Recent Reads: Early 2020

As a veracious reader, hearing what other books people are picking up is a great way for me to find new things to add to my list.
So here is what I have read recently. Note- some of these have not reached their publication date. Keep an eye out but if you are forgetful like me, preorder them or add them to your "want to read list" on Goodreads.

COMING SOON:

The Dilemma by BA Paris
I have read nearly every book that BA Paris has written. Her thriller Behind Closed Doors legitimately messed me up. But if that intensity isn't your thing, don't worry, this one isn't so... scary or horrifying but it was still SO good and such a page turner. The story centers around an everyday sort of family that is getting ready to celebrate their mom's birthday and go to the big party she has planned. As it approaches a lot of secrets come out. It is not the typical cheating secrets either- just throwing that out there. I wish I could sort of tell you each secret that the family knows, but they unfold so gradually and naturally you'll want to find out during the novel. Watching the family weather the many storms brought by these secrets was fascinating. Definitely recommend this one. Publishing date: June 30th 2020

Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey by Abigail Wilson
I love romance novels. Historical romances especially make me smile. I liked this one! In it, Lord Torrington is spying for the crown when he ambushes the wrong carriage... or so he thinks. To cover his mistake he tells the people on the scene that the woman onboard is his fiance. For reasons of her own, Elizabeth go alongs with the charade to protect the parentage and future of her young son. When someone is murdered right under their noses, Torrington realizes that perhaps it wasn't the wrong carriage after all, and a traitor is in their midsts. Combining romance and intrigue creates one of my favorite types of books. This one hits stores on May 26th!

OUT NOW:

What it Seems by Emily Bleeker
I have a read a few novels by this author and she sticks to the thriller genre, so you'll like her if you're into that genre. While it definitely kept my attention the whole time, I'd say this novel was a little more strange than the other two I have read and I was a little disappointed by the rushed ending. There were so many subplots and character relationships developing that I felt like just sort of ended abruptly. I am not one that is usually successful at guessing the ending, but I totally knew where this one was heading. I'd say "The Waiting Room" is my favorite from this author, so I would start with that one!

Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng
I had seen this book a lot, so when it appeared at my local thrift store, I nabbed it. It was quite a curious book. Not one that I liked or disliked. It follows the apparent suicide of a teen and her family learning to cope with it. Twists are almost always to be expected in books, and this one is no different. The twist made me sad though, and made me probably dislike the book more than I liked it. I know her other novel, Little Fires Everywhere, is now a series on Hulu so I'm thinking of watching that next!

City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert
I thought this was a fun read. Very "tell all" feel of a world you would never know about otherwise: The glitz and glam of the roaring 20s in New York. The main character's name is Vivian, which as the mother of a 2 year old Vivian is hard... she was kind of naughty... and caused quite a scandal, so you get it. Ha! But overall I enjoyed it and would recommend it if you enjoy the occasional frivolous novel with fun history.

Verity by Coleen Hoover
This was on my list from some bloggers' recommendations and it was a pretty intense novel... maybe too intense for me. I ripped through the pages easily because it's so gripping but it was a bit disturbing (especially for moms) and I can see how some people would be icked out by it. The premise is a recluse author is offered a lot of money to finish the novels of a famous author who was in an accident. She needs the money so off she goes to do the research to finish the series. She stays at the house with the incapacitated author, her husband, and young son. But soon she sees the supposed invalid up and moving... the end is a twist and I'm dying to discuss it with anyone who has a strong enough stomach to read it. ha!

xoxo, Love.Haight

What I read in 2019

Okay, the title is a bit misleading. I'm sure this isn't everything I read, since some I checked out from the library or read a physical copy of, but these are the ones I have a record of reading through my Kindle app and through NetGalley. (I also reread the whole Harry Potter set each year, but I won't add those in!) I'm going to start with the Net Galley books first. (I read books before they are published to review for you so you can get excited about new releases!)

Follow Me: 
This book kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. It is also the reason I want to put a sticker on my laptop's camera. The novel follows a successful social media star/blogger who has someone who takes the "follow me" a bit too far and becomes more of a stalker than a follower. It'll keep you guessing, and will definitely have you questioning your own online habits! I recommend this one if you like fast paced reads with modern plots. Publish date: February 25th!

My Best Friend's Royal Wedding: 
This was exactly the kind of book I love to read: Spunky heroine, flawed but lovable hero, romance, and just enough of a farfetched storyline to keep it fresh and fun. I love books that take me to faraway places and give you a fun peek into a life you'll never lead (hello royals! haha) If you enjoy lighthearted romances, you'll like this one! Publish date: Jan 29th! Snag this one now. :)

The Clutter Free Home:
I read a lot of books on decluttering, if you read my blog, you'll know that creating a cozy home is top of my priority list as a stay at home mama. I recommend this one to anyone who needs to know where to start. Lipp's makes the amazing point that while it seems that small changes can't make a difference, all of these small tweaks combined actually can make a huge difference. She also teaches about how decluttering isn't a one and done, but an ongoing way of life. The book does a step by step that works in any size space, with any number of rooms because they are actionable tasks. One of my personal favorites is her idea about dedicating each space to its purpose. My favorite takeaway was her idea to "display a quotation, Bible verse, or some kind of sign that focuses my family as we use the space."  The author chose Lewis and Tolkien quotes in her home, and for that reason alone I know we would get on fabulously. If you need a bit of help decluttering your home, this book will be great for you. Publish date: February 11 2020!

