a year for the books

Howdy!! Today, let’s talk books.

In 2011, I re-discovered reading and fell in love with it. Most of this was due to Goodreads and finding book suggestions from people on the site. Since everyone has asked me for book recommendations this year and which books I’ve been reading – I have posted the books I’ve read here on the blog.

I finished the year reading 42 books. I covered books 1-15 here and 16-24 here. Today it’s time to cover books 25-42.

These are just a quick blurb with my thoughts on the book and whether or not I liked it or would recommend it. If you want a synopsis or plot for any of these books, I’ve linked to Goodreads so you can see that.

I’m also putting MY goodreads rating, out of 5 stars.

Here’s my standard scoring scale:

1 star – couldn’t finish
2 stars – finished, but suffered
3 stars – it was just okay
4 stars – great book, but missing something
5 stars – amazing!

#25 Girls Guide to Witchcraft by Mindy Klasky. 3/5 This was a book club read, but I had also wanted to read it because it sounded like a unique series. A girl turns unsurprisingly into a witch. Cute characters and a quick, mindless read – but nothing too special. There were some laugh out loud moments, which made it worth reading.

#26 Heart of the Matter by Emily Giffin. 4/5 I listened to this on audiobook and I was definitely really nervous to start it. Had I not listened to it on audiobook, it’s really likely I would have never started it because the plot and everything I had heard about the book made me that nervous. I have a very short tolerance when it comes to infidelity.

I’m a HUGE Emily Giffin fan and this book didn’t disappoint, but it was a hard read. It evoked a lot of emotion out of me and was a difficult topic to read about. However, if you like Giffin’s books – I’d recommend reading it!

#27 Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins. (Hunger Games #2) 4/5 I loved the first book in this series so much, I was really excited to read the second and get along with the series. I have to say, I didn’t like this book nearly as much as the first. I literally couldn’t put down the first book and I did not feel the same way with Catching Fire. However, it’s necessary to the series and the series itself is worth it.

I still haven’t read Mockingjay – so I should get on that.

#28 Ugley Business by Kate Johnson. (Sophie Green #2) 3/5 This is the sequel to I Spy? Again, a disappointment compared to the first book, which was fantastic. Compared to the first book, I feel like this had a loose mystery. But, it’s part of the series and if you liked I Spy? you should read this as well.

#29 Secret Lives of Dresses by Erin McKean. 4/5 This was a book club read and I’m so glad I read it! Not a book I would normally choose, I really liked it. It’s based on the blog, A Dress a Day and is a unique and fresh story about family and fashion. If you like vintage fashion or dresses – you should read this!

#30 A is For Apple by Kate Johnson. (Sophie Green #3) 4/5 The series picked back up with this book, which was hilarious. I thought this book was just so funny – Sophie finds herself pretending to be a high school student to solve a mystery. I still think I Spy was the best book in this series, but I liked this one second. If you like British books with mystery, romance and humor – this is a great book to read.

#31 There’s Cake in My Future by Kim Gruenenfelder. 4/5 This was another book club read that I also had on my to-read list. I have liked other books by this author and was excited about this book. It’s told from three different author’s standpoints and was a really cute book. It talks about friendship, life, romance and growing up. All three story lines kept my attention and I really enjoyed how the stories intertwined into one another.

#32 Can You Keep a Secret by Sophie Kinsella. 5/5 This was an audiobook and it was fantastic. I’ve become a true Sophie Kinsella fan this year. Her books are super cute, light-hearted and often really hilarious. This was no exception. Plus, if you listen to her books in audiobook version – they are read in a British accent Definitely recommend this, one of the best books I read this year!

This book is all about secrets and what happens when you tell other’s secrets. It’s also a great story about standing up for yourself and getting what you want!

#33 Two For the Dough by Janet Evanovich (Stephanie Plum #2). 3/5 Earlier in the year I read the first book and liked it enough to read the second. Both of these books started out really slow, and typically I would want the story and characters to have developed more by the time I get to the end of the 2nd book. Since this series has 18 books, it’s a little intimidating to keep going!

If you like light-hearted mysteries that have a nice girl side, this is a great book! I’ll eventually keep working my way through this series – but I’m not going to do it like Sarah or Kristina, who have been reading all the books back to back.

#34 The Beach House by Jane Green. 4/5 I’ve seen a lot of praise and recommendations for Jane Green books from the book clubs and circles I read in. When I saw this book was available in my libraries audiobook section, I downloaded it and threw it on my mp3 player.

This was a really great and different book. There are roughly 5 different narrators (all in the 3rd person) who all start out with completely separate and independent stories, that weave together by the end. There’s also a really big twist in the story that I personally never saw coming and definitely gasped at while listening! This was a surprisingly great book and I would recommend it to anyone!

