The In Between Time For a Reader

My long book list awaits, and the next one is ready at the library… but what about that in-between time? The time I need to reflect on what I’ve experienced, the characters I’ve bonded with, and the story that still lingers in my mind as glimpses of it appear throughout daily life.

It’s hard to leave one world and immediately jump into another. That’s why I felt the need to start a book club – sometimes you just need to talk about it. To find closure, revisit the characters you’ve been through so much with, and give yourself time to process before filing them away in the library of your mind and moving on.

So, how can you make the most of the in-between time for a reader like yourself? Here are a few practices to help you savor the previous story while preparing for the next.

1. Reflection Timeframe

Take some time to reflect on the story. Even better if you know someone who has also read the book so you can talk about those lingering items or questions you might still have. Reflection time will definitely vary depending on how complex the book was. Start with a day and let the adjustment settle in before immediately switching over to a new story. You’ll also find that you’ve opened your mind up to take in a new world or topic if you give yourself a day’s separation from the previous book.

2. Journaling

Sometimes switching to a new book immediately can cause you to lose site of the details you loved so much from the previous book. Writing down thoughts, feelings or quotes from the book will help differentiate each novel on your list, allowing you to process the experience more and recall those details in conversations when the time comes. Goodreads allows you to take notes in the app while you are reading if you set the book up as currently reading.

3. Book Club Conversations

I cannot recommend enough starting a book club with a great group of people who love and enjoy reading as much as you do. The conversations and insights you get from discussing the books and topics is like nothing else I’ve experienced. It’s my personal favorite in between time for a reader. This coping method is great because I not only get to voice my opinions and thoughts, but I’m able to hear other’s perspectives and ideas I wouldn’t have thought of. It’s the ultimate closure of a novel, in my opinion.

4. Choosing the Next Book Wisely

Sometimes, when reading the same genre of book back-to-back, you can find yourself confused and merging the plot lines together later on, or even during the book—and then not remembering anything about it at all. One time, I checked out a book from the library, not realizing I had already read it! I was really into the mystery/thriller genre then and they can be very similar. The next book choice is definitely an important one. If you just read a long series, you can try a shorter one next to break it up before you dive back into another lengthy one. Or try a biography if you’ve been in the same world for the past 4 novels to break things up.

5. Research

Sometimes books can leave you wondering and yearning for more information. If a book has sparked your curiosity about a particular time period, location, or topic, give yourself permission to dive deeper. This time will help you adjust to what you’ve read, and understand the novel and what the author was trying to communicate at an even deeper level. Historical fiction often leaves me in a period of wonder and has me researching real events or cultures inspired by the story. Science fiction might lead me to articles about emerging technologies. This research enriches the reading experience and provides a sense of closure.

6. Goodreads Community

Goodreads is more than just a place to log your reads – it’s a vibrant community of book lovers. In the same vein as research, you can finish a story and find that you have very strong feelings about it. When that happens to me, I feel the need to find others in the group for the book I’ve just finished and see what discussions are happening. When you do this, you might be surprised at the different perspectives but also at ease that others understand exactly how you’re feeling. Those conversations can help you process your emotions and gain new insights.

I hope you have enjoyed this post about the in between time for a reader and have taken away some positive coping methods while on your reading adventure. It’s always nice to know that others are feeling the same way you are especially when it comes to the amazing world of reading.

If you’re interested to learn more about some of the books I’ve read in recent years, check out my book reviews from 2022, 2023 and 2024 and find inspiration for your next read! Also, join me and my book club by following along with this post, updated monthly with the books we are reading and discussing.

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Ok, folks! Buckle up because I’ve got a list of books I’ve read this past year, rated in order with reviews that’s coming at ya! This year I was shooting for 24 books in my goodreads reading challenge, which is the most I’ve read in a year, so I’m feeling very accomplished. But I’ve narrowed down the list to my top 10 books of 2024. Check out the list below and get ready to add some goodies to your reading list this year.

10. The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley

Mystery / Thriller

First up is this mystery/thriller by Lucy Foley. Set in an apartment building in Paris and told through different points of view, the story keeps you guessing as you read. And I love a good ending that closes all the loops.

9. The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young

Fantasy | Magical Realism

Number 9 on the list is Adrienne Young’s novel, The Unmaking of June Farrow. I am a huge fan of Adrienne Young and have loved all of her books. While I still enjoyed this one very much, it wasn’t one of my favorites of hers. The main theme is time travel, which for me isn’t always that exciting, but she did have a very interesting spin on it. One that, as she always does, makes you fall in love with her characters.

8. Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey

Autobiography

I really wasn’t sure about this one when I first picked it up. But it has stuck with me. The audiobook version of this, which I highly recommend, is read by Matthew McConaughey himself and it’s amazing. It’s a really fun read about his life, but also his philosophy about life—Greenlights. When there’s a greenlight, that means go… and that’s a sign for what’s up the road ahead.

7. The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell

Historical Fiction

Making it to number 7 on my top books of 2024 list is The Marriage Portrait. The writing was beautifully done and I found myself so intrigued on where the story was going. Set in the Italian Renaissance, it follows the story of a young woman as she makes her way in a troubled court.

6. No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister

Contemporary Fiction / Short Stories

No two persons is such a great book club pick. The conversations we had around this one were probably the best we had all year. It’s about how one book can affect people differently. A collection of short stories from 9 people who all read the same book and how it affected their lives. Some stories stuck with us more than others, but all were worth talking about. And finding the connections between them.

