Book Reviews
1.) P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han
This book was downloaded onto my Kindle at about 1:30 am because the first book leaves you hanging and I had to know what happened next. This series is so fun and charming that I got sucked right back into high school and the life of Lara Jean and I didn't mind a bit.
From Goodreads:
Lara Jean didn’t expect to really fall for Peter.
She and Peter were just pretending. Except suddenly they weren’t. Now Lara Jean is more confused than ever. When another boy from her past returns to her life, Lara Jean’s feelings for him return too. Can a girl be in love with two boys at once?
I liked this sequel to All the Boys I've Loved Before. This one was full of high school drama and angst. I had to laugh a few times...high school love...so twisty and complicated...or so you think at the time. I loved this quote from the book: "People come in and out of your life. For a time they are your world; they are everything. And then one day they're not." That sums up high school romance in a nutshell.
This book series has just the right combination of nostalgia and freshness. It is laugh aloud funny but it can also be incredibly poignant. The family dynamics are my favorite part of this series. The three girls and their single father making their way through the tumultuous teenage and young adult years. I loved everything about it!! I also especially loved Kitty!! She is the best! I also really enjoyed the addition of John Ambrose and the complications that ensued. Stormy was another favorite character and her antics at the assisted living facility were hilarious!
This book was a fun and easy read. I do feel like the language took a bit of a turn for the worst in this book and that there was more swearing in this book and even more in the third book. That is not something that normally bothers me too much but my daughter is also reading this series so it caught my attention more than if I was just reading the series myself.
My Rating: Fun read!
2.) Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han
After finishing P.S. I Still Love You I moved right on to Always and Forever, Lara Jean. This is the third and final book in the series and the weakest of the books in my opinion. The plot was basically Lara Jean waiting to hear which college she would be accepted to. While true to life...very true to life...it brought back all of my senior year anxiety waiting for acceptance letters...it doesn't make for particularly thrilling plot. Where will Lara Jean go to school and what does that mean for her relationship with her high school boyfriend?
What this book does well is deal with the changing family dynamics that occur when kids leave home and go off to college. I have experienced this myself and am now currently experiencing it with my own children. That part was excellent. It also deals well with the tougher topics of sex and drinking. This book definitely had a more mature tone than the first two books. I also missed the character of Josh. We grow to love and care about him in book one. We see some of him in book two but by book three he is a complete nonentity. That was unfortunate.
I do feel that this series is relatable. Especially for high school seniors. I have one at my house right now. It brought me right back to my senior year and my high school boyfriend and waiting to hear if we both got into the same university. I did and he did not. We also had to navigate what that meant for our relationship. We broke up (my decision) and went our separate ways. The mother in me kept wanting to yell at Lara Jean...just wait...college is AWESOME and yes...don't go to college with a boyfriend!! Despite how much I enjoy Peter Kavinsky.
This series is delightful and it was enjoyable to revisit the characters and to be a part of their world for a little bit longer. This book definitely tackles more mature themes than the first and second books but I think they were handled well. I just wish that there was more of a plot.
My Rating: Enjoyable but perhaps the weakest of the trilogy.
3.) Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan
This book has been all the buzz on social media and was recently made into a movie. I wanted to see the movie but decided to read the book first. I thought that this book would be a fun read over Christmas break.
From Goodreads:
When New Yorker Rachel Chu agrees to spend the summer in Singapore with her boyfriend, Nicholas Young, she envisions a humble family home and quality time with the man she hopes to marry. But Nick has failed to give his girlfriend a few key details. One, that his childhood home looks like a palace; two, that he grew up riding in more private planes than cars; and three, that he just happens to be the country’s most eligible bachelor. On Nick’s arm, Rachel may as well have a target on her back the second she steps off the plane, and soon, her relaxed vacation turns into an obstacle course of old money, new money, nosy relatives, and scheming social climbers.
This novel is over the top in so many ways and that's the point I guess. It's satire. But... all the glitzy descriptions, sprawling mansions, exotic locations, designer clothing, and nonstop consumption got tiring and tedious. It was a lot of obnoxious shallow people overspending with little plot or character development. It did not keep my attention for the 527 pages it took to slog through. The novel really lost momentum in the middle for me. I almost abandoned it. But I decided to keep going to see if the ending redeemed the book and it did somewhat. The last quarter of the book was by far the most interesting. Finally we have more of a plot and some conflict...not just lush descriptions and annoying characters. I enjoyed the last quarter of the book and almost felt like I was reading a different book. I wish the rest of it was like the last few chapters. I *almost* want to read the next book in the series just to see what happens to Nick, Rachel, and Astrid. Too much time was spent on secondary characters and scenes that didn't move the plot forward or in some cases have anything to do with the plot at all.
