I’m always getting asked for book recommendations since I started my goal of 40 books a year in 2014. On my personal Instagram (@alexisnasc), I share books as I read them, as well as a quick review and rating (5 stars being the best). I’ve been reading voraciously since I was a little kid, and always recall my Mom and Grandma reading over the years. As I’ve gotten older, the hunt for a good book has become a favorite hobby of mine, almost as much as reading the actual book!
Now that I’ve carved out more time for books, I thought it would be helpful to start a monthly list of my favorite reads. Here you’ll find a mix of what I’ve read recently, as well as some goodies from past years. Additionally, I recently started receiving advanced copies from publishers, so I’m going to share a few of those (along with the release date). Keep in mind that each month I’ll be sharing the books that I’ve given 4-5 stars to, as I’ve weeded out any that weren’t standouts.
Let’s get to it, shall we?
As Long As We Both Shall Live
By JoAnn Chaney
What happens when you’re really, truly done making your marriage work? You can’t be married to someone without sometimes wanting to kill them… right? Matt and his wife Marie were hiking when she fell off of a cliff into a raging river below. Park rangers start a search, but aren’t optimistic – no one could have survived the fall. However, Matt’s first wife also died in suspicious circumstances. And when the police finally find a body out of the river, they have a lot more questions for Matt.
I’ve read a LOT of books marketed as the next Gone Girl, and none haven’t ever come close. Until now. This book is SO GOOD. And so dark. Not for the faint of heart, this novel is equal parts compelling AND creepy. It’s damn near impossible to put down, too. I read this book in a flurry last summer, but it stuck with me for days afterwards. I’ll definitely pick up anything else that JoAnn Chaney publishes, without a doubt! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 stars
Open Book
By Jessica Simpson
I was really hoping for a juicy tell-all with Open Book, and Jessica Simpson totally delivered. A light-hearted and breezy read, Simpson indulges us on her early life as a child who transforms into the star she is today. But there are moments filled with tragedy, childhood secrets and addiction that I never knew about this vocal powerhouse.
Simpson pulls you in right away, and never quite lets go until you’ve finished this memoir. I admire her faith in Christ, which she discusses throughout the book. And she delivers alllll the juicy details of her marriage with Nick Lachey, and even more fascinating, her on-and-off love affair with John Mayer. If you grew up with Jessica Simpson during those formative years, this is a must read! ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 stars
Idaho
Emily Ruskovich
One hot August day a family drives to a mountain clearing to collect birch wood. Jenny, the mother, is in charge of lopping any small limbs off the logs with a hatchet. Wade, the father, does the stacking. The two daughters, June and May, aged nine and six, drink lemonade, swat away horseflies, bicker, and sing snatches of songs as they while away the time. But then something unimaginably shocking happens, an act so extreme it will scatter the family in every different direction.
Where do you begin with such a book? It’s haunting, mesmerizing, melancholy and beautiful. Every sentence is poetry, weaving together a story that lingers long after you put it down. I’ll admit I wanted a bit more closure, but this is so well-written that I could overlook that tiny flaw. This book will move you to tears. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 stars
Mr. Nobody
By Catherine Steadman
This book has been in my queue for months, and I’ve been kicking myself that I waited so long to read this! Mr. Nobody is fantastic. If you’ve seen the movie Memento (which is also fantastic BTW), it’s very similar. It centers around a man who lost all memory of who he is, and the doctor who’s brought in to help him recover. At one point, you believe things come together nicely with a perfect little bow, and then WHAM! Catherine Steadman flips everything on its head in the best way. This book sucked me in and didn’t let go – I literally finished it in a day!
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballentine Books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 stars
Get to the Sunshine: Life Lessons that Brought Me to the Western States Finish Line
By Laura Chancellor
Have you ever thought to yourself, “I can’t do that – it’s impossible”? Well, when I think of running 100 miles, that’s the exact thing I tell myself. It’s also what Laura Chancellor thought years ago… but here she is now, a Western States finisher! If you’re like me, it’s hard to wrap your head around how someone can do such a feat. That is, until I read this book.
Get to the Sunshine is a memoir about how one woman chose to put one foot in front of the other in this monumental race, and throughout the ups and downs of life. Chancellor reflects on her past and present with honesty and ease, but also with deep reflection. The lessons coming out of this journey are ones that we can all learn from. You’ll find yourself rooting for this heartwarming, feel-good story. And who knows? Maybe one day I’ll hike 100 miles and join the club! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 stars
The Family Upstairs
By Lisa Jewell
I’m a big fan of Lisa Jewell, so it’s no surprise that I picked up this book… and I definitely wasn’t disappointed! The Family Upstairs centers around a wholesome and wealthy family sucked into a controlling cult-like environment in their own home, and ultimately, to their own demise. Police discover an empty home with three bodies, as well as perfectly healthy and well-cared for infant. The other children? Missing, never to be heard from again.
Twenty-five years later, a young woman just trying to make ends meet discovers the origin of her adoption story – as well an inheritance of this twisted home. Narrated by three perspectives, Jewell reins you in with compelling storytelling and the perfect amount of psychological twists. ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 stars
The Call of the Wild & Free
By Ainsley Arment
Inspired by the spirit of Henry David Thoreau—”All good things are wild and free”—mother of five Ainsley Arment founded Wild + Free. This growing online community of mothers and families want their children to receive a quality education at home by challenging their intellectual abilities and nurturing their sense of curiosity, joy and awe—the essence of a positive childhood. Ainsley’s new book offers advice, insight, and encouragement for parents considering homeschooling, those currently in the trenches looking for inspiration, as well as parents, educators, and caregivers who want supplementary resources to enhance their children’s traditional educations.
Words really can’t express how much I loved – LOVE – this book. Beautifully written, this book is a must read for any parent thinking about homeschooling. Arment covers everything you’d ever want to know before taking the leap: from squashing common objections and myths, to discovering your own personal homeschool style. There is SO much wisdom in these pages. I will treasure this book and reread again! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 stars
The Last Time I Lied
By Riley Sager
This book is SO GOOD. It grabbed me from the beginning and didn’t let go until I reached the last page. This psychological thriller, which alternates between present day and 15 years ago at a summer camp for girls, centers around Emma, a former camper whose three bunk mates vanished in the middle of the night. The protagonist carries the weight of this tragedy, which troubles her deeply. Just as she’s ready to move on from the past, Emma reconnects with the family who owns the camp, and is convinced to come back for the reopening. What could possibly go wrong?
Don’t sleep on this book — this story will keep you on the edge of your seat, like any good suspense tale should. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Planning to buy any of these books? Check out our Amazon storefront. Every purchase made from our links provides a small commission back to us, which basically ensure that our kids get extra treats along our journey. ?
I’m excited to share these books with you, and look forward to doing so monthly! Got any books for me? Please share your recent reads in the comments!
