1.) You with the Sad Eyes by Christina Applegate
From Goodreads:
Beloved star and Emmy-winning actress Christina Applegate's raw and darkly funny memoir illuminates the life of a childhood star, turned iconic comedic actress, turned tenacious example of how to find the beauty in our messy lives...In You with the Sad Eyes, Applegate will unveil the full story of her years in the public eye, and the painful moments the public didn't see. She writes about gravitating to the grunge that defined the 90s and finding belonging in the legendary scene at The Viper Room; sparkling on set with fellow comedy icons in the soon to be canonized franchise Anchorman; sharing her love of dance in the Broadway revival of Sweet Charity; and returning to the Emmy stage to a standing ovation in 2024 after her diagnosis of MS. She’ll dive into the darker moments underpinning her outward her relationship with her mother who fought addiction and won, even in the wake of her father’s abandonment; the self-doubt and body dysmorphia that have dogged her from a young age; and the abuse and depression that eroded her health. Her path is ever lit though, by lifelong friends, chosen family, and her experience as a mother. By working through her legacy on the page, Applegate invites readers to take her hand and hear a story not even those closest to her know fully.
I needed a palate cleanser and thought that a celebrity memoir would do the trick but this is a pretty heavy memoir. Most of it was very difficult to read. Christina Applegate's story is mostly a sad story. She's experienced a lot of trauma and sorrow. She has faced two very scary diagnoses too. Breast cancer and now MS. She's mad and I don't blame her. She is brutally honest about how horrible and debilitating MS is and all that it has robbed her of. Christina says that she is done hiding her feelings. Her writing is raw and unfiltered. She is a fighter and often uses dark humor to cope.
Christina discusses her traumatic and messy childhood growing up in Laurel Canyon, CA. The abandonment that she experienced and the domestic violence and addiction that she grew up surrounded by. She is very close to her mother Nancy but I think she lets Nancy off the hook a little too much for some of the trauma that she experienced. She talks about being a young Hollywood star in the 90s and all the toxicity and drug use that came with the lifestyle she was living and the famous pals she hung around with and dated. The memoir was fascinating at times...her work, celebrity life, and behind-the-scenes information...and very depressing the rest of the time.
Christina Applegate is tough as nails and pulls no punches. She doesn't come off as a particularly warm and approachable person. More like a force to be reckoned with and I think it serves her well with the trials she has had to face...abuse, depression, cancer, eating disorder, and now MS. She is very transparent and vulnerable and unflinchingly honest about the toll these experiences have taken on her life. The feeling of being trapped in darkness and struggling to find any meaning, let alone joy, in her reality...especially not being able to act anymore. She does seem to have a core group of long time friends and family who are her support system and she is devoted to her daughter. Christina's resilience is commendable.
My Rating: Not an easy read.
2.) The Wedding People by Alison Espach
From Goodreads:
It’s a beautiful day in Newport, Rhode Island when Phoebe Stone arrives at the grand Cornwall Inn wearing a green dress and gold heels, without luggage, alone. Everyone in the lobby mistakes her for one of the wedding people at an impending wedding on the site, but she’s actually the only guest at the Cornwall who isn’t there for the big event. Phoebe is there because she’s dreamed of coming for years. She hoped to shuck oysters and take sunset sails with her husband, only now she’s here without him, at rock bottom, and determined to have one last decadent splurge on herself. Meanwhile, the bride has accounted for every detail and every possible disaster the weekend might yield except for, well, Phoebe and Phoebe's plan—which makes it that much more surprising when the two women can’t stop confiding in each other.
This book is on a lot of "best-of" lists and was the winner on Goodreads for Reader's Favorite Fiction in 2024. People rave about this book in real life, online, and in book reviews. For me it was just okay. I give the author props for writing about mental health and depression. The book starts with a dark plotline of a woman checking into a luxury hotel to end her life. The beginning is pretty bleak and hopeless. Thankfully there is a redemption arc.
I liked the setting of the luxurious historic Cornwall Inn in Rhode Island that has been booked for a week by a large wedding party. It gave the book a great setting and atmosphere. This is a character-driven novel with a large and quirky cast of characters. The main character of Phoebe finds herself living, what to her, feels like a meaningless invisible life with no chance of improving. Phoebe is a high insight but low change character. Life could improve if Phoebe was willing to take a chance. I think that is relatable for most readers. The knowing that something needs to change to make life better but being afraid to take the first step. Thankfully through various interactions with a wedding party, Phoebe finds herself again, and realizes her worth. This is a story of second chances and the effect we can have on the people around us. We all strive to belong...to be loved...and to find meaning in our lives. And sometimes good things can also happen when life doesn't work out like you planned. By the end of the novel a sad story ended up being quite hopeful.
