Books I Read in October (And Whether or Not You Should Read Them).

The Marriage Lie by Kimberly Belle c/o Netgalley
Plot: Iris and Will's marriage is as close to perfect as it can be: a large house in a nice Atlanta neighborhood, rewarding careers and the excitement of trying for their first baby. But on the morning Will leaves for a business trip to Orlando, Iris's happy world comes to an abrupt halt. Another plane headed for Seattle has crashed into a field, killing everyone on board, and according to the airline, Will was one of the passengers on this plane. 
Grief-stricken and confused, Iris is convinced it all must be a huge misunderstanding. But as time passes and there is still no sign of Will, she reluctantly accepts that he is gone. Still, Iris needs answers. Why did Will lie about where he was going? What is in Seattle? And what else has he lied about? As Iris sets off on a desperate quest to find out what her husband was keeping from her, the answers she receives will shock her to her very core. -Via Goodreads
My thoughts: I read this book in a day. Not because it was amazing, though I did want to find out what was happening. It was more that it was an easy read to lose track of time with...it didn't take too much thought to follow the story, and I curled up in bed and finished it in a few hours. 
It was an interesting plot that made me wonder what I would do in a similar situation-I mean, if you find out your husband is a pretty big liar, what exactly does one do? I thought the main character was very relatable and I liked trying to guess what choices she would make. 
It wasn't the best book I've ever read...it was a little cliche and predictable at parts, and it didn't really stick with me after I'd read it...but I will say this: The very last paragraph of the whole book made me want to stand up and applaud, and I'd throw in an extra star just for that. I love a good ending.
Should you read it? If you're in a reading rut and have some extra time, sure! It's a good read. But you're not missing anything life-changing if you skip it. 
The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware Plot: In this tightly wound story, Lo Blacklock, a journalist who writes for a travel magazine, has just been given the assignment of a lifetime: a week on a luxury cruise with only a handful of cabins. At first, Lo’s stay is nothing but pleasant: the cabins are plush, the dinner parties are sparkling, and the guests are elegant. But as the week wears on, frigid winds whip the deck, gray skies fall, and Lo witnesses what she can only describe as a nightmare: a woman being thrown overboard. The problem? All passengers remain accounted for—and so, the ship sails on as if nothing has happened, despite Lo’s desperate attempts to convey that something (or someone) has gone terribly, terribly wrong…
With surprising twists and a setting that proves as uncomfortably claustrophobic as it is eerily beautiful, Ruth Ware offers up another intense read. -via Goodreads

Favorite quote: "We all have demons inside us, voices that whisper we're no good, that if we don't make this promotion or ace that exam we'll reveal to the world exactly what kind of worthless sacks of skin and sinew we really are. Maybe that's true. Maybe mine just have louder voices."
My thoughts: I started this book off a little worried because the main character reminded me of Rachel from The Girl on The Train. Spoiler alert: I did not like Rachel. But a few chapters in, this book sucked me in. 
I didn't guess the twist (love when that happens) and I was bummed that I had to stop reading it to get some sleep...both signs of a great mystery. I try to read a good thriller every October and this one definitely fit the bill!
Should you read it? Yes!
First, Kill All the Marriage Counselors by Laura Doyle Plot: Laura Doyle’s marriage was in trouble. Marriage counseling made their problems worse—each session seemed to reinforce the feeling that she and her husband were just too far apart.
Desperate to avoid divorcing the man she loved, Laura tried something different: she started talking to happily married women, some for more than 15 years. What she discovered shocked her.

Everything she had heard in marriage counseling was wrong. Laura realized there are basic truths that can help women maintain loving, intimate marriages.

After seeing her own marriage transform, Laura set out to help other women do the same. In First, Kill All the Marriage Counselors, you’ll learn Laura’s “Six Intimacy Skills,” which have been used by over 150,000 women who have turned their unhappy marriages into blissful unions.-via Goodreads

My thoughts: First things first: I am a huge proponent of counseling. The author had a bad experience with one and got a catchy book title out of it. In no way does a book take the place of therapy. 
Now that we've got that out of the way...I enjoyed this one! I appreciated that it came from the stance of, "You probably love your husband and he probably loves you, so let's make your marriage even better!" Instead of, "Your marriage is probably falling apart and you probably suck and so does he so let's change everything about you." 
However...this book is one of those where you've got to take everything and sift through it. There was some stuff that was so good...and some stuff (especially towards the end) that made me think. "Um...say what now?" The things I took away from the book were incredibly valuable, and I was able to just disagree with the things I didn't like.
Should you read it? If you can take things with a grain of salt, yes. If you're the kind of person who likes to read self-help books and take them as complete truth, skip this one. 
What did you read this month?

