January: What I Read

I've decided to start a monthly series here on the blog. 

I used to keep a very long list of all the books I've ever read. I still have that archived somewhere. And I do still track my reading on Goodreads. 

But.

I'm going to post at the end of each month and share the books I've read. 

Which (HOORAY!) I actually have done in January. 

I also used to make a goal of reading 100 books every year. I never hit that goal. 

So now I'm much more realistic and opt for setting a goal of 52. One book per week. If it's possible, it's possible, if not, I won't beat myself up over it. It's still okay. But it's nice to set a small challenge anyway.

And listen, my plan was to review each book. I really wanted to do that for you. And I will try to at some point, but if I don't submit and publish this post soon I'll be adding any books I read in February to the list. So. Bear with me and feel free to ask me my thoughts on the titles listed below. 

*referral links are available for your shopping convenience*

BOOKS I READ IN JANUARY 2021

The Once and Future Witches, by Alix E. Harrow

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, by V. E. Schwab

The Midnight Library, by Matt Haig

The Pull of The Stars, Emma Donoghue

Black Buck, by Mateo Askaripour

The Chicken Sisters, by KJ Dell'Antonia

Dear Justyce, by Nic Stone

Let me know what you've been reading so far this year! Can't wait to hear what you recommend. And be sure to tell me if you've read any of these titles and what you thought. 

Tweet

A Book A Month For 2020!

Hey! Guess who started this post a few months ago?

*looks around*

Yep, you guessed correctly.

The major bonus there is that some of the early titles I list below are already available to you. Yay! Go forth and read, friends. It's a great way to get through each day.

I'm normally an avid reader.

Truly tearing through books left and right.

2019 was a totally different kind of reading year for me.

I left many books unfinished. Not necessarily because I didn't enjoy them, but because I was distracted, frustrated, or - yes - quite possibly bored.

But this is a new and fresh year, and I am planning on reading all the things.

Read with me?

I have decided to share one new release per month that I am planning to read this coming year.

Let me know if you'll join me. It'll be fun.

And if you want to talk books, consider popping into my Facebook group: I Like Big Books!


* p.s. Links may be affiliate links and if you use them to shop I'll make a few cents from your purchase at no cost to you - so, thanks!

12 Books To Read in 2020

January 

Dear Edward, Ann Napolitano

February

The Other Mrs, Mary Kubica

March

Wow, No Thank You, Samantha Irby

April

Rick, Alex Gino

May 

Summer Longing, Jamie Brenner

June

Influence, Sara Shepard and Lilia Buckingham

June (yes, again)

Party of Two, Jasmine Guillory

July

How To Save a Life, Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke

August

With or Without You, Caroline Leavitt

September

Anxious People, Fredrik Backman

* cover not yet revealed *

October

Reviving the Hawthorn Sisters, Emily Carpenter

November

After All I've Done, Mina Hardy

Okay, friends. I give up. I have been searching for a December release for weeks and have had no real luck finding something that I could concretely share with you. So. I am skipping December. Who reads during the holidays, anyway, right? (I know - I know, many of us do!)

Instead I'm going to toss an extra into the mix. Scroll back a bit. You'll notice that June has two titles. Maybe you already noticed. Whatever. You'll forgive me - right? Because there's no overlooking Jasmine Guillory. Period. 

Now - let me know which covers you like best. Because we all know we totally do judge books by their covers. 

And if you're looking for more recommendations, consider taking a peek at some of these posts shared below:

100 Books You Should Read in This Lifetime

January 2020 New Releases

October 2019 New Releases

Summer Reads: July 2019 New Releases 

Nonfiction Reading Recommendations: Spring 2019

Diversify Your Personal Library With These Titles

Happy reading!

Tweet

What To Read: January New Releases

So I have been trying to finish a post for days and days and days now.

It's a post with a new book recommendation for each month of this year.

ALL the new 2020 books. Yay!

Thing is, I am having the hardest time finding books to wrap the year up with. Dang it.

But I'm having no trouble at all finding January releases.

