Spring is finally here!! We are so happy to be back outside in the sunshine but I don’t completely hate the spring showers that create the perfect opportunity to curl up with a good book. That being said, I am so looking forward to school wrapping up in the next few weeks and our schedules winding down giving this mama lots more reading time. These last 10 books were pretty diverse in genre/theme, there’s a bit of something in here for everyone. There were a few stand outs and some serious disappointments so read on to see which titles you need to add to your summer TBR list and which ones to pass on by. Enjoy!

“The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry” by Rachel Joyce

One average Tuesday a letter arrives addressed to Harold from his former co-worker, Queenie Hennessey. Harold hasn’t seen or spoken to his friend in over twenty years. Queenie was writing to let Harold know that she has terminal cancer and was writing to say goodbye. She is living out the remainder of her days in a hospice in the north of England. The news stops Harold in his tracks. He quickly writes a response, slips on his yachting shoes and tells his wife Maureen he was stepping out to the mailbox. Upon arriving at his destination Harold decides that he isn’t done walking just yet and heads towards the next one. This continues on for several more mailboxes and finally Harold arrives at a garage. Something the clerk says causes a change in Harold and suddenly he decides that he must deliver Queenie’s letter in person. Right then and there Harold sets off on his 600 mile pilgrimage towards Berwick-upon-Tweed with the belief that as long as he keeps walking, Queenie will live. As his journey continues Harold meets people who unlock things he had long since buried. This debut novel by Rachel Joyce will warm your soul as you follow along on Harold’s journey of heartbreaking loss and redemption. (Extra bonus for the beautifully hand-drawn map that charts Harold’s path along the way.)

“Beach Colors” by Shelley Noble

Margaux Sullivan’s life is falling apart around her. Her lifelong dream of becoming a famous New York City fashion designer had finally come true when she discovers that her husband has run off and taken every last cent of their money with him. With nothing left, she decides to escape to her family’s summer home in small town Crescent Cove, CT, a place she hasn’t been in over ten years. The new chief of police, Nick Prescott has been dealt an unlucky hand. After leaving the Army he landed a job teaching history at a Denver university only to be called back home when his older brother is killed in Afghanistan and his nephew’s mother dropped him off and never came back. It seems as if he won’t be finishing up that Masters anytime soon. Now as tourist season is about to start on the Cove, Nick is going to be busier than ever and he still needs to figure out why Connor won’t speak above a whisper. When Nick pulls Margaux over for speeding as she crosses back into Crescent Cove he comes face to face with the girl he used to love from a far as a boy. She doesn’t seem to remember him but there was no way he could forget the girl with the red hair from the library who made his summers worthwhile. Though the plot is fairly predictable “Beach Colors” is an ideal book for sitting on the sand with the Selkie’s signature watermelon martini in hand.

“Educated” by Tara Westover

Tara Westover grew up on secluded mountain in Idaho the youngest of seven in a family that practiced an extreme form of Mormonism. However, religion wasn’t the only thing that controlled the lives of the Westover family. Tara’s survivalist parents also believed strongly in government conspiracies, that the “Feds” could come and harm them at any time absorbing the conflict at Ruby Ridge into their own family’s narrative. They were opposed to traditional medicine treating everything from simple sore throats to 3rd degree burns at home with only oils and herbal remedies concocted by their mother. Public schools were also banned. The Westover children’s education was left up to them. More often than not their father would impede their learning by requiring his children to work on the property in extremely dangerous conditions. Any lessons they learned were done on their own time, Tara teaching herself Algebra in the hopes of passing the ACT after long days in the scrap yard. All of these things combined would be a lot for any young child to handle but their challenges didn’t stop there. Several family members suffered from a handful of mental illnesses that led to the rest of them dealing with control issues, physical and emotional abuse and a laundry list of other traumas. Despite all of this Tara Westover has led an exceptional life. Her memoir “Educated” is one of the best books I have ever read. At times you have to keep reminding yourself this is not a work of fiction but something a very young, very brave girl lived through. This is an absolute must read for 2019.

