Tag: book recommendation

My First Audiobook!

My First Audiobook!

When the jar of peanut butter has about 1 tbsp left, eat your oatmeal directly out of the jar. It’s the BEST and I’ve been doing this for years. You’re welcome. (My favorite: vanilla nonfat greek yogurt, steel cut oats, chia seeds, blueberries, banana, and obviously peanut butter).

I finally did it…I LISTENED to my first ever book!

I have never understood the appeal of an audiobook. I love the feel of a book in my hands! I love turning pages! I love the smell of books (it’s a thing). I love everything about books…why in the world would someone ever want to LISTEN to a book?!?

YEARS ago I wrote a blog post about this very topic. You can read that post HERE.

My First Audiobook

But then a few weeks ago, I went to take a walk. And none of the podcasts that I usually listen to while walking sounded interesting. And I thought, “MAN I wish I could read a book while taking a walk” and then BAM. I realized that perhaps I COULD?!?

I immediately downloaded Audible to my phone and about 5 seconds later I had my pick of what felt like millions of books. That I could LISTEN to while on a walk. Holy crap.

So I picked a book that has been on my list to read for a while (I’ll reveal the title in my next post!) and literally 5 seconds later….it popped up on my phone ready for me to listen.

Daaaaamn that was EASY.

Still skeptical, I started my walk and focused on the story being told to me. And exactly 15 days later I finished listening to the “book”.

Pros

CONVENIENT. I listened to bits and pieces of this book whenever I had a few minutes to spare. Driving in my car, folding laundry, out on a walk, making a meatloaf, walking on the track at the gym, etc.

If you have a long commute or a road trip…this would pass the time in such a great way!

The Audible app is SO EASY to use and makes it so easy to listen to pieces here and there.

Cons

While reading a physical book, I often go back to passages earlier in the book to help me remember a character, a conversation, etc. Can’t do that with an audiobook!

The narrators disgusing their voices to sound like other characters is cheesy and often times annoying. The man talking like a child, the lady talking like the man, etc. Just when I would start to get used to it, the voice would change! The lady imitating the man’s voice suddenly switched to a male narrator whose voice was completely diffrerent.

When there was a converstaion written like a script, the narrator would say the person’s name first and it was ANNOYING. Here’s an example:

Jenny: I like that shirt.

Amy: Thank you! It was a present!

Jenny: Who gave it to you?

Amy: Beth and Barbara!

Now read that converstaion aloud but actually SAY the names of each person talking first. HOW ANNOYING IS THAT?!? Imagine listening to this conversation for 20 minutes at a time throughout the book. Couldn’t the narrator just have switched voices or something? I hated that.

So here’s the million dollar question and the one that ALL book bloggers disagree on. Does listening to an audiobook count as reading? My answer (although not a popular one…don’t come at me) has always been and continues to be NO. Did I LISTEN to a book? Absolutely. Did I READ a book? I did not. If someone listens to a book and claims they have read it…I mean…that’s not the same thing.

So my final conclusion?

Give me a physical book over an audiobook ANY DAY.

HOWEVER, I kind of loved it.

I suddenly have so much more time in my day for “reading” while doing other things! It’s extremely convenient and I have already started listening to my 2nd audiobook. (Please note that I called it exactly what it is…an AUDIObook. Not a book. Books are entirely different).

This makes me wonder…now that I have ventured into the world of nontraditional book formats, should I mayyyyyyyyyyyybe try reading an ebook???

If you listen to audiobooks, any tips for me? Is Audible the best app for this or is there a better way?

Do you think listening to an audiobook counts as “reading”?

Should I now try finally reading my first ebook?

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!*

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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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Book I’m Currently Reading (Amazing), Book I Recently Read (Perfection), Book I’m Reading Next (SO EXCITED)

Book I’m Currently Reading (Amazing), Book I Recently Read (Perfection), Book I’m Reading Next (SO EXCITED)

This was on the cover of a recent issue of Jewish Chicago (JUF Magazine). How gorgeous is this?!

