Fiction
American Royals ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Book of Longings. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Friends We Keep. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Hangman. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Jane Austen Society. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Last Train to Key West ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Loveliest Chocolate Shop in Paris. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Love Story of Missy Carmichael. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
On Grace. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Paris Apartment. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Switch. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
To Kill A Mockingbird ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
NonFiction
Houseplants For All ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
My Time to Speak. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Middle Grade
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Hello, Universe. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sophie & The Bookmobile⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
August has been a wonderful month for reading. I have read some amazing books. I read three Five Star books: The Last Train to Key West, The Jane Austen Society, and The Book of Longings. I loved each of these books and for completely different reasons. The Last Train to Key West introduced me to the work camps of WWI veterans. The Jane Austen Society let me get lost in a quaint little English village after WWII. The Book of Longings let my imagination be in the what if world of Ana and the writing was so amazing. However, they all had one thing in common: they are all historical fiction. I have gone back and forth in my mind with strengths and reasons why I liked these books. However, I need to choose one for my favorite and I have decided to pick The Book of Longings, which surprised even me. If you would have asked me at the beginning of the month what book I was most looking forward to reading I would have said The Last Train to Key West or The Jane Austen Society.
The Last Train to Key West
By: Chanel Cleeton
I spent the day listening to this amazing story and cleaning the basement. Learning about the work camps
the WWI veterans worked in after serving in the war was sad. The three women in the story each had their
own story and each was looking for a new start in life. I really enjoyed listening to their struggles and was so
happy as they each found the courage within themselves to move forward. I thought the story was just
beautiful and was surprised by the connections at the end of the story. I give this book ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars and
recommend it to those who like to learn a little bit about our country’s (US) history.
The Love Story of Missy Carmichael
By: Beth Morrey
I first heard about The Love Story of Missy Carmichael from @readwellsreviews where she described it
as a mix between Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and A Man Called Ove. I thought this sounds
adorable. I loved both those books and I love the characters Eleanor and Ove. I was not disappointed.
This book was so sweet. ❤️What I liked about this book was that Missy is a retired librarian.
She is an older woman who lives by herself in a big old house. ❤️I liked how the people in her
community cared for Missy and encouraged Missy to try new things. ❤️ I liked how Missy was able to
change and grow as a person as well. She was able to forgive and forget mistakes made in the past.
It is a wonderful story. I will give it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars. It reminded me that I need to reach out to more
people in my community.
Book 111
The Switch
By: Beth O’Leary
Genre: Fiction
This is a cute audiobook about Leena and her grandmother, Eileen, who are both going through a rough
patch in life. They decide to switch homes and do something different for a few weeks.
❤️What I loved the most about the story is the character Eileen. She is 79 year old and she sounds like
she has the energy of someone who is fifty. Her husband left her and she is not going to let her ruin her life.
❤️I loved that Eileen is actively involved in helping others in her community.
❤️I loved that she took risks and went to London on a new adventure. I thought it was funny that Eileen
was not afraid to use the dating app. I found this story to be fun and enjoyable to listen to. If you are looking
for a light and humorous read then I recommend this book to you.
Book 112
To Kill A Mockingbird
By: Harper Lee
Genre: Historical Fiction
Happy National Book Lovers Day!! Today I finished my reread of To Kill A Mockingbird.
It was the perfect book for the weekend. I am so glad I reread this book, although I read this
in high school there were so many details I had forgotten about the book. It is an amazing book
and it deserves the top spot on The Great American Read list. The character Atticus Finch is an
amazing character for the time period of the story. I know most readers have read this book.
However I challenge you if you can not name five characters from the story and recall five events then
I think you should reread the book.
Houseplants For All
By: Danae Horst
Genre: Nonfiction
I love plants but keeping them alive is another story. I am slowly learning which plants do better
in my house. When I saw this book I thought it would be good for me to read a book about houseplants.
I have spent so much money on houseplants that do not survive a little knowledge could not hurt.
I have never had a “green thumb” but I am always browsing the plant section of our local grocery
enjoying all the plants.
The book, Houseplants For All has a lot of useful information for properly caring for plants, for example
plants need more than just, light and water to survive. The author, @danaerolynhorst of the book outlines
how important humidity, the soil and even the pot you use are to the success of the plant. The photos of
the book are wonderful. This book is for beginners and anyones who loves plants and needs a little guidance
to grow a plant successfully.
Sophie & The Bookmobile
By Kathleen Jacobs
Thank you @kathleen.jacobs for the book, Sophie & the Bookmobile and bookmark and book poster.
It was very exciting to be one of the winners of your giveaway a couple of weeks ago.