5. First List Wins by Ashley Elston

Mystery / Thriller

If you are a fan of secret agents and going undercover, you’ll enjoy this pick, First Lie Wins. Always something around the corner and with such a clever female lead running the show.

4. The Women by Kristin Hannah

Historical Fiction

Kristin Hannah has a way of taking you with her through all the pain and suffering of her protagonists, and this one was no different. I love reading her books, not only because they feature the women’s side of the story, but because of the rich history that is shared. Her books always stick with me for several days after and this one was no different, featuring what it was like as a nurse in the Vietnam War.

3. The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Daré

Contemporary Fiction

Such an inspiring story about a young girl growing up in a rural Nigerian village and her dreams for more for herself. An education. She’s so smart, but unfortunately isn’t valued for her mind, instead as a possession. It’s a story of her strength and perseverance, and how kindness of others can change everything.

2. Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

Historical Fiction

I absolutely love the character, Elizabeth Zott, that Bonnie Garmus wrote. She’s brilliant and dry and an absolute badass. Shocking turns and of course, a feminist vibe—kinda sensing a theme with my top books here. No need to go on with this one, it’s a must read.

1. Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez

Contemporary Romance

This was my absolute favorite book of 2024. I loved everything about it. The characters, the way they met, the hilarious situations, the trauma, and of course the ending. It took me up and down, made me cry and laugh, and I just couldn’t get enough of Abby Jimenez after that. (I also had just a tiny crush on Justin, shh, our little secret.)

Thanks so much for stopping by to read my top 10 books of 2024. If you have a favorite I would LOVE to hear what it was in the comments below.

The post My Top 10 Books of 2024 appeared first on Jane Erica.

And if you are planning to join in virtually, post your thoughts on these monthly reads in the comments below. Happy reading!

July ’25 – Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez

An instant #1 New York Times bestseller and perfect summer beach read. Abby Jimenez’s new book brings another set of lovable characters to fruition. There’s no such thing as a perfect guy, but Xavier Rush comes disastrously close. A gorgeous veterinarian giving Greek god vibes—all while cuddling a tiny kitten? Immediate yes. That is until Xavier opens his mouth and proves that even sculpted gods can say the absolute wrong thing. Like, really wrong. Of course, there’s nothing Samantha loves more than proving an asshole wrong . . . unless, of course, he can admit he made a mistake.

June ’25 – Watermoon by Samantha Sotto Yambao

In this national bestselling fantasy novel, a woman inherits a pawnshop located on a backstreet in Tokyo. But it’s not meant for everyone to find. Most will see a cozy ramen restaurant. Only the chosen ones—those who are lost—will find a place to pawn their life choices and deepest regrets. When Hana Ishikawa wakes on her first morning as the pawn shop’s new owner, she finds it ransacked, the shop’s most precious acquisition stolen, and her father missing. And then into the shop stumbles a charming stranger, quite unlike its other customers, for he offers help instead of seeking it.

Together, they must journey through a mystical world to find Hana’s father and the stolen choice. But as they get closer to the truth, Hana must reveal a secret of her own—and risk making a choice that she will never be able to take back.

May ’25 The Starling House by Alix E. Harrow

The Starling House is a modern gothic fantasy that follows Opal, an orphan, high school dropout, full-time cynic and part-time cashier. But above all, she’s determined to find a better life for her younger brother Jasper. One that gets them out of Eden, Kentucky, a town remarkable for only two things: bad luck and E. Starling, the reclusive nineteenth century author of The Underland, who disappeared over a hundred years ago. All she left behind were dark rumors―and her home. The Starling House. Everyone agrees that it’s best to ignore the uncanny mansion and its misanthropic heir, Arthur. Almost everyone, anyway.

April ’25 Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

April’s book club pick is the newly released, Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins, and is another prequel to my beloved Hunger Games. This time following Haymitch Abernathy’s story as he’s selected for the fiftieth annual Hunger Games, where in honor of the Quarter Quell, twice as many tributes are taken from their homes.

March ’25 – Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros

March’s book club pick is the very much anticipated third book in the Empyrean series (Fourth Wing). It takes place after nearly eighteen months at Basgiath War College. Violet Sorrengail and the rest of the quadrant are preparing for battle and the enemies are closing in from all sides. Violet must journey beyond the failing Aretian wards to seek allies from unfamiliar lands to stand with Navarre. The trip will test every bit of her wit, luck, and strength, but she will do anything to save what she loves―her dragons, her family, her home, and him. Even if it means keeping a secret so big, it could destroy everything.

February ’25 – Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

This #1 New York Times bestseller is full of twists and turns you’d never expect. A murder mystery about a girl named Pip, who investigates the infamous case of Andy Bell, a local girl who was murdered, as part of her senior project. Now, five years later, Pip sees how the tragedy still haunts her town and can’t shake the feeling that there was more to the story. As she digs to uncover the truth, her own life might be in danger.

January ’25 – Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez

The first book of 2025 is Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez. Start the year with this contemporary romance pick, which is part of a series, but it can be read as a standalone novel. First impressions are everything. And when Dr. Briana Ortiz meets Dr. Jacob Maddox, the newly hired and very attractive new doc in line for her promotion, it’s a perfect example of absolutely terrible. Briana’s life is already flatlining—her divorce is just about finalized, her brother’s running out of time to find a kidney donor, and now this? Things can’t get any worse, and then she receives a letter. From Jacob. And it’s a really good letter.