Parts of the novel that I enjoyed were: the location, the food descriptions, and a glimpse into a world that I really didn't know existed. I loved the setting of Singapore. I thought the setting was so unique and interesting. I loved reading about an area of the world that I was unfamiliar with and learning more about the location, customs, culture, and even about the wealthiest of its citizens. I particularly loved the descriptions of all of the food that Rachel and Nick were eating and it made me hungry!
I have heard that the movie is cute and better than the book. Hmm...the opposite is nearly always true but I will give it a shot.
**Edited to add: The movie was cute! I liked it better than the book.**
My Rating: Okay...but didn't live up to the hype.
4.) Bread and Wine by Shauna Niequist
I love a good foodie memoir. I love reading essays and recipes and stories of food, family, friends, and connection. They always make for a cozy winter read. This book was exactly that. It was very enjoyable to curl up on a wintery day and read about food and hospitality. I am always inspired to do more and host more.
From Goodreads:
This book is a collection of essays about family relationships, friendships, and the meals that bring us together. Written by well-loved writer and blogger, Shauna Niequist, this mix of Girl Meets God and the Food Network is a funny, honest, and vulnerable spiritual memoir. Bread & Wine is a celebration of food shared and life around the table, and it reminds us of the joy we find in connection and relationship.
The essays are well written and cover topics like love, loss, community, faith, family, friendship, marriage, motherhood, travel, and of course food. Niequist encourages the reader to forget perfectionism and practice hospitality. Open your doors and invite others in...your home doesn't have to be a show place and you don't have to be Martha Stewart to invite people over for a meal.
“There are interesting, smart, kind people just absolutely everywhere, and that when you do things you care about, you find quick kinship with people who are passionate about those same things.”
I loved the chapter called Russian Dolls. I thought it had some beautiful imagery on growing up and growing old that will stay with me. This book was an enjoyable read if not exactly a super exciting one. I would recommend it if you enjoy reading about food or memoirs although my very favorite book in this particular genre is The Pat Conroy Cookbook: Memories of My Life because writing just doesn't get better than Pat Conroy's and his recipes are fantastic.
My Rating: Good. A cozy read for January.
5.) Magnolia Table by Joanna Gaines
From Goodreads:
Magnolia Table is infused with Joanna Gaines' warmth and passion for all things family, prepared and served straight from the heart of her home, with recipes inspired by dozens of Gaines family favorites and classic comfort selections from the couple's new Waco restaurant, Magnolia Table.
I enjoy reading cookbooks and I loved this cookbook. The recipes looked interesting. I have tabbed about 20 different ones to make. I love the stories behind the recipes. I especially love that Joanna included many of her family's favorite meals...even if they included things like Velveeta and cream of whatever soup. Apparently this has people up in arms. Guess what? Busy moms use cream of whatever soups and occasionally use Velveeta... even though I am NOT a fan of Velveeta. I like that she didn't try to make this cookbook anything other than a collection of favorite family recipes. Joanna didn't try to make everything super healthy or super clean or super trendy or whatever. That actually makes me want to try these recipes even more because they seem like the kind of recipes that a friend or neighbor would give you. That said, I would consider most of these recipes as a Sunday dinner type recipes. Most of them are a bit too rich and heavy for every day for my family. I can't wait to give some of these recipes a try!
***I have tried several recipes and loved them all. Even one with Velveeta!!**
My Rating: Good!
6.) Beauchamp Hall by Danielle Steele
I have not read a Danielle Steele novel since I was in high school. I read my fill then and got tired of reading the same old formulaic story. But whenever I think of Danielle Steele books it reminds me of summers at the lake. I guess I was feeling nostalgic so I decided to read this one over Christmas Break. It popped up in my feed and it sounded kind of fun in a Downton Abbey-esque way.
