I hope you have been getting in lots of reading time during these long days of summer! I started counting how many books I have read so far this year and I am just starting my 39th book since January. I think that I have officially gotten my reading groove back on! Summer is always when I get my best reading done and I have so many fun new reads for you to add to your library wish lists!

Just as a reminder, I read many more  books than are just featured here, but try to feature the ones that are my absolute best picks of the month here. If you want to read more, please feel free to friend me on GoodReads! My username is momadvice and I am always happy to connect with people there too! There is nothing more motivating than seeing what other people are raving about and my to-be-read pile continues to grow with all of my new friends on there!

I have another big stack of books that I have started for the next month’s reading round-up and I hope these book suggestions are offering some inspiration for diving into a new read yourself!

My Name is Memory by Ann Brashares

Ann Brashares, best known for her Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series, is an author that I have not had the pleasure of reading yet. Her novel, “My Name is Memory,” sounded like a promising beach read though and perfect for those of us that are Time Traveler’s Wife fans and missing that “love through the ages” romance that we have been longing for. I expected a lighthearted read and instead found myself reading a fantastically paced novel full of beautiful characters and a cliffhanger of an ending, perfect for this planned trilogy.

Daniel has been searching for the love of his life, Sophia, for years. Not just a few years though… for over 1,200 years he has been looking for his one true love and hoping that they will be reunited at the perfect time and find love together again. Daniel has had many souls that transcends centuries from the eighth century in Turkey to WWI. Each time he dies, his soul returns and he spends his entire lifetime looking for Sophia.

The stars finally align for them when Lucy, a shy high school student, and Daniel meet. Lucy has an inexplicable connection to Daniel and when Daniel tries to explain to her that she is his Sophia, it pushes Lucy away because she is so scared and confused.

After Lucy heads to college, she decides to try to uncover the mystery of this Sophia and find out if Daniel is telling the truth. She admits that she feels a connection to him and a connection to the name Sophia, even though she has no idea why. The need to discover this sends her on a wild goose chase discovering and learning more about their relationship.

Daniel gives Lucy the space she needs to discover who he is while trying to protect Lily from imminent danger. You see, Daniel isn’t the only one with an old soul. His brother, and Sophia’s former husband in a past life, also wants Sophia in his life and to punish his brother for taking his wife away from him in a past life.

The book is a fast-paced adventure that transports you into different centuries as Daniel is reborn and trying to find the love of his life. His character is endearing and you will find yourself rooting for Daniel and Sophia to find true love again.

While this is an adult read, it still has the feel of a young adult book. The ending was also admittedly a little cheesy. That being said, it is a satisfying read that reads a little like Twilight and a little like The Time Traveler’s Wife- a story of unrequited love that transcends the ages. If you are a fan of either of those books, then I have a feeling you will love this book!

(MomAdvice Rating- 4 Stars out of 5 Stars)

Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann

In 1974, Philippe Petit decided to pull a stunt that both shocked and thrilled New York when he walked a tightrope wire between the World Trade Towers. This true life story is the common thread that ties all of the chapters of Colum McCann’s beautiful fictional novel entitled “Let the Great World Spin,” together.

Each chapter is its own short story, yet each story seamlessly weaves into the other as the reader makes the surprising discovery that the characters are not only drawn together by this exciting stunt in some small way, but in many more ways than the read could ever anticipate.

The book opens with a kind-hearted priest who has decided to plant himself in the roughest New York neighborhood to act as an aid to the prostitutes that have set up shop. His small and sparse apartment becomes a place of refuge for the prostitutes in his community and he puts his own reputation on the line to care for them and many others in his community. From there the writer takes you on a journey as each chapter segues into the next as you learn about other elements of the story that somehow seem unrelated, but then are pulled together magically in this book. To share what each chapter is about would give away a beautiful plot that is worthy of any reader to discover on their own.

I will say it was a difficult read for me at times and a little labor intensive for a summer read. The dialogue was also, at times, a struggle to read as the dialogue and writing mimic the speech of the characters that the chapter is being written about. Just like most books of short stories, some chapters were far more interesting in others, but it was one of the most unique novels I have read in a long time. It is a book that will stick with you long after the book is shut and will remind you how our own stories are so easily interwoven into others as the great world spins on.

Editor’s Note: There is graphic language in this book.

(MomAdvice Rating- 5 Stars out of 5 Stars)
Every Last One by Anna Quindlen

This is my first book by Anna Quindlen, but after reading this haunting book, I doubt it will be my last read from this author.

The book moves at a slow build and shares about an altogether typical family suffering from the same everyday life issues that so many families are facing. With three teen children, Mary Beth Latham is trying to play an active role in her children’s lives while still allowing them to become the adult people that they are shaping to be.

