Oh friends… do I have some good books to tell you about today! I think two of these books will probably make my top ten best books for 2013… they were *that* good! I am so excited to share them with you.
First up is The Fault in Our Stars by John Green.
I’ll admit, I’m a big “judge a book by the cover” girl, and I honestly avoided reading this book (and the one following) because of their covers. They just didn’t pull me in or grab me. I am so very thankful I was convinced by some friends to pick this book up because once I did, I couldn’t put it down.
The Fault in Our Stars is a story about two teenagers who meet in cancer support group, develop a friendship and fall in love. It’s about finding hope and meaning on their journey and sharing a common ground with someone who “gets it”. I can’t tell you much about the story without giving it away, but you will laugh, and you will cry and you will be so heartbroken when this book is over because it will be a permanent part of your heart, forever. I read this book weeks ago and am tearing up writing this because this book touched me so. Oh, and full disclosure… it’s young adult fiction, but please don’t let that stop you from reading it!
I gave The Fault in Our Stars 5 stars on Goodreads. Download The Fault in Our Stars on your kindle here, buy a paper copy on Amazon and add it to your virtual library on Goodreads here.
Next up, Me Before You by JoJo Moyes
OK do you see what I mean about the cover? It is definitely not a book I would have picked up just based on the cover, but again, I am so happy I got past that. This book… oh this book! I just can’t even begin to tell you how much I enjoyed this book and how much the message of the book has impacted me.
In short, this book is about Will, a man who has it all but tragically becomes a quadriplegic after a horrible accident. Soon after, he attempts suicide because the thought of turning in his active lifestyle for a life in a wheelchair is unbearable, but he was unsuccessful. That’s when his family brings in a caregiver (Louisa) to watch over him so he doesn’t have the chance to try and kill himself again. Louisa then decides it is her job to show Will his life is worth living… and the story unfolds from there.
This is one of those books (Like The Fault in Our Stars) that will move you. It will change who you are and impact you in ways most books don’t. I hope you enjoy this one as much as I did!
I gave Me Before You 5 stars on Goodreads. Download Me Before You on your kindle, here, buy a paper copy on Amazon and add it to your virtual library on Goodreads here.
(Be prepared… both of the books above are ones you’ll start and won’t put down. I read them each in a day, choosing to hide on my couch and be absorbed in a book over household chores!)
Next up, The Undomestic Goddess
I read (or actually listened on audiobook) The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella, in between the two books above. I needed something light and fluffy to read, and after reading I Got Your Number, I knew a Sophie Kinsella book was sure to fit the bill.
This wasn’t my favorite Sophie Kinsella book, but it was good enough to keep me entertained and enthralled. Samantha is a 20 something year old lawyer trying to make partner at a prestigious law firm and giving up any chance of a life to do so. Even “intimate relations” are timed at 6 minutes (the official efficient metric for an attorney). Samantha ends up having a mental breakdown, hops on a train out of town and ends up in the countryside at the home of a couple hiring a housekeeper. After a bit of a misunderstanding, true Sophie Kinsella style, Samantha turns in her attorney badge and becomes a housekeeper.
Thoughts of Ameila Bedeila came to mind as Samantha struggled with even the basic of household chores. Love, friendship and family – and living a life that truly fulfills you – are all common themes in this book.
I gave The Undomestic Goddess 3 stars on Goodreads. Download The Undomestic Goddess on your Kindle, here, buy a paper copy from Amazon or add it to your virtual library on Goodreads, here.
Last up, The Interestings.
I’m not going to actually review this book, because I have to be honest and tell you I didn’t finish it. As it turns out, The Interestings, weren’t so interesting to me. I made it about 56% of the way through and just couldn’t finish.
So, I know some of you have read this book and according to your reviews on Goodreads, LOVED it. Tell me, should I give it another chance?
My next two reads are…
Lisa Wingate wrote a big many years ago called Tending Roses and it was the book that helped me to recognize my priorities, quit my job and stay home with my kids. If you haven’t read that book, I highly recommend it. I’m excited to read Lisa’s, The Prayer Box. I’ve heard such great things about it!
This is another one I wouldn’t pick up based on the cover, but I’ve heard such amazing things about Night Film! I’ve moved it to the top of my “to be read” pile. I can’t wait to dive in!
OK – that’s it for now. It’s your turn –>
I love my Kindle Paperwhite. Read all about it here!
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You should read Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell. It was one of my favorite easy reading books this year. I go back and forth between serious and light books. Fall is good for the light reading for me because so many release between now and October. I spent my summer reading heavy, intense books. I think I’m doing it backwards, reading the “beach reads” once the cold weather starts.
Two books from this summer that I loved were The Round House and Behind the Beautiful Forevers. Both were The National Book Award Winners for 2012 for fiction and nonfiction, respectively. I’d recommend both.
Just added those to my TBR pile! Thank you!
I would just like to point out that it was me who sent you over to E&P land. I’m glad you loved it as much as I did. xo
I love all your recommendations! Me Before You look’s like a great read, and I can’t wait to dive in. Also, I’m halfway through Night Film, and I haven’t been able to put it down for the past three days. It’s a definite must read.
