I have never written a book. I can’t even imagine how hard it ust be for authors to find words to convey to the reader the innermost thoughts and emotions in characters. That being said, there is 1 phrase that I WISH authors would stop using. I cringe every single time I read it and authors use it OFTEN.
Authors: STOP DARKENING THE EYES OF YOUR CHARACTERS.
Examples:
“His eyes darkened”
“Darkness spread over his eyes”
“His eyes suddenly went dark”
Like…What does that even MEAN? He intently stared? His eyebrows furrowed? He frowned?
The Oxford Dictionary’s definition of the work “darken” as a verb :
VERB
2 Make or become gloomy, angry, or unhappy.no object‘his mood darkened’
2.1 no object (of someone’s eyes or expression) show anger or another strong negative emotion.‘his face darkened and he lunged away’
2.2 with object (of anger or another strong negative emotion) show in (someone’s eyes or expression)‘misery darkened her gaze’
Thanks Oxford. Still a stupid verb.
“His eyes got wide”…Ok so THIS I can understand because it actually is something physical that can happen. But…how does someone’s eyes go DARK?
Eyes suddenly darkening is my #1 most hated phrase in books and for some reason authors use it ALL THE TIME. I notice it each and every time and I hate it so, so much. It takes away from whatever scene I’m reading because all I can think is, “UGH! Not again! Whyyyyy???”
Other examples of things that I wish authors would stop doing can be found HERE and HERE!
Do you agree with me? What is an expression that authors use that you hate?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)*
*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.*
I’ve been staring at Emily Henry’s Beach Read sitting on my bookshelf for months but refused to read it until the summer because I cannot read a seasonal book during a non corresponding season, lol. Summer in Chicagoland is officially HERE and so is the time to read and review this book! I was so excited to start reading, I couldn’t wait to see what the hype is all about.
Goodreads Synopsis of Beach Read {Emily Henry}:
Augustus Everett is an acclaimed author of literary fiction. January Andrews writes bestselling romance. When she pens a happily ever after, he kills off his entire cast.
They’re polar opposites.
In fact, the only thing they have in common is that for the next three months, they’re living in neighboring beach houses, broke, and bogged down with writer’s block.
Until, one hazy evening, one thing leads to another and they strike a deal designed to force them out of their creative ruts: Augustus will spend the summer writing something happy, and January will pen the next Great American Novel. She’ll take him on field trips worthy of any rom-com montage, and he’ll take her to interview surviving members of a backwoods death cult (obviously). Everyone will finish a book and no one will fall in love. Really.
My Review of Beach Read {Emily Henry}:
I REALLY didn’t like this book.
So with a title such as Beach Read, one would assume this would be a light hearted story, correct?
Wrong.
This is most definitely not a lighthearted story. It’s deep, it’s sad, It’s so boring, it’s NOT what I would call a “beach read”. Not at all. There were definitely some parts where I smiled but mostly I was just bored.
And the words. THE WORDS. There were just so many words, so many descriptions, so many thoughts, so many WORDS. Like…it’s a book, of course there are words. But this book just had SO MANY DESCRIPTIVE WORDS. And thoughts. SO MANY THOUGHTS. Every character just did SO MUCH THINKING.
Aaaaaand one would assume with all of those descriptions that the sex scenes would be steamy and amazing, right? Nope. They were CRINGEWORTHY. Ugh.
I really didn’t like this book and it absolutely dragged for me the entire time. The one and only reason that I even finished it was because so many people love it so much!
There were definately some good life lessons and the last 50ish pages were definitely the best parts BUT…I still really was not a fan of the overall book.
This is just one of the amazing things about books…each reader can view them so differently. Years ago I wrote an entire post about this after I reviewed another book that everyone else loved and I hated! You can read that post HERE.
If anyone local would like my copy of Beach Read, I’ll leave it on my front porch for you. Free to a good home! Clearly, I don’t recommend it but you might love it (everyone else seems to)! If nobody wants it, I will put it in a Little Free Library.
