5 Mini Book Reviews – September
Today I’m testing out a new kind of post: mini book reviews.
I run a recipe blog, so you probably know that I love to cook and write. And eat. I mean, really, the only reason to do all this cooking is becasue food is fun. But you may not know that the only thing I like to do as much as eat [possibly more] is read. I have been a bibliophile for as long as I can remember. From Beverly Cleary to Judt Blume to Sweet Valley High and V.C. Andrews, I loved to spend Sunday afternoons sitting on the kitchen floor letting the light wash in through the window while I devoured a good book.
My dream is to open a bookstore (perhaps a mystery bookstore) beside my daughter’s cafe. I’ll help cook of course, but the businesses have to have a door between them becasue my bookstore is going to be a dog-friendly establishment. Dogs and books just belond together. But I don’t think the board of health will take kindly to pets roaming around the kitchen. So the businesses will be connected by a Dutch door and people can carry their books and pastries back and forth. (Can you tell I’ve given this a lot of thought?)
Anyway . . . when I’m not cooking or playing with my dogs, I’m probably reading. And when it comes to books, I’ agnostic. You’ll find me with hard cover, softcovers, digital books that I read on the Kindle app on my iPad, and audiobooks, often all at the same time. Not the exact same time, obvs. But I will usually have three or four books going at the same time.
This means I read a lot. And I thought it’d be fun to share some of the books of that I’ve been reading lately. I’m always looking for good recommendations.
So, without further ado, here are 5 mini book reviews. Don’t worry. There are no spoilers. Just a quick summary of the story and whether I’d recommend it or not. (And FYI – I am a notoriously hard critic of books, so 4 stars are a great endorsement and if a book earns a 5 stars, GO BUY IT NOW.)
Mini Book Reviews
What Have You Done
by Shari Lapena
A small town in rural Vermont where nothing ever happens. Until . . . Diana Brewer is found dead in a cornfield.
This smal town murder mystery is filled with twists and turns and unsavory characters that will have you second guessing what you think you know. A compelling narrative with interesting subtexts if you are so inclined to think about the deeper meaning in books.
We listened to this book while driving to South Carolina to drop my daughter off at college and the story kept us both on the edge of our seats. No small feat given the emotional nature of that trip. Slightly predictable if you read a lot in this genre. But iff you like small town suspense and stories about complex relationships between teens and parents, you should check it out Be aware, there is a small paranormal element. 4.5 stars
Summer Romance
by Annabel Monaghan
Summer sin’t over yet. You’ve got one more week to squeeze this book in. Or, be sure to add it to next year’s beach reads pile.
Benefits of a summer romance: It’s always fun, always brief, and no one gets their heart broken.
Famous last words. Ha, ha.
This romance is the hilarious story of a professional organizer whose own life is a mess, and the summer she gets finally gets it together with the help of someone unexpected from her past.
I don’t read a ton of romance, but I LOVED this book. Ali Morris is totally relateable as a middle-aged housewife who’s absolute devotion to her husband, house, and kids has caused her to lose herself. Watching her find herself again is an entertaining and fun-loving read. Highly recommend. 5 stars
How Are You, Really? Living Your Truth One Answer at a Time
by Jenna Kutcher
How Are You, Really is an easy read, or listen (if you are a fan of Jenna’s podcast, you will love the audio book read by Jenna) that weaves together stories, lessons, through-provoking questions and general tips to help you discover YOUR best life (emphasis added).. Note the emphasis on your and not best. A workbook is included to help guide you through the myriad of questions designed to help you live more authenticaly.
While I definitiely had a few “aha” moments, overall the book was too fluffy and too aspirational to be truy inspirational for me. I agree with Jenna’s overall message–it is important to take stock of your life and decide if your current path makes you happy. But to me, the book read more like an autobiography than a self-help guide. And at times, felt downright preachy.
Please note, this book discusses Jenna’s miscarriages and fertility journey. If those are triggers for you, proceed with caution. 3 stars (I rounded up because I listened and I enjoyed Jenna’s narration.)
The Fury
by Alex Michaelides
This thriller is full of twists, turns, and unlikeable characters. A “closed room” mystery set on a Greek Island during a storm, the story begins promising enough with begins with an isolated setting and a dead body. But ultimately, the novel falls short as it jumps back and forth between the past and the present to solve the crime.
I had no trouble turning pages, in part becasue I was curious what would happen next but mostly just becasue I wanted it to be over. None of the characters are particularly interesting or sympathetic enough to engage the reader for more than a couple of pages. I honestly didn’t care about any of them. And while I did not see the final twist coming, I also didn’t buy it. But if you are a fan of unreliable narrators, perhaps this is the book for you. 2 stars
The Last Mrs. Parrish
by Liv Constantine
Not to be confused with The Next Mrs. Parrish, a summer 2024 release. The Last Mrs. Parrish was actually released in 2017, and I just got around to reading it. But I loved it! It was the perfect sumemr read! And I can’t wait to read the sequel.
This story is told from dual points-of-view–Amber, a young social climber with a skethcy past and Daphne Parrish, the perfect wife with the perfect life. The story begins with an orchestrated meeting so that Amber can worm her way into Daphne’s life and eventualy steal her husband. But things don’t go as planned. Despite the fact that I hated Amber from the get-go, I found myself absorbed in both women’s stories and couldn’t help admiring Amber’s tenacity. This book is a great reminder that you never know what’s going on is someone else’s marriage (or life). It gives new meaning to the adage, “keep your friends close and your enemies closer.”
And that’s a wrap. Five mini book reviews. No spoilers.
I’d love to know what you’re reading these days. Post a comment below.
Off we go!
PS: Need a yummy snack to enjoy while you read? Try my best ever brownies. They never dissapont.
PPS: Here are some other books I read last month:
Bad Summer People, by Emma Rosenblum
Days of Wonder, Caroline Leavitt
Stranger Diaries, by Elly Griffiths
The Girls Are Never Gone, by Sarh J. Marsh
