Blogmas 2022: The 13 Best Books I Read in 2022

Blogmas 2022: The 13 Best Books I Read in 2022

For the past 2 years on this post I have used a picture of the year’s number all lit up in beautiful lights from an annual drive thru light show. This year they had the lights set up in a weird place and I couldn’t get my annual blog picture! Soooo….random selfie it is, lol.

It’s heeeeeere….the post I wait all year to write! This post is always so much fun for me because it allows me the opportunity to think about and reflect on alllllll of the books I’ve read this year (and I’ve read A LOT of books this year). It’s also always one of my most visited posts due to the fact that I include it in my blog signature at the very bottom of each post that I write.

If you are a regular blog reader, you know that I always include my “bottom line” on the bottom of my reviews which is a quick way for me to recap my feelings. Just like I have done in past years, I thought it would be fun to list these books only by the bottom line that I gave to them in my reviews. Click these bottom lines to take you directly to my review of each book (which also includes the synopsis for each book).

Here are links to my favorite books from past years:

The Best Books I Read in 2019

The Best Books I Read in 2020

The Best Books I Read in 2021

And….drumroll please….I now proudly present to you….in absolutely no particular order…

The 13 Best Books I Read in 2022:

Book #1’s Bottom Line:

If you love libraries, you will LOVE this special book.

Book #2’s Bottom Line:

Read this. Today.

Book #3’s Bottom Line:

Read this. And be ready to develop a sudden fascination with the entire Kennedy Family.

Book #4’s Bottom Line:

Sweet, innocent, cheesy words of a really beautiful story and suddenly…BAM…dirty sex scene. Loved this book so much!

Book #5’s Bottom Line:

This book is FASCINATING.

Book #6’s Bottom Line:

I never wanted this book to end.

Book #7’s Bottom Line:

It’s haunting, it’s disturbing, it’s insane. It’s awesome. I LOVED it.

Book #8’s Bottom Line:

Perfect little holiday read!

Book #9’s Bottom Line:

I can already confidently say that this will be one of my favorite books of the year…and it’s only January 🙂

Book #10’s Bottom Line:

Absolutely loved it.

Book #11’s Bottom Line:

I officially now declare this to be one of my all time favorite books.

Book #12’s Bottom Line:

One of my favorite reads of the year!

Book #13’s Bottom Line:

If you are married, read this book. And then go and hug your spouse.

What are some of the best books that you have read this year? Have you read any of my 2022 favorites? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

Blogmas 2022 Posts:

12/1 Welcome to Blogmas 2022 {Video)!!

12/2 BLOGMAS 2022: Happy Birthday to ME {Target Gift Card Giveaway}

12/3 Blogmas 2022: Book Review: The Holiday Swap {Maggie Knox}

12/4 Blogmas 2022: The Bookish Gift I Bought For Myself

12/5 Blogmas 2022: Winter Wonderland Book Tag

12/6 Blogmas 2022: 6 Books I Want To Read in 2023

12/7 Blogmas 2022: Book Review: Kiss Her Once For Me {Alison Cochrun}

12/8 Blogmas 2022: Book I’m Currently Reading, Coffee I’m Currently Drinking, 1 Thing Making Me HAPPY!

12/9 Blogmas 2022: Non Holiday Audiobook Review: Maybe Someday {Colleen Hoover}

12/10 Blogmas 2022: The Christmas Book I Started Reading and Didn’t Finish

12/11 Blogmas 2022: Book Review: Christmas in Winter Hill {Melody Carlson}

12/12 Blogmas 2022: 2 Books For Upcoming Blog Giveaways

12/13 Blogmas 2022: Non Holiday Book Review: Skinny {Donna Cooner}

12/14 Blogmas 2022: INTERNATIONAL BOOK GIVEAWAY (2 Signed Copies): The Mommy Clique {Barbara Altamirano}

12/15 Blogmas 2022: The Holiday Book I’m Most Excited to Read NEXT Holiday Season

12/16 Blogmas 2022: Book Review: The Twelve Topsy-Turvy, Very Messy Days of Christmas {James Patterson, Tad Safran}

Xo,

Jenny

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!*

*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 13 best books I read in 2021 can be found HERE

Book Coffee Happy’s 12 most viewed posts of 2021 can be found HERE

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Reminders of Him and Ugly Love {Colleen Hoover}

Reminders of Him and Ugly Love {Colleen Hoover}

I am either a HUGE Colleen Hoover (or as diehard booklovers all know her: CoHo) fan or…I’m lukewarm 😉

I’m not entirely sure why (maybe because this one is such a recent release?) but for some reason Colleen Hoover’s It Ends With Us is extremely popular right now…everyone is reading it! I read that book many, many years ago and I loved it. I still think about it! If you haven’t yet read that one, make sure you do. It’s so, so wonderful.

