Book Review February 2021

I read four books in February; one non-fiction and three fiction. 

It was another month of great reading!

 Body Love

by Kelly LeVeque

⭐⭐⭐⭐

I always enjoy reading a health-themed book at the beginning of each new year. I read this book as a member of Emily Ley's book club. It offered a lot of practical advice with the science of nutrition to back it up. Kelly's writing style is like having a conversation with a friend; encouraging, informative, and fun. I love learning about the power of healthy food to help our bodies work more efficiently. If you are looking for a book to help you kick start some healthy eating habits, you would enjoy this read.

The Nightingale

by Kristin Hannah

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Oh my goodness. This book has been on my "to read" list for quite some time. I'm not sure why I didn't get around to reading it until now, but it did not disappoint. I always say that historical fiction is not my first choice of genres, but if well-written, they turn out to be some of my very favorite books. This book will likely make it onto my Best Books of 2021 List! The story takes place during World War 2 during the German occupation of Paris. The story follows two sisters who are very different in their personalities and approaches to dealing with the chaos unfolding around them. The characters in the book will stay with you long after you turn the last page. This is the same author who wrote Firefly Lane, which has been turned into a Netflix series that I blogged about on Friday!

Wild at Heart

by K.A. Tucker

⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is the second book in a trilogy that I started in August. You can find the first book here. Set in Alaska, these books follow the main character, Calla, who reconnects with her father after many years. There is family drama, romance, and humor. After finishing The Nightingale, I needed something light and fun and remembered that I had this waiting on my Kindle. I enjoyed these books so much that I couldn't wait to read...

Forever Wild

by K.A. Tucker

⭐⭐⭐⭐

...the final book in the series. This one is technically a novella and a quick read. It ties up the story nicely without being too formulaic. I was especially fond of Calla's neighbor, Roy. Her relationship with this curmudgeonly old man was endearing. A trilogy set in Alaska is the perfect way to round out my winter reading before I start...

... my list of beach reads for this year! I will read them early and let you know what books belong in your beach/pool bag this summer...even if we are only headed out to the Slip-n-Slide in our backyards. :)

Happy reading, friends! I truly appreciate you stopping by!

xo,

Deanna

May Book Review and a Beach Read Giveaway!

Seven books this month!! You are going to love this month's review because it includes the perfect beach read to kick off your summer and I'm gifting my copy to one lucky blog reader!

The Game of Life and How to Play It

by: Florence Scovel Shinn

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Nerd alert: I love these older books about manifesting your best life. I flew through this in one day. This one includes a lot of Bible references and how you can harness the power of thought to improve your life. Not everyone's cup of tea, but I enjoy these!

You Are Not Alone

by: Greer Hendricks

⭐⭐⭐⭐

I was ready to read a mystery/suspense novel this month and this one was a good choice! The main character, Shay, finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time and everything unfolds from there. While farfetched at times, this book kept my attention and kept me guessing. There are some heavy topics in this book, so reader beware if you have experienced any trauma.

The Two Lives of Lydia Bird: A Novel

by: Josie Silver

⭐⭐⭐⭐

If you have been reading my book reviews for any length of time, you know I am a sucker for any book that goes back and forth between two life scenarios for one character. The main character's fiance' is killed in the beginning of the book and it splits off between life without him and life with him after that. Add this one to your reading list now!

I've Got My Eyes On You

by: Mary Higgins Clark

⭐⭐⭐

I have long been a fan of Mary Higgins Clark, but I am skeptical if she is even writing her own books now. While a good story, I had this book figured out before I was even at the halfway mark. If you enjoy mysteries, it is good, but definitely not traditional Mary Higgins Clark.

Have You Seen Me?

by: Kate White

⭐⭐⭐

Kate White is another mystery author that I absolutely love. This book was okay, but not her best work. If I had not read all of her other books, I would have loved this; does that make sense? I listened to this one on audible, and since I am new to audiobooks, maybe that had something to do with it. Good mystery, but skip it if you have read Kate White's previous work.

Big Summer

by: Jennifer Weiner

⭐⭐⭐⭐

I loved this book! The main character is a plus sized Instagram influencer who gets caught up in a mystery while in a summer wedding. This book has mystery, romance and laughter. This is a great summer read!

