Books

Book Recommendations

Okay, I’ve officially ended my mini reading hiatus. I feel like nearly everything in life, reading is a habit. I know that I have to commit to reading for at least fifteen minutes a day and then after about a week or so I don’t even think about needing to read… I just do it.

And weening myself of the black hole that is Netflix helps, too (Gilmore Girls though…. 🙌🏻).

Book Recommendations

Photo by Carter Fish

I have finished three books since the last time I updated you guys. I LOVE sharing what books I’m reading and loving here. If you want to stay up to date with what I’ve read in real time, I use Goodreads to log my reading.

We Are Called to Rise // This was recommended to me by a fellow book lover. It’s a wonderful story of intertwined lives. The author Laura McBride says of the book, “I wanted the reader to walk away believing that, with all our faults, human beings are worth saving.” The book moves slowly as you learn about the characters triumphs and failures. I love the way she wrote it. Each character has his or her very distinct voice, my favorite being third grader Bashkim.

Scrappy Little Nobody // I personally wasn’t head over heels about Anna Kendrick’s book, but I’m still sharing it because almost everyone I know loved it. (So there must be something wrong with me and not the book!) It was a super quick read, and I found it pretty interesting to get to know a little more about Anna. Certain parts of the book resonated more with me than others, but when it’s good, it’s really good. I think at the end of it, the biggest takeaway is that Anna Kendrick is just like everybody else, which isn’t a bad thing at all.

The Hopefuls // I couldn’t put this book down when I was in Florida. It’s about a couple living in DC, and the role politics plays in their (and their friends’) lives. I Snapchatted saying I was reading it and a few people responded saying they found the book “depressing.” Towards the end of the book, I definitely understood what they meant. However, I still thought it was a great, quick, and easy read. (The book takes place at the same time I was in DC for school… I particularly loved the references to things that happened in DC at the time, like I attended the Neighborhood Ball and the Snowpocalypse in 2010!)

Right now I’m juggling four books at the same time, and I have a massive stack of books on my nightstand just waiting for me to dig into. Still, I would love to hear your recommendations for great books– have you read something particularly noteworthy lately?

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48 Comments

Hayley Simpson

Because you mentioned Gilmore Girls, have you read Lauren Graham’s latest book yet? It’s a must if you’re a fan, and it basically made me love her more.

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carly

Ummmmmm….. I’d say don’t read 😂 but if you do read, make it a book club with friends in the area haha!

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Allison

I just finished Tulip Fever by Deborah Moggach. It starts out a bit weird–you feel like you’re just being thrown into the action, but as the plot unfolds, it ends up being an addictive read. And the ending is great!

Right now, I’m reading Commonwealth by Ann Patchett and I’m loving it so far. It’s about two families who are intertwined because of one impulsive kiss at a Christening party. I love Patchett’s voice, so I’m really enjoying it so far!

Hope you’re well!

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Aubry

Do you buy all of your books in hard back? Or a reading device like a Kindle? .. With hard backs, do you ever go through and resell books back or how do you manage reading so much without accumulating a million books?

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carly

I read about 50% real books and 50% either library or audio books. I keep a lot of books and also pass them along to friends often.

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Jess

A Gentleman in Moscow and Being Mortal (completely changed my thoughts on dying and end of life care, sounds depressing but this book should be read by everyone.)

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Alexia

A Gentleman in Moscow!!!! 😍😍
Lilac Girls is next up after I finished the above book, it’s supposed to be similar to the Nightingale which I loved.

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Erika

I’m reading The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen, which is apparently another book-to-film adaptation by Emma Watson! It’s the first in a trilogy with some pretty typical dystopian elements, but I haven’t been able to put it down.

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Sofia

Always on the hunt for good book recommendations! I’ve been juggling a couple books now, too. I’ve finally just committed to sitting down and plowing through them one a time. I get waaay too excited about books! 🙂

xo, Sofia
http://www.thecozie.co

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Sarah Meehan

I second Lauren Graham’s book Talking as Fast as I Can, it’s a easy funny read especially for a Gilmore Girl’s fan. Just finished The Wonder by Emma Donoghue and wouldn’t recommend it. Just started Sweetbitter so not sure about that one yet.

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Emma

I recently finished ‘A Gentleman in Moscow’ by Amor Towles and loved it! I read ‘Roles of Civility’ which is Towles previous novel and enjoyed that as well.

‘Paris’ by Edward Rutherford is also a great read. It focuses around a couple different characters and their families (living in Paris) & ends with how all of the different characters become intertwined over time.

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Jamie

I’m sure you’ve read it already, but I just finished Pretty Little Lies! I had to see what all the hype was about before the show premieres and I could not put it down!

