Comforting Books - What to Read During {Insert Chaos Here}

I’ve hesitated writing this blog post because when the COVID19 pandemic started, I wasn’t sure anyone wanted to hear from me.

What do I have to tell people? I have no medical recommendations, I’m a mom who’s pretty darn happy letting her kids watch TV, and…. well, I’ve been figuring all this out, same as everyone.

But I’ve had many of you asking for book recommendations right now, so…. yeah. I’m pretty good at that. That’s what I have to give to my country so, that’s what you’ll get!

Here are my ultimate comfort book recommendations to help you get through a time when you need an escape…

Mysteries

Because nothing gets your mind off your problems like someone else’s fictional problem of a dead body…

Her Royal Spyness series - Rhys Bowen - Set in the 1930s, a distant cousin to the Queen solves mysteries. Lighthearted, cozy historical mysteries with just enough royalty and romance to keep it escapism. If you like the first, there are 13 more books in the series to keep you engaged!

The Kit Holloway Series - Jennifer Ashley - Another historical mystery series set in England (this one in Queen Victoria’s day), the main character is a cook so you not only get a mystery, another century, a pinch of romance but you also get lots of comforting cooking scenes and comfort food. A four (soon to be five) book series for you to dive into.

Rom -Coms

These were very hard to narrow down, but I’ll explain…

Who Rescued Who -Victoria Schade- There are SO MANY good rom-coms out right now! But I picked this one because it has the ultimate feel-good ingredients (for me, at least)- England and dogs.

Hear me talk to Victoria on Women With Books podcast.

Waiting For Tom Hanks - Kerry Winfrey - And this one because we were ALL waiting for Tom Hanks to recover from COVID-19. In his honor, read this sweet, funny rom-com.
Also, at the time of this blog, this e-book is $2.99

Hear me talk to Kerry on Women With Books podcast.

The Royal Runaway -  Lindsay Emory

And if you want the ULTIMATE ESCAPE, try my book! A princess who gets left at the altar on her royal wedding day goes on an adventure to uncover what happened to her groom with a spy who has secrets of his own…

Women’s Fiction

Also very hard to narrow down, but I have my reasons…

Things You Save in a Fire - Katherine Center - I just discovered this book last month and honestly, if I could rewind time and save this book for my shelter in place time, I would. You can read my thoughts on it here.

The Coincidence of Coconut Cake - Amy E. Reichert - Okay. This book has a failing restaurant in it. I felt I should say that up front. BUT - it’s a great, cozy book that reminds us of the things that hold us together - and sometimes that’s food and cake and stuff, okay? Don’t judge.
Hear me talk to Amy E. Reichert on my podcast Women With Books, here.

Coming Home - Rosamunde Pilcher - OH. What can I say that hasn’t been said about Rosamunde Pilcher books when the world is nothing but a huge dumpster fire. I love love love The Shell Seekers, I’m currently re-reading September, but Coming Home is my ultimate comfort read recommendation. It always makes me cry and it’s set during World War II but you can escape into 1940’s Cornwall and that’s an awesome place to be.

Urban Fantasy

Um, Lindsay. Hold up. You call these comforting??? You know these have vampires, monsters and bloody fight scenes, right?

Sure, but as I explained in a recent Best Books to Read Now blog post, Urban Fantasy novels can still be comfort reads. I picked both of these for the same reasons. Alternate time-lines, magic and paranormal creatures can take you out of this world and mentally drop you into another one. But these specific series stand out for me as comfort reads because of the strong (reassuring) relationships between family and friends.

The Black Dagger Brotherhood is a completely unrealistic other-world but they are also filled with tight bonds and passionate relationships and maybe that’s exactly the recipe some of us need to read right now.

Burn For Me - Ilona Andrews (Book 1 of the Hidden Legacies Series)

Dark Lover - Book 1 of the Black Daggerhood Series by JR Ward

Those are my recommendations for comfort reads, but I’m well aware that my favorite ingredients may not be yours. The good news is, I’ve been doing this awhile. If nothing on the above list strikes your fancy, here are some other lists I’ve compiled. Go explore and see what you find!

Royal Book Recommendations

Nonfiction/ Writing/ Creativity Book Recommendations

Favorite Swoony Historical Romance Books

Favorite Mystery Series

Are You Ready for some Football Romances!

BUT WAIT! There’s MORE!

If you sign up for my newsletter, there are TWO freebies waiting for you.
1) A link to the free Drieden Christmas story that was exclusive to my newsletter in 2020, and
2) A handy dandy list of ALLLLLLLLLL the books I recommended in 2019 (with buy links, of course.)

