Happy Spring, readers! I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy to see a winter end. I’ll take these spring showers over snow any day! We have been celebrating little victories over here this season between one of my three kiddos getting to go back to his campus for the first time in a year and my husband and I getting our vaccines – we are very ready to start letting the good times roll. The promise of warmer days ahead has me dreaming of the summer weekends to come at our pool with a good book. March was a tough reading month for me and I read probably the least I have in years finishing only three books. Thankfully, I was able to find a few great reads to pull me out of that rut. This 10 has a little mix of everything – rom-com, parenting advice, thrillers, hist-fic, fantasy and a little heartbreak thrown in for good measure. Hope you are able to find something that speaks to you within these 10 stacks pages.

“Remember Me?” by Sophie Kinsella

Twenty-eight year old Lexi Smart has just woken up. She’s tanned, her smile is perfect, and she’s in the best shape of her life. Only problem is the last thing she can remember is being twenty-five, out of shape and practically broke. In the hospital recovering from an accident Lexi gets the shock of her life that she is suffering from amnesia and has lost all of her memories from the last three years. She has no idea how she went from barely employed to being the director of her department, has no idea who the woman in the mirror is and even more shocking who the man is that’s claiming to be her husband. Eric is determined to help Lexi remember who she is now even providing her with a manual on their life together but when a wrench gets thrown into his perfect narrative of who they are Lexi is unsure of what to believe. With the stress of not knowing when her memories will return, if they ever will at all, Lexi must learn to navigate her life, her “now” life, and figure out who she is and how her life changed so drastically during her three missing years. Author Sophie Kinsella can do no wrong in my eyes when it comes to light-hearted, heartwarming stories setting a standard for other writers in this genre. “Remember Me?” is another wonderful title to add to your Kinsella collection if you haven’t yet already discovered this title.

“Growing Up Shared” by Stacey Steinberg

Author, law professor and mother, Stacey Steinberg gives expert advice into the world of raising children in a digital world specifically through the lens of social media. What is life like for a generation whose entire existence has a digital footprint and what will it mean for their futures? Parents have no references from their childhood to look back on for guidance when it comes to this technology and are at times adrift with what it means for their own family. Two quotes from Steinberg that struck me: “We’ve been so focused on social media’s role in how teens relate to one another and how technology has changed our work-life balance, but we’ve spent little time really exploring how social media and technology has redefined what growing up looks like and feels like.” and “…I’ve recognized that like so many other aspects of parenting, social media is a tool. Used appropriately, we use it to build relationships and connect with one another. But like any tool, we need to know its power before we pick it up.” Whether you are a parent/guardian/grandparent of a teenager, a tween, or a toddler “Growing Up Shared” has something for everyone to learn in its pages. Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

“Anxious People” by Fredrik Backman

A group of people attending an apartment open house suddenly become hostages after a failed bank robber attempts to escape from the police. The elderly couple who have made a hobby out of flipping fixer-uppers, a young couple about to be first time parents any day now, a rich banker who has turned open houses into a weird hobby of people watching, an 87 year old woman looking for an apartment for her daughter and a man who has locked himself in the bathroom with a mysterious connection to one of the potential buyers make for the most difficult and headstrong hostages in history. The group couldn’t be more different from one another but yet as the ordeal goes on they discover things that bring them together. Little did they imagine that an open house could change the course of their lives forever. Fredrik Backman has such a unique writing style that I have found you either love or it’s not for you. “A Man Called Ove” is probably one of my favorite books and though “Anxious People” doesn’t quite measure up to that fans of Backman will enjoy this story filled with the best of humanity, friendships and hope that there are still good people left in this world.

