Is there anyone else who is completely happy that today is election day so that the political ads and bullshit goes away?!?! I am sooooo over it! Anyways. Time to link up with Steph and Jana for Show Us Your Books! I have a little bit of everything today including some Christmas reads!!! Sometimes I love nothing more than a cozy Christmas story, am I right? Maybe it will help me get in to the season a little more since it has been so hot here.
The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
You guys, I am not going to lie. I was super skeptical about this book and hence why I kept putting it off. I am really not the self help kind of person but I wanted to give this a try. My verdict? Life changing. I cant tell you how glad I am that I read this book! I cleaned and purged some more items around my house, I have a completely new perspective on some areas of my relationships, and overall I basically just have a little happiness project of my own started because of this book. I actually dedicated a post to this book you can see here.
Bottom Line: I honestly believe that anyone could benefit from reading this book in some way. If you are seeking happy, trying to live more purposefully, wanting to tidy your house, need to listen to something positive and motivating then this is for you!
Rating: 5/5
Twelve Days of Christmas by Debbie Macomber
It’s time to start getting in to those warm and cozy Christmas novels! This was a very quick read for me, just a few hours and I had the warm and fuzzies. Julia starts a blog called The Twelve Days of Christmas after a few unpleasant run-ins with her neighbor Cain. She wants to kill him with kindness and see if it makes a change in his life. Just a really cute, feel good read! Plus, we can all relate to needing a good blog topic, right?
Bottom Line:If you are looking for a quick and easy Christmas feel good story, than give this a go!
Rating: 3.5/5
**I received a copy of The Twelve Days of Christmas from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are of my own.**
A Whole Latte Murder by Caroline Fardig
This is the third book in the Java Jive series, which reminds me a little of the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. I really enjoy these novels, the characters are fun and you feel like you are a part of the Java Jive coffee shop staff. I like that Juliet is probably a little more capable of investigating and sleuthing than Stephanie Plum (even though she just runs a coffee shop) and she is a strong female lead. There is always some kind of excitement you get about her private life too.
Bottom Line: This is a cute and funny series and I recommend it if you are looking for a lighter read with some mystery and action!
Rating:4/5
**I received a copy of A Whole Latte Murder from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are of my own.**
Love in a Nutshell by Janet Evanovich
I love Janet Evanovich so of course I had to try this. Love in a Nutshell is a considered romantic suspense. Plus, a book set in a brewery? Ok! I got in to this book instantly, and stayed entertained and invested throughout the whole mystery. I thought it was totally cute and you get a little bit of Evanovich’s quirkiness thrown in to the mix. This is a very light read but sometimes you need a palette cleanser, no?
Bottom Line: If you are looking for a quick and light palette cleanser, this is it! Also, I think most Evanovich fans would enjoy this. It was really cute and I was sad when it was over. I would love more of Kate and Matt!
Rating:5/5
Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell
I read Attachments and loved it. Fangirl was just ok for me. This book. Oh this book!!! This is the Rainbow Rowell I love! I devoured this book so fast. I had to know what was going on with Eleanor and Park!
Bottom Line: Just read it.
Rating: 5/5
Miracle on 5th Avenue by Sarah Morgan
This is the third book in the From Manhattan with Love series, but only the second I read. I missed the first one. I would say you could read this book as a stand alone without the first two if you are just looking for a Christmas love story! I really loved both Eva and Lucas in this book. I loved that their chemistry wasn’t always perfect and that they both had their own struggles. My absolute favorite line of the book?
“Prince Charming was a weird stalker guy with a foot fetish.”
Bottom Line: If you are looking for a cozy Christmas romance, then this book is for you! I found myself staying up late thinking just one more chapter…ok one more chapter…while reading this. And if I am missing sleep for a book? Then it is good!!
Rating: 4/5
**I received a copy of Miracle on 5th Avenue from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are of my own.**
What to Expect When You’re Expecting by Heidi Murkoff
I had Chris order me this book the day I told him I was pregnant. It seems like it is the “it book” for all expecting moms out there. What I liked is that I could read the book along with my pregnancy. Month by month to see what I should expect, what is going on with baby and development, etc. Anything you ever really wanted to know about pregnancy is in here. And that is also part of the problem. Every problem to raise your blood pressure and stress about is also in here!!! I have to be honest and say there were parts I skipped over because it is like reading WebMD and I felt like everything was wrong with me because I was reading about it.
