I read 16 books in the month of June. Not all of them spoke to me in the same way. Here are a few of the ones who stood out to me as especially good.
A Room With a View
A classic I’ve been meaning to read for a while, A Room with a View is one of E. M. Forster’s novels. It may not be one of his most loved, but it is certainly entertaining. The book tells the story of a young English woman who visits Italy with her older cousin (who is also serving as her chaperone). She meets other travelers from her home country and the events that result lead to unexpected consequences. This was a fun and quick read and if you enjoy reading Victorian novels like I do, you’ll like this one.
The Library Book
This is a book about books. It captured my attention from the beginning and I learned so much. As a bookworm, this book was right up my alley—difficult to read at times, but very informative. If you like books, read this one!
From the publisher:
“On the morning of April 29, 1986, a fire alarm sounded in the Los Angeles Public Library. As the moments passed, the patrons and staff who had been cleared out of the building realized this was not the usual fire alarm. As one fireman recounted, “Once that first stack got going, it was ‘Goodbye, Charlie.’” The fire was disastrous: it reached 2000 degrees and burned for more than seven hours. By the time it was extinguished, it had consumed four hundred thousand books and damaged seven hundred thousand more. Investigators descended on the scene, but more than thirty years later, the mystery remains: Did someone purposefully set fire to the library—and if so, who?
Weaving her lifelong love of books and reading into an investigation of the fire, award-winning New Yorker reporter and New York Times bestselling author Susan Orlean delivers a mesmerizing and uniquely compelling book that manages to tell the broader story of libraries and librarians in a way that has never been done before.”
Happier at Home
Do you ever feel like you wish your life could have just a little more happiness in it? Gretchen Rubin did too, which is what prompted her to write the book The Happiness Project. Happier at Home is a followup to that book and it details how she worked to create a happier environment for herself and her family in their home life. Some of her ideas are inspiring, some are obvious, but all of them are interesting. This was an easy book to read, but gave me plenty of food for thought.
The Gown
Historical fiction being my favorite genre to read by far, I am always up for a good historical novel. The Gown is a well researched, beautifully written novel based on a fascinating premise. It details the experience of the women who did the embroidery on Queen (then Princess) Elizabeth’s wedding gown. What more could a lover of historical fiction ask for in a novel than a gripping story about an actual event as thrilling as a royal wedding?
Next Year in Havana
Another historical novel, this one is about a wealthy Cuban family forced into exile in the United States in the 1950s. The effect of this situation on each member of the family makes for a heart wrenching tale that pulls you in from the beginning. I enjoyed this book so much and wanted to know what happened next so badly that I finished the entire thing in one sitting.
When We Left Cuba
The sequel to Next Year in Havana—though it could be read first and it would not be a problem—this was the fascinating story of a female spy in exile from her home in Cuba. I knew very little of this time period or the politics surrounding it. This was a captivating way to learn more about it, which is one of the reasons I love historical fiction so much. I highly recommend both of the these books!
The River
This boo was not one I would typically pick up on my own, but it was highly recommended on the Modern Mrs. Darcy Summer Reading Guide. So, I decided to give it a try. It is action packed and filled with suspense. I am glad I went outside my literary comfort zone and read this one.
Here’s what the publisher says about this book:
“Wynn and Jack have been best friends since freshman orientation, bonded by their shared love of mountains, books, and fishing. Wynn is a gentle giant, a Vermont kid never happier than when his feet are in the water. Jack is more rugged, raised on a ranch in Colorado where sleeping under the stars and cooking on a fire came as naturally to him as breathing. When they decide to canoe the Maskwa River in northern Canada, they anticipate long days of leisurely paddling and picking blueberries, and nights of stargazing and reading paperback Westerns. But a wildfire making its way across the forest adds unexpected urgency to the journey. When they hear a man and woman arguing on the fog-shrouded riverbank and decide to warn them about the fire, their search for the pair turns up nothing and no one. But: The next day a man appears on the river, paddling alone. Is this the man they heard? And, if he is, where is the woman? From this charged beginning, master storyteller Peter Heller unspools a headlong, heart-pounding story of desperate wilderness survival.”
Garlic and Sapphires
I love a good memoir, especially on audio if it is read by the author. This book is Ruth Reichl’s story of her time as the restaurant critic of the New York Times. Ms. Reichl reads the audiobook, and it added so much to the telling to hear it in her own voice. She is an entertaining writer and her anecdotes about the various situations she found herself in while working are sometimes hilarious, sometimes poignant, but always interesting. She details the different disguises she used to get into restaurants without the staff knowing who she was and how all this subterfuge affected her personally. I really enjoyed learning more about this interesting woman and her unusual career.