No trouble at all, y'all.

So I've created a list of January books I'm planning on getting my hands on.

And I think you should, too.

* As always, all books throughout this post include affiliate links to ensure you have a quick and easy shopping experience. If you use these links I'll make a few pennies off of your purchase - so thanks! *

Tweet

Keep reading »

100 Books You Should Read in This Lifetime

If you're new here you may not know about my reading addiction.

Or maybe you knew and that's why you're here.

Either way, I'm glad you came by. I've decided to look back over my years of blogging and book reviewing and share some of my favorite reads with you.

As always, links will be affiliate links - meaning if you use them to shop I'll make a few pennies towards my next book purchases!

Let's consider it a list of must-reads for the ages. Or, you know, some ideas you might find worth considering, depending on your reading style. Keep reading...

Tweet

Keep reading »

What To Read: October New Releases

This month, as most have been so far this year, is filled with titles that I'm itching to get my hands on. It has finally felt like fall here in NC, albeit brief - nobody counts on fall lasting very long - unfortunately.

But fall reads are coming hard and fast!

Let's grab a few and dive into them together.

* There are affiliate links throughout this post. If you use them I will earn a few pennies towards my next book purchases, so I thank you in advance. *

Tweet

Keep reading »

Summer Reads: August Releases

It's a new month and I'm ready for all the new releases that we'll see in the upcoming weeks.

I'm not going to bore you with any fancy introduction today. I'm going to get right to it.

Have a look at the books listed below. Look at what August holds for all of us and how exciting it is. AND - if you decide to buy a book through one of my links here I'll make a few pennies towards my next book purchase - at no cost to you at all. I know, you know that already, I'm just required to tell y'all again, is all. Happy shopping!

Tweet

Keep reading »

Summer Reads: July New Releases

We all know that July is a super hot month - but did you know that it's also on fire where books are concerned? There are so many great titles coming out this month that you're going to want to get your hands on. And I'm here to help.

I've compiled this batch of new releases for you, and they're all on my summer reading list.

Odd note for y'all: SO MANY BOOKS are coming out on JULY 9th. I have no idea why. Maybe it's because it's after the Fourth and publishers feel like nobody reads before then? /shrug/ Either way - there's a *boom* of books this month, so go forth and enjoy!

Extra note: Every time you click you'll be brought to the Amazon link for these books. Make a purchase and support my book addiction at no cost whatsoever to you. None. Zilch. Amazon just says thank you to me for sending you their way. Yay!

July 2019 New Releases

The Lie: A Memoir of Two Marriages, Catfishing, and Coming Out 

William Dameron

July 1

*bonus tip for Amazon Prime members: 

This is one of the choices for your free Kindle First read in July. 

Grab it while you can!

The Gifted School

Bruce Holsinger

July 2

The Boy and Girl Who Broke The World 

Amy Reed

July 9

Three Women

Lisa Taddeo

July 9

The Last Book Party

Karen Dukess

July 9

The Golden Hour

Beatriz Williams

July 9

The Wedding Party,

Jasmine Guillory

July 16

The Floating Feldmans

Elyssa Friedland

July 23

Speaking of Summer

Kalisha Buckhanon

July 30

Never Have I Ever

Joshilyn Jackson

July 30

Looking for even more great suggestions?

Have a look at these lists:

Start Your Summer Off Right With These Titles

Nonfiction Reading Recommendations: Spring 2019

Diversify Your Personal Library With These Titles

Beach Reads You'll Dive Right Into

Grab One of These Unlikely Beach Reads

Tweet

7 Books to Kickstart Your Summer

Summer is coming in quickly, friends.

And there's nothing many of us enjoy more than a great summer read.

I've got a few recommendations for you.

Some are old, some are new, but whenever they were published matters not - they're going to get you through your summer travels, the impossible and unbearable heat, the days by the pool, your commute to work, your road trips (audiobooks, y'all) and the days when you really wish your kids were at camp but they're not. So. Join me!

