Whew! When I started writing about all the books I read over the holidays it took a while! Nine hours in the car each way PLUS a kid-free vacation spells lots of reading over the holiday break. I read some great stuff and I’m pumped about sharing it with you!!
The first book I read during the break was What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty. Rumor has it (I’m pretty sure it’s true) that the producers of Devil Wears Prada are turning this book into a movie as well. I enjoyed it. It was a super light read. Alice wakes up one day and can’t remember a chunk of her life. I found myself quickly turning the pages to get to all the good stuff she forgot!
The Husband’s Secret is also written by Liane Moriarty and I think I liked this one even more. I just read it last week in Florida and seriously as I’m typing this I can’t even remember what the secret was or who had the secret (My memory is SO gone after three kids!). However, I DO remember thinking while I was reading that I liked this one even more than What Alice Forgot. Horrible book review right there! hahahaha! If you read her other book, for sure get this one. Let me know if you like it more too!
It’s no secret I am a Bravo fan. I’m really “into” all those housewives shows, so I was so excited about reading The Andy Cohen Diaries. To be honest, I only made it all the way through the book because I’m not a quitter. It’s really just diary entries of his life for an entire year. It was cool to see who he was hanging out with and what he and his people do for fun, BUT I would have enjoyed reading about a month of his life instead of twelve! It got a little long for me.
My mom sent this book, Mom’s Night Out, back to Texas with me. This is a story about a super stressed mom who finally gets a night out only to discover it pretty much goes all wrong. This book has already become a movie (I’m just late to the party on both.). It’s a Christian-fiction book and was a quick read that every mom with young kiddos can definitely relate to.
The Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline was by far my favorite. I had the hardest time putting the book down! It’s kind of two stories intertwined and written as one. It’s the story about a little girl who after traveling to America with her family quickly finds herself all alone as an orphan. She gets put on an orphan train heading to the west to find someone looking for a young girl. I should stop there so I don’t spoil anything!! But…definitely my favorite book this month!!
I’ve been getting my book ideas from Big Mama’s list. She asked for book recommendations a while back and then compiled a list. You can find it here.
EEK!! I feel like the good shows are all back on at one time!! This is what I’m watching…
Celebrity Apprentice…Tab and I enjoy watching this one together. This season two of the housewives are on so it should be a little extra fun!
The Bachelor…I completely missed Andi’s season (when Farmer Chris was one of the men), but I started watching this week and it looks like a GREAT season! I felt horrible for all those sober girls who were sent home when one in particular got to stay!! I’m ANXIOUSLY awaiting Sheaffer’s post!! #getonitgirl 🙂
We bought or borrowed seasons 1-3 of Downton Abbey. Then we decided to watch that recap on just a couple weeks ago. So…the point is we missed out on an entire season so I was a little confused about a few things, but hopefully…we can jump right in and get caught up!
And as always I’m watching these too…
The Real Housewives of Atlanta
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
What are you watching and reading?? Please let me know any great recommendations!! Thank you!! 🙂
I will have to read Orphan Train! Looks awesome!!
We just watched Celebrity Apprentice last night….and I wanted to punch Geraldo in the face!
Hahahahaha!!! I agree!
Orphan Train is awesome!
I loved What Alice Forgot! Thanks for the other recommendations.
Orphan Train is on my list and I can't wait!!! I have heard great things! I did manage to watch a few episodes of Downtown Abby while the kiddos were entertained by family on Christmas break! Loved it!
I love hearing what other people are reading! Liane Moriarty books are such great reads. Just finished Big Little Lies and it was my favorite one so far. Also devoured Orphan Train and The Kitchen House (via your recommendation-absolutely loved both of them!) Have you read The Book Thief, The Rosie Project or Me Before You? 3 of my favorites from 2014. Thanks for sharing!
I'm adding those to my list now! I just ordered The Book Thief last night! Thanks so much!!
Ok I just put all these books on my list of "to read". We are big time ncis and law and order fans over here ! Happy Thursday!!!!
