September 2019 Novel Ideas: 20 Quick Lit Reviews

Now that we’ve officially headed into fall and the kids are back at school, I have a lot more time to listen and read books. So much time…that I got 12 books finished this month! Yes, 8 of them were audiobooks but listening counts. I’m constantly asked how I read so many books each month. Well, I drive about a million carpools, go to the grocery store, do laundry, cook, clean etc…and the whole time I’m listening to a book! This month, in particular, there were so many standout audiobooks, but if I had to choose one, it would be The Dutch House because Tom Hanks is the narrator. Jackie had a similar experience of lots of stand out books this month. Which is why we are highlighting so many different genres of books in September 2019 Novel Ideas. Historical Fiction, Romance, Literary Fiction, Fantasies and Mysteries are all reviewed. Let us know which books you are most interested in picking up next. Be sure to check out Kirsten’s Fall wardrobe update at the bottom too. 

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Kirsten’s Stack – September 2019 Novel Ideas

One Little Secret by Cate Holahan

Thanks to Crooked Lane Books for my copy. All opinions are my own. Finally! A thriller that actually thrilled me! One Little Secret is who-dun-it murder mystery about 3 couples who sublet a house in the Hamptons for a week. When one of them turns up dead, it’s up to Detective Watkins to figure out who did it. There were secrets unveiled on almost every page, but the last 50 or so had me gasping out loud repeatedly. I totally did not see the ending coming. If you are looking for a great thriller, look no further!! This is perfect for fans of The Silent Patient and Woman in the Window. 4 Stars.

Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson

Thanks to Libro.Fm and  Riverhead for my copy. All opinions are my own.  I’d seen this book on lots of anticipated reads lists and was eager to listen when I was given the opportunity. This poignant tale was told, and narrated, by multiple characters and jumped between the present and the past as it weaves together the story of a family. At Melody’s coming-of-age ceremony at 16, we find out about her own parents’ history. The story had me engrossed immediately and the ending brought tears to my eyes. I felt like I was a part of Melody’s story as I listened to the book. I highly recommend the audiobook because of the various narrators for each part. All the different voices bring such depth to the performance. Jacqueline Woodson is even one of the narrators!

The Second Chance Supper Club by Nicole Meier

Thanks to GetRed Pr for my copy. All opinions are my own. Siblings can be our greatest source of strength or our greatest competition. Ginny and Julia Frank used to have a close sisterly bond until a tragedy from their past drove a wedge between them. Now estranged from each other, Ginny is still the first person Julia runs to when a headstrong decision throws her career into jeopardy. Set in the beautiful land of Arizona, Ginny and Julia have to face old wounds as Julia realizes that Ginny might just need her help too. 3 stars.

The Grace Year by Kim Liggett

Thanks to Libro.Fm and  Wednesday Books for my copy. All opinions are my own. The Hunger Games meets The Handmaid’s Tale in this haunting and disturbing tale. At the age of sixteen, all women must go into the wild for a year to release their magic.  The people of Garner County call this the Grace Year and speaking of it is forbidden. As Tierney James Grace YEar approaches, she dreams of a world in which women aren’t pitted against each other in a battle to survive.  This book is eery and completely creepy.  I could not put it down. 4.5 stars

The Long Call by Ann Cleeves

I was so happy to receive this book. I have never read Ann Cleaves before but I had heard such great things about her writing.  Thank you so much to NetGalley, Minotaur Books and Libro.fm for my copies of this book.  There are so many things about this book that I loved. The book starts when Matthew Venn attends the funeral of his estranged father.  When a murdered man is washed up on the beach, Matthew is brought back into the community that he left years before.  The characters are rich, real, flawed, and likable.  The story is driven by the characters who make the story compelling and unpredictable.  I did not predict “who Dun it” which is always a huge bonus for me.  I cannot wait to read the next book in the series 4 stars

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

I re-read this book with my daughter and we loved it.  I have not read this book since I was a child and I think I loved it more this time.  This classic story is the perfect feel-good book.  Yesterday was Daughter’s Day and this is the perfect book to read with your little one. 5 stars

Matchmaking for Beginners by Maddie Dawson

This was a very cute book about what happens when your life takes an unexpected turn.  When Marnie’s marriage ends after two weeks she returns home to start over.  But, when she inherits a brownstone from her ex-husband’s aunt in Brooklyn, her life changes again.  This was a very cute read that I felt was 50 pages too long.  3 stars

Less by Andrew Sean Greer

I wasn’t sure what to expect with this unusual book.  It is s the winner of the Pulitzer Prize and I don’t always love literary pics.  Sometimes I think the books chosen for these prizes are too weird.  I thought that this book was unusual and quirky but I really enjoyed it.  I started reading and I was not sure if I liked Arther Less but as the story progressed, I found myself drawn to his strange and endearing ways.  4 stars

Current Obsessions

There is a new library in town and we are psyched to go take a look.  The new library on Temple’s campus has a book robot who gathers all the books that students want. The architecture on the Charles Library is absolutely beautiful, we are hoping to get down to see it very soon.

Jackie’s kitchen is finally done and she’s been loving all her new kitchen accessories. She grabbed a new white toaster AND a white bread box to stash all her carbs in a stylish way.

Also on Jackie’s obsession list? The new Downton Abbey Movie!!! Tell us you’ve seen it already!!!

Harry Potter Legos are back and my kids are loving the new sets. Have you seen them yet? Hagrid’s Hut is the set we are currently building and it’s great. The fireplace really lights up! There is a Yule Ball,  Knight bus, Dementor Attack, and more!

I did my big fall shopping trip and I’m obsessed with my updated wardrobe! Unlike most people, I shop differently because I only shop once every six months for the next season’s clothes. I like to make it so everything goes together AND I only have to spend one-morning shopping instead of hours and hours trying on stuff. I’ve included my picks or items similar to my picks below.