* As always there are affiliate links in this post. By making a purchase through these links you support Good Girl Gone Redneck at no additional cost to you. Thank you! * 

Tweet

Keep reading »

Books.

If you know me you know I'm a reader.

And right now I'm in the fight of my life when it comes to books.

My hands are full.

I have SO many books I want to read, and yet, I keep ordering/buying/borrowing more.

Oops.

So.

Here's what's on my nightstand currently.

And you know what? If you and I are friends on Goodreads? These might not even be on the Currently Reading list. I'm just THAT ridiculous, friends. Really.

Also - there are affiliate/referral links in this post. Which means if you use them to purchase the books I'm recommending I'll make a few pennies, which ultimately wind up returned to my world as more books.

READ ALL OF THESE BOOKS

Becoming, Michelle Obama

Y'all. Everyone and their mother is reading this book right now. Michelle Robinson Obama is America's forever First Lady. She's a powerhouse and then some. And she's opening up and so so real in this book. I'm not that far into it because I literally went to the bookstore on Wednesday and got my copy of Becoming because I needed it immediately. Although now I'm considering buying the audiobook, even though I have never ever listened to an audiobook before. Sigh. I miss Michelle. And that husband of hers. 

Everything We Give, Kerry Lonsdale

The third book of Kerry Lonsdale's Everything series, I finally got around to breaking into Everything We Give last week. Have you read books one and two? You really must. Just grab the whole set while you're at it. I'm NOT a series reader. This one is a must.

I'm Just Happy To Be Here: A Memoir of Renegade Mothering, 

Janelle Hanchett

Janelle is a friend of mine. I'm not even sure how we met. I mean, I know it's through Facebook. Because we haven't actually met in real life yet. But I adore her and I am so excited to finally get my hands on her book. I'm Just Happy To Be Here is her story.  Find out more about her on her blog, Renegade Mothering. Then go buy her book.

Children of Blood and Bone, Tomi Adeyemi

This book is on my Goodreads list. I'm partway through and I actually borrowed this from the library and they took it back! So now I'm waiting. And I'll either buy it for myself at some point, or it will come back around from my holds list. Children of Blood and Bone is a different kind of read for me. And I'm really enjoying it. I wasn't sure I would, which is why I opted for the Kindle borrow. But it's fantasy and young adult, and yet not, and so much more. Find out for yourself.

The Proposal, Jasmine Guillory

My copy of The Proposal is literally sitting and waiting for me. It's going to be the perfect read after all of the heavy stuff I've been shuffling through of late. I ordered it for my November Book of the Month pick. Yes. I have a Book of the Month membership. Yes. I'm a little book crazy. Fine. A lot book crazy. *wink* But this one looked so good I had to get myself a copy. You can buy it on Amazon, just like everyone else. Or you can join BOTM yourself and get a free book by using this invite!

Okay, y'all. I need to go to bed 'cause I'm exhausted. But I figured I'd get this post up before I crash and burn. Sleep well. 

Also, who am I kidding? I'm going to be reading before I close my eyes. It's just a matter of deciding which book to pick tonight. Which would you choose? 

Tweet

A Spark of Light, Jodi Picoult

Y'all.

This book.

Was so good.

You need a copy (affiliate link coming up!). It comes out tomorrow (October 2, 2018). Go. Order it now. A Spark of Light. You will thank me later.

I wish I had all the words to describe how powerful a piece of writing, or several pieces of writing - as I'm guessing Picoult didn't sit down and write it out in one attempt - this actually is.

Honestly, when you start reading? You can't begin to imagine how this story plays out.

Tweet

Keep reading »

The Other Woman, Sandie Jones

Y'all.

This book is one of my favorite books I've read this year.

And no, I'm not in the range of having read 100 books or anything like that. I've kind of given up on the dream there. I am taking it one page-turner at a time.

