Recently Read | Not to Miss Books


In an effort to not make every single post travel related I wanted to share a few recent reads. It’s actually been a pretty slow month of reading for me, but I’m ending this post with one of my favorite reads of the year so far!! I’m wait listed for 9 books at the library and all of them are ones that I have been itching to read – so here’s hoping people are quick readers because I need some new books!! I thought I would start this post with the one I was least excited reading & the other 4 were all great books. I also didn’t keep track of how many books I read last year, but so far this year I’m up to 20 – hoping to read at least 75. Not really part of any challenges, but sort of doing it for myself. 

Books to read in 2017, reading guide, must read books


All The Missing Girls || After reading books like The Woman in Cabin 10 & The Couple Next Door I didn’t think that All the Missing Girls lived up to the “thriller” genre as much. The book is told backwards from Day 15 back to Day 1 & the main character Nicollete is going back to her hometown to see her dad who is suffering from Alzheimer’s. She turned her back on everyone from her past life when her best friend disappeared 10 years ago – the question remains is what happened to Corrine, the best friend, the same thing that just happened to her neighbor. Hence, why the book is called All The Missing Girls. I found the chapters a bit hard to follow and there were a lot of characters making appearances – not exactly the kind of book I was used to reading. It wasn’t terrible, but of all the recent books it’s not at the top of my list. 





The Hypnotist’s Love Story || The kind of book that makes you go “huh, that’s interesting” What do I mean by that? Well I’m not really sure whose side I was on while reading the book – it sort of went back and forth. Ellen is a hypnotist that falls in love with Patrick who has a rather interesting moment of truth with her and tells her that he has a stalker. The story that unfolds is interesting – you have the point of view of Ellen & the point of view of the stalker, Saiska (which I could not for the life of me pronounce in my head so I basically renamed her Sarah). This is not a thriller at all, it’s a love story through and through – a quirky one, but I’ve learned that I either really like Liane Moriarty books or completely dislike it – this was in the like category. Not as good as Big Little Lies, but definitely up there! Also, I have a strong desire to go get hypnotized now! 








A Window Opens || After Alice’s husband announces that he’s up and quit his job to set out on his own and start his own law firm, she’s pretty much forced into finding a job in the literary world that she loves so much. What she knows will be a balancing act – her kids, husband, job, babysitter, and parents all still need her and even though she feels like she is really doing it all – the question is at what cost. There were definitely sad moments in this book & while I don’t have kids yet, I can certainly relate to Alice’s plight to have it all and making everyone around her happy – she’s a character that we can all relate to. I LOVED that this book had an epilogue – books that have epilogues make me feel like I’ve completed it – doesn’t leave me hanging & I feel like I can move on from it! I thought it was an enjoyably read, but I did shed a few tears! 








My Not So Perfect Life || This book is perfect for the social media driven world we now live in. All Instagram feeds do is show us the part of people’s lives that they want to show – pretty, filtered & styled. What it doesn’t show is that some people don’t shop at the stores that they simply “window shop” – they don’t eat at the fancy restaurants, they just read the reviews & more than anything, that “perfect life” might not be so perfect. Katie Brenner finally has the job that she’s always dreamed of & a boss that she idolizes, but is abruptly fired. Still keeping her “filtered” life positive she heads back home & helps her dad create an Instagram haven for Londoner’s to visit on holiday – one of those vacationers happens to be her old boss. Only thing is Katie’s parents have no idea that she’s not on sabbatical and all of her “filtering” comes to ahead. As per usual, Sophia Kinsella does a fantastic job of keeping people’s attention, keeping the book relevant & of course throwing in a little love story for good measure!  






Maybe Someday || I think I found my new favorite author, Colleen Hoover. She also wrote It Ends With Us, which I absolutely loved as well. Sydney & Ridge are neighbors – they have an interesting start to their friendship over music without so much as uttering one word to another. He’s looking for inspiration and she happens to be a great lyricist. There is a dramatic twist in the 2nd or 3rd chapter and you are absolutely captivated by the story. What I love about the author’s writing is how she develops the characters. You get to know them & feel for them. I devoured this book in two days – on a Friday night I found myself reading faster than ever to finish the last 100 pages because I needed to know how the book was going to turn out. If you liked / loved This Is Us  – I think you’ll like this book as well. 