I listened to the audiobook but wish I would've read the physical book. There is a lot of banter and I didn't love the audio narration of it. Particularly characters like Lila, Marla, and Jim. It got tedious but I think it would have been less so reading their words rather than hearing them.
My Rating: Okay.
3.) The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles
This book came highly recommended by my husband. It was also our book club selection for June 2026.
From Goodreads:
In June 1954, eighteen-year-old Emmett Watson is driven home to Nebraska by the warden of the juvenile work farm where he has just served fifteen months for involuntary manslaughter. His mother long gone, his father recently deceased, and the family farm foreclosed upon by the bank, Emmett’s intention is to pick up his eight-year-old brother, Billy, and head to California, where they can start their lives anew. But when the warden drives away, Emmett discovers that two friends from the work farm have hidden themselves in the trunk of the warden’s car. Together, they have hatched an altogether different plan for Emmett’s future, one that will take them all on a fateful journey in the opposite direction—to the city of New York.
This coming-of-age epic road trip novel was fantastic! I loved it. It was so good and beautifully written. A story of heroes and scoundrels and a meandering journey down the Lincoln Highway full of ragtag traveling companions, villains, mishaps, and detours. It's an epic journey for Emmett and his brother Billy who are trying to get to San Francisco but end up in New York City.
The writing is Steinbeckian with call backs to Huckleberry Finn, The Odyssey, and Of Mice and Men. I loved the evocative setting of 1950s America. Having recently read James by Percival Everett and having also read Huckleberry Finn, I was struck by the similarities and homage to these novels. The characters are memorable and interesting...the brothers, Duchess, Woolley, and the others that they meet along the way. The story was absorbing as I followed along on their journey hoping for the best but fearing the worst. The ending is controversial but I didn't mind it. As we learn in Doctor Abernathy's Compendium...all hero journeys start in the middle. The themes of human nature, fate, friendship, and unintended consequences kept me reading. I loved the allusions to myths, legends, literature, and classic movies. Even more so I loved the Easter Egg that Wooley is the nephew of Wallace Wolcott from Towles' book Rules of Civility and that the Wolcott's Adirondack lake house was also featured in Rules of Civility.
The facility with which Towles can flip from writing about a Russian Aristocrat in 1920s Moscow to New York's upper crust in the late 1930s to 1950s Nebraska is captivating. He is able to pull his readers into different cities, countries, social strata, and time periods with ease. There were so many quotes to mull over and think about but my all-time favorite quote from the book...maybe ever...was when the character of Sally is fed up with doing all of the work around her house and talks about Mary and Martha from the Bible. I literally laughed out loud and whole-heartedly agreed.
She says:
"At last week's Sunday Service, Reverend Pike read a parable from the gospels in which Jesus and his disciples, having arrived in a village, are invited by a woman into her home. Having made them all comfortable, this woman, Martha, retreats into her kitchen to fix them all something to eat. And all the while she is cooking and generally seeing to everyone's needs by filling empty glasses and getting second helpings, her sister, Mary, is sitting at Jesus's feet. Eventually Martha has had enough and lets her feelings be known...Lord, she says, can't you see that my idler of a sister has left me to do all the work? Why don't you tell her to lend me a hand? Or something to that effect. And Jesus, He replies: Martha, you are troubled by too many things when only one thing is needful. And it is Mary who has chosen the better way. Well, I'm sorry. But if you ever needed proof that the Bible was written by a man, there you have it. I am a good Christian. I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of Heaven and Earth. I believe that Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, was born of the Virgin Mary, and suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, was buried, and on the third day rose again... I am even willing to believe that Moses was spoken to by a burning bush, but I am not willing to believe that Jesus Christ, Our Savior--who at the drop of a hat would heal a leaper or restore sight to the blind--would turn His back on a woman who was taking care of a household. So I don't blame Him. Whom I blame is Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, and every other man who has served as priest or preacher since."
That is some terrific writing!! Amor Towles is a classic in the making. His books are head and shoulders above most of the over-hyped books these days. While A Gentleman in Moscow is still my very favorite of his novels; this one was excellent too.
My Rating: I loved it!
4.) Theo of Golden by Allen Levi
This book came highly recommended to me from many different sources. It is a work of sweet literary fiction but it wasn't quite what I expected. It was more a collection of people and stories and the ties that bind us as humanity rather than a page-turning plot driven novel.
