On My Bookshelf [The World According to Mr. Rogers]

With all that is going on in our country and world lately, Mr. Rogers helps to put things into perspective.  It might sound trite or naive, but it's true.  He is a true favorite of mine and pulling his book off the shelf the other night helped to remind me of all the good that is in each of us.

 

The World According to Mister Rogers: Important Things to Remember was a gift from a dear friend who knows what huge fan I am.  It's also one I have given several times as gifts, either for graduation or a loving little pick me up.  This particular evening, the chapter entitled "We Are All Neighbors" was particularly poignant.

Amazon says:
A timeless collection of wisom on love, friendship, respect, individuality, and honesty from the man who has been a friend to generations of Americans.

There are few personalities who evoke such universal feelings of warmth as Fred Rogers.  An enduring presence in Amercan homes for over 30 years, his plainspoken wisdom continues to guide and comfort many.  The World According to Mister Rogers distills the legacy and singular worldview of this beloved American figure.  An inspiring collection of stories, anecdotes, and insights -- with sections devoted to love, friendship, respect, individuality, and honesty, The World According to Mister Rogers reminds us that there is much more in life that unites us than divides us.

Culled from Fred Rogers' speeches, program transcripts, books, letter, and interviews, along with some of his never-before-published writings, The World According to Mister Rogers is a testament to the legacy of a man who served and continues to serve as a role model to millions.

Happy Reading!

On My Bookshelf [Borderline]

In this series Anna Pigeon, National Park Ranger, travels to many National Parks around the country solving mysteries and crimes.  She is, without a doubt, a daring overachiever.  I chose this particular book, Borderline  because of the setting, Big Bend National Park where my Bestie MHDRL lives.  I've been lucky enough to have visited the park twice and was rather excited to read a story set in such a beautiful and striking place.

While I did enjoy this story, I'm not entirely sure how believable it was.  About 50 pages in I looked up and shared with Hubby all the excitment she had already encountered.  He shook his head and said, all that already?  That being said, I'm anxious to read the stories set in other parks I've visited.  

Amazon says:

Hoping a raft trip in Big Bend National Park will lift her spirits, Anna Pigeon and her husband Paul go to southwest Texas, where the Rio Grande is running high.  The beauty of the Chihuahuan Desert and the power of the river work their magic --until the raft is lost in the rapids and a yound college student makes a grisly discovery.  Caught in a strainer between two boulders -- and more dead than alive -- is a pregnant woman.  Anna will soon discover that nature isn't the only one who wants to see the woman and her baby dead...

It's no accident I'm sharing this particular novel today -- I'd like to take a minute to wish Bestie MHDRL a wonderful birthday tomorrow!!!  Hubby and I are both so incredibly lucky to have you in our lives.  We love you, Sis, and wish you your best year yet!

As always, I'd love to know what's on your bookshelf!  My goal for the year is to continue to read as much as I've been able to this summer.  It's such a treat, one that I just don't want to give up.

Happy Reading!

*This post contains affiliate links.  Thank you for supporting The Happy Little Hive!  

Please find my full disclosure policy here.  

On My Bookshelf [The Love Season]

While The Love Season is different than the other novels penned by Elin Hilderbrand, Nantucket (one of my personal favorite places) still serves as the setting and almost a character in and of itself.  Quite simply, the island is stunningly beautiful, although a bit standoffish, and is the perfect backdrop for the story.

Amazon says:
It's a hot August Saturday on Nantucket Island.  Over the course of the next 24 hours, two lives will be transformed forever.

Marguerite Beale, former chef of culinary hot spot Les Parapluies, has been out of the public eye for over a decade.  This all changes with a phone call from Marguerite's goddaughter, Renata Knox.  Marguerite has not seen Renata since the death of Renata's mother, Candace Harris Knox, fourteen years earlier.  And now that Renata is on Nantucket visiting the family of her new fiance, she takes the opportunity, against her father's wishes, to contact Marguerite in hopes of learning the story of her mother's life -- and death.  But the events of the day spiral hopelessly out of control for both women, and nothing ends up as planned.

Welcome to The Love Season -- a riveting story that takes place in one day and spans decades; a story that embraces the charming, pristine island of Nantucket, as well and Manhattan, Paris and Morocco.  Elin Hilderbrand's most ambitious novel to date chronicles the famous couplings of real lives: love and friendship, food and wine, deception and betrayal -- and forgiveness and healing.