Feels Like Falling

by: Kristy Woodson Harvey

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This was my final book of the month and I could not love it more!! I am a huge fan of Kristy Woodson Harvey and I absolutely adored this book. The main characters could not be more different or more relatable; I instantly felt connected to both of them. The beach, romance, friendship...what's not to love about this book?

One of the best parts about reading is sharing books I love with others. That is why I am gifting my copy of Feels Like Falling to one lucky blog reader! Simply head over to my Instagram to enter!

April Book Review and a Giveaway!

It was an excellent month of reading, friends! I am so excited to tell you about the books I read in April that I have decided to gift one of them to a lucky reader. Read on for details!

Find Your Path: Honor Your Body, Fuel Your Soul, and Get Strong with the Fit52 Life

by: Carrie Underwood

4 out of 5 ⭐

Isn't Carrie Underwood just the sweetest?! Her book was the perfect read to kick off quarantine. It is all about diet and exercise and how to incorporate both into your life in a healthy way. Each chapter is named for one of her songs, so that was a fun addition. This is the perfect book to motivate you to get moving or make one of the healthy (easy!) recipes she includes. I especially liked the way she encourages readers to think about a healthy lifestyle as a long-term investment in staying strong for their families. I am gifting one blog reader a copy of this book because we could all use a little happy encouragement in our lives right now. To enter to win, follow me on Instagram and like the April book review post! I will choose a winner by random drawing on Friday, May 1st.

On The Bright Side: Stories about Friendship, Love, and Being True to Yourself

by: Melanie Shankle

5 out of 5 ⭐

Melanie Shankle cracks me up. She is a Christian author, but does not take herself very seriously or make you feel like she has everything figured out. I told Dan that I love reading her books because she is a Christian who is up for drinking a well-made margarita. I'm not sure what that means or what that says about me, but it fits! I listened to this book on audio and I am so glad I did. Melanie reads it herself and her voice telling the stories of days past and inserting sarcasm only added to my reading experience. This book could also not be more timely, as she encourages you to find the bright side of trying situations through telling personal stories. It is fun, and so worth the read!

American Royals

by: Katharine McGee

4 out of 5 ⭐

I finished this book before I realized that it is a young adult novel. I really enjoyed it! I could honestly see this book being made into a tv series. The premise is that George Washington became the king of America instead of president and these are his modern day ancestors. Of course, there is a lot of drama and it mimics The Crown a bit but in a very PG way. I will definitely read the sequel when it comes out. YA or not, if you like royalty, you will enjoy this book.

The Dollhouse

by: Fiona Davis

 4 out of 5 ⭐

This book sat on my Kindle for awhile, but thanks to Corona, I finally got around to reading it. I loved that it took place in NYC and switched between the 1950's and present day. It takes place at the Barbizon Hotel where the main characters live in different decades. There is murder, mystery, romance and drama throughout. I really enjoyed this book, but it was a slow burn for me. It was not a book I couldn't put down, but I enjoyed it still. Does that make sense? I will be reading another by this author next month to see if I want to find more!

Untamed

by: Glennon Doyle

5 out of 5 ⭐

Wow. Glennon Doyle writes with intense vulnerability. And while her story is her own and her issues, experiences, and beliefs may not be mine, I learn something about myself every time I read her books. I deeply respect people who vulnerably share their experience of life. Told in a collection of short essays, this book includes sentences and paragraphs that I would re-read or read aloud to Dan because of their sheer beauty. I think I enjoy this type of book because it reminds me of talking to people during a counseling session where they are honest, raw, and not afraid of judgement.

I hope I've inspired you to pick up one of these reads. Remember, you can click the title of the book to be taken to Amazon if you would like to purchase and I receive a {very small} referral bonus if you do that at no additional cost to you. Libraries are also doing a great job during the Corona Pandemic of allowing you to check out extra digital materials on your favorite devices. In fact, that is how I listened to On the Bright Side! However you get your books, I hope you enjoy my suggestions.

Happy reading and quarantining!

xo,
Deanna

Books, Beans and Quarantines! January-March 2020

Hello everybody! It has been a bit since I have blogged but I suddenly find myself with a little extra time. I know this has been a challenging time, but I am going to try to do my part to bring a little sunshine into your days through my little corner of the internet. What better way to start that than to tell you what I have been reading so far in 2020! 

{I will link the titles and pictures of the books so that it will take you directly to Amazon if you wish to read what the book is about or purchase. Full disclosure, I make a few cents if you do that!} I have marked my star review below the author's name. I will keep my comments out the review this time due to the sheer number of books included. To save you a bit of time...

