A few weeks ago, an adorable four-year-old I know and love asked me a very weighted question: “Are you a grown-up or a kid?” While my vanity was flattered (that night cream is working?!), I had no idea how to answer him. I mean, of course I’m an adult—otherwise I’d so still be getting … More How to Be a Grown-Up: Emma and Nicola Have Done It Again!
I love ice cream. Cones, sundaes, soft serve, Fribbles—I can’t get enough. In the summers, it’s not out of the question for me to go night after night to my favorite local dairy, and I tell myself it’s because I have this face looking at me, begging for a special treat—and really, it would be … More The Ice Cream Queen of Orchard Street: Sinfully Delicious
Civil War history, an engrossing contemporary story, dogs (!!!) and an adorable kid, all at the hands of the delightful Sarah McCoy. How could anyone not flat out love The Mapmaker’s Children? The Mapmaker’s Children ties together two equally compelling narratives to make one beautiful novel. In the mid-19th century, Sarah Brown, daughter of abolitionist … More The Mapmaker’s Children by Sarah McCoy: You’ll Love It (And So Will Your Dog)
To me, the very best historical fiction succeeds in doing three things: It makes me learn, it makes me think, and it makes me feel. The House of Hawthorne, the newest release by Erika Robuck, not only hits these points, it gets the most golden gold star all over. The House of Hawthorne follows the … More The House of Hawthorne—and Why I Adore Erika Robuck
When it comes to Claire Cook’s books, I have this tendency to shut out the rest of the world from the minute I start page one, and I’m pretty much unable to do anything but read, read, read until I finish the last word. The voice, the characters and the plot are so engaging that … More Must Love Dogs: Bark and Roll Forever — A Summer Must-Read
A sure sign of a great book is when I have a hard time remembering that the characters are fictional, when I find myself thinking about them and wondering about their well-being, long after I’ve finished the final chapter. Robin Antalek’s The Grown Ups is just that kind of book. The Grown Ups spans more … More Robin Antalek’s “The Grown Ups” (and why grown ups of all ages must read it)
Something happened to me last week. I fell madly, madly in love—the kind of love that you can’t stop thinking about, can’t stop talking about, and seriously can’t get enough of. The object of my affection? The Precious One, the new novel by bestselling author Marisa de los Santos. The Precious One tells the story … More The Precious One – One You Can’t Miss
Sometimes I can be really late to the party. That’s the only excuse I have for not reading any of JoJo Moyes’ books until now. Thankfully, I’ve rectified that with The Girl You Left Behind, and you can guarantee that I’ll be making up for lost time by reading everything else she’s ever written. The … More The Girl You Left Behind (And Why I’ve Got a Lot of Reading to Do)
When I picked up Beth Kendrick’s New Uses for Old Boyfriends, I was hoping for something fun, entertaining and heartfelt. What I found was exactly that, and so much more. New Uses for Old Boyfriends introduces us to Lila Alders, homecoming queen-turned-home shopping host-turned broke divorcee. (That last part wasn’t exactly part of her plan.) … More New Uses for Old Boyfriends: A True Delight
As a reader, there’s nothing I love more than finding a set of characters I absolutely adore and learning that I don’t have to say goodbye to them thanks to a sequel. With the release of Must Love Dogs: Fetch You Later, Claire Cook has gone the extra mile, giving us a third installment featuring the … More Must Love Dogs: Fetch You Later
Book Perfume 