Happy Friday everyone! For everyone in Florida, Georgia & the Carolina’s – hoping you all stay safe and have all the supplies you need to make it through the storm! I’ve called my parents way too many times making sure they have enough gas, food, water & all of their stuff charged just in case!
I’ve briefly mentioned that we don’t have a television in our bedroom anymore – it was actually Gary’s idea and one that I’m glad he sort of felt strongly enough about to make sure it happened. Because of this change instead of watching TV before bed, I read! These extra 20-30 minutes have given me the opportunity to fly through books! I also read on my 20 minute train ride to work, so if I’m really into a book (which I have been recently) I’ll finish it in about two – three days! Here’s a few that I’ve read with some reviews and a few more that I have on my list!
A Small Indiscretion – 4.5 / 5
A Small Indiscretion – 4.5 / 5
I actually purchased this book back in February to read on one of my long flights – when I found out that Emirate Airlines had close to 1,500 different things to watch on their in flight TV’s I didn’t want anything to do with books…so it stayed unread! After reading the first chapter sometime this summer I really couldn’t get into it, so I put it away again. Then finally not wanting to spend money on a book a few weeks ago, I decided to give this one another go and I’m so happy that I did! The reviews said it was a “psychological thriller” and I don’t think I agree with that as much as I think it’s more of a romantic (in a bizarre way) suspense book. When I think “thriller” it immediately makes me think that something scary is going to happen. This book isn’t scary, but it will have you turning (or swiping) to the next page to see what happens next. The author does a really great job of weaving in the past (20 years ago) and the present. When I finished the book I was a bit sad, not with the ending, but more so that the book was over! I felt really invested in the main character. It had moments of The Girl on the Train & Unfaithful (the movie).
The Hopefuls – 4.5 / 5
The Hopefuls – 4.5 / 5
Have you ever found yourself actually laughing in public while reading a book? Well that was me while reading The Hopefuls! For some reason the writing style of Jennifer Close in this book was spot on. It felt like I was listening to a friend tell a story, rather than reading. This book takes place over the course of a few years and deals with politics. More so what happens when one person in a relationship is working on a campaign and what happens when the person that you married completely changes their ideals, feelings & basically who they are all because of this new job? Did they change or was this always them and you never really paid attention! If you like watching House of Cards and enjoy politics – you’ll enjoy the Hopefuls. I again, couldn’t wait to keep reading this book wanting to know what happened next with the characters.
Girls in White Dresses – 3.5/5
Girls in White Dresses – 3.5/5
I’ve had Girls in White Dresses on my reading list for years – it came out in 2011 and everyone was going crazy for it! I really don’t know why I kept putting off reading it, but then I started to read it and got utterly confused by how the author (same one that wrote Hopefuls that I liked so much) was jumping around with each character. It got to a point about 40% through the book that I honestly couldn’t remember which character was doing what and who their significant other’s were. There was just too much going on. With that being said, as soon as I got about 60% through the book I got hooked. I couldn’t wait to see what the girls were going to do. I felt like the book sort of just ended and I wasn’t ready for it to be over, probably because it took me so long to get into it. I think in some ways we could all relate to at least one of the characters at some point in our early 20’s/late 20’s! I found myself rushing through other parts of the book to get to the characters that I really liked.
The One That Got Away – 4/5
The One That Got Away – 4/5
If you like Jennifer Weiner & Emily Giffin then you’ll more than likely like this book and author. I really liked the age of the main character – it sort of made her more relate-able! This is a chick lit book through and through and I love that! I didn’t really like sadness relating to Sarina’s family and I sort of wish there wasn’t as much focus on that in the book, but overall I thought the flow was great. It sort of reminded me of “Something Borrowed” which was a book I loved – so if you liked that – I think you’ll like this!
The Dinner Party – 4/5
The Dinner Party – 4/5
I’ve read two other Brenda Janowitz books in the past and didn’t realize until after I was done with the Dinner Party – I realized it because I thoroughly enjoyed the others as well. The Dinner Party deals with the intricacies of 3 different families all figuring that the other’s have a perfect life, not realizing that behind the façade of “having it all together” – everyone really has issues. This was actually great timing in terms of reading this book because it started out during the Passover Seder and worked all the way up to Yom Kippur, which we will be celebrating next week. This book was all about family and we can all relate to that!
Next on the list ||
Next on the list ||
After I Do
After I Do
I really loved Maybe In Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid so I have not one but two books on my list to read by her! After I do takes a look at a couple after the “honeymoon phase” has warn off and what it means to be a we instead of an I!
This is a love story about what happens when the love fades. It’s about staying in love, seizing love, forsaking love, and committing to love with everything you’ve got. And above all, After I Do is the story of a couple caught up in an old game—and searching for a new road to happily ever after.