That being said, I wasn’t a huge fan of November 9. I read it years ago (possibly once I finished It Ends With Us?) and I was just so underwhelmed. Eh.

I’m dying to read Verity! I’ve heard it’s amazing. I’ve been on my library waitlist for the audiobook for awhile now and I’m not so patiently waiting.

When her newest book was released this past January, I was so cautiously optimistic about it as I had read some GREAT reviews. Hoping that I would love it as much as I loved It Ends With Us, I downloaded the audiobook of Reminders of Him and started listening…

{One of the biggest issues of listneing to books as audiobooks is that I can’t take pretty pictures of them for my blog!}

Photo Credit: Target.com

Goodreads Synopsis of Reminders of Him {Colleen Hoover}:

After serving five years in prison for a tragic mistake, Kenna Rowan returns to the town where it all went wrong, hoping to reunite with her four-year-old daughter. But the bridges Kenna burned are proving impossible to rebuild. Everyone in her daughter’s life is determined to shut Kenna out, no matter how hard she works to prove herself.

The only person who hasn’t closed the door on her completely is Ledger Ward, a local bar owner and one of the few remaining links to Kenna’s daughter. But if anyone were to discover how Ledger is slowly becoming an important part of Kenna’s life, both would risk losing the trust of everyone important to them.

The two form a connection despite the pressure surrounding them, but as their romance grows, so does the risk. Kenna must find a way to absolve the mistakes of her past in order to build a future out of hope and healing. 

My Review of Reminders of Him {Colleen Hoover}

Ahhhh I loved this book so much! It’s a BEAUTIFULLY written story with deep, meaningful characters and an intricately woven plot. I listened to this one literally whenever I had an extra minute in my day because I couldn’t get enough. I never wanted it to end! Definitely read (or listen to) this book, it’s so amazing. Such a beautiful story.

Once I finished listening to Reminders of Him, I was NOT ready to move on to another author/genre. I wanted MORE! More CoHo, more love story. I downloaded Ugly Love about 20 minutes after I finished listening to Reminders of Him.

Photo Credit: Target.com

Bottom Line:

I never wanted this book to end.

Goodreads Synopsis of Ugly Love {Colleen Hoover}:

When Tate Collins meets airline pilot Miles Archer, she knows it isn’t love at first sight. They wouldn’t even go so far as to consider themselves friends. The only thing Tate and Miles have in common is an undeniable mutual attraction. Once their desires are out in the open, they realize they have the perfect set-up. He doesn’t want love, she doesn’t have time for love, so that just leaves the sex. Their arrangement could be surprisingly seamless, as long as Tate can stick to the only two rules Miles has for her.

Never ask about the past.
Don’t expect a future.


They think they can handle it, but realize almost immediately they can’t handle it at all.

Hearts get infiltrated.
Promises get broken.
Rules get shattered.
Love gets ugly. 

My Review of Ugly Love {Colleen Hoover}:

I really, really liked it. I wouldn’t say that I LOVED it but I would say that it was very good. A bit cringy (is that a word?) at times with the way that Tate allowed for herself to be treated.

The story was good, the characters were…unlikable. All of them. Eh.

A few points to note:

The backstory of Miles was way more intriguing than the book’s present day story.

The audiobook’s male narrator was creepy and the way he pronounced the name “Rachel” made it sound like a stalker was describing her. Every. Single. Time.

I had a very strong prediction that turned out to be completely wrong. I must say…I think my ending would have been better.

Also, throughout the entire book I kept forgetting that Tate was a girl and not a boy because of her name. So there’s that.

Bottom Line

Very good. Not CoHo’s best but very good.

