Posts Tagged With: amreading

#SpringIntoLoveBingo Picks

Posted on February 27, 2021 by Ashley Lauren

Need some inspiration? Here are some of my romance favs and where they could fit in the mix! More to come – and I’m happy to add in recommendations!

Map/Diagram

Secrets
– Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry by Joya Goffney (haven’t read yet but the synopsis talks about blackmail!)
– Perfect on Paper by Sophie Gonzales (haven’t read yet!)
– You have a Match by Emma Lord (now this has a BIG secret!)
– The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon
– How to Love a Duke in Ten Days by Kerrigna Byrne (haven’t read yet!)

Spring Cleaning

Set in Continental Europe
– Kisses and Croissants by Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau (haven’t read yet!)
– The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas (haven’t read yet!)
– Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Makes You Laugh
– Literally every book by Lyssa Kay Adams (Bromance Book Club FTW)
– Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall
– The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon

Pact
– Tweet Cute by Emma Lord (I think you can call their agreement to have their twitter challenge a pact)

Out of Comfort Zone

Black Love
– Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry by Joya Goffney (haven’t read yet!)
– Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert
– Happily Ever Afters by Elise Bryant (haven’t read yet!)

MC Has Unusual Scent
– The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

Sophomore Novel
– The Intimacy Experiment by Rosie Dann (haven’t read yet but The Roommate was the BOMB)

Clinch Cover
– Written in the Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur
– The Rakess by Scarlett Peckham (haven’t read yet!)

Social Media Rec

HEA
I mean – all of them?

Term of Endearment

Favorite Trope (for me, that’s going to be enemies to lovers OR only one bed)
– You Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hogle (haven’t read yet!)
– The Hating Game by Sally Thorne (haven’t read yet1)

Competition or Reality TV
– One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London
– The Theory of Second Best by J. Bengtsson

Growl
– Love Your Life by Sophie Kinsella
– The Happy Ever After Playlist by Abby Jimenez

Flowers
– The Switch by Beth O’Leary (I definitely remember some gardening here!)

Spring Break: Vacation
– People we Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry (haven’t read yet but Beach Read was spot on and could also work for this box!)
– The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren
– Field Notes on Love by Jennifer E. Smith (haven’t read yet!)

Queer Historical
– Slippery Creatures by K.J. Charles (haven’t read yet!)

Big City Romance
– Love Your Life by Sophie Kinsella

PNR/SFF Romance by AOC
– Death Wish by Harper A. Brooks

Folklore

Mental Health Rep

Forearms
– The Roommate by Rosie Dann (okay, to be honest, I don’t remember if forearms are specifically mentioned but SURELY they are)

Categories: Lists | Tags: #SpringIntoLoveBingo, amreading, amreadingromance, recommendations, romance | Leave a comment

#SnowInLoveBingo Picks

Posted on December 2, 2020 by Ashley Lauren

If you’re like me, sometimes you need help filling in these bingo squares! Here are some of my favorites and their categories – and also some of the ones that I hope will fit the categories! I’ll fill these in as I read and learn more so come back through Feb for more hot picks. And let me know what I can add!

Set Outside The US/Europe
Shipped by Angie Hockman – haven’t read this yet, but it’s set in the Galapagos!
A Summer for Scandal by Lydia San Andres – set in Spanish Caribbean

Family Drama
Beach Read by Emily Henry – Female MC has all kinds of family angst
The Roommate by Rosie Danan – Female MC struggles against the family ties
Like the Wind by J. Bengtsson – plenty of family drama for this male MC
Tweet Cute by Emma Lord – sooo much family drama. Like, the whole point!
I Owe You One by Sophie Kinsella
Love Your Life by Sophie Kinsella – male MC has some serious family issues
Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade – major drama with both MCs!
In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren – literally the whole thing.
The Switch by Beth O’Leary

Hot Beverage
Take a Hint, Dani Brown – Talia Hibbert – romance brews over coffee!

