Book Crush: All the Missing Girls by Megan Miranda

buy it here

You guys, I fell in love with the book All the Missing Girls by Megan Miranda this weekend. I was obsessed and I couldn't stop listening to it. I had purchased the audiobook on Friday because I like to have one to listen to while on my long commute. The book only lasted for the weekend because I finished it Tuesday morning before work. I found myself listening to it while getting ready, cleaning the house, making meals, etc. It was a sit on the edge of your seat, page-turning, suck you in, kind of book. I have to admit that reading it while being home alone wasn't the best idea. I was totally freaked out each night and couldn't sleep lol. So maybe read it with a full house??

Here is the basic premise without ruining the storyline for you. It's based on two missing girls, ten years apart. The story is told over a two week time period, but backwards. I thought I wouldn't like this part but it made the story so much more interesting and helped to connect the pieces. I was so impressed with the author's ability to do this, without revealing the same details over and over.

The story takes place in a small town where rumors and secrets last for a lifetime. You'll find yourself piecing together the motives of each person, trying to pinpoint these mysterious disappearances on one or even all of the townspeople. Who did it?? :)

Clear your schedule folks. You'll want to hunker down and read this one asap. :)

Book Over-review: The Milliner's Secret

This was such an interesting and different book from what I've previously read. I love books set during World War II but I've never read anything remotely close to this story. The book starts in London in the late 1930's- post the first World War and on the brink of the second. Cora Mason, a poor factory girl,  won a ticket to a famous horse race and gets to venture out with a very ritzy crowd. It's on this day, that she meets a stranger who will change her life forever.

Dietrich, this stranger, is a high-ranking German who helps her escape from a seemingly small life and gives her a new identity as Coralie de Lirac.  This false identity will give her opportunities she never had in England and will provide her with the security she needs to survive the upcoming war. This will be key during the Nazi occupation of Paris, which was obviously a very dangerous time. One can argue that it is even more dangerous to be an imposter when you are surrounded by Nazis.

This truly is a love story set smack in the middle of a horrific time in history. Coralie and Dietrich's relationship seemed so passionate but yet so fragile at the same time.  I loved watching Coralie grow from this young naive girl, to a woman who will do anything to protect those she loves. She lived in a careful balance of being true to herself but also not upsetting those who can put her life in danger. You will witness this teeter-totter of emotions in Coralie and you never quite know how it will work out.

The end of this book was so intriguing and actually shocked me. This is such an important quality in a book for me. I LOVE when I don't see how the author will finish a book or how it will all come together. This is a must-read! It's LONG but not super heavy compared to The Nightingale or other books based on the Nazi occupation of Paris. Pick it up for your next plane ride or longer vacation!

buy it here

10 Must- Read Books

I am constantly asking for book recommendations and also giving out ideas of books to add to my friends' reading lists. So I thought I would round up some books that I've read in the last couple of years that I've absolutely LOVED. I've talked about some of these before and others are new to the list. All of them are great in their own special way. I have included a mix of historical fiction, a biography, nonfiction, and fiction. Hopefully there is something on this list that will intrigue you.

The Good Girl by Mary Kubica
Check out my book over-review here.

Cold Tangerines by Shauna Niequist
My friend Jen recommended this book to me last year and I just ate it up. I love the way Shauna writes and I've talked about that more in depth here.  It's super inspiring and just feels honest and raw. Shauna writes about how the most ordinary things in life can be extraordinary.

Secrets of a Charmed Life by Susan Meissner
Such a great book set in Europe during the London Blitz. It's heart-wrenching but sooo good! See my book over-review here.

Fearless by Eric Blehm
This is the incredible story of Adam Brown's life. I love what the Fearless website said, "This is a story of a man of extremes, whose determination was fueled by family, faith, and the love of a woman. It's about a man who waged war against his own impulses and persevered to reach the top of the U.S. military."  I feel like that really sums up his life story but the details in the book are definitely worth reading. I balled my eyes out reading this story and I already knew the outcome and most of his story. If you like military books at all, you will love this. Also, his story of his faith is pretty remarkable. It's a great reminder that God is constantly working in us even when we are at our weakest.

Unbroken by Laura Hildebrand
When I first read this book it actually happened by accident lol. I thought I was purchasing another book but once I started reading I couldn't stop. The movie has since come out but the book is a million times better. Check this one out asap!

Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah
This is one of my favorite books of all time. That's a pretty big statement right?? This book is about the rollercoaster of friendship through joy, jealousy, happiness, resentment, and many many tears. It covers a plethora of human emotions and you will find yourself identifying with their friendship and their fights. Watching their bond grow over a span of thirty years, you'll feel so connected to both Tully and Kate.  The end of the book came with me longing to read more and that's always a sign that you've read something great. There's a sequel to the book as well but the first is way better.

