Sarah Sabin

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘓𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘈𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘺 by Hester Browne Melissa's place of work is bought out by an American real estate company. Eager to find another job, she's tricked into interviewing for an escort agency, then has the idea to help needy men all around London sort out their lives from satisfying pushy parents by acting the part of a girlfriend to helping kick bad habits all under the name (and wig) of Honey. The problem? Things get a little tricky when she falls for one of her clients. I found this book at a closeout sale for a bookshop nearly a decade ago. When I read it the first time, I decided it was my favorite book ever. Of course back then, I hadn't read nearly as many books as I have now. BUT I still loved this book. I wasn't sure my adult self would agree with my inner teenager, but I wanted to try! I listened to it on audio (thanks for sharing a credit, Mom!) and finally found a physical copy at the local thrift shop for $1. This story is incredibly fun, quirky, and even endearing at times. I loved the characters, the setting, the plot, everything. I laughed out loud many times, and found myself smiling for much of it. If you're a fan of Sophie Kinsella and looking for a feel-good romcom, 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘓𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘈𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘺 is a great backlist choice. Have you read this one? Have you even heard of it? Disclaimer: This book is not in print in the United States anymore, except for the hardcover in limited quantities. You can find a physical copy on used book websites or the UK edition on Book Depository! It's also available on audio and Kindle.

My favorite season is officially here, and I'm stacking up some reads I hope to make it through this season from mysteries to suspense to thrillers to feel good stories with orange and red spines. What's one book you're excited to read this season? I've had 𝘈𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘦 𝘗𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘪 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘯 𝘓𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 on my shelf for well over a year, so it's time 📚🍁

Autumn is coming & it starts tomorrow 🍁 How are you getting ready? Are you putting together a TBR full of mysteries and thrillers? Stocking up on pumpkin spice creamer? Collecting fall-themed mugs? Switching out some decor? I know I am! Fall is just such a cozy season for me. I'm so looking forward to curling up with a blanket and a good mystery this season.

We spent a little bit of our day browsing a couple bookstores around Salt Lake City. & of course I treated myself to a few finds: some historical fiction, mysteries (hello, fall), and romance. Since our local libraries are only open to pick up holds, it was nice to be surrounded by and be able to peruse the shelves housing lots of clearly loved literary gems again. There's just something about used books that makes my heart happy. What was the last used book you purchased or borrowed?

TREAT YOUR S(H)ELF: Tell me something you've done for you this week. Maybe you bought a new book? Sipped on a hot cup of tea? Tried out a new hobby? I have done all those things, and I also treated myself to a couple new pairs of jeans in an effort to tell my brain that I can be proud of what I see in the mirror right now instead of "when I lose x amount of pounds." Taking care of ourselves doesn't always have to cost money. In fact, some of the very best acts of self-care are absolutely free like... • Dancing around to your favorite spotify playlist. • Taking a short nap. • Going for a walk, especially as we ease into autumn. • Checking out and reading a book from the library and snuggling into your favorite reading spot. • Painting your nails and/or massaging your feet. The list goes on and on... Self-care is SUUUUUPER important & I will shout is from the rooftops as often as I can because you and I and all of us need to recognize that we deserve it.

I am so excited to announce that I have been selected as an ambassador for @the.book.drop this upcoming fall season! I joined The Book Drop a few months ago when they made it clear they would curate their various subscriptions with the importance of diversity in mind. They cleared their entire lineup to make room for more voices (and great ones too). Swipe to see last month's Books for Bubbly selection --> What drew me to The Book Drop was also the versatility of their subscriptions. They have something for every reader ranging from romance to historical fiction to thrillers to YA lit to even picture books. Each package comes with a unique bookmark created by an independent artist. They're so cute! They also come with a flyer highlighting new releases for the month, and sometimes the packages even include a letter from the author. & it's all wrapped up in pretty, eco-friendly packaging nestled in your mailbox every month. Subscriptions begin at $16.99 + shipping, but you can save more by signing up for a 3, 6, or 12 month subscription and use my coupon code MAMASREADING to save 25% off your first month when you do! If you're looking for a new subscription to try, The Book Drop is a fabulous choice 💕

Are you a daytime or nighttime reader? Or maybe both? I find reading during the day has become increasingly more difficult with two toddlers (ironically it was a simpler time with a newborn and one year old....). Gone are the days of all-day reading! I'm excited to pick up a book again when the kids go down for nap and then bed. That is, if I can put down my phone. I think a lot of us can relate to that. I'm going to try to limit my phone use and try to physically distance myself from it periodically by putting it away. Maybe in my bedroom while I'm out with the kids so I can be more present. What are your plans or intentions this week?