The Island of Sea Women
Another historical novel about an area of history I knew very little about, this book tells about the women of Jeju, a small island off the coast of Korea during World War II and the Korean War. It follows the lives of two women in particular—how their relationship is shaped by these events, and how their lives are changed by the repercussions. It is a powerful and beautifully told story and I highly recommend it.
That wraps up the best of the books I read in June. I enjoyed reading all of these titles and I say, if you’re looking for a good book to read, try any one of these!
This post is a month late, but better late than never, right?
I also realize that the quality of these photos is not the best, but when you’re pregnant with your ninth child, you do the best you can. Know what I mean?
At any rate, my maternity style in the last couple of months has consisted largely of maxi dresses and skirts. They are comfy and breathable and they seem to do a fairly good job of balancing the proportions of my belly-to-the-rest-of-body ratio. At least that’s what I’m telling myself. At the very least, they make me feel a little less like a whale!
This pretty purple maxi dress came from Zulily and it has been in heavy rotation in my wardrobe lately. I like the faux wrap front, and there is still plenty of room for my belly to grow. It is super comfy–I feel like I am wearing my pajamas all day, yet it looks put together without any effort. What more could a pregnant mama ask for?
I am also wearing maxi skirts with maternity tees quite often these days, for the same reasons as the dresses. They are comfortable and modest and easy to throw on but still look nice.
Obviously, this look shows off the bump a lot more than a flowy dress does. I have worn both of these skirts for my last four pregnancies, so it’s a look I have felt comfortable in for a while now!
Oh, the joy of opening a new seasonal subscription box! It’s like receiving a surprise gift from yourself four times a year. I have subscribed to a small handful of these type of boxes over the years, but by far my favorite of them all has been the Fab Fit Fun box. The box comes out 4 times a year: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter—one for each season. The cost for each box is $49.99, but the items included in each box are full sized, high quality products whose combined value always exceeds $200. How’s that for an amazing deal?
I love opening the box each time it comes and seeing what treasures are inside. The outside of the box itself is part of the fun as it is always decorated with original artwork and is made of sturdy, heavy duty cardboard. (My daughter has started collecting the boxes to store things in, and they work great for that purpose!)
The selection of items in each box always includes a nice variety of beauty and personal care products, fashion, and items for the home. It’s a carefully curated box with some real lovely things inside.
The Summer 2019 is no exception. This season’s box is an array of really great items. Without further ado, let’s take a peek inside. . .
As I mentioned, the outside of the box is always covered in beautiful artwork. The summer box has a season-appropriate tropical theme which is super fun.
Each box includes a mini magazine with articles, fitness tips, recipes, and information on each of the products in the box. Flipping through it makes the experience of looking through the box even more enjoyable.
My box held a Sutra Professional Mini Travel Blow Dryer. I haven’t tried it yet, but it looks like a high quality styling tool—and the best part is that it included a diffuser, which is rare for a mini dryer and something this curly girl really appreciates.
I received a Summer & Rose Navy Diamond Tote in my box. This tote is gorgeous as well as sturdy and practical. It would make a perfect beach bag.
The Jennifer Zeuner Star Double Necklace was in my box, and it is so pretty and delicate. I plan to give mine to my daughter for her birthday next month.
Eyeko London Eye Do Black Liquid Eyeliner—every girl can use a good eyeliner. It’s always fun to try a new beauty product and most FFF boxes include one.
The Doctor Rogers Restore Healing Balm is an all natural balm that soothes and heals dry and damaged skin. It really does feel healing when applied.
Invisibobble Duo Pack is a package of hair ties that provide a strong yet gentle grip on the hair.
Generation Clay Ultra Violet Brightening Purple Clay Mask—it’s perfect for a little at home spa night. Can’t wait to try it. It really is purple!
Grace & Stella Rose Facial Spray is a refreshing moisturizing spray that smells like actual roses. It’s amazing!
Whish Exfoliating Foot Mask has natural ingredients like willow bark extract and pumpkin seed to exfoliate and polish your feet. Perfect for summertime pedicures!
So there you have it—all the items in my Fab Fit Fun Summer 2019 box! Doesn’t that look like a lot of fun?
You can get a Fab Fit Fun Summer box of your own—and get $15 of your first box. That’s $200+ worth of presents to yourself, for just $35.99! Get your box by hopping over to FabFitFun.com and entering the referral code: refab-zuahq857wn
The coupon code expires on 7/31/19, so don’t wait! Go get your box now!
