I’ve been reading a lot lately. All I want to do is crawl into my cozy flannel sheet adorned bed and read. It’s really a shame I have to get up and parent, as there are so many books I would like to read. I read seven books this month, many of which I’m going to insist that you read.
What You Wish For by Katherine Center. I’ve yet to read a Katherine Center book that doesn’t bring me joy. In this book a teacher is surprised to find her huge crush from her prior school is the new principal at her school. He has changed completely, yet she still finds herself fumbling around him. Somehow they find a way to work together to improve the school. I really enjoyed this book. I give it three out of five stars.
Head Over Heels by Hannah Orenstein. In this novel a former elite gymnast finds a new purpose as a coach. Also she finds love. And friendship. I didn’t love the writing in this one, but if you really love gymnastics and romance novels this is probably a book you would enjoy. I give this book two out of five stars.
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett. Why yes, sometimes I do read real books. This book is about identical twins. One twin crosses over to live as a white woman, forming a life filled with lies. The other sister lives in their home town. Eventually their daughters meet and try to forge a relationship. This book was incredibly well written. I devoured this book – I could not put it down. You really should read this book. I give it four out of five stars.
Carry On by Rainbow Rowell. OK, so you know how sometimes people recommend books and you really question them on the recommendation because do you really seem like someone who is interested in a book about teenage witches at a boarding school and maybe one of them is a vampire and also there is romance and what the hell it is a pandemic so you read it and then suddenly you know why fan fiction exists? No? That’s just me? Huh. Well let me change that. You really need to read Carry On by Rainbow Rowell. I know that is is young adult. I know that it is about teen magicians. I don’t care. I finished this book immediately looked for fandom inspired yarns. There aren’t any, so I think Alissa or Liz need to read this and then dye the yarn because they are really good at dying yarn. This book is so much fun. It is like Twilight meets Harry Potter, but the vampires don’t sparkle or pass moral judgement. Please read this book and then talk to me about it. I give this book five out of five stars.
This Time Next Year by Sophie Cousens. After the emotional high of Carry On (have you requested it from your library yet??) I needed a predictable book. I picked up this enjoyable tale of two people who share the same birthday. One appears to have a charmed life. The other appears to have a cursed life. They keep bumping in to each other and strike up a friendship….or is it more? I give this book three out of five stars.
Wayward Son by Rainbow Rowell. You guys! Baz and Simon are back, and this time they are on a road trip across the US. They stop in Des Moines! They go to a Renaissance Fair in Omaha, where they find real vampires! This book has it all. Action! Friendship! Twists! Turns! I don’t wait until July for the third book to come out. I’ve seriously considered e mailing Rainbow Rowell to share my feelings on how this series should end. Don’t mock me. It is that good. I give this book four out of five stars.
Christmas at Rosie Hopkins’ Sweet Shop by Jenny Colgan. After Thanksgiving it is time to break out the Christmas novels. I really like Jenny Colgan’s book. I enjoy her characters. I greatly enjoyed the first Rosie Hopkins book. This book lost me. If you believe a successful relationship is built on constant confusion due to no communication I have a hard time believing that the relationship will last. I give this book two out of five stars.
What have you been reading lately? Do you have any Christmas novels to recommend? Will you text me when you finish Carry On so we can talk about it? Please?
mildlygranola 
I haven’t been reading much of anything but I have been tucking myself between flannel sheets at night. They are the best! I did add the audiobook version of Carry On to my phone. I love your glowing review. Is there a higher compliment to a book than it needs a yarn to go with it?
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I really hope you like the book. Flannel sheets make winter so much better.
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I wish I could spend the day in bed. The only time I was able to was when I recovered from oral surgery. Have you tried fleece sheets? My brother and SIL got us a set a couple of Christmases ago; they are so warm and cozy, more so than flannel.
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I usually sleep pretty warm, so having a breathable natural fabric in my sheets is important. They do sound cozy though!
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You sold me – downloading Carry On tonight!
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I really hope you like it.
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Forgot to mention – I have been reading the Vampire Knitting Club books in which the main character is a witch, and when I ran out of those, found out the author is also writing a series featuring a thinly disguised BGGO but with witches in it, and also another book with witches, Vampire Book Club. They are bonkers, but I am addicted!
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I’m going to check them out after I finish my Christmas books!
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I downloaded Carry On immediately! I will start it after work today!
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I really hope you like it!
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Ok you’ve convinced me! Just borrowed Carry on from Libby, and as soon as I finish the second Percy Jackson I’ll start it!
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I really hope you like it.
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WHAT? A Jenny Colgan that wasn’t as good? Alas, I will make note of that one. I’m adding the Rainbow books to my list as well as the gymnast one and the Sophie Cousens one. They all sound good. Now I just need motivation to read! Our book group read An Enchanted April this month and BAH. I didn’t even get past chapter three. I must need something new and fun to read.
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To be fair, I am not mad at Jenny Colgan for the behavior in the book. I’m mad at Rosie. Sure, she is a character from Colgan’s imagination, but she just mad such bad choices. I’m still going to read it again. Please read Carry On. I love it so much. The gymnast and Sophie Cousens are super fast reads, so you could get through a book in two or three days.
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Lately I’ve been reading an awful lot of physics and quantum physics books and haven’t read a novel in ages so I bought one on Amazon and just love it. It’s set in Scotland and is called The House between the Tides. Little bit historical, little bit mystery, by Sarah Maine.
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Just finished The Vanishing Half for my book club. I thought it was a fascinating idea for a book, not like anything I’d read before.
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I had the same reaction.
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