Book Review: You Should See Me In A Crown {Leah Johnson}

I started reading Leah Johnson’s You Should See Me In A Crown while on our most recent trip to Michigan (you can read about our previous trips HERE and HERE). Having heard GREAT things about this book, I was excited to read and review it!

One of the best mornings of our trip was when we had a lazy morning. My husband drove to pick up our favorite breakfast and I slowly sipped coffee, read my book, and cuddled my kids in bed while we waited for him to return. Absolute vacation relaxation perfection.

Village Baker breakfast was ON POINT.

Take me baaaaaaaaack.

Goodreads Synopsis of You Should See Me In A Crown {Leah Johnson}:

Liz Lighty has always believed she’s too black, too poor, too awkward to shine in her small, rich, prom-obsessed midwestern town. But it’s okay — Liz has a plan that will get her out of Campbell, Indiana, forever: attend the uber-elite Pennington College, play in their world-famous orchestra, and become a doctor.

But when the financial aid she was counting on unexpectedly falls through, Liz’s plans come crashing down . . . until she’s reminded of her school’s scholarship for prom king and queen. There’s nothing Liz wants to do less than endure a gauntlet of social media trolls, catty competitors, and humiliating public events, but despite her devastating fear of the spotlight she’s willing to do whatever it takes to get to Pennington.

The only thing that makes it halfway bearable is the new girl in school, Mack. She’s smart, funny, and just as much of an outsider as Liz. But Mack is also in the running for queen. Will falling for the competition keep Liz from her dreams . . . or make them come true?

My Review of You Should See Me In A Crown {Leah Johnson}:

Reading in front of the electric fireplace in our cottage. Heaven.

So…I loved this book. I did. There’s not much NOT to love. Liz is such a lovable, wonderful character with a heartbreaking family history. Her journey to live life as her true self is filled with determination, drive, and so much more. I laughed, I cried, I smiled, I loved it. I truly did. BUT…

What I DIDN’T love were all of the overly cliched high school personas. The jock? Check. The mean girl? Check. Plus so many more. While I DO agree that every high school has these types of people, their cliched personas aren’t quite as drawn as this book tells. It was even mentioned IN THE BOOK that when drawing these lines, that the lines aren’t so straight….and yet….so many cliches throughout this entire book completely disputed that statement.

I also wasn’t a big fan of the MULTIPLE hugely dramatic VERY public scenes where Liz found herself smack in the center. One scene like this? Awesome. Two? Ok fine. But SO MANY? Unrealistic.

I love YA books but I don’t love when authors make high schools sound like absolute battlegrounds. And yes, I understand to many that is exactly how high school feels…but…it would be so nice to read a YA book where high school is portrayed in a positive light. I’m VERY fortunate that I absolutely loved my high school experience! I can’t help but feel sad when authors make high schools sound like war zones with everyone out to get everyone else all the time.

And I’ll just say it. I didn’t like the ending.

BUT…

The actual story told was AWESOME. I loved it! It was deep and beautiful and tragic and heartwarming and happy and sad and wonderful.

So….that’s quite the mixed review, huh???

Bottom Line

Would I recommend this book? ALL DAY LONG. It’s a wonderful story filled with love, acceptance, and being true to your authentic self. However, as much as I loved the story…this clearly wasn’t a totally perfect read for me.

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Another Book Accessory Recommendation!

I once wrote a blog post called “My #1 Book Accessory of All Time” (you can read that post HERE) and I still stand by that recommendation. I very literally use mine EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. And she is currently looking as fancy and fabulous as ever:

As I always tell my kids, the more worn and dirty something is, the more that means it’s been loved. And clearly this book light has been LOVED.

My kids see me use mine every day and always want to borrow it. A few months ago, they both begged for their own!

Ummm begging for a BOOK LIGHT?!? #proudmama

Fast forward a few months…

…and both of my kids now use them often (not QUITE as often as their mama…working on it) and they both love them. These specific book lights came as a pack of 2 which was perfect for my 2 kids. I wanted to wait a few months after buying them to write a blog post to make sure that I recommend these. I absolutely do!

Another Book Accessory Recommendation

They are so tiny and so easy to travel with!

The 1 and only complaint that I have with my own book light is that isn’t easy to travel with because I’m always so afraid that the large old school bulb will shatter in my suitcase. I always end up tossing it in with my toiletries in this bag although I’m not sure that’s the safest way to travel with it, lol. (Fun fact: my sister in law gave me this toiletry bag at one of my bridal showers and it has traveled with me on every single trip I have taken over the past 10.5 years! LOVE!)

