I read some great books the past couple of months, including one of the top 5 books I’ve read this year. There were also two books I started, but couldn’t finish. Balance, right?
Fall Reading List
ONE // Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston is the story of the First Son of the United States and Prince of Wales. Initially bitter enemies, they fall in love and weather a scandal. It’s a steamy love story that was one of my favorite books of the year. This article explains how Red, White and Royal Blue went viral this year.
Rating: A
TWO // That’s What Frenemies Are For by Sophie Littlefield and Lauren Gershell follows an Upper West Side stay at home mom and her pet project, spin instructor Tatum. I read the first 50 pages and gave up. Life’s too short to read books you aren’t into!
Rating: DNF
THREE // Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb is the story of a therapist going through an abrupt breakup. She weaves her own stories as a therapist with her experience in therapy. So many of the people I follow have read and loved it, but I couldn’t get into it before it had to go back to the library. I may give it another shot early in the new year.
Rating: DNF
FOUR // When We Left Cuba by Chanel Cleeton is the second in a series about a trio of sisters that left Cuba with their parents for Miami in the 1960’s. This book follows Beatriz as she risks her life for the country she loves.
Rating: B+
FIVE // American Royals by Katherine McGree reimagines life in American if instead of president, George Washington became king. The first book in a series follows Princesses Beatrice and Sam, along with their brother Jefferson, as the future faces of the monarchy. Beatrice is pressured to find a partner suitable to be king one day while falling in love with a commoner. American Royals is a fun reimagining of history.
Rating: A
SIX // Once More We Saw Stars by Jayson Greene is one father’s memoir of his daughter’s tragic death and journey through the next year. He took this nightmare and wrote about it with love and honesty. It’s a beautiful story that left me in tears and laughter.
Rating: A+
SEVEN // Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert follows Chloe as she decides to “get a life” after a near death experience. She balances life with an autoimmune disorder with her desire to live life more on the edge. On the way, she falls in love. It’s a very cute love story with a few non traditional elements.
Rating: B+
EIGHT // Twice in a Blue Moon by Christina Lauren follows Tate and Sam when they meet in London as teenagers through Sam’s betrayal. Fast forward 14 years when Tate is a movie star and they reconnect. While it doesn’t top Love and Other Words as my favorite Christina Lauren novel, I did love it.
Rating: A-
NINE // Save Me the Plums by Ruth Reichl is a memoir about Ruth’s career as editor in chief of Gourmet magazine. I am not a foodie, but the way Ruth describes food made me want to be one. She makes food come alive.
Rating: A
I’m currently reading The Hating Game and am going to start 2020 off with Know My Name, which is on many best of 2019 lists. You can find all of my reading lists here.
I loved “Maybe You Should Talk to Someone” but that’s probably because I am a therapist and could relate to so much she was writing about! Save Me The Plums is next on my list, because I love eating, cooking, writing and reading about food. You get a lot of reading done– it’s impressive!