Tag Archives: books

Recommending Your Next Read [Based on Overly Specific Genres] Pt. 1

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Welcome back to Finding Delight! I’m here today to give you some options for your next read. I put together a collection of some of the most popular overly specific book genres. Then, I scoured my shelves and the internet to find the perfect books that fit these categories. (If you don’t see a good fit here – do leave a common below with an overly specific book genre you love and I’ll be sure to reply with some choices!)

So, let’s get right into it…

Book set in a creepy house…

My pick: The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware

Others to check out: 

Crooked House by Agatha Christie

The Good House by Tananarive Due

The 7 ½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton

Magical realism in the American south…

My pick: Sing Unburied Sing by Jesmyn Ward

Others to check out: 

The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead

Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris

Southern Mystical Moments by Patricia H. Graham 

A book that follows a family through different periods of life…

My pick: The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver 

Others to check out…

Pachinko by Min Jin Lee

The Dutch House by Ann Patchett

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

Science Fiction featuring characters you can fall in love with…

My pick: The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell

Others to check out…

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle

Kindred by Octavia Butler

Historical Fiction about a female artist…

My pick: The Painter From Shanghai by Jennifer Cody Epstein

Others to check out…

Rodin’s Lover by Heather Webb

Clara and Mr. Tiffany by Susan Vreeland

Isadora by Amelia Gray

A book to help you feel happy…

My pick: The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin

Others to check out…

The Happiness Equation by Neil Pasricha

The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor

You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero

Teens battling it out in a dark game (similar to The Hunger Games)…

My pick: Wolf by Wolf by Ryan Graudin

Others to check out: 

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

The Final Six by Alexandra Monir

Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan

Thriller that tackles social issues…

My pick: When No One is Watching by Alyssa Cole

Others to check out:

The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins

Stillhouse Lake by Rachel Caine

Bluebird, Bluebird by Attica Locke

A Science Fiction with a spreading sickness…

My pick: Blindness by Jose Saramago

Others to check out:

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

The Book of M by Peng Shepherd

Severance by Ling Ma

Book set in the circus…

My pick: Water for Elephants by Sarah Gruen

Others to check out: 

Death of a Circus by Chadra Pasad

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Pantomime by Laura Lam

So there you have it! I hope you found an absolutely perfect book for your next read! If any of these overly specific genres are your fave, do leave me a comment below and let me know if you think these suggestions might work for you.

For more bookish content, make sure you’re following me on Instagram HERE.

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For Your Enjoyment

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What are the things you do purely for your own enjoyment? Not the things you are supposed to do, or should, but things you do just because you can?

Here are a few of mine — 

1. Reading fiction

I’m currently reading The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant.

2. Taking walks in my neighborhood

I walk to the library to pick up and return books. I walk whenever I’m on the phone. I walk when I want to listen to podcasts or music or my thoughts.

3. Doing face masks

Do you have a favorite I should check out? Always looking for new ones to try!

4. Photographing my cat

My camera roll is literally 98% pictures of Wink. (Only a fraction end up on Instagram.)

5. Watching YouTube videos

Here are a few channels I’ve written about (and still love!): Latasha James, Kara and Nate, and SuperHolly.

Share yours below! xoxo

P.S. If listening to podcasts is something you do for enjoyment, I’d love if you’d check out mine! RIGHT THIS WAY. 🙂

mid-week round-up

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What are you up to this Wednesday? News about the royal baby (ARCHIE!!!) has definitely kept me good and distracted this morning, lol. Anyone else? So happy for Harry and Meghan…and for me, because I love those crazy royals! Haha. But now I’ve gotta snap out of it, buckle down, and get some dang work done! We’re off to Kentucky at week’s end. Hope your middle of the week is proving more productive than mine, but to distract you…

6 surprising things about the royal baby.

[Related: Purebred corgis or NOTHING.]

The magic of estate sales.

Why the world’s best mathematicians are hoarding chalk.

The snake-charming life and tragic death of Grace Olive Wiley.

Menstrual products in the Science Museum’s collection.

How a ‘Brady Bunch’ episode on measles is fueling campaigns against vaccines.

Springtime means I’m brainstorming ways to decorate the great outdoors!

[Related: A Rustic, Boho-Inspired Balcony]

Why women candidates are ruled unelectable so quickly.

Feeling called to purchase some warm weather jammies.

Mike Rosmann left seminary to become a clinical psychologist for farmers.

How to read more books in the golden age of content.

The ‘Baby Dolls’ of New Orleans.

P.S. A few Finding Delight posts you may have missed — Our Favorite Music Festival and For the Love of BOOKS!

mid-week round-up

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Got any fun plans this week? We’ve been on a massive campaign to upgrade our overall sleeping situation, and our new mattress arrives tomorrow! It will hopefully prove life changing. Just a few more items to check off the list before we’re at sleep-baller status. ; ) Hope you have a great rest of your day, and here’s what I found interesting on the internet this week…

This 50-year old book club is #goals. (H/t Adam!)