December ‘ 24 – First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston

You’ve gotta get this one on your reading list. It’s already made a lot of headlines and I’ve heard it’s coming to Hulu as a series or movie. A Reese’s Book Club pick, this fast-paced thriller follows Evie Porter, a seemingly nice Southern girl who has everything. The only catch: Evie Porter doesn’t exist. The identity, the mark and then the job. It’s how she’s been living her life, working for the mysterious Mr. Smith. But the last mark, Ryan, has got her envisioning a different life for herself. Until she realizes this job isn’t like the others, and she must stay one step ahead if she’s going to make it out alive. The stakes are higher than before and there’s no room for mistakes. Not this time.

November ‘ 24 – No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister

One book. Nine readers. Ten changed lives. New York Times bestselling author Erica Bauermeister’s No Two Persons is “a gloriously original celebration of fiction, and the ways it deepens our lives.” After Alice creates a stunning debut novel, her words, in turn, find their way to readers, from a teenager hiding her homelessness, to a free diver pushing himself beyond endurance, an artist furious at the world around her, a bookseller in search of love, a widower rent by grief. Each one is drawn into Alice’s novel; each one discovers something different that alters their perspective, and presents new pathways forward for their lives.

If this doesn’t say book club written all over it, I don’t know what does!

October ’24 – The Dutch House by Ann Patchett

A New York Times Bestseller and named one of the Best Books of the Year by NPR, The Washington Post and O: The Oprah Magazine, the Dutch House is a richly moving story that explores the indelible bond between two siblings, the house of their childhood, and a past that will not let them go. It’s a story of a paradise lost, a tour de force that digs deeply into questions of inheritance, love and forgiveness. And of how we want to see ourselves and who we really are. Ann Patchett delivers her most powerful novel to date. Read by Tom Hanks in the audio version, which is definitely a reason to listen to this one.

September ’24 – The Women by Kristin Hannah

Kristin Hannah has a way of bringing women’s stories to life in her novels, and The Women clearly makes a statement. I love reading her historical fictions because I learn so much about those periods of time, and it’s very empowering to hear the women’s side of it and how brave and hard working they are. This novel takes place during the Vietnam War. A side of the story rarely told, from the perspective of Francis “Frankie” McGrath. A twenty-year-old nurse who joins the Army Nurse Corps to serve in the war. Her experiences during the war are devastating, but her real battles come when she returns home. It’s a page turner with unexpected twists, loves found and lost, and a spectacular story of heroism that should be remembered.

August ’24 – Delilah Green Doesn’t Care by Ashley Herring Blake

August’s pick is a twist on your typical romance novel. Delilah Green is a photographer living in New York city on the brink of making it. She left her small hometown of Bright Falls, filled with memories of loneliness and loss, and and never looked back. Claire Sutherland had a baby young with her unreliable ex and runs a bookstore in Bright Falls. When Delilah comes home to Bright Falls to photograph the wedding of her estranged stepsister, Astrid, for a five-figure check, she sees Claire Sutherland, one of Astrid’s stuck-up besties, and decides that maybe there’s some fun (and a little retribution) to be had in Bright Falls, after all.

July ’24 – Spells for Forgetting by Adrienne Young

We loved Adrienne’s latest book (May’s pick below) we decided to add her first ever adult novel to the list for July. This book takes place on the mysterious and remote shores of Saoirse Island. It’s about Emery Blackwood, whose life was changed forever the night her best friend, Lily, was found dead and the love of her life, August Salt, was accused of murdering her. Fourteen years after the unsolved murder, August is back on the island to bury his mother’s ashes. He must confront the people who turned their backs on him and face the one wound from his past that has never healed—Emery. But there’s more to the story of Lily’s death and why the small town wants to keep it a secret.

June ’24 – The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose

The Perfect Marriage is a psychological thriller about a successful defense attorney, Sarah Morgan, who’s husband is accused of murder. Of his mistress. Sarah has worked hard at her job and she’s the best at it. Named partner at only 33, work is her priority. Her husband, Adam, on the other hand is a struggling writer and in his loneliest state with his wife constantly working, has a passionate affair with his mistress, Kelly. She’s found stabbed to death in their second home. Things are not looking good for Abam and Sarah is faced with an unthinkable question. Would you defend your husband if he was accused of killing his mistress?

May ’24 – The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young

One of my personal favorite authors, Adrienne Young’s latest novel, The Unmaking of June Farrow is May’s pick. Adrienne has a way of creating worlds that are so vivid and writing characters that you can’t help but love. This one takes us to the small town of Jasper, North Carolina, where June Farrow tends her family’s flower farm and awaits her inevitable fate. It’s only a matter of time before her family’s centuries-old curse is upon her. Unless she can break it. A story full of mystery, romance and a touch of the impossible is one you won’t forget.

April ’24 – The Three-Body Problem Paperback – by Cixin Liu

Sci-fi lovers unite! This novel will open your mind and take you to another galaxy. Literally. The inspiration for the Netflix series 3 Body Problem, this book is about a secret military project that begins during China’s Cultural Revolution and sends signals into space to establish contact with aliens, in hopes to save the Human civilization from self destruction.