Books I Read in September (And Whether or Not You Should Read Them).

The Rumor By Elin Hilderbrand 
Plot: Madeline King and Grace Pancik are best friends and the envy of Nantucket for their perfect marriages, their beautiful kids, their Sunday night double dates with their devoted husbands. But this summer, something's changed, and if there's anything Nantucket likes better than cocktails on the beach at sunset, it's a good rumor.
And rumor has it...

...that Madeline, a novelist, is battling writer's block, with a deadline looming, bills piling up, and blank pages driving her to desperation--and a desperately bad decision;

...that Grace, hard at work to transform her backyard into a garden paradise, has been collaborating a bit more closely than necessary with her ruggedly handsome landscape architect;

...that Grace's husband, successful island real estate developer "Fast Eddie" Pancik, has embarked on quite an unusual side project;

...that the storybook romance between Madeline's son, Brick, and Grace's daughter Allegra is on the rocks, heading for disaster.

As the gossip escalates, and they face the possible loss of the happy lives they've worked so hard to create, Grace and Madeline try mightily to set the record straight--but the truth might be even worse than rumor has it. 

My Thoughts: This book dealt with some big, deep issues while still feeling like a light summer read that you can just tear through. I love when a book can do this. 

I loved this book. I loved that one of the main characters was an author, I loved that the main characters were established adults who had worked hard to get where they were (because I realize I'm in my young twenties, but I hate it when every "adult" book features a main character who is 22 years old who is somehow already 20 years into her career), I loved how the author perfectly captured the way people gossip, the reason why people gossip, and just what gossip can do. Reading this book made me feel like I was sitting on the beach, having a drink and listening to all the town's rumors firsthand.

It felt like a breezy beach read, but it surprised me with how deep it got! 

Should You Read it? Yes!

The Girl Before by J.P. Delaney advanced reader copy c/o Netgalley

Plot: Please make a list of every possession you consider essential to your life.

The request seems odd, even intrusive—and for the two women who answer, the consequences are devastating.

EMMA
Reeling from a traumatic break-in, Emma wants a new place to live. But none of the apartments she sees are affordable or feel safe. Until One Folgate Street. The house is an architectural masterpiece: a minimalist design of pale stone, plate glass, and soaring ceilings. But there are rules. The enigmatic architect who designed the house retains full control: no books, no throw pillows, no photos or clutter or personal effects of any kind. The space is intended to transform its occupant—and it does.

JANE
After a personal tragedy, Jane needs a fresh start. When she finds One Folgate Street she is instantly drawn to the space—and to its aloof but seductive creator. Moving in, Jane soon learns about the untimely death of the home’s previous tenant, a woman similar to Jane in age and appearance. As Jane tries to untangle truth from lies, she unwittingly follows the same patterns, makes the same choices, crosses paths with the same people, and experiences the same terror, as the girl before. -via Goodreads

My Thoughts: TWISTY. TWISTY. TWISTED. I have so much to say and I can't say any of it without spoiling this for you. 

So I'll say: I devoured this book in a day. This is a unique thriller. I love the way the story is told (we read about the girl then and the girl now in alternating chapters) and it had way more than one goosebump-inducing moment for me. 

I will say that there was an element to the book that made me feel gross, like, "ew why would you just throw this in here?" (See disclaimer below) But it does come back to play a really big part later.  

There were several times where I had the though BOOM I've solved it! And I was wrong every. single. time. 

It's a hard book to review without spoiling the plot, but it's one of the best thrillers I've ever read. It will leave you asking: Who exactly is the psychopath in this story?

Should You Read it? Yes. This book is coming out in January, and it's going to be 2017's Gone Girl and Girl on the Train. Trust me. You want to get your hands on it. 