As her son becomes increasingly depressed, Mary Beth focuses her efforts on her son and trying to help him overcome his emotional issues, often to the detriment of other members in the family. You find that Mary Beth is trying to find that perfect balance in motherhood where she balances her career and loving each of her children equally, and the duties in her role as a wife. As we all know, it is not a balance that is very achievable.

In a shocking twist that I will never reveal, something happens that shakes the utter core of this family unit. It was so shocking that it literally took my breath away and caused me to think about how I, as a mother, would react if such a situation happened to me. More importantly though, how would I feel if my community and friends felt that something from my past or a decision I had made had caused harm to my family?

Mary Beth’s character really takes shape after the tragedy and we then begin to get small glimpses into her soul and her own struggles as a mother and wife that, I am sure, face many of us. We also see as Mary Beth reflects on her past decisions that cause others to place shadows of doubt upon her.

I will say, if you are feeling blue, not a good book to pick up. It is something that has stuck with me since I closed it and I can’t stop thinking about what has unfolded in it. For a book club discussion though, this would provoke a lot of discussion!

(MomAdvice Rating- 4 Stars out of 5 Stars)

The late, lamented molly marx by Sally Koslow

Molly Marx dies at the tender age of thirty-five, but she is unable to pass into the next life and held into a place of duration, witnessing life continuing to unfold around her. As she stands at her funeral, she is faced with wondering who at the funeral murdered her. While it sounds like the premise for a deep novel, it actually moves into a lighthearted book of fantastic chick lit as Molly reflects on the past and follows the life that is happening around her.

A wretched mother-in-law, a husband whose infidelity begins on their wedding day, a spunky twin sister whose anger over what has happened to her sister has consumed her, and a best friend that would have moved mountains for her, and the determined detective who has been assigned her case to figure out which of these people could want Molly Marx dead are a sampling of the strong characters within this book.

Molly is beautifully flawed and is a character that you will enjoy following despite those flaws as she discovers what really and truly makes her happy. Molly is discovering who she is and the decisions she could have made to have prevented her death, but it can’t change the outcome. It can, in the end, identify her killer though.

A perfect whodunit mystery with wonderful chick-lit flavor, this is a great book that is perfect for Sophie Kinsella fans or any fans of a great murder-mystery with a surprisingly fun heroine. I can’t wait to read more from this author!

(MomAdvice Rating- 4 Stars out of 5 Stars)

Heart of the Matter by Emily Giffin

I really love Emily Giffin’s books and this was no exception the other books I have read by her. Heart of the Matter is a fantastic quick read that would be perfect to tuck in your beach bag for summer.

Tessa Russo is a mother of two children and wife to the most successful and renowned pediatric surgeon in town. She is a wife that seems to adore her husband and is able to take his career and the nuances of being a doctor’s wife in stride.

One night their anniversary dinner is interrupted with an emergency surgery that must be performed. Six year-old Charlie, is involved in a tragic accident that will forever change his life and the life of single mom, Valerie Anderson.

Nick Russo, Tessa’s husband, immediately makes Valerie and Charlie feel at ease with his great bedside manner and his easygoing attitude with Charlie. As Charlie is under his care, they both began to rely more and more on Nick to help them through the tragic situation that has faced them. The comfort that he offers to Valerie quickly eases into a deep friendship and then a relationship that crosses the patient/doctor relationship borders.

The book is told in alternating pitches and allows you to glimpse into and sympathize with both women in the story. You began to empathize with both of the characters and find that you can find your heart torn between all of the characters.

As a mother, I really hated how Valerie’s relationship with Nick, at times, seemed more of her focus than caring for her son. I also hated how, as the relationship unfolded, it affected Charlie and his own world. I found myself sympathizing a lot more with the wife than I did with Valerie.

In the end, the book is about forgiveness, the discovery of love, the loss of love, and the healing that comes from all of those experiences.

(MomAdvice Rating- 3 Stars out of 5 Stars)

Not enough great reads for you? Check out our Books section of our site for monthly recommendations and ideas for making reading a priority again in your busy mom life!

Disclosure: All of the links above are affiliate links and are provided so you can locate the books quickly and easily. Feel free to order a book, but we encourage utilizing the library system and buying me a latte instead.  Then we both would be really happy and we could have our own little book club together! Wouldn’t that just be so much more lovely? Happy Reading!

What has been in your book stack this month? Feel free to share your book recommendations or feedback on any of the books that have been mentioned above! I love getting new suggestions for my book pile!

Has your library bag been overflowing like mine? I have embarrassingly taken out far too many books than I could ever read, but love being able to have a tiny little library of my own at home. Summer reading is my favorite kind of reading and I have been enjoying lots of great books in the sunshine while the kids play.

