Happy Monday, Friends!
Every six to eight weeks I share an Entertainment with Erika post. I share books I’ve read lately, my thoughts on any shows I’m watching, and I highlight any movies I’ve seen.
This batch of books is GOOD! And I hope you help me out with some special recommendations at the end of the post. 🙂
This is what Amazon has to say about this one…
“Why won’t you just tell me what’s in that cake?” I’d been trying to get Laine’s recipe for years. We all had.
When all else fails, turn to the divine taste of hummingbird cake.
In the South you always say “yes, ma’am” and “no, ma’am.” You know everybody’s business. Football is a lifestyle not a pastime. Food—especially dessert— is almost a religious experience. And you protect your friends as fiercely as you protect your family— even if the threat is something you cannot see.
In this spot-on Southern novel brimming with wit and authenticity, you’ll laugh alongside lifelong friends, navigate the sometimes rocky path of marriage, and roll through the outrageous curveballs that life sometimes throws . . . from devastating pain to absolute joy. And if you’re lucky, you just may discover the secret to hummingbird cake along the way.”
I saw another blog where the blogger shared the Amazon info and I really liked reading that right on her post, so I thought I’d do the same. This book was my least favorite that I read in this post. I did enjoy reading about this trio of girls who have been lifelong friends. They shared some secrets, lots of support, and big changes. It was definitely a sweet read (and I prefer the ones I can’t predict during the first couple chapters…make sense?).
Amazon…
“Jen Dixon is not your typical Kansas City kindergarten class mom―or mom in general. Jen already has two college-age daughters by two different (probably) musicians, and it’s her second time around the class mom block with five-year-old Max―this time with a husband and father by her side. Though her best friend and PTA President sees her as the “wisest” candidate for the job (or oldest), not all of the other parents agree.
From recording parents’ response times to her emails about helping in the classroom, to requesting contributions of “special” brownies for curriculum night, not all of Jen’s methods win approval from the other moms. Throw in an old flame from Jen’s past, a hyper-sensitive “allergy mom,” a surprisingly sexy kindergarten teacher, and an impossible-to-please Real Housewife-wannabe, causing problems at every turn, and the job really becomes much more than she signed up for.
Relate-able, irreverent, and hilarious in the spirit of Maria Semple, Class Mom is a fresh, welcome voice in fiction―the kind of novel that real moms clamor for, and a vicarious thrill-read for all mothers, who will be laughing as they are liberated by Gelman’s acerbic truths.”
This book was funny from the beginning to the end. Any mom who’s been class mom or has received e-mails from a class mom can relate to this one. It’s a fun easy read. I highly recommend. 🙂
Amazon…
“It all started at a dinner party. . .
A domestic suspense debut about a young couple and their apparently friendly neighbors—a twisty, roller coaster ride of lies, betrayal, and the secrets between husbands and wives. . .
Anne and Marco Conti seem to have it all—a loving relationship, a wonderful home, and their beautiful baby, Cora. But one night, when they are at a dinner party next door, a terrible crime is committed. Suspicion immediately lands on the parents. But the truth is a much more complicated story.
Inside the curtained house, an unsettling account of what actually happened unfolds. Detective Rasbach knows that the panicked couple is hiding something. Both Anne and Marco soon discover that the other is keeping secrets, secrets they’ve kept for years.
What follows is the nerve-racking unraveling of a family—a chilling tale of deception, duplicity, and unfaithfulness that will keep you breathless until the final shocking twist.”
If you’re a thriller, suspense reader, then GET THIS ONE! It was SUCH a good read. I was guessing the entire time. Seriously, READ it!
Amazon…
“There are good moms and bad moms—and then there are hot-mess moms. Introducing Ashley Keller, career girl turned stay-at-home mom who’s trying to navigate the world of Pinterest-perfect, Facebook-fantastic and Instagram-impressive mommies but failing miserably.
When Ashley gets the opportunity to participate in the Motherhood Better boot camp run by the mommy-blog-empire maven she idolizes, she jumps at the chance to become the perfect mom she’s always wanted to be. But will she fly high or flop?
With her razor-sharp wit and knack for finding the funny in everything, Bunmi Laditan creates a character as flawed and lovable as Bridget Jones or Becky Bloomwood while hilariously lambasting the societal pressures placed upon every new mother. At its heart, Ashley’s story reminds moms that there’s no way to be perfect, but many ways to be great.”
