This post may contain affiliated links, which means if you purchase an item I will earn commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you!
It’s a new year with a new set of reading goals. Last year I set a goal of 35 books and ended up reading 36. A little bit of an overachiever. This year my goal is to read 40 books. While my focus is on achieving this personal goal, I want to take a look back at all the books I read this past fall. From romance to memoirs to holiday and more, the fall season was a mixture of depth and giddiness. Here is part one of what books I read this past fall.
If you are a Gilmore Girls fan like I am then this book is for you. Emily Gilmore was the tough, brutally honest, and at times tender mother of Loreali and Rory. In real life Kelly Bishop is much more laid-back, yet still holds the stubbornness and matter-of-factness of her character. From broadway to the tv screen Kelly’s life is one of hard work, blessings, persistence, and immense talent. As a broadway aficionado, I soaked up every word of her time in Chorus Line. As a Gilmore Girl stan, I relished in the behind the scenes stories. And the rest of Kelly Bishop’s life? Filled with humor, heartbreak, and ambition. There was so much about her life I didn’t know; was shocked at some of her racy behavior, and felt inspired by her confidence in knowing her worth.
5/5 stars
Everything is falling apart in Dr. Briana Ortiz life. Her divorce is finalizing, her brother still needs a kidney, and the promotion she has been working hard towards is probably not going to happen. Thanks to the new male doctor, Dr. Jacob Maddox. Her utter dislike for him continues to grow until one day when he writes her a letter. As their correspondence continues, Briana finds that Jacob isn’t so bad after all. Especially after what he did for her family. Briana is not sure she can resist handsome new doctor, especially after he calls in a favor. Yours Truly is about loving someone as they are, and loving yourself as you are.
4/5 stars
Review
This was an easy, enjoyable read. I liked how it showed the in-depth insecurity and baggage both Briana and Jacob had. How they are patient with each other, and support each other through it all. Through the ups and downs there is still the slow burning romance trope that I love to read. The letter writing was swoon-worthy, felt like being in high school and sending a note to your crush. I thought it was a beautiful way to communicate between the two who were so in their own heads about everything. Overall I enjoyed the book.
The Blue sisters are different. Avery, the oldest, is a recovering addict. Bonnie is a former professional boxer. Lucky is a care-free model in Paris. When their 4th sister, Nicky, unexpectedly dies the remaining sisters each try to navigate through their own personal issues to try and come together as a family. However, first they must return to their childhood home in New York City before it is sold. They must not only face the past, but also the heaviness of their current grief. Blue Sisters is not only about the loss of a loved one, it’s about the dynamics of sisters.
4/5 stars
*trigger warning: this book deals with grief and substance abuse
Review
This was a very complex book to read. It’s one of those books that I appreciate more when looking back at it. However, while reading it there were times I didn’t want to pick it up. It really wasn’t until the sisters came together did I start to enjoy the book. It started off slow. It was something about their sister dynamic that I enjoyed. As someone who has a sister, I understand the complexity in the relationship(s). The book deals with a lot of heavy issues; within the characters themselves, through grief, and with each other. There is a lot of nuances. While I didn’t particularly care for one story over the other, I loved how the author created a diverse narrative for each characters tale, yet the under belly issue was the same. They are multifaceted but suffer from the same dependency that runs through their blood. This is a fascinating, heartbreaking tale but one that sparks a conversation.