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(Mostly) Non-Political Books for a Political Time

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So… it’s 2024. A Presidential election year in my country, the US of A.

Everyone has opinions, everyone has feelings.

I got it. This isn’t really one of those blog posts.

Since I was in high school, I’ve read political memoir/ non-fiction from a purely educational/ informational place.

If you, like me, are interested in “political history” but not really wanting politics, I wanted to share my favorite recommendations that give insight into how the presidential elections and the White House work.

I can’t promise that there’s NO politics in these books (and I don’t know everyone’s preferences) but I can promise that these are MOSTLY as nonpolitical as memoir/non-fiction about the White House can get…

The Residence - Kate Anderson Brower

First Women - Kate Anderson Brower

Game Change - John Heileman & Mark Halperin

Who Thought This Was a Good Idea - Alyssa Mastromonaco

I’ll Take Your Questions Now - Stephanie Grisham

If you like getting book recommendations from a reader/ author like me, subscribe to my newsletter Women With Books !

(MORE) Best Books to Read On VACATION - July 2024

Y’ALL!

Are you as happy as I am this summer? I feel like authors are really bringing it and I can barely keep up with my TBR list.

So many of you loved my first round of vacation reading suggestions, that I quickly looked at my book pile and decided I’d bring you more recommendations for the plane, the cruise, the beach… or your own back yard.

(June Reading Recommendations HERE)

*I’ve picked these for universal fun and based on my own preferences for summer reading. If you have other preferences by the pool, please READ THOSE! Do your thing, friend.

The Rom-Commers - Katherine Center

Husbands & Lovers - Beatriz Williams

The Mystery in Moonshine - Lindsay Emory

The Summer Pact - Emily Giffin

Look On the Bright Side - Kristan Higgins

If you like getting book recommendations from a reader/ author like me, subscribe to my newsletter Women With Books ! I often give more details there about the books I love and the books I don’t…

Or for all the book recommendations on my blog, just click here!

Best Books to Read On VACATION - 2024

If anyone has followed me for any length at all, you might have guessed that one of my favorite things to do is have vacation reading time.
WHAT IS BETTER?

Relaxed, low key time in the mountains or on the beach, with nothing to do but immerse yourself in another world, a fantasy or a romance??

Nothing is better.

And, quite frankly? I’m not alone. The PUBLISHERS know that readers like me want delicious, frothy, immersive books. I’ve got a quick short list of what’s new on the beach read MUST read lists this year.

*I’ve picked these for universal fun and based on my own preferences for summer reading. If you have other preferences by the pool, please READ THOSE! Do your thing, friend.

Summers at the Saint - Mary Kay Andrews

Lies & Weddings - Kevin Kwan

The Mystery in Moonshine - Lindsay Emory

The Beautiful People - Michelle Gable

Every Time I Go on Vacation Someone Dies - Catherine Mack

If you like getting book recommendations from a reader/ author like me, subscribe to my newsletter Women With Books ! I often give more details there about the books I love and the books I don’t…

Or for all the book recommendations on my blog, just click here!

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Recommendations for Mother's Day Books!

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As a mom, who has a mom, and has friends and relatives who are moms, I think one of the very best gifts you can give a woman is quiet time with a good book. And her favorite beverage.

Partners and children, please take note:
1. Quiet time.
2. Good books
3. Beverage.

If you do all the above (and take her out for a meal she doesn’t have to cook or clean) then you will win.

Without further ado, here are my top book giving recommendations for a woman in your life.
*I purposely picked books that were low on “spice,” for lack of a better term, to better serve a wide swatch of grandmas, teachers, aunts, etc. But hey - if your grandma loves some spice in her books, go find that woman her type of book!

All of these books feature multi-generations of related women, with all the joy and complexity of those relationships. I hope you find something you - or someone you love - will enjoy during your (their) quiet time with your (their) favorite beverage.

The Women - Kristin Hannah

The Mystery in Moonshine - Lindsay Emory

Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe - Heather Webber

Dial A for Aunties - Jesse Q. Sutanto

A Little Ray of Sunshine - Kristan Higgins

If you like getting book recommendations from a reader/ author like me, subscribe to my newsletter Women With Books !

The Official Cape Moonshine Mood Playlist!

The best beach vacation music!

A truly essential part of my writing method is that I create a playlist for each book. Sometimes, it’s just about a certain vibe or a rhythm. Sometimes it’s the lyrics. But it’s always a collection of songs that will signal to my brain to get back into the world, get in sync with the story and let the characters dance and sing.

I think the playlist for my book THE MYSTERY IN MOONSHINE is terrific for anyone who wants to be in an easy breezy relaxed beach vibe. Which… also describes the book well, I think.

I’ve been sharing some of the songs on the playlist on my Instagram stories, but here is the complete list, along with a Spotify download code if you’re a subscriber there! (scroll down for the code)

Enjoy!

Somewhere on a Beach - Dierks Bentley
American Girl - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Suddenly I See - KT Tunstall
Written in the Sand - Old Dominion
You Broke Up with Me - Walker Hayes
Hell No - Ingrid Michaelson
Someday - Michael Buble & Meghan Trainor
Everything - Michael Buble
Afterlife - Ingrid Michaelson
Don’t Get Around Much Anymore - Tony Bennett, Michael Buble
Celebrate - Ingrid Michaelson
Crazy for Now - Jason Jones
Cup of Tea - Kacey Musgraves
Unforgettable - Thomas Rhett
No Such Thing as a Broken Heart - Old Dominion
Carolina - Eric Church
Rich - Maren Morris
All On Me - Devin Dawson
Second Wind - Maren Morris
Whole Lotta Woman - Kelly Clarkson
Baby - Michael Buble w/ Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings
Hold On - Wilson Phillips
Just Another Thing - Maren Morris
Let Em Talk - Kesha
Company you Keep - Maren Morris
Something to Talk About - Bonnie Raitt
Southern Girl - Amos Lee
Follow Your Arrow - Kacey Musgraves
Shut Me Up - Old Dominion
Save it for a Rainy Day - Kenny Chesney
Gettin Down in a Pirate Town - Jesse Rice
Toes - Zac Brown Band >
Tan Lines - Love and Theft
Doin’ Fine - Lauren Alaina
(Kissed You) Good Night - Gloriana
Wild at Heart - Gloriana
Carolina - Parmalee
Heads Carolina, Tails California - Jo Dee Messina
Good Vibes - Chris Janson
Six-Pack Summer - Phil Vassar
Drinkin’ Problem - Midland
Whiskey Glasses - Morgan Wallen
We Do - Kenny Chesney
Everyone She Knows - Kenny Chesney
Testing the Water - Thompson Square
Girls Like Me - Martina McBride
Down at the Lah De Dah - Jimmy Buffett
Fix a Drink - Chris Janson
Crazy - Patsy Cline
Sand - Thomas Rhett
The Day You Stop Looking Back - Thomas Rhett
Dancing in the Moonlight - King Harvest
We Are Family - Sister Sledge
Walking on Sunshine - Katrina & The Waves
Beachin’ - Jake Owen
Flavor - Maren Morris
Sunshine & Whiskey - Frankie Ballard
Do you Believe in Magic - The Lovin’ Spoonful
Saltwater Gospel - Eli Young Band
Sway - Danielle Bradberry
Coast - Ryan Hurd

Go into your spotify and hit the camera icon. Take a pic of this code and get the playlist!