Bottom Line:
I have no idea why there is so much hype surrounding this boring book.
Have you read Beach Read? Do any of you agree with me? Or…did you love it? 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)*
*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.*
I hated the story of Tarryn Fisher’s The Wives but I didn’t actually hate the writing so I thought that maybe I would like The Wrong Family??? When I saw it on the shelf at my library, I decided it was time to read and review another one of Tarryn Fisher’s books. Maybe I would like this one better?
Goodreads Synopsis of The Wrong Family {Tarryn Fisher}:
Juno was wrong about Winnie Crouch.
Before moving in with the Crouch family, Juno thought Winnie and her husband, Nigel, had the perfect marriage, the perfect son—the perfect life. Only now that she’s living in their beautiful house, she sees the cracks in the crumbling facade are too deep to ignore.
Still, she isn’t one to judge. After her grim diagnosis, the retired therapist simply wants a place to live out the rest of her days in peace. But that peace is shattered the day Juno overhears a chilling conversation between Winnie and Nigel…
She shouldn’t get involved.
She really shouldn’t.
But this could be her chance to make a few things right.
Because if you thought Juno didn’t have a secret of her own, then you were wrong about her, too.
My Review of The Wrong Family {Tarryn Fisher}:
This book was a bit of a mess.
So many storylines, SO many insignificant characters, not nearly enough character or storyline development. The “twists” weren’t nearly as twisty as they could have been and my prediction for the ending would have been a million times better than the ending which I got.
I will say that there was one FASCINATING storyline in this book but…the rest of the storylines just fell so flat. I can’t elaborate on this as it would give away a huge spoiler and you know how I feel about spoilers 😉
It’s like 5 separate books with a million characters and storylines…and although they were supposed to all fit together at the end, they did not.
Bottom Line:
1 FASCINATING storyline. The rest of the book? Not nearly as fascinating.
Psychological Thrillers:
If you love psychological thrillers like I do, HERE are a few of my recommendations!
Have you read this book? What did you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
Xo,
Jenny
I wasn’t a fan of this book…but you might love it! 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)*
*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.*
The Sunshine Blogger Award is given to those who are creative, positive and inspiring while spreading sunshine to the blogging community.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Thank the blogger(s) who nominated you in a blog post and link back to their blog.
Answer the 11 questions sent by the person who nominated you.
Nominate 11 new blogs to receive the award and write them 11 new questions.
List the rules and display the Sunshine Blogger Award logo in your post and/or on your blog.
A huge thank you to Mani from Mani’s Book Corner for this nomination! If you have yet to check out her lovely blog, you must! She’s such a nice person and her book blog is wonderful.
My Answers to Mani’s Questions:
1. What’s the biggest book you have read?
Probably THIS BOOK…which is absolutely one of the very best books I’ve ever read!
2. What was your favourite book when you were a kid?
The Baby-Sitters Club! I read every single one and LOVED them all. Team Claudia and Stacey forever 🙂 My daughter is reading the graphic novels now and she’s obsessed with them!
3. What’s the last film/TV show you watched?
iCarly! My daughter and I are working our way through the series before the reboot comes out next week! She’s already watched the whole series but is rewatching them with me. We snuggle up in my bed whenever we can fit in an episode. Love it!
4. Would you accept a job as a librarian in an haunted library?
Hard pass.
5. What would be the title of the book based on your life?
Happiness 🙂
6. If they make a movie based on your life, who would you cast as actor/actress for your role?
Not just the actress but the character: Beverly Goldberg from The Goldbergs. Hands down. I feel her in my soul.
7. Who is your absolute favourite writer?
Oh man I don’t have just one! A few that I love: Gabrielle Zevin (she wrote the VERY best book I’ve ever read!), Claire Lombardo (read THIS BOOK), and Liane Moriarty (but only sometimes…read my thoughts on my love/hate relationship with her HERE).
