Reading All the Books

I asked you all for your book recommendations before I went on my cruise in December and you all certainly delivered (you can find the post here) My cruise reading kicked off some fun library trips and I’ve been working my way through an interesting mix of books.

Here’s what I loved… and what I didn’t. I linked to each book on Amazon so you can click through and read the full description if you’d like. However, I always recommend trying your library first, because FREE BOOKS!

Books I loved:

The Real Doctor Will See Your Shortly: A Physicians First Year – Matt McCarthy

Find it here on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2VTQWyI

I’ve never really been a big non-fiction reader, but I’ve found myself branching out a bit lately. This book was funny and touching and all around pretty fantastic. It follows the first year of Doctor Matt McCarthy as he stumbles through trying to be a ‘real’ doctor. McCarthy is immediately likeable and the book almost has the flavor of old-school Scrubs episodes.

Normally, This Would Be Cause for Concern: Tales of Calamity and Unrelenting Awkwardness – Danielle Fishel

Find it here on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Fvy6s8

Here’s another non-fiction book that somehow fell into my book cart. You may remember Danielle Fishel as Topanga on Boy Meets World (and more recently on Girl Meets World). Like most kids, I thought Topanga was pretty awesome, so I was down with reading about her life in Hollywood. Fishel comes off as super relatable – and yes, somewhat awkward – in her memoir and I finished the book convinced that we could easily be friends.

The Storyteller’s Secret: A Novel – Sejal Badani

Find it here on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2MdxUiI

This book popped up on my free Kindle Unlimited recommendations, so I figured I’d give it a chance. It was immediately riveting as I followed Jaya through the unraveling of her marriage and concurrently followed her grandmother Amisha’s life in British-occupied India in the 1930’s. I thought the historic portion of the book was riveting and I enjoyed how it tied into Jaya’s modern day story. This one is still free for Kindle Unlimited subscribers, so I highly recommend downloading it!

Books I liked:

The Lilac Bouquet – Carolyn Brown

Find it here on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2RRXQ8u

I enjoy Carolyn Brown books for little happy romances that don’t stress me out. This one was cute and frothy and an enjoyable read. There were no real shockers in the ‘mystery’ of the book, but I walked away at the end feeling overall satisfied with the story. This one was free on Kindle Unlimited too, if you have that subscription.

Small Town Rumors – Carolyn Brown

Find it here on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Fz79nA

Another free Kindle Unlimited Carolyn Brown book that I enjoyed. This one centered around a woman who returns to her small town after a failed marriage. Yeah, we’ve all heard it before. Still, this one has some interesting stuff going on with budding friendships and parent issues. I liked this book and enjoyed some of the small town characters that became a part of Jennie Sue’s new life.

Fromage a Trois: Paris. Love. Cheese. – Victoria Brownlee

Find it here on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2RLV9VZ

I picked this one up at the library for no reason other than I liked the cover and the name of the book. Ella is unceremoniously dumped by her live-in boyfriend who decides he wants to “find himself” and has to move out of their shared apartment. So, she does what any reasonable human would do and decides to move to Paris for a year and eat ALL the cheese.  I like Ella. I like cheese. This book made me hungry.

Books I thought were just okay:

Match Making for Beginners – Maddie Dawson

Find it on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2RQi4zy

This was another free one off Amazon Unlimited and it was fine. I mean, it was charming overall… but I had some issues with the plot and how it all wrapped up so quickly. I get that romances are ‘magical’ and in books when you know, you immediately elope and stuff. But, this one was just… okay.

The Bedwetter: Stories of Courage, Redemption, and Pee – Sarah Silverman

Find it on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2AKVsXr

I like Sarah Silverman. I think she’s spunky and smart and adorable. I really wanted to love her book, but I was just left underwhelmed.

Do you have a book recommendation for me?

Disclosure: Pocketful of Joules is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

Spam Me with Your Book Recommendations!

I last begged for book recommendations a couple years ago with In Dire Need of Good Reads and I’m right there again. I’m about to go on a trip, so I want to download a bunch of books to take with me on my Kindle, rather than weighing down my luggage with books from the library.

I have Amazon Unlimited, so there are a ton of books that I can borrow for under that membership, but I could really use some recommendations!

Here’s what I’m looking for:

  • FUN
  • Sassy
  • Romance
  • Mysteries
  • Silly Chic Lit
  • YA is cool too
  • LIGHT AND FLUFFY!