Meta
Beach Read by Emily Henry – Both are authors
The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams (and any of the sequels!)
Love Your Life by Sophie Kinsella – main characters meet at a romance fiction writing retreat

Fluffy
Neanderthal Seeks Human by Penny Reid
Almost anything by Lauren Blakely – Well Hung, Mister O, the list of good ‘uns continues.
Love Your Life by Sophie Kinsella – I mean there’s some learnings but this feel super fluffy
Instant Karma by Marissa Meyer

Childfree HEA
A Rogue of One’s Own by Evie Dunmore
The Roommate by Rosie Danan
Love Your Life by Sophie Kinsella
Written in the Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur

Into The Woods
Beach Read by Emily Henry – at some point there is a woods, and camping.
The Simple Wild by K.A. Tucker – Alaska, lots of woods out there, eh?
City of the Lost by Kelley Armstrong – okay, this one isn’t technically a romance novel but there IS romance and detective work and SO MUCH TIME IN THE WOODS so it totally fits, IMO.

Black Historical
Rebel by Beverly Jenkins – haven’t read it yet but it sounds soooo good. Jenkins has a number of other novels that would likely qualify in this category!

Feels Like Home
My (Not So) Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella – In this one the character “returns home” – and to be honest, all of Sophie’s books feel like home to me. I just love her.
Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes – I can’t remember if, technically, either of these characters “comes home” but I feel like MCs have to get to the root of who they are.
Crazy Stupid Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams – they actually have a line about “coming home” to each other. So BOOM.
In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren – how homey this feels is kind of the WHOLE point
The Switch by Beth O’Leary

Fake Relationship
Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall – okay, so I never quite got why they had a fake relationship but this book is sooo funny I don’t even care.
The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren – not just a fake relationship, but a fake marriage!
Written in the Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur

Cover/Title You Love
You Had Me at Hola by Alexis Daria
Written in the Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur

Happy Holidays
The Christmas Wager by Delilah Marvelle – I haven’t read this one yet but I am a big fan of Marvelle’s stuff!
In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren

Audiobook or HEA
Like the Wind by J. Bengtsson – great on audio!
Mister O by Lauren Blakely – this is sooo goood on audio
The Simple Wild by K.A. Tucker – I really enjoyed this on audio

Brown Eyes
Well Met by Jen DeLuca – I am 99% sure Simon has brown eyes. If I’m wrong, I’m not sorry for suggesting this book.
Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade – female MC has brown eyes

Small Town Romance by Author of Color
The Duke Who Didn’t by Courtney Milan
A Summer for Scandal by Lydia San Andres – haven’t read yet

Snow
Head Over Heels by Hannah Orenstein – definitely some snowy scenes in this one
Bringing Down the Duke by Evie Dunmore – there’s on particularly cold and frosty scene in this one that starts to warm things up! *wink wink, nudge, nudge*
In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren – lots of snow in Park City, Utah!
The Simple Wild by K.A. Tucker – Alaska – nuff said

F/F Contemporary
Before You Say I Do – Clare Lydon
Written in the Stars – Alexandria Bellefleur – this one was lovely

Messy Characters
Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey – to be literal here, at one point the female MC gets super muddy. Ha!
Love Your Life by Sophie Kinsella – female MC is super untidy and just like… a mess. Hahaha
In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren – their situation is so messy IMO

Specific/Unusual Profession
Wild Cards by Simone Elkeles – okay, so this is YA so it’s not really a “profession” but she’s a female football player soooo…
Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuinston – surely being a prince is an unusual profession?
Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade – female MC is a geologist!
The Simple Wild by K.A. Tucker -male MC is an Alaskan bush pilot.

Rules/Lists/Resolutions
10 Blind Dates by Ashley Elston
Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert
The Duke who Didn’t by Courtney Milan

Music
Like the Wind by J. Bengtsson – gotta love an MC who is a pop star
The Happy Ever After Paylist by Abby Jimenez – rock star boyfriennnnnds
Cake by J. Bengtsson – another rock star

Retelling/Mythology
Eligible: A Modern Retelling of Pride & Prejudice by Curtis Sittenfeld
Cinder by Marissa Meyer (or any in the series)
Heartless by Marissa Meyer

Categories: Lists | Tags: amreading, bingo, reading romance, romance | 2 Comments

The BEST Obscure Books – Read off the Beaten Path!

