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So what’s everyone reading?

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Y’all. This is a big week for me. I mean, for Harry and Meghan. It’s the big wedding and in true wedding form, you have some relatives that have decided now is a good time to act crazy banana pants. Royalty. They’re just like us.

Except with easier access to tiaras.

The sad truth is I probably won’t even get to watch the wedding until Monday morning because Caroline has a soccer tournament in College Station this weekend and we’ll be busy with that. But I have big plans to park myself on my couch Monday morning with a cup of coffee and watch all the various recordings I have already scheduled on my DVR. And if you’re wondering if I’ve watched the Lifetime movie about Harry and Meghan then you must be new here. I’ve watched it twice and can’t promise I won’t watch it a third time. Is it a little cheesy? OF COURSE IT IS. Do I mind? Not in the slightest.

But here’s what I really want to discuss today.

Books.

There is something about summertime that makes me want to read more than usual. I guess it’s because summer promises a little more downtime than we have during the school year or maybe it’s a habit I developed back in the days of yore when Netflix didn’t exist and summer television viewing was an abysmal wasteland of reruns. Whatever the case, I am in the process of working on my summer list of books to read. I’ve been helped significantly by two recent posts from Modern Mrs. Darcy: this post of the 20 books everyone will be talking about this summer and her 2018 summer reading guide post. I’ve already put a few of these on my list, but here’s what I’ve read in the last two weeks and it’s not even summer yet. It’s like I’m an overachiever.

1. Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis – I feel like everyone’s talking about this book right now and I totally understand why. I found it motivating and I am typically not one to be motivated by a book. I think because it reads more like you’re talking to a good friend.

2. Rich People Problems by Kevin Kwan – This is the most recent book in the Crazy Rich Asians series. I haven’t loved any of them as much as I loved the original, but they are all a fun, easy read and perfect for the beach.

3. Young Jane Young by Gabrielle Levin – I downloaded this on my Kindle and finished it in two days. It was a green light pick from Jamie Golden on the Pop Cast and so I felt like I could count on it to be good and it didn’t disappoint. The writing is so good, the characters are likable and relatable, and the story sucked me in.

I just started Love and Ruin by Paula McClain because I am powerless to resist any novel set during World War II. And I have Fitness Junkie by Lucy Sykes and Jo Piazza waiting for me next.

I’ll also definitely read When Life Gives You Lululemons by Lauren Weisberger and Summer Wives by Beatriz Williams as soon as they are released this summer.

But I would love to hear what you’ve read recently or what you plan to read. I love a good love story, a memoir, things that are light and funny except that I also love novels set in World War II so go figure. And yet somehow every time I read a novel set in World War II it’s like a fresh surprise that the book tends to be on the sad side. You would think I might figure that out.

I don’t like scary and I’m not big into thrillers unless it’s very light on the thrill part of that equation. And, obviously, I enjoy anything that has to do with the royal family.

I’ll eventually compile a whole list of what I plan to read this summer (Disclaimer: it’s always likely to change on a whim if say Gulley calls me and says, “You HAVE to read this book I just finished!”) and I’ll post little mini-reviews from time to time of what I liked and what I didn’t necessarily enjoy. Although, additional disclaimer, I’m not really good at giving books a bad review because now that I write books myself I realize that it’s like bleeding over your keyboard and who am I to judge someone else’s art?

So maybe I’ll just share what I really like and mention that others just weren’t my cup of tea but I’m sure somewhere they are being loved and enjoyed. It’s not exactly the The New York Times book review, but it seems about right for what usually goes on around here.

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    • A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles – extraordinary story with beautifully written characters

      The Alice Network – WWI/WWII story, excellent historical fiction

      How to Walk Away by Katherine Center – great beach read

      • A Gentleman in Moscow is one of my favorite reads EVER! When I finished reading it I truly missed all my “friends” at the Metropol Hotel. I love this book and have shared it with several friends; they also love it.