Paris Never Leaves You:
This was a very interesting historical novel. I read it very quickly over our Christmas vacation. The book was a bit of a gut check for me personally because the main character has a little girl named Vivian who they call Vivi, and so do I. And considering the novel takes place during WWII era, that tells you everything you need to know about the state of this little girl's life and it wrung my heart out. On the positive side, this novel had a completely different plot and surprises than the typical WWII/Holocaust novel. I don't want to ruin anything, but I do wonder how the story's events would be received by the Jewish community. I didn't find the main character particularly likable, which is rare for me.  Typically I can't help but like every character whose head I find myself inside! But maybe that was the issue... she kept her secrets from everyone... the reader included.
I'd recommend to people who enjoy WWII era novels, and would appreciate a departure from the usual plots of those novels. Publish date: June 2nd 2020


Now onto the novels I read through my library's EBook check outs!

Becoming Mrs. Lewis: 

This was one of my favorite novels I read this year. I didn't know as much about Lewis as I thought I did, because his personal life is opened up in this novel and so much of it was new (and sometimes a bit shocking to me!) I loved the novel and would definitely recommend it, especially to Lewis fans or Christian women. (There is a lot of deep theological thought being discussed between Lewis and Joy)

Black Heels and Tractor Wheels (Pioneer Woman's Love Story):

I have a few of Ree's cookbooks and I always enjoyed her little blurbs about the food before each recipe so I thought I'd like her book too. The writing style got to be a bit much for me as it went on, but overall it was pretty funny and entertaining if you're a Pioneer Woman fan and like romance novels. If you aren't, skip it.

The Great Alone:
I talked about this novel in my September favorites post. I'm just going to copy and paste what I said here...This book was really interesting. Between the Alaskan wilderness, bizarre family dynamics, interesting characters, and a twisty plot, this one is sure to suck you in. It's hard to tell you much without giving away anything, but if you enjoy character driven books you will most likely enjoy this one. It is a GREAT book for a book club, and my book club is actually discussing this one later this month. I can't wait! 

Carnegie's Maid:

I didn't know a thing about the Carnegies until I read this book. It was a fairly captivating read from beginning to end and definitely falls into the realm of historical fiction. It was almost a love story... but it makes sense why it couldn't end up finishing like one. If you like novels with a glimpse into America's past and you find yourself with an opportunity to read it, I'd encourage it!

Before We Were Yours:

This was another TOP book this year for me. It grabs you early on in the novel and never lets go. It is based on true events which is going to horrify most people, but I think its good to know the history of our country... the good and the bad. The novel follows a family of kids who were taken by people who made a living selling kids to rich families to be adopted. Any description on my end won't do it justice, so just read it, okay?

The Tattooist of Auschwitz:

This novel was alright, but I preferred the sequel. I know a lot of people enjoyed this novel a lot, but I think I've read Holocaust novels that were just better done. Here is a copy of the review I did on her second novel Cilka's Journey back in September....

This is a companion novel to The Tattooist of Auschwitz (which I’ve also read) and I definitely liked this one a bit better. This is based on a true story, which is totally going to break your heart, but most of the day to day events are fictionalized. Cilka, a Jewish girl, was in the concentration camps. Survive or die was her constant refrain, and she chose to survive. While at the camp she was forced into being a prostitute of sorts for the enemy (this is not a spoiler, we knew this from her first novel) at the end of the camps, she is deemed to have collaborated with the enemy by sleeping with them (ahem being raped is more apt) and is sent to a labor camp in Siberia. Unfair. That is mostly where this story takes off. It’s a story of resiliency, friendship, family, love, forgiveness... everything you would expect. But it’s also unexpected in that I just never knew what would happen next. Highly recommend this- it’s an extension of the holocaust WW2 historical story that I didn’t know. 

Circe:

I'm not sure what I expected from this novel... for one I thought it was a YA book, but when the first chapter used the F word to denote sex, I declassified it as such immediately. If you are into mythology you might enjoy this one. I am not, and it wasn't a favorite of mine.

I Owe You One:
This is a novel by one of my favorite authors. I thought this was a cute, lighthearted romance, and was definitely a fan. If you want something light and sweet, pick this one up right away.

Educated

This memoir has had a lot of buzz and I think it is merited. I read this one for my book club (late, so I didn't get to discuss. my mistake!) It is really fascinating to see into the lives of people who live very differently than most... off the grid, with paranoid family members, and different religious traditions... I'm certain it took some courage for her to write it. I would recommend this novel!

