Do you pay attention to reading seasons? Do you notice that elements of your reading life shift or do you find that your reading is mostly static?
I’ve noticed a few changes in my reading lately that are directly related to the time of year and what’s going on around me. First, if you follow me on Instagram you probably saw that I’ve started reading Christmas books in order to be ready in time for my annual holiday book guide (yay, so exciting!).
Second, I’ve been listening to audiobooks more now that school is back in session and I spend approximately 13 hours a day in the drop off and pick up lines (am I the only one who thinks these lines are outrageous?).
Third, my husband has been going through some health issues lately that require him to rest a lot. This means that he is listening to a lot of audiobooks too, and if he tells me about one he thinks I’ll like it always jumps straight to the top of my list so that we can discuss it together.
What this means for you is that I have been getting a ton of reading done and have lots of books to share today. Even though I won’t give many hints about the Christmas books I’m reading so that I don’t spoil the guide later on, I still have a ton of non-holiday books that are worth mentioning here.
Let’s get to it!
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Just Finished:
This memoir by actor Stanley Tucci is like nothing I’ve ever read before. The subtitle is an apt description, as the book journeys through the different phases of his life and career, highlighting the tastes that marked the different seasons of his life. There is some funny commentary (he has a great sense of humor) and some recipes that look great, though I haven’t tried any yet. It’s a very interesting read and reassured me that there are other people in the world who think about food as much as I do.
A romance with a female mixed martial artist at the center? If that sounds different from what you normally read, it was for me too. Adri was on track to be a champion, until she got mixed up with the wrong man and ended her career. Now she’s back in her hometown, hiding herself and her child from her abusive ex, just trying to keep her head down and build a quiet, safe life around her newfound faith. But as she heals and finds her footing again among friends and family, she starts to think her fighting career might not be over after all. Coached by her childhood friend Max, will she be able to leave her past behind and reach into her future without fear?
The fifth book in the Montana Fire series, I’ll Be There is about Liza and Connor doing whatever it takes to make their wedding happen. While she deals with venue, food, and dress problems, he is doing all he can to make it to Deep Haven on time for the wedding, despite a car wreck and receiving a call from a woman who somehow has his dead brother’s cell phone and claims to have information regarding his mysterious death. I love this series, and I love how Susan May Warren’s books are so full of excitement and action.
In Progress:
I’m a huge fan of Denise Hunter, so I made it my goal this year to finish working through a list of all of the books she’s written. Sweetwater Gap follows Josie coming home to help her pregnant sister with the apple harvest at the family orchard, but Josie has problems of her own that nobody knows about. Which is why falling for the handsome foreman Grady cannot be an option, no matter how much of a connection they have. This books is full of romance and characters working through deep issues — Denise Hunter at her finest!
You would think that having seen the movie and knowing more or less what is supposed to happen next would dampen the enjoyment of this book, but actually the opposite has been true for me. Both the movie and the book are action-packed, suspenseful, and fascinating in their own rights, and comparing the two has made me pay more attention than I think I would otherwise. I’m also enjoying this one so much because it’s a husband buddy read, so every time something happens I run and discuss it with him. I think everyone knows the premise of Jurassic Park, but in case you don’t, it’s about a group of scientists who have managed to create real-life dinosaurs from eons old genetic material, and the chaos that ensues on the island as they realize that nature can’t be controlled.
Up Next:
This is a little mermaid retelling recommended to me by a reader of my email list. In this story, siren Princess Lira is punished by being transformed into a human with the task of bringing her mother, the queen, the heart of a prince. As it turns out, Prince Elian views siren hunting as a calling, and when he rescues a drowning woman who claims she can help him wipe out sirens for good, things seem too good to be true. I can’t wait to dig into this one! If I like it, you’ll see it featured on the fairytale retelling list I’m working on to release sometime next month.
As I mentioned a moment ago, I love the Montana Fire series and this one is up next! It includes fire-fighting in the Alaskan wilderness, a jailbreak with dangerous prisoners, and of course, a romance kindling in the background. What’s not to be excited about?
It wouldn’t be a Read. Eat. Repeat. reading list without a little YA, am I right? This is the second in the much-loved Lunar Chronicles series. I flew through Cinder last month and now it’s time to see what happens next. Will Cinder escape the evil Queen Levana? How does Scarlet’s missing grandmother play into the intrigue? I’m ready to find out!
If you loved this list, you can find more book talk in Modern Mrs. Darcy’s monthly quick lit post as well!
I have got to get to Taste this year. I know it will be right up my alley.
Yes on Jurassic Park and drop off lines.