Have you read any of these books? What did you think? Do you enjoy Colleen Hoover books? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

Xo,

Jenny

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!*

*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 13 best books I read in 2021 can be found HERE

Book Coffee Happy’s 12 most viewed posts of 2021 can be found HERE

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BLOGMAS: Books To Give As Gifts

BLOGMAS: Books To Give As Gifts

Hot Chocolate Cookies that I baked for a holiday party last week! Baked with hot chocolate mix, chocolate chips, and topped with melted marshmallows 🙂

I love that so many of you enjoyed yesterday’s post of the 13 Best Books I’ve Read in 2021! I so enjoyed coming up with that list and having a bit of time to reflect on my favorite reads from the past year. I clearly read some AMAZING books in 2021!

This is the time of year for gift giving and books make such beautiful gifts. Last week I received this message:

FYI the book I recommended to her was Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens 🙂

It got me thinking…what other books would make great gifts?

Buying someone a book can be a difficult task if you aren’t sure what they like to read. I’ve had people buy me books that I couldn’t WAIT to read and I’ve had people buy me books that I…definitely could 😉

Here in absolutely no particular order are books that I feel would make great gifts. Some are older, some are newer, all are WONDERFUL. I’m linking my previous posts about these books which will give you the book synopsis, my review, and a link to order the books! Hope this helps those of you still looking for the perfect gift this holiday season (or anytime).

Does the Gift Receiver Love Romance?

Swear on This Life {Renee Carlino}

Me Before You {Jojo Moyes}

This is Not How it Ends {Rochelle B. Weinstein}

In 5 Years {Rebecca Serle}

Is The Gift Receiver a Teen (or an Adult Who Loves to Read Young Adult Fiction)?

Everything, Everything {Nicola Yoon}

The Hate U Give {Angie Thomas}

Wonder {R.J. Palacio}

What I Carry {Jennifer Longo}

Does the Gift Receiver Love Anything Political?

Young Jane Young {Gabrielle Zevin}

American Wife {Curtis Sittenfeld}

Is The Gift Receiver a Thrill Lover?

Pretty Baby {Mary Kubica}

The Couple Next Door {Shari Lapena}

The Arrangement {Robyn Harding}

Gone Girl {Gillian Flynn}

Is The Gift Receiver Obsessed With The Bachelor?

One to Watch {Kate Stayman-London}

Is The Gift Receiver a Book Lover?

The Storied Life of AJ Fikry {Gabrielle Zevin}

Is The Gift Receiver Family Oriented?

The Most Fun We Ever Had {Claire Lombardo}

Does The Gift Receiver Believe in Finding and Celebrating One’s Independence?

The Unbreakables {Lisa Barr}

Is the Gift Receiver a Fan of Historical Fiction?

The Help {Kathryn Stockett}

Before We Were Yours {Lisa Wingate}

Where the Crawdads Sing {Delia Owens}

Are Friendships Top Priority to the Gift Receiver?

Firefly Lane {Kristin Hannah}

Is the Gift Receiver a Christmas Season Lover?

The Winter Series {Elin Hilderbrand}

The Winter Novels {Joanne Demaio}

Is the Gift Receiver One Who Loves Great, Detailed Sex Scenes?

The Idea of You {Robinne Lee}

Bath Haus {P.J. Vernon}

Does the Gift Receiver Love to Read But You Aren’t Sure Which Genre?

American Dirt {Jeanne Cummins}

Room

Language of Flowers {Vanessa Diffenbaugh}

The Time Travelers Wife {Audrey Niffenegger}

The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns {Khaled Hosseini}

Gifts for Book Lovers That Aren’t Books:

My #1 Must Have Book Accessory

My #2 Must Have Book Accessory

Another Book Accessory Recommendation!

BLOGMAS: Must Have Book Accessory #4

Some other gift ideas…a gift card to a local bookshop, a Book of the Month membership, or a bookish coffee mug (I love the one that I bought for myself in this post). Barnes and Noble currently has some CUTE gifts for book lovers (I have pictures and descriptions of them in this post. The mug still haunts me…I regret not buying it).

I hope all of these suggestions were helpful to you! There are so many more that I could add to this but here is a good list to get you started with your book giving! I hope the recipients love these gifts…Please let me know if you give any of these as gifts this year!

Blogmas 2021 Posts:

12/1: Welcome to Blogmas 2021 {Video}!

12:2: BLOGMAS: Birthday Giveaway {Amazon Gift Card}!

12/3: BLOGMAS Book Review: One Day in December {Josie Silver}

12/4: BLOGMAS: My Birthday Visit to Barnes and Noble!

