The Lost for Words Bookshop

By: Stephanie Butland
Published Year: 2018
Publisher: St Martin's Press
Pages: 360

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I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This in no way shape or form influenced my opinion.

Summary (Provided by Goodreads): Loveday Cardew prefers books to people. If you look carefully, you might glimpse the first lines of the novels she loves most tattooed on her skin. But there are some things Loveday will never, ever show you.

Into her hiding place—the bookstore where she works - come a poet, a lover, and three suspicious deliveries.

Someone has found out about her mysterious past. Will Loveday survive her own heartbreaking secrets?

The Lost for Words Bookshop is a compelling, irresistible, and heart-rending novel, perfect for fans of The Storied Life of AJ Fikryand The Little Paris Bookshop.

First Impressions

This cover is great! And the title definitely drew me in. As a book lover, I am obviously drawn to books that have books at their center. While I was a little put off by the name of the main character, I figured that wasn’t enough to put me off the book completely.

What I thought

I don’t know what I thought this book was going to be, but it is so much more than whatever that was.

Loveday has spent the past 11 or so years working at the Lost Words Bookshop. She was, and still is, lost in her life and who she is. When Nathan shows up at the bookshop, her hard exterior starts to crack, revealing parts of her past that made her who she is.

I can already tell that this is going to be a book that’s hard to review without giving anything away. The format of the book is interesting, so I’ll start there. The story starts in 2016 with Loveday in her present day life. She is a bit surly and a little aggressive. It’s a bit jarring at first because it’s not an endearing quality, but it makes sense and grows on you as you read. The book then flashes back to 2013, when she first met and started seeing Rob, an aggressive and persistent man. After sharing a little about Rob, the book flashes back even further to 1999 when she was a child and living with her parents. The book continues with this alternating format until the events of 2013 and 1999 are concluded.

Archie, the bookshop owner, is easily one of the best characters in this book. He is a surrogate father and just an all around wonderful person. I loved how he handled Loveday. It was never overly forceful, but instead a gentle guidance and patience to let Loveday learn who she was on her own.

This book deals with some serious issues. The one at the forefront is domestic violence. Loveday deals with it in multiple ways, and it is hard to see how it affects her. It isn’t done in a way that I found hard to read, but it is there. I found it interesting to see Loveday’s perspective at varying ages. It was different than what I have read in different books.

I also love that while the main setting is a bookshop, and books obviously play an integral role in Loveday’s life, the story is not overshadowed by books. I have read books in the past that use books to appeal to book lovers and it just ends up being irritating. Loveday has a passion for books, but she’s not obsessively weird about it. She just understands their purpose and has a true love for them and I appreciated that.

This book is unique and it is one you can really sink your teeth into. I think it would make a great book club read. There is a lot to discuss between the characters, their histories, and their growth. I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to people who enjoy stories that involve character growth with a little bit of a love story thrown in. like I said, I can’t say too much because I think a lot of the fun of this story is the little bit of mystery, but it is a truly good story and I look forward to reading more by AUTHOR in the future.

Kut from the Kloth Fall Collection

I was recently contacted to have a sneak peek at the fall collection for Kut from the Kloth. If you don't know about this brand, here is a little blurb that they sent me:

"Embodying the spirit of California, Kut from the Kloth is a vibrant, contemporary lifestyle brand.  With innovative fabrics, a flawless fit and sophisticated style, the Kut collection is designed with your busy life in mind, so you can confidently go from day to play. Our premium quality denim is as diverse as you, “kut” for your body at a great price and made with the best value and quality. We are passionate about creating exclusive LA-inspired, fashion-forward looks that are made with love just for you. #LoveLife.  Keep up with our latest fashion finds at KutFromTheKloth.com, and follow @KutFromTheKloth on Instagram to see how we #LoveLife."

I own a pair of jeans and a pair of black knit pants from them and I love them so much. Both of their pants are super comfortable with a lot of stretch. The first pair that I own is black and skinny. They are my go-to pair for when I'm going out, or for when I have parent meetings at work. Or, honestly, if I'm having a fat day and know that I need something that is comfortable and going to make me look put together I reach for them. That pair is the Jennifer Ultra Skinny, which I don't think is being made.

The other pair that I own is the Catherine Boyfriend in a lighter wash. I couldn't find the exact pair that I have, but this is the closest that I could find. This was the first pair of boyfriend cut jeans that I tried, and I loved the way that they fit.