A table runner perfect for the new season.

The must-read books of Spring 2019.

A website to help you stay away from sad dog plots.

We’ve learned nothing from Election 2016.

Itching to add this scrapbook paper to my collection.

[Related: My Pocket Letter Box]

Abigail Disney has more money than she’ll ever spend.

Obsessed with this house tour of a 1920s-era bungalow!

How Northern Ireland’s doctors and nurses coped with the Troubles.

Kamala Harris says a woman running mate would be “fabulous.”

[Related: Book Club: The Truths We Hold Pt. 1]

A button to let others know you’re grieving.

I’ve been in the mood to read a good thriller.

P.S. A few Finding Delight posts you may have missed — 4 Creepy Movies and Grief, Facebook and Ambient Awareness.

If you enjoy my blog content, please consider supporting what I do (and keeping me caffeinated). Thank you! xoxo ☕

mid-week round-up

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What are you up to this week? I returned home from a whirlwind trip to Indianapolis late Monday night. My friend, Katie, spoiled me with delicious meals (and wine pairings!) and hours of gossip. We also went to the My Favorite Murder live show on Sunday night which was of course hysterical. Hope everyone has a fabulous Wednesday, and here are some internet goodies I’ve enjoyed recently…

I’ve got my eye on a pair of these sandals.

Who was the lady with the alligator purse?

Half-male, half-female cardinal spotted.

Swiss cyclist Nicole Hanselmann’s face in this post is EVERYTHING.

“Some daddies can take better care of their babies than others because some daddies aren’t poor and some are. ”

Ten podcasts for freelance creatives.

Since her debut in 1959, Barbie has survived critique, censure, competition, and the advent of social media.

How one woman got her grocery budget under control.

The life-changing magic of the $15 minimum wage.

When your underwire bra is more dangerous than a bullet. Yikes!

Interchangeable ingredients list.

Has anyone read this series? (Kinda intrigued but kinda scared to commit to 13 books, lol.)

P.S. A few Finding Delight posts you may have missed — A round-up of resources on cycle syncing and 5 YouTube Meal Preps.

If you enjoy my blog content, please consider supporting what I do (and keeping me caffeinated). Thank you! xoxo ☕

mid-week round-up

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What are you up to this week? Yesterday was Mardi Gras and I celebrated with a plate of blueberry pancakes for breakfast and an evening out at our local parade. Even though by the end of the festivities I couldn’t feel my fingers or toes (BRR!), it was the sweetest small town event and I’m so happy we decided to take part. Did you do anything to mark the day? Hope the rest of your work week flies by, and now take a look at the links…

The race to build the world’s best bourbon barrel.

[Related: Take your hot toddy up a notch.]

Teen tells senate why he defied his mom to get vaccinated.

An added bonus to buying books used.

Thinking of picking up this hairbrush. (Thanks to a reader recommendation on this post.)

Could small doses of hallucinogenic drugs have therapeutic benefits?

At the crossroads of comfort tv and comfort food.

[Related: My Comfort Movies]

How DARLING is this pillow?

Alex Honnold breaks down iconic rock climbing scenes.

A study suggests that exposure to large home libraries may have a long-term impact on the mind.

The differences between Britney and Kim K’s houses.

[Related: Britney! Come back to Instagram. I miss you so much!]

Street style from Paris Fashion Week.

Sounds about right.

P.S. A few Finding Delight posts you may have missed — In Search of the Comfiest Bra and The Celebrity Instagram Accounts You Should Totally Follow.

If you enjoy my blog content, please consider supporting what I do (and keeping me caffeinated). Thank you! xoxo ☕

mid-week round-up

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What are you up to this Wednesday? Is it feeling like a classic “hump day” to you too? (Certainly not helping anything that it’s storming where I am!) Oh weekend, where ARE you already? Anywho, hope the rest of your week flies by, and in case you feel like sneaking in some cheeky reading when you *should* be working…I got ya covered…

Ido Portal teaches famous athletes how to use their bodies in entirely new ways. But is it all snake oil?

Here’s what it looks like when you write a book as if it’s a TV show.

Related: Binge-Worthy TV Shows

17 real-life would-you-rathers.

On repeat. (Also, very into the choreography in the video.)

Peace, love and photo editing. Get your pics groovin’ in no time with PicMonkey.

How people in 50 different countries find their zen.

Related: The Power of Self-Care

This soap is freaking adorable!

These planners are the hit if you’re headed back to school soon.

Related: A fun planner hack!

This story made my jaw drop…

…then I listened to this podcast, which told a similar tale, and was like WHAT THE WHAT?

Why must we force female superheroes to wear terrible red wigs?

Page-turner alert!