12/5: BLOGMAS: 3 Library Books I Recently Returned Without Reading

12/6: BLOGMAS Book Review: The Christmas Wedding {James Patterson}

12/7: BLOGMAS: (Non Holiday) Book Review: Other People’s Children {R.J. Hoffmann}

12/8: BLOGMAS: I Bought 5 New Books!

12/9: BLOGMAS: 8 Holiday Books I Want To Read

12/10: BLOGMAS: Must Have Book Accessory #4

12/11: BLOGMAS: The Holiday Drinks Book Tag

12/12: BLOGMAS: Book Review (Non Holiday): The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend {Katrina Bivald}

12/13: BLOGMAS: Book I’m Currently Reading, Coffee I’m Currently Drinking, I Thing Currently Making me HAPPY!

12/14: BLOGMAS: (Non Holiday) Book Review: The Photographer {Mary Dixie Carter}

12/15: BLOGMAS: 6 Books I Want To Read in 2022

12/16: BLOGMAS: GIVEAWAY {Amazon Gift Card}! Book Coffee Happy Readers Are The KINDEST!

12/17: BLOGMAS: A Change In My December Reading Plans!

12/18: BLOGMAS: The 13 Best Books I Read in 2021

Xo,

Jenny

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!*

*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

The 13 best books I read in 2021 can be found HERE

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BLOGMAS: The 13 Best Books I Read in 2021

Blogmas: The 13 Best Books I Read in 2021

It was raining and we were driving BUT…how beautiful is this light display???

If you follow Book Coffee Happy on Instagram, you got an insider view in my stories yesterday that this post was coming up today 😉

Oh I really love writing these posts! It’s such a fun time for me to look back and reflect on the books that I read over this past year.

Here are links to the best books that I read in 2019 and 2020:

The 12 Best Books I Read in 2019

The 12 Best Books I Read in 2020

2021 was an especially special year for me in terms of reading because this is the year that I read the very BEST book I’ve EVER read (see below)!

If you are a regular blog reader, you know that I always include my “bottom line” on the bottom of my reviews which is a quick way for me to recap my feelings. Just like I did last year, I thought it would be fun to list these books only by the bottom line that I gave to them in my reviews. Click these bottom lines to take you directly to my review of each book (including the synopsis for each book).

In no particular order, I present to you my absolute favorite books that I’ve read in 2021 (and I have read A LOT of books this year):

The 13 Best Books I Read in 2021:

Book #1’s Bottom Line:

Absolutely loved it.

Book #2’s Bottom Line:

Absolutely loved every second of reading this lovely book. Highly recommend!

Book #3’s Bottom Line:

If you can make it past the first 100ish pages…this story is truly incredible.

Book #4’s Bottom Line:

This wonderful book and it’s important message gave me SO MUCH to think about…

Book #5’s Bottom Line:

Such a special book.

Book #6’s Bottom Line:

READ. THIS. BOOK.

Book #7’s Bottom Line:

This is the best book I have ever read. And I have read A LOT of books.

Book #8’s Bottom Line:

Read this. And if you have children of any age middle school and up…please encourage them to read this as well.

Book #9’s Bottom Line:

READ THIS. READ THIS. READ THIS.

Book #10’s Bottom Line:

Buying this book was such a SMART decision, so happy that I did!

Book #11’s Bottom Line:

One of my favorite reads of 2021 thus far!

Book #12’s Bottom Line:

Read this. But on land only.

Book #13’s Bottom Line:

So I haven’t finished reading this book series yet but I can already tell you that I am LOVING each of these books so much. I’m currently exactly halfway through the series and they are LOVELY! They MUST be included on this list, even if I haven’t written my “bottom line” for them quite yet. HERE is a link where I discuss this delightful book series in more detail. Highly recommend (so far)!

What were the best books you read in 2021? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

Blogmas 2021 Posts:

12/1: Welcome to Blogmas 2021 {Video}!

12:2: BLOGMAS: Birthday Giveaway {Amazon Gift Card}!

12/3: BLOGMAS Book Review: One Day in December {Josie Silver}

12/4: BLOGMAS: My Birthday Visit to Barnes and Noble!