Posted on August 7, 2020 by Ashley Lauren

Look – it’s fun to read what’s hot and new, isn’t it? I do it all the time. I see that book with thousands of reviews at 4.5 stars and I know I’m in for a good read. But, how fun is it to pick up that book with only a few reviews, maybe it was written ages ago, and you feel like you found a hidden treasure?

Here is your best of both worlds! Trust me on this – these little known books (fewer than 2,000 ratings on Good Reads) are SO worth your time – pick them up to today!

Caravan
Dorothy Gilman

I’ve read this book twice now and it is truly incredible. It has everything – every twist and turn you can imagine. It’s the story of a young girl told by an old one where you can feel the truth of it but with the knowing eye of an old woman looking back. This is a book where horrible, terrible things can happen to the characters and somehow you still want their lives. This book is magic wrapped up in one neat little package and now I can’t say anything else without just positively gushing.

And I can’t wait to read it again!

In Arabian Nights: A Caravan of Moroccan Dreams
Tahir Shah

This is the only book I have ever finished and immediately wanted to re-read. I would have; but I really want to buy a paper copy and read it that way instead. I’m abroad right now, but when I get back in the states I will own this! I’m also planning on reading just about everything Tahir Shah has written.

So why? Why am I so ga-ga over this book? One of my greatest loves in life is traveling and this book just oozes with the emotions of a traveler. Shah is an individual who is restless, who is curious, who judges people with an eye of disbelief AND understanding, who takes people what they are and, while human being are unable to completely ever fill another’s shoes, he incorporates what he can. It’s incredible – I stopped multiple times while reading to ponder or scribble down a sentence. Shah’s words described my own emotions: it’s so wonderful to feel understood.

This book is both memoir and story – it’s a mixture of tales, events, meaningful and not. His ability to tie in everything makes me believes he’s led not only a great life but also a fascinating one – I believe this book is filled with both truths and fibs and it works beautifully into one tapestry. I picked it up because I was going to Morocco to travel – I’ve never been more excited to examine a place now after having read this book.

I’d recommend this to just about everyone who is willing to ponder new ideas, cultures, adventures, etc. It’s phenomenal!

The Girl Who Could Move Sh*T With Her Mind
Jackson Ford

I clearly picked up this book because it has the best title in the known universe. And then it ended up being great! SCORE!

It’s hysterical. I seriously laughed out loud multiple times while listening to this (btw – the audio narration is excellent). I love Teagan as a character – beautiful perks and flaws. This book is full of action and adventure and the dynamic of the characters are so much fun. The ending got a smidge long but I can definitely overlook that and am so eager to get started on book 2.

My (Underground) American Dream
Julissa Arce

I really enjoyed this memoir – I was able to hear Julissa speak in Chicago for HACE and her story is incredible and memorable. It is so timely and brave as well – definitely one to read.

Golden Earrings
Belinda Alexandra

Oh, this book.

Do you ever read a historical fiction and think, “This must have happened.” It was so expertly woven, the truth and tales of the times intermingled with the fiction so beautifully I thought it had to be true. The richness of the story, though certainly not all uplifting, felt like something that just had to have happened. Of course, I realize that’s not the case, but I don’t think I’ll be able to ever think about the Spanish Civil War without imagining La Rusa’s impact.

Paloma, Evelina, Celestina – Golden Earrings is a tale of strong women who are impacted by a terrible war. It’s a story about how people react when their lives are altered by others’ choices. It’s not a story about making all the right decisions. Each and every one of the characters in this novel make mistakes – very large mistakes – that send waves of impacts down the line for years. But mistakes don’t make a person, and Alexandra’s weaving of the characters shows that mistakes can be made by good people, but that good people aren’t immune to hard choices.

This is a little known novel that needs some serious love. It’s incredible via audio book and I’m sure just as good on paper. Highly recommend, and I will definitely be picking up more of Alexandra in the future.

The Summer Fletcher Greel Loved Me
Suzanne Kingsbury

I have never been to the south, at least not the “deep” south and, man, did this book make me want to go. It’s not that Kingsbury even made it seem that appealing – all she talked about was the heat, the way the sweat dripped down someone’s neck, the stifling air in the rooms, etc. But she really made me FEEL it and I haven’t really spent any time in that kind of environment…

It’s a powerful book. Kingsbury does such a great sense of having you /feel/ relationships. I could sense the tension or happiness or love or whatever they felt between the characters. It was invigorating.