8. Are you keeping up with your 2021 New Year’s Resolutions? (it doesn’t have to be reading goals)
I’m proud to say that I am! Both blog related and personal 😉
9. Is there a book you keep saying “One day I will read it” but you never do?
Love in the Time of Cholora! I’ve owned it and have been wanting to read it for years! Read my thoughts on why HERE.
10. Can you name an underrated book you read and loved?
THIS BOOK. I loved it so much and am shocked it’s not more popular?
11. What’s one movie you want to be novelized?
Eh. None? I would never watch a move and then read the book….but I ALWAYS read the book and then watch the movie! And truth be told, I’m actually not a big movie fan. I’d much rather read a book or watch a tv show.
I nominate:
Anyone who would like to participate! Please tag me so I can read your answers 🙂 Mani’s questions were great so I will keep them for you to answer. Aaaaaaand I didn’t have a Sunshine Blogger logo to use so I just tossed a selfie on the top of this post instead. Basically I followed exactly none of the rules but I enjoyed answering the questions, lol…???
**You can read my answers to a whole different set of bookish questions when I was last nominated for The Sunshine Blogger Award HERE.**
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)*
*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.*
Chicago, Hammock Reading, Garage Sale, Little Free Libraries, Currently Reading, Library Love
Hello!
I’ve been a bit MIA on my blog lately because life has been buuuuusy 🙂 I’m hoping to get back to regularly posting on here ASAP!
So what have I been up to? So much!
Chicago
My husband and I spent 24 hours together (without our children!) in downtown Chicago and it was AMAZING. We took a stunning boat ride, shopped on Michigan Avenue, ate a romantic dinner, stayed in a GORGEOUS hotel room, and so much more. I absolutely loved every second and him and I had the very best time together.
Jon and I ❤️Most beautiful city ❤️View from our gorgeous hotel room on Michigan AvenueNighttime view from our amazing hotel roomIf you know me in real life, you know my obsession with my last name. I collect anything that says “SHARE” and seeing it hanging on a massive banner at Watertower Place made me so happy! Felt like a personal welcome, lol ❤️
And of course, I woke up early the following morning to get a bit of reading in before the day began. Always to best way to begin the day, especially while on vacation! I’ll have a full review of this book (The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend By Katarina Bivald) posted soon 🙂
Lazy, Hammock Reading
Now that we are back home, I’ve been doing lots of reading on our hammock!
Garage Sale and Little Free Libraries
I had my annual garage sale this past weekend and I LOVED IT. Hands down one of my favorite traditions and I SO missed not doing it last year due to Covid.
Giving away books for free was such a fun experience. People were so THANKFUL and it truly made my heart so happy.
Once the sale was over, I was still left with TONS of books. What better way to share books than to put them in Little Free Libraries? I drove around and filled 3 different Little Free Libraries with both adult and childrens titles. It felt so great to do this! I hope all of those books eventually will find happy homes 🙂 If you have never donated to a Little Free Library, I highly encourage you to do so. Such a wonderful way to share books.
The 3 Little Free Libraries that I stuffed with my books:
Currently Reading
I haven’t really been blogging but I most definitely HAVE been reading! I’m currently reading The Mothers {Genevieve Gannon} . I’ll have a full review posted as soon as I finish!
Goodreads Synopsis of The Mothers {Genevieve Gannon}:
Grace and Dan Arden are in their forties and have been on the IVF treadmill since the day they got married. Six attempts have yielded no results, and with each failure a little piece of their hope dies.
Priya Laghari and her husband Nick Archer are being treated at the same fertility clinic, and while they don’t face the same time pressure as the Ardens, the younger couple have their own problems.
On the same day that Priya is booked for her next IVF cycle, Grace goes in for her final, last-chance embryo transfer. Two weeks later, both women get their results.
A year on, angry and heartbroken, one of the women learns her embryo was implanted in the other’s uterus and must make a devastating choice: live a childless life knowing her son is being raised by strangers or seek custody of a baby who has been nurtured and loved by another couple.