What have you recently read and loved?








Share:

54 Comments

  1. Andrea Nine
    March 29, 2017 / 11:19 am

    I didn't love All The Missing Girls either!! Maybe Some Day is up next for me and I can't wait!!

  2. a little bit of emily
    March 29, 2017 / 11:25 am

    I am adding the last two books to my list! I just read Behind Closed Doors and loved it. It's really messed up but it just makes you want to know what happens – I had a hard time putting it down!

  3. Jenn
    March 29, 2017 / 11:45 am

    I'm gonna add Maybe Someday to my list! I love when I find a new author who I love! I felt the same as you about Hypnotist's Love Story. I liked it but I didn't LOVE it like I've loved some of her other books.

  4. Rachel Emily
    March 29, 2017 / 11:52 am

    I could not get into The Hypnotists Love Story, I tried and tried! I LOVE Sophie KInsella but told myself I have to read some of the books I already have waiting on my bookshelf before I can buy this one!!

  5. Unknown
    March 29, 2017 / 11:56 am

    Im going to add these to my list! I've been searching for a good new read – thanks for sharing!
    Xo, Elizabeth
    stripesandsolitaires.com/

  6. Sarita @ it's my girls' world
    March 29, 2017 / 12:05 pm

    I have to read some more Colleen Hoover books too. You're inspiring me. The hypnotist love story is the only moriarty I haven't read yet.

  7. Blaire Bingham
    March 29, 2017 / 12:08 pm

    Love these posts! I am definitely picking up Maybe Someday for our trip to the beach next week. It sounds awesome!
    xo, Whitney and Blaire
    Peaches In A Pod

  8. Ashley G
    March 29, 2017 / 12:15 pm

    I was just looking for some new books to read– thank you for these! They all sound so good!

  9. Rachel McCarthy
    March 29, 2017 / 12:34 pm

    I have heard from so many people that My Not So Perfect Life is a must-read. I will definitely be adding it to my list for our trip in May. It's the only time of the year I know I will have time to read haha! Thanks for sharing these, Biana!

    xo, Rachel
    A Blonde's Moment

  10. Kate at Green Fashionista
    March 29, 2017 / 12:42 pm

    Thank you for your honest reviews! I had Missing Girls on my list, but it may not be worth the time considering how many books I have ahead of it as must reads. But I'll have to replace it with My Not So Perfect Life <3
    Green Fashionista

  11. Rosy Outlook - Fashion & Lifestyle by Kelly Rose
    March 29, 2017 / 1:12 pm

    Maybe Someday and My Not So Perfect Life sound SO good! Sad to hear All the Missing Girls wasn't that great but it saves me a trip to Barnes & Noble! Your book review posts are my FAVE!

    Rosy Outlook

  12. Carly
    March 29, 2017 / 1:14 pm

    I loved A Window Opens too! I keep forgetting I have My Not So Perfect Life on my iPad, I'm glad so many people have loved it so far!

  13. Pamela {Sequins and Sea Breezes}
    March 29, 2017 / 1:28 pm

    I literally am at the very end of Maybe Someday and I started it on Sunday night haha! So good! I need to download A Window Opens next! <3, Pamela Sequins & Sea Breezes

  14. Jalisa
    March 29, 2017 / 1:43 pm

    Good for you girl that you've already read 20 books, that's awesome! I've been slacking so much because when I'm not working, I'm napping these days, haha. But, I love to read and I have to find ways to squeeze in more time. A couple of these books sound really appealing to me, A Window Opens and My Not So Perfect Life, both sound quite relatable, which makes them all the more interesting! Thanks for sharing, beauty, and I hope you have a wonderful day!

    XO,

    Jalisa
    thestylecontour.com

  15. Owen Davis @ Davis Duo
    March 29, 2017 / 1:44 pm

    I'm dying to read some new books! These days if I get a free second I'm napping haha

  16. Amanda Elizabeth - Meet @ the Barre
    March 29, 2017 / 2:09 pm

    Wrote down some of these to check out for my next plane books!

  17. Julia
    March 29, 2017 / 2:15 pm

    I was about to read All the missing girls this spring! Now I have second thoughts! I doubt! I will read it any way, let me find out if I like it or not!

