have a slow start but picked up midway through.
ReplyDeleteOh no, I'm sad about how you felt about Valley of the Moon. Books are really about timing for me, too. I need to read Salt to the Sea ASAP! I felt the same way about I Let You Go. It was so slow for half the book, and then I was like whoa! Haha.
ReplyDeleteI can only imagine that snow days are the perfect excuse to hideaway with a good book! Looks like you had a solid month of reading for the "snowmaggedon".
ReplyDeleteOh man, you totally have me interested in Salt to the Sea. Not something I would normally pick up, but sounds amazing!
ReplyDeleteI read I See You by Clare Mackintosh in January and enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to given I Let You Go a read at some point, I hear it's better so I'll be interested to see if I like it more.
ReplyDeleteOver four feet of snow?! Oh my gosh!! I cannot even imagine. I guess you're getting lots of reading time in!! :) I'm definitely adding some of your reads to my library list!
ReplyDeleteWow! That's so much snow!! Stay warm but enjoy it. I always say snow is better than just freezing cold and gray! :) I downloaded Salt to the Sea and I can't wait to read it. I've been hearing good things too, glad you liked it. I am still working through my Netgalley queue too, but trying to get more reading in now that we aren't moving but just unpacking. Slogging a bit through Where'd You Go Bernadette... meh. XO - Alexandra
ReplyDeleteSimply Alexandra: My Favorite Things
I'm definitely going to check out Salt to the Sea and I Let You Go. I'm sure the snow kind of sucks but I'd love for you to send some of that cold down south... it's already getting hot and it isn't even spring yet!
ReplyDeleteOh good, you finished the Winter series! ;) I agree, a cute read, especially for a "Christmassy" book/series. I definitely want to visit Nantucket now, haha! I can't believe how much snow you guys have been getting! Our friends out there keep posting photos and it's crazy!
ReplyDeleteSALT TO THE SEA!! such a great book!!
ReplyDelete