If you choose not to find joy in the snow, you will have less joy in your life but still the same amount of snow.

This week, Nashville has been in (almost) shutdown mode. We’ve had snow, more snow, freezing rain, polar temperatures, and ice. With no snow removal equipment, people can’t get to work, businesses remain closed, and the city is slippery and quiet. 

The snow brought me joy on day one—and most of day two. Since day three, it has not! And, so, I’ve stayed home, hunkered down, and read a few great books … 

The Women by Kristin Hannah

Attention! Attention! I urge readers—especially those who grew up watching M*A*S*H—to pick up Kristin Hannah’s latest—out February 6! One of my favorite novels of the past year, this book contains everything I love—history, an exotic locale I know little about, romance, friendships, twists and turns—all wrapped up in a compelling story. 

It’s 1966, and Frances (Frankie) McGrath longs to be among the photo collection in her father’s study—photos of heroes in the well-to-do Southern Californian family. With little to no training—like the wounded men she fights to save—Frankie blossoms into a top-notch surgical combat nurse in Vietnam. Returning home from war, Frankie faces a nation that doesn’t appreciate her service or sacrifice.

This novel gave me a greater understanding of the environment our courageous men and women (women were only nurses) encountered, the unspeakable hardships many endured, and the nation’s response. 

Just announced—Warner Brothers will bring this novel to the big screen.

A Beautiful Rival by Gill Paul

Long before women wore makeup regularly and skin care was the monumental industry it is today, Helena Rubenstein and Elizabeth Arden introduced American women to luxurious lipsticks and creams.

But the cosmetic giants detested one another …

Elizabeth grew up poor and hungry and couldn’t shed the feeling that she “wasn’t good enough.” A Polish native, Helena learned to create herb-infused potions to make women look younger and brighter.

Both strived to be the most successful in their field and would stop at nothing to reach their goals. They poached employees, planted spies, spread rumors and gossip, and copied products. I love people stories, and this was a great one!

The Surgeon by Leslie Wolfe

A good friend stumbled on this page-turner, raced through it, and passed it on to me. It was everything she promised it was.

A cardiac surgeon has a promising career, a wonderful husband, and a charming home. And she’s never lost a patient on the operating table.

Until the day a patient’s heart stops beating, and the surgeon pronounces him dead. Did he have to die?  Or did she want him to die? 

Loaded with twists and turns and surprises, I couldn’t wait to eat dinner, clean up the kitchen, and snuggle in for the evening with this fast-moving, psychological thriller.

The Connellys of County Down by Tracey Lange

I adored the Brennan clan in Tracey Lange’s debut novel, We Are the Brennans. And the Connellys, in her second novel, stole my heart, too.

After spending 18 months in prison on a drug charge, Tara returns to her family home in Westchester County. Living with her siblings and nephew, she attempts to restart her life and put her troubled times behind her. 

Like me, readers will root for the resilient Connellys— Tara, her brother, Eddie, a hardworking, single dad, and older sister, Geraldine, who’s held the family together for years.  The Connelly kids have had a rough life, and this is a tale of family loyalty, the roles we play, and the steps we will take to protect one another. 

And, of course, secrets. 

What are you reading right now? I’d love to know. Please comment here or send me a message at [email protected]

PS—More book recommendations, one of my favorite authors and her books, a cookbook author 

Thanks to Julie King for the opening quote

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