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23 October 2021

November Book Pick

 I had so much trouble picking the book for November.  Why?  Well, I try to pick a book that I read the month before and make it be one that I loved.  That is easy most months because I usually only read one great one a month, but this month was completely different.  During the month of October, I read 5 books that I wanted to share with people.  FIVE books that I think are worth your time.  I decided that I don't have to do the same thing that everyone else does, I can pick a TOP FIVE book pick and you can choose any of them and I think you will have a GRAND time.  


1.  Dave Grohl-The Storyteller

This book is all about rock n roll, but not sex and drugs.  This is a book to celebrate music.  A book that shows love, devotion, and a slight coffee addiction.  I loved every single part of this book and if I have to pick a favorite of all 5 this month, it is this one.  



2.  Taylor Jenkins Reid-Malibu Rising 

I love all of Taylor's books, and this one is even better than the last one (Daisy Jones and the Six).  This one features June and Mick and shows us their relationship and marriage.  We will then be transformed to the future where we meet June and Mick's kids and see how they cope with his stardom and mom and dad's choices.  I won't say anything else, except this one is hard to put down. 




3.  Jessica Anya Blau-Mary Jane

This is probably my second favorite of all 5 books.  This one shows us a teenage girl on the verge of womanhood.  She is a nanny for the summer to a doctor and his wife.  While working she experiences a whole world different than the life she has with her parents and feels she is living a double life.  Things keep getting stranger when she meets her television idol and her rock star husband.  





4.  Patti Callahan Henry-Once Upon a Wardrobe

I could feel the magic all around while reading this book.  Meg finds herself interviewing C.S. Lewis about how he created Narnia for her invalid brother, George.  George is a very creative child that draws pictures of the stories Meg tells him from the information she gathered from C.S. Lewis.  The tale is almost as magical as Narnia itself.  



5.  Laura Dave-The Last Thing He Told Me

I knew this book would be a type of thriller but had no idea how this book would twist and turn.  I am not sure what I can tell you that would not give it away. I will just say it is a book about a woman that marries a man.  This man has a child from a previous marriage and he is a widower.  I do believe that is all I can tell you, sorry about that, you just need to be surprised.  



On my monthly book shelf that I keep, I will record The Storyteller as the book of the month and the other 4 as bonus reads, but please don't let any of these pass you by.  



22 October 2021

Review: Espressos, Eggnogs, and Evil Exes

Espressos, Eggnogs, and Evil Exes Espressos, Eggnogs, and Evil Exes by Harper Lin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I think the Cape Bay Cafe series is so fun. I love a good coffee shop. This is a part of a series, but you could read it as a stand alone, but why would you want to?

Fran's best friend and co worker is stalked by her boyfriend's ex...then the ex ends up dead. Who do think is the suspect? Sammy the best friend. Jump right in for some fun, some craziness and a nice way to spend a weekend. Bonus....there is a "killer" eggnog recipe in the back of the book.

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15 October 2021

Review: Macchiatos, Macarons, and Malice

Macchiatos, Macarons, and Malice Macchiatos, Macarons, and Malice by Harper Lin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I received a free ARC in exchange for my honest review and I am more than happy to give it to you. I thought this was a lot of fun. This time we will leave town and head to a resort a few hours away. We will meet characters that we want to slap across the face and some we want to give a hug to and of course there is a murder. Fran is going to give it her best to be romantic with Matt while trying to solve the murder.

You could read this as a stand-alone but why would you want to? Go back and read the other 8 books in this series, you will love them. As always this one is a quick relaxing read. Perfect for a few hours alone, or a chair on the beach...don't forget your glass of wine and macaron.

***Bonus*** macaron recipe in the back!!!!!

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Review: Once Upon a Wardrobe

Once Upon a Wardrobe Once Upon a Wardrobe by Patti Callahan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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13 October 2021

Review: Who Was John F. Kennedy?

Who Was John F. Kennedy? Who Was John F. Kennedy? by Yona Zeldis McDonough
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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Review: Wait For It

Wait For It Wait For It by Jenn McKinlay
My rating: 3 of 5 stars



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Review: Malibu Rising

Malibu Rising Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
My rating: 5 of 5 stars



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Review: Lattes, Ladyfingers, and Lies

Lattes, Ladyfingers, and Lies Lattes, Ladyfingers, and Lies by Harper Lin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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Review: Cul-de-sac

Cul-de-sac Cul-de-sac by Joy Fielding
My rating: 5 of 5 stars



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Review: The Show Girl

The Show Girl The Show Girl by Nicola Harrison
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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26 September 2021

October book picks, yes PICKS

 I have chosen two books this month.  Two vastly different books.  