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?

I’ll post my review once I finish reading!

Goodreads Synopsis of The Last Chance Library {Freya Sampson}:

June Jones emerges from her shell to fight for her beloved local library, and through the efforts and support of an eclectic group of library patrons, she discovers life-changing friendships along the way.

Lonely librarian June Jones has never left the sleepy English village where she grew up. Shy and reclusive, the thirty-year-old would rather spend her time buried in books than venture out into the world. But when her library is threatened with closure, June is forced to emerge from behind the shelves to save the heart of her community and the place that holds the dearest memories of her mother.

Joining a band of eccentric yet dedicated locals in a campaign to keep the library, June opens herself up to other people for the first time since her mother died. It just so happens that her old school friend Alex Chen is back in town and willing to lend a helping hand. The kindhearted lawyer’s feelings for her are obvious to everyone but June, who won’t believe that anyone could ever care for her in that way.

To save the place and the books that mean so much to her, June must finally make some changes to her life. For once, she’s determined not to go down without a fight. And maybe, in fighting for her cherished library, June can save herself, too.

What Did You Recently Finish Reading?

Do you remember when I bought this book from the most adorable little independent bookstore in Door County, WI? I recently finished reading this GEM and I can’t wait to share all of my thoughts with you! I’ll be guest blogging on Chick Lit Central at the end of the month where Melissa Amster and I will be sharing our thoughts on this one AND we will also be hosting a giveaway for it as well! Stay tuned for details…

Goodreads Synopsis of The Charm Offensive {Alison Cochrun}:

Dev Deshpande has always believed in fairy tales. So it’s no wonder then that he’s spent his career crafting them on the long-running reality dating show Ever After. As the most successful producer in the franchise’s history, Dev always scripts the perfect love story for his contestants, even as his own love life crashes and burns. But then the show casts disgraced tech wunderkind Charlie Winshaw as its star.

Charlie is far from the romantic Prince Charming Ever After expects. He doesn’t believe in true love, and only agreed to the show as a last-ditch effort to rehabilitate his image. In front of the cameras, he’s a stiff, anxious mess with no idea how to date twenty women on national television. Behind the scenes, he’s cold, awkward, and emotionally closed-off.

As Dev fights to get Charlie to connect with the contestants on a whirlwind, worldwide tour, they begin to open up to each other, and Charlie realizes he has better chemistry with Dev than with any of his female co-stars. But even reality TV has a script, and in order to find to happily ever after, they’ll have to reconsider whose love story gets told.

Ahhhh I’ve had my advanced reader’s copy of Lisa Barr’s newest book for MONTHS! I’ve been saving it to read and review closer to it’s publication date and seeing as that date is 3/1…the time for me to read this one is NOW! I’m so excited, I absolutely loved The Unbreakables (you can read my review of that amazing book HERE). I can’t wait to dig into her newest ASAP!

Goodreads Synopsis of Woman on Fire {Lisa Barr}:

From the author of the award-winning Fugitive Colors and The Unbreakables, a gripping tale of a young, ambitious journalist embroiled in an international art art scandal centered around a Nazi-looted masterpiece–forcing the ultimate showdown between passion and possession, lovers and liars, history and truth.

After talking her way into a job with Dan Mansfield, the leading investigative reporter in Chicago, rising young journalist Jules Roth is given an unusual–and very secret–assignment. Dan needs her to locate a painting stolen by the Nazis more than 75 years earlier: legendary Expressionist artist Ernst Engel’s most famous work, Woman on Fire. World-renowned shoe designer Ellis Baum wants this portrait of a beautiful, mysterious woman for deeply personal reasons, and has enlisted Dan’s help to find it. But Jules doesn’t have much time; the famous designer is dying.

