Hello, dear friends. It is a cold, slushy, ugly day here on the South Shore of Massachusetts. The Mister and I just finished a bowl of his Weight Watcher Turkey Chili and it hit the spot.
Did everyone remember to change their clocks? Thank goodness for Alexa - she's right on top of things at our household.
I have a feeling that you can figure out what today's post is about.
Spoiler alert: I've always had a thing for lighthouses. Throw in interesting storylines and likable, strong women characters and that is the perfect recipe for a fabulous read.
This is my pick for next month's Book Club that I'm hosting.
This is the first book that I have read by Jane Healey and it won't be my last. The story centers around three women who volunteer as Clubmobile Girls, a division of the Red Cross. I enjoyed each woman's story as well as the strong friendships and romantic storylines.
I just started reading this one.
I've been waiting for it to be released.
It takes place at the Hotel Coronado.
I'm a big fan of Di Maio's writing.
I'm almost halfway through with listening to this one. Marius Gabriel is one of my favorite authors.
Bookstagrammers have gone gaga over this novel. It takes place in Ireland in a bar in a grand hotel. There you find an eighty-four-year-old gentleman who reminisces about his life and makes five toasts to the people who meant the most to him.
Years ago, I read Lolly Winston's first novel, Good Grief, which I loved. I have high hopes for this novel which centers around a recent widower who takes a new job as a pianist at Nordstrom.
I have found from personal experience that whenever the word "perfect" is used in the title describing someone, they never are.
This is a historical novel if you haven't guessed from the cover. It follows a young couple that has been separated due to circumstances leading up to WWII.
I think that Peter Swanson is one of the best writers of thrillers around today. This chilling novel tells the story of a woman with past psychological problems who thinks that her neighbor is out to murder her.
I'm saving this one for my walk.
This historical novel gives a fictionalized view of Consuelo Vanderbilt's life. She also happens to be an ancient ancestor of Anderson Cooper's.
If you are looking for something light, this is a romantic story of a confirmed bachelor and an irresistible woman.
It sounds like the Mister and me.
At least the irresistible woman part.
A well-respected, handsome therapist is murdered. Three vulnerable women who are his patients are suspects. Sounds like another perfect listen for my walks.
This is a story of a family where the inheritance at stake is a recipe.
My girls loved her first book.
There's a good chance they will find a copy of this one in their Easter baskets.
March 31st will be a busy night in Emptynesterville.
All three of these shows premiere that night.
I can't help but smile while I watch this heartwarming show.
This one looks like a show that both the Mister and I will both enjoy.
Trailer
I love this show so much.
I'm so sad that it will be their final season.
Trailer
I hope that this one comes to a theater near me.
Trailer
I'm sure the Mister will definitely want to see this one.
Trailer
This one looks great, too.
*****
Over the weekend, I stopped into my favorite neighborhood bookstore and purchased these books for a giveaway.
If you are unfamiliar with any of them, you can read about them here:
The Victory Garden
The Beantown Girls
The Lost Girls of Paris
The Huntress
To enter, all you have to do is leave a comment with the name of the best book that you have read in the past couple of years. I will put your name into a hat and Chowdah will draw the lucky winner. It will be announced on Friday.
Until next time...
Linking up with:
Dishing It & Digging It
Amaze Me Monday
Metamorphosis Monday
Mix It Up Monday
Inspiration Monday
MMM Block Party
Over The Moon
Hello Monday
Inspire Me Monday
I love this show so much.
I'm so sad that it will be their final season.
I hope that this one comes to a theater near me.
I'm sure the Mister will definitely want to see this one.
This one looks great, too.
*****
Over the weekend, I stopped into my favorite neighborhood bookstore and purchased these books for a giveaway.
If you are unfamiliar with any of them, you can read about them here:
The Victory Garden
The Beantown Girls
The Lost Girls of Paris
The Huntress
To enter, all you have to do is leave a comment with the name of the best book that you have read in the past couple of years. I will put your name into a hat and Chowdah will draw the lucky winner. It will be announced on Friday.
Until next time...
fishbowl inventory
Linking up with:
Dishing It & Digging It
Amaze Me Monday
Metamorphosis Monday
Mix It Up Monday
Inspiration Monday
MMM Block Party
Over The Moon
Hello Monday
Inspire Me Monday
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I just finished Delia Owens's Where The Crawdad Sing and really enjoyed it. Otherwise, it is hard to remember as since they quit writing down our card number in the library, I often wonder if I have already read the book or not.