#35 Deep Dish by Mary Kay Andrews. 3/5 A book club read for a Southern Writer theme, this book was different than the typical books I read – but I wasn’t overwhelmingly impressed. There was basically no character development. I’ll admit the plot was really fresh and original, but ultimately, it was pretty shallow and unrealistic. If you’re looking for a super fast entertaining read you won’t have to put much thought in – pick up this book. Or if you love cooking and cooking shows, read this book.

#36 Perfect Blend by Sue Margolis. 3/5 Again, a book club read that was a fresh and different plot than what I generally read. I loved the characters in this book, their stories and the romantic scenes (um they were seriously hott with two ts). This book was a great reminder about the self sacrifice of motherhood and even had a really interesting story twist. Where I ended up lost was the ending – too fluffy and unrealistic.

#37 My Favorite Witch by Annette Blair (sequel to the Kitchen Witch). 3/5 The first book in this series seemed really interesting – a romantic story about a witch? Um yes please. But the first book was painful to get through. I was nervous this book would be the same, but it was completely different! Much more sexual chemistry between the characters and definitely kept me entertained while reading. However, pretty cheesy and pretty over the top at times. If you’re a romance reader – I’d read this over the first book in the series any day!

#38 Still Waters by Kate Johnson (Sophie Green #4). 2/5 As sad as I am to not read anymore Sophie and Luke stories, I’m SO glad this series is over. This book was a complete miss for me. Uninteresting/messy mystery component, no closure on the future of the relationship with Sophie and Luke. The mystery had way too many suspects and I felt like I would read several pages without really understanding what was going on, especially in the action scenes. I was not a fan, at all.

#39 Kiss Me if You Can by Carly Phillips. 2/5 Before I discovered Chick Lit and Cozy Mysteries, I loved romance novels and Carly Phillips was my favorite author.  I started this book actually in 2010, but never finished it. I picked it back up finally and finished it in 2011. Carly is really good about having fresh plots, and this was no different. The book even had a little mystery component. But, it wasn’t good to keep my attention the first time I tried to read it and not good enough to keep it the second time. It was way way too cheesy for me.

I think I’m finally coming away from the romance novels at this point, because I’m starting to find them not as enjoyable.

#40 Baby It’s Cold Outside by Addison Fox (Alaskan Nights #1). 4/5 Y’all, I just loved this book. It is fairly new, which makes it a strange book club pick – as we generally only pick older books. Another romance read, this was typical romance with many different plots going on at once. There was more than one romantic relationship going at a time, which kept my interest. I also loved that it was set in Alaska, in a super small town. I’m just really bummed the second book in this series doesn’t come out until next year. I’ll be reading it as soon as it’s released!

#41 The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella. 4/5 I LOVE Sophie Kinsella, just love her. This book did not disappoint. I read this while traveling and it was the perfect book for a light quick read. While I think all of the other Kinsella books I’ve read have been laugh out loud funny, I didn’t find myself laughing during this book. However – I actually read this (vs. the other Kinsella books I’ve listened to on my mp3 player), so that could be part of the reason.

#42 I Heart New York by Lindsey Kelk (I Heart #1). 5/5 I had heard wonderful things about this series and had read The Single Girl’s To-Do List by Kelk earlier in the year. I really LOVED this book. I think Kelk perfectly captured what it’s like to go through a horrible break-up and left me laughing while reading. Angela completely picks up her life in London and moves to NYC, so it’s hilarious to see some of the culture shock and her recovering from her horrific breakup. Angela is a likeable character and you really find yourself relating with her during this book.

However, I’ll give you a disclaimer – I’ve now read the 2nd and 3rd books in this series and they were disappointing. Still have #4 to read and a #5 is coming out this (or next) year. Hopefully the series picks back up.

So there’s the books I’ve read this year. What were the best books you ask?

Well, the best overall Chick Lit book I read is a tie actually.

Something Borrowed (4/5) and Scot on the Rocks (5/5) were the best Chick Lit for my age group. Something Borrowed was gripping (I could NOT put it down) and Scot on the Rocks was hilarious. I laughed the entire time.

The Accidental Bestseller (5/5) is the best for the older age groups, but I still loved it. It’s a great look at friendship and the book publishing industry.

The best Cozy Mystery I read:

Sex, Murder and a Double Latte (5/5) – amazing book, could not put it down. It mixes mystery, romance and chick lit all together – plus has a major hot Russian guy in it

The best Romance book I read:

Baby It’s Cold Outside (4/5) I’ve already gushed enough about this book!

The best British book I read:

Twenties Girl (5/5) and Can You Keep A Secret? (5/5) both take the cake here. AMAZING books! Hilarious and wonderful on audiobook. I actually bought both of these books after finishing the audiobooks!

The best Fiction & Mainstream book I read:

The Hunger Games (5/5) – I don’t think anyone can argue with this one!

Has anyone read any of these books? Anyone have a book recommendation for me?