Meanwhile, in Europe, provocative and powerful Margaux de Laurent also searches for the painting. Heir to her art collector family’s millions, Margaux is a cunning gallerist who gets everything she wants. The only thing standing in her way is Jules. Yet the passionate and determined Jules has unexpected resources of her own, including Adam Baum, Ellis’s grandson. A recovering addict and brilliant artist in his own right, Adam was once in Margaux’s clutches. He knows how ruthless she is, and he’ll do anything to help Jules locate the painting before Margaux gets to it first.

A thrilling tale of secrets, love, and sacrifice that illuminates the destructive cruelty of war and greed and the triumphant power of beauty and love, Woman on Fire tells the story of a remarkable woman and an exquisite work of art that burns bright, moving through hands, hearts, and history.

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

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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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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3 Books I’m NOT Reading

3 Books I’m NOT Reading

I bought this little guy from a grocery store in Tennessee a little over a year ago. He makes me happy!

As you are very well aware by now, I hardly actually buy books. I am a minimalist at heart! While the thought of a gorgeous bookshelf filled with books does appeal to me, the clutter of those books that I probably will read one time and never again does not. However, I DO end up buying (or somehow acquiring) books sometimes and often I find them mounting and mounting without actually being read. I’m starting a new series called “Books I’m Not Reading” and this is the first installment! From time to time, I will select books from my shelf and show you the books I’m NOT reading, as opposed to my usual routine of showing you the books that I am 😉

These are 3 of books on my shelf that currently haunt me. They stare at me day after day and ESPECIALLY when I bring home new books. Ugh.

Here are just a few of the books from my shelf that I’m NOT reading.

Book I’m NOT Reading #1:

The Last Mrs. Parrish {Liv Constantine}

I’m honestly not sure why I’m not reading this one. Everyone loves it! I’ve heard it’s great! So…why aren’t I reading it??? Eh.

Goodreads Synopsis of The Last Mrs. Parrish {Liv Constantine}:

Amber Patterson is fed up. She’s tired of being a nobody: a plain, invisible woman who blends into the background. She deserves more—a life of money and power like the one blond-haired, blue-eyed goddess Daphne Parrish takes for granted.

To everyone in the exclusive town of Bishops Harbor, Connecticut, Daphne—a socialite and philanthropist—and her real-estate mogul husband, Jackson, are a couple straight out of a fairy tale.

Amber’s envy could eat her alive . . . if she didn’t have a plan. Amber uses Daphne’s compassion and caring to insinuate herself into the family’s life—the first step in a meticulous scheme to undermine her. Before long, Amber is Daphne’s closest confidante, traveling to Europe with the Parrishes and their lovely young daughters, and growing closer to Jackson. But a skeleton from her past may undermine everything that Amber has worked towards, and if it is discovered, her well-laid plan may fall to pieces. 

With shocking turns and dark secrets that will keep you guessing until the very end, The Last Mrs. Parrish is a fresh, juicy, and utterly addictive thriller from a diabolically imaginative talent. 

Book I’m NOT Reading #2:

Lost and Found {Carolyn Parkhurst}

Ok I’ll be honest. I started reading this one about a year ago and after the first chapter, I just wasn’t hooked. However, I felt like I didn’t want to give up entirely so I put it right back from where I took it…my own shelf! I keep saying I’ll try again but then I never do. Have any of you read it? Should I?

Goodreads Synopsis of Lost and Found {Carolyn Parkhurst}:

A gentle satire on reality TV, as a mother and daughter face numerous challenges both on and off the show. As the game escalates, tensions mount, temptations beckon, and the bonds between teammates begin to fray. The question is not only who will capture the final prize, but at what cost?

What do a suburban mom and her troubled daughter, two recently divorced brothers, a pair of former child stars, born-again Christian newlyweds, and a couple of young millionaires have in common? They have all been selected to compete on Lost and Found, a daring new reality TV show. In teams of two, they will race across the globe – from Egypt to Japan, from Sweden to England – to battle for a million-dollar prize. They must decipher encrypted clues, recover mysterious artifacts, and outwit their opponents to stay in play.

