Mood Reading & Book Club Recommendation!

April 25, 2022 ~ Genevieve

{@BerkleyPub #gifted. Thank you for my free copy to read and share}⁣

Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valde

⁣Are you a book planner or a mood reader?

I am absolutely a mood reader, but I also have a general idea of what I want to read during the next month or so. I am easily tempted by a shiny #NewBookReleases (and also like to share them here!) and I also have to be in the right mood for certain genres. 🔮⁣
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My overall reading during the last couple of years has not included many historical fiction novels, I just could not get into them. And so when I kept seeing some of my trusted book recommendation sources proclaiming this was a five start read, I knew Take My Hand would be my next read.

Given that this is a fictionalized account of actual events, this book proved to be a deeply powerful (and sometimes quite uncomfortable) look at inequality and the rights of reproductive consent. Books like this are so important, because as we all know too well, “…history repeats what we don’t remember”.

⁣Take My Hand is deeply empathetic but also a blunt reminder of how we may feel like we know what’s best for someone else, when we haven’t ever walked a day in their shoes. It explores responsibility, the power of CHOICE and is a raw and unfiltered look at human rights.⁣
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I finished this book last week and I know it will truly be a book I will never forget. It would also make an incredibly powerful book club discussion. Is this new release on your TBR list yet? I discussed this over on @genthebookworm and would love to hear your thoughts.

Disclosure: Some of the links above are Amazon affiliate links. This means if you click through and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission that helps support this blog at no cost to you. Thank you!

What Was Your Last Five Star Read? // #LessonsInChemistry by Bonnie Garmus {Doubleday Books}

April 8, 2022April 8, 2022 ~ Genevieve

{@Doubledaybooks #partner. Thank you for my free copy to read and and review}

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⁣

I have been on a roll lately with some great reads, anyone else? Lessons In Chemistry was a surprise hit for me and was totally unique and multi-faceted. This was one published earlier this week and is already taking readers by storm!

April 5th, 2022 (Amazing!!) New Book Releases:

{Bittersweet, Cover Story, Lessons in Chemistry, Memphis, The Sign For Home & True Biz.}

So, I went into this book without knowing much about it, and it wasn’t at all what I expected. The main character, Elizabeth, was such a dynamic and quirky character- I absolutely loved her. Ultimately, this was a story about the societal expectations and norms of women in the 1960s.

Elizabeth, a female scientist in a “male’s profession,” pushed back against all societal expectations, truly not caring what others thought of her career and personal choices. When she’s pushed out of the lab, she ends up the star of a cooking show- a new type of show at the time.

As she uses her platform to spark change and empower women, the story of her short lived romance unfolds as well. I really loved this book- such a powerful and totally unique and impactful read!

This book is now getting a lot of buzz now and for good reason! It was also chosen for the @gmabookclub April selection and was one of the @bookofthemonth add on choices! {You can join using my referral link HERE}

Is Lessons in Chemistry on your reading list yet? I am discussing this brand new release over on my Bookstagram page @genthebookworm and I would love to hear your thoughts!

Home or Away by Kathleen West {Publication Day Blog Tour!}

March 29, 2022March 29, 2022 ~ Genevieve

{Berkley Publishing #Partner. Thank you for my gifted copy of Home or Away and for inviting me to be a part of this blog tour. }

Home or Away by Kathleen West

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫⁣

I was first introduced to author Kathleen West’s writing style when I read her 2020 novel Minor Dramas and Catastrophes. One of the sub-genres of #ContemporaryFiction I have come to so enjoy is #ParentingFiction. 🙌⁣

Maybe it is because I am smack dab in this stage, but I love books that take on the intricacies to a season of life. The worries, the relationships and the daily struggles that we all can relate to, even if our stories look really different from the outside. And this book takes on competitive youth sports, in particular, hockey! 🏒⁣

Book Synopsis:

Two friends, one Olympic dream, and the choice that stood in the way.

Once Leigh and Susy were close friends and teammates bound for Olympic hockey gold, but when Leigh’s sure-fire plan to make the final roster backfired, she left everything behind to start over, including the one person who knew her secret.