A quick disclaimer: Just like everyone has different taste in books, I understand that everyone lands somewhere different with what they are comfortable reading. It's too much to keep track of what each book has in terms of language, violence, etc. And sometimes, it's impossible to talk about without giving the plot away. Please understand that just because I think a book is worth reading does not mean it's a book with no controversial content. I'll tell you if it's a good story or not, but you should look it up (or just ask me!) to see if it's something you are comfortable reading (instead of sending me an angry email). xoxo! 
What did you read this month?

Books I Read in August (And Whether or Not You Should Read Them).

Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty

Plot: Six responsible adults. Three cute kids. One small dog. It’s just a normal weekend. What could possibly go wrong?

Sam and Clementine have a wonderful, albeit, busy life: they have two little girls, Sam has just started a new dream job, and Clementine, a cellist, is busy preparing for the audition of a lifetime. If there’s anything they can count on, it’s each other.

Clementine and Erika are each other’s oldest friends. A single look between them can convey an entire conversation. But theirs is a complicated relationship, so when Erika mentions a last minute invitation to a barbecue with her neighbors, Tiffany and Vid, Clementine and Sam don’t hesitate. Having Tiffany and Vid’s larger than life personalities there will be a welcome respite.

Two months later, it won’t stop raining, and Clementine and Sam can’t stop asking themselves the question: What if we hadn’t gone?

In Truly Madly Guilty, Liane Moriarty takes on the foundations of our lives: marriage, sex, parenthood, and friendship. She shows how guilt can expose the fault lines in the most seemingly strong relationships, how what we don’t say can be more powerful than what we do, and how sometimes it is the most innocent of moments that can do the greatest harm. -via Goodreads

Favorite quote:

My thoughts: I absolutely love Liane Moriarty's books. I was so excited to read this one, but it was very different than I expected. That doesn't make it a bad book by any means (it's not!), it was just less mysterious and shocking than I expected.

Most mysteries go like this: You find out an event that happened (like murder or kidnapping or something like that), and then you're introduced to all of these characters and have to figure out who did this thing. 

Her mysteries go like this: You're introduced to all of the characters and the mystery isn't who did what, the mystery is that there is a thing has already happened you have to figure out what that thing is. I love it. 

This book follows that model, it just does so in what feels like a milder sense. It focused more on the characters than the events. 

Should you read it? If you're already a Liane Moriarty fan, yes. If you're not, start with What Alice Forgot or The Husband's Secret. 

The Vacationers by Emma Straub 

Plot: For the Posts, a two-week trip to the Balearic island of Mallorca with their extended family and friends is a celebration: Franny and Jim are observing their thirty-fifth wedding anniversary, and their daughter, Sylvia, has graduated from high school. The sunlit island, its mountains and beaches, its tapas and tennis courts, also promise an escape from the tensions simmering at home in Manhattan. But all does not go according to plan: over the course of the vacation, secrets come to light, old and new humiliations are experienced, childhood rivalries resurface, and ancient wounds are exacerbated.

This is a story of the sides of ourselves that we choose to show and those we try to conceal, of the ways we tear each other down and build each other up again, and the bonds that ultimately hold us together. With wry humor and tremendous heart, Emma Straub delivers a richly satisfying story of a family in the midst of a maelstrom of change, emerging irrevocably altered yet whole. -via Goodreads

Favorite quote: 

My thoughts: I picked up this book, read the first six or seven chapters, and then completely forgot about it...never a good sign. 

Jack took an extra long nap yesterday, so when I saw it on my dresser, I decided to finish it. 

And I liked it!

I don't think it's as amazing as everyone makes it out to be, but I do think it's a raw and honest (so therefore sometimes sad and sometimes funny) look at family, friendships, mistakes, and just life. 

When I finished the book, I felt like nothing had really happened, but I still felt closure. And really, it's not a book where a lot happens. It's a family and some friends who go on vacation together, and you get a view into their lives and their pasts and their mistakes and what they're going to do about all of that. 

It made me think a lot about my own life and family, and I always love when a book that really has nothing to do with me can make me feel a connection like that. 

