Category: Books

What's in My Beach Bag this Summer - 2024

6/29/2024

My beach bag is very full of books this summer and I can’t wait.
Here’s what I am reading, and let me know if any of these are on your list, too!

The Heiress,
by Rachel Hawkins @ladyhawkins

The Unwedding,
by Ally Conde @allycondiebooks

The Sun Sets in Singapore,
by Kehinde Fadipe @kehinde_demilola_fadipe

Women and Children First,
by Alina Grabowski @alinagrabowski_

Real Americans,
by Rachel Khong @rrrrrrrachelkhong

and ….
to be released on July 9th (and already pre-ordered!):
The Summer Pact,
by Emily Giffin @emilygiffinauthor

and

A Death in Cornwall,
by Daniel Silva @danielsilvabooks

Books I have Really Enjoyed - for Your Summer Reading 2024

6/29/2024

I’ve been getting a lot of requests for book recommendations as everyone is heading to the beach, to Europe, or even for a staycation by the pool.
Here is a list of some of the books I’ve read recently that I really enjoyed.
I hope you enjoy them too!

The Sicilian Inheritance, by Jo Piazza @jopiazzaauthor

Tom Lake, by Ann Patchett @parnassusbooks

The Midnight Feast,
by Lucy Foley @lucyfoleyauthor

Summers at the Saint,
by Mark Kay Andrews @marykayandrews

Pineapple Street,
by Jenny Jackson @jennyjacksonpineapple

Under the Southern Sky,
by Kristy Woodson Harvey @kristywharvey

Long Island, by Colm Toibin,

and

The Expats, by Chris Pavone @chris.pavone

The Gift of Books

11/24/2023

It’s that time of year again when I get asked about books to gift, or what to read while traveling this Holiday season. Here’s what I’m reading this Fall. I hope it helps! #booknerd

Tom Lake, by Ann Patchett

Hello Beautiful, by Ann Napolitano

A Court of Thorns and Roses,
by Sarah J. Maas @therealsjmaas

The Locked Door ,
by Freida McFadden @fmcfaddenauthor

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

Cutting for Stone,
by Abraham Verghese
@abraham.verghese.official

The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell,
by Robert Dugoni @robertdugoni

Bright Light, Big Christmas,
by Mary Kay Andrews @marykayandrews

Summer Pool Reading 2023

8/5/2023

The best part of summer is floating in the pool and reading the day away. I look forward to it all year. I have been reading a LOT this summer, and many of you have asked me for suggestions of what to read on your trips.

I am currently reading "The Spectacular" from Fiona Davis, whom I love. I've been waiting for this book for months, plus is takes place in New York and I am always up for a book set in my hometown. The same goes for "Same Time Next Summer" by Annabel Monaghan which took me back out to the Hamptons that I love and miss.

"The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise" was super fun as it takes place in my new hometown, Atlanta. And "The Paris Daughter” from Kristin Harmel I could NOT put down.

This list is not a comprehensive list, so if you are looking for other ideas please let me know. I’m always happy to help other book addicts.

The Collector, by @danielsilvabooks
The Paris Daughter, by @kristinharmel
The Spectacular, by @fionadavisauthor
The Husbands, by @chandlerbakerbooks
Same Time Next Summer, by
@annabelmonaghan
Carrie Soto is Back, by @tjenkinsreid
Happy Place, by @EmilyHenry
The Cloisters, by #katyhaysauthor
The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise, by @writercolleenoakley
The Marriage Portrait, by #maggieofarrellbooks

Spring Break 2023 - Book Picks

2/20/2023

It is about to be Spring Break for schools here in the South, and some schools have already had their Spring Breaks! I've had friends reaching out for beach read suggestions or because they need something new to read on their waterproof kindle. Here is what I've been reading so far this year. and I have enjoyed every one of them. Please don't hesitate to ask if you're looking for reading suggestions - I am happy to help. I hope your Kindle is soon "Fully Booked"!

Good Company by @cynthiadsweeney
Lessons in Chemistry by @bonnie_garmus_author
The Mitford Affair by @authormariebenedict
Nora Goes off Script by @annabelmonaghan
and
Non Obvious Megatrends by @rohitbb

Very early (aka Southern) Spring Break Books for 2023

2/20/2023

While technically it is Winter, here in the South it is already Spring Break for some schools, and I’ve had friends reaching out for beach read suggestions, or because they need something new on their waterproof kindle. Here’s what I’ve been reading so far this year, and I’ve enjoyed every one of them. Please don’t hesitate to ask if you’re looking for something specific to read - I’m happy to help. I hope your kindle is soon “Fully Booked!”

Good Company by @cynthiadsweeney,
Lessons in Chemistry by @bonnie_garmus_author ,
The Mitford affair by @authormariebenedict ,
Nora Goes off Script by @annabelmonaghan , and
Non Obvious Megatrends by @rohitbb

Thanksgiving Break Book Suggestions

11/13/2022

Many friends have been asking me for recommendations for a good mystery to snuggle up with by a cozy fire, or to take on vacation over Thanksgiving. Here are a few of my recent favorites.
Each of these was SO good - I could.not.put.them.down!

Enjoy and let me know what you think!

The Club, by @ellerylloyd_author
The Last Thing He Told Me, by @lauradaveauthor
The Paris Apartment, by @lucyfoleyauthor
The Hike, by @susijholliday
Two Nights in Lisbon, @chris.pavone
Something in the Water, by @catsteadman

Reading Roundup so far for 2022!