What starts as a lark turns deadly serious as the number of players is whittled down, temptations beckon, and the bonds between partners strain and unravel. Before long the question is not only who will capture the final prize, but at what cost. 

Book I’m NOT Reading #3:

Arranged Marriage {Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni}

I bought this book at the Printer’s Row Lit Fest before the world shut down waaaaaay back in 2019 (you can read all about that magical day HERE). I had SO MUCH FUN that day and promised myself to make it an annual tradition. Well, enter Covid….aaaaaaaaand I haven’t been back since. It was canceled in 2020 and although it did happen in 2021, I wasn’t quite ready for a crowded festival. FINGERS CROSSED I CAN GET BACK THERE IN 2022!!! For more information on the Printer’s Row Lit Fest, you can visit their website HERE. It’s an awesome event!

Goodreads Synopsis of Arranged Marriage {Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni}:

Although Chitra Divakaruni’s poetry has won praise and awards for many years, it is her prose that is quickly making her one of the brightest rising stars in the changing face of American literature. Arranged Marriage, her first collection of stories, spent five weeks on the San Francisco Chronicle bestseller list and garnered critical acclaim that would have been extraordinary for even a more established author.For the young girls and women brought to life in these stories, the possibility of change, of starting anew, is both as terrifying and filled with promise as the ocean that separates them from their homes in India. From the story of a young bride whose fairy-tale vision of California is shattered when her husband is murdered and she must face the future on her own, to a proud middle-aged divorced woman determined to succeed in San Francisco, Divakaruni’s award-winning poetry fuses here with prose for the first time to create eleven devastating portraits of women on the verge of an unforgettable transformation.

Have you read any of these books? What did you think?

What books are currently on your bookshelf that you aren’t reading?

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 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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Best First Line of a Book Ever!

How beautiful is this bookmark that one of my preschool students gave to me for the holidays? The little flower in the crystal ball is my favorite part. 🌸

I started reading a new book last night and to say that I absolutely LOVE the first line would be a serious understatement.

How incredibly TRUE is that?!?

That beauty of a first line belongs to this book:

Synopsis of The Last Chance Library {Freya Sampson}:

June Jones emerges from her shell to fight for her beloved local library, and through the efforts and support of an eclectic group of library patrons, she discovers life-changing friendships along the way.

Lonely librarian June Jones has never left the sleepy English village where she grew up. Shy and reclusive, the thirty-year-old would rather spend her time buried in books than venture out into the world. But when her library is threatened with closure, June is forced to emerge from behind the shelves to save the heart of her community and the place that holds the dearest memories of her mother.

Joining a band of eccentric yet dedicated locals in a campaign to keep the library, June opens herself up to other people for the first time since her mother died. It just so happens that her old school friend Alex Chen is back in town and willing to lend a helping hand. The kindhearted lawyer’s feelings for her are obvious to everyone but June, who won’t believe that anyone could ever care for her in that way.

To save the place and the books that mean so much to her, June must finally make some changes to her life. For once, she’s determined not to go down without a fight. And maybe, in fighting for her cherished library, June can save herself, too.

I’ll post my review once I finish reading!

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

What is the first line of the book you are currently reading? I’d love to hear 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!*

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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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Book Review: Nanny Needed {Georgina Cross}

Book Review: Nanny Needed {Georgina Cross}

Goodreads Synopsis of Nanny Needed {Georgina Cross}:

Nanny needed. Discretion is of the utmost importance. Special conditions apply.

When Sarah Larsen finds the notice, posted on creamy card stock in her building’s lobby, one glance at the exclusive address tells her she’s found her ticket out of a dead-end job–and life.

At the interview, the job seems like a dream come true: a glamorous penthouse apartment on the Upper West Side of NYC; a salary that adds several zeroes to her current income; the beautiful, worldly mother of her charge, who feels more like a friend than a potential boss. She’s overjoyed when they offer her the position and signs the NDA without a second thought.

