Late Summer Reading List: 5 Great "Anytime" Reads!

Hey y'all!

I've been so excited about sharing these books with y'all because these are some of the best books I've read in a long, long time.

Let's jump into it!

The Woman in Cabin 10

This is a psychological thriller that definitely kept me on my toes from page one-and I'm not even joking with you!

You follow along with Laura Blacklock, the journalist, as she goes through a harrowing event (the one on page one!) and then later as the embarks on a work trip on a small, private cruise ship.

There are twists and turns every step along the way, it's a fast-pased book that really draws you in and  keeps you guessing.

I do recommend reading this book, just maybe not before bed each night like I did-it gave me some seriously crazy dreams!

As Southern as it Gets

This book is one that's unlike the other four in that it's more of a coffee-table book, in list form. It's a long, alphabetized list of 1,071 Reasons to Never Leave the South (plus, it's blue gingham-no brainer for the Southern coffee table book).

I loved flipping through this book and reading the lists, especially seeing which things I've seen or done (so many of my favorite things and places are in this book).

I finished this book before we left for our Nashville trip and discovered Carnton Plantation through it, so it was very fun to actually go to Carnton after reading about it in this little book!

Some other favorites from this book:

#287 Driving the truck that announces your personality (this is so Southern to me; I know everyone by their truck & I know so many people know me just by seeing my truck!)

#527 Knowing to never wash a cast iron skillet (basically a sin in the South)

#782 Restaurant buffet sign: "Take all you want but don't embarrass your Mama" (Just too funny!)

The Girl on the Train 

This is one that I borrowed from my sister, Trystan because I had heard so many people raving about it on their blogs, etc.

This is also a psychological thriller, which follows Rachel, who rides the train each morning and evening.

The major problem that I had with this book is that to me, Rachel wasn't very likable-which ties into the story, so I understand why she wasn't likable...but still it annoyed me.

This is a very twisty book with a shocking end that I really truly didn't expect.

I ended up liking the turn this book took and I felt vindication for Rachel (& for myself!), but I wouldn't recommend reading it before bed, much like The Woman in Cabin 10. 

The Handmaid's Tale

You've probably heard of this book one of two ways; it was a classic novel that was widely read in the 80's and 90's but now it's also an original series on Hulu.

I found it through Hulu and here's the gist; the story follows Offred, who lives in the Republic of Gilead (set in the future, after the United States has fallen to a religious sect).

In my opinion, though both equally terrifying, the Hulu series is better because they took the book, but then added to it instead of taking away-they also made the show more modern because, duh.

The book is good and really wakes you up to the injustices going on around you and also makes you realize that just because something doesn't affect you directly, that doesn't mean you shouldn't try to correct the problem.

The ending leaves you wanting more and luckily there is going to be a second season of The Handmaid's Tale on Hulu so we'll get to see what happened after the book there!

The Beguiled

I picked this book up from Sam's & when I bought it, I had no idea that it was actually an old movie and a new movie.

It's a Civil War novel (my favorite! I've forever loved Gone with the Wind) set in a finishing school in the South; there are two teachers and just a handful of students left behind at the school as the war rages on.

The story follows the girls as they nurse a Yankee soldier who they have brought into the house after he was left to die after a battle.

I'll be honest, it took a while for me to get into the story at first but when I was hooked, I was in-even when I started getting quite perturbed by the actions of the girls in the school & the Yankee patient.

As a reader I find it frustrating at times when you get to see the perspective of every character but they aren't communicating with each other. 🙈 #NerdAlert

Anyway, I loved the end and felt like when it was over I could let out an audible sigh because I was on edge throughout the book & didn't even realize it-that's when you know it's a good read!

Let me know below, have you read any of these books?

If not, check out the links on the titles and pick them up because y'all, this was my best roundup yet!

If you're interested in my past two book review posts. . .

Summer Book Review

Spring Book Review

Leave me book suggestions down below!

Until next time. . .

xoxo,