“Before She Knew Him” by Peter Swanson

Meeting your neighbors shouldn’t put your life in danger but that’s exactly what happens when Hen & Lloyd sit down for dinner with Mira & Matthew. Being the only two childless couples on their street, they decide to get together one Saturday evening. Matthew & Mira seem genuinely interested in Hen’s art but Lloyd can’t seem to click with their hosts. After dinner Mira invites them on a tour of their home. While in Matthew’s study something catches Hen’s eye. A trophy from a Junior Olympics fencing competition is displayed front and center on the mantle. Something sparks in Hen’s brain, wasn’t the man who was murdered recently on that same team? After questioning Matthew where it came from and receiving a strange reply, Hen begins to fixate on the idea that her neighbor could be a murderer. Is she in danger or on the verge of another mental breakdown? Peter Swanson has written a true page turning thriller. “Before She Knew Him” is filled with twists and turns that will leave any mystery fan saying ‘just one more chapter’.

“This Is How It Always Is” by Laurie Frankel

Rosie and Penn are raising five boys in cold and snowy Madison, Wisconsin. They have an unconventional family. Rosie is an ER doctor, Penn stays home with their children while working on his Damn Novel and creating the most elaborate bedtime stories for the boys. Ben, Roo (short for Roosevelt), twins Rigel & Orion (named after the stars) and five-year old, baby of the family Claude are growing up on a large sprawling farm while always being encouraged to be exactly who they are at all times – Rigel knits, Roo swears like a trucker, Ben is a young genius and Orion lives his life in character costumes. Claude begins to slowly introduce his own personality into the mix when he first declares at age three that he wants to be a girl when he grows up. Next came the request to wear dresses and barrettes to pre-school. Eventually Claude disappeared completely and only Poppy existed. Without really meaning to, they all end up living day to day teetering on cliff’s edge of exposing Claude’s secret. “This Is How It Always Is” is an eye-opening story inspired by author Laurie Frankel’s experiences with her own family. While reading I had to keep reminding myself this was a work of fiction. The characters Frankel has created are filled with so much substance and life it’s easy to forget that they have been written into existence. Obviously Poppy’s experiences are fictional, not everyone with a story similar to her’s has parents like Rosie & Penn or siblings as caring but the book’s attempt to open up the reader’s perspective and begin conversations about living a life openly and supported by your community is what makes this novel a must read.

“It Ends With Us” by Colleen Hoover

This book is so falsely advertised. The back of the book doesn’t even hint as to the true theme of the story. Based on the blurb, I thought this would be a quick boy-meets-girl fluffy chick-fic…nope, complete opposite. I knew nothing of the author’s genre and was a little taken a back when the true colors of the plot came to light. “It Ends With Us” is a time-jump story that follows Lily through two stages of her life, as a teen and a present day thirty-something. As a teen Lily meets Atlas, a homeless teen who is squatting in an empty home across the street. The two find a safe haven in one another – Lily helping Atlas during one of the most difficult times in his life and Atlas giving Lily stability while her home life is dysfunctional. Flash-forward, Lily is now living in Boston and about to start her own business when Ryle comes into her life. The two begin dating after some back and forth and things seem to be going really well. Lily decides to introduce Ryle to her mother over lunch and who should be their waiter but Atlas. Seeing Atlas again after all these years throws Lily for a loop and creates issues between her and Ryle. The big missing piece that isn’t explained to you in the blurb is that this book is truly about domestic violence and abuse. The weight of these scenes are heavy and could be extremely triggering to someone who has lived through similar situations. From researching other reviews of this book it is very clear that my opinion is in the minority and Colleen Hoover has a clear and strong following but if you are like me and enjoy a fun chick-fic story every once in a while to lighten things up…don’t be fooled by the blurb or the cover. This isn’t the book for you.

