10 Books on my Spring 2021 TBR List

Currently, I am a disorganized reading mess, and I *hate* it. SO - this post is for Top Ten Tuesday, but it is also for me as much as anything because I am a type A organized reader, or at least under the best of circumstances that is how I prefer to read! I love stories and the cozy reading life, sure - but I think part of why I love reading is also the sense of accomplishment from finishing a book - it's addictive and a less talked about perk of reading. And so being organized and having a plan, like a seasonal TBR, keeps me in a good headspace and I definitely get more reading done. So what is my plan? Keep reading to see what I plan to finish this Spring!

 

We Begin at the End 

Chris Whitaker

Pub Date: 3/2/21

Goodreads Ave: 4.33 

 

Everyone is raving about this book and I can not wait to get into it! “We Begin At The End” seems to have something for every kind of reader. It is part murder mystery, part coming of age tale, it’s both character driven and also has an engaging plot! Sign me up. This is truly the kind of book that I always hope to pick up and seeing everyone's glowing reviews about it has me very, very hyped!

 

The Final Revival  

Dawnie Walton

Pub Date: 3/30/21

Goodreads Ave: 4.14

 

Anything compared to "Daisy Jones and the Six" by Taylor Jenkins Reid, definitely catches my eye. I have read many rave reviews about this oral history style afro punk historical fiction novel. This is also a debut work for the author, Dawnie Walton. I love reading debut novels so this definitely at the top of my Spring 2021 reading stack!

Everything is Fine 

Vince Granata 

Pub Date: 4/27/21

Goodreads Ave:  4.69

I just can not get enough non fiction / memoir reads in my life. I was sucked in by the cover for “Everything Is Fine”. After reading the reviews I can not wait to pick it up. It sounds like this is going to be the perfect reading combination of page turning real life story telling coupled with breathtaking writing!

Broken in the Best Possible Way

Jenny Lawson

Pub Date: 4/6/21

Goodreads Ave: 4.39

 

Yay for a new book from Jenny Lawson! But also ugh, I am so disappointed that because this is releasing during a pandemic and that means we wont get to enjoy a book tour because I would definitely be down for that! I absolutely love her genuine and hilarious writing style and it has been too long since I've read a book from her! Check out my thoughts on her last book in my post - Ten Hidden Gems of Non Fiction 

 

Girl One

Sara Flannery Murphy

Pub Date: 6/01//21

Goodreads Ave: 4.07

 

And now we get into the advanced copies I need to tackle before the book’s release! "Girl One" is described as a supernatural thriller, which is a tad bit out of my reading comfort zone, but I'm going to give it a shot. I haven't heard very much about this book yet, but the first chunk of the goodreads summary definitely caught my eye. The main character, Josephine, is the first of nine "miracle babies" that are conceived without male DNA. They are raised on an experimental commune called The Homestead.

 

Mary Jane

Jessica Anya Blau

Pub Date: 5/11//21

Goodreads Ave: 4.22

 

Another “Daisy Jones and the Six” comparison that I am excited to pick up! *And* this one is also being compared to Almost Famous, which is one of my favorite movies. Definitely a winning combo in my opinion. I haven't heard very much about this book yet, but the reviews so far have been really encouraging and I love mixing it up with historical fiction that isn't set too far back in history.

 

Together We Will Go

J Michael Straczynski

Pub Date: 7/06//21

Goodreads Ave: 4.31

 

Do you know what your reading buzzwords are? This book's description had *so many* of mine and it totally got me - endearing, heartfelt, charming, and deeply moving. Just take my money already lol. But really, this book is so up my alley, also that cover (so wonderful!) and I definitely hope that it lives up to the hype that I have created for it in my mind.

Group

Christie Tate

Pub Date: 10/27/20

Goodreads Ave: 3.76

I'm part of a real life, sometimes in person but lately only over zoom, book club in my neighborhood. It has been such an easy and fun way to get out of the house, socialize, but also not have to go too far. And I get the bonus of having an easy icebreaker because talking about books is super easy. Two reads that are on the list for the spring month meet ups are "Group" and "Greenlights".

 

Greenlights

Matthew McConaughey

Pub Date: 10/20/20

Goodreads Ave:4.27

 

I started out listening to "Greenlights" through Audible, but I am definitely going to have to return it and try reading the book instead. Unless I was devoting 100% of my attention to the audio book I had no absolutely idea what Matthew was talking about. It felt like I had one of his car commercials playing in the background. I am sure his memoir will be an interesting read though, and I'm impressed by the good reviews!

The Therapist 

B.A. Paris

Pub Date: 7/13/21

Goodreads Ave: 3.80

 

I've been hooked on B.A. Paris every since reading my first and favorite novel of hers, "Behind Closed Doors". Her twisty thrillers are unputdownable, in my opinion. And while at times her storylines can be a little far fetched, not even the so far less than stellar reviews will stop me from reading this book as soon as I can!