  2. You Think It, I’ll Say It: Stories by Curtis Sittenfeld – I loved this collection of short stories. It’s her best work yet.

  3. Books I’ve recently read and highly recommend:

    I’ll Be Your Blue Sky-Marissa de los Santos.

    I have read and loved every book she’s written. This one is two love stories in one and the prose is just exquisite. A wonderful read. If you have never read de los Santos, please read her first novel, Love Walked In. It’s one of my favorite books of all time.

    Two memoirs that deal with hard subjects/life events in a hopeful, uplifting and God focused way:

    Forgiving God-Hilary Yancey

    Everything Happens for a Reason (and other lies I’ve loved)-Kate Bowler

    On my to be read list:

    Send Down the Rain-Charles Martin-My favorite author. His novel from a few years ago, Water From My Heart is another all time favorite of mine.

    The Best Cook in the World; Tales from my Momma’s Table-Rick Bragg. I think Bragg is one of the finest writers of my generation. I always read his last page article in Southern Living first every month.

    I think you should write a post with your royal wedding predictions. Like what you think the dress will look like, what color will the queen be wearing? I predict an off the shoulder sheath dress for Megan. And the Queen in sage green.

  4. Shameless plug: My husband just self-published his first book set in 1920’s Miami. 316 by John Brock can be found on Amazon in Kindle or paperback, and other digital book platforms.

  5. I just finished Still Me by JoJo Moyes and it was a lovely continuation of Louisa Clark’s story.

  6. I just finished Tell Me More by Kelly Ciorigan. It’s not totally light reading, but I enjoyed it very much.

    I also recently finished Eleanor Olifant is Completely Fine. It was totally different than I expected!

    Looking forward to your list!

    • Elinor Oliphant is Completely Fine. If you can listen to the audio version it’s read by a British woman and adds to the setting. Loved loved this book!

  7. I look forward to see what everyone is reading. I’m always looking for good books to add to my reading list. Here are some of the books I recently read and enjoyed…

    1. True Feelings: God’s Gracious and Glorious Purpose for Our Emotions – Carolyn Mahaney and Nicole Whitacre
    2. Farewell Four Waters – Kate McCord – A great fiction book (based on true life events).
    3. When God Doesn’t Fix It – Laura Story – This book will make you laugh and cry. What a powerful story.
    4. Does Grace Grow Best in Winter? – Ligon Duncan – This really helps you put your own pain and suffering in perspective.

  8. The Art Forger by B.A. Shapiro—This was so good! Great mystery and I learned a lot of about painting

    Red Notice by Bill Browder–Red Notice: A True Story of High Finance, Murder, and One Man’s Fight for Justice– Enjoyed this!

    The Girl with Seven Names: A North Korean Defector’s Story
    by Hyeonseo Lee—This is a fascinating true story! The author has a TED talk as well and she is so brave!

  9. The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom. Not a new book, but I recently learned about it after someone in a Bible study quoted from it. I’m about halfway through it now. I love a WWII story too and especially those based on a true story – this one fits that mold. Very good so far and so many quotable nuggets that will stay with me.

    • I LOVED The Hiding Place! In fact, it may be the best Christian book I’ve ever read. Super inspiring.

  10. Thee are not new but I also love a memoir and just discovered them. Sisters First by the Bush twins…..which then led me to Barbara Bush’s memoir….which is partly set in WWII and I guess sge’s Like American royalty right?

  11. If you like books about the war and romance, I just finished “The Alice Network” and it was great. I’m assuming you’ve already read, “The Royal We,” but, if not, it’s very timely. I also recently read “The Rules of Magic,” long but really engrossing.

