Another month has passed, and I’m back again to share my most recent reads, watches, and listens! This month, we have romance (duh!), some mysteries + thrillers, along with some unreal reality and some popular albums. Let’s dive in!
Recent Reads
My list of recent reads for November includes a few from October as well. After this month’s list, I’m all caught up. Going forward, I’ll probably have 4-5 book recommendations for you instead of the 7 I’ve shared in the last two posts.
The Road Trip by Beth O’Leary
The Road Trip is about two exes, Addie and Dylan, who find themselves on a road trip together. Through a series of unfortunate and eye-opening events, they finally make it to their destination and maybe even perhaps back to each other.
This story is told partially through flashbacks, which I’ve come to realize over the last year or two, I don’t love. I don’t mind an occasional flashback here or there but I find myself disliking when a large portion of a story is written in flashback form.
If you like flashbacks (or at least don’t mind them), give this book a read! It’s funny and enjoyable (if you can get past the flashbacks!)
The Layover by Lacie Waldon
Both The Layover and The Road Trip (above) were suggested to me by an Amazon email. I’ve found quite a few good reads through the Kindle emails I receive. If you’re on their email list too, I encourage you to scroll through their recommendations if you usually just skip right past them. You may just find something good!
The Layover is about flight attendants, Ava and Jack, on an extended layover is Belize.
This book is described as The Unhoneymooners meets The Hating Game, and I agree with that assessment! If you like enemies to lovers in exotic locales, pick up this book!
One thing I didn’t realize until after finishing the book is that the author, Lacie Waldon, is a flight attendant just like Ava. How fun is that?!
Love in the City Series by Jen Morris
Guess what?! I found (and devoured) a new series. The Love in the City series follows a group of friends as they find love (and sometimes heart break) in New York City.
There are currently three books out right now but I believe a fourth one is releasing next year. I’m going to keep my eyes peeled for it and you can expect to see it in a future installment of Read, Watch, & Listen.
Love in the City, Book 1
Book one is about Alex and Michael, two writers and neighbors in NYC. Alex is new to the city after abruptly deciding to move away from her home and family in New Zealand. Michael is a native New Yorker, who eventually offers to show Alex around the city.
Love in the City is a fun, quick read and perfect for this time of year as it takes place during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve.
You Know it’s Love, Book 2
You Know it’s Love follows Cat and Myles on a journey from friends to lovers. Myles works for Cat’s brother, and Cat reluctantly agrees to let Myles help her with a business project. Sparks fly, secrets are uncovered, and friendships are tested.
Cat is Alex’s roommate from book one and Cat’s brother will be one of the main characters in book four.
Outrageously in Love, Book 3
Book 3, Outrageously in Love, follows Harriet and Luke as they navigate an unexpected connection, family drama, and a possible international move.
Harriet is Alex’s sister and Luke is Michael’s brother from the first book. Lots of drama and secrets in this one!
Forever. Never. Always. by Hanna Holt
I found this book in my recommendations section while browsing the Kindle store. I have to say, Amazon has my number. What a fun read!
Forever. Never. Always. follows Ash and April, college sweethearts, who abruptly break up and then run into each other years later after a bit of scheming by April’s best friend. There’s some family drama, a cute dog, and most of the characters are named after trees.
P.S. it’s available on Kindle Unlimited, which is an added bonus!
The Guest List by Lucy Foley
I recently joined a book club, which I’m super excited about!
For our first book, we chose The Guest List by Lucy Foley. This book has been all over the book club circuit and most notably (at least for me!) it was a Reese’s Book Club selection in June 2020
The Guest List is a mystery + thriller. A TV star is marrying a posh magazine publisher on a remote and spooky Irish island. What could go wrong? Well, petty jealousies and resentments abound and somebody ends up dead. But who did it?!
I’m about halfway through, and I don’t know! This story is written from many points of view and takes readers on a twisty journey. It’s so intriguing and will definitely hold your attention.
If you haven’t already, pick up this book either for yourself or for a friend. I gave it to one of my good friends for Christmas last year, and she loved it too!
I used to read a ton of Nancy Drew growing up but moved away from mysteries and went full on into romance land in high school. After I finish this book, I think I may just give mysteries another shot.
Recent Watches
You, Season 3
Psychological thrillers are not usually my thing, but I’ve been intrigued by You since season 1 came to Netflix several years back.
I remember watching season 1 right after moving into my apartment and being a little spooked going for dog walks late at night. Oh, what fun!
Season 3 follows Joe and Love as the navigate life in a ritzy neighborhood in suburban California. If you’ve seen the show before, then it comes as no surprise that this season is filled with murder, stalking, and all of Joe’s (and now Love’s) usual shenanigans.
While watching this season, I remarked to my friends that Joe ‘s and Love’s antics are becoming less and less believable. They never wear gloves when committing their crimes or touching evidence but somehow they constantly evade police? I’m not buying it!
Season 3 ended quite dramatically (as to be expected) and left room for a season 4. If season 4 does come to be, I will watch but likely won’t pay 100% attention nor will I believe what they’re trying to sell me.
Tiger King, Season 2
I know. I know. Tiger King?! What can I say? It’s a train wreck that I can’t look away from.
Season 1 was one crazy thing after another. I’m almost done with season 2 and it’s not nearly as crazy as Season 1 (how could it be?!) but it’s still holding my attention.
Spoiler alert: Since Joe is in prison, season 2 focuses more on Carole Baskin, her missing husband, Don Lewis, Tim Stark, and Jeff Lowe.
If you’re looking for a “don’t have to think” show, this definitely fits the bill! You’re not missing much if you don’t watch, but if you do, you’ll be saying, “what in the world?!” every single episode.
Recent Listens
Sob Rock, John Mayer
I’ve been listening to this album on repeat since it came out. And by that I mean I listen to it almost every day on my drive into work.
I’m a big John Mayer fan. And his latest album? So good! It has all the mellow, soulful vibes that I adore.
Over the last year and a half, I’ve dubbed certain artists and albums “great work from home” music. “WFH Music” is soothing and inviting without too much head banging. I’m not trying to get wild during my 9-5 (or any other time, really!)
Sob Rock is at the top of my WFH music list! Also on that list are Folklore and Evermore by Taylor Swift.
Red Taylor’s Version, Taylor Swift
Like everyone else in the world, I’ve also been enjoying Red Taylor’s Version.
The 10-minute All Too Well is all too good. I haven’t watched the short film yet, but it’s on my list of things to do this week!
Now, Red Taylor’s Version is a little too lively to be on my WFH playlist. However, it totally fits the bill for my “drive home from work” playlist!
Taylor is fantastic and the nostalgia on all the re-recorded songs can’t be beat.
Affiliate links are in use in this post. If you buy one of my recommendations, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
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