THIS. BOOK. It's my new go-to recommendation for just about everyone. Would make a great beach read, but I can also see it making Best Books of the Year lists. I know it will be on mine. @penguinrandomhouse Full review on the blog: https://www.sarahsbookshelves.com/dead-letters-caite-dolan-leach-book-recommend-...

Happy pub day, @Georgia_Hunter ! This novel based on the true story of Hunter's family's experience during WWII had me turning the pages as if it was a thriller. Despite the heavy topic, it's an incredibly hopeful story. Perfect for fans of The Nightingale! Visit my blog to check out a Q & A with the author: https://www.sarahsbookshelves.com/we-were-the-lucky-ones-qa-with-author-georgia-... #weweretheluckyones #historicalfiction @VikingBooks

This perfectly explains why I like dark books...a question my mother is constantly asking me:
"When she had read all three of them, she felt she could say Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde was more truthful than Treasure Island or Kidnapped. Though some people might say it was the weirdest and certainly the most frightening of the lot."

Solo brunch with my Kindle!! After an uneven first half (Michael's sections were nonsensical sometimes & hard to read at best), I'm loving the second half. Poignant, powerful, and beautifully written. 20% to go.

I'm an ex-swimmer & admire Missy Franklin. But prior to her back injury a few yrs ago, she never really struggled, which is great for her, but doesn't make for a very interesting memoir. This is more of a parenting book - Missy even deferred to her parents when it came time to talk about the London Olympics. And the writing was incredibly corny.

Had the elements of a good story, but it didn't gel for me. I think I could end up in the minority on this one. Full review coming on www.sarahsbookshelves.com

My top 3 books in a year of Debuts and female authors! Check out the rest of my favorites of 2016: https://www.sarahsbookshelves.com/best-books-of-2016/ @RiverheadBooks @HarperCollins

My mom's friend gave me this awesome bookmark...a possible 2017 motto?

The author's ancestors, the Kurc Family, was part of that 1% survival rate. We Were the Lucky Ones is based on the true story of how they survived. It's a harrowing odyssey stretching from Poland to Siberia, Italy, & Brazil that defies explanation & statistics. Has a page turner feel, even though it isn't a short or light book. Fantastic choice for fans of The Nightingale. @Georgia_Hunter @VikingBooks

This Charles Barkley quote was one of the high points of a fantastic first chapter that was quintessential Michael Lewis. It was relatable, educational, funny, and cut to the heart of the issue in a way regular people could understand. Then, he proceeded to write a psychology textbook. I skimmed much of it. It was a total letdown. This coming from a huge Lewis fan.

Most people realize it's beneficial to work hard in life, but this book is a stark reminder about how working hard actually does translate into concrete results. More than any other single factor. It's a primer for HOW to work hard and how to teach your kids to work hard. I've already started implementing some of these lessons with my own kids. A top-notch self-improvement book! @simonbooks

This quiet, uncomplicated, yet satisfying coming of age / family saga and story of small-town life reminded me of a less hard-hitting version of Ann Patchett's Commonwealth with a touch of girl power for good measure. The writing was chock full of wise observations about life. Would make a great gift for mothers, MILs, grandmothers, etc. @penguinrandomhouse

4.5 stars! A dysfunctional family novel set in the world of sailing...with my kind of writing (simple with dry humor and lots of "yes, that's exactly how it is" observations). Reminded me a bit of Ann Patchett's Commonwealth. Can't believe I hadn't heard of it until last week!
#1stline: Einstein wasn't a great sailor, probably not even a mediocre one.

A specially selected book (or a Kindle with a few pre-loaded books) can make a thoughtful holiday gifts. #holidaygiftguide Check out my 2016 picks: https://www.sarahsbookshelves.com/books-that-make-perfect-holiday-gifts-2016/

Writing like this drew me into this gritty memoir of growing up poor on the NYC's Lower East Side in the 80's/early 90's. But, this unique writing sometimes morphed into the adjective-laden writing That drives me crazy, making for an uneven overall reading experience. Still iO's experience dealing w/ her erratic mother & gender & sexuality struck a chord.
#FirstLine: She said he gave her the little gun b/c it was classy & elegant, like her.

This behind the scenes look into a new restaurant's (Huertas) first year of life in the high pressure world of NYC dining is equal parts food and business (specifically entrepreneurship) book. Reminded me of Sweetbitter minus the drugs and sex.

It's so awesome to see my friend @Georgia_Hunter on so many anticipated books of 2017 lists! The latest is #netgalley On Our Radar for early February's Debut Fiction round-up! @VikingBooks #newfiction #debutfiction #historicalfiction #2017debuts

This part portrait of a hospital trying to survive in the wake of disaster and part exploration of end-of-life care and euthanasia in the U.S. reads like a thriller and is the first nonfiction book I've included on my Page Turners list. Full review coming on the blog.
#nonficnov

This is a book either for huge Conroy fans or highbrow literature nerds. I'm the former. Though I generally love everything Conroy, there was too much focus on the esoteric books that influenced him...I wish he'd focused more on the people in his reading life.
If you're interested in Conroy's Nonfiction/memoirs, I'd choose The Death of Santini over this one.

Inspired by the author's great-aunt, this story of a young girl with a genital birth defect growing up on a Mississippi farm in the 1920's-30's was only "meh" for me. Though Jane's struggle to live a normal life kept me reading, I got bored when the story veered into descriptions of American pastoral life at that time. PS - the feather is the headpiece to my daughter's peacock Halloween costume.

This one completely lived up to the hype! The first page is one of the best first pages I‘ve ever read and I could immediately tell that Bennett‘s writing was my kind of writing. The tone and style reminded me a bit of Ann Patchett‘s in Commonwealth. The Mothers will no doubt make my Best Books of 2016 List and would make a fantastic book club selection. @RiverheadBooks

(Audio) The ultimate guide to the nature vs. nurture debate as it pertains to sports. Full of fascinating info about the body and gene research...in addition to how genes impact athletic performance. Also great info on how certain body types and gene make-ups should train for optimal performance. Plus - did you know Yao Ming was "bred" by the Chinese sports federation from two of the country's tallest basketball players?! No lie.

A simply, yet perfectly told story of a cobbled together family. One of my favorite books of 2016 so far and one I think I'll be recommending out the wazoo. @HarperBooks

Haven't made it past Page 1 yet and this is my third highlight. Think this is gonna be a winner! @RiverheadBooks

Even waiting in the airport is delightful with coffee, a good book, and no toddlers with you!

Look what I got in the mail! My friend, Georgia Hunter's debut novel, coming out on Valentine's Day 2017 from @VikingBooks! It's based on the true story of her family: Polish Jews separated during WWII and their quest to reunite. And that is, in fact, a blurb from Paula McLain (The Paris Wife, Circling the Sun). Keep this one on your radar!

This is a book for swimming nerds, which I am! You get the expected behind-the-scenes Olympic dirt (including a makeout session w/ Rowdy Gaines!), but it's more a book about performing your best regardless of age (including great workout tips). I hadn't realized that Dara didn't just compete at the 2008 Olympics at age 41, she swam faster than she ever had before. Incredibly inspiring.

A much better choice, Franny...

A little celebrity gossip (and the literary kind!), a little behind the scenes Top Chef scoop, a struggle with finding a balance between her Indian culture and American life, her struggle with weight (yes, she actually had one), and struggle with conceiving a child and endometriosis. This lady is not just a pretty face! Excellent on audio with Lakshmi narrating.

"Chaos begets chaos. Instability begets instability. Welcome to family life for the American hillbilly." - just about sums it up