Over the past few months, I've read seven books. Some, I've loved, while others, I've finished. Here's a list and my thoughts on each.
First Comes Love by Emily Giffin
Emily Giffin is one of my all-time favorite writers. In fact, she may be my favorite author. From Something Borrowed to First Comes Love, her books haven't ever disappointed me.
First Comes Love was different than Giffin's other novels, but it was just as good - maybe even better. It drew me in from the very first page and I could hardly put it down. I could picture myself in the book and I think you could, too. It's all about relationships and the complexities they bring. She does a great job of weaving the stories of two sister's together and examining the family dynamic through tragedy. I don't normally read her books looking for advice, but parts of this book definitely related to something a close friend has been dealing with and I was able to share a passage with her.
I've read almost every single one of Dorothea Benton Frank's books and loved most of them. I have to say, though, I really struggled with All Summer Long. It was a little different - and not set on one of the beloved barrier islands of SC - and I found myself having a really hard time finishing it. I hate to sound critical because I've loved everything I've read by her up to this point, but there was just something different about this one. I think the fact that I wasn't able to relate to the main characters could have had something to do with it, but it just wasn't the normal page-turner I'm used to having when I read Frank's books. Nonetheless, I finished it, and will read her next book next summer.
Long before I knew I was pregnant, I knew I would read Bringing Up Bebe. It's on many list of "must reads" for expectant moms and it did not disappoint. I'm very eager to establish a routine with my new baby boy when he arrives because quite frankly, I'm petrified of having a baby with nights and days mixed up and one who won't sleep. I love the advice in this book and I plan to put much of it to use next year. Granted, I know babies are all different and can't really be controlled, but I want to do what I can to try to have a good sleeping baby.
Side note to all you mama's out there: Send sleep suggestions!
Mary Alice Monroe is another writer I love. I've read most of her books, too, and find that I usually have trouble putting them down. A Lowcountry Wedding was the final book in the Lowcountry Summer series, but reading it makes me long for another book in the series because, let's face it, one of my favorite character's was just introduced in this book! Being from the South, and South Carolina in particular where both the book is set and the author resides, many of the locations are familiar to me which is always nice.
If you haven't read this series, I'd encourage you to. It's great!
I've had this book for a while, but just read it. It falls into the category of "I had to make myself finish it." It's not bad by any means, it just took me longer to get invested in it than usual. The story line is interesting, but it's different than some of her other books. All of her novels deal with some type of natural environment issue and this was no different.
I've only read one other Hilderbrand novel and I have to say, she's quickly becoming one of my favorite writers. I couldn't put this book down. Even though I could figure out how it was going to end, I didn't want to get to the end. I bawled my eyes out in this one (pregnancy hormones or not -- you'll cry). I've found that with both of her books I've read and the one I'm currently reading, you're sucked in immediately.
I'm fascinated by First Ladies and certain First Families, so this was a book I didn't want to miss. It was great and offered so many tidbits of information about these women and their families. If you like the women and not necessarily the politics, you'll enjoy this book!
There you have it -- the last seven books I've read. Tell me: What are you reading?
Labels: books
