May/June Book Review

My favorite post of the month! I love sharing my monthly reads with you. I also love hearing your suggestions in the comments. I’ve found some reallyfun recommendations from you guys. With a long flight with layovers, I was able to read several good books this month. I’m also including the books from May that I didn’t get to blog about last month. Some are hard/paperbacks, others are from Kindle, and two were Audible books.

To see the complete list of books read this year click here.

If you are interested in following me on Goodreads, you can find my page here.

JUNE

All By Myself, Alone

I read All By Myself, Alone straight through, cover to cover on the plane to London. Celia, a jewelry and gem expert, goes on a glamorous cruise to escape her personal life. But it is not to be. On board in the most luxurious suite is the elderly and world-famous Lady Emily Harworth. Immensely wealthy, Lady Em is the owner of a priceless emerald necklace that she intends to leave to the Smithsonian on her death. Three days later Lady Em is found dead—and the necklace is missing. Is it the work of her apparently devoted secretary, or her lawyer-executor, both of whom she had invited on board for the cruise? I loved this story. It engages you from the first page. I found myself anxious for the ending, wanting to solve the murder once and for all!

 

My Oxford Year

Rhodes scholar Ella, a determined young woman eager to make her mark in the world  – and the handsome man who introduces her to an incredible love that will irrevocably alter her future – heads to Oxford University for a year she won’t soon forget. Immediately, Ella is faced with a seemingly impossible decision: turn her back on the man she’s falling in love with to follow her political dreams or be there for him during a trial neither are truly prepared for. I read My Oxford Year cover to cover on the plane ride back. It keeps you engaged till the end!

I’m Fine and Neither are You

I’m Fine and Neither are You is quite funny. You will definitely see a bit of yourself in the main character, Penny. She is everything to everybody, but her best friend, Jenny, helps keep her sane through all the mom chaos. Until. Until the spoilers happen. This book is sure to have you laughing and relating from beginning to end. Even Judson laughed out loud at some parts when I was listening to the audiobook on our recent road trip. That says a lot!

 

Litle Bitty Lies

This book is too cute. I checked it out from the library on a whim because I have liked all Mary Kay Andrews’s books. This is a tale about an abandoned Atlanta housewife and mother who tells one tiny white lie that sets her world spiraling outrageously out of control. I can totally picture my friend Sandy and me as the two leading women. Trying to recover a shred of dignity, Mary Bliss fakes her husband’s death after he disappears and leaves her penniless. Her best friend Katherine lends comedic effect as they try to keep their little bitty lies under control.

 

MAY

The Turquoise Table

I didn’t know how I would feel about this book when I first downloaded it. Let’s just say I lack a hospitable chip. I’m one of those that can barely handle my own life, let alone reaching out to be a listening ear to another. However, this book really convicted me. I haven’t put a turquoise table out yet – who would see it anyway, I’m on a dead end street with 40 acres in front of my house! – but I’m already putting some of Kristin’s tips into practice. We are having one family over for dinner each month (we just started in May), and we hope to continue through the year. I’ll do a blog post on hospitality soon. It’s something that is stirring in my heart. The book is a sweet story that I think everyonoe should read!

 

Whiskey in a Teacup

I don’t know what I was expecting from Whiskey in a Teacup. but this wasn’t it. Don’t get me wrong; it’s a good book. However, it is short tales about how a Southern home should be and includes recipes. Very little of the narrative includes Reese’s life. It is not a memoir which is what I was expecting. It’s cute, but definitely not a must read.

 

One Summer

I’ve never met a David Baldacci book I didn’t like. Terminal cancer patient Jack is on his death bed. His wife cared for him around the clock. Then she dies abruptly in a car accident. (Not a spoiler; it’s on the back of the book.) Jack HAS to live for his three kids. This is such a good book. I can’t recommend it enough!

 

Wild

I don’t know why it took me so long to read Wild, but I’m so glad I finally did. Before I even read this book, Judson and I have been talking about taking up hiking together. I was scrolling through my Kindle, and I had already downloaded this one. I knew I had to read it then and there. Now, Jud and I aren’t headed for the PCT any time soon (or at all), but this is one of those books every reader should read. It’s beautifully written. You’ll feel like you’re the only one on the trail as Cheryl leads you across states, mountains, and weather of all kinds.

 

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Okay you guys! There you have it! Eight really good books. I can’t wait to share what I’m reading with you right now. It will definitely be in my top 3 of the year! Until July, let me hear your favorite reads in the comments!