Your Next Favorite Read...

Contributed by: Kathleen Rumple, Hive Overland Park

As a former school teacher, reading is in my blood! While snow-birding this past winter I read about 25 books in 2 months. Some were fabulous reads and some, well... I'll just mention a few of my favorites. The majority of what I read is fiction, and I lean toward the mystery, suspense genre. However, I have tried to cover a variety of styles in my recommendations. I hope you find your next favorite read!

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Hello Beautiful - Ann Napolitano

A captivating family saga set in the late 70s through the early 2000s.This book examines the strength of families, especially sisterhood, forgiveness and love. William is a damaged young man and athlete who marries Julia, one of four sisters. The sisters, all with unique stories of their own, deal with life’s challenges, deceit, and redemption. This author incorporates a modern connection to the classic Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. This story pulls you in right from the beginning and is a roller coaster of emotions. Coming from a large family, I found the characters real and the family relationships relatable.

The Last Mrs. Parrish - Liv Constantine

A debut novel that is a Gone Girl-ish type story with lots of twists, suspense and a shocking ending. I usually don’t listen to audio books, but this is one was a great listen. I'm sure it would also be a captivating read. Just be ready to be hooked right from the start! The characters are so easy to dislike, but that is what makes you want to keep reading. The book is told from two different characters’ perspectives. The first half of the book is told from Amber’s point of view. She is a young woman that has her eyes set on a better, more luxurious life and has quite a plan on how to achieve that. The second half of the book is told from Daphne’s point of view. She does seem to have it all, yet she has plans of her own too! The moral of the story: Be careful what you wish for!

Mad Honey - Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan

I’m not sure I can do this book the justice it deserves in a short recommendation. This story is a very timely topic with so much depth: Love, heartbreak, loss, new beginnings, and secrets. While this story, at its simplest, is a courtroom trial and murder mystery, it is so much more. Two families find themselves in New Hampshire both starting over. Olivia, the mother of a teenage son, Asher, returns and takes over her father’s beekeeping business. Lily and her mother are also relocating to New Hampshire for Lily’s senior year in High School. I found the story of Lily to be very eye opening and thought provoking. Olivia’s bee keeping business is an important thread that winds through this story, and I found all the references and information related to that interesting and educational. Part of the story is told in reverse chronological order and that, along with the alternating courtroom storyline, makes for an intriguing read. This story really had me thinking and stayed with me long after reading.

Someone Else’s Shoes - Jojo Moyes

How can one pair of Christian Louboutin shoes impact so many lives? This is a fun story which centers around two women as their lives are falling apart. Sam literally finds herself in “someone else’s shoes” and this pair of Louboutin’s connects Nisha and Sam in some entertaining and complicated ways. You will find yourself cheering on these women as they find their inner strength, and along with support from their friends and a little luck, turn things around. A real story with humor, strong friendships and happy endings. If you haven’t read Jojo Moyes before, this would be a great one to start with!

What's next on your "can't wait to read" list?