Fanny: Being the True History of the Adventures of Fanny Hackabout-Jones
Erica Jong

This book was pretty astounding. Very rarely have I reacted to a book with as much gusto – and I’m not talking about tears and laughter here, I’m talking about flat out shock. In terms of fiction, I’ve never had a book startle me as much as this one did and I loved it all the more for it. Erica Jong wrote this in such a manner that I truly believed she was Fanny Hackabout-Jones. She said in the beginning that she would keep no modesty, and she kept true to her word. The events in this book had ways of simultaneously disgusting and arousing me but ultimately making me truly care for, and hate, the same ones that Fanny did. Fanny wanted to teach Belinda, her daughter, all the things she had learned in the world. At the very least, I think she succeeded in teaching me.

Incognito Street: How Travel Made Me a Writer
Barbara Sjohlm

I’m a little biased as writing and travel are two of my absolute favorite things, but this is such a beautiful memoir that really takes you into her growth and self-discovery. Highly underrated and a truly beautiful book.

Death Wish (Reaper Reborn Series)
Harper A. Brooks

Overall, this book was really engaging and interesting. A couple parts were maybe a bit of a stretch but overall I was able to get into the story. Great pacing and characterization – Jade is such a fun character to follow and Brooks doesn’t pull the punches. Great series!

Songs from the Phenomenal Nothing
Steven Luna

I sat down to read a chapter or two, just for a bit, and now I’m done. Devoured. That’s what happened with this book. Five, five, five stars.

This one had me from the get-go. Within about thirty seconds of reading you know Tyler Mills. He’s a teenage kid pissed off about something and is blaming it on his Dad for being a different person than him. At first you want to say “boo-hoo, kid” and kick off, but in the next thirty seconds you realize his Mom, his true connection, his source of inspiration, is dead. And then you feel bad about judging him for being all emo – and then you’re hooked.

What is it about Tyler that worked so well? It’s hard to pin-point. Maybe because he acted like a total teenager but his mind recognized how stupid he was being. Maybe because he was obviously smart and wanted to make good decisions but his fear and sadness was getting the best of him. If that isn’t a good representation of the young adult mind, I don’t know what is. The story was predictable but it moved quickly. The further it gets, in fact, the more cliché, but that didn’t detract at all. I loved it. I loved how I knew what was going to happen, I loved that Tyler did what I ultimately wanted him to do, and I love how it ended. Maybe I like clichés. I’m a firm believer that there are really only so many plotlines in the world, but there are never two personalities that are the same. It’s up to the writer to see an old situation from new eyes, and Luna nails it.

Love Perks of Being a Wallflower? Love angst? Love teenagers figuring out their shizz? How about if you just love good books? I don’t really care what you love – you’ll love this one.

Wall to Wall: From Beijing to Berlin by Rail
Mary Morris

This book was phenomenal – not only is Mary Morris probably the most self-honest person on the planet (I don’t think I could read my actions for truth like she does even if I wanted to) but she’s a fantastic writer. Her personal struggles combined with the fascinating travel events make this a truly enthralling read. It’s set in such a dramatic time in history – Morris was in China, Russia, and Germany in 1986. Seeing some of those historic events happening through her eyes is unbelievably interesting. Great read!

Categories: Debuts, Lists, Pick Ups | Tags: amreading, bestof, Book, booklist, bookreview, bookreviews, caravan, memoir, memoirs, obscure, offthebeatenpath, recommendations, reviews, unique | Leave a comment

Top 12 Favorite Books of 2020 (so far)

Posted on July 28, 2020 by Ashley Lauren

If there can be one good thing said about 2020 (and that’s a stretch, I know) it’s that it has given me a reason to double down on my reading. I have been positively devouring books this year and am proud to say I’ve finished 78 so far. Since we’re halfway through this delight of a year, I thought I would highlight some of my absolute favorites!

The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune

You’re a good man, Linus Baker. I’m so very pleased to know you.

