I’m really excited about this month’s reading list!!
I’m still finishing up the July books, and will be reviewing them very soon. But for now, here is what I am reading and recommending for this month.
For the record, I’ve read several of these in the last couple of weeks. They’re all great so far.
Maine by J. Courtney Sullivan
I originally picked up Maine because the title made me think of books by one of my favorite authors, Elin Hilderbrand. This book is set on a beach house, where three generations of women from an Irish family arrive, each with their own secrets. It sounds fun and beachy, but also like it has a bit of substance, which I love.
Where We Belong by Emily Giffin
I am a big fan of Emily Giffin. LOVED Something Borrowed and Something Blue and thought the movie was completely adorable too. This book is her newest, and is about a 36 year old television producer named Marian, and the child she gave up for adoption 18 years ago. The sudden and unexpected arrival of her daughter shakes up Marian’s “perfect” world, and forces her to confront her past mistakes and choose a new path moving forward.
A Land More Kind Than Home by Wiley Cash
This book is a bit of a deviation from the above “chick lit”, which I think is a good thing — I hate to stick to just one genre!! This book is about a young boy named Jess, and the evil he discovers lurking in his mom’s small, southern church. A very powerful novel about love, forgiveness, and people not always being who they seem.
A Grown Up Kind of Pretty by Joshilyn Jackson
This is an author that was recommended to me by my friend, Bridget. As always, her taste was spot on!! A Grown Up Kind of Pretty is the story of three generations of southern women and the secret from their past that is unearthed one day in their back yard. What really happened and how can they prevent it from destroying their future?
The Unfinished Work of Elizabeth D by Nichole Bernier
This book was recommended to me by a friend, and although I haven’t started it yet, I’m really excited to read it!! The Unfinished Work of Elizabeth D is the story of a woman named Kate, who lost her friend Elizabeth in a sudden accident. When Kate inherits a trunk of Elizabeth’s journals, she uncovers a friend she didn’t know — moody, troubled, and very complex. The journals make Kate question her OWN life, and the circumstances in which her friend died.
I hope you have enjoyed the reading list so far, and give some of these books a try!! I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Happy reading!!
I finished the Fifity Shades series and finally the Help. Thanks for the recommendations!
Just finished The Story of Beautiful Girl and can’t
Oops …. Too fast with the submit button. Can’t wait to see what you thought of it.
Thanks! Need some new reads…feel lost without a book to read!
I LOVE your reading lists. I just finished Gone Girl. What a book!! And Tumbleweeds was already on my shelf before I saw it on your blog. I’m looking forward to reading it soon. Right now, I’m working on State of Wonder by Anne Patchett and Cutting for Stone. Summerland is waiting for me at the library. If only there were more time for reading!
Thanks for the suggestions. I enjoyed reading Maine too. Just finished Defending Jacob. It was probably the best book I have read this summer..full of mystery and surprising twists. I also like Emily Griffin, I pinned that book. I am waiting for Gone Girl from my library. I also have Yes Chief to read..so many books, so little summer left.
I wasn’t a fan of the book Maine even though I am a big fan of the state. Gone girl was crazy! I recently read cutting for stone which is amazing. Also just read the art of racing in the rain which was a quick touching read…
read the rest of joshilyn jackson’s books! you’ll be glad you did. i liked GUKOP but my other favorite is Between, Georgia. and the companion book to GUKOP is called Gods in Alabama.
Adding books to my library hold list as I type….yes, I’m cheap! Yes to the person above….loved Between, Georgia, too!
Kristan, do you ever read Maeve Binchy’s books? I’ve always loved them and read last week that she died recently. Now I want to re-read and re-watch Circle of Friends.
Bridget — I use the library, too. Why not? Free, free, FREE! Has anyone read “Love in a Cold Climate” by Nancy Mitford? Written years ago but still funny. It’s one of my all time favorite books.
Yes!! I’ve read almost every single one of her books….Circle of Friends several times (I actually rewatched the movie when I was on vacation!!). The Copper Beech is my second favorite of hers. I was so very sad to hear that she passed away
I can’t believe we won’t get any more books from her — it’s heartbreaking.
Oops. Made a mistake. There are several books in the series. The Pursuit of Love and Love in a Cold Climate are the first two. The Pursuit of Love is the best of them. READ IT! You’ll thank me. Really.
Reading The Unfinished Works of Elizabeth D no w and I cant put it down – great read. Going to pick one of these when finished
I’m adding all of these to my library hold list today! I have been reading a ton, and am always looking for new books. Just finished On the Island – very good
The library IS my bookshelf. I get on great reading lists like Kristan’s and open my library account right next to it and start placing holds. It’s like Christmas all the time when I get emails telling me I have books waiting for me. If only there were more hours available to read! Thanks for the great recommendations . . I love Joshilyn Jackson and didn’t realize she had something new out.
I could only get through 1/2 of Maine. I can’t wait to see what you think!
Thanks for the recommendations! I just finished “A Land More Kind Than Home.” Pretty dark and difficult to read (mostly because of the content – tough emotionally) and very thought-provoking. Thanks again for making me think! That is always a good thing! xo