A selection and review of 5 books I’ve read and loved lately! Come share what you’ve read and loved lately.
I love summer! If you don’t know that about me by now, you certainly will after this summer is over. I love the relaxed schedule and longer days…not to mention the increased opportunity for reading time. I always take a book with me wherever I go, but I seem to have more time to actually read it in the summer! It’s always easier to get absorbed in a great book when I go to bed and stay up later reading, knowing I don’t have to get up extra early to take the kids to school.
I’ve read some great books recently, and thought it would be a good time to share some good reads with you in case you have extra reading time too! Of course, you can always find my most up to date reads on Goodreads. Make sure to follow me over there for instant reading recs. Until then, here are 5 books I’ve read and loved a lot lately and hope you will too!
Five Days Left by Julie Lawson Timmer. It’s hard for me to say I enjoyed this book because it was heartbreaking… but I love books that make me cry, and this one certainly did. My friend Aggie told me about this book (she also shares GREAT book reviews so follow her.)
Five Days Left is about two people…Mara and Scott. Mara has been recently diagnosed with Huntington’s Disease and decided at the time of her diagnosis that once she gets to a certain symptom, she will commit suicide on her next birthday. Scott is the foster parent of a little boy whose mother has promised to take the little boy back once she cleans up her act (her son was poorly neglected and not well taken care of). Scott has become extremely attached to the little boy.
The story unfolds in parallel as both Mara and Scott, who know each other through an online parenting forum, come down to their final five days…Mara of her life and Scott with his little boy. This book will rip your heart open, but it is so good. Buy Five Days Left on Amazon or add it to your want to read list on Goodreads.
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. Those of you who are fans of Kristin Hannah will love this book, even though it’s a complete departure from her normal style. The Nightingale is a moving story of two French sisters who lived during World War II. One sister is part of the French Resistance and one sister is left at home forced to house Nazi soldiers. Their struggles over time and harrowing events they are faced with, along with Hannah’s descriptive writing, make this one of the best historical fiction books I’ve read.
I actually listened to this book on audio (I LOVE my Audible.com account, especially for keeping me entertained while I am on the treadmill) and I have to say it is one of the very best narrated books I’ve listened to. Buy The Nightingale on Amazon or add it to your want to read list on Goodreads.
Savor…Living Abundantly Where You Are, As You Are by Shauna Niequist. Savor is a departure from some of my more typical shares. It’s also possible I am one of the last people on earth recommending this book to you as I’ve seen it all over the place in the past couple of months, but there is really good reason for it. This is an absolutely beautiful book… it’s not a sit down and read cover to cover book (although that’s what I did), but more a daily devotional about everyday life and living abundantly (and sprinkled with really great recipes).
Definitely add this to your list of books to own and pull it out to read each morning. It’ll be a great way to start your day! (It would also make a great gift for a friend.)
Buy Savor on Amazon or add it to your Want To Read shelf on Goodreads.
This Is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper. I feel almost bad recommending this book right after I recommended a spiritual, life enhancing type book, but This Is Where I Leave You has been one of my favorite books recently. It’s irreverent and raunchy and will make you laugh out loud, and at the same time will make you cry tears of sadness and sorrow. If you like to shake things up a little with your reading in the summer, this book will definitely do that!
Buy This Is Where I Leave You on Amazon or add it to your Want to Read shelf on Goodreads.
If You Find This Letter by Hannah Brencher. Connecting with others, especially strangers, is one of my favorite things. I have this theory that if we would all just open ourselves up to others, a small conversation or connection with a stranger can change our lives in unexpected ways. (That’s probably why you never want to sit next to me on an airplane… I’m the person who tries to “connect” with you 😉 ). Anyway, Hannah Brencher’s book is exactly my thing… a person (Hannah) is feeling down and depressed in her new home town of New York City. As a way to encourage and connect with others, she starts leaving miscellaneous letters for strangers in need of uplifting around the city.
What resulted was a new movement of letter writing from strangers to strangers across America. Check out Hannah’s blog for a little more insight, but to get the start of the story, make sure to read Hannah’s memoir. It’s a good one!
Buy If You Find This Letter on Amazon or add it to your Want to Read shelf on Goodreads.
I’m currently listening to Every Fifteen Minutes by Lisa Scottoline (and LOVING it), I’m reading It Starts With Food (and am absolutely intrigued) and just started this morning Remember Me Like This. So many books, so little time!
Now it’s your turn… let me know what you are reading and loving lately!
Disclosure: This blog post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
This summer I’m mostly reading (and sometimes re-reading) youth novels. I especially love listening to them in the car as I can finish the books fairly quickly even though I’m just driving for errands mostly. I finished Watership Down recently (not short!) and am now listening to Half Magic.
I just added some young adult books for the same reason – they are quick to get through and often some of my favorites!
I love when you share books you’ve read! I’m in the zone right now, reading a book a week. I’ve had The Nightingale on my list and now I’m putting 5 Days Left as well! Thanks, mama!! xoxo
That’s awesome – I need to go check out what you’ve been reading! Any faves??
I am currently listening to The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up and I am getting ready to get my purge on! This family of six needs to get rid of a lot and live a happier life with less.