There may not be as accurate of a statement than this in the entire world. This book -guys, this BOOK. It’s like a dose of rainbow, sunshine, sprinkle glitter love happiness straight to the pleasure center. It’s beautiful.

Honestly, I want to write everything and yet nothing at all. You don’t need to know anything, you just need to read this book.

Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender

This is a truly wonderful book. Gah – I wish I could go back in time and read this as a young adult because it would have had even that much more POW.

Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson

This is a fantastic book that should be read. Not only it is well written with personal stories and facts of cases, it’s properly balanced with success and failure. It’s not a story about only innocent people being released – it’s about criminals getting appropriate representation as well. I really appreciated that this didn’t just feel like a giant pat on the back, but it was the emphasis on how the broken system breaks individuals – and breaks those people of color even more disproportionately.

All in all, a great read.

Undercover Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams

Undercover Bromance is a “great big manly hug huddle” (those are Lyssa Kay Adam’s words, not mine) and it’s and amazing 5/5 star book.

These books – they just GET me. I had legit belly laughs. I mean, the man-hating rooster? The banter? Heck, I was even belly laughing from FART jokes (I kid you not). It’s fun and funny and the relationships – romantic and friendship – are SO GOOD.

Can’t help it. Love these. Want more.

One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London

Confession: I have never, not once, seen an episode of the Bachelor. Which I assume this book is a literary version of.

Guys – this is the equivalent of a romantic “who dun it” – you literally can’t guess who the murderer, I mean, perfect lover is! I mean, okay, I guess I could but I also couldn’t. I’m not spoiling this for you but it’s kind of amazing.

Well Met by Jen DeLuca

Heaaaaarts, rainbowsssss, and sunshine.

That’s what I feel about this book. I adored it. I giggled – a LOT. The characters are delightful, the setting adorable, there’s some very satisfying sexy time and ogling, etc, etc. Basically, it was right up my alley and I highly recommend.

The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd

If Sue Monk Kidd hadn’t written this book I NEVER would have picked it up. No way, no how. I have as little connection to any religion as possible – I was raised in the US and therefore have those Christian influences to my society, but had nothing by the way of religious education. For example – it wasn’t until the end of the book that I found out Anna was fictional. Ha!

So – yes, from a topic, not typically one of interest to me. And honestly there were parts that were a bit dry in the book or that I didn’t quite “get” because my lack of knowledge. But the essence of it… the drive Sue Monk Kidd put into the story and the protagonist. Anna is a storm to be reckoned with and merged with the society in which she lived – it was beautiful. The fact that Anna really was the center of this story, and the most interesting of the characters, and she was married to Jesus is pretty outstanding for the author, I have to say.

Overall, a truly great read and another example of the artwork that is Sue Monk Kidd’s writing.

The Chestnut Man by Søren Sveistrup

Wow – this was truly excellent. Complex without being confusing, unique without being unbelievable, and horrifying without being gross. Great characters who have enough of their own issues to be interesting but not so much so that they are distracting. I truly didn’t guess the ending. All in all, I very top notch crime thriller!

Beach Read by Emily Henry

Welp, that was perfect.

And, for the record, I usually really dislike stories where the character is a writer. And this one had two writers.

It’s still perfect.

Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson

Ok – yeah, I was really skeptical about this book. The premise is bizarre and, honestly, after reading it, the premise is still really bizarre.

But, man, I liked it! The style of the narration is amazing, I wanted to quote about half of it. I love the main character and just the way she IS. The way she responds and adapts to the strange circumstances she’s put it is fascinating.

It’s super quirky and it’s a book that gave me a lot of thoughts and feels. And that’s how I’m leaving that review.

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

Well, I should know better than to read what is the first in what is very clearly going to be a series so soon after it is published. I want to read the next one immediately and now I have to wait 😦

This is great – it raw and unique and Alex Stern is a bada**. I had a little trouble getting into it at the beginning and, frankly, it’s a dense book. I was trying to read it quickly but it takes a lot of mind power – there is a LOT that goes on here. That’s not a bad thing, it’s actually really good, but get ready for the investment.

All in all, Bardugo hit another one out of the park.

The Bone Houses by Emily Lloyd-Jones

What an excellent book. I blew through this in a single day – which is no small feat in the chaos that is my life.