  12. Hi Melanie! If you like WW2 novels, you might enjoy The Alice Network. It’s about female spies in the war, and it’s great! It’s not too sad (but there are some sad parts), and it’s inspiring and interesting too! And there was a real “Alice Network”, which is kind of cool. Also, on the light side, I just finished “The Woman in the Window”. It is technically a thriller, but it honestly wasn’t scary at all. It’s a really good story, and it reads quickly! I couldn’t put it down- perfect for summer. Happy reading, and thank you for the recommendations! I’ll check into all of these. I definitely read more in the summer!

  13. So I just flew through two memoirs by Firoozeh Dumas. The first is Funny in Farsi and her second is Laughing Without an Accent. Seriously funny stories about her family’s transition from life in Iran to life in America.

  14. The Road Back To You by Ian Morgan Crohn (its about the Enneagram which is my passion. However it’s also just a good book)
    The Graves a Fine and Private Place by Alan Bradley (newest book in the Flavia De Luce series which I adore)
    Dear Fahrenheit 451 by Annie Spence
    Pilgrimage of a Soul by Phileena Heurtz

  15. Have you read The Couple Next Door? It is so good you can’t put it down…

    Also, I just finished listening to the most recent Podcast episode and – do you and Sophie follow Cameron from Southern Charm on Instagram? If not, you need to do so immediately!

  16. Thanks for the list.

    Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman is my favorite book of the past 12 months. And, word has it that Reese Witherspoon is making a movie based on the book. This is a book that stays with you for a long time after you have read it. I think you will like it.

  17. I just finished the last book in the “If I Run” series by Terri Blackstock and all three books were wonderful! The last one however, I could not put down. I also finished the first two books in the new series by Lauraine Snelling “Under Northern Skies”. The third doesn’t release until November and this has me sad! I began reading Lauraine Snelling in my early 20’s (I’m now in my 40’s) and fell in love with her Red River of the North series and each additional series that followed. I loved “Why I Hate Green Beans” but I think you have already read that one. I am currently reading “Leota’s Garden” by Francine Rivers. So far it’s pretty good. Another one that I read not too long ago was “She’s Still There” by Crystal Evans Hurst.

  18. I just read “Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine” by Gail Honeyman and could not put it down – written first person from quirky Eleanor and set in Scotland, it found me rooting for the incredibly awkward Eleanor as incapable as she is of normal social situations, especially in light of her tough past. More laughter than tears for sure.

  19. Just finished On Rue Tatin; couldn’t put it down which is a sign for me that the book is really good. That plus the less than capable utility line marker guy yanked my cable access out of the street box and left me without internet or tv for four days. It was like sensory deprivation.

  20. Before We Were Yours is my recent favorite. Set in Memphis, it’s a book about human trafficking in the 1930s-1940s. I grew up in Memphis and I had no idea this occurred. I could not put it down.
    Beneath a Scarlet Sky is my second favorite. It is set during WWII so you should live it. The different perspective from a young man in Italy will keep you engaged. Warning- it’s long and slow at times, but very good.

  21. I’m reading ‘Girl in Disguise’ by Greer McAlllister, which is a fictionalized account of the first woman agent in the Pinkerton Detective Agency, in Chicago during the 1850’s. It’s an easy read and definitely not a thriller. No royal family appearances though 🙂

    I’ve already read several of the books on MMD 2018 Summer Reading List. Queen of Hearts was fabulous, as was State of Nature by Jane Harper, although this one was a bit dark and creepy.

    Adrienne

  22. I am reading Necessary Lies right now by Diane Chamberlain and while it’s not set in WWII it is set in the 60s and has been really good so far. It has a little more meat/depth than a chick lit/beach read but its not heavy or a thriller. On my list for my summer/beach read is Kristen Watson Harvey– she has a series of books the first one called Slightly South of Simple. Dont know much about them but they sound like perfect summer reads!

  23. I just read “Party Girl” by Rachel Hollis. It’s her first novel from years ago and totally different from Girl, Wash Your Face. It’s a fun, light read and I found it especially interesting knowing it was based on her own experiences. It’s about a midwest girl who moves to LA to work for a high end party planning business. I enjoyed it and I’m moving on to the next two books in the series… Sweet Girl and Smart Girl.

