Thanks to a spring break trip, I got in two fiction books this month! One was even on Audible, which is a treat I haven’t had since my job went to fully working remotely last year.
Bypass: The Four Winds, Kristin Hannah
It takes some courage to start off this month’s BBB with a bypass on a multiple best-seller lists book, but I didn’t like this book at all. Even despite having friends who liked it a lot, I had a hard time getting through it. In fact, if it weren’t my book club’s pick, I would have left it unread. I really liked the storyline of a woman who fights hard for herself and her family at a time of full-blown crisis in America. Unfortunately, a story that could have been told in 200 pages took over 300. It was too descriptive and too wordy. I say bypass, but if you really think you’ll like it, borrow it. Be warned, though – this book will take you through family drama, the Great Depression, dust storms, and a version of communism.
Borrow: Troubles in Paradise, Elin Hilderbrand
This book is the third and last in Hilderbrand’s Paradise series, a group of books that place off of her usual Nantucket and on the island of St. John. I can’t get into too much of the story here since it’s part of a trilogy, but the series follows the Steele family (Irene, Baker, and Cash) as they make their transition to the island and continue to put their lives back together following the death of Russ, their father and husband. This book ties up all of the storylines with the flair HIlderbrand has, including weaving in characters from other books. I usually default to “Buy” when it comes to a Hilderbrand book, and while this one was good, if you can get your hands on a borrowed or gently used copy, you won’t be missing out on a thing!
Borrow or Buy: Living Unbroken, Tracie Miles
This book was a bit of an unusual read for me as I have been divorced for over 10 years. I actually read this as part of a writers’ book club. That said, I gleaned so much from these pages. If you are going through a divorce or have been through a divorce, read this book. Tracie shares vulnerably and openly about her own experience while giving hope and practical tips on surviving an event that can tear you apart. I wish I would have had this book when I went through my divorce.
I’m already into my April books. What are you reading this month?