  18. Girl Meets Bow
    March 29, 2017 / 2:20 pm

    Sophie Kinsella is one of my favorite authors- so My Not So Perfect Life has been on my list to read! Sounds like it's a big winner πŸ™‚ Can't wait!

  19. LHWinstead
    March 29, 2017 / 2:37 pm

    Picking up It Ends With Us today — can't wait to read it!! I'll have to check out Maybe Someday too!!

  20. Rebecca Jo
    March 29, 2017 / 2:55 pm

    I have Mortiary's book on my Kindle – need to get to that. I seem to like all her stuff.

  21. Klein Dot Co
    March 29, 2017 / 3:15 pm

    Totally agreed on All The Missing Girls. Also, Ruth Ware has a new book coming out May-ish – HOLLA! πŸ™‚

  22. Robin
    March 29, 2017 / 3:23 pm

    I think I will read the one involving Instagram. You might like "Future of Us" by Jay Asher…it's about two teens in 1996, who stumble onto Facebook profiles from the future.

  23. kerri @ cheshire kat
    March 29, 2017 / 3:27 pm

    ok some of these sound awesome! my not so perfect life and maybe someday – yes! i need to get back on the reading train. i'm so slow ha

    xoxo cheshire kat

  24. Gold Coast Girl
    March 29, 2017 / 3:45 pm

    SO many great book titles! I don't have time to read these days, but maybe for my next vacation πŸ˜‰
    ~Samantha
    goldcoastgirlblog.com

  25. Karly @ What Karly Said
    March 29, 2017 / 3:49 pm

    Wasn't All the Missing Girls such a let down? I didn't enjoy My Not So Perfect Life as much as other Sophie Kinsella books, but you're right that it totally fits with today's culture. I LOVED Maybe Someday. Have you read Confess by Colleen Hoover? That's the book that got me into her, so maybe you'd like it!

  26. Christina Lea Loves
    March 29, 2017 / 4:12 pm

    I love when people share their reading lists – I feel like I never have to browse on my own anymore. I'm going to add Maybe Someday to my list.

  27. Anonymous
    March 29, 2017 / 4:36 pm

    Wow Biana – I always liked you but now even more super impressed. I too am a voracious reader and my goal for this year is 74 books (I fell short last year so got a little gun shy on my numbers.) Love learning about new books. As I mentioned in a recent post, if I wasn't writing about appreciation I'd be writing about books. πŸ™‚
    Plus I LOVE that you utilize the local library. No shade thrown to bookstores – love them, but the library is so under utilized! So props to you.

    I also added My Not so Perfect Life (70 holds!!) and It Ends with Us to my list (only 2 – whew) Can't wait to share. Thanks for the recos!
    K of TAF

    • Anonymous
      April 4, 2017 / 4:40 pm

      So excited! Just got the books in from the library! Have 3 of 4 of the books you reco'd! Can't wait til tonight to crack those spines and get to it!:)

  28. Missy
    March 29, 2017 / 5:17 pm

    Adding these to my list. I cannot wait for my non vacation trip soon just to get some reading in! I feel like A Window Opens is first on the list after typing that sentence!

  29. Unknown
    March 29, 2017 / 5:35 pm

    These sound so awesome!xx, Neha

    theinstylejournal.com/

  30. Jamie
    March 29, 2017 / 5:44 pm

    I just downloaded a sample of the Hypnotist's Love Story. I'll have to check out your other suggestions!

    Jamie
    Treats and Trends

  31. Ashley @ The Wandering Weekenders
    March 29, 2017 / 5:49 pm

    I haven't read a Colleen Hoover book yet, but I'll add Maybe Someday to my list, especially since you compared it to This Is Us. I love that show! A Window Opens also sounds like a really interesting book as well. I'm so glad that you liked My Not So Perfect Life, the social media part was really interesting to me as well!

  32. Kelsey @ The Peacock Roost
    March 29, 2017 / 6:05 pm

    You always have the best book recommendations! It's taking me FOREVER to get through a book lately so I'm limiting myself to getting one at a time at the library from now on.
    Kelsey
    thepeacockroost.com

  33. Lily (Beauty With Lily)
    March 29, 2017 / 6:13 pm

    Now I want to read The Hypnotist's Love Story, it sounds interesting! I'm with you, I either like her books or hate them.
    xo, Lily
    Beauty With Lilyο»Ώ

  34. Lindsay's Sweet World
    March 29, 2017 / 6:16 pm

    I never get tired of your travel posts, so fire away!! And girl, I'm so embarrassed… I'm still reading the same book that I started back at Christmas. I just have not been making enough time to read lately!