Rebecca:
This is a classic that I'd heard enough about to be intrigued. The plot starts a bit slow but certainly picks up speed. It has a spooky feel that makes it a perfect fall read and a nice twist that will make you want to discuss with someone. I'd be happy to have it be me if you read it!

The Handmaid's Tale:
Another classic I wanted to check off my list, especially after seeing all the trailers on Hulu for the show. This book wasn't difficult to read and is as interesting as any dystopian novel. It kept my attention easily! I wouldn't exactly recommend it around though. *shrugs shoulders* I can tell the author and I wouldn't see eye to eye on a lot of things, so I'll just leave it at that.

The Lying Game:
I always want to love Ruth Ware's books. They have great premises, and interesting plots, but somehow they always fall short of the expectations I put on them.... I think this might be my favorite of the 3 and 1/2 novels I've read of hers though if that means anything.

The Lake House:
Loved this one. I would recommend it for anyone who likes the fast paced thriller type novels, but it isn't too intense, like the kind that make it hard to sleep. (For instance BA Paris' book Behind Closed Doors was a complete page turner but it messed me up for weeks...) I liked the imagery and the plot and the resolution.

A Simplified Life:
This was a friend's recommendation and I really liked it. Isn't just about simplifying your house but all aspects of your life. I think this is one I could happily have a printed copy of. Definitely recommend for people looking for less!

All We Ever Wanted:
I love this author, but this isn't a favorite of mine from her novels. I think it's a very timely topic (cyber bullying) especially for parents of teens. I wasn't overly satisfied with the ending, so it isn't one I'd particularly recommend with the abundance of awesome books out there. (including her Something Borrowed and Something Blue duo)

The Girl Before:
This is another thriller, and I think people who are fans of books in the Girl on the Train vein would appreciate this one. It is a quick read that I enjoyed, but isn't a favorite.

The Last Anniversary:
I love this author and enjoyed this book a lot. I also read her other new book "9 Perfect Strangers" this year, but didn't add it into my round up. (Like I said, I know I read more than the 20 or so on this post.) I liked this one and would recommend it to fans of Liane Moriarty or people who enjoy books on families with a bit of a secret!

Sharp Objects:
While not as famous as her Gone Girl novel, this one has definitely gotten some buzz because I guess its an HBO show. For lack of a better word, this one is creepy. If you don't mind some strangeness and like a bit of thrill, you might enjoy this one. If you prefer happier stories, this one is probably not for you.

The Home Edit:
One of the most helpful books to me so far on my home journey! I talked about it a lot in my post about my pantry HERE.

Overall, I'm pretty happy with my mix of memoir, fiction, classics, and non-fiction. I can definitely get in a fiction rut, because it's my favorite.
What's the best book you read this year?
xoxo, Love.Haight

Organizing My Pantry

I recently read a book that has started to clarify the organization process for me! I highly recommend it: The Home Edit

I can't even begin to cover everything they teach in the book, but some key takeaways are as follows:
-Take everything out
-EDIT (aka purge)
-Group things
-Use organizational items to house things in their groupings
-Label, label, label (this is what they consider the key to long term maintenance- more on that later)
- Only refill a space 80% full

Now I'm going to go through my pantry makeover, and  hopefully some of those takeaways will make more sense in practice than in theory! The products I used will be listed below all the photos :)

MY BEFORE/AFTER SHOT:

After:

I feel that this is a realistic looking pantry- It is important that you have somewhere for everything to go or your oganazing will be ruined almost immediately!! Spend some real time thinking about what you need before you label everything! The empty bin towards the bottom left is for chips- I always need a space for bags of chips I buy!! 

For things you use often, buying containers and labeling them is great! I put noodles + pasta on one of my jars so I can change up the type. I could see myself doing this for nuts also- having one canister that says cashews and peanuts, and then I could mix it up!

The counter shelves are super helpful for this space! (linked later in the post) Without them, I would have to have everything piled in and some would be pushed to the back and it would be hard to see what I have. 

Snacks is a great generic label for this bin. I don't want to get too specific and railroad myself in on everything. Pretzels, pistachios, and candy are things I'm likely to have often, so they get their own canisters. Other generic labels I plan to make for my pantry include "dinner sides" "breakfast" and "baking" for items that don't go into individual containers, but are hidden in the wicker baskets.

Don't be afraid to cut up your stickers to get custom labels!! Trust me, Grape Nuts was not included. haha!  

Products Used:
(Sorry if the pin it button makes it hard to click on the photos- just click on the edge to go to the product!!)

The Home Edit Book:

Clear Acrylic Bins: These were the best deal/value I found in all my searching!! Highly recommend:

Pantry Labels: These come with so many! I ended up cutting up a few to create things I wanted. For instance, corn chips and potato starch were cut and combined to make "corn starch." This brand has a lot to choose from- different fonts, black and white color, so definitely look through the options to see what will work best for you! Labeling is the key to knowing where things go- and therefore long term maintenance.