9/18/2022

I have been reading a lot this year. Some of it is pure entertainment, some of it is research for the historical novel I am working on, and some of it is just because there are so many good books piling up on my nightstand. Nothing makes me happier than curling up with a good book, a cup of tea, and a snuggly kitty. Since many of my friends know how much I like to read, I am often asked for recommendations, especially during the Summer or for Fall road trips. So I thought I'd share a list of some of my favorites so far this year. As seen in the photo(s) above, and in no particular order (other than the order in which I read them), here is my list so far for 2022. Those with an asterisk are mysteries for my mystery lovers. And if you are looking for a good mystery, I would also add to that list two books I ready last year that were awesome! They are: The Last Thing He Told Me, by Laura Dave, and Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman.
2022 Book List - January - early September:
Black Cake, By Charmaine Wilkerson
The Magnolia Palace, by Fiona Davis
The Room on Rue Amelie, by Kristin Harmel
Under the Southern Sky, by Kristy Woodson Harvey
* The Maid, by Nita Prose
Never, by Ken Follet
The Diamond Eye, by Kate Quinn
The Home-wreckers, by Mary Kay Andrews
The Love of My Life, by Rosie Walsh
Portrait of an Unknown Woman, by Daniel Silva
Nora Goes Off Script, by Annabel Monaghan
Counterfeit, by Kristin Chen
Beach Read, by Emily Henry
* The Last Mrs. Parrish, by Liv Constantin
The Paris Apartment, Lucy Foley
The Club, by Ellery Floyd
The Paper Palace, by Miranda Cowly Heller
*One Italian Summer, by Rebecca Searl
The Masterpiece, by Fiona Davis
The Summer Place, Jennifer Weiner

My Fall Reading List

10/9/2021

One of the things I love about Fall in the South is being able to sit outside and read in perfect weather. It's not crazy hot and humid outside anymore, and the Fall seems to go on for ever. I sit outside on a chaise with the dogs, sometimes with a light throw blanket, and a mug of tea and I could sit there all day. As they say, "You can't read ALL day....unless you get started early in the morning."

I have been reading so many fabulous books this fall. Here are some of my favorites:

The Lost Apothecary, Sarah Penner
Payback's a Witch, by Lana Harper
Apples Never Fall, by Liane Moriarty
A Special Place for Women, by Laura Hankin
When Stars Collide, by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
and
The Personal Librarian, by Marie Benedict

4th of July Summer Reads

7/10/2021

A week at the beach is made for boogie boarding, surfing, and reading! This was my awesome reading list from this past week:

Malbiu Rising, by Taylor Jenkins Reid
The Midnight Library, by Matt Haig
and
The People we Meet on Vacation, by Emily Henry

Memorial Day / Early Summer Reading

5/23/2021

So many people have been asking me for suggestions of what to read over Memorial Day or here in the early lazy days of Summer. Here are the 7 books I've read most recently and really enjoyed. Full disclosure - I am addicted to anything Daniel Silva writes - I can't read them soon enough when each book is released. Plus the last one I read yesterday - yes - yesterday! The Last Thing He Told Me, by Laura Dave. I.could.not.put.it.down! You'll love it!

In no particular order:

The Newcomer, by Mary Kay Andrews
The Order, By Daniel Silva (#20 in the Gabriel Allon series)
The Address, by Fiona Davis
Surviving Savannah, by Patti Callahan
The Winemakers Wife, by Kristin Harmel
A Death in Vienna, by Daniel Silva (#4 in the Gabriel Allon series)
Moms Don't Have Time To, by Zibby Owens

My 2019 Books

3/8/2021

As a follow up to my reading list from 2020, I was asked to share my reading list from 2019 as well. What I love most about compiling these lists is that I get to revisiting the books, and it reminds me of what was going on or where I was traveling when I read it. For example, Daisy Jones and the Six will always make me think of being poolside in Cancun. And Dragon Springs Road makes me think of the beach in Cruz Bay, St. John, USVI. What are some of your favorite travel-associated book memories?

The Huntress by Kate Quinn
Dragon Springs Road by Janie Chang
In Another Time by Jillian Cantor
The Gown by Jennifer Robson
Becoming by Michelle Obama
Sunset Beach by Mary Kay Andrews
The Dutch House by Ann Patchett
The Lost Girls of Paris by Pam Jenoff
Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek
The Last House Guest by Megan Miranda
When We Left Cuba by Chanel Cleeton
Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Read
Whisper Network by Chandler Baker
Save Me The Plums by Ruth Reichl
The New Girl by Daniel Silva

What I Read Last Year...

1/21/2021

Since my friends all know that I love to read, I am often asked for reading suggestions.
So I wanted to share my reading list from 2020.
This list does not include the books I read for work and to increase my business acumen.
These are strictly for pleasure, and in no specific order. And I am happy to discuss any of them with you, like a mini book club. Just let me know. Enjoy!

The Giver of Stars, by Jojo Moyes
Swans of Fifth Avenue, by Melanie Benjamin
The Jet Setters, by Amanda Eyre Ward
All the Light We Cannot See, by Anthony Doer
Such a Fun Age, by Kiley Reid
Something in the Water, by Catherine Steadman
Oliver Kitteridge, by Elizabeth Stout
The Storyteller's Secret, by Sejal Badani
Tell the Wolves I'm Home, by Carol Rifka Brunt
Hello, Summer, by Mary Kay Andrews
The Lies that Bind, by Emily Giffin
Sex and Vanity, - A Novel, by Kevin Kwan
The Sweeny Sisters, by Lisa Dolan
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, by Taylor Jenkins Reid
The Lions of Fifth Avenue, by Fiona Davis
The Moment of Lift, by Melinda Gates

BOOKS