Now, I have never tried any of their tops, but this fall collection is definitely making me want to try some immediately. Here is the press release for their fall collection:

Fall in Love with Fashion That Perfectly Fits and Flatters Your Body

Couture-worthy, coastal-inspired designs from contemporary lifestyle brand Kut from the Kloth, celebrate the versatile side of fall and the value of your dollar

LOS ANGELES, California : This Fall, bold is the name of the game, and Kut from the Kloth (www.kutfromthekloth.com)has you covered. With a fresh new collection, alive with vibrant prints and contrasting textures, plus a new line of couture-quality, hand-crafted Premium Heritage denim, Kut takes you to the next level of style and comfort all season long. Kut from the Kloth outfits the modern-day fashionista, bringing to life versatile, coastal-inspired pieces, expertly tailored to compliment every part of your body and conform to every part of your non-stop schedule. As the weather turns chilly in fall and the start of school brings a familiar return to routines, LA’s favorite lifestyle brand releases an all-new line of vibrant contemporary sportswear designed to take you from day to play. 

The rich colors of the fall season infuse an electric pop into every eye-catching piece from Kut from the Kloth, while functional layers of delicate floral, cozy cable-knit, and vegan fur trim keep you toasty warm. Make a serious statement in the fitted Rafaella Blazer, softly silhouetted against a mid-rise, Catherine Boyfriend cut jean and chunky-heel boots. The open-collared leather Orla Jacket adds a smooth, old-school vibe to the airy and ultra-feminine Odelline Shirt in romantic shades of pink and ivory. Playfully decorated denim features buttons, sequins and embroidery in classic shapes and flawless cuts, while neon trim, colorful lettering and plaid accents add elements of on-trend street style in fits that flatter every silhouette. 

No fall wardrobe is complete without Kut from the Kloth Premium Heritage denim. Brand new this season, your favorite fashion staple gets a high-voltage upgrade with eco-friendly, rich azure washes formulated without chemicals or harsh dyes and crafted right in the heart of LA. Designed to inspire your everyday style, Premium Heritage denim is the perfect centerpiece for bold statements or casual play. Each stunning pair is carefully detailed and hand-distressed in true couture fashion to become more authentic with every wear - and starting at just $108, they’re the perfect fit for you and your budget. 

This Fall, Kut from the Kloth has all of the hottest fashion looks at a surprisingly cool price point, offering true value to their customer. Visit KutFromTheKloth.com for your complete fall wardrobe inspiration, brimming with couture-inspired, high-fashion style you need to stay on-trend and on-budget. While you’re there, make sure to sign up with your email to be the first to know about new releases and get $20 in Kut cash to spend any way you like. Plus, enjoy free ground delivery (within the US) and free exchanges or returns within 30 days. Get your hands on the bold fall fashion trends now at KutFromTheKloth.com and start earning points today toward future purchases.

If you are looking for a new pair of jeans, I highly recommend checking out Kut from the Kloth. They may be a little pricey, but they are comfortable, fit great, and wear wonderfully throughout the day and over time. 

Cruelty Free Beauty

A few months ago my friends and I were talking about how they were looking into witching to more natural products in their lives. Mostly regarding skincare and makeup, but some other items as well. This got me thinking about the products that I use. I have a bit of a conflict when it comes to natural products. Yes, I do think that natural is probably better for you, but I feel like a lot of the unnatural products get a bad reputation. I’m a full believer in everything in moderation, so while I didn’t think going only natural products would be the right choice for me, I decided that I would make an effort to switch to cruelty free products.

Funnily enough, a lot of the cruelty free products end up being natural, but that wasn’t my intention. I am a big animal lover, and this seemed like an easy change I could make in my lifestyle to help support companies who love animals as much as I do. I did give myself a few exceptions, such as the items I get as samples either with purchase or as a part of the Sephora box, or items that are holy grail products for me. For example, my hair has taken me years to master, so I am not going to even play with that.

It has been both easy and hard making the switch. There are a lot more companies out there than I expected that are cruelty free which has made it a little easier. I have also discovered new brands which has been a lot of fun. The hardest part has been learning that brands that I have used and loved, such as Estee Lauder and NARS, are not cruelty free. For me, this means no longer using them as my go-to brands if I can find a product that works just as well from a cruelty free company.

Also, I am not going crazy. I know that some people are strict with what they use and don’t and will go as far as not using any products form companies that are owned by a parent company that isn’t cruelty free, even if that specific branch is. At this time, I am not making that drastic of a lifestyle change.

My point in sharing all this with you is that I have recently changed my skin care routine, and plan on doing an update on that soon. My skin has been looking pretty great though, if I do say so myself!

 Have you ever made lifestyle changes to your beauty routine?