    Also, totally different vibe, but I loved “My Lovely Wife In The Psych Ward” by Mark Lukach. It’s a fascinating read that I finished in a few days because I could not put it down! This memoir tells the story of Mark and his wife, Guilia, through the blissful days of their courtship and early marriage and the harrowing day when Guilia had a psychotic break and lost touch with reality, and then the bewildering days of coping with the aftermath. It is written by Mark from his perspective. I thought this book did such a great job of showing the complicated reality of their lives… the ups and downs of marriage and the roller coaster of dealing with a mental illness. This story is riveting, heartwarming, gritty, and hopeful.

  24. Have you read “A Man Called Ove” By: Fredrik Backman….Loved it! I laughed, I cried…such a great book!

    • This book is one of my favorites ever! I also love everything else he’s written.

  25. I just finished 2 books I thoroughly enjoyed . One is a memoir called Running on Red Dog Road by Drema Hall Berkheimer—I loved stories people remember when they were children, especially when the characters are real. The other is fiction, but also one to not put down: The War that Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubak. If you like stories about WWII, and especially ones that leave you with a warm heart and and uplifted spirit, try this.

  26. So glad you know of Modern Mrs. Darcy. I don’t always like her picks, but I have gotten a lot of great leads on other books. I love Mary Alice Monroe books. Hers are great for Summer. I love historical fiction and have recently read: Lilac Girls, A Bridge Across the Ocean. Which was written by Susan Meissner, who also wrote A Fall of Marigolds. All great books! A Man Called Ove, The Keeper of Lost Things and The One-in-a-Million Boy were all very good. Since you are a lover of all things British, there is a sweet series of books by Miss Read called Thrush Green Books. Those are light and fun. Kinda of like a British soap opera. Kristin Hannah books are great. Just started I’ll be Your Blue Sky by Marisa de los Santos and it is good so far. I’m also reading some classics that I missed as a child, like Anne of Green Gables series and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. I might have gotten carried away here, but I love to read and wanted to share. Enjoy!

  27. Secrets of a Charmed Life by Susan Meissner is set in occupied France and is wonderful. My favorite of hers is Fall of Marigolds. Another great read is Space between Words by Michele Phoenix.

    Can’t wait to add to my list from these suggestions!

  28. Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman – very quirky and enjoyable read

    The Alice Network by Kate Quinn – goes back and forth between WWI and WWII

  29. A great biography that isn’t elinor oliphant: ‘The Life of Alene Tew.’ Downton Abbey meets Scarlett O’Hara and true!

  30. I’m reading The Love Letter by Rachel Hauck; she writes dual-time stories, meaning that half the story is in the present day, and the other half of this one is in the late 1700s (historical novels usually aren’t my favorites, but I love her stories). The two heroines are usually connected in some way. I’m in that place where I can’t turn the pages fast enough, but I also don’t want it to end!! Last summer I read The Writing Desk, which I also could not recommend more. You can’t go wrong with any of her books.

  31. I was also going to suggest the Alice Network by Kate Quinn I loved it. Have you read any of Susan Elia MacNeal books they are wonderful books about a female spy -Maggie Hope- during the war. She works for Winston Churchill and in one of the books she protects the Royals from an international incident, they are a great read without too much stress and sadness. I also loved The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty.
    thanks for this post I have added many to my growing list of what to read.

  32. Melanie, since you like WWII stories, here are two that I LOVED. You may have already read them, but maybe some who read the comments have not. “The Storyteller” by Jody Piccoult, and “Nightingale” by Kristen Hannah. I had put them on reserve at the library and they came to me at the same time, so it was a short but deep dive into WWII, and I loved every minute.

    I JUST finished reading Kristen’s new book “The Great Alone,” and loved it, as well. It is set in the Alaskan Bush in the seventies and let me tell you, that woman can leave an intruiging story. I live in the wilds of Northwest Montana and can verify the authenticity of some of her details, right down to the insulated Carhartt coveralls that Large Marge wears.
    Enjoy!

