Happy Summer! …or at least that’s what the calendar says. We have yet to have a warm summer day without rain and the forecast isn’t looking too promising either. I guess that just means more time for reading? I have found that this year has been more difficult to pick up a book and I think it’s because I had yet to find a few in a row that really excited me about reading. However, in this 10 stack you will find a few really good reads and one that I am currently considering to be my favorite so far this year. I can’t wait for the lazy summer days to arrive and to find some more books that I am truly excited about sharing with you. Hope you have some summer fun planned for the coming weeks!

“Heiresses: The Lives of the Million Dollar Babies” by Laura Thompson

“Heiresses is about the lives of the rich, who―as F. Scott Fitzgerald said―are ‘different’. But it is also a bigger story about how all women fought their way to equality, and sometimes even found autonomy and fulfillment.” I picked up this book thinking it would be a fun read about the life and experiences of the wealthy during the Gilded Age but what I got was something very different, much more academic. Spanning several time periods the author focused on different individuals and the inequality that women of wealth dealt with. The audiobook narration was very monotone and at times I found myself not paying full attention to the story. I really love history but this was told in such a way that I sadly couldn’t wait for it to be done. Unfortunately, this was a miss for me.

“My Own Magic: A Reappearing Act” by Anna Kloots

If you follow Social Media Influencer Anna Kloots you already know that she lives life with positivity and a sense of adventure. Adding a little sparkle and joy as she moves through the streets of Paris Anna’s life is by all appearances perfect but that wasn’t always the case. In “My Own Magic” Anna walks readers through her life, separation and eventual divorce with her long-time love. This book is Anna’s story about picking up her life in pieces and designing a life she had only dreamed of. Though Kloots shares a few stories that exhibit a bit of disconnect with privilege (not everyone has the opportunity to live and travel all over the world no matter the reason she was able to do so) and at times the narration of the audiobook was a little over the top but I enjoyed listening to Anna share her story after following her for the last few years. Something I did wonder however, what must her ex-husband think of this book and did she share it with him in advance? If you don’t follow Anna on socials yet and love to travel (even if it’s virtually) give her a follow!

“The London House” by Katherine Reay

When someone from Caroline’s past reaches out to inform her that her family is about to be the subject of an article he’s writing revealing that her great-aunt Caro was involved with the Nazi party Caroline’s already fractured family is in danger of shattering completely. Unable to accept his narrative Caroline is determined to uncover the truth about their family’s past and returns to her grandmother’s home in London where the attic is filled with letters and journals detailing the lives of Margo and Caro. Caroline races against a deadline to finally figure out what Caro was really doing before she disappeared. Was she truly a Nazi traitor or could her letters reveal a far different role in the war. As a giant genealogy & history nerd this book was right up my alley. The idea of learning the stories of the people that came before us and helped mold our family into who they are now fascinates me. I would love to be able to get my hands on the records that they had access to for my grandfather. Maybe one day… If you are a fan of the His/Fic genre, add “The London House” to your TBR list.

“The Book of Charlie: Wisdom from the Remarkable Life of a 109-Year-Old Man” by David Von Drehle

“When a veteran Washington journalist moved to Kansas, he met a new neighbor who was more than a century old. Little did he know that he was beginning a long friendship—and a profound lesson in the meaning of life.” It is incredible when we can sit and learn from an older generation. The life that Charlie led and the progress he experienced with change throughout his lifetime is incredible. What a gift Von Drehle was given with his friendship with Charlie and the stories he is able to share thanks to “The Book of Charlie”.

“A Very Punchable Face: A Memoir” by Colin Jost

“Told with a healthy dose of self-deprecation, A Very Punchable Face reveals the brilliant mind behind some of the dumbest sketches on television, and lays bare the heart and humor of a hardworking guy—with a face you can’t help but want to punch.” If you have watched SNL anytime in the last two decades you have seen Jost’s work as a Head Writer for the show. This hilarious memoir is filled with stories from Jost’s childhood (how many stitches can one kid get?), early school years (tales from his three hour commute to high school from Staten Island to Manhattan), his time at Harvard (as a Russian lit major), and his time at Saturday Night Live. I was actually laughing out loud while listening to Jost narrate. Not all of this memoir is fun and games though, Jost shares an emotional chapter about his mother and her work with the FDNY on September 11th. I highly recommend listening to the audiobook, getting to hear Colin tell his own stories make it all the more hilarious as his comedic delivery is spot on. If you are a fan of SNL (and don’t mind some toilet humor) give “A Very Punchable Face” a try.