OK I decided to do Elanor and Park before Night Film. I can’t wait to dive into that one though!
Just requested those first two from the library – sadly they didn’t have The Prayer Box, but it sounds really interesting! I recently read “Mornings in Jenin” about the Israel/Palestine conflict and it was haunting and sad but I couldn’t put it down and it’s one of those books that I’m so glad I read despite the tragic subject matter. For Book Club we also read “The Memory Palace”, a memoir by a woman who grew up with a schizophrenic mother…such an interesting topic, but not my favourite in terms of writing style.
Anna – if you send me your mailing address I’ll mail you The Prayer Box! I’m done with it 🙂 kristen at dineanddish.net
Thanks for the other recommendations as well.
That’s interesting, the covers that don’t grab you are the ones I like more!
We just started watching Game of Thrones, so we’re reading the books as well, by which I mean I’m reading them first since Matt was in the middle of another book and I’d just finished my last one. If medieval sagas full of sex and blood are your cup of tea, you’d be into these books… if not, best to give them a miss.
I like faces or scenes on the covers, I think that’s why? The books were so good though!
I love The Fault in Our Stars too! Have you read any Jonathan Tropper? He is my current favorite.
I haven’t – but will go look him up now! Thanks!
Me Before You was one of my favorites this year too! Tomorrow There Will Be Apricots was another that I read recently and LOVED LOVED LOVED, and I’m currently reading Tell the Wolves I’m Home, which is stunningly gripping so far. I’ve had The Interestings downloaded on my nook forever, but haven’t started it yet. Maybe I won’t. Too many good books, so little time 🙂
I agree – I don’t have time to waste on a book that just doesn’t grab me (but so many people have liked it too, so who knows?)
Thanks for the recommendations! Can’t wait to read them!
I loved Me Before You. One I thought about a lot after I read it. I know it had to end the way it did, but somehow wished it hadn’t.. I also liked the Undomestic Goddess. It was a bit lighter, but liked it probably because of that. I am now reading War Brides. I’m having a little bit of difficulty keeping the characters straight as it is a bit disjointed, but I’m only about half way through. I really liked The Fault in My Stars. It was another one I wished I could have changed the ending, but only because the ending made me sad. I liked The Story of a Beautiful Girl. It was another book which left you thinking about it long after you had finished the last page. I recently re-read The Great Gatsby and found it as good as I remembered. I am enjoying The Kindle. I have read several more books which I haven’t mentioned here…I think you and I have the same taste in books. Can’t wait to finish War Brides so I can start something else. Oh, I didn’t finish The Night Circus…just couldn’t get into it. I’m not a fantasy literature lover. I love realistic fiction.
I love that we can share books on the Kindle, mom. It gives me someone to talk about them with! Glad you are enjoying them.
I love book review posts. I’ve just added all of these books except the Sohpia Kinsella one since I’ve already read that, to my wish list on Amazon.
Awesome, Kristi! Let me know if you’ve read anything great lately! I love recommendations!
I actually just finished the fault in my stars and totally loved it. I also was hesitant to read it because the cover didn’t grab me. I just started readi Bossypants last night. So far it’s hilarious!
Bossypants is so great. I actually listened to the audio version (Tina Fey reads it). Hilarious!
I’m glad I’m not the only one who judges a book by its cover:) I need to put a couple of these on my list to read!
I’m horrible at doing that but am trying to get better. Thank God I ignored the covers of the two I mentioned… they were so very good!
I loved Undomestic Goddess, it was one of my favorites! I am currently re- reading The Cupcake Lovers series by Beth Ciotta, Crazy Sexy Diet by Kris Carr, and finally the Discovery of Witches series.
Ohhhh off to check those three books out on Goodreads. Thank you!
I finished War Brides at 1:00 this morning. It was a sad book, but ended very well. I guess you can tell it was a page turner once I got into it. Thanks for posting it on our Kindle.
I’ve just read two Susanna Kearsley books, The Firebird and Mariana–loved them both. The Fault in our Stars is one of my favorite books. Gus and Hazel are on my top ten literary couples. I just bought the ebook (through Kobo app on my iPad-trying to support my local economy) You Have Lipstick on your Teeth. It is a collection of very funny essays by some very funny ladies. I highly recommend!
See you on Goodreads!
Thanks so much for the recommendations Hallie! Off to check them all out! (and I need to check out Kobo too!)
I recently read The Life List by Lori Nelson Spielman. I gave it 5 stars on Goodreads. I laughed, I cried. I loved!
That sounds like my kind of book. Thanks for the recommendation!
I read a lot, so I’m always on the look out for new books. I especially love finding reviews like this! So excited to read your review of The Fault in Our Stars and Me Before You….I came so close to picking each of these up a handful of times, and at the last second put them down. Adding them to my library queue asap!
Oh definitely read those two… they are beyond wonderful! (Have tissues handy!)
Just picked up Me before You and The Fault in Our Stars. Have started Me, and am loving so far. Kristen, you always have the been book recommendations – you are definitely my go to gal!
I had trouble getting through the Interestings too! I didn’t understand all the hype. I ended up finishing and you really didn’t miss much 🙂