  33. These two have been around a long time, but if you haven’t read them, they are two of my favorites with WWII love stories – The Shell Seekers and Coming Home by Rosamunde Pilcher.

  34. Love good book recommendations! I just finished “Educated” a memoir by Tara Westover. So good and thought provoking!! “The Great Alone” by Kristin Hannah and “Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine” were also good recent reads.

  35. I have managed to just read 3 excellent books in a row and so now I feel like an expert. Something Like Happy by Eva Woods is sad but also so funny and hopeful. The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah is a great page-turner. And I really enjoyed Still Me by JoJo Moyes (the third book in her Louisa Clark series – so much better than the second book in the series).

  36. America’s First Daughter by Stephanie Dray is excellent! Historical fiction – a sweeping saga about Thomas Jefferson’s oldest child. So her new one is on my list – My Hamilton about Eliza Schyler Hamilton. laurensparks.net

  37. I really enjoyed Liane Moriarty’s books. I’ve not read them all but the Husband’s Secret was my fav. Great beach read. I read it on a cruise and finished it in like 2 or 3 days. I’m in the middle of The Hypnotist’s Love Story now. What Alice Forgot was good too.

  38. I super loved Educated by Tara Westover. Jamie from the Popcast gave it a green light so I bought it and then was mad at myself for reading it so fast. It’s fairly dark and gritty, but it is her life story and she’s brave for sharing it. I finished it a month or so ago and still think about it!

  39. In the royalty genre…I love Rachel Hauck’s series! Fun, light reads that hit the royal theme perfectly.

  42. “Bread and Wine” by Shauna Niequist, “Standing in the Rainbow.” By Fannie Flagg, “Julie and Romeo” by Jeanne Ray, “The Alice Network” by Kate Quinn, “The Boys in the Boat” by Daniel James Brown. “Population 485” by Michael Perry. “The Identicals” by Elon Hildebrand. Most can be downloaded to your reader from the library. ?????

  43. If you love WW2, my absolute favorite ever was We Were the Lucky Ones – wow. A 5 star rating on Amazon with over 1000 reviews! And, please say you’ve read The Royal We? If you love Royal wedding, this is for you!!

  44. Educated by Tara Westbrook Stranger than fiction, gripping memoir….couldn’t put it down.

    Gentleman in Moscow by Omar Towles. Best book I read in 2017. Exquisitely written.

    We Were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter. Just started it but have also heard lots of good things about it. I, too, am a sucker for WWII historical fiction.

    Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann. Another stranger than fiction non-fiction. Totally different than what I typically read, but was completely drawn into the drama.

    Rare Leadership by Marcus Warner/Jim Wilder – Also non-fiction but one of the BEST books I’ve read on leadership. I underlined about 75% of it.

  45. Oh my goodness, I’ve got an amazing recommendation for you…! “Borrowed Courage” by Tova Sido is a memoir and she has just the most incredible, hopeful and life-giving story! You’d love it so much. It’s a super quick read and took me only three days to finish it, I could not put it down.

  46. Have you read the Mitford series? It’s older but so good! The first book was a little slow to get into but once I got to know the characters, I was hooked!

  47. Best new one I am currently reading and everyone is talking about is The Woman in the Window by AJ Finn

  48. Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate

    Historical fiction that made me want to find out more about the real stories behind it.

  49. I just finished Go Ask Ali by Ali Wentworth. It was a hysterical read with some good advice on the side. I’m in the middle of Everyone, Always by Bob Goff. It’s just as good as his first book. When I finish that one, I have The Worst Missionary by Jamie Wright on my nightstand.

  51. I love this post Melanie. I read you all the time but rarely comment. However, like you, I am a royal family junkie. No so much the Queen but the young families. I adore reading and seeing their pictures. My husband thinks I may have lost my mind but I plan to get up early Saturday and watch it live because I don’t know if or when it will be televised again.