March ’24 – Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

One of New York Times Notable Books of the Year by Bonnie Garmus, Lessons in Chemistry is set in the 1960s about a woman named Elizabeth Zott who challenges the status quo daily at her job at the Hastings Research Institute. Recently turned into a series on Apple TV it’s said to be “Clever and sharp… A rollicking feminist tale full of humor and hope” by the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

February ’24 – The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Daré

A New York Times Bestseller and Read with Jenna Today Show book club pick, this story is about a young girl growing up in a Nigerian village who longs more than anything to follow her dreams of getting an education and paving her own way.

“A celebration of girls who dare to dream.”—Imbolo Mbue, author of Behold the Dreamers (Oprah’s Book Club pick)

January ’24 – Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Up first, is one of the most talked about books in 2023. A 500 page fantasy about deadly dragon riders.

The post Latest Book Club Picks to Add to Your Reading List appeared first on Jane Erica.

Another year of reading is in the books! (Pun intended.) This year I started a Book Club and the picks were amazing! There were so many that I would have never picked myself, and that is probably my favorite part about it. Coming across a novel that is so powerful and moving and opens my eyes to something new. It was great always having a book to look forward to reading and in between the book club picks, when there was time, I continued to go through my personal book list. Here are my books and reviews from 2023!

Spells for Forgetting by Adrienne Young

Fantasy | Mystery Thriller

Kicking off the year was Spells for Forgetting, the first novel Adrienne Young wrote outside of the YA genre. I fell in love with her books last year and couldn’t wait to read this one. She did not disappoint. The characters and worlds she creates take you to another place. This story takes place on a remote and mysterious island, Saoirse Island, rooted in magic and folklore, and tells the story of Emery Blackwood. Her best friend died on the island years ago and the love of her life was accused of her murder. She continues to live on the island but he disappears, only to return after his mother’s passing to bury her ashes, and the truth begins to unravel.

Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover

Fiction | Contemporary Romance

After reading my first Colleen Hoover book, Verity, I couldn’t wait to read another one. Reminders of Him was the first one I chose out of her many titles, and I think it is still my favorite one of hers. She’s great at creating characters you fall in love with and developing incredible relationships. This one is about Kenna Rowan, a troubled mother who just got release from jail and is returning to the town where things went all wrong for her, in hopes to see her daughter. It’s a tangled story with so much emotion and a mysterious past that unravels as we get to know her. Such a great read!

Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Historical Fiction

Taylor Jenkins Reid is another author I discovered last year when I read The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. By now I am sure everyone knows what this book is about, due to the Amazon series special. It’s written in such an interesting way, like an interview with the band. It’s one of those books that makes you wonder, “Is this a real band? Did this really happen?” Taylor has a great way of making her historical fiction novels sound so real, you have to Google it to find out.

The Testaments by Margaret Atwood

Fiction | Dystopian

Ok, we all know Margaret Atwood is brilliant. But anyone who watched or read Handmaid’s Tale and wondered what happened next, has to read this one. Or better yet, I recommend listening to the audiobook version. Ann Dowd, the actress who plays Aunt Lydia, narrates parts of this book and it is amazing. Highly recommend, and you will not be disappointed in the ending.

The Christie Affair by Nina de Gramont

Historical Fiction | Mystery

This book was captivating. I remember being fully entrenched in the story and characters right from the beginning and the writing was amazing. Definitely a twisty, turny type of mystery with a solid plot and an ending that made sense. I didn’t know until writing this, but the story is based on the true disappearance of Agatha Christie. Although the reason for her disappearance remains unknown, this author’s idea of it is far more complex than other theories. It’s definitely worth the read!

It ends with us by Colleen Hoover

Fiction | Romance

It Ends with Us was the next Colleen Hoover book on the list. It’s about a love story so strong, it hurts. There was a very powerful message throughout this story and at the end with the Author’s notes. It really opened up some conversations about why and how women can be with abusive partners. An emotional story that felt really real and provided a sense of understanding to those in very difficult situations. There was also a positive message of encouragement woven throughout on how to get out of it.

We Were Never Here by Andrea Bartz

Thriller | Fiction

We Were Never Here is about two best friends who go on a trip together, and someone ends up dead. This book kept my attention enough to get all the way through it, but it’s forgettable. A typical story about two friends, one with a troubled past, and another too naive to know its time move on. It felt repetitive and slow to get to the action and the ending was predictable. This one was just ok, let’s keep moving.

It Starts With Us by Colleen Hoover

Fiction | Romance

It Starts With Us is the sequel to It Ends With Us (see what she did there?) and I liked it even more than the first one. It continues on with the story and how Lily (the girl from the abusive relationship) moves on, rekindles a relationship with her true love from her childhood, and navigates motherhood in a split home. I love a book with a great ending and this satisfied.

Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton

Historical Fiction

This was a book club pick and I didn’t know how I would like it since it’s not something I’d pick off the shelves myself, but I ended up loving it so much. I didn’t know much about the history of Cuba, let alone the transition of how Castro came to power. The book begins when Cuban-American, Marisol’s, grandmother passes away. Marisol was very close to her grandmother and is going back to Cuba to scatter her ashes. But where? Marisol uncovers her family’s rich Cuban past in a story that’s so well done, going from past to present in an inspiring and eye-opening way.

Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley

Young Adult | Mystery

I found this book on Reece’s book club list and thought it sounded so interesting. A murder mystery set on a Native American reservation. It’s a unique twist on a murder mystery with an insight into what it’s like to live on a reservation, or for Daunis to live there. She’s biracial and an unenrolled tribal member because of it, complicating her life there. She gets tangled up witnessing a murder and joins forces with the police, going undercover to help solve it.

The Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes by Suzanne Collins

Fiction | Dystopian

If anyone knows me, they will tell you I am obsessed with the Hunger Games. So I was so excited about a prequel by Suzanne Collins. And I have to say, it felt like a completely different author wrote this. It took me a while to get into the story, it was really slow in the beginning, and then it just got weird. It was already a stretch trying to gain sympathy for one of the worst villains of all time, so this back story just didn’t do it for me. I made myself finish it because the movie was coming out and I was excited to see if they could make it better. They didn’t. Not happy with this story—Suzanne could have picked any other character to do a backstory on and it would have been better than this.

Anatomy by Dana Schwartz

Historical Fiction | Fantasy

I fell in love with Dana Schwartz after her book Anatomy. The characters she created were lovable and the storyline was so unique. Hazel, the main character and a fierce female protagonist (which I always love), wants to be a surgeon in a man’s world. She is smart and determined and will do anything to study anatomy, even work with resurrection men to get what she needs. There’s a love story woven throughout and it’s such a great one. I highly recommend it.

Immortality by Dana Schwartz

Historical Fiction | Fantasy

Anatomy was so good, I immediately checked out Immortality. The sequel continues on with Hazel’s story. She’s unaware if the love of her life made it out alive after the gallows, and continues to practice anatomy and treat patients, illegally. When she’s suddenly arrested, only a turn of events can set her free on a completely new path.

November 9 by Colleen Hoover

Fiction | Contemporary Romance

I enjoyed the unique storyline of this romance novel by Colleen Hoover. She has a great way of turning a love story into a tangle web of a plot and create unique situations. I loved the idea of this one, where Ben and Fallon meet the day she is leaving town and have an instant connection. They agree to meet up every November 9th, the day they met, and have a unique relationship, even until the end.

Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

Historical Fiction

The Nightingale is an emotional story set in German occupied France during WWII. It follows the story of two sisters who show their own strength in two very different ways. Another brilliant story from the women’s side of being at war, the horrors they had to face, and the courage they both had.

Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover

Fiction | Contemporary Romance

This was the last Colleen Hoover book I read for a while after as it wasn’t my favorite. I didn’t love the characters as much, and the story didn’t feel that original. It’s about a girl named Tate, coming to live with her brother for school and work and doesn’t have time for a relationship. Until she meets her brother’s coworker and friend, Miles, and is immediately attracted to him. It’s a perfect relationship because Tate doesn’t have time for love and Miles doesn’t want it. Until their feelings for each other break every rule they’ve set up for themselves and love turns ugly.

The Sanatorium by Sarah Pearse

Mystery | Thriller

I talked about this one in a book club post. It was written beautifully and the setting was chilling, but the story had too many holes in it to give it more than three stars.

Such A Fun Age by Kiley Reid

Adult Contemporary Fiction

This was a very interesting read about race and privilege today and adulthood in general. It follows Emira, a young black babysitter, her well-intentioned employer, and a surprising connection that threatens to undo them both. The characters are so real and the storyline is really interesting. It definitely offered a unique perspective on being a grown-up, forming relationships and and what it means to make someone family.

The Last Flight by Julie Clark

Thriller | Suspense

Such a great and fast read. This is the story everyone’s wanted. Two women. Two completely desperate situations. Two flights switched. Two lives changed forever. When Claire and Eva meet in the airport, they decide to switch flights and ultimately lives in order to get away form the trouble they are in. With twists and turns and beautiful relationships along the way, this is a don’t put down kind of read.

My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout

Literary Fiction

This is my full opinion on this story, but overall it was OK. I didn’t understand the meaning behind this book and I had too many questions at the end. It was different that is for sure and I know Elizabeth Strout is a talented author, so I may have needed to read some of her other novels to understand this one better.

The Drowning by T.J. Newman

Thriller | Fiction

Wow. Just wow. Action, love, heart-racing moments and tears galore. This story had everything. Non-stop action about a flight that goes down in the pacific. But that’s not where it ends. There are twelve survivors still in the plane that is sinking to the bottom. This needs to become a movie, I think it would kill it in the theaters!

Lots of books to cover this year and some great ones to add to your lists.

If you are building your reading list for this coming year, you can also check out my reading list and reviews from 2022 here.

The post Book Reviews of 2023 appeared first on Jane Erica.

My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout

My Name is Lucy Barton is about a woman recovering in the hospital over a period of several weeks with unknown complications. She’s alone in the hospital, away from her two daughters, and a husband who has some kind of fear of hospitals and rarely visits. Instead, he calls her estranged mother to come and visit her for a few days. Their relationship is a difficult one and they haven’t seen each other in years. They have a troubled past that is not spoken of and their time together in the hospital is spent gossiping about people from back home. The conversation fills the space between them, but there’s a tension in it. Although Lucy’s terrible past most definitely shaped her future in many meaningful ways, she is comforted by her mother’s presence during this time.

What We Thought of My Name is Lucy Barton

The writing was lovely, but we all pondered what the meaning of this novel was. There wasn’t a real plot line or anything, with a beginning, middle and end. It was more like a diary entry from Lucy with random thoughts and feelings, that was kind of out of order and depressing. Her story was interesting, but the chapters (or random thoughts) would end before we could really get into her head. It never really got deep enough and left so many questions. Maybe this was the author’s intent with this piece, but we were looking for a bit more. Overall we didn’t hate it, but we were left feeling a bit cold and distant from Lucy Barton especially when it ended. I would be interested in reading one of her award-winning novels as Elizabeth has been praised so much.

