Recently Read - Vol. 12 (Sept. '16)

Well, I sort of broke my reading drought during September.  I say sort of because I read more in September than I did in August, but not nearly as much as I typically do.  But, that's okay because reading is not a race nor is it a task merely to be finished.  It's a activity to be enjoyed.  For the most part, I really enjoyed the books I read last month (with the exception of one) and I'm happy to have kind of gotten back in my reading groove again.

Without further ado, here are the books I read last month:

The Nightingale by Kristen Hannah
Read August 25 - September 18 | Format: Audiobook | My Rating: 4.5/5

The Nightingale is the story of story of two sisters, Viann and Isabelle, and their involvement in the war efforts in occupied France.  It is a hauntingly detailed story of the role that women played in the French Resistance.  

Before reading The Nightingale, I knew nothing about the French Resistance or the key roles that women played in WWII (other than of American women).  Don't let the fact that it took me over three weeks to finish this book dissuade you from reading it.  My slowness had nothing to do with the book itself.  I would recommend it highly to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.

Oh, and lastly, I was warned by at least 6-8 people to have tissues ready at the end of the book.  Although I wasn't sobbing like a baby, I was teary eyed.  Keep this in mind if you plan to read this.

On Dublin Street by Samantha Young
Read September 18 - 27 | Format: Audiobook | My Rating: 4/5

If you are a regular to my blog or at least to this recurring link up post, then you know I'm not much of a romance novel fan.  I do make exceptions for romance novels that involve men on Harleys, men in rock bands, and men wearing kilts.  Well, On Dublin Street involves none of those, but it does involve a modern day, Scottish alpha male who knows what he wants and who isn't afraid to go after it.  

Slightly reminiscent of the movie Pretty Woman, except that the main character, Jocelyn, is not a hooker, I found the storyline and the associated imagery to be very satisfying, if you catch my drift.  Braden Carmichael is my latest addition to my "Favorite Book Boyfriends" list.  

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
Read September 25 - 30 | Format: Audiobook | My Rating: 2/5

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is the story of Huckleberry Finn, a  young boy in need of freedom, and Jim, a runaway slave, and their adventures together on the Mississippi River.

I wanted to like this book, I really did.  Like its predecessor, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, it just wasn't my cup of tea.  I guess I'm just not a fan of Twain's.  I appreciate his work and the snapshot of Americana he captured in this adventurous tale, but I did not find it entertaining.  Truth be told, I found it nerve grating, tedious, and unenjoyable.  I know many consider this book as THE Great American Novel and maybe it is.  I just know that it's not for me.

My Bluegrass Baby by Molly Harper
Read September 27 - October 1 | Format: Audiobook | My Rating: 3.5/5

My Bluegrass Baby is the story of Sadie, an assistant director at the Kentucky Tourism Commission, who loves her job and has her sights set on the director position when her boss retires at the end of the year.  Enter Josh, a handsome, successful marketing guru who has his sights set on the position, too.

This is a short and simple little book, but I found it to be really cute and quite charming.  Granted, I am a bit partial, for it takes place in my adopted state of Kentucky and I am familiar with many of the locations described in the book (Louisville, Churchill Downs, Shelbyville, Frankfort, and Interstate 64).

This is a perfectly adequate book for passing time and for basic entertainment. 

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What have you read lately?  Any recommendations for me to put on my ever growing to be read list?

As always, thanks for stopping by!  Don't forget to hop on over the Steph and Jana's pages to check out their recently read books and those by other bloggers who participate in the link-up.  Today marks the TWO YEAR ANNIVERSARY for Show Us Your Books.  Congratulations Steph and Jenn!