Best Book: Open Book by Jessica Simpson

Worst Book: Next Level Basic by Stassi Schroeder

But first...

I bought another coffee maker.

I still love this guy...

Ninja 

But I added this one to the family and he is a keeper as well!

Nespresso

Why are my coffee makers boys? Because everything except me and the dog are boys around here.

BOOKS

Regretting You 

by: Colleen Hoover

4 out of 5 stars

The Joy of Missing Out: Live More by Doing Less

by: Tonya Dalton

4 out of 5 stars

The Wives

by: Tarryn Fisher

3 out of 5 stars

The Things We Cannot Say

by: Kelly Timmer

4 out of 5 stars

Next Level Basic: The Definitive Basic Bitch Handbook

by: Stassi Schroeder

2 out of 5 stars

Such a Fun Age

by: Kiley Reid

4 out of 5 stars

Open Book

by: Jessica Simpson

5 out of 5 stars

Hold On, But Don't Hold Still

by: Kristina Kuzmic

3 out of 5 stars

The Overdue Life of Amy Byler

by: Kelly Harms

3 out of 5 stars

The Other Mrs.

by: Mary Kubica

3 out of 5 stars

Get Out of Your Head: Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts

by: Jennie Allen

4 out of 5 stars

The Jetsetters

by: Amanda Eyre Ward

3 out of 5 stars

Books and Beans~July 2019

COFFEE

Starbucks Guava White Tea with Lemonade...you will not be disappointed! If you like tea and lemonade and summer, this will be your new favorite drink.

BOOKS

During July, I finished a trilogy I started over a year ago. The first book, can be found HERE. I absolutely loved this trilogy and the strong southern female characters. Each book focuses heavily on one of the three sisters, but all of their story lines, including the mom's are woven throughout. These are the perfect books to wind down your summer with!

The Secret to Southern Charm

by: Kristy Woodson Harvey

4 out of 5 stars

The Southern Side of Paradise

by: Kristy Woodson Harvey

Happy end of summer reading!

xo,

Deanna

Books and Beans~June 2019

I read five books in June; three non-fiction and two fiction. The non-fiction books were good and the fiction books were both in my top books of all time. Add them to your list!!

COFFEE

June was all about iced coffee and iced chai tea lattes!

BOOKS

Outer Order, Inner Calm

by: Gretchen Rubin

4 out of 5 stars

I always begin summer by reading some sort of organization or productivity book. #nerd It motivates me to pare down and reset before the new school year. I loved this book by Gretchen Rubin, who is also the author of The Happiness Project. I truly believe that our environment impacts our quality of life and Rubin does an excellent job of giving examples and motivating us to find calm by getting rid of our chaos.

Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, Her Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed

by: Lori Gottlieb

4 out of 5 stars

As a counselor, I adored this candid look at the inner thoughts of a therapist in session with her clients and as a client herself. This book would be good for anyone who has struggled making sense of life at one point or another...which is every human on Earth! Gottlieb allows us to gain insight into ourselves by bravely sharing herself.

Own Your Everyday: Overcome the Pressure to Prove and Show Up for What You're Made to Do

by: Jordan Lee Dooley

4 out of 5 stars

I picked up this book after seeing it on an Instagram feed and liked it more than I expected to! I wish I would have been able to read this book in my late 20s. This book would be an excellent college graduation gift or for anyone who is a self-help junkie like me!

Where the Crawdads Sing

by: Delia Owens

5 out of 5 stars

I'm having a hard time putting into words why I loved this book. It is one of my favorite books of all time. Besides being beautifully written, a love story, a coming of age story and a mystery all wrapped into one, the main character will stay with you long after the last page. This book is hauntingly beautiful and a must read.

The Tattooist of Auschwitz

by: Heather Morris

5 out of 5 stars

I also loved this book of fiction set during the Holocaust but based on a true love story during that time. While definitely not a light read, this book deserves to be on your must read list as well. Ultimately, it is a book that celebrates the power of the human spirit, kindness and love.

Enjoy adding these fabulous books to your list! Remember that you can click on the title or photo of the book to be taken to Amazon where you can purchase them. Amazon shares a few pennies with me if you do that so I can buy more books!

xo,

Deanna

Books and Beans~April & May 2019

I am *just a bit* behind on my monthly book reviews, so you will get three posts this week to make up for it! It has been a wonderful summer of relaxing, spending time with family, traveling and reading!

