Today I thought I would do something different and share all of the books I have read lately. I was able to read a lot on vacation in the Seychelles. I’ll be doing a post on our trip soon. A solid 24 hours of traveling to get to a destination when a certain four year old wasn’t along gave me plenty of time to catch up on some books.
Where the Crawdads Sing was the first book I read. This was the book our book club decided to read for January, and let me tell you…. I loved it. Everyone in my book club loved it. This was the author’s first book, and we all were so impressed. I don’t want to give too much away. but I highly recommend adding this to your list. You will not want to put it down so it is a fast read.
I have been wanting to read this book Crazy Rich Asians for a while now, but I didn’t have a ton of time to sit and read. The movie was on our flight to Salt Lake City for New Years, but I said I wouldn’t watch it till I read the book. I was hoping the movie would be on our flight to Seychelles, but it was not. Charles and I did watch it this weekend. It was cute, but like always, the book is so much better. This books is fun and was a great beach read. There is a love story, and you learn about the extreme wealth of families, making them not just rich but crazy rich. It is fun to imagine, and I am looking forward to reading the next two books in the series.
I think everyone I know is reading this book or has read this book. I loved it, and my mom loved it. If you have not read “Educated”, put it at the top of your list. This is a true story, and while reading it, many times I had to remind myself this is a true story about a girl who is younger than I am. Her family does not believe in formal education. Reading this, you feel as if it might have taken place in the 60s. Nope….it’s the 80’s-90’s, and this girl does not attend school. Her story is fascinating about growing up and what happened next.
I remember seeing a Ted Talk about grit. Some people have it, and some people do not. Tara, the author, has grit and a lot of it. After the story I loved going online and finding interviews and hearing more about her life. Start it today!
My mom suggested this book to me because it was a cute light read. She was right. “Dumplin” is a cute book that is now a movie on Netflix. I have not watched the movie yet, but it is on my list. This is sort of a coming of age book dealing with high school loves and beauty pageants. She is a fan of Dolly Parton, whom I am also a huge fan of, so I loved that aspect of the book.
The final book I read was “Upstairs at the White House” . Oh, did I also love this book! The chief usher of the White House recounts his time with 28 years of service in the house. You learn about the behind the scenes and the private residence of the first family but you especially learn about the First Ladies. Hearing his stories makes me want to go back and read even more about these woman. I would love to read today’s account of life at the White House.
There you go…. those are the books I’ve read lately. I am not sure what to read next so any suggestions? I would love to hear them. I hope you enjoy these books as much as I did.
Cheers!
affilliate links in post
Judy says
I read Where The Crawdads Sing over the summer. It was a fantastic read that I couldn’t put down. I gave it 5 stars on the review.
Marian says
I love book recommendations. Thank you!
Ellen Resnick says
I Just read An American Marriage and really enjoyed it. Definitely recommend it!
Jordan says
Ellen,
Sounds like a book I would like!
Ann says
The Big House. You will enjoy the story about a family’s home. Written by George Howe Colt
Jordan says
Ann,
Can’t wait to check it out!
Bonnie says
Can’t wait to read “Crawdads”! Thanks for the suggestions.
Here is a link to some other good ones on my list!
http://www.agladhome.com/single-post/2019/01/06/My-Only-Resolution-for-the-New-Year
Jordan says
Bonnie,
Thanks I will check out your list!
Kirby says
So glad to hear Crawdads was good–I’m looking forward to reading it! I’m captivated by The Book of Essie right now!
Jordan says
Kirby, I hope you love it as much as I did.
Sharon says
We have very similar taste in books. I loved Upstairs At The Whitehouse, and when I read Michelle Obama’s- Becoming, I loved her behind the scenes glimpses of living in the Whitehouse. I also loved Where The Crawdads Sing and went on to read another book on Reese Witherspoon’s book list, One Day In December. I loved it too!!!
Happy Reading!!
Kate L says
Jordan, I just finished Educated for my book group, a very difficult, sometimes unbelievable read for me personally, but well written. Often I could read it in small chunks only, and never at bedtime!!!…. Then followed your suggestion to go online to discover more info. Was also curious to put faces with the characters….
I recommend previous book group selection: The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane. Historical fiction that takes place mostly in Yunnan Province of China. I learned a lot from reading it!! It is by Lisa See, an Asian-American. She is also an exceptional writer 🙂
Where the crawdads sing is on my list.
Thanks for your recs here!!
Jordan says
Madam Lillich, My mom just finished The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Land and raved about it. She keeps telling me I need to read it. It’s nice to hear from you.