ReplyDeleteHello my friend! I'm looking forward to NRRBC next month. Love your recommendations.
ReplyDeleteI’ve been raving about The Nightingale by Kristen Hannah! But that’s just my favorite book this Winter! Thrilled to find a blog with some new great reads! My to-read list is long but never too long! -Stephanie @vintageandprep
ReplyDeleteI gave up on The Victory Garden at page 125. It just wasn't for me. I am knee deep in The Huntress and finding it fabulous. I have courting Mr. Emerson up next to read.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait for Call the Midwife and Mrs. Wilson either. We watched a couple of good Netflix DVDs this weekend-Finding your Feet and Can You Ever Forgive Me?
I love your books, TV and movie posts
I just finished The Last Romantics and loved it.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed More Than Words.
ReplyDeleteThe Mitford series by Jan Karon. I want to live in Mitford.
ReplyDeleteHello Katie,
ReplyDeleteI love your list of books to read. The first book looks really interesting and I too love lighthouses. The book club book you have selected looks great. I will add these books to my reading list. I just finished reading the book The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt and I really loved reading this book. Thanks for the chance to win you giveaway.
Hope you have a great week.
Julie xo
I loved reading The Tatooist of Auschwitz. I really enjoy historical fiction and memoirs. These four books look like great reads!
ReplyDeleteWhat interesting reads.
ReplyDeleteI always have a book by my bedside.
One of the books that really held me was The Gown by Jennifer Robson
Joe and I both love the Midwives! Such a good show! I always enjoy your reviews and thanks for the links!! The best book I've read in a while is one I just finished a couple of weeks ago. Sweet Tea Tuesdays by Ashley Farley. It has over 9,000 ratings on Good Reads.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I read all sorts of books (thanks to my bookclub), my favorites are the feel good ones. I loved A Man Called Ove.
ReplyDeleteThe best book I've read in a while is The Chilbury Ladies Choir by Jennifer Ryan. I think it is one you'd like too, Katie.
ReplyDeleteBest book i’ve Read.... The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell. Everyone who attended Catholic school should read.
ReplyDeleteI just read Sometimes I Lie by Alice Feeney. It was a really great thriller.
ReplyDeleteMy husband gave me the book “Secrets of the Bastide” for Christmas. I fell in love with it and had to go back and read the whole series. Felt like I was apart of Marine’s world for a couple of months. Such a nice escape every night to read by the fire. I love reading your recommendations - on to find a new book. I have been wanting to read Beantown - I am visiting Boston now and helping my son out with the two grand babies as his wife is away on business. Reading will have to wait til I get back to Atlanta.
ReplyDeleteJust finished Somerset by Leila Meacham. A good book!
ReplyDeleteHi Katie! I need to catch up but for now will say recent favorites from the past couple of years are-The Great Alone, Little Fires Everywhere, and anything by Fredrik Backman. My daughters have a friend with a book coming out next month. Beyond The Point by Claire Gibson. Getting lots of wonderful buzz! In fact Kate Quinn left a great review on it. I’m looking forward to reading it. Hope you’re doing well. Wedding here in 40-something days so enjoying this time with my daughter.
ReplyDeleteWomen In Sunlight by Frances Mayes. Author of Under the Tuscan Sun. Best book about friendship and women, in later life!
ReplyDeleteProlly end up as movie. Loved it!
I was enthralled by The Tattooist of Auschwitz!.
ReplyDeleteAlso loved The Alice Network!
I’m also a big Call the Midwife fan. Can’t wait! So hard to pick a best book to read from recent years. The first that comes to mind is Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman. Next is Educated by Tara Westover. I usually read fiction but this is a completely amazing memoir. Next the Chief Inspector Gamache series by Louise Penny. All fourteen of them. Britt-Marie Was Here by Fredrick Blackman, Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan novels, An American Marriage by Tayari Jones. So many books, so little time! Thanks for adding to my TBR list!
ReplyDeleteI'm enjoying all of Patricia Sands novels! =)
ReplyDeleteCalm Your Anxious Heart by Linda Dillow was excellent but I love the Alice Network too!