From Goodreads:
Winona Farmington once dreamed of graduating from college, moving to New York City, and pursuing a career in publishing. Then real life got in the way when she left college and returned to her small Michigan hometown to care for her sick mother. Years later, stuck in a dead-end job and an unsatisfying relationship, Winnie has concluded that dreams were meant for others. She consoles herself with binge-watching the British television series that she loves, Beauchamp Hall, enthralled by the sumptuous period drama set on a great Norfolk estate in the 1920s. The rich upstairs-downstairs world brilliantly brought to life by superb actors is the ultimate in escapism. On the day Winnie is passed over for a long-overdue promotion, she is also betrayed by her boyfriend and her best friend. Heartbroken, she makes the first impulsive decision of her conventional life—which changes everything. She packs her bags and flies to England to see the town where Beauchamp Hall is filmed. The quaint B & B where she stays feels like home. The brother and sister who live in the castle where the show is filmed, rich in titles but poor in cash, are more like long-lost friends than British nobility. And the show itself, with its colorful company and behind-the-scenes affairs, is a drama all its own. Winnie’s world comes alive on the set of the show.
Well...I think I can safely say that I won't be reading any more Danielle Steele novels. It all came back to me. She has an odd...and slightly passive...way of writing that annoys me. Constant telling without showing... and the characters are always kept at a slight distance so you are never totally invested or really care about what happens to them. That was definitely the case for me while reading about Winnie. She just didn't inspire any great empathy or loyalty. All of the characters are so one dimensional. I needed some depth! The first half of the book about her life in Michigan was terrible. The book got a bit better once she went to England and then the last part of the book was so rushed and forced. It didn't make for a great read. I thought the premise of the story was good I just wish that the book lived up to what could have been a cute story.
My Rating: Not great.
7.) Save the Date by Morgan Matson
The same person who recommended To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han also recommended this book. She was right yet again. It's a cute YA novel and I liked it. It's not as good as To All the Boys...but it was a cute fun read.
From Goodreads:
Charlie Grant's older sister is getting married this weekend at their family home, and Charlie can't wait for the first time in years, all four of her older siblings will be under one roof. Charlie is desperate for one last perfect weekend, before the house is sold and everything changes. The house will be filled with jokes and games and laughs again. Making decisions about things like what college to attend and reuniting with longstanding crush Jesse Foster all that can wait. She wants to focus on making the weekend perfect...Over the course of three ridiculously chaotic days, Charlie will learn more than she ever expected about the family she thought she knew by heart. And she'll realize that sometimes, trying to keep everything like it was in the past means missing out on the future.
Although this book semi-stressed me out with all of the wedding day mishaps what I really loved was the Grant family. I absolutely loved their family dynamic. I found it to be very real. Their sibling interactions are funny and touching. There are five Grant children and I enjoyed them all. Of course I am partial to stories about five siblings. You don't find many of them! I was glad when the wedding drama was over but I will admit to being sad to say goodbye to this delightful family. I hope that the author writes more books about the Grants.
My Rating: A cute book! Would make a darling Netflix movie.
8.) The Wondering Years by Knox McCoy
I am a HUGE fan of Knox McCoy. I love both of his podcasts with Jamie Golden...The Popcast and The Bible Binge. I follow both he and Jamie on social media and I think that Knox is absolutely hilarious. His humor totally resonates with me and I was super excited to read his memoir.
From Goodreads:
When you hear the phrase pop culture, you likely think reality television, boy bands or Real Housewives of various cities. While these are elements of popular culture, they aren’t all it has to offer. Pop culture may not cure diseases, topple political regimes, or make scientific breakthroughs, but it does play a vital role in the story of humanity...In The Wondering Years, Knox explores this idea of connecting popular culture to his own experiences. Through hilarious yet poignant stories, he reflects on how pop culture has helped shape his life and carve out the foundation of his faith. While the three cultural tentpoles—the South, the Church, and Sports—defined many aspects of his East Tennessee upbringing, it was pop culture that most definitively influenced Knox and his sense of the world at large.
I loved it! Yes, it talks about faith AND pop culture AND it hilarious...Knox McCoy canine evangelist and his childhood search to identify potential Antichrists had me wheezy laughing (Knox's trademark laugh) and also thinking deeply about my own faith. That is quite the combo and it totally worked!! The footnotes...are absolute perfection!!