Large, old school bulb:

Teeny tiny flat LED light:

I will say that these lights aren’t as bright as mine but my kids don’t care. Totally bright enough that they use them to read in the dark all the time! In fact, these lights can usually be found somewhere in their beds because they fall asleep while reading 🙂 I like my book light to be BRIGHT (again, see THIS POST for more info on that) but I’m sure many people out there would prefer a softer light.

FYI…my booklight will always be my #1 must have book accessory, but THIS product remains hands down my #2. I. LOVE. THIS. PRODUCT. Although I still think it looks a bit naughty, lol…I promise it’s not!

You can read my blog post HERE all about that one and why I love it so much. It’s the definition of a product you never realized that you need until you own it and use it ALL THE TIME.

Do you use a book light? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

Xo,

Jenny

Click the image below to order these book lights through my Amazon affiliate link. When you order through this link, I receive a tiny commission. Thank you for your support, Xo

This blog is my favorite hobby and I would so love your support! Here are ways you can help my blog to GROW:

*Please share this page with your book and blog loving friends!*

*Subscribe with your email address to my blog (scroll all the way to the bottom of this page on mobile devices OR check the top right of this screen to enter your email address)*

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*”Like” my Facebook page (and please comment on, “like”, and share my posts)*

*Follow me on Instagram*

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The ultimate list of my top book suggestions can be found HERE

What I’m Currently Reading, What I Recently Read, What I Think I’ll Read Next (WWW #17) {Book Coffee Happy}

I love when Book Coffee Happy can participate in WWW! The Three Ws: What are you currently reading? What did you recently finish reading? What do you think you’ll read next?

Thanks so much to Sam from Taking on a World of Words for hosting this fun weekly post!

What Are You Currently Reading?

Synopsis from Goodreads of Playing Nice {JP Delaney}:

Pete Riley answers the door one morning and lets in a parent’s worst nightmare. On his doorstep is Miles Lambert, a stranger who breaks the devastating news that Pete’s son, Theo, isn’t actually his son–he is the Lamberts’, switched at birth by an understaffed hospital while their real son was sent home with Miles and his wife, Lucy. For Pete, his partner Maddie, and the little boy they’ve been raising for the past two years, life will never be the same again.

The two families, reeling from the shock, take comfort in shared good intentions, eagerly entwining their very different lives in the hope of becoming one unconventional modern family. But a plan to sue the hospital triggers an official investigation that unearths some disturbing questions about the night their children were switched. How much can they trust the other parents–or even each other? What secrets are hidden behind the Lamberts’ glossy front door? Stretched to the breaking point, Pete and Maddie discover they will each stop at nothing to keep their family safe.

They are done playing nice.

I have been waiting for MONTHS to read this book! I think it sounds amazing! Starting it today, I clearly have VERY high expectations…fingers crossed that I won’t be disappointed…

What Did You Recently Finish Reading?

Synopsis from Goodreads of The Guest House {Lucy Foley}:

On an island off the coast of Ireland, guests gather to celebrate two people joining their lives together as one. The groom: handsome and charming, a rising television star. The bride: smart and ambitious, a magazine publisher. It’s a wedding for a magazine, or for a celebrity: the designer dress, the remote location, the luxe party favors, the boutique whiskey. The cell phone service may be spotty and the waves may be rough, but every detail has been expertly planned and will be expertly executed.

But perfection is for plans, and people are all too human. As the champagne is popped and the festivities begin, resentments and petty jealousies begin to mingle with the reminiscences and well wishes. The groomsmen begin the drinking game from their school days. The bridesmaid not-so-accidentally ruins her dress. The bride’s oldest (male) friend gives an uncomfortably caring toast.

And then someone turns up dead. Who didn’t wish the happy couple well? And perhaps more important, why?

I finished this one yesterday morning and I have SO MANY thoughts. I’ll post my review soon!

What Do You Think You’ll Read Next?

Being as Type A as I am, I will NOT be unprepared with reading material during a future state shutdown like I was during the last one! I am keeping my library book pile fully stocked. As we speak, I have 10 books checked out of the library PLUS a pile of books that I own just waiting for me to read them! Clearly, I have many to choose from but as of now I’m thinking I will read this one next:

Synopsis from Goodreads of Little Scratch (Rebecca Watson}:

In the formally experimental tradition of Grief Is the Thing with Feathers and Ducks, Newburyport comes a dazzlingly original shot-in-the-arm of a novel that reveals one young woman’s every thought over the course of twenty-four hours.

little scratch tells the story of an unnamed woman living in a world of office politics, clock-watching and emoji-texting as she relays what it takes to get through mundanity in the wake of a recent sexual assault.

Formatted in continuously interweaving columns that chart the feedback loop of memory, the senses, and modern distractions with witty precision, our narrator becomes increasingly anxious as the day moves on; and increasingly intent on distracting herself. Must she really drink eight glasses of water a day to stay hydrated? Does the word “rape” apply to what happened to her? Why is the etiquette of the women’s bathroom so fraught? Does the colleague who keeps offering to make her tea know something? And why can’t she stop scratching?

