The Happiness Project

The Happiness Project

by Gretchen Rubin

Genre: Memoir

Review: A read to start your New Year's Resolutions out right. Rubin combines research from positive psychology, history, philosophy, and many great thinkers to gain insight into happiness. She chooses a focus each month to increase her happiness in areas including energy, eating healthy, parenting, marriage, friendship, money, taking risks, and more. You can learn a lot from her happiness project, from her stumbles to her successes. Also check out her blog--this book had a major snowball effect for Happiness Projects around the world.

Author Blog: http://www.happiness-project.com/

Song to Read By: "Walking on Sunshine" by Katrina and the Waves


My book club's pick for January! Start the new year off with your own set of "ten commandments of happiness!"

Ten Girls to Watch

Ten Girls to Watch

by Charity Shumway

Genre: Women's fiction

Review: This novel is witty and inspiring, with fun dialogue yet a real message and so timely. Looking for a job and the travails of online dating are something so many twenty-somethings are dealing with right now. However, this novel takes the phase from college girl to woman to the next level, touching on mentoring and how women find their ways and their careers. Dawn tracks down women who won a magazine contest's "Ten Girls to Watch" for the past 50 years and learns much from them. You'll find inspiration too!

Author Website: http://www.charityshumway.com/

Song to Read By: "Ladies" by Andy Grammer

Venezia: Lady Emily is Back!

Death in the Floating City

by Tasha Alexander

Genre: Mystery, series

Review: The next installment in one of my favorite mystery series doesn't disappoint. Lady Emily, elegant wife/sleuth/forward-thinking feminist of the Victorian era goes to Venice to investigate a crime for her childhood rival, Emma.

The handsome Colin accompanies as they traverse the canals and churches of Venice in search of the murderer. Clues found in paintings, gardens, and books abound. Meanwhile, readers are given a glimpse into a 1500s diary that could effect the current events.

Author Website: http://www.tashaalexander.com/

A Slow-Paced Mystery?

Every Contact Leaves a Trace

by Elanor Dymott

Genre: Literary Mystery/Psychological Suspense

Review: Alex, the story's narrator, begins by recounting finding his wifes body beside the lake at Worcester College, Oxford, England. As the events leading up to Rachel's murder unfold, Alex realizes the strength of her love anew, while dealing with her secrets and the truth that he didn't really know his wife. The novel is slow-paced, and touches on the precarious nature of narrative, examining the unique perspectives of Harry Gardner, Rachel's academic adviser, her cold godmother, and Alex's own view of his life. This novel is a mystery, not a thriller; the pace is slow and thoughtful as the events of Rachel's life are revealed to Alex.

Coming of Age in Hungary and England

The Book of Summers

by Emylia Hall

Genre: Women's Fiction

Review: Beth, aka Erszebet, tells the story of her mother, Marika. When she receives an artistic photo scrapbook in the mail, The Book of Summers, she is forced to reflect on the summers she spent with Marika in Hungary and what they meant to her. The gorgeous Hungarian countryside, the spicy cuisine, the cute boy down the lane, Tamas, the thrill of gallivanting around the forest. Discovering painting and sketching for the first time with resident artist Zoltan...all are lovingly rendered by debut novelist Emylia Hall. If you want to bask in the feeling of summer, even in November, read this novel!

Song to Read by: Enjoy some gypsy music from Putumayo's compilation Gypsy Caravan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxmuJEnT0wc

Meryl Streep Movie Club!

The Meryl Streep Movie Club

by Mia March

Genre: Women's Fiction

Review: Two sisters and their cousin grew up together and grew apart, but now they are called back to the Three Captains Inn in beautiful Boothbay Harbor, Maine by matriarch Lolly. Isabel is battling her past and uncertain future; single-mom June is searching for Charlie's long lost father; Kat is making decisions about whether to marry her best friend or take her chances in Paris or open her own bakery. Together, they grow closer, gathering together for Movie Night, and Meryl Streep movies become the catalyst for close relationships and resolving the conflicts in their lives.

Sounds corny, but it is really not! A light read with a big heart :)

We Only Know So Much: Quirky, Funny Family Drama

We Only Know So Much

by Elizabeth Crane

Genre: Literary Fiction

Review: A dysfunctional family drama in the style of Arrested Development or The Royal Tenenbaums, but even more enjoyable. The novel is narrated in a unique manner, using third person plural, which is not intrusive, but very effective. A self-absorbed daughter who yearns to star on reality television, a crossword-making little brother falling into bittersweet first love the way only a 9 year old can, a mother grieving over her lost love, and a father full of facts but not emotions. They share a home with an ailing grandfather and a spritely, controlling great-grandmother.

 This novel is strikingly original, hilarious at time, and sad at times. You won't want your time with this quirky family to end!