I have so many favorite books, physical IRL books – I’m old school like that! Since this is my first post on books I LOVE, I am going to organize them by category. A good book is the perfect activity to snuggle up to during these cold winter days & nights. But also the go-to item to pack on your next vacation (hopefully somewhere warm with a beach, and a pool..and a fruity cocktail).
Rom-Com/Chick Lit: aka easy, fun reads
- The Coincidence of Coconut Cake, By: Amy E. Reichert – Set in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (yay midwest), Lou – chef and owner of Luella’s working to make her struggling restaurant a success. This is quickly ruined by Al (who in my mind is super hot) a food critic who write a review on the restaurant. Cute rom-com style book.
- Savannah Blues, By: Mary Kay Andrews – Weezie (so southern) is a recent divorcee living next door to her ex-husband (who btw cheated on her!). She is a spirited antique dealer (love me some estate sale shopping) who is out for revenge. Its a cute, easy and light hearted read.
- Total Waste of Makeup, By: Kim Gruenenfelder – This book could be my life motto – some days are just a total waste of makeup! I seriously LOL’d while reading this book and even wrote down some of the quotes from it. Its an easy, cute and relatable read. And, if you like this book, you will LOVE her other books, including “Misery Loves Cabernet”
- The Summer Girls, By, Mary Alice Monroe – Set in Sullivan’s Island, 3 half sisters who have been separated for years, come together to relive memories at their grandmother’s home. This book dives a bit deeper into feelings and family drama, but is still light-hearted enough to be a easy beach read.
- Are You There Vodka? It’s Me Chelsea, by Chelsea Handler – Another LOL kind of book. Written by Chelsea Handler as a “memoir”, written the only way she can. Its funny, outrageous, raunchy (as she goes into detail about her previous sexual encounters) and entertaining. You will fly through this book!
- Perfect on Paper, By: Maria Murnane – Funny, light-hearted read and if you ever had things not go according to “plan” you can relate to the main character Waverly
Historical Fiction: learn something while being entertained
- Sarah’s Key, by: Tatiana de Rosnay – Paris WWII, Sarah and her family is arrested with her family by the French police in the Vel’ d’Hiv’ roundup, but not before she locks her younger brother in a cupboard in the family’s apartment. Flash forward to 2002 on the anniversary of the Vel’ d; Hiv’ roundup. This is another one of my favorite books. It has history, suspense and compelling characters
- Lost Vintage, by: Ann Mah – I couldn’t put this book down! The story flips back and forth from WWII Burgundy France to present day Kate – who returns back to her family vineyard to study for her master of wine examination
- Nightingale, by Kristin Hannah – Seriously one of the best books I have read in a very long time! WWII France, two sisters with different paths during the War. Focusing on how women survived, persevered and their resilience.
- The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, by: Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows – Another WWII book flipping back and forth between past and present day. this time highlighting what happened on the Island of Guernsey. This book was also turned into a movie on Netflix
- A Fall of Marigolds, By: Susan Meissner -A story that flashes between September 1911 on Ellis island and September 2011 in NYC. Focusing on 2 characters nurse Clara Woods (on Ellis island) and Taryn Michael’s who’s husband died on 9/11. This book is heart warming, compelling and emotional (as you can imagine!).
Everything In-Between: suspense, drama and light-hearted finds
- Girl, Wash Your Face, by: Rachel Hollis – very uplifting book without being to “self-helpy”
- Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine, by: Gail Honeyman – Reese Witherspoon is working on making this into a movie. You will fall in love with the main character, Eleanor, who is quirky, complicated and humorous all at the same time
- It Ends with Us, by: Colleen Hoover – Do yourself a favor and do not read the back of this book for a overview of the story. Trust me it’s a good book! If you enjoy the style of books like “Big Little Lies” or “Gone Girl” then you will LOVE this!
- The Husband’s Secret, by: Liane Moriarty – I personally enjoyed this book more than “Big Little Lies”