  35. Erin LFF
    March 29, 2017 / 6:26 pm

    Yay!! I always love your book recommendations πŸ™‚ Adding a few of these to my list!

  36. Tamara
    March 29, 2017 / 6:34 pm

    I'm traveling a lot these next couple of months, I need to pick up some of these books!

    XoXo,

    Tamara – LoveofMode.com

  37. Christina
    March 29, 2017 / 8:02 pm

    I want to check out All The Missing Girls. You're a reading maniac like me, I love it!!!!

  38. Brandi Jo Little, Author
    March 29, 2017 / 8:28 pm

    The last two sound so good! I definitely need to check those out.

  39. Straight A Style
    March 29, 2017 / 8:57 pm

    I really need to get back to reading. Blogging has taken over which isn't good!

    Amy Ann
    Straight A Style

  40. The Siberian American
    March 29, 2017 / 9:14 pm

    It Ends With Us was also my first Colleen Hoover book, but I've been wanting to read more! I'll have to pick up Maybe Someday. πŸ™‚

  41. Trish @ The Trish List
    March 29, 2017 / 9:39 pm

    I just started reading Colleen Hoover a few months ago! I really like her. I need to read more!

  42. Nadine
    March 29, 2017 / 10:06 pm

    I am glad you loved Hypnotist's Love Story because I did too! Some people gave bad reviews on it but I take those with a grain of salt.

  43. Brooke
    March 29, 2017 / 10:45 pm

    I am obsessed with Liane Moriarty! Love The Hypnotists Love Story. πŸ™‚

    Brooke
    Pumps and Push-Ups

  44. Sarah Shaneyfelt
    March 30, 2017 / 12:17 am

    All of these look so good! I've got The Hypnotist's Love story on my reading list!!
    Sarah at MeetTheShaneyfelts

  45. Sparkles and Lattes
    March 30, 2017 / 12:27 am

    I really want to read My Not So Perfect Life. I also have the Hypnotist's Love Story on my list!

  46. Emily @ Martinis | Bikinis
    March 30, 2017 / 1:06 am

    Great lineup! I'm intrigued by My Not So Perfect Life…actually haven't heard of it before (clearly I'm living underneath a rock or something) but I like that it's a soundboard to put life and social media into perspective since that's such a huge influence on people's emotions and such these days.

  47. Shannon Jenkins
    March 30, 2017 / 1:47 am

    So many amazing books! I need to start listening to audio books while I drive to make time for reading!

    <3 ShannonΒ 
    Upbeat Soles

  48. SOFIAADOT
    March 30, 2017 / 9:01 am

    I really want to read the Sophie Kinsella book My Not So Perfect Life! It sounds so good!

    xx Sofia | SOFIAADOT

  49. awhite
    March 30, 2017 / 3:03 pm

    Maybe Someday sounds good! I need good reading rec's for upcoming travel- I cannot sleep on a plane to save my life, so a good book to the rescue. πŸ™‚

    -Ashley
    Le Stylo Rouge

  50. Unknown
    March 30, 2017 / 8:11 pm

    Adding several of these to my list! I needed some new reads!

    Heidi || Wishes & Reality

  51. Thestyleride
    March 30, 2017 / 8:13 pm

    great post
    thestyleride.com/

  52. Laura Darling
    March 31, 2017 / 3:57 am

    I want to read some Colleen Hoover books – I've heard such great things about her.

  53. Kristen @ See You In A Porridge
    March 31, 2017 / 1:06 pm

    i really enjoyed the hypnotist's love story, much more than another of hers i read, but it definitely wasn't in the same league as big little lies. oh, and i listened to the audiobook, and it's pronounced like sas-kia. if i had read it, i would have called her sasha or sarah hahaha.
    My Not So Perfect Life is on my list!
    I haven't read either of the two Colleen Hoover books you mentioned but I have read a couple of hers, and I either love them or hate them haha. They are both on my list!