Maybe it’s just me, but I love when I come across a book where everything just works. The story is perfectly paced and snappy with action, dialogue, introspection, and magic. The character relationships are genuine and heartfelt – the main characters, Ryn and Ellis, are beautiful and flawed. The problems they face are real and unique. This is such a fascinating story that I have – and haven’t – heard before.

Oh – and it’s a zombie book, so, you know, that makes is automatically awesome.

Categories: Lists, Pick Ups | Tags: 2002reads, 2020, amreading, beachread, best books, blackauthors, Book, book review, books, fantasy, felixeverafter, justmercy, lgbtqreads, ninthhouse, representationmatters, reviews, romance, romcom, ya books | 2 Comments

My Favorite Books from Diverse Authors (a never-ending list)

Posted on July 20, 2020 by Ashley Lauren

Out of pain you can sometimes find beauty and the continued push to celebrate and welcome art from people of color is one of those examples. I’d love to take the opportunity to highlight some of my favorite books written by non-white authors!

Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert

Gold. This one, guys, is GOLD.

Let me tell you a story. I was reading late, husband asleep next to me (easily my favorite aspect of my kindle – night reading!) and came across a particular scene that involved dialogue relating to a non-vomit (you’ll understand when you read it) and I lost it. Like, truly lost it. Silent snort laughing, desperately trying not to wait said husband, crying because I was trying not to laugh, lost it.

Zaf and Dani are SO good. Their dialogue is amazing, their interactions are perfect, their troubles are real – it’s seriously such a solid book. And I wasn’t 100% sold on the first Brown sister, Chloe. But don’t short yourself and read this one, even if you skip the first. Because it’s truly excellent.

Death Wish by Harper A. Brooks

Overall, this book was really engaging and interesting. A couple parts were maybe a bit of a stretch but overall I was able to get into the story. Great pacing and characterization. I’m looking forward to listening to the rest of the series.

Becoming by Michelle Obama

I’m not sure I can say much more about this than what almost 500,000 other people have said on Good Reads but this is an exceptional memoir.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

I was able to read this via audible, with Maya Angelou as the narrator – and what a great highlight that made to the reading! It’s a powerful book with such an impressive scope. The items she chooses to showcase from her life are ones that were clearly not only impactful to her, but also become impactful to the reader, which I think is the key to a good memoir. She was able to reflect on the activities of her youth and how they shaped her, how they color her experience, and how they might cause the reader to understand herself, her society, and even our own selves. I can imagine reading this multiple times and discovering something new each time. A great experience and a great read.

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Highly deserving of all the praise. This is a truly timely book that features intense situations, incredible characters, and an emotionally jarring and well timed story line. Honestly, a book that is very close to perfection. Highly recommend.

Born a Crime by Trevor Noah

This book is SO GOOD. So, so good. What an incredibly fascinating and funny insight into growing up in South Africa. It was quick read that perfectly balanced some hard truths with the antics of a young man growing into adulthood. Absolutely phenomenal.

Angelfall by Susan Ee

Angelfall, for me, was about the plot line. It was interesting, unique, and it was quick. I hate books that feel the need to explain everything and this isn’t one of those. You learn as you go and new questions are always coming up. It’s well designed and even though some of the character development was a little shallow, or at least predictable, I enjoyed it all the same.

My (Underground) American Dream by Julissa Arce

I really enjoyed this memoir – I was able to hear Julissa speak in Chicago for HACE and her story is incredible and memorable. It is so timely and brave as well – definitely one to read.

The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon

Overall, a really well put together novel. I like that it took place all in one day. I didn’t love the interjections of other people’s short backgrounds, though, by the end, I understood why it was there. I feel like the tone of the book kept me distanced just a tad so as to not make it a 5 star but, otherwise, I’m really glad I finally picked this one up.

Sex, Murder, and a Double Latte by Kyra Davis

This book is what I love about chick-lit. It’s silly and sassy and exciting and a read that you can breeze through in just a few days. I’m a firm believer that a story you can get sucked into – silly or not – is a fun story.