Bottom Line: If you want allllll the nitty gritty about pregnancy, this is a great resource. Just don’t get too caught up in everything that can go wrong, because this book shares a lot of that.
Rating: 4/5
Little Earthquakes by Jennifer Weiner
This is my first book by this author, I have a few of hers on my to read list and thought I would start with this one since it was available from my library. I did this via audiobook and the author herself narrates it, so you get the characters exactly as how they are supposed to be…which I love! I really enjoyed the way the book switched back and forth being told from the different woman’s points of view. Since I am about to be a new mother, which is what brought these woman together, I felt like I could really relate to the story. The more I listened the more involved I became and I just really enjoyed this book! I loved how the lives of each of these woman was a little messy and completely realistic.
Bottom Line: This was just a really good, solid read that I enjoyed. Can’t wait to read more from this author.
Rating:4/5
Let’s Just Say It Wasn’t Pretty by Diane Keaton
Honestly, I got bored and didn’t end up finishing this book. Maybe I wasn’t in the mood for it? I don’t know. Makes me sad because I love Diane Keaton!
Read anything good lately?
32 Comments
i still haven’t read the happiness project, i really am not sure if i should/will, but i think your review sold me. i might listen to it. twelve days of christmas sounds adorable. i am always all about evanovich, so adding that one to my list. you are right, sometimes you absolutely need a palette cleanser. i am so glad you loved elenaor & park! that and attachments are my faves. totally different, but gave me all the feels.
added the sarah morgan books to my list. requested the 3rd from netgalley, the 2nd from the library and the first is only 99 cents on kindle so i bought it hahaha. hopefully i like them!
i haven’t read that jennifer weiner but i do love her books so i’ll have to add it.
oh that is sad! i love Diane Keaton too! bummer 🙁 i will skip that one too.
Dayam, look at you go! I’m still going month by month in What to Expect, but it’s definitely grown on me. At first I didn’t like the format, it felt almost like reading a newspaper, but after 6 months I’m used to it. And the huge list of symptoms was always kind of boring (I skimmed – no need to read if it doesn’t apply!) until I started getting some, and then it was super useful! “Yes, tell me all about sciatic pain.” Lol! In general I feel like reading along with a book is a good reminder to us to get various baby-related tasks done in a timely fashion instead of waiting until month 9 and then freaking out.
I LOOOOOOOVED Eleanor and Park — I listened to it when I was still (trying) pumping for Sheffield, and it made that time not suck so bad Also, I love Jennifer Weiner’s older stuff — I can’t get down on her newer books, but Little Earthquakes I loved. And super sad about the Diane Keaton book, since I love her too!
I’m working my way through some Christmas reads too and I enjoyed the blogging element in 12 Days of Christmas. I think Miracle on 5th Ave is a kindle deal right now and I was debating whether or not it was worth it. Attachments is the only Rowell book I’ve read, but I loved it so now I’m definitely interested in checking out Eleanor & Park!
You inspired me to order the Happiness Project! I can’t wait! As for pregnancy reads – have you read Belly Laughs by Jenny McCarthy? It is HILARIOUS. I read the entire thing in like 2 afternoons because I could not put it down. So funny!
Eleanor and Park is One of my all-time favorites! Kind of hard to describe but just so good!! Of course you know that Janet E book is on my list, it’s sitting on my Amazon wish list right now. The fact that it was in the brewery almost has my husband wanting to read it, ha ha!
Jennifer Weiner is one of my favorites, for sure! Be sure to read Goodnight Nobody and In Her Shoes. I am reading her memoir, Hungry Heart right now. My favorite book lately was The Mothers, All the Ugly and Wonderful Things and One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Oh yes, and I really want to read the Winter Series books from Elin Hilderbrand for Christmas! Happy reading!
So glad you loved Eleanor & Park! It was my second favorite RR, I think, after Attachments. I loved Landline by her too.
E&P is awesome! Attachments is my favorite, followed by E&P.
Jennifer Weiner is wonderful. I didn’t love Little Earthquakes but her last three are excellent. Definitely keep reading her!
I loved Eleanor & Park too – just takes me back to high school love – so sweet.
That Java Jive cover alone makes me want to check out this series.
I still need to decide on my Christmas book to read
I read Eleanor and Park and The Happiness Project last month too! 🙂 Both were great. E&P was my first Rainbow Rowell book but definitely won’t be my last. I read Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series, although a bit behind. It got so repetitive that my interest waned. I going to add the Java Jive series to my TBR, sounds like a good, fun series and I like that she’s a bit more together than Stephanie Plum.