“The Other Mrs.” by Mary Kubica

Will and Sadie have returned to coastal Maine to take custody of Will’s niece after his sister’s suicide. The couple move their two sons into his sister’s old home and attempt to help Imogen through her grief. Only when they arrive they find a dark and twisty teenager who wants nothing to do with the Faust family. Their transition to life in Maine is already troubled enough when their neighbor is found murdered. Sadie begins to spiral when she somehow ends up on the local police detective’s radar as a suspect. Determined to prove her innocence, she takes matters into her own hands and begins to investigate what really happened to Morgan Baines. What she unearths proves that the Faust family is in very real danger as someone in their neighborhood is not who they appear to be. I have to be honest, I really didn’t enjoy this book. At about the halfway point I could have told you how this book would end and I would have been 100% right. I know there aren’t too many ways to shock a reader left these days but this couldn’t have been more cliché if it tried. With so many great thrillers out there I would suggest maybe giving this one a pass. Who knows maybe this will be the one time that the movie could be better than the book when Netflix releases their version that is currently in development.

“Shelter in Place” by Nora Roberts

Author Nora Roberts has set a scene that is all too common in our country these days when a mall outside of Portland, Maine is the target of a mass shooting. The assailants begin to wreak havoc on what was supposed to be an ordinary summer evening spraying their hate into innocent, unsuspecting shoppers, diners and movie-goers. For those that survived the eight minute ordeal their lives would be irrevocably changed. Years later the effects of the DownEast shooting have guided some on their life’s path – one joined law enforcement, another dedicated herself into creating and another left unsatisfied with the outcome of that night’s events still seeks justice for the wrongs done thirteen years ago. “Shelter in Place” dragged me out of the reading rut I’ve been in this month. I was so invested with these characters and could not put this one down. Fans of crime/thriller (with a little romance tossed in for good measure) don’t miss out on this one. I’ve never read anything by Nora Roberts before but if anyone has a favorite title be sure to send it my way so I can add it to my TBR list.

“The Switch” by Beth O’Leary

When the loss of her sister becomes too much for her Leena is ordered to take a two month sabbatical from her job in London. Eileen, Leena’s 79 year old grandmother, is ready for a fresh start at dating but the tiny little Yorkshire village she lives in doesn’t have many eligible bachelors. During a weekend trip to visit her grandmother, Leena proposes the idea of a switch. For two months Leena will stay in Yorkshire and take care of Eileen’s cottage, cats and responsibilities while Eileen jets off to London to live in Leena’s flat while having a dip in the dating pool. Neither of the women expected that trading places would be so difficult or could have anticipated how a simple switch in location could change your perspective on life while giving your priorities a good shake. “The Switch” was exactly what I needed – a sweet, wholesome, endearing story that left me with the warm and fuzzies. Beth O’Leary writes beautifully from two age perspectives that causes the reader to fall in love with both characters equally and makes you want to never leave the little village of Hamleigh-in-Harksdale. If you are looking for a book that feels like a warm hug add “The Switch” to your TBR list.

“The Lions of Fifth Avenue” by Fiona Davis

Living inside one of New York City’s most grand buildings with her family, Laura Lyons secretly dreams of a future that she may never have. While her husband is in charge of thousands of books inside the New York Public Library, Laura wants nothing more than to put her own words on paper but in 1913 this is no easy feat for a woman. A spot at the Columbia Journalism school is hers for the taking if she can somehow manage the fees, juggle her household responsibilities as well as the care of her two young children. Things seem to be working in Laura’s favor but then valuable, rare books start disappearing from secure areas of the library throwing her family under a veil of suspicion. Eighty years later, Sadie Donovan is helping to curate an exhibit at the library showcasing some of the best pieces from their collection. After going through a painful divorce Sadie’s main happiness lies with this job and the beautiful artifacts left in her charge, a role she takes great pride in, being one of only a few people with access to such rare works. As the opening of the exhibit draws near books start to vanish from the collection and an investigator is brought in to help. When the clues start to pile up, Sadie uncovers some hidden truths from her family’s past dating back decades to an unsolved mystery that had tragic consequences for the library. “The Lions of Fifth Avenue” is another hit for Fiona Davis. Lovers of the HF genre will find this heartbreaking page-turner hard to put down. Highly recommend adding this to your TBR list and checking out Davis’ other titles as well. Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Publishing for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