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
Oh man, this is sooo suspenseful and good! Read about it here.

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
I cried through most of this book but I couldn't put it down. One of my faves from last year! Read about it here.

The One & Only by Emily Giffin
I love Emily Giffin's books and I'm pretty sure I've read all of them. They are light reads but definitely page-turners. This one was a little different from her other books and I just loved it. It's a story about finding yourself in the midst of heartache and tragedy and picking up the pieces when you feel like you can't any more. This book will surprise you but also give you hope in the midst of sadness. Also, it will make you believe in second, third, and fourth chances. :)

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
This is another tale of the book being WAY better than the movie. If you've seen the movie, do yourself a favor and read the book... you'll love it! This is an incredible love story of two people separated by time but are joined at random moments in their lives. They beat the odds and find a way to be together in a hopeless situation. This book will have you rooting for love in the most inopportune places.


I would love to hear your recommendations as well! :)

My Literary Bestie

image via

Do you ever just meet someone and you immediately just click? When they are talking you find yourself enthusiastically nodding along saying, "Yes, yep, I know!" Well that happened to me recently but with an author and not a person lol. This author is Shauna Niequist. I feel a pretty deep connection when I read anything by her and she seems to be speaking right to me with her written words. I love the stories she tells and how she connects everything to food. I love food! She gets anxious and worries a lot... so do I! She even talks about her struggles with having babies... once again, speaking right to me. It's like we are besties but she doesn't know it. Wow, that sounds creepy.

In Bread and Wine, she writes about how food nourishes her body and mind. I SO agree. I think food brings people together to share in experiences and connect on a much more personal level. Around a dinner table, we are able to reconnect with our loved ones, embellish on life's happenings, and laugh about the crazy things that occur day-to-day. It's not just the eating and sharing that is so comforting but the actual act of cooking as well. There's just something so satisfying about gathering ingredients  and seeing it all come together to make a meal. It's an even bigger bonus when those around you actually enjoy what they are tasting!

In Shauna's latest book Savor, she has daily devotionals (aka nuggets of nourishment for our souls) and then recipes sprinkled throughout. I made her French tart recipe a few weekends ago and I was shocked by how well it turned out. I am NOT a baker by any means, so when I bake something and it comes out half edible I'm impressed. Mark was pretty impressed as well :)

I love her dinner party ideas and I feel inspired to try all the recipes. Cooking is just another creative outlet for me. I know it sounds a little strange to say cooking is a creative outlet, but I truly feel this way. *Those of you who don't like to cook probably think I'm nuts. :) If you would have asked me five or six years ago if I like to cook I would have most likely said, "Heck no." I couldn't even make scrambled eggs and I always had my little sister make them haha. I can now proudly say I've mastered the art of scrambling eggs. Thanks Brit. :)

So where am I going with this tangent??? Basically you should go out and buy both Bread & Wine and Savor and while you're at it pick up Cold Tangerines too. Her stories are so relatable and will bring you through a plethora of emotions. You'll laugh a ton and probably tear up a little as well. Hopefully, her writing will speak to your soul and maybe you'll get why I want to be Shauna's bestie!

Book Over-Review: Secrets of a Charmed Life

I recently finished Secrets of a Charmed Life by Susan Meissner and it was SO GOOD! Here's a little snapshot of the book or in my words: a book over-review.

The book is set in London during WWII- my favorite time period in literature. The story opens with an interview of an older woman who survived the London Blitz in the 1940s and a young college student from Oxford. The woman takes you back in time telling you a story of two sisters that were separated by the war.

In the 1940s, London's children were evacuated to the countryside. The government was fearful of the impending bombings and wanted to protect their next generation. Fifteen-year-old Emmy Downtree and her young sister Julia were among those evacuated. They were fortunate enough to meet a kind older woman who let them stay in her Cotswold's Cottage. Emmy was frustrated to be considered a child (requiring evacuation) when she was given the opportunity to apprentice for a dress maker in London. She had big dreams of becoming a bridal gown designer and was making strides to see that this could happen. Being tucked away in the Cotswolds prevented her from doing what her heart so desired.

The sisters seemed safe from the potential danger in London, until Emmy makes a decision that will forever change their lives. Watching the spiraling effects of this one moment will make you cringe and hold your breath for what you know is coming.

Secrets of a Charmed Life will draw you in and keep you captivated from the very beginning. It gives you an in-depth look at the kind of destruction that was created by the bombs. This was not just a physical destruction but a haunting fear that lasted a lifetime. The way people picked up the pieces of their shattered lives and carried on is truly incredible. Grab your tissues and tuck yourself into a cozy spot. You'll be in it for the long-haul with this one!

Book Over-Review: The Good Girl

Buy it here. 