Eleanor & Park is sooo good! I loved it. Must try Weiner, I think I’m the only one who hasn’t read her 🙂
I haven’t yet read The Happiness Project either, but I love Gretchen Rubin’s podcast so I think this needs to officially be my next read!
I’m on hold for SO MANY books right now haha- I apparently want all the same books as the rest of the world at the moment 😉 I always love your reviews. Quick but helpful! Adding a few of these to my list! I really enjoyed the What to Expect book, it can def be info overload and I skipped over lots too- but it’s nice to know what’s coming up each month. I have what to expect: the first year now and I’m enjoying it too!!
I definitely enjoyed parts of What to Expect and referred to it often – there is some good info in there!! Unrelated but have you seen the movie What to Expect when you’re expecting? Brian and I watched that one and Knocked Up when I was pregnant and it was fun just in case you’re looking for something to do near the end 😉
Like you, I loved The Happiness Project. I have read a few of Debbie Macomber’s books and quite enjoyed them so maybe I will try that Christmas one! I was declined for Miracle on 5th Ave on Netgalley but I read the other two and am intrigued by Eva’s story so I’m sure I will get to it eventually (probably in the summer haha bad timing :)) Loved Eleanor and Park 😀
I love seeing what others read and then I pretend I will actually read one of them, lol. But I’ve been doing some audiobooks, and they’ve both been hits
Girl you read a ton this month, and I love that you’re already picking up some Christmas books! I definitely need to get my hands on Miracle On 5th Avenue, and of course I added The Happiness Project to my list already based on what you already wrote about it. I’m also so glad that you loved Eleanor & Park! I loved Fangirl, but read E&P first and that sealed the deal with me for my love for Rainbow Rowell! I can’t wait to read the rest of her books!
You’re a reading maniac! Dang, girl! I added half of your books to my TBR list and I half-despise you and half-thank you for that. Hahahaha 🙂
I need to go back and read The Happiness Project. It’s on my list. I am also happy to hear you liked Eleanor & Park because it’s been on my list, too! I just ordered a Christmas book for a book challenge last night. I’m really so excited to get it and start reading!
I LOVED E&P!
So, I am one who works on my personal mental & emotional health, but for some reason I keep avoiding The Happiness Project. I don’t know why that is.
I love Diane Keaton too, but I’m not interested in her book, so I will follow your lead.
I have to read The Happiness Project, sounds great! And I can’t wait to check out Miracle on 5th Avenue, a holiday book sounds so perfect next to the Christmas tree…SOON!
That’s how I felt about The Happiness Project: it wasn’t a major switch in lifestyle or a secret to happiness. It just makes you look different at routines and things around you. I got SO much out of it.
Did you read Better Than Before?
What fantastic choices! I think that after this election season, we could all gain a little something from The Happiness Project!
Meg, Borrowed Heaven
Oh I think you have convinced me to read The Happiness Project. I’m currently reading Big Little Lies, so far I’m enjoying. I am trying to read before bed every night even if it is only for a few minutes.
Could not be happier that the election is finally over! What to Expect When You’re Expecting was a great read, and so is What to Expect in the 1st Year 😉
I really need to read Eleanor & Park soon. It sounds so cute! I have Twelve Days of Christmas on my list and can’t wait to read it when I’m looking for a cozy Christmas read!
Eleanor and Park is a FANTASTIC book! And I can’t wait to start The Happiness Project! Honestly, I think we could all use a little more happiness in our lives 🙂
Both christmas books will be added to my list – I love those feel good books – they make me happy!! 🙂 I don’t think I ever read Jennifer Weiner’s first book – so I’m going to add it to my list! xo, Biana BlovedBoston
I’m so glad that the Happiness Project was such a winner! I need to check that out. 🙂
I should probably try the Evanovich!
I always love your book recommendations because I trust your opinion on good books! Checking these out for sure!
I didn’t like Fangirl either. I gave it a 2 star rating, but there were some things that I absolutely hated about that book. I want to eventually read some of her other books to give her another chance (Eleanor and Park included!).
I’ve never read anything by Jennifer Weiner, but I think I have at least one of her books on my “To Read” list. I think I’ll add this one as well. (And, on a semi-related note, I always get the Tori Amos song “Little Earthquakes” in my head every time I see the cover for this book!)