As I have mentioned before, I read many more  books than are just featured here, but try to feature the ones that are my absolute best picks of the month here. If you want to read more, please feel free to friend me on GoodReads! My username is momadvice and I am always happy to connect with people there too! There is nothing more motivating than seeing what other people are raving about and my to-be-read pile continues to grow with all of my new friends on there!

I hope you are continuing to enjoy these reviews as much as I have enjoyed putting them together. It is so fun to indulge in my bookworm ways and can’t wait to hear about your own summer reading.

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

All children mythologize their birth… Ask him to tell you about when he was born. What you get won’t be the truth; it will be a story. And nothing is more telling than a story.” So begins the beautiful debut novel of Diane Setterfield, a book that took me on an adventure that I did not want to end. It was a book that interweaves two stories together seamlessly with some of the most beautiful writing I have had the pleasure of reading.

Margaret Lea has led a quiet little life, working in her father’s bookshop, and being proud of a few small autobiography write ups that she has done. She has a difficult relationship with her own mother and harbors a secret of her birth that has caused her to not be able to be close to the people she loves and has always left her feeling incomplete in her life.

When a surprising letter comes from the world-famous and reclusive author, Vida Winter, she is shocked to discover that Vida has requested her presence at her home to write the untold story of her life. She is famed for the surprising volume of books she has written in her life and is well-known the world over for her beautiful prose. Her most famous includes the book of thirteen fairy tales, that only held twelve, a mystery that has never been solved.

Even more famous though is Vida’s gift for the storytelling she has weaved for other past reporters about her life story. She has never truly told the real story to anyone, but it is her dying wish to have Margaret write her life story for the first time. She promises to tell Margaret the real story, provided she allows her to tell it in her own way at her own pace. There will be no jumping ahead in this story, but it is a story that she promises will surprise Margaret and that she will tell as truthfully to her as possible.

The story is unlike anything ever told and Margaret becomes enchanted with the life of Vida and how, in many ways, it has reflected her own life story and who she is. The story is about her mother, a set of feral twins named Adeline & Emmeline, a beautiful topiary garden that holds deep secrets, and a tragic fire that changes her life forever.

To tell the story would take away the gift of reading it, but what I can tell you is that it is every bit of suspense with each shocking and creepy turn. It is written beautifully, has references to so much literature and loveliness, and is the perfect book for any true book lover. Enjoy this book with a big cup of tea on a rainy day and you will be transported on an incredible journey.

If I could have given this book ten stars, I would. Thank you all for recommending it for my reading list!

(MomAdvice Rating- 5 Stars out of 5 Stars)

The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender

The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake is a book that will stick with you for a long time after you have closed the pages. To me, the book encompassed my favorite scene in the movie Ratatouille when the food critic takes a bite of food and it sends him spiraling back in time. He is a child and his mother made him the dish and remembering the feeling of being young and what that dish symbolized to him. This book is a moment like that, but deeper and more magical as Aimee Bender captures this instance and takes it further into a more magical place.

It begins with Rose’s ninth birthday. Her mother has decided to make her favorite lemon cake to celebrate the occasion and Rose is so excited to eat it. As Rose eagerly dives into the cake, hot from the oven, and takes a bite, this bite changes her life forever. For within that bite, she is able to feel an aching sadness and sorrow in her mother that she never knew her mom possessed. It makes the cake taste horrible to her and forces her to realize that her mother is very unhappy.

The gift is not much of a gift for her as she struggles to eat foods that she normally liked that are filled with emotions that a nine year-old child is unaware that people experience. Relying heavily on prepackaged foods and one sad woman at her school cafeteria whose foods don’t taste bad to her, Rose has been forced to rethink everything about everyone.

Rose isn’t the only one with a secret though and as you read the book, you discover that each member in her family is living with their own complex secrets. To say more than that, would give the surprising plot away, but know that the secrets add much beauty and depth to the story.

Not a single word is wasted in this book. The story is beautifully told, magical, and unlike anything I have ever read. I can’t wait to read more from this author. This was definitely one of the best books of 2010!

(MomAdvice Rating- 5 Stars out of 5 Stars)

the one that i want by Allison Winn Scotch

I am a huge fan of Allison Winn Scotch and still count her, “Time of My Life,” as one of my favorite reads and a great book to recommend to just about anyone. Her books are filled with women who have come to a crossroads at their life and must make a decision on what path to choose.

The One That I Want explores another crossroad of a woman who seems to have it all. Tilly is living the life that she has always dreamed of. She loved where she grew up and has a career as a guidance counselor and is married to her high school sweetheart. They live in a tidy little home that was purchased for them with the help of her father and, in her eyes, she has everything that she could ever want.

At a local carnival she runs into an old high school friend who has now become a fortune teller. Her old friend, Susie, decides to give Tilly a gift that she think that Tilly has never had…the gift of clarity. With the gift, if Tilly sees any pictures of the people she loves, she immediately passes out and can see visions of the future and what is to come.