In retrospect, the notice in her lobby was less an engraved invitation than a waving red flag. For there is something very strange about the Bird family. Why does the beautiful Mrs. Bird never leave the apartment alone? And what happened to the nanny before her? It soon becomes clear that the Birds’ odd behaviors are more than the eccentricities of the wealthy.

But by then it’s too late for Sarah to seek help. After all, discretion is of the utmost importance. 

My Review of Nanny Needed {Georgina Cross}:

I loved it.

The chapters were short, the writing was great, the story was CREEPY. It held my interest from page 1 and I had absolutely no idea how it was all going to end. This is most definitely the type of book that you could read all in 1 sitting.

I finished reading this one this afternoon and I know that I will be thinking about it for days to come (most likely longer)! These characters! This crazy story!

Some twists I predicted, some I did not, and few loose ends weren’t explained BUT overall, I would recommend this book.

The psychological thriller genre has been one of my very favorites for years and it has been WAY too long since I’ve read one. Basically for all of November and December I read holiday books and then kicked off January by reading Alison Cochrun’s The Charm Offensive (review AND GIVEAWAY coming ASAP! I’ll actually be guest blogging over on Chick Lit Central for this…stay tuned). I was MORE than ready to read a good psychological thriller and Nanny Needed did not disappoint! I love this genre so much!

Bottom Line:

A quick, easy to read CREEPY thriller.

Have you read this book? What did you think? 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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*”Like” my Facebook page (and please comment on, “like”, and share my posts)*

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

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

Goodreads Synopsis of The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend {Katrina Bivald}:

Once you let a book into your life, the most unexpected things can happen…

Broken Wheel, Iowa, has never seen anyone like Sara, who traveled all the way from Sweden just to meet her pen pal, Amy. When she arrives, however, she finds that Amy’s funeral has just ended. Luckily, the townspeople are happy to look after their bewildered tourist—even if they don’t understand her peculiar need for books. Marooned in a farm town that’s almost beyond repair, Sara starts a bookstore in honor of her friend’s memory.

All she wants is to share the books she loves with the citizens of Broken Wheel and to convince them that reading is one of the great joys of life. But she makes some unconventional choices that could force a lot of secrets into the open and change things for everyone in town. Reminiscent of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, this is a warm, witty book about friendship, stories, and love. 

My Review of The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend {Katrina Bivald}:

Man this review hurts to write.

It’s a book about having a love for books! And all told through a BEAUTIFUL story! What could be better than that?

This book was just somewhat of a mess. Characters and storylines that ALMOST got fully developed paired with confusing timelines…ugh. Even the book’s TITLE is somewhat of a mess…that title is too long! I couldn’t even remember the name of the book while I was reading!

I do feel like somehow this beautiful book somehow got lost in translation. Originally published in Swedish, it has been translated into English (and also sold in 25 other countries). While this story was absolutely beautiful, it just felt like SOMETHING was missing…and I think that something might be the space between the original language and English. This is the third book I’ve read where I have felt this way (you can read about the other 2 books HERE and HERE).

Bottom Line

I so love the IDEA of this book…but not so much the actual book. UGH.

Have you read this book? What did you think? 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

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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BLOGMAS: The Holiday Drinks Book Tag

BLOGMAS: The Holiday Drinks Book Tag

I saw this book tag on Carla Loves to Read and thought it was so cute! In reality the only drink on here that I would actually drink would be a Gingerbread Latte but it’s such a festive book tag for this time of year so I’ll just go with it 🙂

Carla recommended all holiday books on hers but I’m going to recommend a little of both on mine! Some holiday, some non holiday!

As I’m typing this, I’m drinking my usual coffee with Splenda and Half and Half. So boring. These drinks sound way more fun 🙂 At least I’m drinking from one of my most favorite mugs:

The Holiday Drinks Book Tag

Hot Chocolate: Marshmallows and chocolate and whipped cream, oh my! Recommend a book that’s sweet through and through.