Should you read it? Sure! But if you decide to skip it, you're not missing out on anything life-changing.

What did you read this month? I really need an "absolutely loved it" kind of book for next month...send one my way!

Books I Read in July & Whether or Not You Should Read Them.

Despite getting a library card and checking out entirely too many books, I somehow only read two books this month. And by somehow, I mean "it's really hard to read a book while holding a baby who wants to rip out all the pages." Haha. 

Anyway, here's what I've got for you this month. Hopefully August will be full of way more good reads. A girl can dream, right? 

The Dinner by Herman Koch
Plot: "A summer's evening in Amsterdam and two couples meet at a fashionable restaurant. Between mouthfuls of food and over the delicate scraping of cutlery, the conversation remains a gentle hum of politeness - the banality of work, the triviality of holidays. But the empty words hide a terrible conflict and, with every forced smile and every new course, the knives are being sharpened... Each couple has a fifteen-year-old son. Together, the boys have committed a horrifying act, caught on camera, and their grainy images have been beamed into living rooms across the nation; despite a police manhunt, the boys remain unidentified - by everyone except their parents. As the dinner reaches its culinary climax, the conversation finally touches on their children and, as civility and friendship disintegrate, each couple shows just how far they are prepared to go to protect those they love." -via Goodreads
My thoughts: Everywhere I saw a review on this book, people raved about it. I was so excited to read it...but I didn't like it. At all. It was one of those that I probably wouldn't have even finished if I hadn't heard such good things about it. 
About halfway in, I thought, "Have I liked a single thing about this book yet?" And the answer was no. And then the answer continued to be no. I didn't like the plot, I didn't like the characters, I just didn't like the book. I think the way it's laid out is an interesting concept, and that's about all I liked. 
Sorry if you loved this book or if you're one of the people who recommended it to me. This is me right now...see number six.
Should you read it? I wouldn't. 
First Comes Love by Emily Giffin
Plot: "Growing up, Josie and Meredith Garland shared a loving, if sometimes contentious relationship. Josie was impulsive, spirited, and outgoing; Meredith hardworking, thoughtful, and reserved. When tragedy strikes their family, their different responses to the event splinter their delicate bond.  
Fifteen years later, Josie and Meredith are in their late thirties, following very different paths. Josie, a first grade teacher, is single—and this close to swearing off dating for good. What she wants more than the right guy, however, is to become a mother—a feeling that is heightened when her ex-boyfriend’s daughter ends up in her class. Determined to have the future she’s always wanted, Josie decides to take matters into her own hands.
 
On the outside, Meredith is the model daughter with the perfect life. A successful attorney, she’s married to a wonderful man, and together they’re raising a beautiful four-year-old daughter. Yet lately, Meredith feels dissatisfied and restless, secretly wondering if she chose the life that was expected of her rather than the one she truly desired. 
 
As the anniversary of their tragedy looms and painful secrets from the past begin to surface, Josie and Meredith must not only confront the issues that divide them, but also come to terms with their own choices. In their journey toward understanding and forgiveness, both sisters discover they need each other more than they knew . . . and that in the recipe for true happiness, love always comes first.
 
Emotionally honest and utterly enthralling, First Comes Love is a story about family, friendship, and the courage to follow your own heart—wherever that may lead."-via Goodreads

Favorite quote: “But there is one constant, one thing you can always count on: that not only does love come first, but at the end, it is the only thing that remains.” 
My thoughts: Emily Giffin has a talent for taking emotionally raw, normal life stories and making them compelling enough that you want to read a whole book about them. When I finished this book, I felt less like I had read a novel and more like I had just been hanging out with a slightly dysfunctional (aren't they all?) family for a week or so. 
I enjoyed it. It wasn't my favorite book ever, but it was a nice pool read.
Should you read it? Yes, if you like Emily's other books. 
What did you read this month?

Books I Read in June & Whether or Not You Should Read Them.

June has been a super busy month, so I've only managed to read two books so far. However, they were both can't-get-enough-of books. 

