37. Blind Date with a Book pt 2

because we had so much fun last time

Aug 18, 2024

Hi friends! I had so much fun putting the last one of these together, so I wanted to do it again. It’s funny how much has changed in the last eleven weeks since part 1 was posted. I hope you all enjoy as much as the last one!

Book 1

She’d begun by believing she was stupid and learned slowly that she was human.

This. Book. I am an avid supporter and reader of this author, and this book was no different. Perhaps the only difference was the fact that it was truly unbelievable. This book was very real, asked you to look at it and see the truth for what it was. It was sad but beautiful, and it is very important for people to read and remember.

Read this if you like …

historical fiction
exploring female relationships/friendships
the exploration of PTSD
growing with the main character

Book 2

Maybe there were no villains in my mother’s story at all. Just men and women, trying to do their best by each other. And failing.

I was wary coming into this book. It was deceptively large, and I wasn’t sure if I would remain engaged. Boy, was I wrong. We have a unique setting paired with fabulous writing. We grow with the main character - sometimes I hated him and other times I loved him. We see how people who are meant to be in our lives float through it until the time is right. We see how people can grow from their mistakes and learn to accept them. Beauty.

Read this if you like …

coming of age
historical fiction
a little life but not traumatizing
absolutely spectacular writing

Book 3

Nothing lasts forever. Maybe these rocks will, but it’s a beautiful and painful reminder that no feeling does, bad or good. No moment or mistake.

UGH. THIS BOOK. IS SO GOOD. I enjoyed this author’s debut and had heard fabulous things about this one, which made me nervous because I didn’t want my expectations to be too high. Um, I was underestimating. The two main characters in this book represent two pieces of my heart, both because they burrowed themselves there and because they brought some of my personal vulnerabilities to the surface. It was beautiful to see them overcome and come together.

Read this if you like …

romance
second chance romance (no cheating)
wineries
lists (ifykyk)

Book 4

Luckily, I did not need to be pretty. My body was built to wage war.

This author is pretty well known. If I am being honest, I enjoyed her other books, but none had really smacked me in the face like they did for others. This one? This one did. I don’t have the words, honestly, to explain what this main character means to me. Her story is unbelievable and relatable and sad and beautiful. I think anyone can read this book and be touched, but if you are a girl, I urge you to read her story. You will remember it.

Read this if you like …

tennis
(historical?) fiction
strong women
life lessons
identity

Okay … stop scrolling if you don’t want to see the reveals!

Just making sure …

Okay, here we go!

Book 1 is …

… The Women by Kristin Hannah!

One of my favorite books of all time. Just beautifully written and such an important piece of our history we need to face.

Book 2 is …

… The Heart’s Invisible Furies by John Boyne!

I’ve been yapping about this book for the last few weeks, so you might not be surprised to see it here. Truly fantastic writing and a beautifully written coming of age with three dimensional characters.

Book 3 is …

… The Ex Vows by Jessica Joyce!

A top romance for the year. Georgia and Eli are close to my heart! Their emotions and realities of life are written so, so well. I can’t recommend this one enough to my romance readers.

Book 4 is …

… Carrie Sotto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid!

YOUR HONOR. I LOVE CARRIE. Such a powerful, powerful book. By far my favorite of TJR’s books. Carrie’s story is empowering and beautiful. You can grow at any age. I can’t wait to reread this one.

Articles I loved this week!

to the girls playing taylor swift in the dive bar by
sarah cucchiara
, people’s princess
there is something beautiful about airports, no? by
Madeline Paige
, c’est la vie
love notes 20: 4 simple tips for reading more broadly by
Madeline Mills
, Lover of Stories
“Writer’s Writer” versus “Reader’s Writer” by
Elif Shafak
, Unmapped Storylands
Books: My Bridge To The World by
Joyie
, Joyie Talks Books

I love finding new releases. My bank account does not! Also: affiliate links!

Wisteria by Adalyn Grace (Fantasy): August 20, 2024
This Is Why We Lied: A Will Trent Thriller by Karin Slaughter (Thriller): August 20, 2024
By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult (Women, Fiction): August 20, 2024
Tom Clancy Shadow State by M. P. Woodward (Thriller): August 20, 2024
Voyage of the Damned by Frances White (Fantasy): August 20, 2024
Bridesmaid Undercover by Meghan Quinn (Romance): August 20, 2024

Books I’ve compiled from mainly the NYT Bestsellers List, but also the B&N Top 100 and Amazon Bestsellers in no particular order. I’ve decided to simply add the books I haven’t before, since I’ve caught up to the new additions. If you’re curious, last week’s post can be found here.

Apprentice to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Shadow of Doubt by Brad Thor
The Pairing by Casey McQuiston
The Misery of Gods by James S.A. Corey
The Coven by Harper L Woods
Arkangel by James Rollins
The Perfect Son by Frieda McFadden

Let’s chat about Taylor Jenkins Reid.

I feel like TJR just exploded a few years ago. I think this aligned with the BookTok phenomenon, and people enjoyed her books because they aren’t standard, cut and dry romances. Some are romance books but others are fiction, and they all deal with family, women, and relationships.

Her most popular books are The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Daisy Jones and the Six, Carrie Sotto is Back, and Malibu Rising. Her romances are also very popular, One True Loves, Maybe in Another Life, After I Do, and Forever, Interrupted.

I urge you to read Evelyn Hugo and Carrie Sotto in particular. Of course, Daisy Jones now has her TV series (I haven’t watched it - should I?). I have read her romances Maybe in Another Life and After I Do. What I loved about these two was the exploration of different stages of romance.

Taylor’s private life isn’t very public - good for her. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and child. She has experience in the film industry as well as working in a high school. Carrie released in 2022, and TJR announced an extended break. She has been publishing consistently since 2013. I hope she enjoys her time with her family!

You can learn more on her website and Instagram.