Two decades later, Leigh’s a successful investment banker, happily married, and the mom of a hockey prodigy, so when a career opportunity lands the family back in Minnesota, Leigh takes the shot for her kid. Back in the ultra-competitive world she left behind, the move puts her in Susy’s orbit, a daily reminder of how Leigh watched from the sidelines as her former teammate went on to Olympic glory.

Despite the coldness between them, Susy can’t help but hope that Leigh might lace up her skates and join her in the coaches’ box – after all Leigh knows better than anyone how hard it is to be a woman in this world. Susy knows soon her daughter, Georgie, will be seen as a “girl athlete,” relegated to the B team, with less support and opportunity to advance.

But Leigh believes keeping Susy at arms’ length is the only way to hide her history with her former coach Jeff Carlson. When he hints of new favors in exchange for her son’s ice time, Leigh is caught in the ultimate bind: Come clean about what happened when she was an Olympic hopeful and risk her marriage or play Jeff’s game. In a moment of desperation, Leigh realizes the one person she thought was her biggest competitor – her former teammate – might turn out to be her biggest ally.”

You can purchase your copy HERE. (affiliate link)

Growing up, I was on the swim team, played field hockey and participated in track and field. And while I was not particularly great at any of them (and also, you didn’t have to be then…🙃) I do have the best memories of being a part of these teams. 👯‍♀️⁣

⁣And one of the most unexpected joys of this stage of parenting is being a part of these communities once again…I may just be counting down the days until baseball season officially begins! But as we have progressed further into these sports (our oldest is in middle school) there also comes the very real competitive edge, and the lengths families (parents?) go to to be “the best”…🏆🤯⁣

⁣”Told with Kathleen West’s trademark wit and compassion, Home or Away is a story about overcoming our pasts, confronting our futures, and the sustaining bonds of female friendship.”

Book Club Recommendation!

⁣West shines at character building and sharing the gray areas of life..which also means this book would make for a great #BookClubRead! This book packs a punch and also kept me turning the pages until the very end. This title hits book store shelves today (3.29.22!) and highly recommend adding this book to your spring reading list!

Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez {Five Star Book Review}

February 4, 2022February 27, 2022 ~ Genevieve

{Thank you to Forever and Grand Central Publishing for my gifted review copy}

Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez

(Publishing April 19th, 2022)

Have you read an Abby Jimenez book yet?

The Friend Zone (Published in 2019)

The Happy Ever After Playlist (Published in 2020)

Life’s Too Short (Published in 2021)

And while I have loved them all, and this one might be my favorite book of Abby Jimenez, yet!⁣

My Thoughts on Part Of Your World:

⁣The romance of Daniel and Alexis was the perfect combination to Jimenez’s gift of tackling big issues in a relatable and impactful way.
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This book covered family ties and the issues that can bring, money judgement and stereotypes, friendship, building a life you love, generosity, and abuse- both physical and emotional. ⁣
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The addition of a bunch of adorable farm animals, one irresistible dog, a hysterical and amazing best friend, and both main characters learning to know their own worth, made for a fantastic read. ⁣
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Part Of Your World was impactful and also heartwarming and I am already ready for the sequel in 2023! This one will be released on April 19th, 2022 and you can pre-order it now…

Amazon Link

LibroFM Bookstore Link⁣

Let’s Chat!

Have you read an Abby Jimenez book yet? I am discussing this one today, over on my Bookstagram page @genthebookworm and I would love it if you joined in on the conversation!

Last // Now // Next {Currently Reading…}

January 19, 2022January 19, 2022 ~ Genevieve

{thank you to @stmartinspress, @minotaurbooks, @berkleypub & @putnambooks for my gifted review copies}

Last / Now / Next

I am currently in a great reading streak and I am hoping it continues!

