Golden Ticket
As we all know, you can’t judge a book by its cover, which is why I absolutely love reading memoirs. Memoirs give me a sneak peek into someone else’s life. I am a fly on the wall somewhere different. Somewhere vulnerable, somewhere true. Whether I am laughing, crying, learning or relating, memoirs are personal treasures that writers share with their readers. I just finished reading Miseducated: A Memoir by Brandon P. Fleming and my eyes are wide open. I challenge any reader not to be inspired by this fantastic read.
Triple Threat
Today I am coming at you with not one, but three books to quench your reading desires. Caul births, Jackie O. and a cliffside villa on the coast of Italy is what’s in store for you with this triple threat selection. Even though all three books could not have been more different, they all are fantastic reads in their own special way and I highly encourage you to add them to your TBR. Let’s take a look, shall we?
Here Comes The Sun
Love is in the air, and it feels like Valentine’s Day… in the beginning of May. Because of this, I have to share with you the most sprightly and heartwarming book. It Had To Be You by Georgia Clark has all the “feels” and I literally can’t stop smiling. Love almighty love is the theme here, and Clark delivers a five star tale blending a sprinkle of Modern Love with a dollop of Love Actually. This twenty-first century romantic comedy is a ray of sunshine and I can’t wait for the world to read it.
A Handful of Books…Just For You
Because I am forever a mood reader, I require a variety of reading options at my fingertips at all times. Whether it’s a literary drama, a light an airy romance, or a thriller gone wild, my state of mind always dictates to me my next read. Here are a handful of book recommendations to kickstart your weekend.
Fashion Scenes & Low Rise Jeans
Gabrielle Korn, a digital media expert, former editor at Refinery29 and former editor-in-chief of Nylon shares in her new memoir, personal essays relating to this very issue. Her story is an eye-opening, contemporary account of how damaging the fashion and beauty industries have been (and still can be) to women. Her writing is fresh and alive and pretty much blew me away. I hope you will read her book and find wisdom and courage in her words.
Kelly’s Top 10 Books Of 2020
Here are my Top 10 Books Of 2020 in random order! Whether I laughed out loud or was completely moved, each one of these books spoke to me in a unique way!
Guest Writer
Dear Book Friends,
If you are looking for love, you have come to the right place. Today’s Guest Writer is a retired Air Force police officer turned stay at home mom turned successful book lover/influencer. Bree Hill is the queen of romance reading! She is the creator of the very successful Bookstagram page, @falling4romance.
Guest Writer
Dear Book Lovers,
I am so very happy to introduce you to today’s Guest Writer. Sol Kelly lives in Houston, Texas. She is the creator of the gorgeous book blog, The Sol Reader, and the popular Bookstagram (Instagram for book lovers) page, @thesolreader. Sol is an absolute free-spirit who loves to travel and explore new bookstores while learning new cultures and languages along the way.
How To Save A Life
Dear Mr. Hemingway,
Every time I read a memoir I say to myself, “ Kelly…why don’t you do this more often?” I have always been fascinated by other people’s stories…Sometimes it’s me being nosey 🤣🤣, but mostly I enjoy reading about someone else’s journey and perspective on life. Memoirs to me ignite empathy and understanding.
Girls…Run The World
Dear Mr. Hemingway,
I am coming at you today Mr. H. with a whole lot of girl power. I hope all your “masculinity” can handle it 😂. I am talking about the fabulous Glennon Doyle and Jen Hatmaker! These two motivational ladies are the “QUEENS” of self love and all things good in the world. They know how to navigate the murky waters of religion and sexual identity. With empathy, they champion those who struggle.
Barley Tea Just For Me
Dear Mr. Hemingway,
Hello there and happy Tuesday! Today I am doing something different on the blog. I am sharing with you and all my readers a Q&A with author Nancy Jooyoun Kim about her debut novel, The Last Story of Mina Lee. I absolutely love reading about countries and cultures different from my own. It is a wonderful way to explore the world from the comfort of my own couch (perfect during a pandemic). In Kim’s book, Koreatown, Los Angeles and Korea are the backdrop, with family secrets taking center stage.