This Lazy Susan IS THE BEST. It isn't in my pantry, but I put it in my medicine cabinet for all my medicines. I love the compartments!!! When you have a high shelf, these are amazing to use because then you can spin it and reach what you need instead of having to climb up on a chair and reach to the back of your cabinets.

These are some of the containers I use for my baking supplies. They aren't cheap, but they look nice and match the acrylic containers. :D

These shelves were one of the best things I did for my pantry. They created extra space for me on my tallest shelf. Then I can take items down without having to shift stuff around trying to find things shoved in the back!

My glass jars with screw on lids are cheap at Big Lots! Highly recommend checking it out if you have one. But here is another cute option!

These under shelf wire storage baskets are amazing. I added one at the bottom. I haven't fully decided what to do with it, but for now it's housing my potatoes.

I used these Wicker Baskets like these to group less specific things like sides, baking, and breakfast.


A few good general tips and advice:
-Don't get hung up on how Pinterest Worthy it looks. Mine is not as beautiful as you see on social media- and that's okay!
-Using similar items (like all accrylic or glass or metal will make it look more cohesive)
-Labels: even generic labels like "snacks, baking, baby food, extra/backstock" are key for long term maintenance. Make sure there is a place for everything and your pantry will stay organized. Take some time to plan out what spaces you need in your pantry. The glass canisters are fun and pretty, but the wicker baskets are very important for my things staying grouped together. I spent time thinking about what I come home from the grocery store with, and planned ahead to have places to put them.


Hope this helps you on your organizational journey!!

xoxo, Love.Haight

Pulling Your Home Together When You're Not a Stylist

As a newly wed in a small home, I had my house pretty much decked out to the nines. It wasn't so hard to decorate a small space with no kids and therefore, no toys. Then last year when we moved from a small house to one that was literally twice as big, I panicked a bit once the boxes were unpacked and I realized my furniture didn't come close to filling the space. And then once I had furniture that did, it just looked cold and uninviting. Over the past 10 months my home has finally started coming together, but I definitely had some help! I want to talk to you about two great resources for styling, organizing, and decorating your home! (PS - The library is SUCH a great resource if you don't want to have them permanently.)

1. Homebody by Joanna Gaines

This book is really not just about pretty pictures, even though it definitely has the feel of a coffee table book. Jo has a lot of insight into putting a room together and layering pieces. One of my favorite things is how she constantly comes back to the point that it isn't just about looking good, but that the room should tell the story of the people who live there. It's pretty inspiring reading the words on the page, because it does make it feel doable. Using your own knick-knacks, photos, mementos, and keepsakes keeps you from running out and buying a bunch on on trend decor to make the Pinterest perfect house. Before her days on HGTV she posted a lot on her blog. Here is one of my favorite articles on decorating a mantle. Because of her, with my own fireplace mantle, shelves, and bookcases I have started looking at color, height, and layering a lot differently!


2. Syled by Emily Henderson

This book was one I picked up from my local library, and I'm so glad I did. It was similar to Homebody in that it encouraged building a space that makes sense for you and your family. It was probably even more hands on and full of usable tips than Joanna's book. There is even a style quiz for you to figure out what your most prominent style love is! But because I love y'all, here's the link to take it online! The book is filled with pretty spaces, kitschy spaces, unique spaces.... it's really inspiring! It actually inspired me to reorganize the bottom of my cube shelving that I was using for toys and it looks SO much better now. The toys on the bottom half don't overwhelm the pretty top half quite as much anymore.

One of the biggest takeaways from both books is to start removing clutter. This is NOT a strength of mine, but it is something I've been thinking a lot about recently! I'm hoping to make some good changes over the next year, especially as we welcome a new little one NEXT MONTH. EEK!

xoxo, Love.Haight

Fall Reads

Book Posts are my absolute favorite to read. I'm not the best at writing them, but I love to chronicle what I read and give you all recommendations from it!

Fromage A Trois- Victoria Brownlee

What a FUN read. I am such a fan of chick lit/Romance and this book just nailed it. From the heroine's adventures in France, cheese tasting descriptions, to the adorable heartwarming romance, I loved every page of this novel. I read it really quickly, and you know that's the sign of a great novel. It was the first book in a long time where I fell in love with the classic "unlikely love interest" and cheered them along in their love story in a way I haven't done in a book for quite some time. The quirky characters were super lovable. I highly recommend this book!


The Roses of Feldstone- Esther Hatch

This romance was probably my favorite of the bunch. I found it to be a real page turner. While it of course follows the classic love story with its misunderstandings and redirects, it still felt fresh and enjoyable to me.
The characters were young children who became best friends and fell in love in their young teens. When their romance is cut short and he becomes distant, the heroine Rose wonders what she did wrong. She is forced to see him often because their families are friends. My favorite scene, which I call the "Do you hate me" scene is INCREDIBLE. You'll feel the romance from your somersaulting stomach to your clenching toes. (Was that weird? Yeah, that was weird. Sorry!)
I recommend this book to all romance lovers- (and it is a clean romance if you are wondering.)

