10 Books to Read Now

Hello blogging world! Yes, I have been away for a few days but I'm alive! I've been so busy starting a new radio show, watching my first film come to life (and gearing up for two more), getting ready for classes to start (possibly applying to get my doctoral degree), working with the best guys on sports talk radio and life.  So the blog had to wait. Don't worry, I'm back!

If you follow along here or my Instagram, you know I love reading. It's one of the reasons why I love writing. Let's face it, if you don't read it's hard to write. Now what stories do I prefer? I love suspense, thrillers and horror! Stephen King is my all time favorite author and such a huge influence over my work. Now that doesn't mean I don't appreciate the classics or a good old love story (hello Nicholas Sparks, I know the ending will be tragic but I read anyway) or comedy like the fantastic Emily Giffin who penned the Something Borrow and Something Blue novels along with countless others. I also confess I love the Harry Potter series, I might have even gone to a few midnight release parties at the bookstore when I was younger.

I can always tell what books are going to be an instant hit with me and I have read some awesome one this summer, from suspense to love to horror to memoirs there is something for each of you! I even encourage you to try something you haven't before, a book might just surprise you!

1. The Girls by Emma Cline



This might be my favorite of the summer! What happens when some young impressionable girls join a Charles Manson-esque cult? You know it can't be good but you have to see what happens.

2. First Comes Love by Emily Giffin



A sweet but not sappy look at the lives of two southern sisters. The perfect match of humor, drama and storyline that will make you fall in love with Giffin's writing.

3. Girl on a Train by Paula Hawkins



Go ahead and read this thriller before it hits theaters this fall. With a Gone Girl feeling this thriller will keep you wondering who to believe especially with such an unreliable narrator. This is going to be a big movie this fall so read it first!

4. Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty



I got this novel on one of my longer plane travels this summer and I could not put it down! It's fantastic! If you want suspense, who done it, thriller, comedy all in one book....this is it!

5. The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware



I just started this one but I can already tell it's going to be a good one! Ruth Ware did not disappoint with her first novel (In a Dark, Dark Wood) and her writing is so creepy it can give Stephen King a run for his money.

6. The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo by Amy Schumer



Unapologetic and uncensored might be the two words you see what is associated with Amy's name. Her first memoir dives into issues such as sexual abuse, relationships and more. I haven't read it yet (it was sold out at my bookstore) but I am interested to see the real Amy. I'm sure it handles difficult parts of her life along with happy moments with her trademark humor.

7. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah



Ok get your tissues ready. This beautiful story about two sisters in WWII era France is well done and perfectly written. Just a warning...you may cry.

8. All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr



The Pulitzer Prize winning novel about a young German boy and a blind French girl who meet during WWII is one that you won't be able to put down and rest assured will surely become a major movie picture soon. Read it now!

9. I'm Glad About You by Theresa Rebeck



A charming story about a successful actress and her on-again-off again boyfriend from high school who she's had a tumulus relationship with years unfolds in the pages of this breezy read that you will finish in a weekend.

10. Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll



Alright so this may have been the book of the summer last year but if you haven't read it yet...get to it! This thriller will make you stay up wanting to see what happens.

Have you read any of these? Any suggestions for me? Let me know!

Happy Reading!

xoxo,

Monday Must-Haves

Hello all! Slowly but surely we are making it back to Friday. It feels like the weekends just pass faster in warmer months, maybe because the weather wants to make you stay outside, the days feel longer or you are just enjoying drinks in the backyard with unity besties and pups. We'll just say it's all of the above :)

Here's a listing of a few things I'm loving right now! Plus, keep on the lookout for new posts coming this week!

Enjoy my must haves!

xoxo,


 

1. Off the Shoulder and Cold Shoulder Dresses/Tops

This is one of my favorite styles, I remember buying an embroidered Free People dress with the "cold shoulder" a few years ago and fell in love with the stylish and flattering look! It's great for day or night, either style can easily be dressed up or down and there are so many great options out there like this floral one (on sale!), this dreamy cream dress (under $50), and I love this beautiful blush must-have I also need to add this sunny off the shoulder number to my closet and this top (under $40) that will be on repeat this summer!

ASOS Gypsy Off the Shoulder Mini

 

2. Origami Skirts

These trendy skirts are a fun piece to add to your wardrobe when you want something a bit different than your normal trusty black mini skirt or denim cutoffs. Origami skirts have a little more creativity to them and I love the look paired with an off the shoulder top like this one or mix it up with a fun vintage looking tee (under $15) with a denim jacket for a fun, carefree yet pulled together look! This white skirt is only $9 and I love this skort for only $16!