12/5: BLOGMAS: 3 Library Books I Recently Returned Without Reading

12/6: BLOGMAS Book Review: The Christmas Wedding {James Patterson}

12/7: BLOGMAS: (Non Holiday) Book Review: Other People’s Children {R.J. Hoffmann}

12/8: BLOGMAS: I Bought 5 New Books!

12/9: BLOGMAS: 8 Holiday Books I Want To Read

12/10: BLOGMAS: Must Have Book Accessory #4

12/11: BLOGMAS: The Holiday Drinks Book Tag

12/12: BLOGMAS: Book Review (Non Holiday): The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend {Katrina Bivald}

12/13: BLOGMAS: Book I’m Currently Reading, Coffee I’m Currently Drinking, I Thing Currently Making me HAPPY!

12/14: BLOGMAS: (Non Holiday) Book Review: The Photographer {Mary Dixie Carter}

12/15: BLOGMAS: 6 Books I Want To Read in 2022

12/16: BLOGMAS: GIVEAWAY {Amazon Gift Card}! Book Coffee Happy Readers Are The KINDEST!

12/17: BLOGMAS: A Change In My December Reading Plans!

Amazon Gift Card Giveaway Winner

Thank you so much to everyone who entered the giveaway and for all of your kind comments on THIS POST. I shared a bit of my heart in that post and I loved reading all of your responses. Thank you so much! Here is a video of my daughter choosing a winner:

Xo,

Jenny

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!*

*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

The 12 best books I read in 2020 can be found HERE

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The Best Book I Have Ever Read.

Hi 💙

A few days ago, I decided to read this book…and 24 hours later I finished it. I very literally DEVOURED IT and savored each and every word. I couldn’t put it down, couldn’t stop thinking about it, and couldn’t do ANYTHING other than read it. I absolutely loved every second of this beautiful book.

The Best Book I Have Ever Read:

Synopsis of The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry {Gabrielle Zevin}:

**I usually provide the Goodreads synopsis of the books I review. HOWEVER, I think the Goodreads synopsis actually is a bit TOO detailed and reveals a bit TOO much about this particular book that the reader shouldn’t know before reading! Here is the short synopsis from the back of the book which is perfect and gives absolutely nothing away**

My Review of The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry {Gabrielle Zevin}:

This was one of the 4 books I recently purchased and I must say…I’m so glad I did. This is not the kind of book I could return to the library! I’m so happy to own my own copy.

This. Book. Is. MAGICAL.

I read it cover to cover in just over 24 hours and I think it’s the most beautifully written book I’ve ever read.

This is a VERY bold statement but I honestly think it’s the truth!

I loved every single word, every single message, every single literary reference, every single EVERYTHING.

I stopped giving books “stars” a long time ago but if I could give this book alllllll the stars, I would.

The words in these pages will stay in my heart forever. These characters, these stories lines, these MESSAGES…oh how I loved this beautiful book.

Do yourself a favor. Read this book, devour this book, cherish this book.

Thank you to my friend Jenna, Stop Reading! for introducing me to what has now EASILY slid into my #1 favorite book. I’ve been hearing her sing it’s praises for years and I’m absolutely kicking myself for not reading this beautiful book long ago.

This book is a GIFT for booklovers to enjoy. The descriptions of the bookstore and the special books it houses are perfection. If you have a special place in your heart for books, you will absolutely ADORE this special book. If you are looking for a gift to give a book lover, here it is.

This is NOT a new release…it was published in 2014. This is EXCELLENT news for you library patrons…the chances of you quickly receiving a copy are most likely quite high! However, I would recommend just buying it. You won’t want to give it back.

Gabrielle Zevin’s Young Jane Young was one of the very first books I ever reviewed on my blog. It will always be a special post to me because she was the very first author to “like” my review of her book. It ignited such a fire in me to know that she read my words about her writing. Since then, I have met and interacted with SO MANY AUTHORS and I must say that it’s one of my favorite parts about blogging.

Gabrielle, if you read this post…thank you. I absolutely love this book and I love being able to share it with others. What a special book you have written!

Here are links to 2 other books which are absolutely 2 of my other VERY FAVORITES! You can read about those books HERE and HERE.

Bottom Line

This is the best book I have ever read. And I have read A LOT of books.

