Book Review – 2019 Spring & Early Summer

Even though  the calendar says September, the temperatures say summer, so we’re still going with this as the spring and early summer book review.  I haven’t read as much as I usually do in the summer, but I have gotten a few books in.

How to Walk Away – I enjoyed this book. A seemingly “perfect” life (which we all know isn’t reality for anyone) that comes to a crashing halt and internal battle for the main character on how her life will go forward. Of course there’s a little predictability, but this was a good read and seemingly well researched for the content. Status: Recommend

I packed When Life Gives You Lululemons along with me on some spring appointments including the mammogram stop.  It was a good chic-lit read.  A famous person’s fall from grace, a publicist’s attempt to salvage a reputation and an attorney who’s enlisted to help out. All of the characters also take on their own image and status of their lives throughout the neighborhood drama. Status: eh, it’s ok.

Necessary Lies is historical fiction of life in North Carolina and the polarizing issue of sterilization of mental health patients across the community. Enter a newly minted social worker who sees her clients as more than a statistic and wrestling from all sides ensues. Difficult at times, but reminder the system is worth fighting against. Status: Definitely recommend.

If you remember the Winter Street Series, which I loved, the Peachtree Bluff series is the summer equivalent.  The series is three books by Kristy Woodson Harvey, beginning with Slightly South of Simple. I’ve recommended this series over and over. It’s three sisters and their widowed mom, all in various life stages, intertwined by a return to their hometown and plenty of life to work out between them. Here’s why I also loved it…it’s not a rated R read. I just don’t love reading books about extensive affairs, lust and unnecessary sexual content. It really doesn’t add to the story. So, I appreciated this series that was developed characters, a little drama, some romance and not rated R. Status: Definitely recommend.

(Also, this was Tiger’s comeback day in golf. In case that’s more your speed than the book reviews. I kept up while reading.)

One of my favorite spots to read…my patio as the evenings get light later and before it is sweltering hot. A church friend recommended What Once Was True to me, and let me borrow her copy. It took me a bit to get into this one, but once I did I really enjoyed it.  An estate that has lost all value and the family who was once employed there are entangled in the future of what will happen to the place during WW II. Status: Definitely recommend.

I returned to Peachtree Bluff for book two of the Bluff series, The Secret To Southern Charm . This book is told from the eyes of the middle sister and continues the story of the three sisters. You already know how I feel about the series, and that status hasn’t changed. Status: Definitely read.

My other favorite place to read…the pool.  I don’t even know what book this is, but it was a good one because I was at the pool reading. Status: Definitely recommend poolside reading.

I saw Fitness Junkie on several blogs as recommended, and I picked it up from the library. I love having books on my Kindle, I keep it with me and sometimes read a few minutes for a break in my work day. This one was a little predictable; after a designer is ousted she goes on a journey to fitness, trying all kinds of fad diets and trying to also find herself in the midst of it. Status: Eh. Same as When Life Gives You Lululemons.

Lastly, you might have noticed this book posted here, as I packed it for my spa treat day. I love Annie F. Downs writing, and Remember God was no different. She is relatable, raw and reminds you of the goodness of God through her testimony style of writing.  This is one of those books you can pick up and read a chapter a day along with other books, devotions, etc.. Status: Definitely recommend.

I’m working on the books for my next post and also working on what I’m going to read next. As always, I love hearing recommendations from others of good books. Here’s a few I have upcoming:

There’s Something in the Water

Where the Crawdads Sing

Before We Were Yours

Love and Ruin

And, just for fun here’s a reminder that I used to never love to read and as an adult became a poster child for the library…or at least a teacher who promoted reading in the school library.

Happy Reading!
Angie