Library Love
Last week, I received the most lovely piece of mail from my favorite local library (the same library where I was a total celebrity Library Hero):
How sweet is that?! Thank you so much, Indian Trails!
Speaking of Indian Trails, they have officially rolled out their Summer Library Adventure! Click HERE to learn more about this wonderful summer reading opportunity and to access registration information.
I actually stopped by Indian Trails today…
…and picked up these 3 books (2 for me and 1 for my daughter. She’s been on pins and needles waiting on the newest Baby-sitters Club book to be released)!
Thanks for letting me share a bit of my personal life with you today! I’ll be back later this week with a review of an AMAZING, MUST READ book!
What have you been up to recently? What are you currently reading?
Xo,
Jenny
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)*
*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.*
Book Coffee Happy’s newest series where I share the book I’m currently reading, the coffee I’m currently drinking, and 1 thing that is currently making me happy!
Book I’m Currently Reading:
I’m starting this book tonight and I’m so excited! I think it sounds awesome. I’ll let you know!
Synopsis ofThe Mothers {Genevieve Gannon}:
Coffee I’m Currently Drinking:
I’ve never been a big Starbucks fan (#dunkinforlife) but I recently discovered a DELICIOUS way to order my iced coffee from Starbucks! I go back and forth on liking iced coffee ever since I discovered it during our trip to Disney World back in 2019.
If you like iced coffee, this is delicious (I’m always a fan of anything that contains oats in any form) :
Let me know if you try it!
Currently Making Me Happy:
This lovely comment that someone made on Facebook! Writing this blog is such a fun hobby for me and I always love when people say nice things. I don’t personally know this person but she definitely made me smile 🙂
What are you currently reading?
What coffee are you currently enjoying?
What is 1 thing currently making you HAPPY?
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)*
*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.*
It has been a while since I have reviewed a children’s book on the blog. I have a beautiful one for you today!
Book blogging has awarded me so many wonderful opportunities, experiences, and friendships. When I reviewed Lori Orlinsky’s first childrens’s book, Being Small, her and I immediately became real life friends. We even met for dinner and had such a lovely time (HOW DID WE NOT TAKE A PICTURE TOGETHER THAT NIGHT, LORI???). When her second book, The Tooth Fairy’s Tummy Ache, was published, I was so excited to review it. It was just as wonderful as her first book!
(You can read the synopsis and my review of Being SmallHERE and you can read the synopsis and my review of Tooth Fairy’s Tummy AcheHERE.
I am so happy and proud of my friend for publishing her 3rd book, Balloons for Tiger! I was so honored to receive a signed copy in the mail a few months back. Thank you so much, Lori! Balloons for Tiger publicly released last week so you can now purchase your own copy!
How gorgeous is this cover?
This book is so, so beautiful.
I know firsthand how hard it is to navigate the death of a pet with a child. My daughter was four years old when our wonderful dog, Maisy, passed away. She was heartbroken and as a parent, it was one of the hardest things I’ve ever gone through. My husband and I were trying to help heal her broken heart simultaneously as him and I both had broken hearts of our own. It was such a terrible, horrible time for all of us…but my daughter undoubtedly had the hardest time saying goodbye.
Maisy 💗
This book would have made her (and us!) SMILE during that awful time. Santa, the Tooth Fairy, astronauts, superheroes, and so many more beautifully drawn characters would have helped to navigate all of our feelings.
I absolutely would have had her send Maisy balloons! What a beautiful way to have a bit of closure during such a heartbreaking time. I think it could have really benefited all of us for so many reasons.
If you or someone you know is going through the death of a pet (or really even a person), I think this book would be such a valuable tool. It is beautifully written, beautifully illustrated, and the message is so beautifully clear.
I truly love this book. For so many reasons.
Lori, I adore you and I can’t wait to see you again soon! Although this time…WE ARE TAKING A PICTURE TOGETHER! Congratulations on your newest book! I think it will help LOTS of families to smile during such awful times. You will help so many children and adults find comfort with your beautiful words. I’m so proud of you, I absolutely love your special book, and I am so honored to share it with my readers today.