While admitedly it took me a bit to get into the book and I didn't love the ending, it as an overall good read, especially poolside.  As always, I'd love to know what's on your bookshelf!!  I've been so happy to get so much reading in this summer - and can only hope it continues as the craziness of the school year sets in quickly.

Happy Reading!

*This post contains affiliate links.  Thank you for supporting The Happy Little Hive!  

Please find my full disclosure policy here.  

On My Bookshelf [The Singles Game]

When The Singles Game came across my feed while I was watching Wimbledon I knew I would be adding it to my summer reading list.  It's penned by the same author as The Devil Wears Prada.  While it's certainly not at the same level, it was a quick, easy read and although predictable at times still entertaining overall.

Amazon says:

"The perfect beach read" (Booklist) from the New York Times bestselling author of The Devil Wears Prada - a dishy tell-all about a beautiful tennis prodigy who changes coaches and suddenly makes headlines on and off the court.

How far would you go to reach the top?

When America's sweetheart, Charlotte "Charlie" Silver, makes a pact with the devil -- the infamously brutal tennis coach Todd Feltner -- she finds herself catapulted into a world of celebrity stylists, private parties, charity matches aboard mega-yachts, and secret dates with Hollywood royalty.  Under Todd's new ruthless regime, Charlie the good girl is out.  Todd waants "Warrior Princess" Charlie all the way.  After all, no one ever wins big by playing nice.

Celebrity mags and gossip blogs go wild for Charlie as she jets around the globe, chasing Grand Slam titles and Page Six headlines.  But as the Warrior Princess's star rises on and off the court, it comes at a cost.  In a world obsessed with good looks and hot shots, is Charlie Silver willing to lose hersef to win it all?

I've been making a conscious effort to relax, slow down, and de-stress this summer.  As a result, I've been able to get a bit more reading in lately and I'm loving it!!  As always, I'd love to know what you recommend.  What's on your bookshelf??

Happy Reading!

On My Bookshelf [Beach Town]

You can always count on Mary Kay Andrews for a fun beach (or pool, if you're in Indiana) read.  While Beach Town isn't my favorite of her works, it was still a easy read, perfect for a sunny summer book!

On My Bookshelf [The Hypnotist's Love Story]

Typically I love Liane Moriarty's books, as I've shared before with Big Little Lies and The Husband's Secret, however, I found this one fell just a bit short.  The Hypnotist's Love Story had such promise, but for whatever reason, it wasn't quite as gripping as the others.  All in all, however, it was still a decent, easy read.

Amazon says:
Ellen O'Farrell is a professional hynotherapist who work out of the eccentric beachfront home she inherited from her grandparents.  It's a nice life, except for her tumultuous relationship history.  She's stoic about it but at this point, Ellen wouldn't mind a lasting one.  When she meets Patrick, she's optimistic.  He's attractive, single, employed, and best of all, he seems to like her back.  Then comes that dreaded moment: He thinks they should have a talk.

Braced for the worst, Ellen is pleasantly surprised.  It turns out that Patrick's ex-girlfriend is stalking him.  Ellen thinks, Actually, that's kind of interesting.  She's dating someone worth stalking.  She's intrigued by the woman's motives.  In fact, she'd even love to meet her.

Ellen doesn't know it, but she already has.

I'd love to know what's on your bookshelf!!  I'm always looking for a good read, especially now that I'll be spending some time pool side!!

Happy Reading!

On My Bookshelf [The Nightingale]

My first mistake was picking up The Nightingale a bit before Christmas.  I just couldn't put it down.  At one point, Honey even came in the room and asked if we would be having dinner that night 😳.  The book is terrific and had completely garnered all my attention.

My grandmother lived through the German occupation of France, was from Vichy, and de Gaulle was a favorite of hers.  Throughout the book I found myself wishing she were here so so we could discuss it.  It certainly makes you ponder what you would or wouldn't do, given the circumstances.

On My Bookshelf [The Couple Next Door]

Well.   It's back to school this morning.  Fall Break was absolutely wonderfully relaxing though.  Accomplished some projects around the house, had an incredible girls' getaway with Bestie KP, and read....a lot.  So I'm back with another edition of "On My Bookshelf".