Happy Sunday! How are you spending the day? I decided to try out embroidery over the weekend, so I headed over to Etsy and found this pumpkin pattern by the @koddi.store. This was my first piece, and while it's definitely not perfect, it was super relaxing and fun to learn something new while I listened to a good chunk of 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘓𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘈𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘺 on audio. I'm excited to find more patterns! Now I'm going to relax my hands for a bit, and later really dive into 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘞𝘢𝘳, which I started last night by reading the first fifteen pages for #histficbookclub. This concept is so interesting with this WWI love story being told by Aphrodite--yep, the goddess. I hope y'all enjoy your day 💕

I stayed up pretty late (or early...take your pick) finishing 𝘖𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘞𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩 by Kate-Stayman London. Spoiler alert: I loved it. Bea Schumacher is a plus-size fashion blogger who is summoned to be the next MAIN SQUEEZE following her drunken, written tirade about the lack of body diversity on the show. This book is everything I feel about a certain franchise. It's super cheesy. I hated all the suitors until the last few, and whew those twists were TRULY unbelievable and shocking (Chris Harrison, take note). Most of all, I loved the strength and the vulnerability of Bea. She stood her ground, and allowed herself the ability to feel beautiful in her skin because she had every right. This story was very hard to read at times as it's written in various formats, from emails and podcasts to social media threads. I've seen lots of comments like the ones in this book from the fat-shaming trolls we meet on the internet. It's a very sad reality. Even though I'm already married, I was four sizes smaller than I am now, and it's a constant fear that my husband wouldn't love me because of my size. Just like Bea and because of this culture we've cultivated in which women believe we have to look a certain way to be worthy, we find ourselves thinking this same thing: who could love...this? But it's out there. Maybe it's right in front of you. No matter your jean size or the number on the scale, you are deserving and capable of love from others and even yourself. 𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦 infidelity/cheating, online bullying, fat shaming

What are you living for? It's World Suicide Prevention Day, and @shelfmadewoman and I, both suicide loss survivors, want to raise awareness by sharing books that have made us feel seen, validated, understood, and just all around happy or grateful to have read them. Because all of these things are crucial to prevention. #booksworthlivingfor 𝘉𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘰𝘸𝘯 is a rather heavy, triggering book, but I felt able to identify with the characters as they dealt with grief and trauma. It was cathartic to be angry and hurt with them, to root for them to find a way to heal from all the challenges and betrayals they experienced individually and as a community. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘍𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘦 is such a warm read, and it reminds me of the unorthodox way my husband and I met, although through letters rather than Post-its like these characters. It means even more to me because my good friend @all.that.ali.reads sent it to me when I moved to Utah. She also lost her brother to suicide. 𝘞𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘔𝘦𝘵 is a cute read, but it also talks about grief a lot, particularly the loss of a brother and just how hard it is to move forward and start living for you. While the way grief is handled isn't perfect, it was still helpful. 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦 & 𝘎𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘰 also brought me a lot of joy while reading, taking me on an Italian journey of hope and healing through its pages. While Lina lost her mom, this book shares so many truths about grief I have felt myself. 𝘌𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘳 𝘖𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘍𝘪𝘯𝘦 is the first book I read after Christian died that tackled mental health and suicidal ideation in the most meaningful way (for me). Although my trauma and Eleanor's were entirely different, there is something to be said for the effect it has on our lives, and that it absolutely can be managed, and we can find happiness. Not pictured: 𝘌𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 was vital in my decision to go back to school. I didn't even realize I had the desire to pursue education any further than my associates after becoming pregnant twice in just one year while I was still going to school. This book was an inspiration. Continued in comments (because y'all know I can write forever)