Fiercely moving and slyly profound, little scratch is a fearless and defiantly playful look at how our minds function in– and survive–the darkest moments

So, this book looks…different. Like, it literally looks different, check out how it’s written:

I’m undecided if this book format will be interesting or annoying but I do know that it’s intriguing? I’m already annoyed that the title words and author name don’t begin with capital letters (I told you I’m Type A). We’ll see. This book is VERY outside of the type of book I usually read??? Have any of you read it? I’ll keep you posted on my thoughts!

Have you read any of these 3 books? What did you think (no spoilers)? What are you currently reading? I’d love to hear in the comments below!

Xo,

Jenny

Click on the images below to order through my Amazon link. When you order through this link, I receive a tiny commission. Thank you for your support, Xo

This blog is my favorite hobby and I would so love your support! Here are ways you can help my blog to GROW:

*Please share this page with your book and blog loving friends!*

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This. Book. Is. AWESOME.

This book has been on my list to read FOREVER. I brought it on our first trip to Michigan, never had the chance to read it, and had to return it to the library once we got home (cue sad music). I was SO excited when I FINALLY was able to re-check it out and start reading so that I could read and review it! And I must say…totally worth the wait. It’s AWESOME.

I. Loved. This. Book.

Goodreads Synopsis of The Wife Stalker {Liv Constantine}:

Breezing into the tony seaside paradise of Westport, Connecticut, gorgeous thirtysomething Piper Reynard sets down roots, opening a rehab and wellness space and joining a local yacht club. When she meets Leo Drakos, a handsome, successful lawyer, the wedding ring on his finger is the only thing she doesn’t like about him. Yet as Piper well knows, no marriage is permanent.

Meanwhile, Joanna has been waiting patiently for Leo, the charismatic man she fell in love with all those years ago, to re-emerge from the severe depression that has engulfed him. Though she’s thankful when Leo returns to his charming, energetic self, paying attention again to Evie and Stelli, the children they both love beyond measure, Joanna is shocked to discover that it’s not her loving support that’s sparked his renewed happiness—it’s something else.

Piper. Leo has fallen head over heels for the flaky, New Age-y newcomer, and unrepentant and resolute, he’s more than willing to leave Joanna behind, along with everything they’ve built. Of course, he assures her, she can still see the children.

Joanna is devastated—and determined to find something, anything, to use against this woman who has stolen her life and her true love. As she digs deeper into Piper’s past, Joanna begins to unearth disturbing secrets . . . but when she confides to her therapist that she fears for the lives of her ex-husband and children, her concerns are dismissed as paranoia. Can she find the proof she needs in time to save them?

My Review of The Wife Stalker {Liv Constantine}:

This book is AWESOME. Actually, let me rephrase: This book is great but the ENDING is awesome.

I had been waiting for months to read this book and it was most definitely worth the wait (isn’t it the worst when a book you have been so excited to read turns out to be awful? Thankfully NOT the case here).

I was ALL IN from page 1 and I felt ALL the emotions while reading. Anger? Check. Sadness? Check. Suspicion? Check. As a mother and a wife reading this book, I was especially invested in seeing how everything was going to play out. I had SO MANY predictions while reading and exactly ZERO of them came true. I love, love, love when that happens.

If you have been reading my blog for any length of time, you know that short chapters are my absolute favorite and this book is full of them. The writing was clear, the chapters were short, the story lines were captivating, and the ending was GREAT!

Side note: Did you know that Liv Constantine isn’t an actual person? Liv Constantine is a pen name for 2 sisters who co author their books. Mind. Blown.

Bottom Line:

Read this book. If you are married and a mother, read this book….and then hug your husband and children a little tighter. Omg.

Have you read this book? What did you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

Xo,

Jenny

Click the image below to order the book through my Amazon affiliate link. When you order through this link, I receive a tiny commission. Thank you for your support, Xo

This blog is my favorite hobby and I would so love your support! Here are ways you can help my blog to GROW:

*Please share this page with your book and blog loving friends!*

*Subscribe with your email address to my blog (scroll all the way to the bottom of this page on mobile devices OR check the top right of this screen to enter your email address)*

*If you already have a blog, please “follow” mine*

*”Like” my Facebook page (and please comment on, “like”, and share my posts)*

*Follow me on Instagram*

*Follow me on Twitter*

*Subscribe to my YouTube channel*

*Clicking and buying products through my Amazon Affiliate links. The cost to you is exactly the same and I receive a tiny commission off of your purchases.*

*Leaving a positive review on my Facebook page*

The ultimate list of my top book suggestions can be found HERE