**There are still 6 days left to enter the Local Woman Missing book giveaway over at Chick Lit Central! Have you entered?If you love psychological thrillers as much as I do, you will definitely want to check this out!**
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)*
*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.*
Psychological thrillers are hands down some of my very favorite books to read. HERE is a post I wrote years ago with some of my favorites in this genre! Recently I paid a visit to my local library and came home with these 3 psychological thrillers. I think they all sound amazing and I can’t wait to read them!
Psychological Thriller #1: The Wrong Family {Tarryn Fisher}
Goodreads Synopsis of The Wrong Family {Tarryn Fisher}:
Juno was wrong about Winnie Crouch.
Before moving in with the Crouch family, Juno thought Winnie and her husband, Nigel, had the perfect marriage, the perfect son—the perfect life. Only now that she’s living in their beautiful house, she sees the cracks in the crumbling facade are too deep to ignore.
Still, she isn’t one to judge. After her grim diagnosis, the retired therapist simply wants a place to live out the rest of her days in peace. But that peace is shattered the day Juno overhears a chilling conversation between Winnie and Nigel…
She shouldn’t get involved.
She really shouldn’t.
But this could be her chance to make a few things right.
Because if you thought Juno didn’t have a secret of her own, then you were wrong about her, too.
I wasn’t a fan of The Wives (read my thoughts HERE) but I did enjoy Tarryn Fisher’s STYLE of writing so I’m crossing my fingers that this one will be better?
Psychological Thriller #2: The Pretty One {Clare Boyd}
Goodreads Synopsis of The Pretty One {Clare Boyd}
Nell is the perfect child; more beautiful and more likeable and more loveable than me. If my pretty little sister never came home again, I’d finally be free from the terrible secret we share…
Anna is a wonderful mother. She gave up a career she loved to stay home with her children and her kind, polite daughters, Nell and Ivy, are a credit to her. As is Bay, her stepdaughter, whom Anna adores as much as her own two girls. But everything changes the day Anna’s middle daughter’s beauty catches the eye of a stranger in a café…
Quiet, sensitive Nell doesn’t want to have her face on a billboard for all to see. But she knows her family desperately needs the money, and perhaps it would be nice to have her mother’s full attention for the first time since Bay arrived? Could this be the escape from her stepsister’s twisted games Nell has been longing for?
But the moment Nell steps in front of a camera, the devastating secret she and Bay have been keeping breaks the surface – and the bonds of this close-knit family forever. But with both Nell and Bay insisting they’re innocent, can either girl really be trusted?
As Anna’s perfect blended family unravels around her, she is forced to pick a side. To save one daughter, Anna must betray another. Choosing the wrong girl will be more dangerous than anyone could ever have imagined…
An unputdownable read-all-night family drama that explores the dark consequences of sibling rivalry and the heart-wrenching emotional cost of keeping secrets from those you love. Perfect for fans of Big Little Lies, Little Fires Everywhere and My Dark Vanessa.
You had me at fan of Big Little Lies, Little Fires Everywhere, and My Dark Vanessa! I LOVED Big Little Lies (read my thoughts HERE), I LOVED My Dark Vanessa (read my thoughts HERE) and I really LIKED Little Fires Everywhere (read my thoughts HERE).
Psychological Thriller #3: Someone We Know {Shari Lapena}
Goodreads Synopsis of Someone We Know {Shari Lapena}:
Maybe you don’t know your neighbors as well as you thought you did . . .
“This is a very difficult letter to write. I hope you will not hate us too much. . . My son broke into your home recently while you were out.”
In a quiet, leafy suburb in upstate New York, a teenager has been sneaking into houses–and into the owners’ computers as well–learning their secrets, and maybe sharing some of them, too.