Definitely the book series that I’m reading now! It’s so wonderful, adorable and SWEET! You can read all about it HERE.

Peppermint Mocha: The flavor of peppermint is strong and distinct. Recommend a book with a lot of strong emotions.

I read this book MANY years ago and I still think about it. Omg. If you can make it through the beginning (it’s painfully boring), the rest of the book is AMAZING. HERE is a link to when I talked about it on my blog years ago!

Apple Cider: It’s so good it can’t be good for you, but it’s made from apples—that means it’s healthy, right? Recommend a book full of characters with questionable morals.

Oh THIS BOOK is perfect for characters with “questionable morals”. Pretty much every character in this book has questionable morals!

Eggnog: It’s creamy and smooth, with a little spice, and some people even add alcohol to it. Recommend a book that’s mostly fun, with just a hint of danger.

So I’m not sure if this books even fits this description that well but I just loved THIS BOOK so much that I want to include it! It’s DEFINITELY fun and I guess could have possible hints of danger? Whatever…just read this book, it’s great (and one of the few books that Reese Witherspoon and I actually agree on, lol)

Gingerbread latte: A drink with a veritable explosion of spices. Recommend a book with a lot of action. 

THIS BOOK. Hands down. It’s AWESOME.

Such a fun book tag! Thanks again to Carla for posting! If you would like to participate, make sure you link back to me so I can read your responses OR put your answers in the comment section below. Have fun and Happy Saturday 🙂

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

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

Blogmas: (Non Holiday) Book Review: Other People’s Children {R.J. Hoffmann}

Today I have a NON holiday book review to share with you! I read Other People’s Children {R.J. Hoffmann} a few months ago…here are my thoughts!

Goodreads Synopsis of Other People’s Children {R.J. Hoffmann}:

Gail and Jon Durbin moved to the Chicago suburbs to set up house as soon as Gail got pregnant. But then she miscarried—once, twice, three times. Determined to expand their family, the Durbins turn to adoption. When several adoptions fall through, Gail’s desire for a child overwhelms her.

Carli is a pregnant teenager from a blue-collar town nearby, with dreams of going to college and getting out of her mother’s home. When she makes the gut-wrenching decision to give her baby up for adoption, she chooses the Durbins. But Carli’s mother, Marla, has other plans for her grandbaby.

In Other People’s Children, three mothers make excruciating choices to protect their families and their dreams—choices that put them at decided odds against one another. You will root for each one of them and wonder just how far you’d go in the same situation. This riveting debut is a thoughtful exploration of love and family, and a heart-pounding page-turner you’ll find impossible to put down.

My Review of Other People’s Children {R.J. Hoffmann}:

This wasn’t a lighthearted read by any means. It was dark, heavy, and thought provoking.

As I was reading, I kept wavering on how I wanted it to end and I found myself coming up short as I really didn’t like any of the characters. I think in which some of the storylines were wrapped up was perfect but others I didn’t agree with.

Overall, I just wanted MORE. More feeling, more connection, more everything! More connection was the biggest one. I just felt that all of the characters were so disconnected from each other and even disconnected from their own feelings if that makes sense. Like I said…I REALLY didn’t like ANY of the characters and by the end I found myself thinking that NONE of them should have custody of this child (although the cover promised that I would “root for each one of them”). The disconnection that I found between the pages mimicked my own disconnect from all of the characters and story lines. Ugh.

I DID love that it was set in Illinois and I LOVED all of the local references. My hometown even got a shoutout!

This book was good…and made me think. Did I love it? I did not. Would I recommend it? Eh maybe? It was an easy read and I LOVED the short chapters (just a few pages each…THE BEST).

***Something to note***

On the Amazon link below, the book is by “Jeff Hoffman” yet on the copy that I read, it was authored by “R.J. Hoffman“…???

Bottom Line:

I just really wanted to like at least ONE character in this book…NOPE.

Have you read this book? What did you think? 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}

Xo,

Jenny

This book wasn’t my favorite…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)*

*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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