Time of My Life
Time of My Life
I’m not going to lie – the description of this book sort of reminds me of a Lifetime movie, which are movies I happen to love! I can guarantee that I will fly through this book – whether I think I’ll love it as much as I do is still to be seen!
One morning Jillian wakes up seven years in the past. Before her daughter was born. Before she married Henry. Suddenly she’s back in her post–grad school Ikea-furnished Manhattan apartment. She’s back in her fast-paced job with the advertising agency. And she’s still with Jackson, the ex-boyfriend and star of her what-if fantasies.
What books have you read recently? Hope you all have a wonderful weekend (stay safe everyone) and see you back here Monday for Weekending!
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I just requested The Hopefuls from the library – so happy to hear another review. And I am adding The Dinner Party to my reading list. Sounds like you had some good books recently!
Can't wait to check some of these out! Always looking for new reads! I shared my reading list yesterday on the blog full of all my fall favorites 🙂 Happy Friday, have a great weekend!
You always find the cutest books! My reading has been seriously lacking in the last few months and I miss it! I've heard so many mixed reviews about Girls in White Dresses but I'm still intrigued by it!
I'm really trying to do a better job of getting into a reading habit again, so I will take all your recommendations 🙂 have a great weekend!
Love how you graded your books. Some great suggestions here ! I read time of my life. It was just OK !
I tried Girls in White Dresses years ago and just couldn't get in to it. Really excited about The One That Got Away and The Dinner Party! Adding those to my "to read" list!
You are always recommending the best books, but I'm having such a hard time keeping up with the actual reading of them! I need to add The Hopefuls to my list, it sounds like it would be right up my alley with politics. And love that it's more like listening to a friend tell a story instead of reading a book. Those are always the best ones! Have a great weekend, Biana!
xo, Rachel
A Blonde's Moment
I just finished "The Good Neighbor" by AJ Banner. It won't amaze you, but I was interested enough to find out who the culprit was. We don't have a TV in our bedroom anymore, and I have been sleeping much better.
Great feedback on these books! I have been reading a lot lately and I hope to keep at it. I can't wait to add some of these to my list. Have a great weekend!
xo, Whitney and Blaire
Peaches In A Pod
You have the the BEST taste in books and just that lil preview of Time of My Life has me putting it on my To Read list too!! Happy weekend Gorgeous…Hope it's fantastic!!
These are my favorite posts—I'm on a reading kick right now! Small Indiscretion definitely sounds like my kind of book! I'm reading The Good Girl right now so I'll have to pick this one up after!
rosyoutlookblog.com
What great reviews! I need a new book soon so I'll be looking these up, thanks!
I'm trying to read for 20 – 30 minutes everyday. I'm adding The One That Got Away, The Hopefuls and A Small Indiscretion to my reading list! Thank you for your reviews!
Jill
Doused In Pink
Great picks! I recommend The Nightingale and if you like non-fiction, the Amy Schumer book was really good.
-Lauren
prettypiecesblog.com
I felt the same way about Girls in White Dresses! I was confused for most of the book with all of the jumping around and then felt like the book just kind of ended. It was a little strange, especially since everyone had been raving about how good of a book it was. Glad y'all opted out of the TV in the bedroom! We did the same thing & I love it 🙂
Great review! Adding these to my reading list. I'm so behind in my reading but I'm trying to get better. Hope your parents stay safe, so very scary.
I was looking for some new books to read. I'll have to check some of these out. Great post!
~Samantha
goldcoastgirlblog.com
Happy Friday! Eric and I are the same way with no TV in the bedroom. Although, I wish I was more dedicated to reading. I usually just end up getting sucked into the social media black hole. I'm going to check some of these out and get back into a good book. Have a great one! Beautifully Candid
I'm keeping your family in my thoughts and prayers, beautiful; do keep us posted. As for the books, girl, I've been slacking on my reading for a few months now and I'm so ashamed to say it. I've been an avid reader for a while now, but I've allowed my days to become way too jam packed, that at the end of it, the last thing I want to do is read, but I must! The first book sounds very interesting to me, mainly because you said you were sad it was over, which has me curious! Such a great review, as always, beauty and I hope you have a great weekend!
XO,
Jalisa
thestylecontour.com
I have never heard of any of these books sadly, but I really think I want to read The Hopefuls and The Dinner Party! They sounds right up my alley! Thanks for sharing these!
I thought the same thing about Girls in White Dresses! I thought it was so hard to follow.. I remember finishing it but couldn't tel you what it's about at all haha. We don't have a TV in our room either, and I personally love it! Have you read "The Luckiest GIrl Alive" yet? I recently read that one and it was SO SO good
amemoryofus.com
These all sound like decent reads!!! I really love Taylor Jenkins Reid, have you read One True Loves? If not, make sure it is one your list. It is SO good!