The Couple Next Door was this month's pick for my book club and was interesting, to say the least.  It's classified as a psychological thriller and  has a similar feel to Gone Girl. Although while I couldn't put it down and was anxious to figure it out, I think the one word that would best describe the book is disturbing, to the point I had some pretty wild dreams after reading it. 

Amazon says:

It all started at a dinner party. . . 

A domestic suspense debut about a young couple and their apparently friendly neighbors—a twisty, rollercoaster ride of lies, betrayal, and the secrets between husbands and wives. . . 

Anne and Marco Conti seem to have it all—a loving relationship, a wonderful home, and their beautiful baby, Cora. But one night when they are at a dinner party next door, a terrible crime is committed. Suspicion immediately focuses on the parents. But the truth is a much more complicated story.

Inside the curtained house, an unsettling account of what actually happened unfolds. Detective Rasbach knows that the panicked couple is hiding something. Both Anne and Marco  soon discover that the other is keeping secrets, secrets they've kept for years.

What follows is the nerve-racking unraveling of a family—a chilling tale of  deception, duplicity, and unfaithfulness that will keep you breathless until the final shocking twist.

As always, I would love to know what's on your bookshelf, especially since this is the perfect time of year to cozy up with a good book!

Happy Reading!

*This post contains affiliate links.  Thank you for supporting The Happy Little Hive!

On My Bookshelf [The Woman in Cabin Ten]

The Woman in Cabin Ten came highly recommended from many different friends and blogs, and although it's good, I'm not sure that I enjoyed it quite as much as they did.  Although I seem to be the only one who didn't love The Girl on the Train, either, and I find it's for the same reason.  I just didn't love the main character.  She's not all that likeable.  I did, however, like the overall plot, and enjoyed the mystery with a few twists and turns.

 

 Amazon says:
In this tightly wound, enthralling story reminiscent of Agatha Christie’s works, Lo Blacklock, a journalist who writes for a travel magazine, has just been given the assignment of a lifetime: a week on a luxury cruise with only a handful of cabins. The sky is clear, the waters calm, and the veneered, select guests jovial as the exclusive cruise ship, the Aurora, begins her voyage in the picturesque North Sea. At first, Lo’s stay is nothing but pleasant: the cabins are plush, the dinner parties are sparkling, and the guests are elegant. But as the week wears on, frigid winds whip the deck, gray skies fall, and Lo witnesses what she can only describe as a dark and terrifying nightmare: a woman being thrown overboard. The problem? All passengers remain accounted for—and so, the ship sails on as if nothing has happened, despite Lo’s desperate attempts to convey that something (or someone) has gone terribly, terribly wrong…

With surprising twists, spine-tingling turns, and a setting that proves as uncomfortably claustrophobic as it is eerily beautiful, Ruth Ware offers up another taut and intense read in The Woman in Cabin 10—one that will leave even the most sure-footed reader restlessly uneasy long after the last page is turned.

I know it might seem odd to include a post on a book I didn't love, but with as much as I read, it happens from time to time (and trust me, if it's something I absolutely wouldn't recommend, there won't be a post at all!!).  As someone who reads reviews of other avid readers, it's nice to hear an honest review, too. 

As always, I'd love to know what's on your bookshelf!  Always looking for something great to read.

Happy Reading!

On My Bookshelf [Evanthia's Gift]

When Evanthia's Gift by Effie Kammenou popped up on my Kindle Unlimited options for Amazon Prime I, naturally, jumped on it and I'm so glad I did!  It's a well told story that, for the patient reader, twists and turns around and around through time and over multiple generations.  It really is a great story.

 

 

Amazon says:

 

This Greek American family saga follows a multigenerational story of love, loyalty, and culture. An emotional novel about family bonds and the difficult pull between home and heritage.

In the year 1956, Anastacia Fotopoulos finds herself pregnant and betrayed, fleeing from a bad marriage. With the love and support of her dear friends Stavros and Soula Papadakis, Ana is able to face the challenges of single motherhood. Left with emotional wounds, she resists her growing affection for Alexandros Giannakos, an old acquaintance. But his persistence and unconditional love for Ana and her child is eventually rewarded and his love is returned. In a misguided, but well-intentioned effort to protect the ones they love, both Ana and Alex keep secrets - ones that could threaten the delicate balance of their family. 