This book is super relateable for any new moms. If you’re like me after having Ebby Lee, it took some time for me to figure out how I’d do the laundry, plan dinner, lose the baby weight, and juggle my new life as a mom. I was laughing throughout this one because I remember those days. Cute read!
Amazon…
“On a cool June morning, a woman is walking her dog in the idyllic coastal village of Salten along a tidal estuary known as the Reach. Before she can stop him, the dog charges into the water to retrieve what first appears to be a wayward stick, but to her horror, turns out to be something much more sinister…
The next morning, three women in and around London—Fatima, Thea, and Isabel—receive the text they had always hoped would NEVER come, from the fourth in their formerly inseparable clique, Kate, that says only, “I need you.”
The four girls were best friends at Salten, a second rate boarding school set near the cliffs of the English Channel. Each different in their own way, the four became inseparable and were notorious for playing the Lying Game, telling lies at every turn to both fellow boarders and faculty, with varying states of serious and flippant nature that were disturbing enough to ensure that everyone steered clear of them. The myriad and complicated rules of the game are strict: no lying to each other—ever. Bail on the lie when it becomes clear it is about to be found out. But their little game had consequences, and the girls were all expelled in their final year of school under mysterious circumstances surrounding the death of the school’s eccentric art teacher, Ambrose (who also happens to be Kate’s father).
Atmospheric, twisty, and with just the right amount of chill that will keep you wrong-footed—which has now become Ruth Ware’s signature style—The Lying Game is sure to be her next big bestseller. Another un-putdownable thriller from the Agatha Christie of our time.”
If you’re a Woman in Cabin 10 fan, then you’ll love this new novel by Ruth Ware. This was full of suspense and kept me turning pages until the end. Great book!
Amazon…
“What should be a cozy and fun-filled weekend deep in the English countryside takes a sinister turn in Ruth Ware’s suspenseful, compulsive, and darkly twisted psychological thriller.
Sometimes the only thing to fear…is yourself.
When reclusive writer Leonora is invited to the English countryside for a weekend away, she reluctantly agrees to make the trip. But as the first night falls, revelations unfold among friends old and new, an unnerving memory shatters Leonora’s reserve, and a haunting realization creeps in: the party is not alone in the woods.”
I’m not sure how I missed out reading this one earlier. But again, Ruth Ware is so good at those thrillers! If you haven’t read this one yet (and those type of books are your jam), get this one!
Amazon…
“If given the opportunity, what sixteen-year-old wouldn’t jump at the chance to move in with a friend and live parent-free? Although maybe “opportunity” isn’t the right word, since April had to tell her dad a tiny little untruth to make it happen (see #1: “Lied to Our Parents”). But she and her housemate Vi are totally responsible and able to take care of themselves. How they ended up “Skipping School” (#3), “Buying a Hot Tub” (#4), and, um, “Harboring a Fugitive” (#7) is a mystery to them.
To get through the year, April will have to juggle a love triangle, learn to do her own laundry, and accept that her carefully constructed world just might be falling apart…one thing-she-shouldn’t-have-done at a time.”
Shay passed this one to me and I’m so glad she did! I had all the feels from this one…as a mom I was cringing throughout the entire book thinking about all the stuff these girls were doing (and shouldn’t be doing). I was imagining my sixteen-year-old self being in this situation and I probably would have done some of the crazy things these girls did as well. What sixteen-year-old wouldn’t think buying a hot tub with her allowance was a great idea. Right? haha! A cute, light hearted book I definitely recommend.
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I’m on the hunt for age appropriate Halloween movies for my kiddos. So far we’ve watched…
Spookley the Square Pumpkin (you can find this one on the Disney channel all month)
Super cute little story about one pumpkin being different. Spookeley ends up saving the entire crop of pumpkins so we learn that you don’t judge a book by it’s cover.
Hocus Pocus
I’m a mom in my thirties and I still love this one. 🙂
Ernest Scared Stupid
My boys loved this one, but Ebby Lee was (or maybe is) still convinced there were trolls living upstairs after watching.
Do you guys have any good Halloween movie recommendations? I’d love to hear them! Friday night movie nights are our favorites and a new Halloween movie to watch would be great! Please share any ideas!