Starlight on the Palace Pier - Tracy Corbett

This book has a quirky, unique plot. There is some romance, some intrigue, and some "rising from the ashes" second chances. Two girls- cousins- are both a bit down on their luck when they are unexpectedly tasked with the gigantic challenge of running (and restoring and saving) the community art house. Plot twist: the owner's son is one of their high school sweethearts, so drama and romance is certain to occur! It isn't a favorite, but it was a great way to pass a day.

The Rain Watcher- Tatiana de Rosnay 

This was a very interesting book. I feel like de Rosnay's books are always a little bit more grown up/serious than my typical easy reads. Her writing style is amazing, and I enjoyed the plot, which centered around a family whose patriarch is a saver of trees. (Yes- you read that right, I'd never heard of it either.) The son had grown distant from his father, but at a mini reunion in Paris while the Seine floods, the family is drawn closer together, and a secret emerges. The format was slightly confusing and I had to read the italicized parts throughout the story again after the end to figure out whose voice it was. You don't figure out whose memories they are until the end, and I was a bit slow on the uptake.
I recommend this book to people who love an intertwining, dramatic read while drinking a cup of hot coffee. (I don't know why liking coffee goes with this book. Perhaps because the characters are often soaked from the constant Paris rain in the novel. haha!)

xoxo, Love.Haight

Summer Reads 2018

This length of this list feels pretty pathetic for an English Teacher... I adore reading, but sometimes it just falls to the wayside. Especially as a new mom. Wowza.

So here we go! Click on any photo to be taken to more info on the book and to order/preorder!

The Waiting Room, by Emily Bleeker:
I was sent this novel by the publishers to read before its publishing date of August 21st. Bear with me on this one while I try to explain. This is a novel that I don't want to give too much away plot wise. At the very beginning I was drawn in. The writing style is descriptive and fast paced, and very relatable- especially as a new mom. I knew that the premise was a missing child and that kind of freaked me out a little when I think about my own 6 month disappearing. Yikes. As the story went on, I found myself getting frustrated with the main character. She seemed like a very unreliable narrator and I could not at all understand how any mother would not be able to pick up their own child or take care of them, regardless of what tragedy befell them. As the story went on and became more bizarre and characters arrived on the scene that I was beginning to trust less and less, I found myself pushing to the finish line of the novel, desperate to find out what was going on. The end had an explosive twist that answered as many questions as it created. Pieces slowly begin to fall into place and then another twist shakes you again. The end made me feel sad, even though it had a bit of a hopeful vibe to it. Maybe that's just my mama heart.

I would recommend it for people who enjoy a bit of suspense and intrigue and don't want to be able to guess the end. If you're someone who thinks they can "always guess the ending" I recommend this one to you and tell you good luck.

NetGalley Titles

Then I recently requested to read a few titles on NetGalley, a website where you can read books before they appear in stores for the purpose of reviewing them and spreading the word.

The Art of Hiding, by Amanda Prowse

The premise of this story sounds pretty cliche: Incredibly rich husband dies and wife finds out his big secret.
You already think its a mistress or another family huh? It's not. It's millions of dollars of crushing debt for his wife to deal with while trying to keep everything together for her 2 sons. As dire as that sounds, the book is surprisingly touching and uplifting and has some great lessons on inner strength. Now I'm going to sound cliche, but it's a bit of love story, where the main character learns to love life, friendship, and motherhood in new ways.

I'd especially recommend it to boy mamas, as her relationship with her sons grows and it's super touching.


One Day in December, by Josie Silver

 I read this entire book in a day. I really kind of loved it. The premise is totally up my alley: the book version of a chick flick. Boy sees girl, girl sees boy. They lock eyes and chemistry sizzles between them. All the stands between them is the window glass of the bus. Boy stands up suddenly to get on the bus when suddenly the doors close and the bus drives away. Girl looks frantically everywhere for "bus boy" as she calls him. She doesn't give up hope for a year, and her very best friend in the world tells her that she's described him so many times that even she would recognize him if she saw him. The only thing is, she doesn't. Instead she brings him to a party as the man she has been proclaiming might be "the one." OUCH. The book spans a lot longer timeframe than I anticipated and has so many more twists and turns than you'd think would be possible with this type of plot.

I found it overall enjoyable and would recommend it for a great beach or vacation read.