From Goodreads:
One spring morning, a stranger arrives in the small southern city of Golden. No one knows where he has come from…or why…His name is Theo. And he asks a lot more questions than he answers. Theo visits the local coffeehouse, where ninety-two pencil portraits hang on the walls, portraits of the people of Golden done by a local artist. He begins purchasing them, one at a time, and putting them back in the hands of their “rightful owners.” With each exchange, a story is told, a friendship born, and a life altered.
This book has had a lot of traction. It is well-loved. I appreciated the themes of empathy, compassion, and kindness that were personified in the person of Theo. The writing is gentle and quiet. I loved the Southern setting of a small town in Georgia and a mysterious 86 year old stranger who finds his way into this community and into their hearts. It is a contemplative novel that explores connection and love and was often quite moving.
Unfortunately the story got bogged down in the middle. The pacing was slow. Theo going from person to person with his art bestowals and then hearing their stories had me wondering if we were going to hear all 90+ stories. That made it hard for me to stay engaged. I don't enjoy a repetitive trope in novels. 50 first dates. 10 summer vacations. It made me antsy wondering how long the book was going to be.
But there were some beautiful quotes that left me appreciating life and feeling gratitude.
"Everybody has a story worth telling. Sometimes they just need someone to listen."
"Sadness can make us bitter or wise. We get to choose."
"Do good, bestow kindness, strive for beauty, seek and find the river that leads to life everlasting, and draw from the fountain that never runs dry."
This was a feel good story of friendship and love with a rather unexpected ending. I closed the book feeling inspired to live more beautifully, do more good, and deepen my connections with those around me. I think my book club would love this book.
My Rating: A gentle read.
5.) Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy
From Goodreads:
A family on a remote island. A mysterious woman washed ashore. A rising storm on the horizon. Dominic Salt and his three children are caretakers of Shearwater, a tiny island not far from Antarctica. Home to the world’s largest seed bank, Shearwater was once full of researchers, but with sea levels rising, the Salts are now its final inhabitants. Until, during the worst storm the island has ever seen, a woman mysteriously washes ashore. Isolation has taken its toll on the Salts, but as they nurse the woman, Rowan, back to strength, it begins to feel like she might just be what they need. Rowan, long accustomed to protecting herself, starts imagining a future where she could belong to someone again. But Rowan isn’t telling the whole truth about why she set out for Shearwater. And when she discovers sabotaged radios and a freshly dug grave, she realizes Dominic is keeping his own secrets. As the storms on Shearwater gather force, they all must decide if they can trust each other enough to protect the precious seeds in their care before it’s too late―and if they can finally put the tragedies of the past behind them to create something new, together.
This book has been marketed as an environmental thriller. I wouldn't call it that. It is more of a mysterious family drama. A father and his three children are caretakers on an island near Antarctica that is the world's largest seed bank. Normally the island is teeming with scientists but the ocean is rising and for reasons unknown it is only the Salt family left until a woman washes ashore.
The Salts are a family with secrets. The father, Dom, was the most interesting of the bunch but it was the island that was the standout character for me. Incredibly atmospheric, the haunting remote setting added so much to the story. There is also a bit of a dystopian vibe. The reader isn't quite sure what is happening in the rest of the world but we know that climate change is the culprit and that the alarming effects are being felt on Shearwater Island.
I loved the wildness of the island and the sea. The writing was vivid, lush, and introspective. There were lovely descriptions of sea life, birds, animals, vegetation, and water. The themes of climate change, environmental conservation, isolation, loneliness, and grief inspired reflection. Unfortunately, the plot and mystery just weren't as captivating as I hoped they would be.
My Rating: An introspective slow burn mystery.
6.) I Choose Me by Jennie Garth
From Goodreads:
Through personal stories, practical advice, and the wisdom earned through her own hard lessons, Jennie lights a path back to self-love and clarity. I Choose Me is for anyone who’s ever felt lost in their roles, struggling to give themselves permission to ask, “What do I want now?” It’s an invitation to honor your own journey, embrace self-care, and believe with compassion that choosing yourself is the bravest, kindest thing you can do.
A small part of this book was memoir and then it was all self-help. Too much self-help. It got boring. Jennie Garth talks about the struggles she has faced...mental health issues, divorce, addiction, body image issues, problematic relationships...and while I appreciated her candor...the preachy self-help was too much. Her repeating trendy buzz words and doling out life coaching advice while positioning herself as an enlightened guide got old quickly. It was too self-indulgent.
The best parts of this book were the brief glimpses we got of pop culture...90210, Luke Perry, her complicated relationship with Shannon Doherty, and celebrity friendships. When the narrative switched back to more psychobabble I lost interest.
My Rating: Okay.