The Girl You Lost by Kathryn Croft
Plot: "Eighteen years ago your baby daughter was snatched. Today, she came back. 
A sinister and darkly compelling psychological thriller from the No. 1 bestselling author of The Girl With No Past. Eighteen years ago, Simone Porter's six-month-old daughter, Helena, was abducted. Simone and her husband, Matt, have slowly rebuilt their shattered lives, but the pain of losing their child has never left them. Then a young woman, Grace, appears out of the blue and tells Simone she has information about her stolen baby. But just who is Grace - and can Simone trust her? 
When Grace herself disappears, Simone becomes embroiled in a desperate search for her baby and the woman who has vital clues about her whereabouts. Simone is inching closer to the truth but it'll take her into dangerous and disturbing territory. Simone lost her baby. Will she lose her life trying to find her?" -via Goodreads
My Thoughts: I have very similar taste in books that my friend Olya has, so when she recommended this book, I knew I wanted to read it. 
Like she said, it's one of those where you can't say too much about it without spoiling it, but I can tell you that this was one of the best mysteries I've ever read. It truly shocked me. I know that's a sucky review, but I don't want to ruin it. It was an incredible story. 
It also deals with some very disturbing things. I finished it in one day, and when I was done, I laid in bed just thinking about it for an hour before swearing off of all mysteries forever because I just can't handle it. And then I got a good night's sleep and woke up and ordered her next book. 
Should You Read It: Yes, but not if you're easily disturbed. I think it'd be smart to look up the subjects it deals with before deciding.  Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
Plot: "Lou Clark knows lots of things. She knows how many footsteps there are between the bus stop and home. She knows she likes working in The Buttered Bun tea shop and she knows she might not love her boyfriend Patrick.
What Lou doesn't know is she's about to lose her job or that knowing what's coming is what keeps her sane.

Will Traynor knows his motorcycle accident took away his desire to live. He knows everything feels very small and rather joyless now and he knows exactly how he's going to put a stop to that.

What Will doesn't know is that Lou is about to burst into his world in a riot of colour. And neither of them knows they're going to change the other for all time." -via Goodreads

Favorite Quote: "You only get one life. It's actually your duty to live it as fully as possible." 
My Thoughts: Oh. My. Goodness. I'll start by saying that even though this book was incredibly popular, I actually managed to not spoil it for myself-I didn't even know the subject matter. Which made it all the more enjoyable and all the more HEARTBREAKING. 
It's hard to talk about this one without spoiling things, but I'll say it's a story that will stick with me for a very long time. The writing was wonderful, the characters were amazing, and I couldn't read this story fast enough. But I also have never cried so hard while reading a book. Crying isn't even the right word-I have never wept so hard while reading a book. 
Should You Read It? Yes-but prepare your poor little heart to be shattered in the best way possible. 
What have you been reading this month?

Books I Read in May (And Whether or Not You Should Read Them).

Two. I read two books in May. To be fair, I've had a lot going on with Christopher's graduation and buying a house and all. But when I got pregnant, someone told me I would never ever have time to read a book ever again in my entire life (just a bit dramatic to say to someone, but okay), so I'm feeling pretty good about myself.
Also, I've crossed over to the side that believes listening to a book is the same as reading it. It's better than watching TV, right?!
Anyway, on to the books! 
No One Knows by J.T. Ellison 
Plot: In an obsessive mystery as thrilling as The Girl on the Train and The Husband’s Secret, New York Times bestselling author J.T. Ellison will make you question every twist in her page-turning novel—and wonder which of her vividly drawn characters you should trust.
The day Aubrey Hamilton’s husband is declared dead by the state of Tennessee should bring closure so she can move on with her life. But Aubrey doesn’t want to move on; she wants Josh back. It’s been five years since he disappeared, since their blissfully happy marriage—they were happy, weren’t they?—screeched to a halt and Aubrey became the prime suspect in his disappearance. Five years of emptiness, solitude, loneliness, questions. Why didn’t Josh show up at his friend’s bachelor party? Was he murdered? Did he run away? And now, all this time later, who is the mysterious yet strangely familiar figure suddenly haunting her new life?