The Book of Night Women by Marlon James

To say this book is intense is a significant understatement. Add to that some incredible narration and you have a book that is going to draw you in. To be honest I’m not quite sure what to say about the book – it doesn’t skim past the hard parts, it’s going to blindside you in many ways. It’s one of those books that you know is good but you can’t really say you ENJOYED reading.

This is a never-ending list! I’ll keep adding my favorites as I read them and I would LOVE your recommendations on books to read next!

Categories: Lists, Pick Ups | Tags: amreading, black authors, book recommendations, books, bookworm, diverse, diversity, favorites, poc, reading, recommendations | Leave a comment

My Book-ish Tour of Los Angeles

Posted on January 8, 2020 by Ashley Lauren

I spent a weekend in Los Angeles to visit one of my best friends and we had only three things on our agenda: books, books, and more books.

When my friend Zoe and I get together, it’s always with a literary agenda. We’re both writers (she’s way better) and spend the majority of the time we have together sitting at coffee shops and visiting book-ish locations. We had a fabulous time and found some prime hide-a-ways that must be highlighted.

First – Zoe and I stayed in what is quick possibly the cutest Airbnb ever. It was tucked away in the Topanga canyons. It was built in the 1920s with full amenities, fluffy white blankets, fireplace, and an incredible porch with amazing views. Never mind the somewhat near-death driving experience to get there. It was SO worth it.

It was such a lovely place to sit, enjoy tea and wine, and spend time on our laptops writing for NaNoWriMo.

Favorite Writing Spots

Paradise Cove Beach Cafe Malibu – we stumbled upon this place on our way up to Ojai. We were hungry and made an abrupt turn off the PCH when we say the rather large street sign. We were a bit put off when we saw we had to pay for parking but didn’t regret it once we were inside. The food was excellent and they have both indoor and outdoor (on the sand) seating. After our meal, we took our laptops out to the beach and sat in the lounge chairs overlooking the water. It was very pleasant and a really easy spot to do some beach writing (which is no small feat!

Bricks and Scones – I love this place so much I made Zoe come back twice (not that she minded). The food and drinks are excellent (loooove the blended chai!) and there is plenty of both indoor and outdoor seating. Being the midwesterner I am, I am in absolute heaven if I can sit outside in the sun with my laptop in November. Highly, highly recommend as the perfect cafe to hang out in for a while.

Favorite Book Store Visits

The Ripped Bodice – Let’s face it, this might be my favorite book store in the whole world, not just LA. It’s filled with romance books as with lots of liberal and LGBTQ+ friendly materials as well. It’s a haven for gifts with all kinds of fun knick-knacks (I bought a “Kilty Pleasures” Calendar with muscular men in kilts for my book club’s white elephant gift. It was a riot!). It’s not huge, but it has a wonderful selection and does a great job of highlighting various items. So cute, I could have spent a lot more time there!

Bart’s Books – While not really close to Los Angeles, Zoe and I decided we just had to made the trip up to Ojai to see the famous outdoor bookstore – and I’m so glad we did! It was heavenly with a wide variety of books and what seemed to be a maze of shelves. It was a lot bigger than I expected and even had lots of little tables to sit and read. We didn’t stay long enough to pull out our laptops but this could definitely be a relaxing place to write as well!

The Last Bookstore – No tour of LA bookstores is complete without a visit the Last Bookstore. It’s not in the most desirable area of town (parking is a bit tricky) but it was worth a stop. It was quite busy while we were there and while there were some seating areas, it was noisy and not a place I would hang out. I’ll be honest – I didn’t love it. But I am still glad I went. It has some amazing book structures and it was also HUGE. Nice photo ops but I prefer a quieter place, myself.

Our literary adventure in Los Angeles did not disappoint! Zoe has lived in LA for a number of years now so she had many more suggestions that we just didn’t get to in the time we had.

Zoe’s Honorable Mentions

Book Stores – Book Soup, Chevalier’s Books,
Coffee Shops (lingering allowed) – Frenz Coffee, Coffee + Food

Like any large city there are many nooks and crannies and I know we missed some amazing spots – I’d love to hear them!

Categories: Travel | Tags: airbnb, amreading, amwriting, bookstores, california, LA, los angeles, nanowrimo, wheretoread | 1 Comment

5 Books to Read AND Watch

Posted on February 21, 2017 by Ashley Lauren

Movies don’t always (rarely, even?) get the book right. Here are what I feel are notable exceptions. Read the book and watch the movie and you’ll love them both!