 

And that's what I have planned, reading buddies! Drop a comment down below and let me know your reading plans for this spring. Do we have any books in common? Any books you think I should pick up, too? Or maybe you think having reading plans takes all of the fun out of reading! Let me know how you feel and thanks for reading! ❤

Five Things I Learned About Ebola from "Ebola" by Laurie Garrett

Why read a book about the Ebola virus in this our most awful year that is 2020? *deep shoulder shrug* honestly, I really don't know what I was thinking, *but* this book caught my interest and I'm glad I read it! I learned a lot and gained some perspective and insight into viruses and outbreaks. Perhaps reading a book about a far deadlier and more contagious virus than COVID was sort of refreshing and perspective-shifting? And also, reading about the cleanliness and supply issues faced in Africa during their Ebola epidemics was a much needed dose of gratitude for me, as well. Keep reading this post to learn five things you might not know about Ebola!

Five Unforgettable Quotes from "The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue" by V.E. Schwab

 

I'm absolutely *blown away* by how much I enjoyed "The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue"! I'm not typically a fantasy reader, which is usually Schwab's genre - but this book was a hit for me! Keep reading to see my favorite quotes from this genre-bending, unputdownable, reading slump breaker!

Five Essential Reasons to Read Aloud to your Kids

There are so many things you know you should do as a parent, but sometimes - eh, really, most of the time - there just isn't enough time in the day to get it all done. If like me, you could use some help in this area, keep reading for some inspiration!

10 Thrillers To Keep You Up At Night

It's offically spooky season and this week's prompt for Top Ten Tuesday is a freebie - so keep reading for my list of ten thrillers that will steal your sleep and keep you turning to the next page!

Book Club Questions and Answers about "Dear Edward" by Ann Napolitano for a Great Book Club Discussion

Did your book club choose "Dear Edward" by Ana Napolitano to read this month? Then congratulations on the excellent book choice! "Dear Edward" has a ton of potential as a book club pick! This book covers so many emotional and important issues and there are definitely plenty of easy discussion starting moments in the novel. Keep reading this post for some "Dear Edward" book club discussion starters as well as how I would answer to help get the conversation started!

"Dear Edward" Quotes // Book Quotes

THIS BOOK, YOU GUYS. I can not remember the last time I was THIS sad that a book was over. I just wanted this book to never end but also I flew through it because it was so, so good. I wanted to stay with these characters forever and never say goodbye. I wanted to live in this book. Which is all the more amazing because the world built in "Dear Edward" isn't especially cozy on the outset - a plane crash, a sole survivor - *especially* as someone with a flying phobia, I did not expect to love this book as much as I did. But omg do I love it! "Dear Edward" has some *amazing* quotes that I want to share with you, and then maybe you'll get hooked and read it too! Keep reading to check them out.

September 2020 Reading Wrap Up

Happy October! It is time to wrap up what I read during the month of September. After taking a year-long hiatus from blogging ( and reading, really, because I think I read all of 4 books in the last nine months ) I am back on the reading train and things are going well. I read 5 books in the month of September - keep reading to hear my thoughts!

Top 10 Quoteable Unputdownable Novels - Top Ten Tuesday

 

    As a reader, quotable books are definitely my go-to reads.

Sure, I love a great plot or solid character development, those are both important, but the thing that really keeps me reading are those books with little nuggets of life wisdom just begging to be jotted down in a notebook, or more commonly - saved as a photo on my phone. And if a book can do both - then for me, it is unputdownable. This week's prompt for Top Ten Tuesday is quotable books - so keep reading for my list of ten books that I think are the most quotable and also unputdownable.

To Be Read : 5 Fall Reads about Family - Top Ten Tuesday

 

Happy Top Ten Tuesday! This week's prompt was to find Books That Give Off Autumn Vibes. And oof, because living in Texas, "fall/autumn vibes" just isn't as much of a thing for me! And I'm kind of salty about it. Some years the leaves change, some they don't, the temperature is totally all over the place, and it just doesn't have a consistent traditional feeling to it. But regardless of the weather or scenery, family in the fall feels consistent. Gearing up for the holidays means lots of time with family, which can be so different from person to person. So, keep reading, because I've compiled a list of books that I absolutely adore that have strong messages about family, enjoy!

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides - Book Review

Time for a book review! So, let's discuss my most recent read "The Silent Patient" by Alex Michaelides. I am definitely not alone in reading this book during the month of October and while I have some critical things to say about the book, one thing it does do very well is to strike that eerie mystery thriller vibe that is so sought after in October. I am still reeling over here from the ending to this novel - it is definitely known for its twists! But the ending of the Silent Patient is also super controversial - some readers hate it and others loved it. I think I might be in the hate it group. Keep reading to find out why.