Hello spring, how we have missed you! We are so excited about all things warmer weather, brighter colors, and the idea of reading poolside any moment now!
And with that said...
It's BOOK CLUB DAY!!
March was serving last month when it came to reading. We read a book that we can easily see being in our top three at the end of the year. IT. WAS. SO. GOOD! But all the rest were pretty great too. April is going to have a lot to live up to, but fellow readers you understand when we say we're up for the challenge. :)
WHAT WE READ...
Carrie Beth
I was kind of in a rut for a while and couldn't really make myself get into a new book, but when Jen texted and told me she loved
One Month of You by Susanne Ewart, I knew it would be the book for me.
It ended up being totally different than what I had expected! I was picturing a love story and even getting into the first part of it I was sure that is what I would be getting, but it turned out to be so much more!
The main character is the caregiver for her mother, who has a terrible disease. Much to her mother's disapproval she has done genetic testing to learn that her fate will be very similar to her mother's. The result of learning that information is that she stops living. She stops letting anyone close, she stops trying to pursue her own happiness, and she limits the relationships in her life knowing that she doesn't want to get too close to anyone. This story follows her relationship with her mother as her mom's health declines and also her relationship with the man who she just can't seem to say no to, no matter how hard she tries. I was sobbing at one point and it made me think through a lot of different scenarios if I was in a similar position.
Jen
Sports parent road trips mean lots of audio books, so this month I was able to sneak in more reading/listening than normal.
First up, my in person Book Club pick -
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow. I’ve heard so much hype about this book over the last year that I actually couldn’t wait to read this one.
The story follows two childhood friends who meet in the hospital and bond over video games. Their relationship over the years goes through many ebbs and flows and on the journey with them you can’t really tell if you are meant to like each character, dislike each character or feel bad each character.
There is lots of video game chatter amidst the pages too.
I rated this book a solid four stars. At times I would have bumped this up and others I would have bumped it down. It was a unique story that covered many important topics, but I think while I enjoyed it, I didn’t love it if that makes sense.
This next one though! My next book is one that I can already tell will be one of my top reads of the year.
One Month of You I picked up somewhere on a whim and then forgot about it for a few weeks. I’m so glad I picked it up sooner rather than later though. It was the “give me all the feels with a dash of romance and a good ugly cry” book I didn’t know I needed.
Jess has a lot on her plate and doesn’t have time for a relationship, no matter how perfect the person is for her. Then in walks Alec. It’s so tempting for her to break her rules for him. But then all her reasons behind her “why” keep making themselves known. Her top one - her diagnosis of Huntington’s Disease. The same disease she is seeing her mom suffer from each and every day she comes home from work.
The whole time I read this book I kept thinking what I would do in Jess’s situation. Would I have found out if I had the disease too? Would have I made the same life choices? Would I be able to live without fear? The story is heartbreaking, devastating and beautiful all rolled into one. It’s more about Jess and her relationship with Huntington’s than her relationship with Alec, but one I am so so glad I read!
The Maid's Diary was up next and it’s another Book Club pick. I was hoping to save it for closer to our next meeting, but people kept texting about it so I went ahead and caught up. If mystery/thrillers are your thing - SO GOOD!!
I could not put. it. down.
Kit Darling is a maid by choice. A traumatizing event occurred when she was a teenager and it’s ruled her entire life. Just when she thinks it’s finally put behind her and moved on, she is thrust full force right back into her past.
Then a brutal murder is discovered and the more investigators look at the situation, the more Kit (and her diary) becomes involved.
The twists. The secrets. The deception. All so good in this one! I told my girlfriends to read it and we all agreed - best thriller we’ve read in awhile!
Until I picked up this one…
I wrapped up my month with
All the Dangerous Things by Stacy Willingham, and now I'm a huge fan! The story is about a mom who wakes up one morning to find her toddler son missing with zero evidence as to what happened. She spends the next year doing everything she can think of to get him back or find out what happened. She questions everyone and everything - including herself. I could not stop listening to this one! It was such an edge of your seat read, and the ending was so surprising that I had to rewind and make sure I read that correctly. The novel touches on so many subjects about motherhood, and I couldn't stop thinking about what I would do in the same situation. Such an interesting take on a mystery novel. I can't wait to read something else now by Willingham!
WHAT'S UP NEXT...
Carrie Beth
After a heavy and emotional read I was ready for something lighter. I've enjoyed all of Colleen Oakley's books so far and this one sounded fun! The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise is about an unexpected duo of an 80 something woman and her 20 something caregiver take off cross-country in the middle of the night as one of them tries to outrun her past. Check back next month for my review!
Jen
My heart needs something a little slower after the last two novels. Carrie Beth suggested Someone Else’s Shoes and so far I’ve found it to be the perfect spring break beach read! Stay tuned for the full review next month!
I've also picked up the same book as Carrie Beth! I love Oakley's novels and when I saw she had a new one out I grabbed it to have ready. I can't wait to read The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise.
WHAT WERE YOUR BOOKS FOR THE MONTH? ANYTHING WE NEED TO ADD TO OUR READING LISTS?
BOOK CLUB 2023
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