The Girl on the Train is the most timely of this collection. Do you ever read a book and think, “oooh yeah, this will be a movie.”? That was this story for me. I could just tell it was going to work on screen. It was fast paced and gripping on paper but on the big screen the intrigue was that much better. The things that needed to be laid out in the book were able to be short quips and scenes in the movie. This is one I actually would consider watching the movie first – suspense is great that way.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is an oldie but a goodie. Seriously, Kesey’s story of the mental institution is incredible and then Nicholson’s portrayal in the movie? Gold. I’ll admit I like the nuances of the characters in the book better – they do change a few things in the movie that to me make certain scenes darker than necessary – but overall the movie performance is just incredible. It’s worth experiencing both.

Chocolat was one of the rare occasions for me where I watched the movie before the book. Usually, when that happens, I expect the book to fall short. There’s something about understanding a movie plot line, or envisioning actors for characters, that can turn a book sour. Not this one. Chocolat, both book and movie, is full of magic and wonder and things that make my tummy growl. Harris is one of my favorite authors and Chocolat is one of my favorite movies. A win/win.

Water for Elephants bore the scrutiny of the re-read. I adored the story. Maybe it’s because I grew up near Baraboo, WI where the Ringling Bros Circus has been for almost 150 years. Maybe it’s the exoticism of characters, the era, the mesmerizing colors and interactions. Maybe it’s because it’s a NaNoWriMo novel (something I always hold dear). Who knows exactly. All I can tell you is that the story is fantastic and, surprisingly, the Hollywood adaptation did an incredible job.

Outlander might not be a movie but it’s even better – it’s a STARZ original series that, I believe, is planning to go through all the books in this epic series. SQUEAL. I’ve re-read Outlander at least three or four times and it’s one of my absolute favorite stories. It just grips me. The STARZ series has done an incredible job with bringing it to life on screen. It is 100% accurate? No, but Diana Gabaldon is involved in the making and I think her adjustments have actually enhanced the story. Really, it’s lovely all the way around!

Categories: Lists, Pick Ups | Tags: amreading, book list, book to movie, favorites, list, Review, top 5 | 1 Comment

Book Review: All The Light We Cannot See – 3/5

Posted on January 22, 2015 by Ashley Lauren

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Man, I am so in the minority here. Sorry, guys, but I just did not find myself enjoying this book.

Maybe it’s because at this point I have read a decent amount of WWII books. I dabble in a lot of historical fiction set in Europe during that time, and I’ve also found about an equal amount of memoirs or biographies as well. It might not be fair to compare the books but in all the ones I’ve read this one just really fell short for me.

What was it missing? I don’t know exactly. It took a really long time for me as a reader to see the connection between the stories, and, in reality, I still don’t really see it. Yes, paths crossed but… why do I care again? I guess there was impact, kind of, but it just didn’t feel meaningful to me. The timeline jumps around which, I guess, is to make the story not feel like its unfolding as slowly as it is, but it didn’t fool me at all. I kept waiting for something unpredictable to happen but it all just fell more or less into place. I also thought the story of a blind girl would be more poetic. I don’t think Doerr did a poor job, but it wasn’t as different as I expected it to be.

I really should have loved this book. I’m a sucker for WWII stories, historical fiction in general, and, to top it all off, I’ve been to (and am in LOVE with) the town of St. Malo. Just having that as a setting should have caused me to fall in love but instead it was like I was kept at arms length. I just didn’t really connect with anyone, nothing shocked me, and even the hardships of war didn’t hit me like they should have.

Sorry, Doerr. It’s not that it was bad, per se, and I did enjoy the last few chapters when finally, finally it all seemed to come together (though not to any real satisfaction) but the rest of it just felt flat to me. I can’t say I would recommend this book. I’ve much sooner refer someone to read The Invisible Bridge. Now that is one hell of a WWII historical fiction.

Categories: Weekly Review | Tags: 3 stars, all the light we cannot see, amreading, book review, books, doerr, historical, historical fiction, reviews | Leave a comment