The Royal Runaway, by Lindsay Emory

I am such a deep fan of anyone living out their writing dreams, and give Lindsay mad props for accomplishing my dream of being a published author and I love the cover design. However, this review is pretty lukewarm. I'll try to be nice, because that's my personality, but it wasn't my favorite. This book follows a modern day princess of the fictional country Drieden who is left at the alter on her wedding day. As a character she is meant to be "spunky" and "modern" while still displaying all the decorum fit for a princess. However, I thought she fell a little flat. I thought it was strange that she didn't seem too upset that her fiance left her. It made more sense as she explains her reasons for marrying the man, but at the same time those reasons didn't seem to fit with her purposed personality. As she discovers strange plots surrounding the disappearance of her fiance and the strange apperance of her fiance's reportedly dead brother, things start to get mysterious. I didn't buy her chemistry with the brother for a second, which was disappointing to me because I love a good love story. I found it forced and strange how she always changed in front of him just to be flippant. There was just nothing "there" for them to become a couple.

I honestly wouldn't recommend this book. I hate writing those words. But it just fell flat to me.

Books from my Book Club

The Glass Castle, by Jeannette Walls

I loved this book. There's really no explaining this memoir. As an educator, it really opened my eyes to the cycle of poverty, the importance (and non-importance!) of education, the impact of mental illness, the meaning of strength, etc. I could go on forever. You will fly though this book- my whole book club loved it. Read it!

The Crooked Little Road to Semi-Ever After Happiness: a Memoir , by Heather Harpham

I loved the idea behind this book. A woman gets pregnant with the man of her dreams, just to find out that he doesn't want children. She keeps the baby regardless (I'm a huge pro-lifer, so I loved that) and then he comes back into her life after she has their child and they make their way through parenthood. However, their daughter comes up with a life threatening disease, so it's fraught with difficulties. When I read this, I didn't realize it was based on a true story, so that made me feel pretty dumb at the end reading the afterword.

It isn't a book that I would feel compelled to recommend, but it isn't a bad read either.

For Fun Read

The Couple Next Door, by Shari Lapena

This is the second book that revolves around the kidnapping of a child. I do not know why I do these things to myself as a new mother. SO SCARY! But there are so many secrets that unravel as you travel through the novel. I liked that some of the secrets were revealed through the rising action instead of just all at the climax. It was better paced for me in that way. I tend to get impatient with mysteries!
I'd recommend it, but it's not my favorite thriller I've ever read.


If you like my review style, I have more book reviews from last year linked below:
April
Summer 2017 reads:
Read Lately
xoxo, Love.Haight

Summer Reads Book Reviews

Oh boy. It's been a looooong time since my last post. But don't worry... This post will make up for my absence. Because- BOOKS.

(FYI- Many of these books I read before their publishing dates thanks to NetGalley. Check it out if you love books and wouldn't mind reviewing them.)

Out Now:

1. The Breakdown - BA Paris
I'm starting to become obsessed with this author. This book is another page turning thriller like her previous book, Behind Closed Doors. A woman drives past a car on a rainy night. She feels incredibly guilty for not helping, but she's scared and decides it isn't worth the risk. The next day, she discovers there was a woman in the car at the time, and she turned up murdered by the next morning. The character starts to think the killer is after her too. As she tries to keep her facts straight in a mind that seems to be turning against her, the book keeps you guessing from the beginning and becomes truly chilling as the plot is revealed. I would certainly recommend this book to anyone for a day of great reading. Because, yes, I read the whole thing in one day because I couldn't put it down.

Recommend- Duh. Go get it now!

2. Watch Me Disappear - Janelle Brown
This story follows a husband and a daughter who are reeling from the news that their wife/mother went on a hiking trip and never returned. Is she dead? Did she run? If so- why? The story slowly unravels the family's history, letting the reader begin to make their own assumptions about what happened. The author does a great job of making the story as fresh and surprising as she can, though the overall plot idea is fairly common. Overall the writing is great, but the plot wasn't gripping enough to make it a favorite.

Recommend- Maybe- If you enjoy mystery plots

3. Cicada Summer - Maureen Leurck
This novel follows a young, recently divorced, mother who flips houses for a living. I am obsessed with HGTV so of course I was hooked based on that alone. Alex sees a beautiful old house near the lake and wants to return it to its former glory. The theme of the story is definitely second chances. The characters have to take risks, forgive, face the past, brave the future, and trust that most things can be fixed. I really loved this touching novel, and felt the characters were really relatable. The plot moved quickly along without needing the recent trends of mystery, intrigue, or crime.

Recommend- Yes- it's a great summer read!

4. Jane Eyre- Charlotte Bronte
This is certainly a classic- and one I never thought I would read. But boy I'm glad I did. The love story actually surprised me with how invested I was in the characters. It started a bit slow (hey its an old book) but it was certainly worth sticking with.

Recommend- Yes!

5. Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
This is another classic that I am so glad I finally read. Everyone has heard of it, knows the author and the story, etc. However actually reading the novel gave the story some magic. I definitely found myself rooting for Elizabeth and Darcy and totally understand why the word pride had to be in the title.

Recommend- Yes!

Novels coming soon!! 

