Book Review - "Hinch Yourself Happy" by Mrs. Hinch (#19 - 2019)

Hinch Yourself Happy: All The Best Cleaning Tips To Shine Your Sink and Soothe Your Soul by Mrs. Hinch

I listened to this book on Labor Day while cleaning the house (duh) and I LOVED it so much.  If you don't follow Mrs. Hinch on Instagram then I just don't know what you are doing.  She's awesome.  Lots of cleaning tips and tricks and just overall cleaning inspiration.  This book is part autobiography part cleaning manual and just overall warm and fun.  The only frustration I have with following her is that I can't find most of the cleaning products she uses (and swears by) here in the US (she's in the UK).  Totally would recommend!

Book Review - "Same Beach, Next Year" by Dorothea Benton Frank (#18 - 2019)

Same Beach, Next Year by Dorothea Benton Frank

Worth noting that I finished this book about a week before Dorothea Benton Frank passed away on 9/2/2019, such a bummer, I really enjoy her books and I hate that we won't get another.

This is the story of two couples, Adam and Eliza and Eve and Carl, who meet during Summer vacation and follows them through two decades.  Adam and Eve were high school sweethearts.  There's a little jealousy at first with Carl and Eve but all of that is soon forgotten over the years.  Or is it?  This book was okay, not her best, it took me a long time to get through it because I didn't really like any of the characters (well, I did enjoy the part where Eliza was in her mother's native Greece, in fact that would have been a better book).  Anyway, pick one of her other books before this one.

Book Review - "The New Glamour" by Jeff Andrews (#17 - 2019)

The New Glamour: Interiors with Star Quality by Jeff Andrews

If you buy one coffee table decorating/interiors book, buy this one.  Seriously, it's that good.  I was lucky enough to meet Jeff and talk with him a bit at High Point Furniture Market.  He's so nice and really interesting and, being a fan of his work, I enjoyed speaking with him.  I even got my book signed (yay!):

Book Review - "Mera: Tidebreaker" illustrated by Stephen Byrne (#16 - 2019)

Mera: Tidebreaker illustrated by Stephen Byrne

Really liked this graphic novel about Princess Mera who is a teenager and heir to the throne.  Mera overhears of a plan to overthrow the King so she makes it her mission to kill the long-lost Prince and heir to the kingdom of Atlantis.  He's been hidden away on land for all of his life.  It's a good story and really well illustrated.  Would recommend.

Book Review - "A Man Called Ove" by Fredrik Backman (#15 - 2019)

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

Ove is a curmudgeon, but beneath his cranky exterior is a man who is sad and has a very interesting story.  One day he meets a young couple that have just moved in next door, they have two young girls.  What follows is a story of unexpected friendship that is truly heartwarming.  I highly recommend this book, it's a little slow start but there are lots of feels inside.  

Book Review - "The Home Edit" by Clea Shearer & Joanna Teplin (#14 -2019)

The Home Edit: A Guide to Organizing and Realizing Your House Goals by Clea Shearer & Joanna Teplin

A beautiful book full of lovely pictures and organization goals.  And that's about it.  Not a lot of instructions, absolutely no buying guide, references as to what bins/storage/tools they use.  That was the most frustrating thing,  I wanted to know where I could get these tools.  It's a fine book, but if you want more of an instructional organization reference, there are a lot better ones out there.  

Book Review - "The Royal We" by Heather Cocks & Jessica Morgan (#13 - 2019)

The Royal We by Heather Cocks & Jessica Morgan

This follows Bex Porter, an American who is studying abroad at Oxford.   Her twin sister Lacey was always the romantic one who dreamt of being a Princess, etc.  Bex is more of a tomboy who loves adventure.  Bex finds herself living across the hall from Nick who just happens to be the heir to the throne.  The story is told as sort of a series of flashbacks on the eve of her wedding to Nick.  Okay, I really had high hopes about this "inspired by William and Kate" story but it was so darn boring and dumb I abandoned it halfway through.  It just was not interesting at all.  Just skip this one.