With the exception of one seventy-five degree weekend, we’ve been having an unusually rainy February in Orange County. Although I moved from Oregon to California to escape the rain, I do love any excuse to get cozy! I’ve been living in this cable knit sweater all winter long and throwing on a pair of jeans and Hunter Boots with it when I go out, then pairing it with these leggings and my favorite slippers when I’m home.
My cottage on Balboa Island is an old historic house that reminds me of the house Frances Mayes moves into in Under the Tuscan Sun (only much, much smaller)! I rented it, just like Frances, because I got all sorts of signs that it was the spot I temporarily needed to put roots down. Like Frances’ villa the walls are so thin that when it rains it sounds like it’s pouring inside and some nights the wind is so strong I can’t sleep because all the loosely-thatched windows won’t stop blowing open.
On nights like this I usually head downstairs and sit by the fire with all the candles lit and curl up with a good book, or pull out my laptop to write.
Earlier this month, on a rainy day, I read Love and Other Words in one sitting. I ADORED this feel-good story that reminded me in many ways of Waiting at Hayden’s. Many of you have reached out after reading my book and asked what else I’d recommend that’s similar. This love story is currently at the top of my list!
I also recently finished several other books by Christina Lauren, a prolific writing duo. My other favorite of theirs was My Favorite Half-Night Stand. I’ve just started 99 Percent Mine and am excited to check out Love Rehab: A Novel in 12 Steps. And while I don’t typically gravitate towards short stories, I am always rereading the love stories in JoJo Moyes’ collection: Paris For One.
In addition to love stories, I really enjoy reading psychological thrillers! Though I could never write one (there’s no way I could kill off a character & spending that much time in the mind of a character who’s a bit crazy might end up killing me!) I do easily get hooked by these page-turners. I’m in the middle of No Exit by Taylor Adams and would recommend it so far, and The Woman Inside is next on my list. The description reminds me a bit of Gone Girl, which is one of my all-time favorite books.
What are you currently reading?! I’d love to hear! And check out more of my favorite clothes to curl up in for all your rainy day reads below! (Photos and vision by my FAVORITE Newport Beach photographer: Ketara Alani.)
Cableknit Sweaters (another new one here!)
Soft Sweatpants
Blankets to Curl Up In
Slippers
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