The Good Girl by Mary Kubica is one of the best books I've read this year. I was sucked in and couldn't put it down from the moment I started reading it. It's an extremely suspenseful thriller that takes you through a gamut of emotions from frightened to intrigued then to happy and back to terribly sad. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to read something a little different that will keep you guessing until the very end!

The book starts with a kidnapping of Mia, which takes place in a dive bar after she was stood up by her boyfriend. You are introduced to this seemingly charming man Colin who flirts with Mia and convinces her he is what she needs after another disappointing night by her boyfriend. Then you are immediately thrown into this hostile situation and you wonder if she will make it out alive. You can't help but feel frightened for Mia as she was taken advantage of and is now in serious trouble and by more than just Colin.

As you continue the story you realize that everything is not as it seems and you will find yourself playing a detective role. The book jumps around from the present to several months prior to the incident. The author writes from multiple points of view, which gives you a unique perspective on the character's thoughts. You get a glimpse in the head of Mia Dennett, her mom Eva, Colin Thatcher, and the detective, Gabe. These characters' lives will dramatically change throughout the novel, some for the better and some definitely for the worse. The best part is that you can't predict the ending when you start reading. You truly have to put the pieces together from each page you read. The characters will surprise you and make you want to learn more about them. This is a hunker-down in a comfy spot kind of read, that is perfect for a blistering cold day. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Read my other book over-reviews here:
Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff
Winter Stroll by Elin Hilderbrand
Circling the Sun by Paula McClain
The Other Daughter by Lauren Willig

Book Over-Review: Winter Stroll by Elin Hilderbrand

Buy it here.

I absolutely love Elin Hilderbrand books. They are just so easy to read and always transport me to the seemingly magical island of Nantucket. Hilderbrand first introduced me to the island and I have had a serious obsession ever since. It just sounds like such an incredible place! I want to go there and somehow immediately be a local, not a tourist haha. I don't know how that would work lol.

Anyways, Winter Stroll is set in Nantucket during Christmas time, more specifically Stroll weekend. This is the sequel to Winter Street where we were introduced to the Quinn family. The story is told from multiple characters' points of view, which gives you more of an insight to each of their lives. The story picks up with Mitzi coming into town with her boyfriend to try to sneak into her estranged husband, Kelley Quinn's, granddaughter's baptism. {Holy moly that's a mouthful lol} Mitzi had shocked Kelley with admitting to a ten-year long affair with their inn's Santa Claus, during the last Christmas. It sounds like a Jerry Springer episode huh?? Mitzi is on the outs with George, aka Santa, and misses her old life. I should preface with the fact that the Quinn family owns an Inn on the island that was recently given a much needed face lift by Kelley's first wife, Margaret Quinn.

Mitzi barreling back into the Quinn's life isn't the only shock of the weekend though. Ava, Kelley's daughter, is also having her fair share of drama when her ex-boyfriend makes a surprise drop-in on her weekend and shakes her to the core with his profession of love. Ava has spent the last year with Scott and wants to marry him, but is now throw-off by this confession from her ex. The other two siblings Kevin and Patrick have their own issues. Kevin got caught in a smooch with his ex and Patrick is in jail. Patrick's wife Jennifer is on the island for the weekend representing her family but is having a tough time managing the stress that comes with three boys and a husband who is incarcerated. Her dependency on pills is proving to be a huge problem and will soon be out in the open because of her erratic behavior.

As you can tell the Quinn family is full of drama but there is an underlying tone of love and family affection that's hard to miss. I found myself rooting for the family members and hanging on by a thread to see if Bart, the youngest Quinn, would make if home for the holidays. Sadly, Hildebrand left a HUGE cliff hanger and none of the family members' stories came to any kind of closing. This bothers me soooo much but I guess she was just leaving it open for another book. Hopefully we won't have to wait too long! Regardless of the cliff hanger this is another good book by Hildebrand. It's perfect for a cold day snuggled up next to a fire place. Oh that sounds amazing right now... I so wish it got cold enough here for a fire! Anyways, if you've read the book leave a comment and let me know what you though. Happy reading! :)

See my other Over-Reviews here:
Circling the Sun by Paula McLain
The Other Daughter by Laura Willig
The Paris Wife by Paula McLain

Book "Over" Review- Circling the Sun by Paula McLain

Buy it here. 

I finally finished Paula McLain's book Circling the Sun. Oh man, I thought I would never get into it!  I had the hardest time connecting with the characters. Fiiinally I started to really like Beryl (the main character) and actually enjoyed the book. Part of the problem was that I was listening to the book on my phone instead of reading it myself. I am a pretty fast reader and I can finish a book quickly so listening to "slower" books can be torture. The positive side of listening to Circling the Sun was that pronouncing some of those words would have been near impossible for me but luckily the narrator did it for me, woohoo! Also, like I've mentioned before, my commute is very loooong and listening to audiobooks saves my sanity. So enough rambling, let's get into this book over review.