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Sarah O

I really enjoyed Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld (who wrote Prep)! It’s a retelling of Pride and Prejudice set in modern-day Cincinnati. I loved seeing how the author would work the familiar parts of the story into this new version. It was a super fun read!

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Abbey

You’ve probably already read it, but I loved the Nightingale. Currently reading ‘The Brother’s K’ and ‘A Little Life’ .. both were recommendations and both seem great so far!

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Olivia

I devoured The Hopefuls in about four days. I am currently reading High Dive by Jonathan Lee. I use The Skimm reading list to choose the next book to read. I also checked out Ann Patchett’s Commonwealth from the library.

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Jen Kessler

I was curious if the Anna Kendrick book was any good. I might check it out. I read Mindy Kaling’s book and I loved it! It was a very, very quick and easy read. It seems like it wouldn’t be as enjoyable if you weren’t familiar with the way Mindy talks and some of the roles she has played in shows though. Overall, I found it highly comical and so relatable with a few interesting thoughts on life and tidbits about Mindy’s own background.

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Jan W.

If I could live at Oxford Exchange I would. I so appreciated your recommendations when my son moved to Tampa. I’m going to try your tip on scheduling 15 minutes a day to reading. I want to double my goal on goodreads this year. Happy 2017!

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Christina

I read The Circle because you recommended it last year and now it is my favorite book. Definitely will check these out, thanks Carly!

You might like “The Boy Kings” by Katharine Losse, it’s very similar!

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Ashleigh

I am currently reading Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng. I am about half way through the book, and I really love it! I definitely recommend the book.

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Charlotte

The Nightingale was absolutely phenomenal, as well as All The Light We Cannot See!

If anyone enjoys mystery novels, but not necessarily horror stories, I cannot recommend Louise Penny and Elizabeth George enough. Penny’s books are written with a delightful Canadian French narrative that juxtaposes well with the preface of the books (murder mysteries). George’s books are set in London and follow Thomas Lynley, a handsome gentleman who happens to be a Lord as well as a detective inspector! If you’re at all interested in acquainting yourself with stiff upper lip, high-brow yet comedic British culture, you will love this series!

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Jovita

I think you’re so right about the need to make reading a habit – you have to make the effort to prioritise it! I really loved ‘The Hopefuls’, too! I was unsure about it because I had read another book by Jennifer Close and hated it, but I thought ‘The Hopefuls’ was really well written and a fascinating look into a world I don’t know much about.

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Jessica

The first book you mentioned made me think of The Flower Arrangement, which I absolutely loved. It is also a story of intertwined lives and told in a neat way. And it’s set in Dublin! If you try it I hope you love it. Thanks for sharing your reviews!

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Taylor

Wow, how do you juggle 4 books at once?! I think I would always keep forgetting what I had read in the previous chapter! I always see Anna Kendrick’s book at Target and debate on whether or not I want to pick it up, but maybe I’ll just have to! If it is a good, quick read then at this point, why not?

xo, Taylor
http://www.taylorashleyblog.com

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Hillary

I’ll second Commonwealth! It’s a super compelling story and incredibly well written.

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Miranda | Miranda's Notebook

Oh, I’m curious to try Scrappy Little Nobody – I wonder what I’d think of it! I’m reading Jamaica Inn for my Book Club at the moment, which I’m really enjoying (Daphne du Maurier is one of my very favourite authors!). xxx

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Nina

Have you read A Dog’s Purpose? Probably one of my favorite books (once you get past the idea that a dog is the narrator). I think its a must-read for dog owners!

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Meg

Throwing my hat in for Rules of Civility, which is a great read, especially as a New Yorker. Currently zooming through and loving Today Wil Be Different by Maria Semple (author of Where’d You Go Bernadette?)

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Samantha

I’m trying to read Scrappy Little Nobody, it’s not just you, I’m not the biggest fan! I’ve had to take a break from reading it as it’s taking too long to hold my interest.
Definitely going to check out your other recommendations though!

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Ali

Definitely Everyone Brave is Forgiven… if you liked All The Light We Cannot See this is a must. Also Life After Life. Both are about London during the blitz and have wonderful characters.

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Annika

I really loved The First 15 Lives of Harry August by Claire North. I think it is a really original idea for a novel in the Time genre and wish there was a sequel.

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Briana

I’m currently reading two books. I have been working on The Goldfinch for months now – it is a long one but also a tedious read. Also, just picked up Ove, after finishing The Islanders (great summer beach read). I’m not far enough in to recommend or not but, it came highly recommended to me!

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Xandra

ahhh I’ve just gotten over my reading slump too! Maybe it’s in the stars? The books I’ve been tearing through lately are “A Prayer for Owen Meaney” by John Irving, “Big Magic” by Elizabeth Gilbert, and “Someday, Someday, Maybe” by Lauren Graham (all of which I’ve written a bit more about on Goodreads – just added you!)

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