But you know I share books with you that I've read and loved. And then I share ones that I haven't read but want to, and expect to love. And I usually include affiliate/referral links, so if you buy them I make a few pennies off of recommending them to you (there are some throughout this post, by the way!). And I do sometimes receive a copy of a book that I review for you [yes, I did receive this one] - but if you know me the way I think you do - you already know this does not sway my feelings about the read. It has to be a good book to keep me interested. A good enough story to grab and hold onto my attention.

And The Other Woman? Does all of that and more.

Tweet

Keep reading »

Diversify Your Personal Library With These New Releases

Looking to branch out beyond your usual reads?

Want to find ways to tackle your shelves and incorporate authors you've never heard of before?

Want to diversify your personal library?

Let me recommend a few recent releases you can add to your to-read shelves.

Links throughout this post bring you directly to a place where you can purchase the eBooks and thank you for using them, I'll make a few pennies towards the next book I buy when you do!

Tweet

Keep reading »

How To Walk Away, Katherine Center

I received a copy of this book to facilitate my review. All opinions are my own.
There are affiliate links throughout this post. Please use them to shop and buy all the books!

So, a few weeks ago I traveled to California and when I got there I finished reading How To Walk Away. And then? The very next day? I listened to Katherine Center speak and, AND, y'all!!!

I met her.

And I may have been just a little too excited about it.

Because How To Walk Away was such a fantastic read.

It was such a wonderful book.

The characters. The story. It was so so good.

Tweet

Keep reading »

Between Me and You, Allison Winn Scotch

* I received a copy of this book for review. There are affiliate links throughout this post *

Between Me and You is possibly my favorite of all of Allison Winn Scotch's novels. 

There. I said it. 

Now, I'll tell you why. 

First, I just absolutely loved the way that it was written.

The tale of two characters, the way that their words, their thoughts, their feelings, their dreams - the way that all of this played out on the page (virtual or otherwise, it doesn't matter), was all just perfectly done. 

I felt as though I knew Ben and Tatum. I could have been Ben and Tatum. Well, one or the other, obviously, not both. But still. 

The realistic aspects of their relationship just held so much weight for me. There was no flowery fanfare here when they told the story of their love. The stories that made up the years of their time together. Their marriage. All of it. 

I had no idea where this book was going to go. 

Tweet

Keep reading »

Spring 2018: 8 Must Read New Releases

I'm familiar with many of these authors, which is why I'm really excited about their upcoming novels. A few of them are new to me - and I'm just as excited about an introduction to a new writing style. Reading is so important. It's entertainment. Escape. Life. Love. So so much. And so, for me, there's nothing like grabbing hold of a new book and diving right in. 

Here are a few upcoming released you may want to pre-order so they're delivered to your eReader or mailbox over the next few months, just in time to enjoy the spring weather and right before beach read season!

Tweet

Keep reading »

The Promise Between Us, Barbara Claypole White

It's no news to any of my readers that Barbara Claypole White is one of my favorite authors. And so, when given the opportunity to read her latest, I would never have said no. I had actually pre-ordered the book, but was given an advance digital copy to read and review. Of course, with life the way it is, I haven't had a chance to post my complete review before now. 

** As always, there are affiliate links throughout this post. If you use them to purchase the book I may earn a few cents at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support! **

Now. Let's discuss how The Promise Between Us does not disappoint.

Barbara Claypole White writes mental health unlike any author I've read before. She really gets into the thick of it. The good - the bad - the ugly. And for many there is just so so much ugly.

This is how we get to know Katie Mack. In the thick of the ugly.

Tweet

Keep reading »

The Best Fiction Books of 2017

This was not a big year for me when it comes to the total of books I read.

I normally try to set a goal of 100. I've been close once or twice over the years. I started my list-keeping in 2010.

This page isn't promoted on the front of my blog anymore because I rarely update it throughout the year, but if you'd like to see the titles of the books I've read from 2010-2017? You can find them here:

READING WITH REDNECK

But in more recent years I have started documenting my favorite reads of each year, and so, this year - despite my falling short of even 40 titles - will be no exception. This list includes my favorite reads of the past year, but they're not in any actual order of expressed love. You can't go wrong, whichever you choose.

Tweet

Keep reading »