As a history buff, I was surprised to learn about the handcart companies the Mormons formed to trek through the plans and Rocky Mountains to settle in the Salt Lake Valley, aka Zion, as they called it. This book is about the women journeying through as part of the Martin Company, those who saw the worst tragedies because they started out too late and found themselves dealing with an horrific blizzard. Definitely a great read. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I think Nancy Mitford‘s life and family are fascinating, and I wanted to read this book because it upset her family when it was published, especially the Nazi sympathizer members. She refused to let it be reprinted in her lifetime, partly because of the mediocre sales numbers and reviews, but mainly because she wanted to keep the peace within her family. I bailed. She‘s a good writer but the story and characters just didn‘t keep me interested.

Another take on Nancy Mitford‘s life and I was sucked in. Definitely recommend. The writing was great and the intimate details of Nancy‘s life are fascinating. Now I want to go hang out in a bookstore.

Cute little book that have 5 stories of people who are at a crossroads in their lives but don‘t know what they are looking for in their lives. Set in Japan and written by a talented Japanese author. A perfect book to cozy up to with a hot beverage this fall. 🍁☕️🍂 📖

This book is a #booktok favorite but that‘s not what made me read it. The plot had some original elements and it was a nice love story. Enjoyed this one.

Originally published in the 1950‘s, this well loved Japanese novel has now been translated into English. A lot of lyrical prose, that honestly I skimmed over. I was drawn into the story because it‘s basically within the genre I gravitate to… fiction involving WWII, but the details about the flowers, trees, and nature got a bit tedious for me, so I skimmed a bit but the characters were interesting. Trigger warning: suicide is mentioned many times.

Barnes & Noble opened up a new location about 1.5 miles away from my subdivision. I don‘t think this is going to be good for my bank account. Sometimes you just gotta bypass the used bookstore and treat yourself to some brand new books (and a coffee in the cafe). My bank account took a small hit, but the rest of my summer is planned. 📚💸😜 Starting off with the tagged book. 👍🏻 (Yes, the books passed the required dog sniff test. LOL)

A rediscovered classic from L.M. Montgomery. After being told she was terminal, Valancy, a spinster living with her dominant mother, decided to live life to the fullest with the time she has left. She upsets her tight knit uppity family and finds love in an unexpected place. This story was original and sweet. Definitely recommend.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I read this within 24 hours. She writes the truth about what life was really like behind the camera, while trying to be respectful to her family, especially her parents who essentially protected her abuser. Derick is the husband this woman needed as he gave her the strength she needed to learn to stand up for herself. Way to go Jill!! Wishing you and your family a beautiful and bright future. 🌈 💫 👏🏻

I decided to take a break from the LHOTP series I‘ve been reading to pick up the book I placed on hold at our library. I was one of those people who admired the Duggar family until their oldest son‘s secrets came to light. I‘ve seen Jill and Jinger speaking out, respectfully, against their family‘s beliefs and now I want to read their books and learn more about Bill Gothard‘s organization and the rules he set in place.

I‘m still reading through the LHOTP series and just finished book #6. The descriptions of how the Ingalls family persevered and survived through such a long and difficult winter is something we, with our comforts and technology, can‘t relate to but only admire. Definitely one of the most interesting books in the series. On to book #7…

Currently reading through my daughter‘s LHOTP series. I never read any as a child so I decided to use our summer break to read some treasures I never read in school or at home as my parents never encouraged us to read or buy us books. On book #3…

Ugh… I‘ve slogged through this long enough. I don‘t want to read this depressing book anymore. Done. DNF

I‘m on page 261 and nothing‘s happening. I loved Empire Falls but this is dragging. Sully isn‘t interesting or likable to me. I‘m thinking it‘s time to bail…

Finally getting around to reading this book. My usual genre is historical fiction regarding WWII in Europe, but I‘ve been trying to revive letter writing in my personal life, so this is a fabulous book to marry both subjects. Bonus, its been very interesting so far.

This is how I will be spending the rest of 2023. #holidaybreak #leavemommaalone

That‘s it, I‘m bailing. I don‘t get the point of this book. I like the writing being in vignettes but the characters and stories are not connecting so I‘m having trouble getting into the book. I guess I‘m missing something but I don‘t get the rave reviews. 🤷🏻‍♀️🤔

Written from the viewpoint of Nancy, the eldest and a socialist, and in the third person telling us how sisters Diana and Unity become darlings of Hitler and spokeswomen for Facism and Nazism until Great Britain declared war on their hero which lead to their downfall. A picture of how politics can divide families and form loyalties with dire consequences. A very interesting read.