ReplyDeleteI loved The Paris Wife,but close tie is Outlander series(love the show too!)
ReplyDeleteCan't wait for Call the Midwife and Mrs Wilson either!
I am always impressed by how much you read and watch Katie, I've got to reorganize my time better! I recently enjoyed "While We Were Watching Downton Abbey" by Wendy Wax and "The President is Missing" by James Patterson. I loved your comment about Perfect, ha ha!
ReplyDeleteJenna
The past couple of years? I think "Broken for You" or maybe "People of the Book" would be two I'd put up there. I loved "Pachinko" and "The Japanese Lover," too.
ReplyDeleteYou have QUITE the list. Don't know all the books but I do know we'll be spending our Sunday nights much the same -- or at least watching the same shows whenever we catch them!
The Gown is going to be in my top ten of this year, I just loved it. I also really enjoyed Watching You and The Lost Man. Hoping to start Veep this summer!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad Call the Midwife is coming back for a few more seasons. It's a show I enjoy, just for ME. My favorite book over the past few years has been The Great Alone. Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI am a late comer to the Mitford Series books by Jan Karon, but they are my most favorite books ever.
ReplyDeleteAll just great Katie...I too, look forward to Gloria Bell....oh yes indeed!
ReplyDeleteThe Unknown above is me! Daylight Savings time and my brain do not go together.
ReplyDeleteMary L
America's First Daughter by Stephanie Dray. Visiting you from the hello Monday link up. laurensparks.net
ReplyDeleteSo many good book recommendations from you and you followers. The Informer looks good, too! Have a good week.
ReplyDeleteLoved The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell and now reading Delia Owens's Where The Crawdad Sing and can hardly put it down. I really enjoy all your book and TV recommendations. My husband and I LOVED A Place to Call Home. So sorry it's all over now.
ReplyDeleteI'm having a hard time choosing my favorite but it's between The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell, Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and Where the Crawdad's Sing. Reese's book club is the best!
ReplyDeleteA giveaway! Nicely done, Sis. I'm tossing in my all time fave: Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer, the non-fiction account of a disastrous Everest season. It had everything - suspense, truth, drama, romance - and was so well written that I felt I was there. I'd have slapped on the oxygen mask if one was on hand. Mind you, I do wish it was fiction. What an unfortunate story.
ReplyDeleteAnd as an aside - how I wish I could share a cake or two with the wonderful Sister Monica Joan ...
I'm still reading my favorite book (I hope that counts)! I love James Mitchener's Hawaii. I have been to Hawaii on vacation many times and I love learning more about the history. It's a 1200 page commitment so I'm still working through it. I love historical fiction & wish information was provided on what was true and what was dramatic license.
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed your blog for years but have never left a comment..so here goes. I have just finished the 8th book in Nicce French's Frieda Klein Mystery Series, called Day of the Dead...have really enjoyed the entire series..I would love to win a book..
ReplyDeleteKatie, this is a hard question because I love reading and I love so many of the books that I have read over the past two years. I discovered Ronald H Balson’s books a couple of years ago and I have read all that he has written. His first one, “Once We Were Brothers” hooked me and I couldn’t put it down.
ReplyDeleteHi Katie,
ReplyDeleteI love your books and TV reviews. I think we share the same taste in all categories. Oh yea! a giveaway...how fun! I have read plenty good books lately but the one popping in my mine right now is Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman.
Its been more than a couple of years but I always think of She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb when thinking of my favorite books.
Katie,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the list of books...there are several I haven’t read! A book I enjoyed recently was Secret Daughter by Gowda...There are some other books by that name so pay attention to the author. 😊
I can NEVER remember the names of books I have READ!What do you think that means?I did pick up Michele O.'s book at COSTCO this weekend!Plus, they had all YOUR GIVE AWAY BOOKS THERE TOO!!!!!I thought of YOU cause I was trying to recall if you had READ THESE which the covers looked SUPER FAMILIAR!
ReplyDeleteLast Book I read was about POTS........Book I'm reading NOW is on POTS!NO One wants to read these books so its good I do not recall NAMES!
EASTER BASKETS...........when is EASTER this year?Hope it's LATE!