We should try to watch that. We've never given either shows a chance! 🙁
I don't read as much as I should, but love the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and of course the Bachelor!
So excited for both of these shows!
Have a great day!
I completely understand. This next month I'll probably only read one or two! All that traveling really helped! I agree! Super excited about those shows. What was Brandi thinking throwing that drink?! I'm still in shock!!
Just barging in here but oh EM gee! Brandi !! I even gasped while watching it and felt bad for Eileen. Totally horrible!
What Alice Forgot is on my "to read" list. I'm between books right now because I have a slight addiction to The Gilmore Girls on Netflix that is taking up all my time! LOL! I never watched it when it was on and LOVE it!
Other shows I enjoy are Nashville, Parenthood, Once Upon a Time, Downton Abbey, and Dance Moms (don't judge!). 🙂 My hubby and I like Scorpion, Madam Secretary, Hawaii Five-O, and Chicago Fire (he doesn't watch any of the others I like).
I'm so sad that Parenthood is almost over! It's bavk tonight though and I'm relishing the next 4 episodes !!! Team Braverman!
My husband and I happened to catch and DVR Moms Night Out on Starz last weekend and we loved it! I had no idea it was a book first. I am kind of glad though because I don't think I would have enjoyed it if I knew how it ended and all that happened. I laughed and cried and my hubby laughed out loud too and that takes some doing for him. I have recommended all my friends to watch it.
Orphan Train is on my list to read…..I have heard great things aboutt it! Husbands Secret was awesome….. I just finished "Me before You" by Jojo Moyes (love her books) and now starting "What Alice Forgot" ….Happy Thursday!!
You crack me up! Orphan Train is on my list! If you have never read Under the Overpass, I highly suggest it! It's about a guy who gives up his life as he knows it to live as a homeless person for a few months (to follow how he felt God was leading him). It's fantastic. Happy Thursday!
You have got to read Gone Girl! I read the book in 2 days because I was totally sucked in!
Thanks for sharing all those books! Now I have more to add to my list. I watched the bachelor the other night too, and I haven't watched any of the seasons since Sean's basically.
Schaeffer cracks me up. Her comments are always so spot-on to what I'm thinking! I just burst out laughing when I read hers. But I also cracked up on your book review of the Husbands Secret!! That hit a nerve with me since that's how I review pretty much every book these days. Either like or dislike but don't ask me for plot details! Ha
Thanks for the book reviews. I'll be reading a couple of these!
I'm watching Celebrity Apprentice and The Bachelor too. I'm anxiously awaiting the return of Parenthood tonight! Love Downton Abbey but streamed season 5 while it was playing in England so I'm all done
The new Jodi Piccoult book (I think it's called "Leaving Time") is really good!
Your book "review" 😉 of The Husband's Secret was hilarious!!! I read it too and it actually took me a few to remember who had the secret and what it was too!
I'm reading Amy Poehler's book right now. Love it!!
Um what was that with Brandi throwing the wine?! I was mortified!
I've read all of these books except Mom's Night Out and I agree. Especially about Andy's book–I was really hoping for more dish and he held back. Plus, it was a little long hearing about going out, going to the Hamptons, going out, staying out late. I kinda thought "ok I get it, your life is fabulous…now get to the dirt" haha
I'm reading Andy Andrews The Seven Decisions. Loving it so far. I even read a portion of it to my 8th graders today. I like to bounce between pleasure reading and self enrichment books. Same as you, I missed Andi's season and watched Chris on Monday's Bachelor. Drunk girl should have gone home. I'm watching Gilmore Girls on Netflix.
Love your entertainment posts! This one is great! Looking to read more. I am reading The Husband's Secret now, and based on your review will be picking up Orphan Train!
I LOVED The Orphan Train! I also couldn't put it down and read it on my train ride to work in the morning. After one particularly emotional chapter I remember thinking there was no way I could go to work without knowing what happened next!