Winter seems to be a season for cozying up with a good book and with the cold temps, I’ve had plenty of good reasons to curl up and read. I hope you’re finding some titles that warm you up even if it’s freezing outside.
If you’re new here, here’s a bit about my monthly reading post…it can be totally overwhelming to pick a new book, and when reading time is limited I want to make sure that my choices are going to be well worth it. About once a month, I share my reading list in the hopes that it makes your reading list a bit easier to navigate and, more importantly, helps you discover books you really love. After all, life is too short to read books you don’t enjoy!
I’m linking up with Modern Mrs. Darcy to share my reading list this month.
On My Nightstand This Month
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Maisie Dobbs Series (Books #1-4) by Jacqueline Winspear
I mentioned this book series in my Best Books of 2018 post but have read more of the series and wanted to include it again in case you missed it. Set in 1930s London, Maisie is an private investigator, forging a new role as a woman in a changing world. This is another character-driven mystery series perfect for fans of Louise Penny’s Inspector Gamache series and I love learning more about the impact the Great War had on an entire generation.
The Crims by Kate Davies
I can’t remember how I came across this YA title but I’m so glad I did. Imogine Crim has tried her best to earn the place of queen bee at her private boarding school but all of that comes crashing down when her true identify as a member of the notorious crime family comes to light. The Crims are indeed well-known but it’s usually as incompetent criminals and not masterminds. However when a valuable lunchbox goes missing, Imgone must decide whether she’ll return to a life of crime and help her family or walk away from the only life she’s ever known. Silly and heartwarming and delightfully witty, this series is a fun read or family read aloud (best for ages 8+).
Seven Days of Us by Francesca Hornak
Someone recommending this as a Christmas read and I loved it for one of my holiday break titles but you certainly could check it out any time. When an aid worker returns to the UK after treating a lethal virus in Africa, her family is ordered to spend 7 days in quarantine at the their aging country house during Christmas. Trapped together, secrets and brewing quarrels provide lots of interesting family drama. I’m a sucker for a good British family drama and this one didn’t disappoint.
Pride by Ibi Zobo
This modern retelling of Pride and Prejudice takes a classic story and imagines as a story of urban gentrification, immigrant communities, and modern day teenagers. I love me a good Austen retelling and while this one wasn’t at the top of my list (see Eligible) it still was a great read with Zuri Benitez (aka Elizabeth Bennett)’s character full of heroine spunk and an interesting setting that left me rethinking lots of social issues that were addressed in the book, even if it was a little preachy at times.
From the Corner of the Oval by Beck Dorey-Stein
Perhaps as a coping mechanism, I’ve found myself drawn to political themes lately, both in fiction and non-fiction, so when this book popped up on my radar, I was excited to dive into another look behind the scenes of the Obama administration. A deep policy analysis, this is not, but Beck Dorey-Stein’s dishy memoir as the white house stenographer for five years was still a fascinating read about the intricacies of the huge staff that supports the President every day. This is much more a coming of age story (complete with plenty of relationship drama) set in the White House than a historic recounting of a Presidency but I still loved it. If you’re a political junky, and a fan of Alyssa Mastromonaco’s book, this is for you.
Kingdom of the Blind by Louise Penny
I’ve already sung the praises of the Inspector Gamache series many times. This latest installment is no exception. Good intrigue, delightful characters, and the cozy setting of a small town in Quebec. Winter’s the perfect time to pick up this beloved series and dig in. Full disclosure: the first four books are good but a little slow but once you hit book five they’re unputdownable!
Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren
Josh is orderly, rational, and calm. Hazel is zany, wild, and flighty. So when Hazel proposes they be best friends, Josh is less than thrilled but as with most things, Hazel wins him over and they settle into a friendship that neither of them expects. Of course, like any good rom-com, things get a little bit complicated. This is a 100% chick flick kind of read and it’s exactly what I want every once and awhile. Heads up, this writing duo is known for their racier romance novels so there’s a little bit of that thrown into this book as well. Best to avoid if that’s not your thing.
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What was your favorite read this month? Have you read any of these books before? I’d love to hear what’s on your nightstand so leave a comment below!
PS. As always, you can find all my book recommendations here.
I always enjoy reading about what you are reading. You are the serving person that I’ve heard say that this latest P&P retelling is not a favorite. I guess I want rank that one too high on my TBR list. Thanks again for sharing your recent reads!
Thanks, April! If you’re a Pride and Prejudice fan, I think it’s still worth reading but overall the depth of the characters wasn’t quite as compelling for me (maybe I’m just getting old and can’t relate to teenage angst like I used to!).
Ugh! Autocorrect!
That should say SECOND person not SERVING person.
And, it should say I WON’T rank not WANT rank.