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!*

*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

The 12 best books I read in 2020 can be found HERE

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5 Books To Read for Your Next Book Club {Volume 2}

About a year ago, I wrote a post called “5 Books for your Book Club” and I received such amazing feedback! You can read that original post HERE. Apparently lots of you found that post very helpful so I thought I would write a second edition! I still 100 percent stand by my original picks but here are a few more titles to add to your book club selections!

**I also still stand by my choice of not wanting to join a book club but I know that many of you love them! You can read why I’m personally anti-book club HERE. Although I have no desire to join a book club myself, I can absolutely see why other people feel differently. If you are in a book club, use these suggestions on books for your next meeting. If you are a solo reader like me, you can use these suggestions as books you can enjoy on your own 🙂 **

Each of the following books would be a perfect selection for your next book club. They are all VERY different but all are excellent, thought provoking, and would lead to such interesting discussions. Some I loved more than others but ALL would be perfect picks for interesting conversations.

5 Books To Read For Your Next Book Club:

Click the link below each book to read the synopsis and my (always spoiler free) review. Click the picture of each book cover 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

Last Couple Standing {Matthew Norman}

Read the book synopsis and my review of Last Couple Standing HERE.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo {Taylor Jenkins Reid}

Why am I recommending that you read The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo for your book club when I didn’t even finish reading it myself??? Read the book synopsis and my explanation of that HERE.

The Family Upstairs {Lisa Jewell}

Read the book synopsis and my review of The Family Upstairs HERE.

American Dirt {Jeanine Cummins}

Read the book synopsis and my review of American Dirt HERE.

My Dark Vanessa {Kate Elizabeth Russell}

Read the book synopsis and my review of My Dark Vanessa HERE.

Everyday Mindfulness Book Giveaway Winner Video:

**Video has been deleted**

Thank you to everyone who entered! You can read more about this wonderful book and my review of it HERE.

Have you read any of my book club selections? What book(s) would you recommend for a book club? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

Xo,

Jenny

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!*

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

The 12 best books I read in 2020 can be found HERE

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The Festive Christmas Book Tag

Book Coffee Happy was tagged in The Festive Christmas Book Tag by The Reading Addict. Thank you so much for the tag! Although I’m Jewish I ABSOLUTELY LOVE CHRISTMAS and actually have Christmas music playing as I type this 🙂 This was a fun tag to complete even if I didn’t quite understand one of the questions, lol…

The Festive Christmas Book Tag was originally created by ReadingGirl on YouTube, and you can check out her video here.

I feel like this post deserves a nice Christmasy picture inserted here but since I clearly don’t have one…here’s my menorah, lol:

The Festive Christmas Book Tag:

1) A fictional family you would like to spend Christmas dinner with?

The Quinns! Oh how I miss them this time each year. I loved Elin Hildrebrand’s Winter series so much (read more about this wonderful holiday themed series and my review of it HERE). If you haven’t yet read the Winter series, this is the very BEST time of the year to read them!

2) A bookish item you would like to receive as a gift?

My husband actually bought me the cutest bookish item last week! How awesome is this candle???

LOVE!

3) A fictional character you think would make a perfect Christmas elf?

Ok…Jewish girl here. Help! An elf like one who helps to make the toys? Or like the Elf on the Shelf who does naughty things? I don’t really get it. I’m over here picturing Will Ferrell? So clearly I’m not sure how to answer this question? Please someone educate this Jew…???

4) Match a book to its perfect Christmas song.

Hmmm. Well I would have to assume that Mallory and Jack from 28 Summers would agree that “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” would fit them perfectly. Read my review of 28 Summers HERE.

5) Bah Humbug. A book or fictional character you’ve been disappointed in and should be put on the naughty list?

Landline by Rainbow Rowell. Truly one of the worst books I’ve ever read although somehow it WON The Goodreads Best Fiction Book of 2014?! Howwww?! I hated that book. I once wrote a blog post about it titled “One of the Worst Books I’ve Ever Read”. I got absolutely ripped apart on a Facebook book group for that post because it said such negative things and people got allll riled up saying that I shouldn’t have said them (insert eye roll here). I stand by my words…that was quite literally one of the very worst books I’ve ever read! Also, I will always give my honest opinion on the books that I read (and on everything else in life). You can read that (apparently) controversial blog post HERE.

6) A book or a fictional character you think deserves more love and appreciation and deserves to be put on the nice list?

Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata! It’s such a quirky book but something about it totally sucked me in. I really loved that book! You can read it’s synopsis and my review HERE.

