First book of the year (started during Christmas break 2022). I had no idea Gone with the Wind had sequel so I had to check it out. I’ve not really ever been a Scarlett O’Hara fan but this book revealed her human, vulnerable side.

I didn’t write any notes about it so I definitely cannot remember from almost a year ago … I honestly don’t recall what this was about. Just that she wasn’t really a heroine. But Henry James is one of my faves from my college years.

Got it as a Christmas present; was all the rage at this time. I had to read it. (Then eventually watched the movie). I scarfed this down. Very well written and a great read. And somehow my heart really went out to the antagonist.

Best line: “Rhett could endure being unloved. He could not live without loving.”

I didn’t love reading about the harsh realities of the war but this was an interesting read to say the least.

Read this while having lunch outside. A somewhat lighthearted read from his childhood.

Found out way after the fact that this is the sequel to Firefly Lane which I am sadly not very motivated to read because I’ve seen some of it on Netflix. And my bias is that I firmly believe that the book is always better than its thematic rendition.

Was nervous about reading about women and children during the war but this one got me absolutely hooked to her books. She’s been #1 for me all year long.

Bought to read for a Bible study. Very deep! Took away a new meaning for covetousness.

Excellent. Intense hard life experience.

Hard life in Alaska. Yowzers.

Oh my word. Her writing is incredible. I could not read this book fast enough. Life got in the way.

Somber one of hers. But it’s Kristin Hannah. It was about a couple drifting apart in their midlife.

This was wow. But felt like a mash up of a couple stories… Tarzan and Helen Keller … something else—check what I said on my IG review.

Probably my most favorite book by her! Bought a copy for my best friend. Depicts the untold side of a woman/mom in the military.

First by Jojo Moyes. Not bad. I want to read more by her.

Liked reading about the old country. Where “my people” are from haha.

This one was different. Thought about quitting it but read to the end. Definitely a tougher read.

Emotional and rough on the heart. This was hard to read. Involved mothers being separated by their babies. Trigger warning!

Was expecting this one to be way more spooky. Slight let down—but I don’t think I could have handled anything more though!

Super good! Not finished.

Oh my soul. My first by Elin Hilderbrand and I am completely in love with her writing! First of many, many more.

Deep read. Came highly recommended. Started but didn’t finish this year.

Very first by Jodi Picoult. Her writing is art and I am completely hooked.

New author to me. It was good!

Lighthearted read. And relatable.

Lots of plot twists. I did not expect the end. But like all her books I finished it in tears.

On Mystic Lake

Can’t remember much about this one… just that I read it during the heat of the summer.

Still in love with her writing. My favorite part was when I found the title reference in the story. Ugh. My favorite thing that authors do.

Been wanting to read this book for years. My OB mentioned it to me when I was pregnant with my first. Finally read it! Reminded me a little of Age of Adeline but less romantic. Eye opening.

Christmas read in the summer. Not my favorite of hers but still love her.

Coworker recommended. Names are tricky to keep up with but thought provoking. 

The main character was a writer so there was some relatability there. Got a little creepy towards the end. But all around good one.

Totally did not expect that ending! But she did good because no one really notices a character like she portrayed until the end. Liane Moriarty is excellent at developing several characters so deeply. She is skilled.

This was a cute one. I enjoyed getting a glimpse into the life of medical professionals (my heroes).

Not at all what I was expecting. I allowed myself to discontinue reading.

Could not get my head into the story—possibly because of a slow start… I will try again in the future.

Heard about this book from a podcast. But when I borrowed it from the library I realized I was so not into self-help books. I just cannot get enough of characters, plots, and character development. I’m a lost cause!

Yeah, so, about this one… I have not finished it yet. It was surprisingly hard to read about a library full of books burning down. Stopped about 1/3 way through and I’m still not really sure where the story is going… or if it is just a creative historical recount of the library. What was the library book? One day I may found out.

Yasss another one of these.

I was given this book and warned I might be triggered. But I actually quite liked it although I sure got annoyed with none other than the snow child. I really appreciated hearing someone else’s perspective on longing for children and how that played out. There’s a part of me that still wonders… was she even really real…? I mean, we’re talking the dark days in Alaska here. . . .people go crazy sometimes.

My favorite book store (that I’ve never purchased from oddly enough) posted on their IG about this book, about it being set in my favorite town in Alabama. It was a sweet book—felt like reading a Hallmark movie—which turns out was what Audrey Ingram (as she commented on my IG post) had intended. I love when authors “see” me on social media.

Cannot remember what this one was about… but it’s an Elin Hilderbrand.

Hands down. 100%. Favorite book of the year. And one I admitted to wanting to own. And surprise–I got it for Christmas! Cannot wait to read it again. But there are so many books still on my TBR!!

Why did I love this one? Because I wanted to highlight so many of Reid’s lines. She is a wordsmith. And insightful of human nature. Just like . . . (see next author)

This one was about children and gave some perspective on parenting multiple children. I appreciated seeing what Jodi was trying to show us readers (parents in particular) to not overlook the other when one may seem more demanding.

Whoa. This one was excellent. What kept me turning the pages was my question “Who is this woman??” I was satisfied at the end.

This was a roller coaster of a story. Who dunnit? or What dunnit? A moving story for sure and pretty powerful.

Oh man. This one was wow. I thought about stopping this one but I pushed through. Jodi gave me front seat audience to some pretty crazy people in this world that prefer some races over the other. But that ending was so satisfying. It exposed the hypocrisy in all of them—er, us. We really shouldn’t be respecters of certain people.

Very well written but the storyline and characters frustrated me. There was no right or satisfying way to end it.

This one was fun. Bright yellow cover and a unique story. Two chicken restaurants with lots of history went head to head on a reality tv show.

The Five-Star Weekend

The book I started in 2023 but will finish sometime in 2024. All I want to do is read but life must go on.