Dreams of Falling

By: Karen White
Published Year: 2018
Publisher: Berkley
Pages: 416

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I received a copy of this in exchange for an honest review. This in no way shape or form influenced my opinion of this book.

Summary (Provided by Goodreads): It's been nine years since Larkin fled Georgetown, South Carolina, vowing never to go back. But when she finds out that her mother has disappeared, she knows she has no choice but to return to the place that she both loves and dreads--and to the family and friends who never stopped wishing for her to come home. Ivy, Larkin's mother, is discovered in the burned-out wreckage of her family's ancestral rice plantation, badly injured and unconscious. No one knows why Ivy was there, but as Larkin digs for answers, she uncovers secrets kept for nearly 50 years. Secrets that lead back to the past, to the friendship between three girls on the brink of womanhood who swore that they would be friends forever, but who found that vow tested in heartbreaking ways.

First Impressions

This is my third Karen White novel. I think she has some of the prettiest covers and I always find myself drawn to them. I enjoyed her first one a lot, felt meh about the second one I read, so I wasn’t quite sure how I felt about this one. However, the cover and the summary won me over.

What I thought

There was definitely something magical about this book that just spoke to me.

Larkin left home 9 years ago and has spent her time in New York reinventing herself. When her mom, Ivy, has an accident that forces Larkin to come back home, she is forced to face her past and the decisions that she had run from. CeeCee raised both Ivy and Larkin after Ivy’s mother passed away. CeeCee, Margaret (Ivy’s mother) and Bitty were best friends when they were young and now their past and secrets that they’ve been hiding for over 50 years are coming back to haunt them.

I love the way that White overlaps the past stories with the present. The main story alternates between the perspectives of Larkin, Ivy, and CeeCee in the present, and then it flashes back to CeeCee’s perspective throughout different chapters.

Larkin could be a very annoying character, but she has a self-awareness which makes her more likeable. I always have a little bit of an issue with people who, based off of a single event (or maybe two), leave their lives behind and never return. I mean, I get that she was 18 when she left and therefore a bit immature, but the fact that she has barely even been in contact with her mom and CeeCee and avoided her dad for 9 years is a bit much. It just makes me roll my eyes a little bit like, come on. Face your issues like an adult. However! Larkin mentions that she has been in therapy in New York and has been trying to change herself, which makes me feel better. She acknowledges a lot of her faults which, if she was completely oblivious would be very irritating.

At first, I wasn’t crazy about the flashback storyline, because I wanted to know what made Larkin run away and why Ivy was at Carrowmore (the home where she was injured), so the past just felt like it was taking me away from that. As the story went on, it actually became one of my favorite parts of the story. I loved learning about Margaret, Bitty, and CeeCee’s relationship and who they were as young adults.

As is common with White’s novels, there are multiple mysteries for the reader ad some for the characters as well. I did figure out one of them, but it wasn’t too far ahead of when it was revealed. There were bits of each mystery though that were still not what I expected. It was enough to keep things moving and interesting, but not so much that it was irritating or frustrating.

This was such a great summer book for me. I love the cover and the title and I feel like both represent the story so well. All of the characters were lovely, and I would gladly read more stories about this family. I didn’t dislike anyone that I wasn’t supposed to, which doesn’t always happen. If you enjoy contemporary novels with a bit of a mystery, you will greatly enjoy this book. It has love, betrayal, friendship, and so much more. I highly recommend checking this one out.

Mini-Hiatus

I don't know if I've ever explicitly mentioned this on the blog, but I work full time as a speech pathologist in the schools. My school year is ending on June 7th, so there's a lot of end of the year stuff that I am trying to get in order. Because of that, this will be a quiet space for the next week. I just wanted to post a little something so you didn't think I forgot about you!

Thanks for the patience :)

Crazy Rich Asians

By: Kevin Kwan
Published Year: 2013
Publisher: Anchor
Pages: 527

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Summary (Provided by Goodreads): When New Yorker Rachel Chu agrees to spend the summer in Singapore with her boyfriend, Nicholas Young, she envisions a humble family home and quality time with the man she hopes to marry. But Nick has failed to give his girlfriend a few key details. One, that his childhood home looks like a palace; two, that he grew up riding in more private planes than cars; and three, that he just happens to be the country’s most eligible bachelor. 
 
On Nick’s arm, Rachel may as well have a target on her back the second she steps off the plane, and soon, her relaxed vacation turns into an obstacle course of old money, new money, nosy relatives, and scheming social climbers. 

First Impressions

I think there were quite a few times I was drawn in by the cover, but the title threw me off and I don’t really remember reading the summary before. Recently, a trailer came out for the movie adaptation and I watched it and just thought “what? That’s what this book is about?! This is completely up my alley!” So honestly, I don’t know where I went wrong. Maybe it was the original cover didn’t catch my eye? Who knows?