 

The story continues in the 1970's as Dean and Demi Papadakis, and Sophia Giannakos attempt to negotiate between two cultures. Now Greek-American teenagers, Sophia and Dean, who have shared a special connection since childhood, become lovers. Sophia is shattered when Dean rebels against the pressure his father places on him to uphold his Greek heritage and hides his feelings for her. When he pulls away from his family, culture and ultimately his love for her, Sophia is left with no choice but to find a life different from the one she'd hoped for. 

 

As always, I'd love to know what's on your bookshelf.  I'm looking for something great to read.

Happy Reading!

On My Bookshelf: The Last Anniversary

I'm back again with yet another Liane Moriarty book.  Although this isn't my favorite of her books, I always enjoy them.  (See other books here, here, and here....told ya I like her!)  Just like her other works, The Last Anniversary has it's own little twist.

On My Bookshelf [Save the Date]

Save the Date, by Mary Kay Andrews, is the perfect light, quick, and easy summer read.  She is my go-to author for "chick-lit".  This book was the quintessential back porch read and was exactly what I was looking for.

On My Bookshelf [The Dead Will Tell]

I've mentioned before that I enjoyed the Amish mystery series by Linda Castillo and just finished reading her latest.  The very first one, Sworn to Silence, is still my favorite, but this one didn't disappoint.  (Although confession time: I did only read this one during the day....when it was light out....this one seemed a little more gruesome than the others....I mean, it's called The Dead Will Tell...)

On My Bookshelf [Danger in Plain Sight]

During a girls' night recently my sweet friends shared the books they've enjoyed lately and Danger in Plain Sight caught my attention.  I've read an Amish mystery series before that I really enjoyed, so I thought this would be no different.  I have to say, although I did enjoy this book, I wish I had known it was a series before I started this particular book.  If I had, I would have started with the first book. That being said, it's still the type of book you can read without having read the others. 

On My Bookshelf [What Alice Forgot]

Well, although today it's back to work, Spring Break was delightful.  It was productive (both working at tennis and doing a little spring cleaning) and relaxing.  I made a concerted effort to set some time aside each day to do a little reading.  I was even able to do so while sitting in the sunshine on the back porch.  Heaven.

I chose What Alice Forgot, by Liane Moriarty not only because the premise was entirely intriguing, but because I've also enjoyed her other books.  (Read those reviews here and here.)  I was hooked from the beginning, and although parts were somewhat slow, it was interesting to see how the characters lives had changed.  It was a quick, good read that I do recommend.

On My Bookshelf [We Were Liars]

This book had potential.  Big potential.  But, sadly, I just didn't love it.  We Were Liars by E. Lockhart kind of fell flat and although there was a huge twist (that I didn't entirely see coming) I still kind of expected more (for whatever reason).  I'm sharing, however, because everyone else I have talked with absolutely loved it. 

On My Bookshelf [In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex]

It has actually been a few years since I read In the Heart of the Sea, but I bring it up now because the movie of this story is being released next week!  I came up on this book entirely by chance, a complete fluke.  Hubby and I were in Nantucket visiting his BFF when I twisted my ankle and spent the day recuperating.  I read with the sea wind blowing through the windows and became entirely captivated.  One might think the setting in which I was reading led me to feel this way about the book, and perhaps rightfully so, but everyone I know that has read it has felt the same way....without actually reading it on the island overlooking the sea.  ;)  It's a gripping story (the actual inspiration for Moby Dick) , filled with history and details about the tiny little island and it's lifeline, whaling. 

On My Bookshelf PSA [The Girl on the Train]

This book review is going to be slightly different than my usual "On My Bookshelf" posts.  Typically I only share books I think y'all might enjoy.  Today, I'm instead going to make a PSA of sorts.  The Girl on the Train came highly recommended to me by several friends.  "You're going to love it!"  "It reminds me of Gone Girl!" (Looking back, maybe that should have been my first warning.)  "Full of suspense. Really, really good."

On My Bookshelf [Sworn to Silence]

I'm a binge reader. I read a ton during the winter months, when I don't have tennis, I don't like to go outside, and when I'd much rather curl up with a cup of tea and a good book.  The rest of the year I have good intentions of continuing to read, but you know what they say about good intentions.

On My Bookshelf [The Husband's Secret]

The other day when writing about Big Little Lies, I realized I had not posted about The Husband's Secret, penned by the same author.  The premise of the book is completely intriguing, and at times did make me pause and think about what I would do in the same position.  Overall, I quite enjoyed this book, even if I did find parts of it predictable.