Close your eyes and imagine this scene (well keep them open so you can read, but pretend to close them lol)... a vast amount of open space, a young naive girl being raised by her horse-trainer father, and a rich European community buying up land to live with no real rules or restrictions. This was Kenya in the 1920's. Beryl is the young girl and is the main character of the book. When reading, you grow with Beryl from an adolescent learning the ins and outs of horse-training to her quick push into adulthood at a very early age.  Beryl's rough edges and unconventional childhood made it hard for me to identify with her as a person and especially with her decisions. I had quite the disconnect with her in the beginning but was then pulled into her story, and what a rough and bumpy story.

Beryl dove head first into married life at the age of 16. She was in a tough situation with her father losing the farm and decided to do what made the most sense at the time. This turned disastrous quickly. While reading, I kept thinking that she should stick it out but as Beryl proves time and time again, she can't be tied to something/ someone she doesn't fully believe in. Every turn in her life seems to take her down another emotional roller coaster where she comes out damaged and also hurting those around her. Love is especially one of the those areas that tugs at your heart and makes you want to say, "Nooo, don't do that!" or "WHY?!?!"  She overcame every obstacle in her life even though some of them cost her dearly. Her life was lived to the fullest as a woman who couldn't be tied down to the society norms including becoming a horse-trainer and a pilot, which was almost unheard of at that time.

I spent most of the book switching from admiring her, envying her boldness, and wanting to shake her and yell "STOP!" Her story is proof that freedom comes at a cost and it's up to you to decide if the risk is worth it. If you asked me two weeks ago if this book was worth reading I would have said no but now my answer would definitely change. This book is a must-read. It was just so different from the typical story I am drawn to. That's probably why I had such a tough time sinking my teeth in. Thank goodness I am stubborn and was unwilling to "quit" the book because my long journey into the story was worth it in the end. Paula McLain tends to be long winded in her writing, which I can relate to (haha), but she has such an incredible gift of setting a scene that it makes every word worth it. Go out and buy this book asap, but maybe just don't listen to it on audiobook :)

Has anyone else read this book? What did you think?

What should I read next??

Book "Over" Review The Other Daughter by Lauren Willig

Buy it here

The book is centered around Rachel Woodley who is a twenty-something girl who was raised in a small English village by her mother. Her father died when she was very young and it was basically just Rachel and her mother for as long as she could remember. While Rachel is working as a Nursery governess she receives word that her mother is sick. By the time she makes it home it is too late, her mother has passed. To add insult to injury she was fired for leaving to visit her mother and her childhood home is being taken by the landlord. Now she's essentially an orphan and homeless.

While in her mother's room, she stumbles across a ripped page from a society magazine and the man pictured has a striking resemblance to her late father. She decides to show the page to her cousin (who is the only family she has ever known). Cousin David confesses that it is her father and he is actually an earl, not the deceased botanist she was told about as a child. Reeling from this new information she leaves in a hurry with revenge and deceit on her mind. In her haste to leave she meets a man that will forever change her future and helps her to devise a plan to meet her estranged father. She dives head first into the world of the lavish, spending late nights drinking and galavanting about London as Viera. The plot takes many twists and turns as you meet various characters who will shape Rachel aka Viera's future and make her understand the truth about both her father and her mother.

The ending was surprising but made the book feel complete. I hate the books that leave you with a cliffhanger... I need a book to be wrapped up neatly with a bow lol. I definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for an interesting page-turner.

Book Review- the Paris Wife

Buy the Book here

I just recently finished the book The Paris Wife by Paula McLain while on my Missouri trip. The book is set in the 1920's in Paris and follows the courtship/ marriage of Ernest Hemingway and Hadley Richardson. I knew I was going to love this book because I have been obsessed with reading books set in Paris and the 1920's fashion and social scene is super interesting to me.

Hemingway was a war correspondent and a struggling author through most of their marriage. The book outlines the great love they shared and the struggles faced during this time of desire and serious alcohol consumption. Their courtship will make you swoon and hope for them to make it. While their marriage will leave you with snippets of insecurity and a soft spot for Hadley. You will also learn much about the interworking of Hemingway's writing and the drive and ambition that made him into the author he became. The decline of the marriage stems from jealousy and turns into a situation of lust and selfishness. This part of the book will leave you feeling irritated and having a new found hatred (or just strong dislike) for Mr. Hemingway.  I don't want to spoil the whole book but anyone who knows the history of Ernest Hemingway knows that he had many wives and monogamy wasn't his strong suit.

I highly recommend the book for anyone looking for a book with strong historical ties. I couldn't put it down and finished pretty quickly. I can't wait to read her next book Circling the Sun.

Buy the book here