A classic that needs no introduction, A Tale of Two Cities is one of Dickens shortest novels. Unlike many students, I never had to read this one in high school. As a result, it’s been on my list of classics I wanted to tackle for quite a few years. I finally buckled down and read this one this past month. This was actually an Audible pick for me. I’m glad I went the audiobook route with this one. I think I ended up getting through it a little faster than I would have if I had read it in physical book format. Dickens is definitely more fun when read aloud.
You may already know something about the plot of this book. It is set during the French Revolution in London and Paris (hence the name) and centers around a small group of French aristocrats living in exile in England. When one of them returns to Paris, the consequences have a ripple effect on many others. Dickens, never one to shy away from the controversies of his time, tackles the subject matter with a clear view toward social commentary. This book is a classic for a reason. While I wouldn’t say it was the most enjoyable book I have ever read, it definitely made me think and I learned some history as well. Like most of Dickens’ characters, the characters in this novel are sometimes a little over the top, but always fascinating.
If you haven’t yet read A Tale of Two Cities, you definitely should. At the very least, it will make you feel smarter.
Having read Station Eleven last year and not being as impressed as many other readers were been by it, I was hesitant to pick up any of Emily St. John Mandel’s other tiles. However, I have heard Anne Bogel on her What Should I Read Next? Podcast recommend Mandel’s books on more than one occasion. And since I have almost always liked any book that Anne praised so highly, I decided to give The Lola Quartet a chance. I am so glad I did!
The Lola Quartet starts in a park with a young teenaged mother who has $118,000 concealed under her daughter’s stroller—an intriguing start to any story. From there, the explanation for how this young woman came to be in possession of so much money begins to unfold, along with a story about a group of high school friends whose lives have run in different directions over the course of a decade. Mandel tackles some tough subjects in this novel such as teen pregnancy, theft, addiction, professional integrity, and friendship with sincerity and insight. This book has plenty of food for thought, but it is also a captivating story that draws the reader in from the very first page. The characters each have their flaws, but they are well developed and you feel for each one of them as they face decisions that alter the course of each of their lives.
I highly recommend The Lola Quartet by Emily St. John Mandel. This book has caused me to want to read all of Mandel’s other books.
(Note: Be aware that this book addresses adult themes and that it does include some materials that some readers may find uncomfortable.)
This book is a quietly powerful read that will make the reader think about lots of different issues in a new light. A Dresser of Sycamore Trees is the memoir of an Episcopal lay minister in rural Vermont during the 1980s. He shares insights into his life among the people of the little town of Island Pond. The stories he tells in the pages of this book reminded me so much of my own small New England town, and I found many similarities between the people of his congregation and my own neighbors. Though there is a difference in our denominational alignments, I appreciated Keiser’s devotion to his faith and to the people of his small country church. This was a refreshing and reflective read that, though slow going, gave me lots to ponder. Sometimes we all need to read a book that does that for us.
Another title by Emily St. John Mandel which I thoroughly enjoyed. Though it didn’t capture me in quite the same way as The Lola Quartet, The Singer’s Gun was a really good read. The plot is well constructed and the characters are complex and interesting. The premise is also intriguing. The book tells the story of a young man who is trying to distance himself from the “family business,” which includes—among other activities—dealing in stolen goods and forged passports. His cousin blackmails him into doing one last job. He is resistant, but feels he has not choice and so he agrees. The tale unfolds from there, revealing the consequences of his decision and how the effects of that choice ripple out to the lives of others.
The moral dilemmas the characters face bring dimension to the story and ultimately shape who they become. It is an interesting book and one I enjoyed reading.
(Again, I would add a disclaimer: this book tackles themes which may be sensitive to some readers and includes material which may be offensive to some audiences.)
How can I begin to express how much I loved this book? This is the story of a Russian aristocrat who, in the early days of the 20th century, is exiled to a luxurious hotel in Moscow. The story of his time there and of how he responds to his imprisonment in this hotel is much more captivating than it might appear at first glance. The main character is charming and becomes more and more endearing as his story unfolds. The supporting cast which surrounds him are equally engaging.
I loved this book so much, I recommended it to my husband who is generally more of a nonfiction reader. But I am convinced he will love this book, too. In fact, I believe this book with appeal to a wide audience. It is a lovely book with a satisfying—if somewhat ambiguous—ending.
I don’t generally read YA, but I picked up this novel because it is this month’s choice for the Modern Mrs. Darcy Bookclub. (If you don’t know who Modern Mrs. Darcy—aka Anne Bogel—is, then you must get thee over to her blog and find out immediately!)