6. Working Fire- Emily Bleeker (Publishing Date: August 29)
This novel follows two sisters, M (Amelia) and L (Ellie). The book is told in a very cool and unique way. First you have Ellie's account that starts at the "end"- when she as a paramedic is called to her sister's home and finds Amelia and her husband shot in her home it continues as L waits to see if Amelia will make it. Amelia's account starts from the true beginning. As the novel progresses, the two narratives meet in the middle and fill in all the missing pieces of information. Overall I liked the novel a lot. The very, very end really bugs me. I didn't like it- it didn't seem to fit- and yet it has made me really think about family, relationships, trust etc. 
Recommend- Yes- Look for it August 29th


7. My Image of You- Melanie Moreland (Publishing Date: September 19)
This is a modern day romance with classic twists. A famous photographer falls in love with the nurse that helps him after an accident, but the happy fun-loving woman he knows doesn't exist inside her family. As he struggles to find a way to make her his, her family blocks him in unexpected ways. There is both language and mature intimate scenes in the novel- so it is definitely only for adults.

Recommend- Only for mature audiences who love romance novels

8. Little Broken Things- Nicole Baart (Publishing Date: November 21st)

Being a Minnesota girl myself, I fell deeply in love with the lake setting of this fast paced novel. The book is based around a seemingly cliche family: mom, deceased father, son, and two daughters. Personality clashes and life in general had torn the family apart. But one day the older sister, Nora, tells her little sister Quinn, she has something for her. It turns out to be a little girl that Quinn is asked to give shelter to without being given any information. It becomes quickly obvious that the little girl is in danger, and they realize that they may all be. The twisty plot sucks you in and doesn't let go. I never wanted to put the book down. The ending may surprise you, and you'll find yourself making judgements on whether the characters did the right thing... or not.

Recommend- Definitely


Thanks for reading! Hope you found some great books to add to your "to-read" list.

April Reads

I read quite a bit in April. I've got 5 books to share with you! A couple of them were books I read through NetGalley- a really awesome book site that gives you opportunities to read and review novels before they are published.

Books Being Published Soon

-->

The Marriage Pact byMichelle Richmond

The Marriage Pact is one of those books that seems almost plausible, and yet has an air of unreality about it. When Jake and Alice get married, they are given “The Pact” as a gift. At first it seems like a fairly innocuous gift- a way to help them have a great marriage that won’t end in divorce. But once you’re in; you’re in, and there’s no getting out. The rules are law and the punishments severe. It was the kind of book that makes you feel a bit uncomfortable and yet one that you just can’t put down. I found myself almost skimming through the book as I flew through the pages- needing to find out the ending.

Recommend- Yes

It’s Always theHusband – Michele Campbell

It’s Always the Husband was hailed as a book in the same vein of Lianne Morairty’s Big Little Lies. (Which I read and loved.) However, I’m sad to report that it was nothing like that novel. The characters in Moriarty’s book came alive and were likable in different ways, but Campbell’s characters did not hold the same charm. The characters felt flat and forced to me. I wanted to love it, but as the mystery unraveled I found that I just wasn’t invested in the story. If you enjoy a novel that keeps you guessing until the end you might like it. The ending was kind of shocking, but I think that was in part to an overabundance of missing information.

Recommend- No (I feel bad saying that, but I really wouldn’t)

Rich People Problems-Kevin Kwan

Rich People Problems was surprisingly entertaining through and through. The story follows Asian families and the number of story lines that were all connecting and intertwining was quite impressive. I thought it was an interesting fictional look into rich people’s lives but it was also very tongue in cheek funny. There is an underlying humor throughout the book with good doses of drama and intrigue.

Recommend- Yes (Especially if you like a peak into rich people’s lives)

Books Already Published

The Shining byStephen King

The Shining was a recommendation from a friend. I had a feeling I wouldn’t like it, because I’m a self-professed wimp. Scary books are not my forte. However, most of the book wasn’t in and of itself terrifying, while the set up was pretty scary. I feel like most of the scare factor comes from the anticipation; the knowledge that something scary is going to happen and you’re just watching a man’s descent into madness that will culminate in something awful. Overall I liked it, and am currently reading the sequel, Doctor Sleep.

Recommend- Yes (if you have a strong constitution)

In a Dark, Dark Woodby Ruth Ware

In a Dark, Dark Wood follows Leonora/Lee/Leo/Nora as she attends the bachelorette party, or Hen Party, as the Brits call it, of a friend from the distant past. Seems pretty innocent right? Well not when murder happens. Nora was confused why she was even invited in the first place, but decided to go anyway, and lives to really regret it. It is a quick easy read, and a page-turner, but I purchased the book and, to be honest, definitely didn’t think it was worth the money, especially when I wouldn’t read it again. (I also bought her book The Woman in Cabin 10 and I wasn’t a huge fan of that one either, so I guess it’s my own fault)

Recommend- Yes (only if it’s free at the library)

If you have book recommendations leave them in the comments! 

Happy Reading everyone!