Now. You have no excuse. Go forth and get lost in a book.

Best Books to Read Now - June 2019

Reminder/ Caveat/ Disclaimer: This is my (hopefully) monthly list of books I’ve read and enjoyed. These are not reviews, I do not include books I didn’t enjoy because life is too short to speak badly of books!

Welcome to the Best Books to Read Now Book Club! My (hopefully) monthly blog featuring my reading list, my TBR pile and the books I think you and your best friends should be reading. 

If you’re not sure whether you’ll agree with  my recommendations, check out my blog post on My Reader Wheels and my podcast, Women With Books . Those should help you decide if you’re going to be into my recommendations.

The best book club recommendations for you and your friends!

I’ve actually read way more this month, but some of them are advanced copies so I can’t wait to tell you about them when you can actually, um, buy them! lol

Waiting for Tom Hanks - Kerry Winfrey
Amazon || Apple Books
If you happened upon one of my Instagram stories a few weeks ago where I was going C R A Z Y about a book I was reading, this was it!! This was the perfect way to kick off summer reading - something that can be passed around your group of girlfriends around the pool, your teenager can borrow it on summer vacation when she gets bored, or you can keep it in your bag while you’re waiting for the kiddos at camp. It’s light, breezy, funny, romantic… I smiled the whole time.

You, hitting one click on this book.

Say No to the Duke - Eloisa James
Amazon || Apple Books

I’ve shared my love for this series on the blog before, and this one might be my favorite, given that the Wilde is the heroine. The hero has PTSD from the war in the Colonies so he’s scarred but still great hero material.

Rebel - Beverly Jenkins
Amazon || Apple Books

I was really excited about this book when I heard about it because (1) Beverly Jenkins (2) Reconstruction-era (3) New Orleans and I was not disappointed. I’ve always loved historical stories set in New Orleans and this one was no exception.
This is billed as the first in a new series (Women Who Dare) but the reviews say that there are characters in this from other Jenkins books. I’m relatively late to Miss Bev’s extensive backlist, so this didn’t impact my reading and if it didn’t impact mine, it probably wouldn’t change how you come to the story. Honestly, hearing that the characters were in other books made me want to clear a month and (finally!) dig into all those saved Beverly Jenkins books I have.

Death in Kew Gardens - Jennifer Ashley
Amazon || Apple Books

I included this series in my blog post on my favorite fun feminine mysteries and this newest installment just cements that opinion for me. I also suggested this series as one of your comfort reads for the Women With Books Summer Reading Challenge. If you like historical mysteries, Downton Abbey-type servant shenanigans, and mysterious and charming love interests, check out these books.

And yes, there were some books I did not love this month…. I’ll be talking more about those and why I think they didn’t connect with me in my newsletter this month.

Do you like books on sale?
Make sure you’re following me on Facebook because that’s where I post great books on sale!

And what about you?
I’d love to hear what you’ve read and loved lately or what you’re looking forward to reading next!  If you want these book recommendations (and a sneak peek at my TBR list and advanced reading copies) sent straight to your inbox, remember to sign up for my newsletter where I’ll be including all the best book club recommendations throughout 2019!

My favorite (fun) (feminine) (fabulous) mystery series...

As I continue with my Deep Thoughts on Books (c), I’ve noticed that I have a definite preference for the types of mystery series I read… and by read, I mean, devour and swallow up all the books in one go.

If you’ve looked at my list of why I love the books I do, you’ll see instantly that all these books I’m about to recommend pretty much tick all of my boxes: female-focused, mystery, humor/ great voice, and with a fair share of romantic interest.

So here are my most beloved mystery series… (in no particular order.) I’ve helpfully included the link to book 1 in each series. You’re very welcome.

The Royal Spyness series by Rhys Bowen
Amazon || Apple Books

This is one of the few that I have NOT read all the books in the series, but I still feel confident recommending it. I’m savoring each of the adventures of Lady Georgianna, 34th in line to the throne.

Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich
Amazon || Apple Books

This is pretty much the book that inspired a thousand authors to try to be half as funny and half as engaging as the mishaps of a bounty hunter in Trenton, NJ.

Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris

Amazon || Apple Books

This is the series that got me back to reading after I had my youngest child. I read the first eight of these books in a week, I think. They were so addictive and original and, this may be an unpopular opinion, but I enjoyed the books far more than the show. Which was good, too! For reasons.

Below Stairs Mysteries by Jennifer Ashley
Amazon || Apple Books

Now this series is still ongoing, but I’ve recommended it to so many people (and on this blog!). I just love the heroine and all the Downton Abbey-esque details of her Below Stairs life.