COFFEE

Iced white chocolate lavender lattes...it's what to drink during the spring and summer!

BOOKS

Californa Girls

by: Susan Mallery

4 out of 5 stars

This book was perfect for kicking off my summer reads. Three sisters are all dumped by their significant others in the same week. They come together to help each other recover and move on. This book was easy to read chick lit. I enjoy Susan Mallery for fun characters and a relaxing read.

The Dubrow Diet: Interval Eating to Lose Weight and Feel Ageless

by: Heather Dubrow and Terry Dubrow M.D.

4 out of 5 stars

This book introduced me to interval eating, of which I am now a fan. While I do not follow diet plans, this book does contain some good information to include in your daily eating routine. I highly recommend their podcast as well!

Beautifully Organized: A Guide to Function and Style in Your Home

by: Nikki Boyd

4 out of 5 stars

It is no secret that I love to read design books and books on organizing. This book beautifully marries the two. The photography is gorgeous and inspiring. The entire book offers organizing ideas with a glamorous twist.

Elements of Family Style: Elegant Spaces for Everyday Life

by: Erin Gates

4 out of 5 stars

I loved Erin Gates' first book, Elements of Style. Her second book is good, but I like the first one better. This design book offers ideas for living with children and still having nice things, but it is a little to traditional or stuffy for my liking. The photography is gorgeous, however, and there are definitely inspiring ideas.

Daisy Jones and the Six

by: Taylor Jenkins Reid

3 out of 5 stars

I could not wait to get my hands on this highly anticipated book. I mean, when Reece Witherspoon tells me to read a book, I listen! It is set in the 70's and follows a band through their rise to fame. The book is unique in that it is told in interview style (like someone from a magazine is covering their entire story). As interesting as the format is and as much as I love this author, this was a bit of a slow read for me.

The Mother-in Law

by: Sally Hepworth

4 out of 5 stars

My final book in May was definitely worth the wait! I enjoyed this book so much and especially the twists that kept me guessing. When Lucy marries her man, she gets more than she bargained for with her new mother-in-law Diana. Then Diana is found dead and everyone is a suspect. What follows is a bit of a "who-done-it" with lots of family secrets revealed. This book was very entertaining!

Stay tuned for two more book related posts this week...and thank you for letting me make up for lost time! :)

xo,

Deanna

Book and Beans~March 2019

I cannot believe how behind I got with blogging! I am catching up this week and am finally ready to publish my March picks. Thanks for participating in this hobby of mine even when I am inconsistent.  No coffee to share for March, so let's get straight to the books!

BOOKS

The More of Less: Finding the Life You Want Under Everything You Own
by: Joshua Becker
3 out of 5 stars

You know I'm a sucker for a good organizing book. This one focuses more on paring down your possessions to the essential which I do feel is the best way to begin an organizing project. While I could never be a full fledged minimalist, I have reduced the number of items I own over the last few years and it is very freeing. This book was pretty good, but I did not find that any of the information was groundbreaking.

The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level

by: Gay Hendricks

4 out of 5 stars

Self-help/motivational books are also on my list of favorite things and I really liked this book and the concept it is built around. Basically, the author shows how people have a set point for success and it is difficult to go beyond that point without it feeling scary. Therefore, people self-sabotage to get back to the point where they can remain in their comfort zone. So much of this book rang true for me and the author does an excellent job of breaking down how to get out of your own way. If you need a super dose of motivation in any area of your life, this is a good read for you.

An Anonymous Girl

by: Greer Hendricks

4 out of 5 stars

This psychological thriller was so good! It all begins when the main character poses as someone else to earn money from a psychology experiment. What unfolds is an entanglement with the psychologist in charge of the study. This book is suspenseful, creepy and kept me on the edge of my seat to the very end!

Watching You

by: Lisa Jewell

3 out of 5 stars

Another psychological thriller that I enjoyed. If I hadn't read An Anonymous Girl before this book, I would have probably given it four stars. It was good, but just not as fast-paced in the beginning. There are also some distracting plot lines that are meant to be red herrings, but I thought they were just distracting. I'm not sure if that makes sense! A good book that surprised me in the end!

