Books

the best book i’ve read this year

I LOVED this book.

Loved, loved, loved, loved. I started reading it on Friday and finished it Saturday morning! The story sucked me in after the first page and I was drawn to the hauntingly beautiful prose and character development.

A must read!

You Might Also Like

  • Michele @ Healthy Cultivations
    February 28, 2011 at 12:42 pm

    This looks like a really good book. Do you find yourself starting to go broke due to the ease of purchasing new books on the Kindle? Since I got a Nook several weeks ago, I really have to watch myself. Fortunately, I’ve decided to re-read the classic novels so I can get them all free.

    • Susan
      February 28, 2011 at 12:59 pm

      I just got the Nook and was telling a friend I was worried I was going to overspend for that same reason. I have the same problem with iTunes, but when I go crazy, it never costs me more than $20 and that only happens a few times a year.

      I have a deal with myself that I can only buy a nook book when I read a book I already own and can pass it on.

    • Baking 'n' Books
      February 28, 2011 at 3:53 pm

      Actually – that’s the exact reason I don’t think I’d ever be able to give in and get one! It would be too easy to just download and not really think about it. I find just itunes for a $ gets me when you consider you get a bunch of songs that get old and boring after awhile. I want my $10 back 🙂

  • Kim @ girlevolving
    February 28, 2011 at 12:50 pm

    Thanks for the recommendation! I added it to my “to read” book list!

    I see Shanghai Girls is on your shelf. I love all of Lisa See’s books. Have you read Edith Wharton’s In the Time of Innocence? An excellent book!

  • Colleen
    February 28, 2011 at 12:51 pm

    Just requested it from the library!! I love your book recommendations – keep them coming!! 🙂

  • Amalfi Girl (EatRunHaveFun!)
    February 28, 2011 at 12:56 pm

    Does it have a happy ending? I’m in desparate need of a beautiful book with a happy ending right now.

    Some of the best books I’ve ever read are:

    Atlas Shrugged
    The Red Tent
    Memoirs of a Geisha

    Maybe you can give one of those a try next if you’re starving for another good book! That’s how I always feel — after I finish one great book, I just want another. 🙂

  • Andrea @ The Skinny Chronicles
    February 28, 2011 at 1:19 pm

    Ooh. Thanks for the tip. Looks good. I just finished Saving Cee Cee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman, which I really enjoyed.

  • mary (what's cookin' with mary)
    February 28, 2011 at 1:21 pm

    I love when you reccomend books. Just read the brief description that Amazon had and am about to click ‘proceed to check out’. 😉

  • Chicago Cuisine Critique
    February 28, 2011 at 1:32 pm

    This book sounds great! Thanks for sharing! 🙂

  • cait
    February 28, 2011 at 1:36 pm

    def going to add this to my reading list 🙂 thanks for the recommendation!

  • Rachel
    February 28, 2011 at 1:50 pm

    Thanks for the suggestion! I am going to suggest this to my book club! I just got a kindle last month and am loving it. Do you still like yours?

  • Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga)
    February 28, 2011 at 2:06 pm

    Thank you for the suggestion. I know you read LOTS of books and for you to say it’s the best of the year and sucked you right in, I am putting it on my (very long) to-read list.

    Thanks, Jenna!

  • Mary Catherine
    February 28, 2011 at 2:10 pm

    I’ve been looking for a new read! Just ordered this off Amazon 🙂 Thanks for the rec!

  • Sarah (The Rounded Teaspoon)
    February 28, 2011 at 2:13 pm

    Darn you! I’ve already got a book buying problem. And, I’ve just ordered about 25 books for graduate school!!

    Have you read Little Bee? It’s quite good.

  • Helena
    February 28, 2011 at 2:17 pm

    I love Jodi Picoult, and if she gives a good review, I definitely have to read this!

  • andrea
    February 28, 2011 at 2:26 pm

    I too have read this book, another friend really recommended. I did finish it but sadly didnt find it as good as you and she both thought! It was fine, but nothing I couldnt live without. i almost stopped reading midway through! glad you enjoyed!

  • Stephanie @ Thorns Have Roses
    February 28, 2011 at 2:26 pm

    Thanks for the suggestion!!

  • Natalia - a side of simple
    February 28, 2011 at 3:04 pm

    Perfect! I’ve been on the hunt for a good book to read. I’m just about to finish “Saving Ceecee Honeycutt.” It’s a real charm and set in Georgia, I think you would love it for a light-yet-serious, engaging read, Jenna!

  • dee
    February 28, 2011 at 3:13 pm

    Must read!

  • Courtney @ The Granola Chronicles
    February 28, 2011 at 3:15 pm

    Definitely going to see if my library has this – I trust your judgment!

  • Sonia (the Mexigarian)
    February 28, 2011 at 3:17 pm

    If it doesn’t have vampires, witches, or werewolves in it, then I generally don’t read it. ^_^; I am more of a sci fi/fantasy/horror fan (not Twilight!) but every now and then I do enjoy a book not in the genre.

    Maybe on my next stop at the bookstore I’ll pick this one up.

  • Baking 'n' Books
    February 28, 2011 at 3:55 pm

    Can you please tell me how you find the time to read in between the blogging, the baking, the book-writing, the yoga – and the rehabbing your broken-shoulder boyfriend of course 😉

    Seriously though!? I find in my spare time I’m trying to fill it with figuring out my plans or how to make more money or doing odd jobs…no wonder I’m drained!

