This month was a big reading month! Having two weeks of break for Christmas was a big help! Give Emily a puzzle and an audio book and she can plow through any book! She loves getting suggestions, but found herself looking for highly rated books. So this year she is sharing her books and rating them 1-5 stars. Hope it helps as you look for suggestions.

Here is Emily’s January reads and reviews.

Wicked by Gregory Maguire

With all the hype of Wicked the Movie, I dove right into the novel. It happened to be free on Audible. The entire time I was reading this book, I kept thinking how incredible Stephen Schwartz’s vision for the musical was. The book wasn’t filled with detail and magic like the play or the movie. The entire musical is based on Elphaba and Glinda’s time at Shiz but in the book Shiz took up one chapter. I think if you read the book, knowing the musical and the movie, you’ll be greatly disappointed. I honestly didn’t love it but was very interested in seeing the similarities and differences in all of the versions. Even the writer of the play said it was a loose adaption of the book and to be honest, liked the musical and the movie much better.

 

 

The Wedding People by Alison Espach

This was a book I kept seeing on everyone’s lists for Top reads of 2024. I was skeptical at first when the main character declares she is going to the hotel to die but loved watching how little things brought everyone to a better place. The wedding people end up embracing Lyla and it is so fun to watch the two groups collide and bond. This is a great reminder of how to life can be beautiful when it is filled with people. My take away was to never hesitate to reach out to people and have open and honest conversations.

 

Iona Iverson’s Rules of Commuting by Clare Pooley

This was one of my top 5 reads from last year. I think I’ve read it 4 times now and get something great from it every time I read it. Iona, an eccentric woman in her 50’s, is married to her routine. Part of that routine is the exact train car she rides to and from work. In this book you will see how opening up just a little to her train car of strangers creates a family like unit. I love watching them step up and help one another and fill a role for each person that they were desperately looking to find. Best part, there is a similar movie adaptation of the book! It doesn’t have Iona but same concept. It is set during the holidays but I loved the message and the movie. It is called “This is Christmas” on Amazon. It will make you smile and cry and want to connect with strangers.

First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston

This was a book club book. We love mysteries and this was one with a major twist! The main character is forced to be a con artist and teaches us about the morally grey choices of life. What would you do to help the person you love most? You’ll have to read to find out!

 

 

The Housemaid is Watching by Frieda McFadden

This is the third book of her series and I think probably my favorite one! Frieda is great at creating mysteries with a twist and this was one that I didn’t see coming! Do you like mysteries? My favorite genres are Rom-Com, mystery and self help.

 

Us Against You by Fredrik Backman

I love Fredrik Backman and his ability to endear us to his characters. Anxious People and A Man Called Ove are wonderful books. This book was completely different then the other books I’ve read by him. Although it does has characters that will make you fall in love with, it is about a violent hockey obsessed town and the drama and politics that come along with it. Not my favorite book but I did finish it and was glad to see the resolution at the end.

 

The House of my Mother by Shari Franke

This is such a gut wrenching read! It’s the morally grey line between strict parenting and abuse that had me wanting to reach through the book and rescue those eight passengers. It is one of those books that leaves you in the victims shoes knowing something is wrong but having been manipulated into thinking it is ok. I was so grateful for the sweet neighbor who gave her a key, an escape and stood beside her while she did hard things. It isn’t easy standing up to people who have manipulated and mistreated you. I am so proud of Shari for her courage and strength.

 

Magnolia Parks by Jessa Hastings

If you like Gossip Girl, rich teenage drama, then you will love this book. Magnolia Parks is an it girl in the social circles in London. Watch how she clings to and avoids a certain boy and how quickly things change. I kept thinking of Blair Waldorf and Chuck Bass as I read it. It is a series and when I’m in the mood for more teenage drama, I’ll pick it back up.

 

Things we Left Behind by Lucy Score

I was first introduced to this book series with my book club. Small, tight nit town of loyal friendships welcome a new girl to town. It is filled with mystery, drama and illegal activities. It is also one of the steamier books I’ve read, told in the perspective of the male characters. This is the third book of the series and focuses on the third male friend. Although it is a little steamy, I loved how it focused on bonds from trauma and the connection that comes from helping someone through something hard. Honestly reminded me a little of “It Ends with Us.” Would I recommend it to my mom or grandma, NO but I liked the series.

 

The Teacher by Freida McFadden

If you’ve read one of her books you start reading trying to figure out her story line. I knew a few chapters in the problem of the story but nothing prepared me for the ending. Read how a married couple, who teach at the same school, find themselves drifting apart and what they choose to do to remain happy. Although I hate every part of their choices, I found myself having a hard time putting it down.

 

 

Let Them by Mel Robbins

This was my favorite book I read this month! If you know Mel Robbins, you know that she is queen of self help and empowering growth. This book was delightful to read and left me feeling like I just had a therapy session with my new best friend. I read this book because it was at the top of every chart I saw and went into it not knowing much about it. After finishing it, I think that everyone should read it!  Lessons of letting go, avoiding comparisons, taking control of your reactions, and most importantly loving yourself. She walks you through her theory and shares raw examples from her life on how using and not using the theory affected her life. I would recommend a hard copy. I listened to it and loved hearing it read by Mel herself but will definitely be buying a hardcopy to read, reread and mark up during different stages of my life.