Fun fact about me... I could actually be considered quite a bookworm... Also fun fact, my husband John didn't actually know that I liked to read until about a year after we were married. Lol. That's because while I was in school, I purposefully did not check out books to read from the library because I knew they would distract me from all the class readings I had to do. So, it wasn't until I had a break between semesters while transferring colleges that I had a chance to read whatever I wanted to again. One trip to the library and I had enough books to occupy me for the next month! Or at least week...
Well, 6 years later and I still love to read. And the best part is, I'm done with school so reading what I want is no longer just a summer activity! That being said, I've read quite a bit this past few years, and definitely have had some books I've loved and some I wasn't too impressed with.
Also, like I've mentioned in the past about being a recipe sharer, I'm also usually down for a good book recommendation. So, without further ado, here are 6 great books I've read recently and would recommend!
Classic
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
Pip is a poor orphan who lives with his sister and brother-in-law. One day, a lawyer comes to tell him that he has been chosen to inherit someone's fortune. The benefactor, however has chosen to remain anonymous. The story continues as Pip moves into the city to start life as a true gentleman.
Surprisingly, I didn't have to read this book in high school. I actually only gave it a shot this past year because it was a free kindle book at one point. In the end, I loved it! It was very different than what I expected. It had a great mix of adventure, mystery, romance, and an underdog, rags to riches feel with the main character. I wish my high school teachers had us read this book instead of some of the other "classics" they made us read!
Mystery
The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins
A supposed cursed diamond is set to be inherited by Rachel Verinder. However, it goes missing on the night she is supposed to receive it. Franklin Blake, Lady Verinder's nephew, is determined to find the thief and return the moonstone to Rachel.
Just like "Great Expectations", I got this book for free on my kindle and like Peter and the Starcatchers, John and I actually read this book together and both liked it a lot. It's pretty clean (like all of the books on this list) and actually had a little bit of a surprise ending.
Romance
Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson
This story begins with Marianne Daventry who is living with her grandma after her mother's death. On her way to visit her sister at the home of one of her mother's friends, some bad fortune befalls Marianne. In a happy turn of events, this misfortune turns good when it leads to Marianne meeting Philip.
This book was not too mushy and very clean. Of course, like most novels with romance in them, you know exactly who will be together in the end. However, it's the story of how it all works out that is fun to read. This book actually has a little bit of an adventure aspect as well which is fun.
Children's literature
Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson
Ok, so this 5 book series I actually read a few years ago with John, but I still stand by it as a great book to read! The authors' took the well known story of Peter Pan and gave an entire new story by telling how Peter and Neverland came to be. John and I had fun reading this together and can't wait to start reading this series to our kids at bedtime!
Nonfiction
Love the Home you Have by Melissa Michaels
I picked this book up to help me learn a little more about home decorating. What I didn't expect was that this book would teach me a bit about life as well. This book was definitely inspirational as well as informative. I also liked all of the daily challenges along the way to help you stay focused and motivated on the goals you have for your home.
Picture Book
The Princess and the Giant by Caryl Hart
In this book, the reader follows Princess Sophie as she tries to help the giant up the beanstalk fall asleep so everyone else can finally rest as well!
I randomly pulled this book off the shelf one day at our city library and I'm glad I did! It's a fun book to read to my kids and being the little princess she is, Brooke likes it a lot. The pictures are cute and match the style of the story well.
Although these aren't
all the books I read last year, they are definitely my recent top picks from the last few years for the sections I listed.
And now, if you'll excuse me, I have a book I need to finish. Haha! ;)
No comments:
Post a Comment