Today is the last day to enter the Fall Favorites Giveaway! Head over to Instagram. Make sure you follow me (slaughteren) and tag two friends who’d also enjoy the fall goodies! Good luck, ladies!
Winner is announced tomorrow!
Have a great day! XO
We love the Charlie Brown Halloween one and my boys also like the Halloween Sid the Science Kid (I think it might be on Netflix).
We haven't watched it yet but I'm thinking about Hotel Transylvania for a Halloween movie night! We love Spookley too 🙂
Spookly the Square Pumpkin is such a sweet little movie with a great message!
Hey Erika! Loved the post you did on fall questions. I’m planning on answering the same questions tomorrow on my blog. Thanks for the idea. As far as Halloween movies go, have you tried Disney Halloweentown. Funny but cute for kids. Have a great day
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
I now have a LONG list of books to read! These were all new ones for me, so I'm super excited to add the to my library online checkout list. 🙂 I've heard great things about Spookley the Square Pumpkin but we just cut the cord, so I'm hoping I can find it somewhere other than the Disney channel!
http://www.FOURPOINTSMOM.com
I just started The Couple Next Door after reading Shay's book recommendations. I love it so far and was so excited to find it at the library! 🙂
I just love your entertainment posts!! I am adding a few of these to my reading list right now! Also, we are watching Hocus Pocus for family movie night tonight! So fun!
Before We Were Yours by Jane Harper—–it is SO GOOOOOOD
Oh I've got you covered!
It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
Paranorman
The Addams Family
Casper
Halloweentown
Monster House
Coraline
Frankenweenie
The Haunted Mansion
Scared Shrekless
Toy Story of Terror
Double Double Toil And Trouble (with MaryKate and Ashley!)
I need to read the Class Mom, I know I will laugh and relate. Thanks for the recommendation! xoxo ERIN
There is a cute new show on Disney Jr — Vamperina — that our girls are crazy about! Check it out!
Do your kids like the Halloweentown movies? Those were my favorites growing up! Also not sure how to find it but Double Double Toil and Trouble (the Mary Kate and Ashley movie) would probably be one Ebby Lee would like!
Loved Double Double Toil and Trouble, all though it did scare me when I was really young lol. I get scared too easy haha.
I grew up watching all the Halloweentown movies on Disney Channel, and they are the best. Also, the Twitches movies are great too. Still watch those Disney movies even in college now! 🙂
Our favorite Halloween movies are:
It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown
Toy Story of Terror
Pooh's Heffalump Halloween Movie
Madeline's Halloween and Other Spooky Tales
Rugrats Halloween
Halloween is Grinch Night
I have been reading a lot of Christian books and whatever I download for free to my computer and Kindle.
Amy
We love Spookley!! We've done weekly movie nights for years and I just started a blog about it. 🙂 http://www.SuburbanSoiree.com … I'm picky about Halloween movies but we love It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown and Hotel Transylvania.
I listened to The Secret to Hummingbird Cake while taking down wallpaper and painting the master bath. I loved it. I felt it was kind of a look into a raw real life relationship of friends. It wasn't sugar coated. Maybe it's because I am quite a few years older and have been through some things in my life that I could relate to the characters more. I will say it's really hard to paint when you have tears streaming down your face. Class Mom is on my to-read list.
DEFINITELY "Room on the Broom" by Julia Donaldson, and there is a movie that will be on sprout around Halloween, so set up your DVR. It is rhyming and sweet, and the theme is "there's always room for one more," which of course always makes me think of adoption
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Ernest scared stupid scarred me for life lol. We like curious George boo fest, Casper meets Wendy, Halloweentown (it was on Disney), Casper, Pooh's heffalump Halloween Movie, Spooky buddies, hotel Transylvania, and the littlest vampire.
I've never seen hocus pocus which just seems ridiculous! Definitely need to see it this year! I second the reader who suggested the double double toil and trouble Olsen twins movie. I still love watching it. I managed to find it on DVD on amazon for pretty cheap too!
I haven't seen any pics of your sweet little one lately… hope she is doing ok?
Halloweentown 🙂 Disney channel originals!
We watch several of the Halloween movies you listed, and Hocus Pocus is one of my favorites! We also watch the Disney cartoon from the 70s of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow that I remember watching on TV when I was a little girl (showing my age now-ha!) We ordered the DVD from Amazon several years ago, and my girls love to watch it every year : )