7.) Funny Story by Emily Henry
From Goodreads:
Daphne always loved the way her fiancé, Peter, told their story. How they met (on a blustery day), fell in love (over an errant hat), and moved back to his lakeside hometown to begin their life together. He really was good at telling it... right up until the moment he realized he was actually in love with his childhood best friend Petra. Which is how Daphne begins her new story: stranded in beautiful Waning Bay, Michigan, without friends or family but with a dream job as a children’s librarian (that barely pays the bills), and proposing to be roommates with the only person who could possibly understand her predicament: Petra’s ex, Miles Nowak. Scruffy and chaotic—with a penchant for taking solace in the sounds of heart break love ballads—Miles is exactly the opposite of practical, buttoned-up Daphne, whose coworkers know so little about her they have a running bet that she’s either FBI or in witness protection. The roommates mainly avoid one another, until one day, while drowning their sorrows, they form a tenuous friendship and a plan. If said plan also involves posting deliberately misleading photos of their summer adventures together, well, who could blame them? But it’s all just for show, of course, because there’s no way Daphne would actually start her new chapter by falling in love with her ex-fiancé’s new fiancée’s ex... right?
This is my favorite Emily Henry book thus far! I enjoyed this fun fake dating and opposites attract romance novel! I wasn't sure about Miles at first but by the end I was rooting for both he and Daphne. I loved the setting of the Michigan resort town and the community found there. I thought that Miles and Daphne had good chemistry and banter and that by the end they both exhibited heartfelt character growth. Emily Henry's writing is always engaging and fun. This book was the perfect summer read.
My Rating: Delightful!
8.) Royal Spin by Omid Scobie and Robin Benway
From Goodreads:
An irresistibly entertaining story about a young American woman who takes a job at Buckingham Palace—where she finds herself tangled in a royal mess she might not be able to spin her way out of. She can handle the press...but can she handle the Palace? With the British monarchy reeling from a wave of scandals, young American politico Lauren Morgan is plucked from the White House press office to breathe new life into the Buckingham Palace communications team and improve the royal family’s streak of bad headlines. But the Palace is an institution steeped in tradition and strict protocol, and Lauren quickly discovers that change is far from easy, or welcome, especially when you’re dealing with culture clashes, displeased royal aides, and a risky new love interest—or two. Just as Lauren finds her footing at work—and with a charming royal reporter who may be more than just a press contact—an unexpected encounter from her past threatens the career she’s worked so hard to build. And when scandal looms over the dashing duke who Lauren has developed a special bond with, she finds herself torn between duty, loyalty, success, and happiness.
I love a good Royal family book even if it is fiction. This book was a nice summer read. British fluff. Nothing too deep nor scandalous. In this contemporary romance an American is working at Buckingham Palace and conflict and potential love interests ensue. It was okay. Good enough to keep my attention but not exactly riveting.
I believe this is the first book in a forthcoming series which is good because the plot meandered a bit and the ending just kind of drops. If this isn't the first book in a series then the plot was basically pointless.
My Rating: Okay.
9.) The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett
From Goodreads:
In 1933 Oxford, Mississippi, Prohibition is on the wane, and the Great Depression is tightening its grip. Poor and rich folks alike have fallen on hard times, even as the old social order remains. For women on the margins, the options are few and the price of dignity and self-determination is unbearably high. Eleven-year-old Meg, one of the unadoptable “big girls” at the Lafayette County Orphan Asylum, fights each day to keep her spirit unbowed. Birdie, unmarried and outspoken, has come to Oxford on a mission to ask her social-climbing sister to help the struggling family she’s left behind. And Charlie is a woman with a past, running low on luck but driven by fire, fury, and grit. When their fates converge, they come up with an audacious plan to take back control of their lives. Together, they form an unlikely sisterhood—but in a place and time where hypocrisy is rife, women’s freedom is fragile, and making an enemy can have dire consequences, will the price they pay for their outrageous risk-taking be too high?
I loved this book! It is great Depression era historical fiction. Set in Oxford, Mississippi this funny and moving novel stole my heart. Kathryn Stockett has created an incredible cast of vivid and unforgettable characters. Her writing is rich and her storytelling fantastic. Despite being a very character-driven novel the plot still took a twist that I did not anticipate! I loved the dual narration of two very strong female POVs. The book was entertaining and engaging from start to finish.
This book explores many different themes: resilience, survival, class, privilege, race, and female roles in society. It especially explores the very limited options of women and the social realities of that time and place. This novel was unique and, at times racy, but still so heartfelt. I love a book that you can just immerse yourself into and invest in the characters. I thoroughly enjoyed my reading experience. I already miss these endearing characters...especially Meg. She was a firecracker! Was it worth waiting 17 years for Kathryn Stockett to write another novel? Yes.
My Rating: I loved it!
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