    Never heard of that book – is it new out?

  • Lauren at Keep It Sweet
    February 28, 2011 at 5:28 pm

    I am always looking for new books, I’ll ad that to my list!

  • Maura
    February 28, 2011 at 5:49 pm

    The Jodi Picoult endorsement alone has me sold.

  • Caroline Leavitt
    February 28, 2011 at 6:19 pm

    Thank you SO MUCH for this incredible review. Can I send you a signed bookplate as my thanks? Just get me your address and I will send out asap. Thank you, thank you again. And I hope all of you like my novel!

    Caroline Leavitt

    • Michelle
      February 28, 2011 at 7:13 pm

      Hey Caroline! Just wanted you to know I’ve just requested that our local library in Queenstown NZ stock your book … look forward to reading it! 🙂

      • Baking 'n' Books
        March 1, 2011 at 8:44 am

        That’s so awesome! How do the Authors find this out?

        I once did a review on a book by Geneen Roth and couldn’t believe it when she left a comment – amazing….very insightful – no gold plate though haha 🙂 I should re put up that post again (it was on a past blog).

  • Courtney
    February 28, 2011 at 7:14 pm

    Was looking for a good new read. I have read a few reviews on this but wasn’t sure. Since I love everything else you’ve recommended … 🙂

  • Alyssa
    February 28, 2011 at 7:19 pm

    Is it anything like Jodi Picoult’s books? I saw her comment at the top 🙂 Her books are always heart wrenching!

  • bianca
    February 28, 2011 at 10:36 pm

    Thanks for sharing! I am an absolute book nerd and after i purchased my kindle last year i can’t stop downloading! this one is going on my wish list…

  • stella
    March 1, 2011 at 2:03 am

    now THAT’S my kind of book – an overnighter! 🙂

  • French Heart
    March 1, 2011 at 3:33 am

    Thanks for the recommendation–I have a bookstore holding it for pick-up tomorrow. I didn’t want to wait for shipment from Amazon. Some books I just want to hold in my hand to highlight, write margin notes, and analyze the construction.

  • Vanessa
    March 1, 2011 at 4:02 am

    I love all of these book recommendations! Sometimes I just get so stumped on what book to read next! This novel looks great!! Can’t wait to read it! Just need to find the time..

  • Jessie
    March 1, 2011 at 4:51 am

    Just added it my Shelfari page! Can’t wait to read it this summer when book club is done! Great place for tracking books is http://www.shelfari.com/ great place to get recommendations too!

  • Jessie
    March 1, 2011 at 4:52 am

    And, was just reading your comments . . . how cool to have the author leave a comment!!!!

  • megan @ blackberries for jam
    March 1, 2011 at 5:26 am

    I love your book recommendations! This is going to the top of my reading queue.

    Have you heard of Lendle (http://lendle.me) ? It’s a kindle lending network, and it may save me from spending a million dollars on kindle books.

  • Caitlin
    March 1, 2011 at 6:10 am

    Awesome- I am going to go get this book today! I have been waiting for someone to post a book they love so I trust your judgement :)!

  • amy walters, aDESIGNdock
    March 1, 2011 at 7:19 am

    I’ve never read a book by this author, but if you finished it that quickly…it must be good. I think I will try to get me a copy 😉

  • Amy
    March 1, 2011 at 7:47 am

    I think it’s great all the reading recommendations that you give! Thanks so much!

  • Nicole G
    March 1, 2011 at 10:13 am

    Thanks for the recommendation! I just finished two excellent books if you have not read them – do it! – The Book Thief and The Art of Racing in the Rain. Also, I Was Told There’d Be Cake is a hysterical collection of short stories. Have a nice day!

  • Lori
    March 1, 2011 at 10:29 am

    Just added it to my TBR list!

  • Noelle
    March 1, 2011 at 10:48 am

    You should (must must must!!) read the Invisible Bridge by Julie Olinger. And please add it to the book club roster after. That is all, thank you!! 🙂

  • Fancy
    March 2, 2011 at 4:36 am

    Thank you for the recommendation! I have read many of the books you have recommended in the past (just finished Shanghai Girls….loved). I love when you give us new books to read—thank you 🙂 Have a good day!

  • Jen @ keepitsimplefoods
    March 2, 2011 at 7:12 am

    Thanks for the rec- looks interesting. I think The Help is the best book I’ve read this year. I’m also reading the Golden Compass series which is pretty darn good too.

  • Cake Betch
    March 4, 2011 at 8:15 am

    Can I make a recommendation? Check out Half-Broke Horses and/or The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls. I read Half-Broke Horses first and was totally sucked in. I read it in three days, immediately went and bought Glass Castle and read IT in three days. It normally takes me about a month to finish a book because I just don’t have time to read anymore, if that gives you any idea how much I liked the books.

  • Ordering Online
    March 17, 2011 at 2:38 am

    […] based on Jenna’s post about this book being the “best book she’s read all year” (and that woman reads […]

  • Peanut Butter Runner » Blog Archive » Beach Reads
    May 10, 2011 at 9:02 am

    […] of You” by Caroline Leavitt. I remembered Jenna saying it was the best book she’d read all year so I picked it up. Looks like a great beach […]