I keep seeing this book being praised as a great book for honing the homemaking skills. My initial skimming has piqued my interest so I extended my library due date so I could have time to savor and absorb. 👩‍🍳 🧼 💐 🥘🧶🪡

Books based around the WWII era is my usual genre so I had no idea Danielle Steel ventured into this area. This was an enjoyable book that was easy to read but also made me emotional at times. This book was a pleasant surprise and I definitely recommend this to anyone who likes books based in the WWII era especially involving the French Resistance.

Pretty sure all my TBR books still on my bookshelf are peeved now. #libraryhaul #itsstillhotoutside

I kept thinking something would be revealed or there would be a shocking end. Nope. It was a good story that built up then 💥 it was over with no real point of closure. I was disappointed and left hanging.

This has been on my TBR shelf for a couple years after I bought it in our library used bookstore for $1. Finally pulled it off the shelf and started it.

The older I get, the more I want a simple, joyful life for me and my family. I have been following Paula‘s beautiful Instagram account for a while but her book is a handy reminder on how to slow down and create ways to slow down and enjoy life, as well as decorate your home to reflect that.

Three sisters survived the horrific conditions of Auschwitz with courage, determination and a promise to stick together. A very powerful and moving story. Highly recommend this and the previous two books in the series.

Have some tissues handy. This one gets you hard in the feels…😭😭😭

Holy moly…this one is going to stick with me. I read The Tattooist of Auschwitz a couple of years ago and enjoyed reading Lale‘s story. This is a story based on his friend Cilka who‘s story continues beyond her time at Auschwitz. The author took some liberties with characters and story line because Cilka died many years ago and couldn‘t tell her story, but the circumstances and events are well researched and as factual as possible. 💔

This homeschooling Texas mom took her kids to the Sam Houston Museum and Presidential Library today. Found something interesting to read at the gift shop.

Lovers of Pride and Prejudice will enjoy getting immersed back into the Bennet family‘s life, but this time from Mary‘s perspective. This is a book you‘ll want to savor.

Based on actual events, if you like historical fiction set during WWII, put this on your TBR list. 👍🏻

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A haunting and beautiful tale of lost love set in 1950‘s Iran. Such a satisfying read.

So excited about my new read. On chapter 6 and so far I don‘t want to stop but I have things to do. 😢

I made a decision that 2023 was going to be a year where I grow spiritually. I started with this book because it is a decision we make daily to work on our relationship with the Lord, just like we work and maintain our other relationships. This was a great book to put the why and hows of these decisions in perspective. Highly recommend if you have the same goal. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I read the Duke & I for my book club‘s monthly selection but now I have to know the other Bridgerton siblings‘ stories too. I love that each sibling‘s story is different from the others. On to Book 6…

A little weekend book humor…🤪😂

I watched the Netflix series and throughly enjoyed both seasons but assumed reading the book wasn‘t necessary. However, my book club decided this was the October read so I said “eh, why not?”. Well, I also enjoyed the book and found out Netflix got very creative with their version of the series. So now I have to read the next book to see how different season 2 is… 📖

Total disclosure: if I wasn‘t in my phone so much, I would be much more productive in life and I could get back to my original love, READING. My brain hurts with so much screen time. Its time to break up with the phone (social media).

Finished the last book in the trilogy. Really enjoyed all three books. Excellent choice for summer reading.

Romance, drama, surprises…just a good relaxing summer read.

This book got me out of my reading funk. If you don‘t like descriptive sex scenes, especially of non consensual kinds, stay away. Otherwise its a different kind of book that kept me engaged. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4635953503

Finished this book today. I‘ve read Revelations before on my own but this verse by verse study made it make more sense. Revelations isn‘t written in order of events but in layers, building on top of other events. If reading this book of the bible has confused or intimidated you, I totally recommend getting this to help clarify things. Very interesting and eye-opening.

Good, quick reads. Anyone who likes MC romances will enjoy this series.

This book kept me reading and I finished it in two days. Wasn‘t sure how it was going end and it didn‘t disappoint. This was a very good read.

No more heavy reads this year. It‘s Christmas time and this is a time for all things merry and bright….including books. 🎄 📚 🤶 🏡

All of my order from Abe Books came in. My goal for 2022 is to get me and my family eating better.

Oh I wish I had the time and silence….

Saw this while browsing the local library. So much is written about the Nazis but what about the women that shared their lives? I‘m halfway through and finding this book really interesting.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Dove into some bad boy romance books. Get ready for some hot and bothered reading. 😍

Reading some romance via my kindle app on this rainy day. 🌧 ☕️ 📖