XX
The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd was one of my book clubs' picks a couple of years ago and I loved it. It has really stayed with me too...always the sign of a great book in my opinion. Always love your suggestions.
ReplyDeleteI have read so many books over the last few years that it is hard to pick just one but any new novel by: Kate Atkinson, Tana French, John Le Carre and Ann Tyler will be on my beside table shortly after it is published. Reading The Witch Elm right now. Love your blog, it really helped me through a rough patch a few years ago - I slowly read all the posts and they took me away to happier place and by the time I finished reading my life was back on track, so thank you for that. Could not believe that I missed you Labor Day weekend 2017 - we were on Martha's Vineyard and I saw you were too!
ReplyDeleteMary Higgins Clark I've Got My Eyes On You!
ReplyDelete"Listening Valley" by D.E. Stevenson
ReplyDeleteMarilyn
You have my reading interests sincerely peaked and several titles just went in my cart! So excited. Keep these reviews coming sweet lady! xo
ReplyDeleteWithout a doubt All the Light You Cannot See, wonderful book. I also enjoyed the 3 book series about the show The Midwives. Very good reads, especially the first.
ReplyDeleteSo hard to choose! Where the Crawdads Sing and The Nightingale are the first two that come to mind. I also really enjoyed Educated. My all time favorites are Adriana Trigiani’s Big Stone Gap series and Lucia, Lucia. Highly recommend those if you haven’t read them already.
ReplyDeleteAll the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr is one of my favorites!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to say an old one I just read again. Every February I try to read The Bridges of Madison County. I read it in one night in February of 1995 (a single 45-year-old mom) and cried for hours and decided I was through with jerks and wanted a Robert Kincaid. Next month, on a 10-day business trip, I ran into a guy who had been a good friend before he took a job out of state. We've been together for 24 years, and he's bought me 4 copies of that book! They're all on the bookshelf together.
ReplyDeleteThe movie is terrible in my opinion, but if you haven't read the book you're missing a great love story.
I enjoyed Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and Where the Crawdad's Sing. I just finished Sold on a Monday and The German Midwife this weekend. Now onto The Tattoo Artist of Aushwitz.
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ReplyDeleteI loved reading "America's First Daughter" by Stephanie Dray. It made a great read on our train trip from Chicago to Seattle. I would recommend this book for the person who enjoys American history.
ReplyDeleteI've read so many good books in the past year or so, but I would have to say the best was Beneath a Scarlett Sky with The Great Alone coming in at a close second.
ReplyDeleteThe most recent of my favorite books I read is the Tattoo Artist of Aushwitz. I love all your recommendations and am excited to read Beantown Girls.
ReplyDeleteI am smitten with lighthouses too, having visited over 30 of them in the USA. I just finished Voracious (a hungry reader cooks her way through great books) and enjoyed it.
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ReplyDeleteI actually forgot to change my clocks! I woke up on Sunday morning, my phone auto-adjusted for the time change and that's when I realized I forgot the clocks. Love these book recommendations! I need to add more personal, fun reading to my lists.
ReplyDeleteWhere the Crawdads Sing.
ReplyDeleteA Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. It was great and kept my attention all the way to the end! Happy Reading!
ReplyDeleteI loved the Mitford series by Jan Karon.
ReplyDeleteThe best book I have read is one that I never tire of reading, EVER! Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Thank you for publishing your list of new books to read. You have made some excellent recommendations.
I read The Gold Finch, a while back, and am still thinking about it. Also, A Gentlemen in Moscow was spectacular!
ReplyDeletePerfect timing- I was just looking for recommendations! Happy to hear Call the Midwife is back on soon. My favorite book is the Red Tent. I have reread it a few times. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the fantastic book list! My mom and I share books, and I now have some new ones to send her! We both love historical fiction, and our current fave is anything by Diney Costeloe I love your blog!
ReplyDeleteI have so enjoyed reading all the book recommendations and have added several to my "Need to Read" list. What a coincidence I had checked our local library for both Beantown Girls and The Beautiful Strangers but they have not acquired them yet. I just started reading a series of by Dawn Lee McKenna that are set in the quaint beach town of Apalachicola.
ReplyDeleteSuch great suggestions - pinning this for later! My favorite book lately was Britt-Marie was here by Fredrik Backman. I love his character development and Britt-Marie was one of my favorite characters ever.
ReplyDelete