    I love the hats, the dresses and gowns and all the pageantry. The food, maybe not so much but I will bake some scones Friday and we (if he gets out of bed 🙂 will have tea and crumpets while we watch. I am already planning an afternoon nap.

    Thanks for being a little nutty like me. Holly in Houston.

  52. Queen Victoria’s Matchmaking, by Deborah Cadbury. It’s non-fiction and not entirely an easy read. I’ve had to refer to the family tree several times. (There are a lot of Victorias, Alices, and Elizabeths.) But as an Anglophile, I do enjoy it.

  53. I just finished reading No One Ever Asked. (So very good- I laughed, I cried, and I didn’t want it to end).

  54. A Nantucket Wedding by Nancy Thayer is a great beach read and chic lit.
    Tailor Made: Discover the Secret to Who God Created You to Be by Alex Seeley is one of my favorites for this year. The Family Next Door by Sally Hepworth is really good too. I’m looking forard to Emily Giffin’s new book All We Ever Wanted that comes out June 26th.

  55. I have loved A Tangled Mercy, The Book Thief, and Hunted this year. I’m a few chapters in to Not That Kind of Mother (another green light or Insta-recommendation by Jamie B Golden) and it’s great! I’m reading A Tree Goes in Brooklyn and it’s great so far. Also want to read Educated: A Memoir. Can’t wait to hear what all you read!

  56. She Got Up Off The Couch by Haven Kimmel. It’s old (2005) but I just read it. A funny funny but impressive memoir. The author also wrote A Girl Named Zippy.

  57. I can always count on a post like this on your blog around this time of year. These are some of my favourites!
    I have no suggestions, because I’m in a reading slump, but it’s fun to make a mental note of all.the.things. And then proceed to read something completely different.

  58. I love everything Charles Martin as written! So good – light, easy but a little bit of mystery and love and comedy all mixed in. So good.

    The Walk by Richard Paul Evans is the first in a 5 boom series trailing a man’s crosscountry journey. Also really good!

    Spiritually, been challenged by Experiencing God, Master Plan of Evangelism, Insanity if God and Unstoppable Gospel!

  59. Your blog and podcast bring me so much laugh out loud joy! Never quit.

    A few recent fave books are A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams, the Two-Family House by Lynda Cohen Loigman and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Happy summer reading!

  60. Jamie Ivey recommended No One Ever Asked several weeks ago on her podcast. I could not put it down.

    • Thank you!! I’ve been trying to remember the name of the book Jamie recommended!!

      Also, I loved Lilac Girls, which is set in WWII about three women. An oldie that I just read last summer was A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. Amazing! Finally, Shanghai Girls is an interesting historical fiction novel that has a sequel as well!

  61. I love when you ask for book suggestions– I make a list of everyone’s suggestions and start requesting books from my local library! Now, if you could just do a post on quick, easy summer meals and ask for suggestions from your readers, I would be all set! (and maybe a post on how to keep my 5 kids entertained this summer!?!?!)
    My favorite books are Jennifer Chiaverini’s Elm Creek Quilt series. LOVE LOVE LOVE this series, I have read the entire series at least 3 times. She is an amazing author! (Definitely want to read these in order though!)

  62. I love anything by Kate Morton. The Secret Keeper was my favorite. Her books usually shift back and forth between modern day and earlier periods in the life of the main character (usually around 1940-1950). They are sometimes suspenseful, but rarely scary.

  63. Some of my favorites you might like are:

    A Man Called Ove – you will laugh, you will cry and you will fall in love with Ove!
    The Storied life of AJ Fickery – very sweet story of an introverted book store owner and his little girl. Delightfu!
    Sarah’s Key – a beautiful WWII novel
    The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society – this book is a WWII novel and is letters written to and from the German occupied island of Guernsey. You will love the characters!
    The Great Alone – Kristen Hannah’s newest. It is soooo good! You will love it!
    As Bright As Heaven – this is a WWI novel and is during the flu epidemic. It is very well written!

