Current Historical Fiction Faves!

So let me just go ahead and get it out there that I have been slacking on sharing book faves the past month or so! A lot has been going on, but I still have made time for a little reading here and there which has gotten me through! I have read some amazing, moving books throughout February & March so I wanted to share them with you.

For some reason I have been on a major historical fiction kick lately, so I wanted to share some of my favorites. This genre seems like such a great escape sometimes from reality and helps transport you to a whole different time. I would highly recommend these to anyone!

This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger 

Historical Fiction

I have been loving historical fiction lately, and I feel like it's given me opportunities to educate myself about specific time periods in history. This book was a complete GEM. You know when a book is over 450 pages and you still want it to continue for hundreds more, it's a good one. Taking place in the summer of 1932, this book follows the journey of a group of young, orphaned boys who escaped from an Indian Training School and attempt to find their way to freedom and finding a new home. The boys encounter all sorts of unexpected adventures and obstacles as they try and outrun the dangers from the Indian School that continue to follow them. I LOVED THIS BOOK. I would read it again and lend it to anyone who loves a historical, moving story.

The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner

   Historical Fiction

Does it seem like I'm throwing out 5 stars left and right?! Literally every single book I've read recently I've LOVED every page of. This new March release was such an interesting story. Taking place in London of 1792, an apothecary dispenses secret poisons to women who want to seek justice among men who have wronged them. Seems a little dark right? But yet, SO FASCINATING. I actually loved how this story bounced between the apothecary's perspective  in 1792, to present day to the narrator of Caroline, whose own story ends up tying into the lost apothecary hundreds of years before. This book was phenomenal and it is hands down a new favorite historical fiction read of mine!

The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah

 

Historical Fiction

This new release by Kristin Hannah was greatly anticipated by me, especially after I had just finished the newly popular Firely Lane book (and Netflix series!) While this book is most definitely a different direction than Firefly Lane, Hannah's writing is still just as amazing.

Taking place during the Great Depression era and the Dust Bowl in the early 1930's, this book was told by the story of Elsa Martinelli who fought her way to survival for the sake of her children to live a better life. I learned SO MUCH about this time period that I truly had no idea about in terms of living conditions. I'll be honest, this book is sad. It gets right down to the nitty-gritty on how difficult life was for the people in this era, but the story is so well-worth it and will truly move you. It's heartbreaking, emotional, and will most likely leave you in tears on the final page. One of my favorites so far from Kristin Hannah!

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

 Historical Fiction

I told y'all I'm trying to catch up on everything Kristin Hannah! I began this book after I finished The Four Winds, and I will say the writing style is extremely similar, which I loved. Again, this book emotionally wrecked me. I've noticed that's a common theme with Hannah's books because they are seriously THAT GOOD, and you feel like you end up knowing the characters so well and you feel what they feel.

The Nightingale takes place in France during the time period of WWII. I will say, I had a little trouble jumping right into this one because I felt like it was more of a slower build than The Four Winds was. Once I really got into the overall story and got to know each character introduced, I could not put the book down. The story bounces between the narration between two sisters, who are living in the same devastating time period, but taking two different paths to survive. Both sister's journeys were remarkable and shows how much strength it took to live during this war. Another warning, you'll end this novel crying. BUT I PROMISE IT IS SO WORTH IT. It is such a moving novel!

These books are truly AMAZING and each story was so remarkable to read. If you end up reading these let me know, I'd love to hear your thoughts!

January 2021 Reads

I kicked off 2021 with some AMAZING READS! This probably was one of my favorite months of reading I've had in awhile. This year I'm trying to focus more on reading and being more creative and productive. I've honestly had enough of social media and the spread of negativity, so the only social media I've been using this month is my Pinterest and Etsy. If I'm not reading in my spare time, I feel good knowing I'm at least trying to focus on being creative and educating myself, as opposed to engaging in the negatives of social media lately. I've found myself to be much more present and relaxed this way.

Here are some of my favorite reads this month that were a great escape for me!

Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah

Rating: 5/5 Stars // Literary Fiction 

All I have to say is that this is probably one of the best books I have ever read. This was my first novel by Kristin Hannah, and it's safe to say her writing emotionally wrecked me, but in the best way possible. I ended up picking this book up when I realized that Netlix was releasing a series based on this novel February 3rd. I always love reading a book before a series/movie, and I'm so glad I read this book. It's about the life-long evolving friendship between Tully and Kate from 1974 all the way into the 2000's. They took two completely life paths from one another but their friendship remained as strong as ever, while experiencing many ups and downs life threw at them. If I could recommend this book to ANYONE, it's this one. It was such a moving novel and Hannah is an amazing storyteller. This has me so excited now for the Netflix series starring Kathryn Heigl and Sarah Chalke.