“Spellbreaker” by Charlie N. Holmberg

Elsie Camden has a gift that she must keep secret. Being born with the ability to break spells cast by those who are rich and powerful enough to purchase the skill, Elsie has to keep her unregistered illegal gift hidden. She was rescued from the workhouse at the age of 11 by a secret group she nicknamed The Cowls who anonymously task her with breaking spells cast to oppress the common man and the underprivileged. Elsie loves nothing more than helping to free those kept down by the elite. Her work for The Cowls begins to get more and more difficult as a string of murders and robberies of rich and powerful wizards start to increase. When Elsie gets careless late one night on a mission, she finds herself face to face with Bacchus Kelsey, an elite magic user, who decides to extort help from Elsie in exchange for keeping her spell-breaking abilities secret. The two form an unlikely alliance and find themselves tiptoeing dangerously close to those who wish to take everything they have. I’m not usually drawn to the Fantasy genre but this was a really fun read. “Spellbreaker” is a duology (Book two “Spellmaker” was released in March ’21) set in Victorian England that will entertain adults who grew up wishing they lived in the magical world thanks to another english wizard as well as YA readers who are still looking for that owl that never arrived. An enjoyable add for fans of this genre or if you are looking to try something new.

“The Great Alone” by Kristin Hannah

In 1974 the population of Kaneq, Alaska grew by three when the Allbright family rolled into the small town. Ernt Allbright, a former POW back from Vietnam, was given a secluded cabin by a fellow soldier and he has declared that this is where his wife Cora and thirteen year old daughter, Leni will now live to escape the world and all of the horrible things happening in it. Completely inexperienced and unprepared the Allbrights are thankfully embraced by their new community. Locals share resources and teach them what they need to survive the harsh Alaskan winters that seem to never end. As the cold weather draws closer, Cora and Leni learn that more than ever they need to rely on each other when Ernt’s mental health begins to spiral out of control. Unfortunately for the two women, living off the grid means that they are well and truly alone. Leni must learn how to fend for herself while living amidst her parents’ chaos, unsure if the dangers outside are as terrifying as the ones behind her cabin’s closed doors. You can always count on author Kristin Hannah to take you on an emotional ride and “The Great Alone” does not disappoint. I smiled, I was terrified, I cried, I held my breath…you name it. The Alaskan wilderness described by Hannah sounds absolutely stunning but I know for certain I wouldn’t have lasted more than five minutes living in the woods – the size of the mosquitos alone would have had me running for the hills. Fans of Kristin Hannah, be sure to add this one to your TBR list. (Disclaimer: This book deals with strong issues and graphically discusses topics such as domestic violence, alcoholism, PTSD, mental health struggles and death that may be triggering for some readers.)

“People We Meet on Vacation” by Emily Henry

Poppy Wright had big social aspirations when she left her small town to start college. At orientation she meets Alex, a khaki wearing, slightly too serious guy from the next town over back home. The two couldn’t be more opposite but somehow they form a familiar, undeniable bond on a road trip they decide to take together to commute back to Ohio for break. From then on, summer after summer for one perfect week the two travel all over the world together for Poppy’s job until everything comes to a screeching halt. Now Poppy hasn’t spoken to her best friend in two years and is fairly certain her depression might be related to their lack of communication. When a friend asks her to walk backwards to the last time she was truly happy Poppy knows for certain it was on that last fateful trip with Alex. She decides to put it all on the line and texts him to see if he would be up for another one of their annual vacations and to Poppy’s surprise, he accepts. Determined to make everything right between them and get her best friend back, Poppy is going to make this the most perfect trip yet, just like the old days. What could possibly go wrong? I did not want “People We Meet on Vacation” to end! I fell in love with Emily Henry’s writing last year and this newest book to her catalog is another hit. This modern day “When Harry Met Sally” has all of the ingredients for a perfect rom-com recipe. Be sure to add this to your TBR list and get yourself a copy when it releases on May 11, 2021. (Available now to BOTM Club members!)

’til next time,

The Booked Mama

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