“The Spectacular” by Fiona Davis

Marion, a newly minted Rockette, is living her dream dancing on the stage of the world famous Radio City Music Hall. Much to her father’s disapproval she can’t give up on this once in a lifetime opportunity to have the bright lights in her eyes, wear those dazzling costumes and hear the roar of the applause four shows a day. Marion’s father’s worst fears come to fruition one night when a bomb goes off while Marion is on stage. Unimaginable chaos erupts but when the smoke clears it’s the unthinkable loss that hits Marion to her core. The attack is just the latest explosion set off by “The Big Apple Bomber”, someone that has been terrorizing New York City for over sixteen years. Being one of the few witnesses to have actually seen the bomber’s face, Marion is desperate to help the police, even pointing them towards a friend with the new skill of psychological profiling. When the bomber seems to be escalating Marion realizes she is running out time to prove to everyone that she is not to be underestimated and is willing to lay everything on the line to get justice even the career she has worked so hard for. When I heard last year what the plot of Fiona Davis’ latest novel would be to say I was giddy is an understatement. His Fic, Dance and Davis?! Sign. Me. Up. As a former dancer, it’s incredibly frustrating seeing the thing you love the most written about incorrectly or just thrown in as an aside but reader let me tell you Davis has knocked this out of the park! If you have ever wondered what it is like to work in this industry, even back in 1956, “The Spectacular” gets it all right. As always, Fiona Davis has written a story that is not to be missed. Shuffle off to your nearest bookstore and get yourself a copy today! Huge thank you to Penguin/Dutton for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

“The Last Chance Library” by Freya Sampson

June has never left the sleepy English village she grew up in and now she’s following in her late mother’s footsteps by working at the local library. Though she doesn’t care to admit it, June is the heart of their community, always willing to lend a hand to someone who needs it so when the future of the library is put to question June makes it her personal mission to save it. The one thing shy, introverted June didn’t plan for was how much she would have to step out into view in order to do so. Learning that some changes are worth making even if they are risky, June, along with a motley crew of retirees, put everything on the line to save the library they all need so much. “The Last Chance Library” is a sweet, though mildly predictable read for book lovers of all kinds. If you have a soft spot for reading (of course you do, you are reading this!) you will find connections to these lovely characters. Though not a page-turner by any means, “The Last Chance Library” is a great addition to your beach bag or to pick up for a lazy weekend.

“The Year of Less” by Cait Flanders

“The Year of Less documents Cait’s life for twelve months during which she bought only consumables: groceries, toiletries, gas for her car. Along the way, she challenged herself to consume less of many other things besides shopping. She decluttered her apartment and got rid of 70 percent of her belongings; learned how to fix things rather than throw them away; researched the zero waste movement; and completed a television ban. At every stage, she learned that the less she consumed, the more fulfilled she felt.” While listening to this audiobook I found myself looking around at my own home thinking “maybe she’s got something here”. Though I think this would be a difficult challenge to take on as a family of five there are definitely great ideas that Flanders proposes that everyone could implement in their day to day lives. If life is feeling a little cluttered and you are ready to make some changes, give “The Year of Less” a listen.

“The Rewind” by Allison Winn Scotch

On the morning of their college graduation, Ezra and Frankie broke up. Devastating both parties, they swore they would never speak again. Now because of loyalty to her friend Frankie finds herself traveling back to campus for a New Years Eve wedding on the cusp of the millennium. All will be well as long as she can avoid Ezra. But after an epic drunken rehearsal dinner adventure the former lovebirds find themselves waking up next to each other, wedding bands on each of their hands and absolutely no memory of the night before. Having to put aside their grudge in order to find out the circumstances that led them to their old dorm room (and if they are really married) Ezra and Frankie are given a second chance at figuring out what really went wrong all those years ago. I think I may have ruined “The Rewind” for myself by assuming that this was some sort of fun time-travely plot instead of a we got way too drunk trope. I kept waiting for some sort of twist, or anything really, to propel the story ahead but it really was just 368 pages of following these two around while they piece together a blackout night. I’m also not sure these two were ever right for one another but that is a whole different conversation. Would recommend “The Rewind” if you are seriously into 90s nostalgia and looking for a quick romance read to pass some time.

“The Flatshare” by Beth O’Leary

Broke and broken hearted Tiffy is desperate to find a place to live. An unconventional flatshare ad crosses her path and much to her friends’ horror she accepts. Agreeing to share not only a flat but also a bed with a stranger doesn’t seem to bother Tiffy, it’s not like they will ever cross paths. Per their ground rules, Leon gets the flat during the day and Tiffy has it at night while Leon is at work, what could go wrong? However, as the two get to know each other through post-it notes, the roommates find out that maybe some rules were made to be broken. I have really liked the previous books that I’ve read by O’Leary but “The Flatshare” fell, well, a bit flat for me. There are a lot of darker themes in this story that could be triggering for some (abusive relationships, stalking, wrongful imprisonment, alcoholism, parent issues) it’s not the light rom-com I thought I was sitting down with. “The Flatshare” was turned into a series that can apparently be watched in the US if you have Paramount Plus. Maybe this translated better to the screen? I’ll have to check it out.

’til next time,

The Booked Mama

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