7) Red, Gold and Green. A book cover that has a wonderfully christmasy feel to it.

How beautiful is this book cover???

I took this book from a Little Free Library last year and have yet to read it. Maybe this year? If you know me at all, you know that I could only read a book like this during the holiday season! If I don’t read this book this month…it will sit on my bookshelf until December 2021.

8) A book or series you love so much, you want everyone to find under their Christmas tree this year so they can read it and love it too?

American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins. It’s so amazing! I LOVED IT. Everyone should read this book! Read it’s synopsis and my (glowing) review of it HERE. American Dirt was definitely included in my 12 Best Books I Read in 2020 list that I had posted earlier in the week. You can read that post and check out the other 11 books that I LOVED reading the most this year HERE.

I tag:

LaLa’s Book Reviews

A Little Book Problem

Cup of Tea With That Book, Please

Woman On The Edge Giveaway Winner Video:

Thank you all so much for entering this giveaway!

**Video has been deleted**

Happy Friday! I hope your weekend is filled with love and BOOKS!

Xo,

Jenny

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!*

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

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

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

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

The 12 best books I read in 2020 can be found HERE

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The 12 Best Books I Read in 2020

Today I give you my list of the 12 Best Books I Read in 2020. I read many AMAZING (and unfortunately many not so amazing) books this year but this list contains my absolute FAVORITES.

2020 has been quite the year. This year has taken away SO MUCH but luckily books has NOT been one of them. Reading has always been my favorite hobby and I’ve never been more thankful for it than I have in 2020. There is a lovely quote by Mason Cooley which states, “Reading gives us someplace to go when we have to stay where we are.” How TRUE is that…especially this year?!?

We drove through an AMAZING holiday light show last week! This 2020 sign was absolutely stunning in person!

Some of these books were released this year, some were released earlier. This list was not an easy one for me to narrow down and create! If you haven’t read any of these books, I very obviously highly recommend ALL OF THEM!

If you are a regular blog reader, you know that I always include my “bottom line” on the bottom of my reviews which is a quick way for me to recap my feelings. I thought it would be fun to list these books only by the bottom line that I gave to them in my reviews. Click these bottom lines to take you directly to my review of each book (including the synopsis for each book).

In no particular order, I present to you my absolute favorite books that I’ve read in 2020 (and I have read A LOT of books this year):

The 12 Best Books I Read in 2020:

Book #1’s Bottom Line:

Truly one of the best books I’ve ever read.  If you haven’t read this one yet…it’s a MUST.

Book #2’s Bottom Line:

READ THIS.

Book #3’s Bottom Line:

I absolutely loved this special book.  You will, too.

Book #4’s Bottom Line:

Please, please, please someone make this awesome book into a movie!

Book #5’s Bottom Line:

This book is both heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time.  A must read.

Book #6’s Bottom Line:

Read this  book.  Stat.

Book #7’s Bottom Line:

If you love YA, you will LOVE this book!

Book #8’s Bottom Line:

This book is absolutely brilliant.  I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Book #9’s Bottom Line:

This book is juicy, scandalous, and AWESOME.

Book #10’s 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.

Book #11’s Bottom Line:

Truly one of the best books I’ve ever read. These characters will stay in my heart for a VERY long time…

Book #12’s Bottom Line:

It feels weird to say that I loved this book because the subject is just so weird and dark…but…I loved this book.

What are the best books you have read this year? Have you read any of the books on my Top 12 list? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

Xo,

Jenny

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!*

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

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

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An Older Book that I LOVED #3

I posted about one of my all time favorite books a few days ago and it got me thinking of other older books that I LOVE but for whatever reason have never been written about on my blog.  Being home and quarantined is giving me a perfect opportunity to share these special books with all you 🙂

During a time when so many of you are looking for wonderful books to read, this feels like a wonderful time to give these suggestions and a chance for me to revisit some of my very favorite titles.  Writing about these books is definitely making me want to reread them!

(I wrote this post last year but it is another example of an older book that I LOVED so I’m including it in this new blog series as well)!

Synopsis from Goodreads:

A mesmerizing, moving, and elegantly written debut novel, The Language of Flowers beautifully weaves past and present, creating a vivid portrait of an unforgettable woman whose gift for flowers helps her change the lives of others even as she struggles to overcome her own troubled past.