P.S. A few Finding Delight posts you may have missed — Coffee Date! and What’s Your Favorite Podcast?

mid-week round-up

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What are you up to this week? We are making some serious progress on packing up the apartment as we prepare for our impending move to Alabama. Hoping that we can get far enough ahead that we’ll have time for a beach trip next week. Gotta soak in those ocean view’s while it is still in our “backyard,” ya know? We also gained a new little niece at the end of last week and are waiting on a nephew to make an appearance some time soon, too. Ahhh, so many sweet babies bein’ born! Hope all is well in your neck of the woods, and here are some thing’s to entertain ya…

Foods to boost your mood when you’re feeling low.

Ummm…is this shoe for real???

An oral history of a water-park in rural New Jersey.

A great way to start building up your wine collection.

Check out this 1950’s gas station that was converted into a home.

Why do books have dust jackets?

An American woman quits smiling.

In the midst of a national crisis, mothers addicted to drugs struggle to get off them — for their babies’ sake, and their own.

Leesa Cross-Smith’s debut novel sounds right up my alley.

Homeless Warrior’s fans live in the shadow of team’s headquarters.

The reasons why food tastes better in a bowl than on a plate.

A sweet little breakfast nook makeover on a budget.

P.S. A few Finding Delight posts you may have missed — My Three Favorite Make-Ahead Breakfast Recipes and An Easter Adventure in the Bluegrass.

mid-week round-up

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As I mentioned in my post yesterday, we ended up spending last week at home instead of in Louisiana. Boo! However, I did manage to get in some solid beach-time, do a little retail therapy, and devour the book Big Little Lies. (Have you watched the HBO adaptation yet? So good!!!) I’ve also been a busy little craftin’ bee! I made a few wreaths for a friend’s upcoming wedding, along with some Easter decor for the apartment. So I guess our cancelled trip wasn’t a total wash! What have y’all been up to? I hope you have a wonderful Wednesday, and here are some links for you to enjoy today (or bookmark for later)…

Equal pay is widely understood to be a feminist issue. So why isn’t the Fight for $15?

Related: The 78 Cents Project is a pro-bono resume consultancy
aimed at eradicating the gender wage gap.

The Pope Francis Laundry for homeless opens at the Vatican.

Stories from the almshouse records — women’s lives in in 1790’s NYC.

Stickers for every season. #obsessed

The place of food security in the battle over healthcare.

Budget freezer meals for the slow-cooker and oven!

Solid April line-up from Book of the Month.

Face massages are like pilates for your cheeks. (I’ve gotta start doing this! I feel like I carry a lot of tension in my face. Is that a thing?)

Related: How to make a baking soda face mask.

17 Spring looks with 12 clothing items you probably already have in your closet.

9 podcast episodes worth discussing.

Related: 8 podcasts to check out on your next road trip.

Curfews, sports, and understanding kids’ brain chemistry have all helped dramatically curb substance abuse in Iceland.

P.S. 2 Finding Delight posts you may have missed — 6 True-Crime Documentaries for Your Inner Detective and For the love of DOWNTON!

mid-week round-up

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closeup on flowers

What are you up to this week? My very favorite guilty pleasure, MTV’s The Challenge, started up again with a new season! I don’t have cable but I’m super stoked to watch it online today. I’m probably the last person in the world of my advanced age who still watches this show. (BUT I WILL NOT APOLOGIZE!) This weekend we have plans to check out a new brunch spot and maybe take the drone out for a flight. Hope you have a great day, and here’s some reading material…

I’ll be making these chocolate crescent rolls as soon as humanly possible. (Although I may cheat and use this.)

A checklist for staying in vs. going out on Valentine’s Day.

Would you wear navy pants with tiny dinosaurs on them?

A young Wikipedia editor withstood a decade of online abuse. Now she’s fighting back. “When people get forced off the web, their voices disappear from the internet’s public squares. The ideas and memes that dominate skew even further toward a white male perspective. The web becomes less interesting, less representative, less valuable. We all lose.“

A shortage of incubators and a hunch about marsupials inspired a Colombian doctor to try something radical to save premature babies’ lives.

Mysteriously, a large number of Americans believe that the inventor of the cotton gin, Eli Whitney, was black. (Could this be an example of the Mandela effect?)

Mystery of deadly outbreaks in India is solved.

The real Bowling Green Massacre wasn’t even in Kentucky.

I can’t get over how cute these classroom valentines are. Which would you choose?

Modern Etiquette: Handling difficult conversations online.

What is Steve Bannon reading?
“Mr. Bannon was carrying a book, and when an incoming president’s guru is reading a book, you should find out what it is. I walked by and peeked. It was “The Best and the Brightest,” David Halberstam’s 1972 history of the strategic errors and human foibles that birthed the disastrous American involvement in the Vietnam War. It begins with John F. Kennedy’s transition to the White House, in December 1960. Now I really knew it was him.”

How to avoid being psychologically destroyed by your newsfeed.

P.S. A few Finding Delight posts you may have missed — 6 Ways to Find More Free Time and Reading Nostalgia.