Anyways I won Kathleen’s book about Sophie, a little girl who loves to read. Her family moves from
New York City where there is an amazing library to a little town in West Virginia with no library. This is
such an adorable book, it brought back memories of the bookmobile that used to come down the street
from my house when I was little. Why a bookmobile came to the neighborhood where I Iived I’ll never know.
I lived only two miles from the public library. However, I loved running down the hill to get books. I really
enjoyed reading the story and I loved how Kathleen tied in the author Cynthia Rylant as well because I would
say the reading level for this book is similar to many of Cynthia Rylant books. I can not wait to share this book
with some young readers I know.
Book 115
American Royals
By: Katherine McGee
Genre: YA Fiction/Romance
I added this book to my tbr pile after I read a review about the book by @buzzedaboutbooks where
Margaret Ann raved about the book. I love to read books about the royal family so I thought I’d give this
book a try. I liked the premise of the book….What if the founding fathers of the US made George Washington
a king instead of a president. Now the descendants of the Washington family are the royal family of the US.
And as all young royals they are young and in love with commoners???? How will this work? Also Beatrice
will be the first Queen of the US, another big change. The book was enjoyable however it ended with so much
unresolved. I’m guessing there will be another book. I would say this book was a fun and enjoyable read.
I would give it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars.
My Time To Speak
By: Idia Calderon
Genre: Nonfiction /Biography
I loved reading this wonderful biography by Ilia Calderon. I will be honest I had never heard of this
remarkable lady until I picked this book on @Netgalley. I picked this book because I wanted to read
a nonfiction book about racism that was inspiring.
I have been reading several chapters a night and I honestly look forward to reading each night before
I go to bed. I am learning so much about racism and how subtle can be. Ilia comes from an Afro-Latina
community in El Choco, Colombia. I love her mother’s “work hard” attitude. Ilia has had to overcome a lot
of racial injustice in Colombia and in America and she continues to speak out to make our world a better place.
What is inspiring about Ilida is that even though she felt she didn’t not have a chance at some of the
opportunities in her field. She still put herself out there and gave it a try. She challenges herself to speak
up for injustices and face racism head on.
I love this quote Ilia has from her mother, “A woman has to be like a violet, the more discreet, the more
appreciated and desired.” Her mother uses this quote to let Ilia know that she doesn’t have to be loud and
fashionable to get attention. However I also think you can apply this quote to teaching people about racism
as well. I think women can make change together. We don’t have to yell and scream but we can teach and
model positive behavior and continue to inform others and that will make a better world for all.
The Loveliest Chocolate Shop in Paris
By: Jenny Colgan
Genre: Fiction/Romance
Are you a fan of the author Jenny Colgan? My favorite book by her is The BookShop on the Corner.
(Although I have a problem with the title. However, that is a different post.) I am slowly working my way
through her backlist and I found that many of her books center around food. This one appealed to me:
how can you go wrong with chocolate and Paris. I even bought a small box of mint chocolates to enjoy as
I read the book.
The book is about Anna, who suffers through a freak accident at the mass chocolate factory she works
at in England. As she recuperates, her roommate is no other than her French teacher, Claire, who helps
her find a new job in Paris in a small chocolate shop. There Anna learns a lot about chocolate, friendship
and love. The story is an easy read, however it does deal with cancer and dying, but for the most part it
focuses on what is love. I give this sweet story ⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars.
I love reading stories set in Paris.
The Hangman
By: Louise Penny
Genre: Mystery
The Hangman by Louise Penny is a short story that Louise Penny wrote for Good Reads Canada as part of
an emerging literacy project. It is meant for adult readers who struggle with the reading. It has the Three
Pines setting and characters however is not part of the series. I of course had to pick it up as a fan of
Louise Penny just to see what it was about. It is written at a 3rd grade reading level however not for a
third grader because it does deal with murder. It is a quick fun read for avid three pines fans.
Book 119
The Jane Austen Society
By: Natalie Jenner
Genre: Fiction
“They say that certain books can really help patients with trauma, and for some reason Jane Austen is one of the ones
they recommend. I know she has helped me.”
― Natalie Jenner, The Jane Austen Society
I listened to this delightful book because I am thinking of joining Anne Bogel’s book club this month.
I know I should have joined at the beginning of the month but it has been one of those months and I am
just getting around to it. I am really interested in her Fall Literary class. Is anyone else in the Book Club?
What are your thoughts about it?
Anyways, I loved the book, The Jane Austen Society. I have read lots of mixed reviews about the book
but I really enjoyed it. I enjoyed the characters in the story; each one was unique and had a love for Jane
Austen’s books. I liked the premise of the book. The little town where Jane Austen lived and wrote several
of her books. I really liked how the characters came together for the society and that they were there to keep
Jane’s legacy alive but also to look out for each other as well.
