It’s here! The cooler weather has finally stuck. The air conditioners have come out of the windows. The blankets are on the beds and strewn over the arms of the chairs for when a chill sets in. Early Fall is a time to enjoy the shorter days, the cooler air, hikes, hayrides, warm fires and chunky sweaters and tall boots. It’s also a time to relax by a fire with a steaming cup of tea or glass of wine, snuggle under a blanket and kick your feet up with a good book. Because before you know it, the holiday season is here and there is little time to just sit and relax.
Slip into some warm, fuzzy pajamas, find a comfy chair and escape into a good book!
If you’re looking for ideas, here are 10 books that I am reading or that are sitting on my side table waiting to be read.
I’d love to hear what you’re reading. I am always looking for something good to lose myself in.
Enjoy!
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Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald by J.K. Rowling
At the end of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Grindelwald is captured but, as promised he escapes. Similar to another Dark Wizard he is trying to raise up pure-bloods to rule over all non-magical beings. I am in love with all things Harry Potter and anything J.K. touches is amazing and I have no question this will be any different. It’ll be in the movies (as will I) on November 16th! Watch the movie trailer here.
Alaskan Holiday by Debbie Macomber
This was the first book I’ve read by her. I’m not a “romance novel” type person, but I thought I’d try something new. I borrowed it on audiobook to listen to and from work. And as soon as the air turns cold, I dig anything with a holiday-ish vibe. The story was set in a tiny, remote Alaskan town that will make you want to cozy up beside a crackling fire and dream of the Northern Lights, fresh falling snow and the love of your life. This would be a great Hallmark Channel holiday movie. It was very sweet. Honestly I was kinda hoping it would have a little more 50 Shades in the Alaskan Wilderness thing going, but it was still enjoyable and I would certainly read another book from her. There’s a reason people love her.
Beautiful Boy: A father’s journey through his son’s addiction by David Shreff
The opioid epidemic is far to prevalent these days. As a matter of fact, my little state of New Hampshire has the second highest opioid mortality rate in the country. My little town has seen the loss of numerous young adults in the recent past. It is devastating. This book is written by a father who lived through it with his addict son. Sometimes difficult to read, this book was written so those families who are living it, know they are not alone. I applaud his strength for being able to share some very dark personal experiences. The film starring Steve Carrell and Timothée Chalamet opened October 12, 2018. You can watch the trailer here
Stretched Too Thin by Jessica N. Turner
The struggle is real for working moms to do #allthethings while juggling work and home responsibilities and feeling the effects of sacrificing self-care and strong relationships. This self-help book gives practical advice for setting manageable goals, prioritizing self-care, cultivate meaningful friendships and investing in your marriage and dropping the guilt.
Hocus Pocus & The All New Sequel by A.W. Jantha
It’s almost Halloween and there is no better Halloween movie than Disney’s Hocus Pocus. This year is the 25th Anniversary! Can you believe it’s been 25 years? Cripes! It’s a classic and this book has a fresh re-telling of the original followed by a new sequel with next generation of Salem teens. Yep, you guessed it Max & Allison’s daughter, Poppy finds herself face to face with the Sanderson sisters.
A Map of Days by Ransom Riggs
If you haven’t read the series Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children, you’ve got to start. Incredibly imaginative and magical shrouded in dark secrets and mystery. A Map of Days is the fourth in the series and even though it isn’t billed as a prequel, you get an in-depth look into the past and will leave you wanting more. Make sure you catch the movie. It is so good!
Bitter Orange by Claire Fuller
I’m eager to dive into this psychological thriller about a woman Frances, who on her deathbed revisits the summer of ’69 when her life was so very different. She is hired to survey the gardens of a dilapidated English country house, where she is invited into the lavish lifestyle of the couple who lives there. She begins to realize that everything is not all that it seems to be and there are lies and twists and turns waiting. I can’t wait to find out what they are!
I have her first book Cravings and every recipe is a winner! Hungry for More is equally awesome. You won’t be rocking the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition with any of these recipes, but damn they’re delish! I have to be honest, I wasn’t initially a fan of hers, but she seems super down to earth and is funny AF! She totally won me over with her sense of humor, trucker mouth and obvious deep love of food.
Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng
Lydia was her parents’ favorite child who was always meant to live out her parents dreams, until her body was found in a lake. What’s the story?
Whiskey in a Teacup by Reese Witherspoon
According to Reese’s grandmother. Southern women are like whiskey in a teacup. “Delicate and ornamental on the outside and strong and fiery on the inside”. Every page is filled with Reese’s Southern style and charm. This book has everything from how she decorates, entertains and styles her hair. Loaded with delicious family recipes, gorgeous pictures and Southern traditions. I haven’t been able to put this down.