Paint Me Into Your Life
Dear Mr. Hemingway,
You once said, “Writing, at its best, is a lonely life”. Loneliness, oftentimes yields individual efforts that beg to be explored. I can only presume you know it well. This palpable feeling of loneliness exists on the pages of some of your finest writing. You touch upon this solitude in Cat in the Rain and The Old Man and the Sea. Moving forward now to 21st century writing, Luster, by Raven Leilani is a sharply written story that takes on this complex emotion and state of being with a modern flare. In her debut novel…
July Discussion Read
Hello Lovely Readers,
I hope everyone is having a wonderful start to their summer. Over here at Dear Mr. Hemingway, I am constantly developing new bookish ways we can all connect over our love of reading. This month, I am hosting a book discussion on an extraordinary memoir by Abdi Nor Iftin…Call me American.
Audio Books Worth Your Hours
Dear Mr. Hemingway,
I have written to you about my love of audio books before. In my days, they were actually referred to as “books on tape”. I still catch myself saying that from time to time…especially when my kids look at me like I am speaking a foreign language. Anyway, do you know how many times I have fallen asleep listening to your book, The Old Man and the Sea? Well, it feels like a thousand.
I Support You
Dear Readers,
It has been a horrible week in the United States. With so many people hurting, I would like to especially acknowledge all of my Black readers and followers. I will never understand the pain you are going through, but I support you. With that said, my heart is broken. This week I have been quietly reflecting and listening. I am taking time to sort through everything.
Guest Writer ~ Bianca Marais
Dear Book Lovers,
I am ecstatic today! One of my favorite authors is on the blog. Bianca Marais, author of Hum if You Don’t Know the Words and If You Want to Make God Laugh (G.P. Putnam’s Sons) is talking about a book she loves. I am not going to lie, her letter is stellar and truly holds Mr. H. accountable WITH A CAPITAL A!!!
Audio Books Worth Your Hours
Dear Mr. Hemingway,
I need to say something and I really hope you and everyone else hears this correctly. AUDIO BOOKS COUNT AS READING! I can’t believe that there are actual people in the world that believe this to be untrue. I am setting the record straight today. Listening to your books vs. reading a physical book comes down to modality. One uses visual, while the other uses auditory. That is it. Still reading!
The Best Books of 2019!!!
Dear Mr. Hemingway,
Can you believe that today is the last day of 2019? The last day of this DECADE???? This year has turned out some tremendous reads. Today I am sharing my top nine reads of 2019. Whether I was excited, crying, horrified, or genuinely scared, these nine books delivered the feels!!!!
I Believe In You
Dear Mr. Hemingway,
A book doesn’t need to be long to tell a full story. Sometimes the greatest things come in the smallest packages. I just recently read, Red At The Bone by Jacqueline Woodson. Woodson’s story revolves around a teen couple’s unplanned pregnancy and how it impacts three generations of their African American families. Don’t be fooled by the length of this book.
Post Summer Catch Up With Kelly
Dear Mr. Hemingway,
It has been weeks since my last letter to you. Time flies by when you are on vacation, spending time with friends and family, and reading wonderful books! Nevertheless, summer is over 😢😢 and fall is in the air 😁😁. Today, I thought it would be great to recap a bunch of books that I’ve read recently. Now is the time to get everyone’s fall TBR piles stacked and ready to go.
Jackson & Marais ~ Authors To Love
Dear Mr. Hemingway,
I have said it before and I will say it again…summer reading is simply the best. Let’s face it, time seems endless on a sweltering hot day. What makes this summer feel so exceptional is that all of the new release books are over the top marvelous. The authors are strong, their writing is spot on and the stories are unique. Today I am going to share two new books I just recently finished for this July that are completely disparate.
The Loved One
Dear Mr. Hemingway,
Oh boy, Mr. H. I had the pleasure of reading such a beautiful book. Not only did this story tug at my heartstrings, but it also introduced me to some loveable characters that have not left my side since I finished their story. Hum if You Don’t Know the Words by Bianca Marais tells the story of two strangers who come into each other’s lives during heartbreaking times.
Unconditional Love at its Finest!
Dear Mr. Hemingway,
Oh, how our lives are constantly filled with “what ifs”. You can make yourself crazy trying to answer that question, day in and day out about every little thing. However, there is much beauty in a question beginning with these two words. There is a certain mystery in it that will not only evoke interest but will create dialogue, debate, and overall awareness of a new or existing issue.