Standing books image by Styled Stock Society
I am in my reading era and quite frankly, I am LOVING IT. I used to be a voracious reader, but over the last several years, I have been reading less and less. My TBR list was (and still is) very large.
The only books I was reading were financial and securities training materials and taking copious amounts of tests to prove my worthiness, intelligence and fortitude to start a career in a field I never thought I would find myself in. I knew I needed a break from the world I had placed myself in.
I set out to escape. And I did that by diving back in to fiction again.
When I was a teenager, I devoured series like Sweet Valley High and Dean Koontz. My dad had a few John Grisham books that I read as well. When I was married and started having children, my reading time wasn't as fluent, but I still managed to find several series and authors that I loved. I am talking Francine Rivers, Karen Kingsbury, Stephanie Meyers (Twilight series, anyone?) before then diving in to more personal and spiritual development. I read books by Lysa Terkeurst, Jennie Allen, Beth Moore, and Priscilla Shirer.
I still read books that help me to grow as a woman, mother, and individual. I do like to focus on my spiritual health as well as my education. I don't have a college degree, but I have a brain that loves to learn new material. I fully believe that those who read are able to understand others better, receive different points of view, and firm up their own convictions. Hearing others and listening to their perspectives does not always mean our minds will change.......but it does allow for us to continue having relationships with those who think and view things differently as well as continue to have thoughtful and meaningful conversations. Maybe if more of our politicians in congress would stop shouting at each other, determined to label their opponents with hateful, character destroying rhetoric and actually read/listen to other points of view, we might make a little bit of progress. Right now, it is a shit show.
That's another topic for another day. Our politicians have nothing to do with this post. Sometimes, I get a little distracted and go down rabbit trails. Forgive me. I am who I am. wink
Without further ado, here are some of my favorite reads so far in 2024, and a few of the books on my TBR list. I have a lot of books on this list, but in order to not have this post be a gazillion pages long, I will need to practice a little restraint. If you were my mother, you would laugh because restraint was NOT something I possessed as a teenager, especially when it came to buying books and clothes. Sorry, Mama!
Also, before I share, I want to introduce you to bookshop.org, if you are not familiar with them already. You all know how I geek out over companies who incorporate a give back model into their business, and BookShop is no exception. They strive to support local and indie bookstores. As much as I love Amazon, I ADORE patronizing small businesses. Knowing that my money goes directly to build up that business, whether it is to help pay taxes, payroll, inventory, rent, I do not care. It benefits not the uber rich, but the individual who put their heart and soul (and probably some of their life's savings) into something they believe in. When you purchase your books from BookShop, the profits go to local bookstores, and you even get to choose your favorite local shop. Pretty freaking cool.
Here are some of my favorite reads:
Behind Every Good Man by Sara Goodman Confino: Such a cute rom-com and it ties in a little political drama from the 1960s. The female main character's story reminded me a great deal of my own. You will find yourself rooting for her and for women everywhere. A witty and fun read.
The Summer of Good Intentions by Wendy Francis: I read this relatively quickly. It is a story of family, transition, loss, love and hope. The setting is Cape Cod, a place I dream of visiting with my own family one day. It is a lovely story. Warning, I got angry and almost threw the book toward the end, but not because it was horrible, but because I was invested in each of the characters. The sisters in this story reminded me much of my own. Truly a lovely book.
Hello, Beautiful by Ann Napolitano: A modern retelling of Little Women. Again, the sisters in this book reminded me so much of my own. I was deeply invested in each of the characters and incredibly moved. A must read, in my opinion. I even gave a copy to my daughter to read.
Here is what I am currently reading:
Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah: I know I am so late to the game on this one. I purchased it about several months ago and it has been sitting on my shelf for far too long. Plus, with all of my studying going on, I wasn't sure I could take on an over 400 page book. However, I am determined. I just started it, and this story already has me all teary eyed. I have besties from the 7th grade and they are both in my wedding. I am in all my feels. I want to watch the netflix show, but I have to read the book first!
The Wedding People by Alison Espach: This book I actually got from Book of the Month. This is my first book with this membership, and I have heard amazing things about this company and the books they have to select. Plus, you can skip if you don't see something that you like. Love flexibility. Excited to read this story.
To Be Read:
Good Girl, Bad Blood by Holly Jackson: I already read the first book, A Good Girl's Guide to Murder. Excited to dive in to the second book soon. There is also a Netflix show that just premiered, so I am excited to see that with Madi.
Jackie by Dawn Tripp: I am obsessed with all things Kennedy and Jackie Kennedy Onassis. So imagine my surprise and delight when I got the email from Bookshop that this novel was available. Instantly placed on my to be read.
Sandwich by Catherine Newman: I have heard beautiful reviews about this book. I am excited to get to it really soon.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid: Another book I am so late to the game on, but I am eager to read it. Apparently, I need to be prepared to bawl my eyes out. I am up for the challenge.
Never Lie by Freida McFadden: I like psychological thrillers. Heard this was mind-blowingly awesome.
Funny Story by Emily Henry: I have not read a single Emily Henry book so I am eager to see what all the hype is about. I love rom-coms. This one looks really cute.
Whew. That is all for today, friends. If you would like to see my list of reads, you can head over to my affiliate store over on bookshop.org and check them out. Also, PLEASE share with me your favorite reads or what's on your TBR. I love adding to my list and I am not on a book buying ban, no matter what anyone tries to say to me. There are far worse things I could be spending my money on.
Cheers!
Your Dream BuildHer Bestie,
Tiffany Rhea
Disclaimer: There may be affiliate links within this post. Should you choose to purchase through those links, I do receive a small commission or credit at no extra cost to you. I will never share products or companies that I don't believe in or personally use myself. Thank you for being here!
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