“The Ghostwriter” by Alessandra Torre

Thirty-something Helena Ross has just been given three months to live. The brain tumor that will take her life is a relief to her – Helena is ready to go. Before she does, the best-selling author needs to write one last story – her own. Four years ago a major tragedy occurred in Helena’s life causing her to become a virtual shut-in. Barring herself off from the rest of the world she only has limited conversations with her agent, Kate. Knowing that her time is running short, Helena tells Kate that she is going to need a ghostwriter. She decides that the only person who can do this work justice is her greatest rival Marka Vantley. Helena’s final work will be unlike anything she has published before, this will be her final confession about what really happened on That Day. “The Ghostwriter” is a multi-POV with flashbacks appearing as the pages of Helena’s story comes to life. Though this story is a bit slow to build readers who like a good twist will enjoy this quick read.

“The Lost Girls of Paris” by Pam Jenoff

Grace is late to work…again. Making matters worse her route to the office is blocked by a fatal car accident forcing her to have to cut through Grand Central Station. Grace hasn’t set foot in Grand Central since that fateful day Tom failed to meet her. With no other options she sets off on a quick sprint. Mid-dash she catches her leg on an object, an abandoned suitcase. She surveys the area for an owner but when she spies no one she decides to take a look inside. Its contents point to a female owner but the thing that really catches Grace’s eye is an envelope containing twelve photographs of women, some in uniform. Without explanation, Grace decides to replace the suitcase but pockets the envelope of the girls and goes on her way. Unbeknownst to Grace, this simple act will involve her in an adventure that takes her and the reader back in time two years and across the ocean to uncover the secrets of the women of British SOE during WWII. “The Lost Girls of Paris” is a multi-POV/dual-timeline story that gives a voice to the many brave civilian men and women who were willing to anonymously risk their lives in order to help the Allies defeat the Germans. Pam Jenoff has written a page-turning piece of historical fiction that any fan of this genre should add to their TBR list immediately.

“How Not to Die Alone” by Richard Roper

If you asked his co-workers, forty-something Andrew has the perfect life. He’s happily married to a smart and loving woman, lives in a gorgeous home, father to a son and daughter…only problem is it’s all a complete lie. Andrew couldn’t be more alone if he tried. He didn’t mean for the lie to spin so far out of control, he also did nothing to correct it either. Andrew and his small collection of office mates work in a depressing department of the council. Daily he is tasked with visiting the homes of the newly deceased who have left this earth alone. It’s Andrew’s job to go through their belongings to search for possible next of kin. If none is found, he must arrange for their meager burials. Andrew is fine with his lonesome existence, happy to work on his trains while listening to Ella Fitzgerald, until the day Peggy gets hired. Now Andrew must decide whether or not to step out of this fantasy life he has so comfortably lived in for years or miss out on the possibility of actually creating something real. Richard Roper has written a quick and quirky read with real, out of the box characters in “How Not to Die Alone”. This debut novel is not one to be missed.

“The Huntress” by Kate Quinn

Calling all “Alice Network” fans!! Kate Quinn has done it again. This multi-POV story seamlessly weaves three narrators and two timelines together to create one of the best historical fiction books I’ve read this year. Nina’s storyline takes place during the height of World War II as she fights alongside the other Night Witches as a pilot with the Russian Army. Having survived a brutal childhood by the lake, Nina finds her true calling in life up in the sky. Both Ian & Jordan’s perspectives take place post-war. Ian, a British former journalist, is searching for a Nazi known only as die jägerin hoping to bring her to justice for brutal crimes she committed during the war, one in particular Ian carries close to his heart. The Huntress has evaded Ian and his partner Tony for years but could this new lead be the one they have been waiting for? Jordan is an all-American girl living in Boston who has dreamt of being a photographer for as long as she can remember. Her widowed father has recently fallen in love with an immigrant woman with a young daughter. After witnessing a few strange moments, Jordan now has serious suspicions about the true identity of her new step-mother. At 560 pages, this isn’t a quick read and some chapters are slower moving but when Quinn’s characters eventually cross paths you will not be able to put “The Huntress” down.

Til next time,

E

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