What Tilly sees shocks her and she soon realizes that the life of perfection she has always thought she lived might not have been perfect. Her father is heading down a road towards alcoholism again, her husband isn’t really happy anymore, and Tilly is forced to decide if this “perfect life” is what she really wanted.

You will find yourself rooting for Tilly as the character is learning to rediscover who she really is. Her exploration comes through the help of her friends and family as Tilly rediscovers what a perfect life really is.

I love Allison’s magical spin on stories and loved this book a lot. I related much more to the characters in, “Time of My Life,” but still felt this was a strong book from the author. I was, once again, immediately sucked in and now will be drumming my fingers on the table awaiting another fantastic read from her.

PS- Allison is also on Twitter and very engaging with her fans! I spoke to her a few times and she is just as lovely as can be. I wish her all the luck in the world with this fantastic new release from her! Congrats to Allison!

(MomAdvice Rating- 4 Stars out of 5 Stars)

The Lies We Told by Diane Chamberlain

I have been a huge fan of Diane Chamberlain since reading, “The Secret Life of Cee Cee Wilkes.” I was contacted by her publicist to see if I would be interested in reading her latest book, “Lies We Told,” and sharing my thoughts on it with my readers.

This story is about two sisters who are both hardworking doctors, but that is where their similarities end. Maya & Rebecca are as different as night and day and both harboring secret about the murder of their parents that have shaped them as adults.

Maya is married to a wonderful husband, but suffers from infertility that has caused a strain in her relationship with her spouse. Rebecca, on the other hand, is a free spirited woman who works for a disaster aid program where her job changes from day to day. The sisters are close and Rebecca acts as Maya’s fill-in mother since their mother has passed away.

After two hurricanes hit the state of North Carolina, Maya and her husband, Adam, decide to join the relief effort and help the organization care for those who are sick and injured since the devastating hurricanes came through. When Maya is sent to care for a group of patients being airlifted to the hospital, her helicopter crashes and Maya is thought to not have survived the crash.

While Rebecca and Adam continue to work for the disaster aid organization, they are both left devastated without Maya. They turn to one another for comfort as they cling to the small piece of hope that Maya may have survived.

Maya, meanwhile, awakens to find she is being cared for on an isolated island by a very pregnant Tully and her husband. They work hard to nurse her back to health and care for her until she can be rescued, while her family never knows that she is still alive and is planning her memorial service.

I loved this book, but hated the improbable and tidy ending of the book. I wished that the author went a little further after all of the character development. The ending left me shaking my head and wishing that it hadn’t ended the way it did. If you can look past the ending, the book was a good summer read.

(MomAdvice Rating- 3 Stars out of 5 Stars)

Fireworks Over Toccoa by Jeffrey Stepakoff

I took a gamble on reading this book because it is nothing like anything I would normally pick up. I am not a big fan of the romance genre though so my thoughts on this book come from that place.

This book was a cross between The Notebook and Bridges of Madison County… a beautiful story of unrequited love that will leave you a tad frustrated and rooting for true love in the end. I read about it in a magazine and considering the author’s credits (producing shows like The Wonder Years, Dawson’s Creek, & Sisters) thought it would be a great book to add to my beach bag.

The story takes place during WWII and Lily Davis is awaiting the return of her husband, Paul, from the war. The two married too soon and had only been together two weeks before Paul was shipped off to war. Lily is left for three years on her own waiting for the man she hardly knows to return so they can begin their life together. During that three years though, Lily has changed so much and her fiery, independent spirit has grown even more fiery and independent.

As the town prepares for the soldiers’ return, Italian firework expert, Jake Russo, is hired to put together a welcome home firework show for the town. A chance encounter, brings Lily and Jake together and Lily finds herself falling deeply in love with Jake…a love like she has never experienced before.

Within a few short days, Lily begins to question who she is and who she would be if she stayed with her husband Paul. She is left with the tough decision of honoring her soldier husband and family’s wishes or following her heart and leaving with Jake.

The author captures their love beautifully in this short book with a surprising twist at the end that will leave your heart aching for Lily and the decisions she had to make.

A quick read that is perfect for the romance-loving reader and Nicholas Sparks die-hards. This is definitely chick flick material!

(MomAdvice Rating- 3 Stars out of 5 Stars)

Not enough great reads for you? Check out our Books section of our site for monthly recommendations and ideas for making reading a priority again in your busy mom life!

Disclosure: All of the links above are affiliate links and are provided so you can locate the books quickly and easily. Feel free to order a book, but we encourage utilizing the library system and buying me a latte instead.  Then we both would be really happy and we could have our own little book club together! Wouldn’t that just be so much more lovely? Happy Reading!

What has been in your book stack this month? Feel free to share your book recommendations or feedback on any of the books that have been mentioned above! I love getting new suggestions for my book pile!