We’d rate this one a 2.5 out of 5.

My Name is Lucy Barton Questions:

Because this book left a lot to our imaginations, we did have a lot to discuss. We used the author’s website for questions, because I couldn’t even think of any except for, “What was this book about?” We talked about the fragmented story and how maybe one chapter later on in the novel referred to another part of her life discussed previously, which was interesting. Overall we had a lot of questions about the “why” and had a big discussion about poverty and children who grow up in those situations which was a big backstory of Lucy Barton.

Upcoming Book Club Picks

Our December book club pick is under way and it’s below:

• December Book Club Pick: Drowning by T.J. Newman

Past Book Club Posts

Thanks for stopping by! Check out some of the past book club picks, our thoughts, questions and reviews for each.

August – The Nightingale

September – The Sanatorium

October – The Last Flight

The post November Book Club Pick – My Name is Lucy Barton appeared first on Jane Erica.

Amazon Kindle | Smells like Reading Candle | Fable by Adrienne Young | One More Chapter Coffee Mug | Rechargeable Book Light | Magnetic Bookmark | Book Tracking Notebook | Funny Socks

Book Lover Gift Guide

Fell Asleep Here Magnetic Bookmark

I love this magnetic bookmark idea! No more falling out from the pages and you can mark on the page where you left off as well.

Reading Journal: For the Love of Books

Never forget what you have read and rate your books! Such a cute idea!

LED Rechargeable Book-Light 

I love this book light! It’s great for reading at night next to your partner and perfect for travel.

More gifts for the book lover:

Here’s some more ideas to get shopping for that special book lover in your life. Including some of my favorite books from this year!

Shop Now!

Scroll below to shop everything from this post and more.

Other Gift Guides:

The post The Book Lover Gift Guide appeared first on Jane Erica.

The Last Flight by Julie Clark

It’s about a women named Claire Cook, who’s the wife of a rich and powerful politician, spending her time contributing to the efforts of her husband’s legendary family, attending lavish events and fundraisers to help their cause. Or so it seems. It may look like they are a loving couple, committed to their work, but behind closed doors, she’s living in fear of her husband’s temper and control over her life. When she finds an opportunity to disappear, she takes it. In the airport, on the way to an event, she’s approached by another woman, Eva, with an equally strong urge to disappear. They decide to switch identities in hopes to start new lives, but Claire comes to find out, that Eva was keeping her own dark secrets.

Oktoberfest Book Club Meeting

The weather was so nice, so we decided to have our October book club meeting at our local brewery. Oktoberfest started that night and we thought it would be great to enjoy our meeting together and then have the families meet us up afterwards to enjoy the event.

We were super excited to talk about this one since we flew threw it and it was fresh in our minds.

Warning, spoilers below this point!

What We Thought of The Last Flight

The book started of strong and the first few chapters we could not put down. A few of us agreed that it got slow in the middle as the plot was starting to thicken, but it picked back up for the rest of the book. The character development was great and the relationships between all the characters felt genuine which made us like them right away. We all fell in love with Liz’s character immediately. The situations and the story felt thought out and realistic, which we appreciated. In our discussion, we talked about the girls switching identities in the bathroom and what it would be like to hand over everything, phone, wallet, purse, and that felt raw and real. There was also the tie in to Rory’s involvement in his ex’s murder that we felt was a good close to the story, although a bit abrupt, we liked it. We also loved that the story tied everything together and didn’t leave any holes. The ending, even though it was rough to read as we all wanted Eva make it, was also really beautiful and a great twist that kept us wondering throughout the story.

We’d rate this one a 4.5 out of 5.

The Last Flight Questions:

This book actually provided questions, which I thought was great! I love to tailor these questions based on how I see the conversation naturally flowing. We rarely ever go question by question, but they trigger conversations and thoughts and so I included some of my favorite questions from the book below, added a few of my own into the mix and reordered them based on how our discussion went.

1. How did you feel after reading Eva’s final chapter?
2. Did you believe she made it off the plane? Do you think there was anything different she could have done?
3. Claire and Eva are both women put into situations that stem from the actions of powerful men. In what ways does the story showcase this and affect the way their stories play out?
4. How do you feel about Eva’s decision to manipulate Claire?
5. Put yourself in Claire’s shoes. Would you have made the same decisions as she did when faced with the difficult obstacles in her way? What would you have done differently?
6. How do you think you would feel if you traded your life for someone who’s lost theirs? Would you feel guilty or fortunate? Why?
7. What do you think about the relationship between Liz and Eva? What did their friendship mean to Eva, especially during her final thoughts as she boarded the plane.
8. What did you think about Claire’s decision to go public with her story? Were you surprised by how she handled her situation? Would you have handled it differently?
9. There are a lot of influential women in this story—Danielle, Petra, Kelly, Liz, Eva, Claire. Was there a character that you felt you connected with the most?

Upcoming Book Club Picks

Our next few months of books have been selected and those picks are below. So get excited for our upcoming book club picks, and join in if you want!

• November Book Club Pick: My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabth Strout
• December Book Club Pick: Drowning by T.J. Newman

Past Book Club Posts

The Nightingale

The Sanatorium

The post October Book Club Pick – The Last Flight appeared first on Jane Erica.