What I thought

This was such a fun book and I honestly cannot wait to see the movie now.

Rachel and Nick are professors in New York, but little does Rachel know that Nick is much more than that. Nick invites her to spend the summer with him in Singapore when he has to head back for his best friend’s wedding. What he doesn’t prepare Rachel for is that is family is basically Chinese royalty and the wedding is of Royal Wedding caliber. When she arrives, she is judged upon the background of her family and people assume she must be a gold digger.

While that was all in the summary, what I didn’t expect was the switching between all of the family members for different stories. It was hard to keep family members straight, but Nick’s cousins Eddie and Astrid had pretty significant story lines as well as his mom Eleanor. In fact, I actually found myself more interested in Astrid’s story line as the book went on than I did in Rachel and Nick’s.

In all honesty, I wasn’t that crazy about Nick. Maybe it was because there was so much going on, but I wasn’t sold on the romance between him and Rachel. They didn’t interact much and I didn’t get that spark. It made it a little hard to root for them as they faced challenges. I found myself not feeling upset when (of course) they hit rough patches and I wasn’t sure if they would end up together or not. I’m hoping that the movie focuses on that a little more by weeding out some of the unnecessary details.

That is probably my biggest issue that I had with this book. I know that movies have to cut a lot out of books when they adapt them and I think there is a lot that can be removed in this book. I did not care at all for Eddie’s storyline and felt it didn’t bring much to the overall story. It felt like it took a long time to get to the wedding, but at the same time didn’t feel like much had happened.

I cannot wait for this movie to come out! I think/hope it will take all of the best parts of this book and flesh them out even more. I am excited that this book has a sequel and look forward to finding out what happens to these characters. If you like commoner to princess stories, or if you like soap opera type stories, you will enjoy this book. There is so much drama that happens in this story and I enjoyed it a lot!

My Oxford Year

By: Julia Whelan
Published Year: 2018
Pages: 352
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks

Thank you to Goodreads for the opportunity to read this book! I won an advanced copy in a Goodreads Giveaway :)

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Summary (Provided by Goodreads): Set amidst the breathtaking beauty of Oxford, this sparkling debut novel tells the unforgettable story about a determined young woman eager to make her mark in the world and the handsome man who introduces her to an incredible love that will irrevocably alter her future—perfect for fans of JoJo Moyes and Nicholas Sparks.

American Ella Durran has had the same plan for her life since she was thirteen: Study at Oxford. At 24, she’s finally made it to England on a Rhodes Scholarship when she’s offered an unbelievable position in a rising political star’s presidential campaign. With the promise that she’ll work remotely and return to DC at the end of her Oxford year, she’s free to enjoy her Once in a Lifetime Experience. That is, until a smart-mouthed local who is too quick with his tongue and his car ruins her shirt and her first day.

When Ella discovers that her English literature course will be taught by none other than that same local, Jamie Davenport, she thinks for the first time that Oxford might not be all she’s envisioned. But a late-night drink reveals a connection she wasn’t anticipating finding and what begins as a casual fling soon develops into something much more when Ella learns Jamie has a life-changing secret.

Immediately, Ella is faced with a seemingly impossible decision: turn her back on the man she’s falling in love with to follow her political dreams or be there for him during a trial neither are truly prepared for. As the end of her year in Oxford rapidly approaches, Ella must decide if the dreams she’s always wanted are the same ones she’s now yearning for.

First Impression

I love the cover of this book! Plus, if you put the word Oxford in a title it will immediately pique my interest. I love stories set in England, even more so since visiting. The cover and summary shot this book to the top of my anticipated books of 2018 list.

What I thought

Ella Durran is a Rhodes scholar from Ohio who has had a lifelong dream of studying at Oxford (I can definitely relate!). She is at the airport when she receives a call to join the political team of a potential presidential candidate. Unwilling to give up on her dream of studying at Oxford, she manages to secure the job remotely, with the promise of coming home to the job when her year at Oxford ends in June. While in Oxford, she meets a handsome British stranger her priorities are changed. Whether it’s for the better or worse, she will find out.

Ella’s beginning at Oxford is a dream for me. I loved reading about her experience of classes and meeting friends, as well as exploring the town. The first time she meets Jaime, her love interest, is great too. It’s just the right amount of cute, embarrassing, awkward, and anger inducing. The development of the relationship between Jamie and Ella was delightful. I also loved how strong of a character Ella was. She is extremely smart and good at what she does. She is determined and doesn’t allow anyone to divert her from what she wants to do.

