(Mostly) Non-Political Books for a Political Time

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

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Recommendations for Mother's Day Books!

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 !

Need a Weekend Escape? Try Cape Moonshine, North Carolina!

Discover a hidden gem on the Carolina Outer Banks!

Get away from it all!

A travel guide for anyone wanting to escape to the beach!

Cape Moonshine has all the history, the dining, the beach and the perfect margaritas anyone would ever want!
I recently spent a delightful weekend vacation there, and here are my best recommendations!

First, start your morning off right and head down to the charming Sit a Spell bakery where you can sit at an old fashioned counter and enjoy delicious hand crafted gourmet coffee drinks and homemade baked goods, made right there!

Then downtown Moonshine is full of quaint and unique shopping, such as the Belle Sage boutique, where I guarantee you will find the perfect gift or date night outfit!

it’s a truly magical place!

Next you’ll definitely want to visit the historic Cape Moonshine lighthouse! Guided tours are available from locals dressed like pirates! Climb to the top for unbeatable views of the Outer Banks!

It’s the perfect spot for an Instagram fashion shoot or even a proposal!

If you want great local color and cold drinks, the best local spot is the Southern Cross Brewhouse! Slide in through old fashioned saloon doors and ask for a table overlooking the dock for great sunset views!

If you’re needing a relaxing vacation or a fun girls’ weekend, Cape Moonshine can’t be beat!

For more about Cape Moonshine, download The Mystery In Moonshine for your next beach read!
Get it here: Amazon

Best Books and Movies and TV of 2023

Music

Kelsea Ballerini - I’m obsessed with the above song and her Rolling Up the Welcome Mat EP.

Old Dominion - the new album is great, but their whole discography makes me happy.

Taylor Swift’s Midnights isn’t my favorite album from her but some of the songs on it are my favorites, if that makes sense. Love Anti-Hero, High Infidelity and Mastermind because I feel like a lot of my heroines could relate to the lyrics.

Books

These are the books that I kept thinking about all year long, as a human, a reader and an author. Click a title to get the Amazon link.

Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers - Jesse Q. Sutanto [cozy mystery with an unforgettable sleuth with great descriptions of food and friends]

The Blonde Identity - Ally Carter [fast paced rom-com-spy-adventure]

Finlay Donovan is Killing It - Elle Cosimano [first in a series about a harried single mom and people thinking she’s a killer for hire]

The Second Ending - Michelle Hoffman [quirky story about ambition and mistakes and second chances]

A Little Ray of Sunshine - Kristan Higgins [a tear jerker about motherhood, family and community]

The Fourth Wing - Rebecca Yarros [international fantasy bestseller. I call it Top Gun with Dragons]

A Traitor in Whitehall - Julia Kelly [debut historical mystery set in Churchill’s war rooms]

A Girl Called Samson - Amy Harmon [historical fiction loosely based on a woman who dressed as a man to fight in the American Revolutionary War]

The Last Daughter of York - Nicola Cornick [English cozy paranormal time slip murder mystery]

PodcastS

Say More with Dr? Sheila - an improvised podcast featuring a faux therapist played by Amy Poehler

Strike Force Five - a limited series hosted by five late night show hosts during the writers’ strike (Stephen Colbert, John Oliver, Seth Meyer, Jimmy Kimmel and the other Jimmy.)

I listen to Conan Needs a Friend off and on, but this episode featuring Steve Martin and Martin Short is comedy GOLD. I think I wiped away tears of joy.

Wilder - I’ve recommended this to everyone this year. It’s about the true story behind Little House on the Prairie and the Ingalls family and a reexamination of their stories in the 21st century.

Television/ MovieS

Daisy Jones & the Six - I’m such a huge fan of the book (here) and I loved that the movie captured the spirit and was also its own thing.

Shrinking - on Apple TV. I’ve watched this series twice now and laughed and cried and felt more human. The cast is perfection. Each actor holds their space and feels vital. I may even rewatch again.

Barbie - she changed the world this year. And Ken was fine.

#Kenough

Taylor Swift Eras (tour and movie) - I have so many deep thoughts about her and Beyonce’s tours but for now, let’s just include Taylor in all of my lists.

Succession - The last season was awe inspiring. Still amazing writing and acting that makes you simultaneously hate and feel sorry for each one of these awful characters. That last scene of Shiv and Tom in the car is my Roman Empire.

Oh Cousin Greg.

Flaming Hot - I have recommended this to everyone. Great, fun movie about the invention of Flaming Hot Cheetos - watch it during the holidays with your extended family.

And… one more suggestion… you could pre-order your favorite book of 2024 now… The Mystery in Moonshine is coming out in February… read more about it here!