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The Raw and The Cooked

Simple Meals + Honest Book Reviews + Practical Living

Five BOTM Books I’m Pumped to Read

Five BOTM's I'm Pumped to Read | by Dara Boxer at Peonies and Bees

OK, so you know how a few months ago I rounded up all the books from all over my house? And swore I wouldn’t checkout anymore library books, buy anymore books, or read anymore books until I got through said pile? Yeah, me too. I’ve been an active member of BOTM (Book of the Month) for over 18 months, however, I’ve been skipping my selections because of THE PILE. And then I got weak. I had five beautiful credits waiting for me, and I lost all self control. I ordered the five I had my eye on. And now here we are. 

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A Quick and Creepy Scandinavian Read

Quick and Creepy Scandinavian Read by Dara Boxer at Peonies and Bees
I recently finished How to Be a Good Wife by Emma Chapman. I purchased the book for like $4 at a holiday market last year and unfortunately it sat in my ‘to read eventually’ pile since December. I pulled it out on a whim two weeks ago, as it seemed quick and easy enough to get through — spoiler alert, it was! What I really liked about the book was how creepy and dark it was, I’ll get more into that below and why I think you should give this bargain-bin find a chance.
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Two Excellent Books to Read This Summer

Two Excellent Books to Read This Summer | | Book Review by Dara Boxer at Peonies and Bees

I recently finished The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah and Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult and my two-word takeaway for both: POWERFUL & MOVING.

Let’s be real, anything Hannah and Picoult write will be powerful & moving, but these two novels are really something special. I highly encourage you to add them to your summer list. 

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If You’re Looking for Your Next Murder Mystery Series… The Dublin Murder Squad by Tana French is it!

If You're Looking for Your Next Murder Mystery... Into the Woods by Tana French is it! | Book Review by Dara Boxer at Peonies and Bees
I first stumbled upon Tana French early last year when I read her sixth — and most recent — novel The Trespasser. Which was an excellent book, by the way! I really enjoyed French’s writing style and thought the twists at the end of the novel were very unpredictable and bone chilling. I had been meaning to pick up another one of her books for a while, but I’m so buried in other books that I simply didn’t have the chance. Anyway, at some point I landed a copy of In the Woods and was very, very impressed. And now, I want to binge read the entire Dublin Murder Squad series!
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OVERRATED READS | VOLUME NO. 10

Oh hey! Another round of ranting about books that I found annoyingly hyped up so you don’t waste your time. Though, I know no two people read the same book. But either way, I felt let down by all three of these books and here’s why…

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Book Club | How to Break Up with Your Phone by Catherine Price

How to Break Up with Your Phone by Catherine Price | Blog by Dara Boxer at Peonies and BeesHow to Break Up with Your Phone by Catherine Price is an excellent read that explores the unhealthy relationship *most* people have with their cellphones. How to Break Up with Your Phone is a super quick and easy read, broken up into two clever sections. The first part explores why we’ve become so addicted and the side effects of being constantly glued to our phones. The second part lays out a 30-Day Plan for you to follow — one step / task per day. The ultimate goal is to teach you how to have a better and healthier relationship with your phone. …

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