Boohoo Solid Skirt

 

3. Justin Bieber Purpose Album

This is going to be hard to admit but I think I'm officially a "Belieber". My friends and I are even going to his concert in Atlanta tomorrow (insert monkey covering eyes emoji). What brought upon this sudden Beiber fever (do people still say that?) it would have to be his most recent album, 2015's Purpose. With singles like "What Do You Mean", "Where Are You Know", "Love Yourself" and the very popular "Sorry" Biebs proves he's no longer a teen dream but a legitimate artist. Trust me when I say you will enjoy this album!

4. The Jungle Book

Who else is excited to see this live action remake of the famed novel and beloved Disney cartoon classic film? I have both hands up! The Jungle Book is one of my favorite novels and this film looks visually stunning with an all-star cast lined up (how great is Bill Murray as Baloo?) I can't wait to watch this cinematic dream this weekend! To get you ready for the jungle check out the trailer here!

5. Me Before You

I have read some really great books recently, a whole post on that coming soon, but I just started reading this novel by JoJo Moyes. All I can say is I can't put it down, it's one of my favorite books I've read in a while and I can tell it's going to be a tearjerker. The story is beautiful so far about two that have very little in common who are brought together (I know this sounds familiar but I don't want to give away too much), read it before the movie comes out this summer! Lots of book reviews to hit the blog soon as well!

Me Before You
 

September Book Selections

Happy Humpday! Hope everyone has enjoyed the short week and we are close to the weekend! As you know I love sharing new music and do regular posts on what I'm listening to, I thought I would also add a book club type post listing five options each month you need to check out! It will be a mix of new fiction and memoir as well as classics.

Let's see what's in store for September.

Wild

1. Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed

Have you seen the 2014 film? You have to read the book. A true story about a young woman who writes about her time spent alone hiking the famed Pacific Crest Trail. I first heard the synopsis and thought this sounded so boring...I could not have been more wrong. Author Cheryl Strayed gives an honest look at her own hiking excursion and what drove her to take the trip in the first place. If you have ever gone through your own rough patch, you will see similarities and conjure up feelings that connect you with Cheryl. One of my favorite movies of 2014 and one of my favorite books of all time.

Favorite Line: "How wild it was, to let it be."

The Girl on the Train

2. The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

The novel by British author Paula Hawkins was a recent hit and for good reason. Similar to the tone of  Gone Girl including jealousy, love, marriage, cheating and a bit of old school Hitchcock suspense. The unreliable narrator of the book pulls the reader in different directions and questions what is truth and who is telling it. A great read and the ending does not disappoint!

Favorite Line: “I’m playing at real life instead of actually living it.”  

It Was Me All Along

3. It Was Me All Along by Andie Mitchell

A touching memoir about a young woman's struggle with her body and acceptance. At times heartbreaking and truthfully honest, Andie, who is now a food blogger, shares her stories about what it is like to be "the fat girl in school", family troubles and other lessons learned. This woman changes her life for the better in her own telling of weight loss and finally accepting her for who she is...and who she always was.

Favorite Line: “The wanting to be different in order to be perceived as better, yet wishing I didn’t have to try so hard.”  

Go Set a Watchman

4. Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee
 Perhaps the most talked about novel of the summer, I have mixed feelings on Go Set a Watchman. Some have loved the book, others say it should have never been published for fear it is exploiting an aging author and some just have zero interest. While the novel fails to compete with Lee's first published work, To Kill a Mockingbird, this book is worth a look. Told through Scout's perspective, we go back to the small Alabama town, some 20 years after Mockingbird takes place and look at the people, town and experiences that have shaped her young life. Worth the read but for the real deal, don't forget to check out the original.


Favorite Line: “Remember this also: it’s always easy to look back and see what we were, yesterday, ten years ago. It is hard to see what we are. If you can master that trick, you’ll get along.”  

Frankenstein

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

The tale of a man-created monster is still chilling to this day. I re-read this story for one of my creative writing classes the other day and the writing by Mary Shelley does an amazing job at detail while showing but never quite telling the audience, you don't need to be told. You just understand. The Hollywood versions can never quite live up to the novel and it isn't just spooks (for the record, Frankenstein is the doctor, the monster has no name) but a story that questions who exactly the villain is. A classic short story at its finest.

Favorite Line: “It is true, we shall be monsters, cut off from all the world; but on that account we shall be more attached to one another.”

There we have the first book post! Have some picks for me? I would love to hear them! I will continue to find new and old books, stories, all genres, everything to share! It will be a variety, we are talking Stephen King, Nicholas Sparks, J.K Rowling, all of it! You name it and it will be featured.

Enjoy these picks of the month and let me know some of your favorites!

Happy Reading!

xoxo,