I finished Like A House On Fire by author Lauren McBrayer on my kindle this past weekend. It’s one of those books that really examines the gray areas of life and I can’t stop thinking about it. The characters are layered and nuanced and I can’t wait to share more as we get a bit closer to its publication date. {4.26.22}

On audio, I am currently juggling two books, one fiction and one non fiction read and they are both excellent!! I am loving Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead by Elle Cosimano and keep seeing so many 5-star reviews for it all over #bookstagram, so I know I am not alone! {Publishing 2.1.22}

I started Losing Our Minds by Dr. Lucy Foulkes and it is just fascinating, nuanced and is giving me so much to unpack. {Publishing 1.25.22}

Finally, Good Rich People by Eliza Jane Brazier is up next for my kindle reading and I can’t wait! I love a good dark domestic thriller with main characters behaving badly, so this seems like my cup of tea! {Publishing 1.25.22}

So tell me, what are your Last / Now / Next book choices? I would love to hear over on @genthebookworm where I am discussing this more!

What Happened To You? {If you read one book this winter, make it THIS one!}

January 14, 2022January 14, 2022 ~ Genevieve

What Happened To You? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing by Bruce D. Perry M.D., Ph.D and Oprah Winfrey

What is the last book you read that you couldn’t stop talking about?! 📖🗣⁣
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It is this book for me! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⁣
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In fact, if you have talked to me in person during the last month, you probably have heard about it on more than one occasion, sorry, but not really! 🤷‍♀️🙌⁣
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What Happened To You came highly recommended by some of my very trusted book sources and seriously did not disappoint. I alternated reading and listening to this one on audiobook format because I really had a hard time putting it down. Simply put, the concepts in this book truly are life changing and I try not to say that unless I am talking about Brenè…or Nedra…or well, you get the point! 🙏⁣⁣

Whether you have experienced childhood adversity or not, this book is revolutionary. The idea of looking at someone (or yourself) and instead of saying “what’s wrong with them?!” changing the narrative to “what happened to them?” can change so much. 💖⁣
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I am a big believer in therapy and because of certain circumstances, I am grateful to say it has been a part of my life from a fairly young age (although it was definitely not as normalized as it is now!) ⁣
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I think there can be a bit of a misconception that therapy (and probably personal development in general) somehow can seem a bit…selfish? But really, it is exactly the opposite! 💥⁣
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Spending time processing your own experiences (past and present) can not only help yourself heal, but ultimately can help you understand and better interact with the world (and people) around you. And this book connects so much with that idea. ✨⁣
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When we realize “huh, maybe that’s why I respond that way in certain situations!!” it also helps us understand why someone else might respond or act the way they do as well. In fact, this idea ultimately helps us have more compassion and empathy, which in today’s divided and challenging world, there just can’t be enough of. 💕⁣

We Are Not Like Them by Christine Pride and Jo Piazza // Atria Books {Book Discussion & Rating}

October 28, 2021October 28, 2021 ~ Genevieve

{Thank you to Atria Books for my gifted review copy}

We Are Not Like Them by Christine Pride & Jo Piazza

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Publication Date:

October 5th, 2021

Book Summary:

Told from alternating perspectives, an evocative and riveting novel about the lifelong bond between two women, one Black and one white, whose friendship is indelibly altered by a tragic event—a powerful and poignant exploration of race in America today and its devastating impact on ordinary lives.

Jen and Riley have been best friends since kindergarten. As adults, they remain as close as sisters, though their lives have taken different directions. Jen married young, and after years of trying, is finally pregnant. Riley pursued her childhood dream of becoming a television journalist and is poised to become one of the first Black female anchors of the top news channel in their hometown of Philadelphia.

But the deep bond they share is severely tested when Jen’s husband, a city police officer, is involved in the shooting of an unarmed Black teenager. Six months pregnant, Jen is in freefall as her future, her husband’s freedom, and her friendship with Riley are thrown into uncertainty. Covering this career-making story, Riley wrestles with the implications of this tragic incident for her Black community, her ambitions, and her relationship with her lifelong friend.

Like Tayari Jones’s An American Marriage and Jodi Picoult’s Small Great Things, We Are Not Like Them explores complex questions of race and how they pervade and shape our most intimate spaces in a deeply divided world. But at its heart, it’s a story of enduring friendship—a love that defies the odds even as it faces its most difficult challenges.