The book has inspired me to reread Persuasion. The first time I read it, I didn’t care for it. However so
many people say this one is their favorites. So I think I need to give it another try before the end of the year.
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate
By: Jacqueline Kelly
Genre: Middle Grade/Historical Fiction
“Bed, book, kitten, sandwich. All one needed in life, really.” J. Kelly
It took me a bit to read The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate because other books had to take priority however
I finally finished it. It is a cute book about a little girl growing up in the south in 1889. She is interested in
science and nature. She enjoys each day exploring and experimenting with her Granddaddy. However,
her mother wants her to learn how to sew, cook, bake and play the piano. Calpurnia is the only daughter
in a family of six children and her mother has big expectations.
A Paris Apartment
By: Michelle Gable
Genre: Fiction
The Paris Apartment is one of those books you may prefer to listen to. There are many french names
and words and if you cannot speak French it is nice to listen to someone else read them to you.
There are two stories going on. April Volt, works for Sotheby’s as the continental furniture specialist.
She comes from America to Paris to assess the pieces in the apartment and prepare them for sale.
April has a variety of personal problems that she is running from in America and is looking forward to
working in Paris away from her cheating husband for a while.
In the apartment in Paris April comes across priceless pieces once owned by Marthe de Florian.
There she finds Marthe’s journals which tell the story of a young girl living in an orphanage then moving
to Paris.
As April reads and understands Marthe’s rags to riches story she begins to put her own life back in order.
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
By:
Genre: Middle Grade/Fantasy
I read The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane for a buddyread with @lollipopsandlyrics #MiddleGradeReadAlong
in August. It was a little hard for me to get into at first because it is written from a stuffed rabbit’s point of view.
However it was a super short story about what it means to be loved and the importance of friendships.
Great story for kids.
Book 123
The Book of Longings
By: Sue Monk Kidd
Genre: Historical Fiction
I read The Book of Longings for my teacher/friend book club and to be honest I wasn’t looking forward to it.
I mean who really wants to read a book about Jesus and his wife. There are so many theories out there and
I just didn’t know where this book was going to go. So I procrastinated until two days before the book club and
finally read it.
I was completely surprised by how much I loved this book. First of all, the writing is beautiful. Each sentence
flows into the next sentence. Second, the research that went into this book was extensive. Although the author
herself admits she fudged a few dates and events to make the story flow smoothly the historical time period is still
in place. I was afraid this story was going to be very preachy about Jesus’ beliefs however Jesus is really a minor
character in this story. The story is about his wife, Ana, and the trials and tribulations she went through to find her
own voice in a male dominated world. The story introduces the reader to the women in Ana’s life who influence her
decisions. I give this story ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.
Hello Universe
By: Erin Entrada Kelly
Genre: Middle Grade Fiction
It’s a beautiful Saturday day. It has finally cooled down a bit and we could open our windows and let the fresh air in.
The cool breeze feels so good.
Today I have the book, Hello Universe to share with you. It is a middle grade book about friendship, differences,
and standing up to a bully. It is a cute story for young children. It’s a book with lots of emotions. I read this
book because it was on the Battle of the Books list and once again I was surprised by how good it was.
The quality of children’s books is really impressive.
On Grace
By: Susie Orman Schnall
Genre: Fiction
It’s the end of the month and this is the time that I try to squeeze in a couple books from my unread stack.
I don’t know where or why or who recommended this book to me, maybe I just purchased this book because
of the relaxing cover. Anyways I read this book, On Grace, about a young mother who is devastated to learn
her husband had a one night stand on a business trip.
As she tries to come to terms with this she begins to exchange emails with an old friend from high school who
she had a crush on. They plan to meet up in a group of friends in LA. Needless to say her husband is not happy
about this.
This story is mainly about the inner turmoil that Grace must face due to her husband’s infidelity. However, there
is another storyline about how Grace is there for her best friend through a miscarriage and cancer.
The book was easy to read……. A This is my Life kind of book……. Daily drama nothing over the top.
I give it ⭐️⭐️⭐️.
The Friends We Keep
By: Susan Mallery
Genre: Fiction
This is my final book of the month. The Friends We Keep is a basic chicklit book about three friends
and the ups and downs of their lives. The chapters alternate between each friend and their personal life.
Haley desperately wants a baby. She has had five miscarriages and her doctor has said no more. It is too
risky to her health. However Haley doesn’t want to hear it. She is willing to risk everything for a baby. Nicole
is a single mom who is starting out in the dating game again. She has to find the strength again to trust someone.
Gabby is a mom of five year old twins who is looking forward to going back to work now that her girls are going to
school. However her husband is thinking something else. It is an easy ⭐️⭐️⭐️ star read. I read it because it is
one of the 56 books from my unread book pile.
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