In No One Knows, Ellison expertly peels back the layers of a complex woman who is hiding dark secrets beneath her unassuming exterior. This masterful thriller for fans of Gillian Flynn, Liane Moriarty, and Paula Hawkins will pull readers into a you’ll-never-guess merry-go-round of danger and deception. Round and round and round it goes, where it stops…no one knows. -via goodreads 

My thoughts: I downloaded this book on a whim without knowing anything about it (something I never do) because I had an Audible credit about to expire and this was recommended based on my previous purchases. Funny enough, it ended up being about a girl married to a guy in med-school in Tennessee (that's where I'm from). It was fun to have so much in common with a main character in a mystery. 
Now...I base "shocking twists" in books on Gone Girl (SPOILER COMING) and when we find out she's really alive. When I got to that point in the book, which I was reading on my phone, it shocked me so much that I dropped my phone in my coffee. There was no phone-dropping with this one, but more of a "Okay, I see the twist coming. Wait...there's more to it? Oh, and more? Wait, again?" A bunch of little twists that spin the story around and around until you're finished with the book and you kind of understand how you got there, but it was quite the ride.
Should you read it? Yes. Goodreads is right in comparing this author to Gillian Flynn, Liane Moriarty, and Paula Hawkins. If you like mysteries, this one is worth a read. 
Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert

Plot: "Readers of all ages and walks of life have drawn inspiration and empowerment from Elizabeth Gilbert’s books for years. Now this beloved author digs deep into her own generative process to share her wisdom and unique perspective about creativity. With profound empathy and radiant generosity, she offers potent insights into the mysterious nature of inspiration. She asks us to embrace our curiosity and let go of needless suffering. She shows us how to tackle what we most love, and how to face down what we most fear. She discusses the attitudes, approaches, and habits we need in order to live our most creative lives. Balancing between soulful spirituality and cheerful pragmatism, Gilbert encourages us to uncover the “strange jewels” that are hidden within each of us. Whether we are looking to write a book, make art, find new ways to address challenges in our work,  embark on a dream long deferred, or simply infuse our everyday lives with more mindfulness and passion, Big Magic cracks open a world of wonder and joy." -via Goodreads
Favorite Quote(s): SO. MANY.
"So this, I believe, is the central question upon which all creative living hinges: Do you have the courage to bring forth the treasures that are hidden within you?" 
"“Recognizing that people's reactions don't belong to you is the only sane way to create. If people enjoy what you've created, terrific. If people ignore what you've created, too bad. If people misunderstand what you've created, don't sweat it. And what if people absolutely hate what you've created? What if people attack you with savage vitriol, and insult your intelligence, and malign your motives, and drag your good name through the mud? Just smile sweetly and suggest - as politely as you possibly can - that they go make their own (beep)ing art. Then stubbornly continue making yours.” 
My Thoughts: There's a John Green Quote that says, "Sometimes, you read a book and it fills you with this weird evangelical zeal, and you become convinced that the shattered world will never be put back together unless and until all living humans read the book.” Big Magic is that book for me.
Reading it was a mix between being at a conference and hearing these great talks about creativity and having coffee with an encouraging friend and meeting with a therapist who already knew about all your inner turmoil. It touched me so much that I'm tearing up just writing this. Every other page I felt myself saying, "me too, me too, me too." If any part of your life involves any sort of creativity at all, please, please read this book. 
Should you read it: YES. 
What did you read this month?

Books I Read in April (And Whether or Not You Should Read Them).

The Good Girl by Mary Kubica

Plot: "One night, Mia Dennett enters a bar to meet her on-again, off-again boyfriend. But when he doesn't show, she unwisely leaves with an enigmatic stranger. At first Colin Thatcher seems like a safe one-night stand. But following Colin home will turn out to be the worst mistake of Mia's life. 

When Colin decides to hide Mia in a secluded cabin in rural Minnesota instead of delivering her to his employers, Mia's mother, Eve, and detective Gabe Hoffman will stop at nothing to find them. But no one could have predicted the emotional entanglements that eventually cause this family's world to shatter. 

An addictively suspenseful and tautly written thriller, The Good Girl is a propulsive debut that reveals how even in the perfect family, nothing is as it seems." -via Goodreads


Favorite quote: I didn't copy any down. 