Lady Julia Grey Mysteries by Deanna Raybourn
Amazon || Apple Books

Now Ms. Raybourn has two wonderful historical mystery series out, this one and her Veronica Speedwell series and I did hesitate about which one to recommend. After all, the Lady Julia Grey series has concluded and Veronica Speedwell is still continuing, to the best of my knowledge. In the end, I picked Lady Julia Grey because I’ve actually re-read them (is that weird? Even though I’ve already read the resolution?) and because if you start with Julia, you can keep going all the way through Veronica.

And of course, I have to recommend my own fun, fabulous, feminine mystery series. If you like Sookie Stackhouse and Stephanie Plum all rolled up in a Elle Woods package, check out Margot Blythe.

Amazon || Apple Books

What are your favorite mystery series? I know there are so many more that I need to dive into… like JD Robb. I KNOW I KNOW. But the sheer number of books in the series just intimidates me. I fear I won’t be able to read anything else and then a year will go by and I’ll come out of my cave not knowing what has happened in the world.

So. Any recommendations for me? ;-)

Best Books to Read Now - January 2019

Reminder/ Caveat/ Disclaimer: This is my (hopefully) monthly list of books I’ve read and enjoyed. These are not reviews, I do not include books I didn’t enjoy because life is too short to speak badly of books!

Welcome to the Best Books to Read Now Book Club! My (hopefully) monthly blog featuring my reading list, my TBR pile and the books I think you and your best friends should be reading. 

If you’re not sure whether you’ll agree with  my recommendations, check out my blog post on My Reader Wheels and my podcast, Women With Books . Those should help you decide if we’re simpatico con los libros. 

Scandal Above Stairs - Jennifer Ashley

Amazon || Apple Books

The second book in the Kat Holloway historical mystery series (or 3rd if you count the prequel novella?). I enjoyed going back to the world of Victorian London cook Mrs. Holloway and following along as she helped solve another mystery - this one involving stolen artifacts. 

Becoming - Michelle Obama

Amazon || Apple Books

If you’ve ever day-dreamed about being part of the former FLOTUS’ #girlsquad, this book might be closest you’ll ever come but Mrs. O lets you in to her world, her life and her experiences. The book sounds like one of her speeches, smart, affirming, disarming and no BS. I was thoroughly charmed (and also still a little disturbed by a description of one of her girls’ weekends at Camp David. Morning workouts? Really? I mean, yes Mrs. O. Anything you say! )

99 Percent Mine - Sally Thorne

Amazon || Apple Books

I had an ARC of this and I’m so excited that it’s finally out in the world and I can talk to people about it! A “warning” to romance readers: Ms. Thorne does NOT follow the typical romance structures. This book - even though it’s romantic - is so much more than that. It’s a story of a friendship, of a family (birth and chosen) and a woman who finally discovers the life she should have been leading. And yes, I’ve mentioned it on the podcast but I cried - HARD - at the end. And I usually avoid books that make me cry. 

Summoned to 13th Grave - Darynda Jones

Amazon || Apple Books

Speaking of crying, don’t cry ‘cause it’s over. The final installment in the Charley Davidson series is hopeful, powerful and leaves LOTS of room for Ms. Jones to continue following the ABQ supe crew as they protect the savior of the world.  This is one of the few long-running series that I’ve ever finished all the way through so I feel like I need to get a medal or something. 

The Light Over London - Julia Kelly

Amazon || Apple Books

Another one I read last year and is FINALLY out there!!!  Yes, Julia Kelly is a dear friend (and she’s been on my podcast HERE and HERE ) but this book is so good. It’s a dual timeline story and follows Cara in the present day as she unravels the history behind a WWII era journal that she discovers. If you want to hear more about it, please listen to the podcast episode and also READ THE BOOK. 

What I’m Reading Next: RITA books! As part of my membership in RWA, I volunteer to judge the books for the Rita awards. So YAY! Free books! The downside? As part of the judging process, I promise to not talk about the books. Boo.  That doesn’t mean I don’t sneak them into recommendations at other times throughout the year though…. Wink wink. So keep reading the blog and hopefully they’ll all be so good I can slip them in and it will be our little secret, okay? 

I’d love to hear what you’ve read and loved lately or what you’re looking forward to reading next!  If you want these book recommendations (and a sneak peek at my TBR list and advanced reading copies) sent straight to your inbox, remember to sign up for my newsletter where I’ll be including all the best book club recommendations throughout 2019!