(This post contains affiliate links. Please read our Disclosure Policy for additional information.)
Last month, I remember thinking that my reading time would decrease drastically come the fall. With school back in session and driving the kids to their various activities, I didn’t think I’d be able to read a lot. So, I was greatly surprised to discover that I read ten books last month! Once again, I’m linking up with Steph and Jana who are celebrating the 4 year anniversary of the Show Us Your Books linkup! This linkup is where I get most of my reading recommendations and what has made my to-read list triple in length. Congrats ladies! I enjoy reading all the book blog posts every month!
3 stars:
Always Never Yours by Emily Wibberley & Austin Siegemund-Broka – High school senior, Megan, likes to direct theater but needs an acting credit for her college admission requirement. When she’s cast as the lead, Juliet, in her school’s production of Romeo & Juliet, she is not happy. Of course drama happens both on and off the stage as friendships and relationships are tested. This was a cute YA drama story written by a couple.
Her Pretty Face by Robyn Harding – Frances and Kate are unlikely friends. Kate is beautiful, confident and charming, while Frances is overweight and insecure. But their sons become best friends and the two women do too. Both are keeping dark secrets that eventually come to light and change their worlds. I found this to be pretty good suspense read that kept me interested.
Slow: Simple Living for a Frantic World by Brooke McAlary – McAlary hosts The Slow Home podcast and has a blog with the same name. This book is her guide to living a slower, more minimalist lifestyle. This was my only non-fiction read of the month. I’ve really been into learning more about minimalism and slowing down. I just need to start putting it into practice.
Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman – Erin and Mark are honeymooning in Bora Bora when they make an unexpected discovery in the water. Their decision regarding what to do with said discovery leads to secrets and lies, taking them down a dark path.
4 stars:
All Your Perfects by Colleen Hoover – I love Colleen Hoover’s books and her newest didn’t disappoint. This emotional read focused on infertility and the effects it has on a marriage.
And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer by Fredrik Backman – This is only my third Backman book but so far he hasn’t disappointed. This novella is really a goodbye love letter between a grandfather/grandson and father/son where memories are brought up. It was a sad, short read that reminded me of my grandmother’s struggle with Alzheimer’s.
How to Keep a Secret by Sarah Morgan – This story follows three generations of women who are all on Martha’s Vineyard after a crisis. Each woman is struggling with her own problems and secrets but focuses on the importance of family bonds. This was my first book by Sarah Morgan. It seems she’s written a lot of romance books, but this one is more contemporary fiction.
Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren – After seeing this book show up so many times on the link up I finally got a hold of it. I’m so glad that I read it and can’t wait to read more books by this duo. This contemporary romance is all about love and loss. I loved Ethan and Macy’s relationship and their favorite word game.
Now is Everything by Amy Giles – Hadley McCauley is the perfect daughter, smart, star lacrosse player, etc. Because when she’s not, she gets punished by her father. But when he starts getting on her younger sister, Lila, Hadley will do anything to protect her. When there’s a horrible accident, Hadley is the only who knows what happened. And after attempting to take her own life, she’s not talking. This was a powerful, emotional YA read. The father’s behavior really angered me and it’s sickening to know that there are really father’s out there that behave like he did.
5 Stars:
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins – I read this book with 10-year-old son. It was a reread for me, but a YA book that I thought might interest him, which it did. As he’s getting older, I’m finding it more difficult to find “reading” books that hold his interest that aren’t graphic novels or manga. This was motivating because we are going to watch the movie together.
glad you liked Love and Other Words! the favourite word game was pretty cute. i was putting off colleen hoover’s new book because of what it’s about, but it’s on my list for ‘one day’.
Yes, I’m so excited to discover a new-to-me author that I can’t wait to read their other books! Yes, Hoover’s book may not be for everyone, depending on where they are in their lives.
How fun you got to re-read The Hunger Games with your son and he really enjoyed it. Looks like you had a nice reading month.
-Lauren
Yes, I enjoyed getting to reread the book and now we get to watch the movie!
How awesome that you are reading with your son! My LO is a toddler but I was just talking about how excited I was to see her reading develop and already imagining what we could read together, haha.
I loved reading with my kids. My daughter, almost 13 now doesn’t read with me. But I’m so happy that my son, at 10, will still read with me.
Ten books…wow! Way to go! I want to look into that Slow book. Regarding your son, I think it can be really hard to find good books for tween/teen boys. My son also liked the Maze Runner series.
I could not believe I read that many books! Especially in September! I read the first book in the Maze Runner series. This series has also been turned into movies, which is motivating for my son. Plus, I like reading the first book and have him continue the series on his own, which he’s doing now, reading Catching Fire.
I keep seeing Christina Lauren pop up all over the place on the link-up. I need to try one, although my library doesn’t have a great selection of her catalog. Grrrr. I love that you’re reading The Hunger Games with your son. That’s one of my favorite YA series.
Yes, I found Christina Lauren from everyone posting about their books in the link up. I wasn’t disappointed and can’t wait to read more of her books. I enjoyed getting to reread The Hunger Games. It’s a great series and now he gets to see the movie.
I love that you reread The Hunger Games with your son, and I hope to do that with my girls one day! Her Pretty Face and Something In The Water both sound like good reads to me, so they’re going on my list!
Yes, reading with your kids is so much fun. Something in the Water and Her Pretty Face was just okay reads for me. If you like the genre, I’d find a different read, since I know your short on time with the babies!
Glad you liked the Colleen Hoover, I cant wiat to read that one!
*wait
I love Colleen Hoover’s books. This one was good, but not her best.
Why are Backman’s titles so damn long? They’re like the Kevin Costner movies of book titles.
LOL! Seriously. They are super long!
Wow!! You had a great reading month. I’m glad someone enjoyed Something in the Water and All the Perfects more than I did. I thought both books started out strong, but eventually fell flat for me.
Something in the Water was an okay read for me. Not my favorite in that genre. I love Hoover’s writing. While I enjoyed All Your Perfects, it wasn’t my favorite of hers.
I can’t believe I’ve only read one Colleen Hoover book.
I’m not sure her writing appeals to everyone, but I love her books!
I really liked that Colleen Hoover book too – so emotional!! I found the Backman novella very emotional too. Loved Love & Other Words – I have enjoyed all of their books. That Sarah Morgan book also sounds good! I haven’t read anything by her that wasn’t romance. OHHH I am way overdue for a Hunger Games re-read!!
I can’t wait to read more of Christina Lauren’s books. Rereading the Hunger Games was fun and my son is now reading Catching Fire on his own. Plus, we get to see the movie. Win for all!
Oh how fun to get to read Hunger Games with your son! Other than that one I haven’t read any of these. Surprisingly (for a fiction lover like me) the one that stands out most is Slow, I kind of need to read that one I think!