My thoughts: This one took me a very long time to finish. Actually, that's not completely true. It took me a very long time to finish the first half. After that, I was intrigued and wanted to know what happened. So obviously, I found the first half a little bit slow. It's written in before/after split perspectives, which was interesting towards the end, but it took me a little while to feel invested. That being said, once I got towards the middle of the book, I couldn't put it down. And I really was shocked by the ending, which I love. 

Should you read it? Maybe. It reminded me of The Girl on the Train. I didn't love it, but it did reel me in and managed to surprise me a bit. If you liked The Girl on the Train or books like that, I think you'll like this one. 

Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes

Plot: "The mega-talented creator of Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal chronicles how saying YES for one year changed her life―and how it can change yours, too. With three hit shows on television and three children at home, the uber-talented Shonda Rhimes had lots of good reasons to say NO when an unexpected invitation arrived. Hollywood party? No. Speaking engagement? No. Media appearances? No.

And there was the side-benefit of saying No for an introvert like Shonda: nothing new to fear.

Then Shonda’s sister laid down a challenge: just for one year, try to say YES to the unexpected invitations that come your way. Shonda reluctantly agreed―and the result was nothing short of transformative. In Year of Yes, Shonda Rhimes chronicles the powerful impact saying yes had on every aspect of her life―and how we can all change our lives with one little word. Yes." -via Goodreads

Favorite quote(s): "My brain turns toward fiction like a flower toward the sun, like writing with my right hand...spinning tall tales... knitting yarns made of stories is my dirty little vice, and I like it. But it's not just a bad habit. I need to do it, I have to do it."

"My point is that it can be scary to graduate. That you can lie on the hardwood floor of your dorm room and cry while your mom packs up your stuff. That you can have an impossible dream to be Toni Morrison that you have to let go of. That every day you can feel like you might be failing at work or at your home life. That the real world is hard.

And yet, you can still wake up every single morning and go, "I have three amazing kids and I have created work I am proud of, and I absolutely love my life and I would not trade it for anyone else's life ever.."

You can still wake up one day and find yourself living a life you never even imagined dreaming of.

My dreams did not come true. But I worked really hard. And I ended up building an empire out of my imagination. So my dreams? Can suck it."

My Thoughts: I got this book because this woman is a writer who pretty much owns television right now. I wanted a look behind the scenes, to hear stories about my favorite shows. I assumed it was just going to be a very interesting autobiography. And it was-but there was so much in there I wasn't expecting! She talks a lot about creative process, about failure and fears, and even surprising things such as being a good mom. It left me feeling inspired and motivated and like all my dreams could come true.

Should you read it? Yes!

Bossypants by Tina Fey 

Plot: "Before Liz Lemon, before "Weekend Update," before "Sarah Palin," Tina Fey was just a young girl with a dream: a recurring stress dream that she was being chased through a local airport by her middle-school gym teacher. She also had a dream that one day she would be a comedian on TV. She has seen both these dreams come true.

At last, Tina Fey's story can be told. From her youthful days as a vicious nerd to her tour of duty on Saturday Night Live; from her passionately halfhearted pursuit of physical beauty to her life as a mother eating things off the floor; from her one-sided college romance to her nearly fatal honeymoon—from the beginning of this paragraph to this final sentence. Tina Fey reveals all, and proves what we've all suspected: you're no one until someone calls you bossy." -via Goodreads

Favorite quote: Way too many to list. I started keeping track of them, until I realized there was at least one on almost every page. She hilariously recaps her thoughts on Kim Kardashian and the expectation of women's bodies, what she prays for her daughter,  stories from high school and college. One of the more serious quotes from the book: 

"So, my unsolicited advice to women in the workplace is this. When faced with sexism, or ageism, or lookism, or even really aggressive Buddhism, ask yourself the following question: “Is this person in between me and what I want to do?” If the answer is no, ignore it and move on. Your energy is better used doing your work and outpacing people that way. Then, when you’re in charge, don’t hire the people who were jerky to you."

My thoughts: Tina Fey for President. Really. This book is a hilarious look at her life and successes, but it also covers some serious issues. Any book that can make me laugh out loud while also bringing up real-life issues is a winner.

Should you read it? If you know who Tina Fey is, then yes. If you don't, first reexamine your life, then read this book. Priorities, you know.

What are you reading this month?