    Happy reading!!!

  64. These are older books but she has newer ones and you’ve probably already read something by her by now BUT, Beautiful Day and Here’s to Us are beach read PAGE TURNERS. Elin Hilderbrand. She also did Silver Girl but I haven’t read that yet. Currently on Summerland. BD is about a mom who knows she’s dying and won’t see her youngest daughter marry. So she writes a ‘book’ for her to follow-flowers to have, food to have, dress details, etc. It’s all the ins-and-outs and family drama surrounding a wedding. And SO GOOD. HTU is about a celebrity chef who dies and his 3 wives and kids-who all hate each other because he consistently left one for the next-must convene in the shared house on Nantucket for the will reading and final service. Much more drama and a little saucier than BD but still SO GOOD! I’ll leave you with an excerpt form BD that reeled me in.
    IMG_6543

  65. This summer I plan to read Saving Central Park by Elizabeth Barlow Rogers, a San Antonio native.

    “Betsy” is a fascinating, pioneering, conservation-driving woman who started a NYC restoration movement in the 70s and 80s that continues to this day. Her legacy of rescuing Central Park’s natural beauty and sense of peaceful refuge from decay should make Texans proud (as if we need more pride!). Several years ago, I had the exquisite opportunity to listen as she shared stories of the park’s recovery while she guided a few of us around the historic Belvedere Castle area. If her book is anything like being in her company, it should be captivating! Her love for Central Park and its creation, her burden after its fall, and the hope of and commitment to its restoration in many ways seems to point to another garden…a most beloved one whose grand creation, epic fall, and immutable promise of restoration come from its maker. I am looking forward to reading her memoir with that lens.

  66. The Queen of Hearts by Kimmery Martin
    I’m half way through the book & am LOVING it! It’s definitely a favorite read in a long time!

  67. I’m so behind on my blogs! But I wanted to comment on good reads. The problem is most of them may be your recommendations. I have two daily devotionals going right now, your Everyday Holy which is fantastic and Devotions for the Hungry Heart by Shellie Rushing Tomlinson which is also a great one. Then I’m reading The Transformed Wife by Lori Alexander and The Seasons of My Mother by Marcia Gay Hardin, the actress. It’s about her Mother’s journey through Alzheimer’s. My recent reads are
    1. The Vines of Yarrabee by Dorothy Eden. A romance set in Australia in the 1800’s. It was one I read as a teenager and I’m in my 60’s. It is an all time fav that I reread occasionally. I managed to find it on Kindle and was delighted because I had lost my copy of it.
    2. The Two Family House by Lynda Cohen Longman. About a crazy secret that effects two families for a lifetime.
    3. Resolute by Nancy E. Turner. She is my all time favorite romance author. I chose this book because she wrote my all time fav book These is My Words. I can’t recommend it enough. It is written in journal form and a great romance. I have probably re-read it at least 5 times and plan to do so again this summer. After reading it the first time I sent copies to my Mom and daughter, it’s that good!
    4. The Rock, the Road and the Rabbi by Kathie Lee Gifford. If you are a fan of hers, you will love this book. It is about a trip she took to the Holy Land.
    5. The Memory of Music by Kathryn Scott Jones. A Mom and her son running from an abusive step brother with a knight in shining armor to the rescue.
    6. I also recently re-read The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck. It’s a classic. Nuff said.
    I could go on but I need to look up your recommendations on Kindle and save to my reading list. Happy reading!

  68. I’ve recently enjoyed America’s First Daughter, The Great Alone, An American Marriage, The Weight of Ink, A Gentleman in Moscow, and A Fall of Marigolds.

  69. “Everything Happens for a Reason’ and Other Lies I’ve Loved” Kate Bowler