The Minimalist Home: A Room-By-Room Guide to a Decluttered, Refocused Life

by: Joshua Becker

3 out of 5 stars

I figured I would give Joshua Becker another go with his next book and it was good as well. Again, if you are intentional about reducing the amount of items you own, this book walks you through each area of your home and encourages you to get rid of the excess. I have already gone through this process in my house (cheers to Marie Kondo) so this book was review for me. Good to add to your list if you want a room-by-room way to minimize your belongings.

Love and Other Words

by: Christina Lauren

5 out of 5 stars

So good. You know it is very rare for me to give five stars to a work of fiction, but this one did it for me. I loved the plot line, the love story and the way the characters were presented and developed. This book follows a boy and a girl who meet when they are young and the way their relationship evolves throughout out the years. It is endearing and sentimental.  Throw in a conflict or two and it makes for one of the best books I've read this year. This is one of those books where I missed the characters when it was over. Tell me I'm not the only one who does this?

I'd love to know what you are reading! Thank you for continuing to read my little blog and interact with me on social media. I love this little corner of the internet so much!

xo,

Deanna

Books and Beans~February 2019

Happy Monday and happy book review day!

(via @draperjames on Instagram)

Oh winter, we are so over you! I currently find myself continuing to soak up the coziness of cold days spent warm inside, but looking forward to the warmth of the sun again. I caught Mason looking out his bedroom window at his swing set and he said he just couldn't wait to play on that playground again. I agree!

I read six books this month; four fiction and two non-fiction. There are some great ones in this review! Remember, you can click on the title or the book image to be taken directly to Amazon to purchase your own copy. I get a shiny quarter or two if you order your books this way. :)

COFFEE

My warm drink of choice this month has been a London Fog Latte. It consists of Early Grey tea, steamed milk and sweetener. Yum!

BOOKS

Cozy Minimalist Home: More Style, Less Stuff

by: Myquillyn Smith

3 out of 5 stars

I was so excited to read this book, but did not find it all that inspiring or interesting. Fans of Myquillyn Smith will love it, but it just did not offer me anything new. I read her blog years ago, but not so much anymore. Maybe my style has shifted some over the years. I love the title, but the book was just okay.

One Day in December

by: Josie Silver

4 out of 5 stars

I loved this book! You know that I reserve my five star reviews for life-changing books. This one is a strong 4 and a half as a fun fiction read. It's the story of a girl traveling home from work on the bus when she catches the eye of a man standing on the sidewalk. Their eyes meet, there is an immediate connection, and the bus pulls away. She spends the next year looking for him. The story unfolds from there and, at the risk of spoiling it for you, I'll leave it at that. I loved the characters, the plot line and the author's style. Ultimately, I love how the author captures the messiness of love and relationships in an engaging way. 

Swear on This Life

by: Renee Carlino

4 out of 5 stars

This book was so good too! Although heavier than my first fiction book of this month, the plot line of this book is excellent. As a writer struggling to find her voice, the main character finds herself reading a book that her friend keeps raving about. As she reads the book, she realizes that she is reading an account of her own life and that the author is actually her best childhood friend and a man she has not spoken to in years. She reads the book, reconnects with him and everything unfolds from there. This book is all about the bond of friendships formed in childhood amidst awful life experiences and healing as an adult. 

Stretched Too Thin: How Working Moms Can Lose the Guilt, Work Smarter, and Thrive

by: Jessica Turner

4 out of 5 stars

This book is a must read for every working mom who feels pulled between the demands of work and home...every working mom I know! I loved the author's practical advice and relatability. Add this one to your list to ease guilt and become more intentional in your approach to daily life.

The Proposal

by: Jasmine Guillory

4 out of 5 stars

I reviewed Jasmine Guillory's first novel, The Wedding Date, in my blog post HERE.  I loved this one just as much! Her books are pure chick-lit fun with an interesting cast of multi-racial characters. The story is engaging and the characters are believable and endearing. As with any romance, these books are a little on the racy side. I mention that in case it's not your thing. :) When you are in the mood for a romance novel with interesting supporting characters, Jasmine Guillory's books do not disappoint.

Rules of Civility

by: Amor Towles

4 out of 5 stars

I listened to this book on audio and am so glad I did. The book reads like prose with sentences that you want to hear repeated. Set in the 1930's, this book takes place in New York City and follows a young woman navigating her way through work and relationships during that time. This book was very Gatsby-esque with its revelry and flawed characters. The book is essentially a snapshot of one year and the impact of split second events and decisions that change lives forever. Such a good read!

Have a great week everyone!

xo,
Deanna