This is a great collection of essays. It is a refreshingly introspective look at faith and yet Knox never takes himself too seriously. He has the best sense of humor about everything including life's deepest questions. Knox grew up as a Southern Baptist and his upbringing in many ways was quite similar to being raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Church culture is church culture!
I love the idea that questioning and searching for answers about even the most profound questions is healthy and should be encouraged. I know that my husband and I certainly encourage it with our children who are being raised in the LDS faith. Wondering ISN'T wandering!! How I want to shout that from the roof tops. God is great and He can handle us asking questions, in fact, He encourages it.
I loved this book! I would have enjoyed it even if I didn't know Knox from his various podcasts. Listen to The Popcast podcast if you are into hysterical commentary on pop culture and listen to The Bible Binge podcast if you are interested in some interesting and funny discussions of the Bible. I laugh and I learn.
This is a great memoir...vulnerable and touching. Thoughtful and refreshing. I highly recommend it! I especially recommend the audiobook. Knox does the narration and it really doesn't get better than that!
My Rating: Excellent
9.) Whiskey in a Teacup by Reese Witherspoon
From Goodreads:
Reese’s southern heritage informs her whole life, and she loves sharing the joys of southern living with practically everyone she meets. She takes the South wherever she goes with bluegrass, big holiday parties, and plenty of Dorothea’s fried chicken. It’s reflected in how she entertains, decorates her home, and makes holidays special for her kids—not to mention how she talks, dances, and does her hair (in these pages, you will learn Reese’s fail-proof, only slightly insane hot-roller technique). Reese loves sharing Dorothea’s most delicious recipes as well as her favorite southern traditions, from midnight barn parties to backyard bridal showers, magical Christmas mornings to rollicking honky-tonks.
If you like lipstick, peonies, pearls, books, monograms, cooking, the South, elegance, hospitality, friendship, and family traditions you will like this book. I do and I did!
My Rating: Fun!
10.) I'd Rather Be Reading by Anne Bogel
I listen to the podcast What Should I Read Next by Anne Bogel and enjoy her Modern Mrs. Darcy blog. This is the second of two books that she has written about reading. This is a slim little volume. It would be a great gift book or book club exchange. It is definitely a quick read and caters to the bookish types... like me.
“We are readers. Books grace our shelves and fill our homes with beauty; they dwell in our minds and occupy our thoughts. Books prompt us to spend pleasant hours alone and connect us with fellow readers. They invite us to escape into their pages for an afternoon, and they inspire us to reimagine our lives...“We are readers. Books are an essential part of our lives and of our life stories. For us, reading isn’t just a hobby or a pastime; its a lifestyle.”
From Goodreads:
In this collection of charming and relatable reflections on the reading life, beloved blogger and author Anne Bogel leads readers to remember the book that first hooked them, the place where they first fell in love with reading, and all of the moments afterward that helped make them the reader they are today. Known as a reading tastemaker through her popular podcast What Should I Read Next?, Bogel invites book lovers into a community of like-minded people to discover new ways to approach literature, learn fascinating new things about books and publishing, and reflect on the role reading plays in their lives.
I love books about books. This is a small volume of essays for people who love to read. Anne Bogel shares her experiences and insights about reading. Some of my favorite essays were:
Confess Your Literary Sins
The Books That Find You
Bookworm Problems
Readers I Have Been
I loved this quote from the essay Bookworm Problems. It was my favorite and I could definitely relate!!
"You finally persuade your friend to read your lifetime favorite book. She gives it three stars. You persuade your husband to read one of your favorites. He pronounces it "fine." You cannot, no matter how much you beg, plead, or wheedle, convince your book club to read your favorite book. You cannot, no matter how or what you try, persuade your child to read your favorite childhood book. You convince your child to read your favorite childhood book, and he begins, but then says, "I just can't get into it."
My only negatives were that I now have a new found angst caused by the author reminding me multiple times how there will never be enough time to read all of the books on my To-Read list and reminding me that even if I read a book a day it would still only be 365 books a year and that there are more books than that published on Tuesdays. There will never be enough time to read all of the books we want to read in our lifetimes. Depressing. Also she returned The Prince of Tides back to the bookstore. An unpardonable sin. Granted she was 14 at the time but so was I when I read that book for the first time and I loved it. Pat Conroy is my all-time favorite author. Actually my very favorite book about books is Conroy's My Reading Life. It is fabulous.
My Rating: A cozy little read for bibliophiles.
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