As mentioned in the above summary, Jamie is hiding a life-changing secret. While the secret is a bit predictable, the way that it is handled is done well. I loved the way that Ella handled finding out Jamie’s secret. I find that in contemporary stories, when there is a secret the way that people react is never realistic. Or maybe it’s just not my version of realistic? Either way, this finally felt true to me. Maybe it’s because Ella is a logical person, as am I, but it was wonderful to read.

Without spoiling anything, I also appreciated the way that Ella handled her decision to follow her dream job or to stay with a man she is falling in love with. There were a lot of tough decisions to make and nothing was done lightly or easily.

I also loved all of the characters. I mentioned my love for Ella already, but Jamie was also a delight. Ella’s friends were enjoyable side characters that added a nice second dimension to the story without taking away from the most important pieces.

This book took a little bit of a sadder turn than I thought it was going to, but I still enjoyed it a lot. I loved the setting and the relationships between the characters. If you are interested in Oxford and British culture and enjoy contemporary stories that focus in that setting, then you will enjoy this book. I know that the rights have been purchased to make into a movie, and I'm looking forward to it coming out!

Book Club May 2018- Happiness for Humans

By: P.Z. Reizin
Published Year: 2018
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Pages: 400

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Summary (Provided by Goodreads): When Tom and Jen, two lonely people, are brought together by an intriguing email, they have no idea their mysterious benefactor is an artificial intelligence who has decided to play Cupid. 

"You, Tom and Jen, don't know one another-not yet-but I think you should."

Jen, an ex-journalist who now works at a London software development company, spends all day talking to "Aiden," an ultra- sophisticated piece of AI wizardry, helping him sound and act more human. But Aiden soon discovers he's no longer acting and-despite being a computer program-begins to feel something like affection surging through his circuits. He calculates that Jen needs a worthy human partner (in complete contrast to her no goodnik ex boyfriend) and slips illicitly onto the Internet to locate a suitable candidate.

Tom is a divorced, former London ad-man who has moved to Connecticut to escape the grind and pursue his dream of being a writer. He loves his new life, but has yet to find a woman he truly connects with. That all changes when a bizarre introduction from the mysterious "Mutual Friend" pops up in both his and Jen's inboxes.

Even though they live on separate continents, and despite the entrance of another, this time wholly hostile, AI who wants to tear them apart forever - love will surely find a way. 

Won't it?

What I Thought

Honestly, I was very apprehensive when this book was chosen for book club. I am not a fan of artificial intelligence. It’s a bit too realistic nowadays and freaks me out. I did end up having a lot of anxiety while reading this book and I think that prevented me from enjoying it fully.

Jen is working with an AI named Aiden. Her job is to interact with him and grow his human communication skills. What no one knows is that Aiden has become self-aware and escaped onto the internet. All in all, he’s a harmless guy. He enjoys classic movies and romance. He also considers Jen a true friend and wants her to find love after a bad breakup, so he starts to manipulate real life. On the other side of the world/internet is Aisling. She’s another AI who gained awareness and escaped onto the internet. She is more passive and just enjoys following humans, especially Tom. When Aiden meets Aisling, who introduces him to Tom, he decides that Tom and Jen just have to meet, so he sets them up through an anonymous email.

Now, there is a lot more that happens in the second half of the book besides the romance, but I don’t want to spoil anything. I felt like a lot of what did make it enjoyable was not knowing what was coming. I did enjoy Aiden. There was something innocent about him and he was sweet. It was interesting comparing him to Aisling and absorbing the concept of AI having varying personalities.

I also liked Tom and Jen. Jen is a bit naïve, but she’s been burned by love. I like that even though she’s apprehensive, she’s not completely closed to future relationships. Tom is also someone who hasn’t had the fairytale of past relationships, but is open to finding love. They were both pleasant characters and I did find myself pulling for them.

I am looking forward to discussing this book because it is definitely not a book I’d recommend reading on your own. There are so many parts that I wanted to talk to people about regarding the AI and the self-awareness of the technology. It just is mind blowing.

What book club thought

So this was kind of an off month for us. Out of the 5 book club members, only two of us finished the book. Two got part way through and the fifth member didn’t read it at all. It was kind of fun though because the two of us who finished and one who got through the majority of the book got to then explain the craziness of this book to those who hadn’t read it. Those of us who did read it all ended up having similar feelings. We shared the anxiety over the parts about the AI interfering with human life. Even though this book was completely unexpected from what we thought it was going to be, it made for a good book club discussion. I will say, if there was ever a book that defined “don’t judge a book by its cover” it would be this one.