The One That Got Away definitely piped my interest! Adding these to my list!
I've been wanting to read Girls In White Dresses for forever too & I don't know why I haven't yet. I added that, The One That Got Away, After I Do, & Time of My Life to my list.
I definitely need to break away from the TV to devote some time to my kindle… you've inspired me doll! Have a great weekend– hope wedding #2 goes well! And hope your parents and family are safe–Stu says they are all okay so far. Hoping the worst of it has passed! xoxox, R
I read girls in White Dresses about 3 1/2 years ago and really enjoyed it! I agree at first it was confusing but then I got really invested. I'll definitely have to check out Hopefuls too!
I keep seeing The Hopefuls on everyones list lately.
I haven't read any of these. Thanks fro sharing.
Amy Ann
Straight A Style
Oo these all sound like great reads, totally going to pick up some of these!!
I absolutely LOVE reading but we have been watching Black List before bed for the past few weeks so I haven't read as much as I usually do. Will have to pick a few of these up!
I wish I had more time for reading…but here lately I've been so busy. I've been reading, well I say reading but I'm only on Chapter 2…Hush. It's good so far, it's a thriller. I'll have to add A Small Indiscretion to my list!
Hope you have a good weekend, Biana!
xo, Lily
Beauty With Lily
I read Girls in White Dresses when it first came out and it was good in the end but you're so right, it was SO confusing to keep everyone straight!
Looks like you've had a pretty good book streak!
I need to add those books to my list! I'm jumping between so many books now, but once I'm done with them I'll give these a try!
XoXo,
Tamara – LoveofMode.com
The One That Got Away sounds really great! I love Emily Giffin, so I will have to check this one out!
I've been thinking about your family and I was going to ask you about them. I hope they're doing well. This whole hurricane has just been all kinds of scary.
I thought Girls in White Dresses was going to be amazing and it was eh!
The Hopefuls is on my reading list! I'm glad you liked it. xo jillian – cornflake dreams
I need to add these to my list! I really should stock up on a few books before we're stuck inside all weekend!
Zelle
Southern Style
These are good ratings – way to go on your reading and have a wonderful weekend lovely!
I had the same feelings about Girls in White Dresses – it just ended! It's interesting how the author seems to have taken one of the subplots and expanded on it to write The Hopefuls.
Definitely adding some of these others to my 'to read' list.
Have a great weekend!
Emily // Third & Girl
I'm so obsessed with the cover of The Hopefuls! I read A Small Indiscretion last year and definitely agree that it wasn't exactly what I would consider a thriller, but from what I remember I really liked it too.
Those all sound really good! I have another book by Bethany Chase on my list, but now I need to add The One That Got Away too!
I need to read more Taylor Jenkins Reid books, One True Loves was so good!
Sounds like some good reads! I'll add a few of these to my must read list!
Thanks for sharing these, I have new ones to add to my reading list! I love your reviews! Hope your parents are doing ok!!
I did the same thing seven years ago! Since then I've read almost anything I could grab. I will keep an eye on your shares!
I have Girls in White Dresses on my list, too. I read The Gilded Years and loved it. I look to the Skimm for book recommendations and they haven't let me down yet! xx, I'm Fixin' To
Ooh adding the hopefuls to my list!
Hey girl, Have you heard of BookBub? You can read books for free – and they even have current/popular ones. On of the other bloggers I follow, Karly, uses it. I haven't tried it yet, but I'm going to soon.
I'm so glad you put this post up! A few girls at work and I are starting a book club and need some suggestions , The Hopefuls seems right up our alley! Hope you had an amazing weekend, the wedding looked incredible!
xx Tess | Sequins are the New Black
Great reading your reviews since I recently got on the Audiobook train so The Hopefuls sounds like my next purchase since I love funny and entertaining reads.
Both my husband and I grew up with tvs in every room. I'm super happy that we both agreed not to put them in bedrooms in our new home. I feel as if watching the news or what not, before bed actually stresses you out. I think reading is such a lovely way to wind down and studies actually show people who do are far less stressed! (:
Great reviews, girl! I'm definitely adding a few of these to my reading list.
The Dinner Party and One That Got Away both sound like books that I would love to read! I also need to add The Hopefuls to my list too! You've read some great books recently!
Saving this for my future reads when I hopefully have time again! 😉
yay for reading 🙂 time of my life sounds really good, adding that plus a small indiscretion and the one that got away to my list!
I just recently put The Hopefuls on my TBR list and I'm so glad to see you liked it! I have found pretty mixed reviews, but I still want to read it anyway. 🙂 I'm currently reading Eligible – it's great so far!