Well let’s just say my reading this month didn’t go according to plan. I had my list ready to go at the beginning of the month, but then found myself moving some titles around and bumping them down to April. It’s almost like March turned into ‘catch up month.’ I enjoy Elin Hildebrand and had already read part of her Winter Series. Winter Stroll has been sitting in a stack of a few other books in my room for a little while so I decided to read it back in February but didn’t quite have it finished for my last review and rolled it into March. The last book in this Winter Series, Winter Solstice, was then added to the agenda for March. However, when I started reading it, I realized a few new characters were being introduced that hadn’t been in the others of this series. After a quick google search, I realized they came from another book outside of the series and were overlapping into this one. So, I pressed pause on Winter Solstice and started on The Rumor. I’ll discuss in my review how this book set the pace for the month.
I also finally finished another book that I started back in February that’s been sitting on my bedside table. These days I struggle to read actual books that haven’t been downloaded to my phone. I tend to read at night so books just aren’t conducive to that. (Pretty sure all of my book lights are dead and/or lost since the pre-smart device days.) My phone is just way more convenient in this regard. Who knew the girl who avoidsd reading on a tablet at all costs in the beginning because she thought she would miss being able to actually turn pages now prefers to read on my phone or Kindle. Probably because when I have time to read, it’s dark. #convenience #thisis2019
Winter Stroll is the second book in the Winter Series. I had accidentally read Winter Storms, the third book, before realizing I skipped a whole year of events. So reading Winter Stroll, I had to put myself in flashback mode since I already knew what was happening a year later. All of the characters’ lives had settled down, or so it seemed. The bitterness from exes had subsided for the most part and new relationships were on the horizon. Kelley, the patriarch of the family, had adjusted to his ex-wife bailing out the Inn financially to keep things afloat and was luring in new guests with her news anchor stardom by staying once a month. He was also coming to terms to the fact that his second wife, Mitzi had run off with the Inn’s annual Santa Claus. His oldest son, Kevin had welcomed a daughter, Genevieve with his fiancé, Isabelle, the Inn’s French housekeeper and his daughter, Ava was in a more stable relationship with a fellow teacher, Scott. Kelley’s youngest son, and only child together with Mitzi, was still at war. All seemed to be fairly peaceful going into the holiday season, but that was quick to change when Mitzi shows up unexpectedly. And this isn’t the only surprise. It’s a Christmas where lovers old and new cause conflict with jealously, passion and more. I enjoyed being able to put together the missing pieces since I had read ahead and look forward to reading the final book in the series, Winter Solstice in April. Elin Hildebrand’s books are easy reads with likable characters. The are mindless reads in terms of tuning out the world and letting yourself become immersed into the Nantucket world she has created. I enjoy reading these between some of the psychological thrillers I read on a more regular basis.
It took me a little while to become invested in these characters and for the plot to get going, so I think this is what slowed me down on my March reading. Initially, The Rumor wasn’t on my March reading list nor was it even on my radar. I started to read Winter Solstice after finishing Winter Stroll, when I realized that some characters were being introduced that had not yet appeared in the first three books of the series. After a quick google search, I realized that the author had overlapped characters like I already mentioned above. I then bookmarked Winter Solstice and downloaded The Rumor. After reading this book, I would say the main messages are ‘the grass isn’t always greener on the other side’ and ‘less is more.’ The book follows two families; the wives are best friends and their kids are knee deep in the typical high school drama. Once the plot gets going, it’s a whirlwind of gossip, deception, infidelity and greed. But luckily lessons are learned and issues are resolved in the end but that’s all I’ll say to not ruin the crazy web this book weaves.
This book was a Christmas present given to Brad by his grandmother. I was intrigued enough to see what Mike Huckabee had to say and decided to give it a read. I found myself agreeing with basically everything he said, a few times saying to Brad “listen to this” and reading some of it out loud because he made such good points covering things from politics to faith to parenthood. I’m not big into politics but I appreciate his view of making decisions to impact the next generation and not just decisions that will impact the next election, decisions that give you quicker results which so many people desire but may not necessarily be equipped to make it the long haul. Huckabee, strong in his faith and a follower of Jesus Christ, also shares many stories from his personal life that are either relatable or very endearing. He says, “Every child’s life is like a book of blank pages waiting to be written on. Something is written each day.” This stuck out to me because I try fill our days with fun activities that my girls will remember fondly. I know right now these memories are more for me until they are of the age to be able to remember but I know looking back, these times for me will be some of the most beautiful chapters of my own book of life. Huckabee also says, “As parents, our goal should be to channel the energy of our children rather than destroy their creative and curious natures given by God that motivates them to discover their unique purposes.” Wow, what a statement. I would recommend reading this book. I found it to be very positive and a breath of fresh air in regards to the political outlook of our future, the importance of being faith centered and family focused.
My reading lists are ready to go from April through June with notes for the rest of the year to read all of Elin Hildebrand, Emily Giffin and Liane Moriarty. I also continue to add other books as I see recommendations from other people. Reading has always been a hobby of mine, but I’m enjoying making it a little more of a priority when I have some ‘me’ time to decompress from the stresses of mom life and just life in general. My husband, not being much of a leisure reader, frequently comments that he hopes our girls enjoy reading like I do. So far Laney absolutely loves books so we are hopeful Morgan will follow suit.
Here’s to getting back on track in April. Drop a comment if you have a book I need to add to my list. Happy reading!
xo Ashley
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