Hi there!!! I’m surprised to find this thing still on. Hehe. September is always, always, always a busy month and this one was no exception as we adjusted to school starting and new routines and work stuff. I haven’t been reading at anywhere near my usual pace, but I’m happy and enjoying the books I’m reading so no complaints!!! I’m also filling my non-reading time with the things I enjoy, so it is all good. Linking up today with Steph and Jana for Show us Your Books on this, the 6th anniversary link up!!! They have a giveaway going on today too!!

Here are some of the books I’ve read lately:

BOOKS I LOVED:

The Self-Driven Child: The Science and Sense of Giving Your Kids More Control Over Their Lives by William Stixrud
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I absolutely loved this book and I am so glad I followed along with Everyday Reading’s book club chat about it all month. This made me think SO MUCH about parenting and I haven’t stopped thinking about it since. If you have children or work with children (potentially as a teacher), there is a lot to chew on in this book.

The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book absolutely blew me away. The story takes place over the course of only several days in the maternity/flu ward at a hospital in Dublin, Ireland in 1918. Our main character and protagonist, Nurse Julia Power, cares for several expectant mothers and babies in one cramped ward of the hospital while also meeting two other women who affect her future life in absolutely profound ways.
This writing is phenomenal – I couldn’t believe how well I could picture the hospital room and the patients and all of it. I loved unpeeling the layers of the characters and not knowing how everything would end. In many ways, it felt like this took place over a longer period of time but the way it was told was so unique and such a snapshot of a very specific location during that pandemic.

It is a book that pulled at my heart-strings and I will not soon forget it. It was also super interesting to read about a pandemic DURING another pandemic. Trigger warning: stillbirth, war PTSD

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I follow Matt Haig on Instagram, so I’d seen him talking about this book, and my interest was definitely piqued. I was delighted to receive a digital advanced copy from Viking and Edelweiss. I picked this book up one Saturday evening and could barely put it down until I finished it within 24 hours.

The premise of this book reminds me a smidge of Oona out of Order and maybe even a little smidge of Dark Matter, though it is less scientific than that book I also loved. The book does require you to suspend belief a little bit because Nora dies & spends the majority of the book between life and death in a place called The Midnight Library. At this point, she is able to revisit some of her life regrets and relive those lives and learn more about herself and her family and friends and choices.

Overall, this was extremely fascinating as a concept, very well-written and compulsively readable. Touches a lot on mental health, which is not unexpected from Matt Haig.

Arc received from Edelweiss and Viking Books in exchange for an honest review

Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book was excellent and I will absolutely be introducing it to my children in the coming years and listening again. It felt very digestible and was even funny at times, as only Jason Reynolds can pull off with this subject matter. Very, very well done.

The Watsons/Sanditon by Jane Austen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I highly enjoyed this audiobook but it was very strange for it to end partway through, even though I knew that would be the case. Cannot wait to watch the show now!

The Simple Wild by K.A. Tucker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I’d been meaning to read this book since it came out but my Canadian bookstagram friends finally talked about it enough that I knew I had to get to it sooner rather than later. I’m happy to say that I now CANNOT WAIT to start the second in the series, WILD AT HEART, ASAP! I enjoyed Calla’s journey to meet and spend time with her father and all that she discovered about herself along the way.

Of course, I would be remiss without mentioning the adorable romance in this book as well as the events that caused me to tear up a bit. Jonah was highly entertaining and easy to adore. As was Agnes and Diana and Simon and so many other characters. This book was well-written and I really and truly appreciated it when I finished.

One More for Christmas: A Novel by Sarah Morgan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I’ve enjoyed many of Sarah Morgan’s other books and this cover drew me right in. Her Christmas books are some of my favourite. This one drew me right in and I chuckled instantly at how the first few chapters unfolded. I was delighted with the Scotland setting like her previous Christmas book I’d enjoyed and the entire premise was fun but also emotional and captivating. Overall, I’d highly recommend this Christmas read if you like some family drama that moves towards a resolution, sweet romance with adorable characters, and a fun holiday setting in the Scottish highlands. I want everyone I know who loves this genre to add this to their list and I will be purchasing a copy for a few friends for Christmas.

Thank you to Harper Collins and Edelweiss for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

OTHER GOOD BOOKS:

When No One is Watching by Alyssa Cole
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have to admit it took me quite a while to get into this book. I did ultimately really enjoy it though, especially in the second half. After finishing, I do realize now that the first half was necessary to set up a LOT of the end story but the pace of this book threw me off a little bit.

Several of the characters in this book were easy to feel for. I did spend some time wondering who exactly to trust. I couldn’t flip the pages fast enough in about the last 15%, so that tells you something! Other than that, I wouldn’t call this a TRUE thriller though the ending absolutely did have that WOW factor. This book also went in a direction I was not expecting in regard to racism and gentrification and capitalism. Wow. My eyes were opened to a few scenarios/situations there despite this actual book being fiction – I am certain it was based in fact.

I did end up listening to maybe 50% of this on audio and that was excellently well done too. Thank you so much to Harper Collins and Edelweiss for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

You Had Me at Hola by Alexis Daria
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This audiobook was very well narrated and I really flew right through it, very keen to find out what happened to these delightful characters. Their chemistry was perfect, and the entire plot was unique and fun. If you are looking for a fresh and different own voices romance, this would be a great one to pick up.

The Twelve Dates of Christmas by Jenny Bayliss
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5 stars. This book made me laugh a lot and I really did enjoy it a lot. It was a cute and cozy Christmas read with adorable characters. I just wanted a little bit of a longer ending, but maybe a sequel someday?!

A Princess for Christmas by Jenny Holiday
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

3.5 stars – this book was absolutely adorable and fluffy and if you like Hallmark Christmas movies and their cheesiness and predictability, this book is totally for you. The characters were lovely, the setting was ideal, and of course, the ending is soooo cute. 🙂

Thank you to Avon and Edelweiss for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Jar of Hearts by Jennifer Hillier
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book did a huge number on me. I binge listened to it one day and at times felt completely blown away and at other times felt absolutely sick to my stomach. It is NOT a book for those who are weak in the stomach. LOL. This is an unputdownable thriller with a ton of twists and turns and I definitely recommend.

Currently Reading:

Murder on Cold Street by Sherry Thomas, A Discovery of Witches, and Brass Carriages and Glass Hearts. 🙂

What have you been reading lately?!?