The Victorian language of flowers was used to convey romantic expressions: honeysuckle for devotion, asters for patience, and red roses for love. But for Victoria Jones, it’s been more useful in communicating grief, mistrust, and solitude. After a childhood spent in the foster-care system, she is unable to get close to anybody, and her only connection to the world is through flowers and their meanings.

Now eighteen and emancipated from the system, Victoria has nowhere to go and sleeps in a public park, where she plants a small garden of her own. Soon a local florist discovers her talents, and Victoria realizes she has a gift for helping others through the flowers she chooses for them. But a mysterious vendor at the flower market has her questioning what’s been missing in her life, and when she’s forced to confront a painful secret from her past, she must decide whether it’s worth risking everything for a second chance at happiness.

My Thoughts:

(Disclaimer: I will never post spoilers in my reviews HOWEVER the comment section is completely fair game to discuss any and all specifics including spoilers)

5 Stars

Oh how I loved this book!

It was so beautifully written.  Everything about this book was absolutely stunning…the storylines, the characters, the writing style….everything.  Couldn’t put it down.

I remember sitting in our library’s silent reading room 6 years ago with this book open in front of me as I DEVOURED each beautiful page.  There was a cackling fire in the fireplace, blueberry oatmeal in the tupperware container next to me, steaming hot coffee in the orange travel mug in my hand, and I remember thinking that the entire scene was the most perfect definition of the word”glorious”.

Although I never wrote about this special book on my blog until today (hoooow???), I apparently did write about it on Instagram back in 2018:

Bottom Line:

One of the most beautifully written books I’ve ever read.

Xo,

Jenny

Have you read The Language of Flowers?  What did you think?  I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

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)*

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*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.*

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

My Top Book Recommendations

Receiving texts asking for book recommendations was what ultimately prompted me to begin writing this blog.  I know many of you are currently quarantined at home and reading…I’ve received SO MANY texts over the past 2 weeks asking for book recommendations!  I thought it would be helpful to compile a blog post with my top book recommendations  (Warning: if you text me and ask for book recommendations from here on out, I will most likely just be responding to you with a link to this post). 🙂

This list in not all inclusive!  There are so many other books out there that I recommend in addition to these amazing titles but this is a great compilation with many of my absolute favorite books.

Grab a pencil so you can create your to-read list, grab cup of steaming hot coffee…and let’s get started (in no particular order):

 

I wrote a post last spring which includes 15 AWESOME books that I LOVED reading and highly recommend!  You can read that post HERE.

Another post with 12 amazing (and more current) books that I loved and recommend can be found in THIS POST.

5 of my most favorite psychological thrillers can be found HERE.

One of the best books I’ve ever read can be found HERE.

THIS BOOK and THIS BOOK are 2 of the most powerful books I’ve ever read.

THIS BOOK is awesome and I’m surprised it’s not more popular…??

I laughed, I sobbed, I loved THIS BOOK so much.

A lovely book about survival, friendship, and love can be found HERE.

HERE is a beautiful book about surrogacy, parenthood, and friendship.

My absolute favorite YA book can be found HERE.

Here are 5 books to read for your next book club.

One of the only books I’ve read twice can be found HERE.

Looking for a book series?  I love THIS ONE and THIS ONE.

This book is a BEAUTIFUL book about friendship that lasts through decades.

My favorite Liane Moriarty Books can be found HERE.

Looking for a nonfiction book?  I love this one!

A YA book with a beautiful but heavy topic can be found HERE.

My 2 favorite Kahled Hosseini books can be found HERE.

3 Older Books that I Recommend {Part 1}

3 Older Books That I Recommend {Part 2}

As for books that I’ve been enjoying lately, I would recommend THIS BOOK, THIS BOOK, and THIS BOOK (those are the 3 best books that I’ve read so far in 2020).

I hope all of you are healthy and safe during the Coronavirus quarantine.  This is such a strange time for everyone!  I hope these book suggestions might find you some peace and comfort during such an uncertain time.  There is a quote by Mason Cooley which says, “Reading gives us someplace to go when we have to stay where we are” and never has that felt more true than right now.  Sending love to all of you.

Please feel free to share this post with friends, family, and on social media!

Xo,

Jenny

I would love to hear your thoughts on these book suggestions or on any other books that you would recommend in the comments!

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*

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*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.*

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