Read Lately

Hi guys,
I'm back with another book post. Now that I finally finished my master's degree, I've been reading a LOT lately. It's so great to get back into it. I wanted to share some of my recent reads + my thoughts on them. I also noticed that Target has 20 percent off books right now! So it's a great time to buy a few. :)

1. The Girl You Left Behind - JoJo Moyes
This is a book I would absolutely recommend to any of my girlfriends. It combines the present with the past in a way that grabs your attention. In the past, its World War 1 France and a woman struggling to keep her family alive and well as her husband fights in the war, and an enemy commander begins to take dangerous interest in her. In the present is a brokenhearted girl who is struggling to survive after the death of her husband. The stories intertwine together with tales of love and loss. Beautifully written, I would put this book above Moyes' "Me Before You" which I also enjoyed.

2. Behind Closed Doors -B.A. Paris
This books sucks you in immediately. The main characters are a married couple named Jack and Grace. They are portrayed from the beginning as being perfect, but it's clear from the get go that something is serious wrong between the characters. Something just outside your reach, chilling you as you read. As you discover more and more, you won't be able to put this book down. The plot is just realistic enough to be anxiety inducing. I started reading it at 8 pm and finished around 11 pm. Then I had a hard time stopping thinking about it long enough to go to sleep. If psychological thrillers aren't your thing, I say skip it! Otherwise, check it out!

3. Truly, Madly, Guilty - Liane Moriarty
I've read almost everything by this author after discovering her 2 years ago with "The Husband Secret." This novel is really nicely done. As the book opens, you know that something has happened to really screw 3 families up, but you have no idea what it is. There is many mentions about a barbecue, and little by little, the novel gives away information about that fateful night. This is a story about families and friends and how mistakes and guilt can tear people apart. Not a bad read, but not one of my favorites.

4. First Comes Love - Emily Giffin
I love Emily Giffin's novels like "Something Borrowed" and "Something Blue." This one follows 2 sisters after they lost their older brother in their early 20s. They can't get along and neither is really that happy. This novel unravels how families cope with loss and gives a fictional account of their attempt to create their own happiness after such a loss.

5. Novels by Julie Klassen
This is a Christian Romance writer that is quite a story teller. I hope this doesn't come across badly, but one of the reasons I like her style is that she isn't heavy handed with the religion stuff. It is part of the books, but naturally so, not forcibly. I've read these 4 below and enjoyed them all immensely.

Read an excerpt of The Painter's Daughter (probably my favorite!)
Read an excerpt of The Tutor's Daughter 
Read an excerpt of The Apothecary's Daughter
Read an excerpt of The Dancing Master

What are you reading right now? If you've got a recommendation, put it down in the comments for me! :)

Books I bought and read in 2016

I read a lot, but truthfully, I don't buy a lot of books. I am a library lover because, hey, it's free!  However, I do find myself purchasing books on occasion. I was finishing my master's degree this year, so I did a lot less reading than usual, but I would like to point out that most of the books I read have been returned to the library. ;) Anyway, here's a recap of my purchased books this year!

1. Big Little Lies - Liane Moriarty
This author is a new favorite for me. She likes to keep you guessing all the way up until the end. In this novel, someone has been murdered: who is it, and why? If you've ever wondered why people stay in abusive relationships, you might be interested in this story for one perspective on why.

2. What Alice Forgot - Liane Moriarty
This book had one of my favorite plot points- a person who has lost their memory, and isn't quite sure how they ended up where they are. This is probably my least favorite book by this author so far, but it wasn't bad!

3. Truly, Madly, Guilty - Liane Moriarty (not pictured)
3 families are all tied together by THAT NIGHT, and are all scarred in different ways. What happened? Well you have to read 3/4 though the book to get the main idea, and then all the way through to have all the missing pieces put together. This one is definitely a page turner, because you simply have to know what the heck is going on.

4. Me Before You - JoJo Moyes
I talked about this book in a blog post back in the spring HERE

5. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them screenplay : JK Rowling
I LOVED this movie, so I picked up the screenplay as well. It is written well, but I would suggest the movie first. :)

6. The Woman in Cabin 10- Ruth Ware
This book seemed to be along the lines of Girl on the Train, so I decided to buy it for our Vegas trip. It wasn't bad, and definitely had some intrigue, but wasn't my favorite book of all time. I would say it's worth a read, but I wouldn't repurchase if I had a do-over.

7. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
As an avid HP reader, I couldn't not read the book. I mean I had to know what else was out there you know? This screenplay follows Harry's son. It moves quickly and spans many years. I'm glad to have it in my collection, but I doubt I would read it as many times as the originals.

8. The Good Girl- Mary Kubica (not pictured)
This story revolves around a young woman who is kidnapped and taken to a remote cabin in Minnesota. Definitely worth a read, but again, I wouldn't purchase it if I could just get it from the library.

Thanks for reading! Would love some book recommendations for 2017 in the comments if you have any!