What do you suggest? Bonus points if it’s available on Kindle Unlimited!

Reading Round Up

I love reading. I love downloading books on my Kindle. I love going to the library and picking up a bunch of books to take home. I just had one of those delicious library trips where I filled my cart with treats, so I thought I’d share my pickings with you all.

 

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Simple pleasure: going to the library all by myself and spending time picking out a bunch of goodies! 🤗🤗🤗

A post shared by pocketfulofjoules (@pocketfulofjoules) on

{Pssssst: I linked to each book on Amazon if you want to click through for a synopsis, but I highly recommend you put them on your library list before purchasing!}

Junk: Digging Through America’s Love Affair with Stuff by Alison Stewart
Find it here on Amazon (if you have Amazon Unlimited, it is free to read)

Initial Thoughts: I’ve been on a thrifting streak lately, which often leads me to wonder who is donating such awesome stuff. We’ve also done a bit of antiquing, which has made me want to bring cool old things into my house. On the other side of things, I’m getting to the point where I can’t stand clutter… and have been relentlessly purging things. So, cool stuff comes in… cool stuff goes out.

This was the first book from my library trip that I read and I have to say it is interesting… in parts. While I’m normally a ‘read the whole book from front to back’ kinda girl, this one had some parts that didn’t interest me, so I skipped right over them. It was very, very interesting though and now I want to take everything in my basement to the dump.

Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren
Find it here on Amazon

Initial Thoughts: I love a good romantic comedy piece of chick lit, but it’s imperative that the lady be strong and quirky. No swooning dummies for me! I’m looking forward to reading this one and if I like it, it looks like there are a few others by the same author.

My Oxford Year by Julia Whelan
Find it here on Amazon

Initial Thoughts: Another chick lit book… this one about an American finding love while she is at Oxford. You know right off the book jacket that they are going to fall in love and she will have to make a decision about whether to stay or go. I’m hoping this is a good one!

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: Parts One and Two by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorn and John Tiffany
Find it here on Amazon

Initial Thoughts: I LOVE the Harry Potter series. Which is exactly why I have been avoiding this book. I just love it TOO MUCH, you know? This one was just sitting on the shelf staring at me and I decided that now is finally the time. So, now it is.

Approval Junkie: Adventures in Caring Too Much by Faith Salie
Find it here on Amazon

Initial Thoughts: I’m not familiar with comedian/journalist Faith Salie, but this is a collection of essays “chronicling the author’s adventures during her lifelong quest for approval”. I’ve been on a bit of a Netflix comedy special kick lately, so this fits in perfectly with my needs right now.

How to be a happier parent: raising a family, having a life and loving (almost) every minute by KJ Dell’Antonia
Find it here on Amazon

Initial Thoughts: I’m not typically a ‘self help’ book reader, but I’ve been listening to a lot of the Armchair Expert podcast and thought this might be a nice read. Now that I’m done my master’s program, I have a little extra time on my hands… so maybe a little self-improvement is in order.

On Starlit Seas by Sara Sheridan
Find it here on Amazon

Initial Thoughts: This one looks like kind of a chick lit/mystery/romance/period drama. It’s a little out of my wheelhouse as I’m not really a historical fiction lover, so I figured I’d try it.

I am Malala: How one girl stood up for education and changed the world by Malala Yousafzai
Find it here on Amazon

Initial Thoughts: Malala is an international symbol of peaceful protest and the youngest ever Nobel Peace Prize winner. This book was all the hype when it came out and in this current age of politics, when I saw it sitting on the shelf I had the strong urge to add it to my basket.

As You Wish: Inconceivable tales from the making of the Princess Bride by Cary Elwes and Joe Layden
Find it here on Amazon

Initial Thoughts: I LOVE The Princess Bride and I remember putting this book on my list when I heard it was coming out. I have no idea what happened to that list. But I am super excited to read this one! This one is next on my list and I have it with me to start reading at lunch today.

I hate everyone, except you by Clinton Kelly
Find it here on Amazon

Initial Thoughts: This one is billed as a snarky collection of essays, so yeah. It had me from ‘snarky’.

 

What are you reading right now? Have you read anything from my current pile?

 

Disclosure: Pocketful of Joules is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. This means that clicking on a link may help me earn a small commission at no cost to you.