May Book Club

Dogs, Boys, and Other Things I've Cried About | May Book CluB

“Dogs, Boys and Other Things I’ve Cried About” by Isabel Klee

You all know how much I love my critters. So many of them have found their way to me, much like my children, when I wasn’t even thinking about adding to my brood. But when you happen upon a heart needing a nurturing home, what’r ya gonna do???

My May Book Club choice, Dogs, Boys, and Other Things I've Cried About is perfect for people like me. Though much of it I can relate to from my younger days, the unconditional love and healing one gets from their furry family members is ageless and timeless.

From the social media superstar behind @SimonSits, Isabel Klee—known for her heartwarming tales of dog rescue—comes an utterly winning memoir about a twenty-something woman’s search for true love in New York City and the dogs who helped her find it.

A Jersey girl by birth, Isabel Klee had always wanted to live in New York City. At age 20, she got her chance, ditching her college upstate and moving into a grungy basement apartment in Manhattan. Dog-obsessed since childhood, her first post-grad job was becoming an assistant to a dog photographer, and something clicked into place: a career focused on helping dogs was the new dream.

Dogs, Boys, and Other Things I've Cried About

Isabel quickly found a passion for rehabilitating rescue dogs and helping them get adopted. At the same time, she was caught up in a whirlwind of friendships, parties, fickle boyfriends and grand romances, which she recounts in honest, tender, and sometimes devastating chapters about the search for love and belonging.

Isabel’s first true love, though, was Simon, a fluffy puppy who’d been saved from the meat trade. As the highs and lows of her twenties hit Isabel in wave after wave, it was Simon who kept her grounded. Together, Isabel and Simon created a community of dog-lovers and a tight-knit group of friends pursuing their dreams.

In this honest and moving memoir, Isabel weaves together the stories of her foster dogs—and the challenges she helped them overcome—with tales of complicated relationships, hard decisions, and great loves in New York City, all leading to a happy ending not only for the rescue pups, but for Isabel herself.

Order your copy of Dogs, Boys, and Other Things I’ve Cried About

Highcliffe House | May Book Club

I only had to glance at the cover of “Highcliffe House”, by Megan Walker, to know I wanted to lose myself between its pages.

When you see the beseechingly moody scene of a women dressed in a Regency era long skirt and bonnet, gazing up from the beach toward a formidable stone house… I know you’ll feel drawn to it as well, that’s why I chose it for my May Book Club recommendation.

It’s a Proper Romance too, so while it tells a sweet, charming story full of splendid detail, historical references, and witty repartee, it skips all the stuff that might make you uncomfortable if your young daughter were to pick it up and flip through.

“When a romantic entanglement leaves her humiliated and reeling, Anna Lane wants nothing more than for her father to whisk her away from the gossip of the ton. Unfortunately, he has obligations elsewhere, leaving her stuck in London.

Graham Everett’s financial security depends on an investment with Mr. Lane, his long-time fried and business partner. He’ll do just about anything to secure it for his family, even if it means fighting spiled, embittered Anna for her father’s attention.

Lucking, Mr. Lane concocts a plan that will give everyone what they want, with one stipulation; Anna must accompany Graham to Brighton in her father’s stead and make a decision to invest—or not—based on a thorough report.

But it will take more than a day at the beach for these two headstrong hearts to admit that they’ve been wrong about each other. If they are willing to invest a little time working out their differences, they might have a chance at real love.”

Mom’s would love to receive this on their Mother’s Day breakfast tray along with lovingly prepared french toast, orange juice, hot tea and fresh flowers.

When the last bite’s been eaten, tidy up the tray and leave her to her book and tea for a while, she deserves it.


You're Going To Make It | May Book Club

YOUR’E GOING TO MAKE IT

Ohhhh life! Such a beautiful, bizarre, complicated, thrilling, confusing jumble of glorious existence! While I’m firmly committed to the belief that we must choose positivity and create our own happiness, that doesn’t mean it’s easy. Throw in some profound loss and times of inevitable loneliness, things can get downright murky!

We need tools, and skills, and intentional practices to help us maintain balance and perspective - and JOY!

I’ve found something to help us all, and have made it my May Book Club choice:

“You’re Going To Make It; 50 Morning and Evening Devotions to Unrush Your Mind, Uncomplicate Your Heart, and Experience Healing Today”, by New York Times #1 bestselling author, Lysa TerKeurst.

In her newest devotional Lysa TerKeurst helps us stay connected to God and continue loving others even in the middle of discouraging, disappointing, or even devastating circumstances.

It’s a GORGEOUS hardbound book created with all the little details that make my heart trill when I hold it in my hands; beautiful gold lettering, a satin ribbon marker, stunning graphics and serene photography.

Each of the 50 daily devotionals provide grounded and faith-based insight and comforting reassurance to reflect back on throughout the day.

Each evening a “statement to remember” is provided, along with a space reserved for the reader to make a notation of “Something to release back to God from today.”

This devotional is such a gift from Lysa and will be accepted with gratitude to whomever you decide to share it with. Start with yourself.

Spring is the time for new beginnings and if you were wondering how you might get started, here’s your answer.

Find a lovely note from Lysa, more information about the devotional, and purchase information here:

YOU’RE GOING TO MAKE IT