The Sanatorium by Sarah Pearse

The Sanatorium is a mystery/thriller novel that takes place in the Swiss Alps, where Isaac and Laure are having their engagement party at an old Sanatorium turned modern five-star hotel. The Sanatorium’s twisted and dark history, and isolated location, make for an eerie setting, especially with an oncoming storm heading their way. Issac’s estranged sister, Elin, is a former detective on leave and immediately feels on edge as she arrives to Le Sommet. When Laure goes missing, her detective skills kick in and she’s forced to help when an avalanche closes all the roads leading to the hotel. Then, a body shows up. And that’s when she realizes the danger they are really in.

Happy Hour Book Club Meeting

We met at a local wine bar for a happy hour book club meeting, which was really fun! The weather was really nice, so we sat outside.

After we ordered some Happy Hour wines, I handed out the questions and we got right to it.

Warning, spoilers below this point!

What We Thought of The Sanatorium

We all felt the same way about this book. The setting was creepy (too scary for some of us) and the way the author described it was really vivid and great. It was clear to visualize where the hotel was located, with the mountains and snow, and how it was decorated. Where we felt it was lacking was in the character development. There wasn’t enough there to connect us to any of the characters in any meaningful way, so it left us feeling a bit emotionally detached from the story. Secondly, the plot was somewhat messy, with lots of unanswered questions. What started off as a serial killer on the loose with a really strong motive, ended up being a bit of an unbelievable plotline, making the ending a bit lackluster. We’d rate this one a 3 out of 5.

The Sanatorium Questions:

Here’s the questions we used for this book to kick start the conversations.

1. What was your favorite part of the book? What was your least favorite?
2. Which characters did you like best? Which did you like least?
3. What did you think about how the author described the setting—the Sanatorium and the location in the Swiss Alps? How did it help add to the creepy vibe of the story?
4. What are your thoughts about turning places like this into vacation destinations? Would you ever stay in a Sanatorium hotel?
5. Did you believe that Isaac had murdered Sam and possibly Laure?
6. Elin is on leave from her job as a detective after a case went wrong. But once Laure goes missing, she taps right back into her skills to try and solve the mystery. What did you think of Elin’s detective skills?
7. Who did you initially suspect was behind the murders?
8. Looking back, how do you think Elin’s past played a part in the decisions she made throughout the novel? How did learning the truth change everything for her?
9. What did you think about the reveal that Cecile was behind the murders and her reasoning for doing so?
10. Are there lingering questions from the book you’re still thinking about?
11. Who is stalking Elin in the epilogue? Would you read a sequel of this story?

Click Download for a printable version of these questions

Upcoming Book Club Picks

Our next few months of books have been selected and those picks are below. So get excited for our upcoming book club picks, and join in if you want!

• October Book Club: The Last Flight by Julie Clark
• November Book Club Pick: My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabth Strout

The post September Book Club Pick – The Sanatorium appeared first on Jane Erica.

Our Book Club

The thing that I love most about our book club, is that each person gets to pick a book that the club will read for the month in a rotation. So we get to read things we may not have chosen for ourselves, and it’s such a wonderful adventure to read new genres or learn something new. We meet once a month to discuss our book, and the conversations have been so amazing. Often times I finish reading a book and can’t stop thinking about it, so it’s great to have a group of friends to talk to about it.

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

This month’s book was The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. It’s a historical fiction novel about two sisters living through the German occupation of France during World War II. While the men, and Vianne’s husband, are off fighting in the war, she and her little sister, Isabelle, are faced with challenges of their own. Although sisters, they both react very differently to their circumstances and showcase their bravery in their own ways. Isabelle is a young girl desperate for love and has an even more fierce desire to fight back. And Vianne is a mother and wife who’s quiet strength protects her family no matter the cost. It’s a beautifully written and heart-wrenching story that depicts another side of WWII.

We met for coffee at Prairie House Coffee Co. which is a cute little restored house in Oakland, Florida attached to a floral and gift shop.

It has a great outdoor seating area. We opted for sitting indoors, though, since it’s so hot out.

After we got our coffees, I handed out the questions. I like to provide print-outs so that anyone can start a conversation or ask a question and it’s a great resource for us to recall different parts of the book.

The conversations are my favorite part! Everyone has different insights and opinions to share. And some of the parts of the book that I was unsettled about or stuck with me, we got to hash out and share our thoughts, and I felt like I got some closure. I love these ladies!

I found some great questions for this book club, but there was so much to talk about and say that our conversation really flowed so naturally. As we started getting into the convo, I chose to read the last question first. And that just spiraled all of us to talk about all the emotional parts of the novel that hit us at our core. I posted our questions below.

The Nightingale Questions:

