The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary book review. How to get over jet lag? A good book! This book was good enough to help keep me awake when I was exhausted, but trying to power through and adjust to the England time zone on nights one and two of my trip last month. It also was there for me on night three (and made it totally enjoyable) when my body evidently decided not to be tired and didn’t want to sleep. This book has such a cute and unique plot- Leon needs to earn a little more money and since he only works nights, he figures someone else could live in…
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England Book Haul: YA Books
Last month I spent a great 10 days in England. My husband and I stayed in The Cotswolds and London and did day trips throughout the Cotswolds, to Oxford and Blenheim Palace and to Windsor. I’m looking forward to sharing more about these destinations! I went a little book shopping crazy and ended up bringing back a lot more books than I originally planned on, but I have no regrets! Plus, even with the exchange rate, books are cheaper in the UK than in the US! I’m going to break my book haul into a couple posts and I’m starting today with my YA/Middle Grade purchases. Malamander by Thomas Taylor…
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Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand Review
Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand by Helen Simonson. I’ve finished another one of your recommendations for books that take place in the English countryside! Thank you @erindotsmith for suggesting this one! The widowed Major Pettigrew is left contemplating his quiet life after the death of his younger brother. His has been a life of following all the rules. When he strikes up an unlikely friendship with the Pakistani local shopkeeper, Jasmina, things begin to take a turn as he starts to learn what’s truly important. I listened to Major Pettigrew on auidobook, which I would definitely recommend. This is a good one for fans of A Man Called Ove. It’s endearing and heartwarming…
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Placemaker Book Review
Placemaker by Christie Purifoy Book Review. I used a full tin of book darts on this book… I almost feel like I could just leave my review at that, but I have more to say! Placemaker was one of those wonderful right books at the right time situations. I slowly savored this one over the last two months and it will be one I revisit over time. A book that can combine gardening, faith and lyrical writing is pretty ideal for me. ”Who are the placemakers? They are the ones who gaze over emptiness and, sometimes through tears, see shimmering possibility.” Placemaker by Christie Purifoy I am so thankful to…
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Don’t Want to Miss a Thing Book Review
Don’t Want to Miss a Thing by Jill Mansell book review. When I asked for recommendations on my instagram of books that take place in The Cotswolds @xoxokellynina *delivered*. This is a fun and sweet story that was a super quick read for me. Don’t Want to Miss a Thing primarily follows Dex who is left reeling after he loses his older sister, especially since he is left as the guardian of her baby. He knows he needs to change his lifestyle and decides to move out to the country. We are introduced to many members of the village and the story jumps quickly between these multiple intertwining storylines. If you…
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Cover Crush: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Peel Society is one of my most frequently gifted books. I have given so many copies of this to friends and family. When I found this gorgeous edition from Bloomsbury Publishing I wanted to stock up and start gifting these beautiful ones. I definitely have a cover crush on them! Guernsey is such a charming book and is perfect for book lovers! I’ve already read this book twice and I have no doubt I will read it again. I also really enjoyed the Netflix movie adaption. It has quite…
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The Queen of Hearts Book Review
The Queen of Hearts by Kimmery Martin. This book follows two best friends, Zadie and Emma. It switches between their time in medical school and present day where they are married, mothers and successful doctors. We get to follow along as they are forced to relive the difficult time they both endured during their med school days. The “why” of their problems is left mostly unknown as the story unfolds. I read this book while in a bit of a reading slump and it was the perfect cure. Fast paced, interesting characters, intriguing plot… I was hooked! I love a good medical drama and this delivered. Personally don’t love being…
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Sweep Book Review
Sweep by Jonathan Auxier. “We are saved by saving other” – Sweep by Jonathan Auxier. I read this book for #middlegrademarch and I have neglected to write a review for it. I’ve been putting it off because I still don’t know exactly how I feel about it! I found the story interesting, the characters well developed and the writing beautiful. However, I struggled with the age appropriateness of some of the content or maybe I should say that it just surprised me. Sweep covers some tough topics and has some strong language (not swearing, but a bit violent). I read some very heavy books as a child (Anne Frank, The…
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Next Year in Havana Book Review
Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton. This book received all the rave reviews last year! I’m always hesitant that a book with so much hype won’t live up to it, but this one definitely did. I appreciated that this book had such a great story that swept me along and made it hard to put down while also delving into the history of Cuba and the turmoil both past and present. This book has dual timelines taking place in 1958 and 2017. I often find that I am drawn more to the present day story in dual timelines books. I like to follow along in the process of discovery,…
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The Simple Wild Book Review
The Simple Wild by K.A. Tucker. Calla Fletcher and her mom left Alaska when she was two years old, unable to handle the remote isolation. Fast forward 24 years, Calla has never returned to Alaska and has a good life in Toronto when she receives a call that her estranged father has cancer. She decides to take a chance and return to her place of birth. For a city girl like Calla the transition to the rural setting is not easy and it’s not made any easier by Jonah, the brooding pilot that works for her dad’s charter company. The story follows Calla as she struggles to adjust to her…