Jamie and Kristen, I’ve been “getting my purge on” for several months now! Actually, I stay pretty well purged everywhere but my desk, which is what I’m working on right this minute (and since January!). I just started reading this post while I was stalling! 😀 My desk is a magnet for huge piles of paper, so if you run across a really motivating and inspiring saying or tip on that, do let me know — please! I’ve sworn off starting another book until I conquer this!
I’m glad Dine & Dish was a nice break for you 🙂 I highly recommend you try this book out. You may surprise yourself and declutter EVEN more!
My desk is always a mess too – I’m working on it though (always!)
I read that book in January and it WAS indeed life changing! I feel like it’s something I constantly need to do… it’s so hard with so many people in one house. I can relate!
I just finished this book also. While I don’t think I’ll do everything the author suggests, I found a lot to help me in my journey to a less cluttered house.
The idea that helps me the most with papers–handle everything once. Go through mail and other paper as it comes in (or at least same day), then either recycle/shred/pitch or file in “needs attention” or a more long-term storage place. It’s an ongoing struggle for me, all the same.
Thanks for the list. I might grab a few before our beach vacation.
Happy reading!
Have a great vacation, Jenna!
I’m in the middle of The Girl on the Train. I can’t say I love it, but I have a feeling I haven’t yet gotten to the “good part”. I read it knowing that others are loving it, but without knowing anything about it. Otherwise, my favorite books this year thus far have been by authors I’ve discovered through free Amazon books. I’ve fallen in love with the one, free book, and then devoured (or am devouring) everything else they’ve written. There are quite a few books I’m waiting on through the library as well (new Jane Green, Jennifer Weiner, and a couple of celeb bio-memoirs).
So I really liked The Girl on the Train – but I listened to it on audio and the narrator was riveting. It was great “get through my run” listening!
Ahh thank you for the push – I’ve been meaning to buy Savor!! Heading on a beach trip with a girlfriend in a couple weeks and sent her the link too. I’m determined to read at least one book during my trip!!
Definitely – although I imagine you’ll have lots of gabbing and catching up time! Just enjoy and have a GREAT trip!
Love the variety of your list and the link to Hannah’s blog. I will enjoy thumbing through that. I’ve been a Jonathan Tropper fan since reading Everything Changes years ago, so enjoyed This Is Where I Leave You when it came out — still haven’t seen the film. As for what I’ve been reading — The Nightengale was very good as you said, although I’ve always been a lover of historical fiction and fascinated by WWII history in particular. Also just finished All the Light We Cannot See which will go down as another favorite in my all time read list. Should finish Suite Française by Irène Némirovsky (started it while I was reading the last) but may want something lighter. Happy summer to you, and I’d love sitting next to you on a flight!
All The Light We Cannot See was so so so good.
I need to find some light summer reads. Let me know if you find any!
Great recommendations! My mom told me to read the Kristin Hannah book….and I just saw it at our library, so I’ll have to pick it up!
I think you’ll love it, Ally! I felt like I was part of the story!
I’ve only read “This is Where I Leave You” so I added the rest to my to-read list!
Enjoy, Jennifer! Have you read anything good lately? I’m looking for some lighter reads if you have any recommendations!
Thanks for the reading recommendations. I always keep a running list of books I’d like to read. Right now I’m reading Uncertainty by Jonathan Fields and it’s just what I need right now. I also recently read The Selection Series which is a young adult series and love them. Quick and fun reads- sort of a cross between The Bachelor and The Hunger Games. I’ve had This Is Where I Leave You for years, but never read it and recently watched the movie so I’m not sure I’ll get to it now. Have you seen the movie?
I haven’t read the movie – was it awful or good? I actually haven’t heard either way!
I’m totally going to check out The Selection Series – sounds like a good summer series!
Absolutely LOVED The Nightingale. Couldn’t put it down.
Wasn’t it amazing? It was a pretty big departure for her compared to what she usually writes about, but I loved it even more! So so so good.
I just finished, and very much enjoyed, The Paying Guests by Sarah Waters. It takes place outside of London in the early 1920’s. Frances and her mother must take on house guests to pay the bills. A young newlywed couple moves in and really shakes things up! (I don’t want to give anything away). It is a bit love story, a bit crime novel, a bit historical fiction. Very good!
I just downloaded it – thanks for the recommendation! It sounds really good!
Have you read The Bullet? That was a fast read with an interesting main character.
I just finished the Nightingale yesterday. One of my favorite reads ever but I should have waited to finish it at home instead of the train commute. Too many tears!
I loved the Orchardist. I couldn’t put it down.
Pinning this for later! I am reading Unbroken which has taken me forever because of life getting in the way, but I’m finally getting to the good stuff!
Kristen, I an happy you found something that makes you feel better and more in control. I always so love to see what you are reading and so pleased today when I discovered I had read and enjoyed some of the same books. I thought “In Five Days” was so good and written in such an interesting way. I thought “This Is WhereI leave You” was such a Hoot. I hardly ever listen to a book because I always find myself dreaming off about something else, but recently I listened to “The Extraordinary Life of Same Hell”. . And actually thought I probably liked the audible better than I would have liked to read it. I liked that book a lot. Recently read a Charles Martin book because I had liked “The Other Side of the Mountain” so much. Did not like “ Long Way Gone” as much, but I didn’t mind finishing it in about three days. He has written several books with good reviews but our little Winthrop Library only had the “Long Way Gone”. I always enjoy what you have to say.
Mona