In Episode 23, Carla from Happiest When Reading joins me to break down the 2019 books so far that most deserve the hype, least deserve the hype, and the best underrated gems. 

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Highlights

• How Carla and my reading has been so far this year.
• How DNF’ing books is keeping Carla out of reading slumps.
• Carla’s trusted recommendation sources (Novel Visits, Gilmore Guide to Books,@basicbsguide, Grace Atwood from Bad on Paper Podcast and The Stripe,Bookpage).
• Sarah’s additions to Carla’s trusted recommendation sources (Currently Reading podcast, The Readerly Report podcast).
• What constitutes “bookish hype” for us.
• A couple of Carla’s trusted authors.
• Carla and I (who are usually reading twins) disagree on two books Carla didn’t think deserved the hype.

2019 Books that MOST Deserved the Hype (So Far)

Sarah’s Picks

• Daisy Jones & the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid (My Review) | Buy from Amazon[10:02]
• I Miss You When I Blink by Mary Laura Philpott | Buy from Amazon [16:29]

Carla’s Picks

• City of Girlsby Elizabeth Gilbert (My Review) | Buy from Amazon [13:34]
• Golden Child by Claire Adam (My Book of the Month commentary) | Buy from Amazon [18:52]

Our Co-Sign Pick

• Ask Again, Yesby Mary Beth Keane (My Review) | Buy from Amazon [22:11]

2019 Books that LEAST Deserved the Hype (So Far)

Sarah’s Picks

• The Night Before by Wendy Walker | Buy from Amazon [26:04]
• Before She Knew Him by Peter Swanson (My Review) | Buy from Amazon [29:45]

Carla’s Picks

• The Dreamers by Karen Thompson Walker (My Review) | Buy from Amazon[27:05]
• Normal People by Sally Rooney (My Review) | Buy from Amazon [31:24]
• The Night Tiger by Yangsze Choo | Buy from Amazon [35:11]

2019 Underrated Gems (So Far)

Sarah’s Picks

• Talk to Me by John Kenney (My Review) | Buy from Amazon [38:50]
• The Body in Question by Jill Ciment | Buy from Amazon [43:02]

Carla’s Picks

• A People’s History of Heavenby Mathangi Subramanian | Buy from Amazon[40:28]
• Sugar Run by Mesha Maron | Buy from Amazon [44:49]

Our Co-Sign Pick

• The Last Romantics by Tara Conklin (My Review) | Buy from Amazon [47:18]

Other Books Mentioned

• The Female Persuasion by Meg Wolitzer (My Review) | Buy from Amazon [7:34]
• The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer (My Review) | Buy from Amazon [7:34]
• The Wife by Meg Wolitzer (My Review) | Buy from Amazon [7:42]
• Miracle Creek by Angie Kim (My Review) | Buy from Amazon[9:46]
• Out East by John Glenn | Buy from Amazon [9:46]
• Live From New York by James Andrew Miller and Tom Shales | Buy from Amazon [11:01]
• The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid (My Review) | Buy from Amazon [11:35]
• Trust Exercise by Susan Choi (April 9) | Buy from Amazon [25:23]
• Emma in the Night by Wendy Walker (My Review) | Buy from Amazon [26:10]
• The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker | Buy from Amazon [29:24]
• The Kind Worth Killing by Peter Swanson | Buy from Amazon [30:21]
• Conversations With Friends by Sally Rooney | Buy from Amazon [32:36]
• Miracle Creek by Angie Kim (My Review) | Buy from Amazon[38:16]
• Out East by John Glenn | Buy from Amazon [38:16]
• The Line That Held Us by David Joy (My Review) | Buy from Amazon [46:42]
• Commonwealth by Ann Patchett (My Review) | Buy from Amazon [49:19]

Other Links

• Sarah’s Best Books of 2019 (So Far)
• Susie at Novel Visits
• Catherine at Gilmore Guide to Books
• Podcast Episode 21 with Mary Laura Philpott
• Trusted Recommendation Sources: Annie Jones, Tyler Goodson, Ashley Spivey
• My 2019 Summer Reading Guide
• Podcast Episode 10 with Kelly from the Well-Read Runner
• Kavitha’s Library Instagram review of Golden Child
• Modern Mrs. Darcy’s 2019 Summer Guide (and the Minimalist version)
• Book of the Month
• Sarah’s Best of the Brain Candy List
• Podcast Episode 2: Winter 2019 Book Preview

About Carla

Blog | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter 

As a stay-at-home mama to two “tween” kids, I finally have more time to dedicate to reading. I have loved getting back into a passion of mine that I’ve had since I was a small girl. But sadly, what I quickly came to realize is that I really don’t have a lot of local reading friends. As a way to connect with others who love to read just as much as I do, I started my “Bookstagram” account (@happiestwhenreading). This community has given me a place to engage in bookish conversations, and I can truly say I have made so many online friendships that I’m truly grateful to have.

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