Early Morning Riser is a general woman's fiction book.  We meet Jane who is living the life of a school teacher and everything is going great until her mother has a car accident and it completely changes Jane's life.  Her life goes like most of us, she gets married, has children and it wouldn't be a good book without some drama.  I won't spill the secrets of the book, I will just tell you that this book is a great book for fall break.  


The second book won't be released until October 21, but it is worth checking out once it is released. Even though she was a child,  Maria worked for the resistance.  She gets caught and is thrown into Auschwitz. Anyone who has heard this name knows that it was one of the most dangerous places that a prisoner could enter. Maria's life is spared because a guard loves the game of chess and Maria is an excellent player.  This is not a light and fluffy book like the one above....this is heavy and heartbreaking in spots, but these stories need to be told as some of the supporting characters were real-life people.   


Enjoy.  



Review: Margaritas, Marzipan, and Murder

Margaritas, Marzipan, and Murder Margaritas, Marzipan, and Murder by Harper Lin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I am thoroughly enjoying this series. I can feel a connection to the characters and I enjoy them. Looking forward to book #4! Oh and I am simply in love with Latte!

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Review: Vanderbilt: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty

Vanderbilt: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty Vanderbilt: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty by Anderson Cooper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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03 September 2021

Review: Twilight

Twilight Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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Review: Assassination Vacation

Assassination Vacation Assassination Vacation by Sarah Vowell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars



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Review: Century Girl: 100 Years in the Life of Doris Eaton Travis, Last Living Star of the Ziegfeld Follies

Century Girl: 100 Years in the Life of Doris Eaton Travis, Last Living Star of the Ziegfeld Follies Century Girl: 100 Years in the Life of Doris Eaton Travis, Last Living Star of the Ziegfeld Follies by Lauren Redniss
My rating: 5 of 5 stars



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Review: Gone With the Wind: the Definitive Illustrated History of the Book, the Movie, and the Legend

Gone With the Wind: the Definitive Illustrated History of the Book, the Movie, and the Legend Gone With the Wind: the Definitive Illustrated History of the Book, the Movie, and the Legend by Herb Bridges
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is probably my favorite book of all the books I have read about GWTW. The history behind the movie, the photos from the filming, and how the movie was received when released. I have written in my copy, I have the death date of every single person that was credited in the movie written inside the covers. As of today, there is only one person left, little Beau, Mickey Kuhn.

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Review: Fairest of All

Fairest of All Fairest of All by Serena Valentino
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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29 August 2021

Review: Every Vow You Break

Every Vow You Break Every Vow You Break by Peter Swanson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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Review: Mrs. March

Mrs. March Mrs. March by Virginia Feito
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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Review: Days That I'll Remember: Spending Time with John Lennon and Yoko Ono

Days That I'll Remember: Spending Time with John Lennon and Yoko Ono Days That I'll Remember: Spending Time with John Lennon and Yoko Ono by Jonathan Cott
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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Review: Bloodier Than Fiction

Bloodier Than Fiction Bloodier Than Fiction by Harper Lin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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Review: Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan Michael Jordan by Mª Isabel Sánchez Vegara
My rating: 5 of 5 stars



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September Book Pick




August has been a slow reading month for me. I had Jury Duty, worked two jobs, and of course the start of school.  I am pretty excited to say that as of August 27, I can breathe a little bit so I have cranked up the reading.  This week I decided to make the decision on what book I will recommend for the September book pick.  I have read a couple of good ones the last two weeks but have decided that Every Vow You Break by Peter Swanson was worth every second I put into it.  It was a book that was sort of hard to put down. The book starts with a bachelorette party weekend and ends in an affair that leads to loads of suspense and a few twists.  I hope you like it.  

20 August 2021

Review: The Wars of the Roosevelts: The Ruthless Rise of America's Greatest Political Family

The Wars of the Roosevelts: The Ruthless Rise of America's Greatest Political Family The Wars of the Roosevelts: The Ruthless Rise of America's Greatest Political Family by William J. Mann
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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Review: Charles Dickens

Charles Dickens Charles Dickens by Mª Isabel Sánchez Vegara
My rating: 5 of 5 stars



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Review: Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein Albert Einstein by Mª Isabel Sánchez Vegara
My rating: 5 of 5 stars



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Review: Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn Monroe Marilyn Monroe by Mª Isabel Sánchez Vegara
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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Review: Yoko Ono

Yoko Ono Yoko Ono by Mª Isabel Sánchez Vegara
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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Review: Joan Crawford: A Woman's Face