So as you’ll recall, I am on a mission to read 40 books before hitting 40 years old. Not e-books, not audiobooks, not picture books or comics.

40 adult length books.

Don’t remember me committing to this? Check out this post here.

As I read these books, I will log it below. I will also include a little synopsis and my thoughts in case it’s one you’ve had on your list!

Handle With Care – Jodi Picoult (June 9, 2019)

Jodi Picoult is an author that I have just recently started reading. Her writing draws you in and you can’t put the book down. That’s exactly how it went with this one. Such an internal struggle that my mama heart couldn’t handle at times. And the ending….oh wow.

Good In Bed – Jennifer Weiner (June 25, 2019)

I have never read a Jennifer Weiner book, but have always heard that she is a great writer. I grabbed this one at a yard sale and it’s about a woman on her own personal journey – perfect! This story had tons of humor but also times where I just wanted to bawl my eyes out. I am so glad I gave this author a chance, I will definitely look for more from her!

The 17th Suspect – James Patterson (July 2019)

I love James Patterson books. My favorite thing is that they have short chapters, so it’s easy to fit one in when you have a short period of time. This one though, I didn’t love. Most likely I would have liked it better if I had actually read the series, or even not started on the 17th book in a series, but I didn’t realize it until after I read it. With that being said, the story line was great and kept my attention. It just didn’t have the same excitement that I’m used to with James Patterson.

Harvesting the Heart – Jodi Picoult (October 2019)

This book made you feel for everyone, across the board. You felt for Paige because of her past and the new situation she was in. You felt for Nicholas, and his parents. Your brain was as confused as the characters were themselves, navigating the different situations the characters found themselves in.

Nineteen Minutes – Jodi Picoult (December 2019)

Jodi Picoult has a way of taking a subject that tears your heart to shreds and showing each and every aspect of it. This one was no exception. I found it hard to read the first few chapters, but kept going to see how it would pan out. It was so emotional, and highlighted a huge problem that the world faces today.

Change of Heart – Jodi Picoult (January 2020)

This story was quite risky for the author to take on, however she did it gracefully and quite well. The concept was a bit hard to understand at the beginning but speeds up quite quickly. It was hard to decide what side to take and the big twist had me feeling really uncomfortable. But it’s a really great read!

Someone Knows – Lisa Scottoline (February 2020)

I loved this book, I literally couldn’t put it down. The intensity of the story line was so crazy, I was trying to speed read it to figure out what happened next. And following the main character and the stress she took on after an unfortunate accident put my own stomach in knots!

I Am Malala – Malala Yousafzai (February 2020)

I think it goes without saying that this is an inspirational and motivational story. Malala is a highly intelligent young woman that went through a great deal to get to where she is now. As a top activist from Pakistan, she put herself in situations that were dangerous but productive. Learning her history is very interesting, and I would recommend this to anyone!

Home Front – Kristin Hannah (March 2020)

Make sure that as soon as you crack open this book that you have a full box of Kleenex next to you. You will need them. And you will also not move for a full 24 hours while you read this book and do nothing else. With the focus being on a mother who is deployed and separated from her children, it tears at your heart.

The Lovely Bones – Alice Sebold (June 2020)

This book was so sad, and heart wrenching. But it was written from a really interesting point of view – that being of the young girl who was murdered in the story. The perspective that she paints from Heaven is intriguing and also contemplative. It gives you the space to wonder about what you might actually encounter during those moments.

The Girl On The Train – Paula Hawkins (July 2020)

Once I got a few chapters in, I could not put this book down. I was literally on vacation and completely absorbed in this book. The writing is great, and every character is interesting in their own unique way. The minute I got home from my trip I ordered another book by the author. I am holding off on reading it for a bit though, because I know I’ll get sucked in and not be able to stop reading when I do start it!