HEY YOU! Read this 👇🏼 Tomorrow, September 10th, is World Suicide Prevention Day. Kati and I both know it's a hard-hitting, uncomfortable, dark subject. But it's worth it to talk about it so we don't have to go through it, because we can both, as can many others in the Bookstagram community, attest that the latter is much, much worse. We can offset the anxiety of raising awareness by spreading positivity, particularly those things that have brought us joy. In this case, books! Join @shelfmadewoman and me tomorrow in posting stacks of books that have made you feel seen, understood, validated, comforted, helped you see life has so much to offer. & if you can't think of anything? Think of books that have brought you joy, that have made you smile, that have just all around made you feel so grateful to have read such a wonderful story, that made the journey worth it. This challenge is in conjunction with @twloha WSPD campaign. When you post your stacks, use #BooksWorthLivingFor and #WorthLivingFor so we can spread the message far and wide encouraging people to seek out things that make life worth living. Are you in? Let's light up Bookstagram 💕 PS. There's still a •worldwide raffle• going on! Donate any amount to our Books Worth Living For campaign (link in bio) and you'll be entered to win a book of your choice (up to $25). Don't forget to leave your IG handle in the comment box or send me a message!

This weekend off social media was MUCH needed. I spent time with my family, developing new routines, creating memories all without a phone in my hand (note: I didn't even take pictures for Insta). Although my mind was still whirling with worry--albeit more slowly--from current events and personal challenges, I was able to finish 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦 & 𝘓𝘶𝘤𝘬, and today I plan to start 𝘖𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘞𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩 for the #readwithnatasha discussion. Can I finish by the 12th? We'll see. What are you currently reading? Or drinking? I discovered a love for chai tea over the weekend and my, oh my it's delicious and perfect for this cold front that came through today ☕

Between the pandemic and politics, I have been sucked into Instagram posts, articles, and watching news segments more than I have been reading. There's this ball of anxiety sitting on chest, falling into my stomach, restricting my ability to just put my phone down and place my focus on something happy for even just thirty full minutes. It's hard. It's so friggin' hard. My heart is simultaneously racing and breaking all. the. time. So this weekend, I'm putting my phone down and forgoing social media all together. I'm going to be present, live in the moment with Corey and the littles, and try to put my worries and heartbreak about the condition of our world behind me for a few days. Maybe then this anxious weight will lift even just a little bit. If you're feeling like me and are in desperate need of a mental detox, find a way to put your phone down, and find something that brings you joy. Remember self-care isn't self-ish. What are you doing to care for yourself this weekend? Much love to all of you & happy Friday 💕

What's one book you hope to pick up this month? I learned a long time ago that I shouldn't pick too many books to try to read in a single month because they likely won't be touched anyways. So here I am with four books I hope to at the very least start reading before the month is over--especially because two of them are buddy reads! I've already read a little bit of both 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦 & 𝘓𝘶𝘤𝘬 (one-third) and 𝘔𝘢𝘫𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘺 (thirty pages). I can definitely see myself and my brothers during my teen years in the way Addie and Ian bicker, which is super relatable, and I am not looking forward to that being my reality once again in ten to twelve years... ...and I am most definitely yearning to find out how things play out in the House of Washington. 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘞𝘢𝘳 is my very first #histficbookclub pick, and I am so excited to dive in with everyone joining me this month. 𝘖𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘞𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩 is a #buddyreadwithnatasha pick & I have heard so many good things! (is anybody else anxiously waiting for The Bachelor franchise to start airing their shows again?) Reading with a group is one of my favorite things. Remember as you read (or don't read) this month: It's not a competition. Read for joy. Read for YOU. Take breaks when you need them, and don't get down on yourself for it. See my previous post for more on that. Happy September reading!

𝘙𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘰𝘯𝘦 by Jacqueline Woodson is a multi-generational story about a Black family coming to terms with a teen pregnancy and how their lives are changed forever. Just as the title suggests, this book is absolutely raw. Coming in at just 197 short pages, it really packs a punch. We see the perspectives of Melody, the product of Iris and Aubrey's relationship, her parents, and grandparents. The pace is very quick moving, although the timeline is nonlinear, so there were times I couldn't quite figure out who was speaking until a few pages into a new chapter. 𝘙𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘰𝘯𝘦 explores sexual and existential identity, loss, familial relationships, and the changes that come with school age pregnancy especially concerning education and what parenthood looks like for someone like Iris--the judgments, the shame, the labels. I highly recommend it. It was my first Jacqueline Woodson book, and I will certainly be going back for more. Have you read 𝘙𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘰𝘯𝘦? Is it on your radar?