Under the Southern Sky by Kristy Woodson Harvey

Rating: 5/5 Stars // Southern Fiction

Thank you Kristy for the advanced copy! Release date: 4/20/21

This was hands down one of my favorites from KWH. I flipped through these pages so fast and read it in about two days! Since Kristy is a southern author living in Beaufort NC, her writing always makes me feel comforted and right at home. Amelia and Parker grew up in Cape Carolina as next door neighbors, who both took their own separate life paths and ended up living in Palm Beach. Both of their lives take devastating turns and their paths cross back again in the most unexpected way. This was an amazing and moving story that made me laugh and cry. KWH outdid herself on this one an it will be the perfect summer read.

The Heiress Gets the Duke

Rating: 5/5 Stars // Historical Fiction

Who else has already binge-watched Bridgerton on Netflix? If you loved the series as much as I did (which I'm pretty sure is the case), I highly recommend this book to get your Bridgerton fix! This novel is the first in a new series and it did not disappoint. August Crenshaw is not your average American heiress. She is passionate about working for her family business and has proved to be quite independent. That changes once Duke Rothschild sets his sights on her and is set on marrying her. The true question is will her stubbornness and independence get in the way of her finding true love?

The Dating Plan

Rating: 3/5 Stars // Romance

This was one of those romances that immediately can pull you out of any funk. I always like reading a romance when I'm having a "blah" kind of week, and this one was perfect for that! It would definitely be a perfect Valentine's Day read or if you're looking for something light and fun to lift your spirits. If you're all about a good Hallmark movie, I'd highly recommend this read for sure.

This Time Next Year by Sophie Cousens

Rating: 3/5 Stars // Romance

This book was released right around the holidays, and I saw that it was the perfect read for right around New Years, so I saved it. I read this book right after I read "In a Holidaze" (save this one for Christmas time btw), and I definitely could see it was the right read for NYE! Minnie Cooper has the absolute worst luck on her birthday every year, which happens to be New Year's. Fully prepared to hide away on her birthday again because of the curse, fate brings her to Quinn, who just happened to be born at the same time and place as her thirty years before. This book definitely gave me Hallmark movie vibes and the perfect holiday read!

Astrid Sees All

Rating: 3/5 Stars // Historical Fiction

Thank you to Atria Books for sending me an ARC of this title!

After receiving an advanced copy of this title, I had no idea what to expect. I will say I was honestly was pleasantly surprised! The reason I was intrigued by this book was because it took place in the exciting time of the 1980's in New York. It was interesting to read about the night life and all the references to public figures that Astrid and Carmen saw. The setting and scenes are what captured my interest, but I will say I felt disconnected at times to the storyline. I truly found bits and pieces tough to read. While I never had a hard time putting the book down, I personally didn't necessarily love it.

Message me or tag me if you end up reading any of these titles! I'd love to know what you think of them. As always, thank you for reading!

MY TOP 2020 READS

I read A LOT of books in 2020. More than I anticipated I would (thanks corona). But I have to admit that were some books that truly blew me away, and some that barely touched the surface for me. I put together a list of books that were my absolute FAVORITES and would 100% recommend and read again because they left that much of a lasting impression on me. These are for sure the books I would tell ANYONE to read! 

OCTOBER BOOKSTACK | 2020

I'm completely mindblown that October is over, but it was FULL of spooky and thrilling reads for me! I dove a bit out of my comfort zone this month and chose books I wouldn't be as quick to select for myself, but I was pleasantly surprised! If you get one thing out of this blog post it's this: GET A COPY OF ADDIE LARUE ASAP and if you have never read a book by Elin Hilderband, GET YOU ONE NOW. You won't regret it! Here are some of my favorites from this month, along with my honest reviews and opinions.

SEPTEMBER BOOK STACK | 2020

Truly can't believe that September has already come and gone! Feels like yesterday was MARCH! The beginning of fall brings so many exciting things, despite the pandemic we are currently living through. Pumpkin spice, changing leaves, and NEW READS! Through September I read 8 books in total, which is pretty good for me! So many great books came out this month; and while I did read some amazing ones, I also had a few ones I was iffy on. But that's okay, you can't love everything!

Here is my September wrap-up!

AUGUST BOOKSTACK

JULY BOOKSTACK