I loved this book! I ordered it from Golden Bee Bookshop since I couldn't actually go there on my birthday. It was so funny- I was literally laughing out loud reading this book- I can not wait for the third in the series to come out in October- and I hope the bookstore is open again by then. I was sad that the actual book club didn't play as big a part in this book as the first but I still enjoyed the story immensely.
“History was built by thousands of women who thought they were just housewives or just secretaries or just seamstresses until the day they got fed up and decided to fight back."
"You've read too many romance novels." "And you haven't read enough."
2- The Other Family by Loretta Nyhan
Overall I liked the story, I loved the theme of family. Ally through a DNA test discovers some of her birth family. I had problems with some of the new agey- universe-y things and Matt and Ally's marital separation.“Problems were solved by taking action. Worry never solved problems. Neither did fear.” |
The first of the Sunrise of Normandy Series. Historical Christian Romance. This is my favorite genre, and this book is set around D-Day. I ended up loving it and quickly downloaded the 2nd in the series from the library on my kindle.
“No, you need to cry.' He gently pressed her head to his shoulder, knocking her cap askew. 'My mama says women need to cry every once in a while. Washes away all the weakness so you can stay strong. Always let a lady cry, she says.”4- This is How it Always is by Laurie Frankel
I have seen this book over and over on bookstgram and goodreads- it never really hit my radar though. Then I listen to WSIRN podcast #228- the guest on the show asked for recommendations about books that featured married couples- books about marriage as a central part of the story- not a romance per say but just a book where the characters happened to be married... "to find more books that show representation of married or committed couples where they’re both full characters in the story and it’s not a story about them getting together or breaking up." My soul sang when I heard this and I eagerly listened to hear what was recommended. To read about a married couple that doesn't throw in the towel when adversity hits (which was one of my main beef's with The Other Family above). In fact shortly before listening to this episode I had been seeking book like this myself but coming up empty. Anyway- this book, This is How it Really Is - is one that a reader recommended in the show notes comments.
I really enjoyed the story of Penn and Rosie. They are the parents of five boys. I'm not sure how to feel about the main story line, and how to reconcile it with my personal beliefs- as it is about the youngest boy, at 5 years old, in kindergarten, decides he wants to be a little girl. I actually really enjoyed the story and it stirred up all kinds of wonderings and questions in my heart. That's the mark of a good story I guess. It's definitely a story that will stick with me.
5- The Other Einstein by Marie Benedict
This is the fictional account of Albert Einstein's relationship with his first wife. It had a lot of mixed reviews has a lot of the book is merely the author's speculation into their relationship. It peaked my interest despite my complete disinterest and dislike for mathy things- but I thought it might be interesting to read about their budding romance and marriage. One of the reasons it appealed to me was hopefully to be another one like the one above that showed a glimpse inside a married couple's life. The fact that upon looking them up prior to reading and finding they divorced almost dissuaded me. The story is a bit slow moving but I really enjoyed parts of it, and I really liked the main character Mileva. It has left me a bit jaded towards Einstein himself but that's a bit unfair- as I said its merely fiction and speculation. Maybe even a tad bit slanderous towards Einstein himself.
6- It's Always the Husband Michele Campbell
I received this book for Christmas from my family. It's the story of three college roommates- the first half mainly taking place during their freshman year, 20ish years ago- the remainder in present day. I found the first half alittle dull and slow moving but flew through the 2nd half. It kept me guessing until the very last page.
7- The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow
I had absolutely no idea what this book was about going in. I think I heard about it on the WSIRN podcast. I had it on hold for awhile waiting for my turn. It was magical and I loved it. So good, that when I finished I wanted to go back read it again and savor it. It maybe one I add to my personal collection. It is the story of a girl named January and of doors between worlds. Magical and thrilling. Adventure and Love. A dog. <3
“I hope you will find the cracks in the world and wedge them wider, so the light of other suns shines through; I hope you will keep the world unruly, messy, full of strange magics; I hope you will run through every open Door and tell stories when you return.”8- The Sky Above Us by Sarah Sundin
The 2nd book in the Sunrise of Normandy series. I loved it just as much as the first one. This tells the story of the 2nd Paxton brother- Adler. I enjoyed learning his side of the story we glimpsed in the first book. He's a fighter pilot. And of course becomes entangled with Violet, a member of the Red Cross intent on becoming a foreign missionary after the war. I really enjoyed how they both sought to follow God's will- to seek out what it was, how they allowed God to work and mold them.
9- The Land Beneath Us by Sarah Sundin
The last in the Sunrise of Normandy series. I started this book immediately after finishing the previous one and read it in less than 24 hours. I could not stop reading but found myself sad when I reached the end. I think this may have been my favorite of the series but then that could also just be because it's the last one I read! This one features the youngest Paxton boy- Clay. And Leah Jones, an orphan seeking to find out who she really is. I really loved Leah and that she wanted to be a librarian and her love for books. I wanted more of this lovely trio of brothers.
“I think God would say he believes in libraries. Think about how the Lord loves words. He spoke the universe into being, and He gave us His word both in written form and living form. Since the Lord knows everything, I reckon that makes Him the ultimate library.”
“No matter what happened in my life, I could always find one good thing to enjoy -- a beautiful word, a sunset, a song.”Cookbook: This was the March/April pick for my Cookbook club. Currently I have it indefinitely from the library- until they re-open again. I am still deciding if its worthy of purchase for my collection. The potato smashies are definitely a favorite so far. The patty melts were pretty good too. I have really liked digging into the actual cookbooks more. Something I would like to do more. I'm thinking in addition to the book the cookbook club picks, I may pick one from my shelf to feature as well. ;-)
Final April Book Stats:
Total: 9
Abandoned: 2
- Pride by Ibi Zoboi started it twice and just couldn't get into it. I may give it another shot if the libraries stay closed for awhile longer
- The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender; just having trouble feeling invested in the story. My loan is about to run out on my hoopla audiobook so...
Total read in 2020: 34
Kindle: 6 Print: 2 Audio: 1
Library: 6 Owned: 3
Unread Shelf: 2 print - 1 Kindle
Purchased: 1 new in print- but this replaced my copy of Anne of Green Gables Bruno chewed;
I *may have* added 9 new *purchases* to my Kindle but in my defense-- they were all free. 8 were from the Read the World event on Amazon. These are all books in translation by foreign authors from around the world. 1 was from the monthly free pick from Amazon First Reads.
Favorite: That's a really tough call- I read so many this month I LOVED! Below are my top 3 (5) in no particular order-
- The Ten Thousand Doors of January
- Sunrise of Normandy Series (3 books)
- Undercover Bromance