1. The Nightingale opens with an intriguing statement that lays out one of the major themes of the book: “If I have learned anything in this long life of mine, it is this: In love we find out who we want to be; in war we find out who we are.” What do you think the narrator means by this? Is love the ideal and war the reality? How does war change the way these characters love?
2. Though sisters, Isabelle and Vianne react to conflict and war in very different ways. Do you identify more with Isabelle’s impetuous yet brave approach or Vianne’s quiet strength? Do you think you could have acted as heroically as Isabelle under such horrifying circumstances? Who is more heroic in your mind—Isabelle or Vianne?
3. Take a moment to talk about Beck. Did you find yourself feeling more sympathetic towards Beck as the novel progressed? Was he a good man? Did he deserve his fate?  
4. Perhaps one of the most chilling moments in the book is when Vianne provides Captain Beck with a list: Jews. Communists. Homosexuals. Freemasons. We know now how wrong it was to provide this list, but can you understand why Vianne did it? What do you think you would have done?
5. After her friend and neighbor, Rachel, is taken away, Vianne takes in Rachel’s young son, Ari, giving him a new identity as Daniel Mauriac, and forcing him to forget his old life. Is this unfair or justified given the danger he would face otherwise?
6. Each of the sisters experiences love in a different way. Vianne’s love is that of a mature woman, a wife and a mother; Isabelle’s love is youthful and impulsive, more of a girlish dream than a reality. How did Isabelle’s feelings of abandonment shape her personality and her life? How did Vianne’s maternal love lead to acts of heroism, saving the lives of Jewish children? How did love—and war—bring these two sisters closer together?
7. Isabelle’s father sacrifices his own life to save her. She realizes that he is “trying to make it up to her, asking for forgiveness and seeking redemption all at once.” In your opinion, did this act accomplish that?
8. Discuss the scene in which Ari is taken away. What do you believe is the right answer in this situation—if there is one? What would you have done in Vianne’s position? Do you think this is what Rachel would have wanted?
9. Vianne recalls her husband, Antoine, telling her that “we choose to see miracles.” What does he mean by this? Is it his way of telling his wife he knows the truth about their son’s biological father? Or is it his way of looking at life, of coping with the terrible events they’ve lived through? Is seeing the beauty in the world an active choice? Is it possible to find miracles in our lives, if we look for them?
10. Do you think Julien had a right to know who his real father was? Would you have made the same decision Vianne did?
11. What was your reaction to the final scene between the two sisters, and to finally discovering the identity of the story’s narrator? Was it in line with your expectations, or were you taken by surprise? Were you satisfied when you discovered who was narrating the novel?
12. Finally, a show of hands: Who cried—or at least got a little choked up—while reading this book? Which scenes moved you the most? Which character’s fate would you say was the most tragic? The most poignant? Did the book give you a better understanding of life under Nazi occupation during World War II? Did it move you, inspire you, haunt you? And finally, what will you remember most about The Nightingale?

Click Download for a printable version of these questions

Upcoming Book Club Picks

Our next few months of books have been selected and those picks are below. So get excited for our upcoming book club picks, and join in if you want!

• September Book Club: The Sanatorium by Sarah Pearse
• October Book Club: The Last Flight by Julie Clark

The post August Book Club Pick – The Nightingale appeared first on Jane Erica.

Happy Fab Five Friday! I seriously cannot believe another week has flown by. I know I say that every Friday, but it’s still an issue. This is the last full week of the school year before summer. The kids have a few days next week and a half day Wednesday and then, just like that… it’s summer! I don’t know why for some reason this year it’s messing with my head. The other day I told a coworker I was going to miss them over the summer. And then yesterday, I was so relieved that I didn’t have to pack the kids lunches anymore, only to remember that I still do need to pack them lunches for camp. It might be because in the back of my mind, I just keep thinking that this summer is going to be the last elementary school summer I have with both my kids since Rylee will be going to 5th grade next year! I know, I know what you’re thinking…. time flies!

Anyways, let’s get into the Fab Five for this week! Speaking of summer, have you gotten your summer reading all figured out? This post seems very book heavy since that is what I feel like we are all talking about over here.

Harry Potter Books

Harry Potter is back! Or I guess he never left? Rylee is at the perfect age for these books now, and she can’t put them down. We got her the full set from her school book fair and gave them to her for Hanukkah last year and she’s been flying threw them.

J. Crew Factory

If you love J. Crew, you have to check out their factory store. It’s really the only one that I shop at, they always have amazing sales, and their accessories are the best. I found a few things I liked the other day, above and love the quality. Those jean joggers were originally $98 and I scored them for $27! And Rylee’s adorable top was only $5. Can’t beat it!

Libby + Audio Books

I have become a huge fan of audio books lately, and need to recommend the Libby App and my latest read, Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton. I’m loving audio book because they keep me entertained when I’m getting ready for work, or making the kids lunches (which is so boring!). And my favorite part is when I make it out at lunch time for my mile walk around the neighborhood, I look forward to listening to books. It’s the highlight of my day! Next Year in Havana was a book club pick of one of my friends, and it was such a lovely story, rich with Cuban history. The audiobook version was amazing.

Ballad for Songbirds and Snakes

I’m still a fan of hard copies of books, too. At night I enjoy reading a couple chapters before bed, which is a nice way to wind down from the day. Right now I am reading the Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins… the prequel to the Hunger Games. I’ve had this book for probably two years now, and could not get into it. As a huge Hunger Games fan, Katniss is my hero, and it was really hard for me to sympathize with evil President Snow’s childhood, so I just kept getting mad at the pages. But I picked it back up recently, after learning the movie is coming out THIS fall. I have to say it’s getting really good, if I can put behind me that it’s Snow’s story. Suzanne is an amazing author and there are other characters I’m starting to love now too.

Sunshine State 2023-2024 Lists

And to finish up this books work Fab Five, the 2023-2024 Sunshine State book club picks are out and the kids are so excited to get a head start over the summer. I even found a Jr section that I’m going to grab a few from for Reece. He loves reading so much and he’s ready for a challenge. I love my local library so much! I was able to find all these there and can’t wait to get them in the mail!

I hope you all have a wonderful Friday and great weekend!

The post Fab Five Friday #35 appeared first on Jane Erica.