Who is he, and what might he have uncovered? After two anonymous letters are received, whispers start to circulate, and suspicion mounts. And when a woman down the street is found murdered, the tension reaches the breaking point. Who killed her? Who knows more than they’re telling? And how far will all these very nice people go to protect their own secrets?
In this neighborhood, it’s not just the husbands and wives who play games. Here, everyone in the family has something to hide . . .
You never really know what people are capable of.
I have such mixed feelings on Shari Lapena’s books. I LOVED The Couple Next Door although I don’t think I’ve ever written a blog review? I really liked An Unwanted Guest (read my thoughts HERE). I didn’t like A Stranger in the House (read my thoughts HERE). I actually recently finished reading The End of Her and I will have my review posted soon!
I ❤ library books so much!
Have you read any of these books? Did you add any to your TBR? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
Xo,
Jenny
Click the images below to order the books through my Amazon affiliate links. When you order through these links, 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)*
*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.*
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)*
*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.*
Book Coffee Happy’s newest series where I share the book I’m currently reading, the coffee I’m currently drinking, and 1 thing that is currently making me happy!
Book I’m Currently Reading:
Goodreads Synopsis of Followers {Raziel Reid}:
A naïve teenager is thrown into the high-stakes, back-stabbing world of reality television.
After a disastrous date results in her arrest, sixteen-year-old Lily Rhode is horrified to discover her mugshot is leaked on a gossip website. Lily is the niece of Whitney Paley, a Hollywood housewife and star of reality show Platinum Triangle, a soap-opera-style docu-series in the vein of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and The Hills, revolving around several glamorous families living in the Beverly Hills, Bel Air and Holmby Hills neighborhoods of Los Angeles.
When Lily’s mom kicks her out of their trailer home in the Valley, Whitney (Lily’s mom’s estranged sister) invites her to live with her, her movie-star husband, Patrick, and their daughter, Hailey. Lily is set up in the pool house and thrust into the company of reality-star offspring — kids who are born with silver spoon emojis on their feed. Lily’s cousin Hailey and the other teens have lived their entire lives on camera and are masters of deception, with Hailey leading the pack.
As Lily learns from the Paleys how to navigate her newfound fame, she finds herself ensnared in the unfolding storylines. What Lily doesn’t know is that she’s just a pawn being used on the show to make the Paleys look sympathetic to viewers while distracting from on-set sexual misconduct rumors surrounding super hero dad Patrick Paley . . .
Is Lily safe under Patrick’s roof? Or will Lily be Patrick’s downfall? If she isn’t destroyed by Hailey first. When Lily catches the eye of Hailey’s designated leading man Joel Strom — it’s war!
I’ll post my review once I finish reading! So far it’s…just ok.
So I’m obviously in love with the saying on this mug. It’s a beautiful saying! The size of the mug is a wonderful size, not too big and not too small. Overall it’s a lovely mug.
However, do you want to know what I’m NOT in love with? Wait for it, wait for it….
SEEING MYSELF STARING BACK AT ME AS I DRINK.
The black shiny mug is SO freaking shiny that as I near finishing my delicious coffee….who’s staring back at me? Ummmm ME. And it’s so creepy.
Oh hey lover.
Apparently I now take my coffee with Splenda, Half and Half, and….my face.
Coffee, coffee, coffee, aaaaaaand….FACE.
So creepy.
Currently Making Me Happy:
On April 17th, my husband and I celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary! Next year we will get a babysitter but this year we had a 9 year old and a 5 year old at our romantic dinner, lol. Our kids loved it! We ate such a delicious dinner (for those of you who are local…I highly recommend Bobby’s in Deerfield). We ate in a private igloo outside and it was beautiful. I’m still dreaming of this charcuterie board! It as DELICIOUS and my family of 4 absolutely CRUSHED it, lol.
How gorgeous is this???
Happy Friday! I hope your weekend is filled with love and BOOKS!
What are you currently reading?
What coffee are you currently enjoying?
What is 1 thing currently making you HAPPY?
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)*
*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.*
Book Coffee Happy 