It is a story with a surprising amount of depth and it deals with some difficult issues like grief and loss in a sensitive but not too heavy way. It is the story of a teenaged young woman who has lost her mother a few years before. While still navigating that loss, her father meets and marries a woman from California, leading to the two of them moving from their home in Chicago to live with her new stepmother and stepbrother in Southern California. The move is challenging for her, as is adjusting to a new school. Enter a mysterious young man who offers to be her “spirit guide” to her new life at the new school. A friendship develops between the two and she decides she must solve the mystery of the young man’s identity.
It is a sweet story well told. Not my typical genre, certainly. But I really liked this one.
Tracy Rees is one of my favorite authors. She writes the kind of books I especially love to read, and she does it flawlessly. Florence Grace is the story of a young woman in 19th century England who discovers that, though she grew up in poverty in a small village, she comes from a family of wealth and privilege. Reclaimed by her well-to-do relatives after the loss of the family who raised her, she must learn to fit into a world that is wholly unfamiliar to her. Her spirit of tenacity and commitment to retain the core of who she is drew me into her story and into her world.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves good historical fiction.
Carolyn Brown’s books are always good if you are in the mood for something light and fun but that also has some depth. The Lilac Bouquet is a surprisingly sweet and touching book that I found very satisfying to read. It tells to story of a young woman only weeks away from her wedding day who goes to work for the town recluse. She discovers truths about his past that reveal links to her own family. I loved the characters and found myself rooting for them to figure things out and patch up the hurts of their pasts in order to better their own futures. This was another really good read. (Plus, the cover is so pretty!)
Another book I read this month that I absolutely adored. The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry tells the story of A.J., a quirky bookstore owner who is still grieving the death of his wife after three years. He has intentionally isolated himself as much as possible and has taken to drinking to ease the pain of his loss. Into his lonely world comes a special little “package” which is left in his bookstore one evening and which changes his life in dramatic ways. The book is filled with so many literary references (it does take place in a bookshop, after all) that it is pure delight for any book lover.
Very soon after beginning to read this book, I realized that the story seemed familiar. It suddenly dawned on me why. This is a modern (and bookish) retelling of Silas Marner by George Elliot. I have a special affection for Silas Marner, so when I discovered this book’s connection to it, I was pleased and looked forward to each plot point to see how close it was to the original. It did understandably stray from the original story, but A.J., much like Silas, experienced a similar transformation from curmudgeon to charmingly quirky hero.
Reading this lovely little book made me extremely happy.
Set in Ireland during World War II, Grounded Hearts is the story of the midwife of a small village who discovers a downed RAF pilot at her door one night. Out of obligation to her profession as a nurse, she helps bind his wounds. Because Ireland has chosen to remain neutral in the conflict, she is put in the position of having to hide the pilot’s presence in her home. The story that unfolds as a result of her decision is captivating. The characters in this book are well drawn and the dilemmas each one faces challenge them and reveal their true natures. At its heart, this is a love story told in a fascinating setting. Any reader of clean romances will enjoy this book.
First off, this book is being touted as a thriller or a suspense novel, but it is much too character driven for that description. It is really more along the lines of a literary mystery. The plot unfolds slowly, but that is a good thing because it gives the reader time to get to know what is going on in the minds of the principle characters. The central character, Annie, goes missing just days before her wedding. Her disappearance coincides with the release from prison of the man who was convicted of killing her mother 23 years before. Suspicions arise and the entire small, Southern community comes together to find out what happened to Annie.
This book held my interest from the very beginning. It was interesting to learn the backstories of the main characters and their motivations for choices they had made. Each one has a secret they don’t want the others to discover. These secrets play into the disappearance of Annie and drive the story along. I wanted to know what had happened, but I also wanted to know why. And there is an unexpected twist at the end which I did not see coming. All in all, this was a satisfying read.
So there you have it—the books I enjoyed most this month. Some are newer releases, others have been around for a while, but all of them were worth my time (and yours!).
Do you love a good notebook? I do. In fact, it could be said that I have an unusual affection for notebooks and planners.
As far as notebooks go, practical is important, but so is pretty. It’s a good thing that these days it’s easy to find lots and lots of choices for notebooks that are both pretty and practical—and if it’s also economical, that’s even better!
I have a nice little collection of notebooks I have gathered over the past few months, and I thought I would share them with you.
A while back, I scoped out Amazon for the prettiest notebooks for under $15. Who wouldn’t pay that price for one of these gorgeous and useful choices?
I'm Kimberly, and I'm a country girl who loves pretty things, mama to 8 (yes--8!) amazing kiddos, and blessed wife to one amazing guy. Here I share inspiration for beauty and elegance in everyday living.
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