Cowgirl Novels - Don't Laugh! - I Promise They're Epic

Ok, laugh. But then read them!

I've been in a cowgirl novel phase for a bit. Two years might be considered a bit, right? I've read oodles of them and plenty are total rubbish and a waste of your time. On the bright side, I feel terribly confident in recommending these, not-rubbish cowgirl novels. In absolute fact, due to the strong female leads, these books are all inspirational, and relatable, as well as very exciting adventure stories. Who doesn't love adventure? Who wouldn't want to jump into this google-discovered cowgirl painting blatantly stolen from the internet and pasted to the right of this paragraph? Look at that sky!

Therefore, at the risk of most people judging my taste (don't!), I give these three books five stars, each!
 

Under A Painted Sky by Stacey Lee

The story of Samantha, a Chinese girl in 1849's Missouri, who meets hard times (understatement), and must flee for her life. With the help of Annamae, a runaway slave, they disguise themselves as cowboys and set off down the Oregon Trail, making all kinds of friends and enemies along the way. While reading you will laugh aloud, feel incredibly sorry for them, want to live and die with them, and love them. Just remember to sleep. I read this book all day and all night, absolutely devouring it, and was subsequently devastated when it concluded. 
 
Quote: “I don’t understand the constant need to prove one’s manhood, as if it is always on the verge of slipping away. We never need to prove our womanhood.”  

Petticoat Ranch by Mary Connealy 

Sophie Edwards has four children and no husband, in the 1800's Texas. She is strong but female and her children are smart but little girls. Some challenges, some rough spots requiring ingenuity, and plenty of laughs later, the ending is triumphant. It's a light hearted fun filled adventure story of girl-takes-charge-messes-it-up-and-needs-a-man-and-then-gets-one-but-woah-does-her-dead-husband-have-a-twin-this-guy-looks-awfully-familiar-we-better-get-married-good-thing-we-discreetly-fell-in-love-already. In short, I loved it, inhaled it and then read everything else written by this author (no exaggeration).

Disclaimer: there are one too many King James references to be entirely universally appealing, but it's oh so clean, doesn't that make up for it?

Quote: “I don't reckon men are supposed to think," Sally said philosophically, as the pile of hemp rope grew at her feet. "That's why God gave 'em big muscles.”

My Antonia by Willa Cather

Antonia - can she be called a cowgirl? Well, she lived in the prairie, ran a farm, cared for her family through near starvation, loss of her father, and, oh yea, taught herself English. Strong female lead found here, lets call her a cowgirl, the free spirited, intensely hard working, utterly inspirational kind. Also the story about the Russian wolves, wow. Not to be overlooked or under mentioned are the depictions of Nebraska prairie; oh, Willa, your writing is why I checked Frontier flight prices to Omaha earlier today. (Not quite cheap enough, but there is a good deal going on right now!)

Quote: “That is happiness; to be dissolved into something complete and great. When it comes to one, it comes as naturally as sleep.”

Non-Fiction That Is Non-Boring

Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything by Steven D. Levitt, Stephen J. Dubner

Which is more dangerous, a gun or a swimming pool? What do schoolteachers and sumo wrestlers have in common? Why do drug dealers still live with their moms? How much do parents really matter? How did the legalization of abortion affect the rate of violent crime?

These may not sound like typical questions for an economist to ask. But Steven D. Levitt is not a typical economi In Freakonomics, explore the secrets of everything. The inner workings of a gang. The truth about real-estate agents. The myths of campaign finance. The telltale marks of a cheating schoolteacher. The secrets of the Klu Klux Klan. This books takes many long-standing and seemingly obvious common knowledge beliefs, reexamines them, and turns them upside down for you to see from a whole new angle. Thought provoking and difficult to put down, you will keep talking about it long after you do. 

Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation by Lynne Truss

A Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuationanda walks into a café. He orders a sandwich, eats it, then draws a gun and fires two shots in the air.

"Why?" asks the confused waiter, as the panda makes towards the exit. The panda produces a badly punctuated wildlife manual and tosses it over his shoulder.

"I'm a panda," he says at the door. "Look it up."

The waiter turns to the relevant entry and, sure enough, finds a panda walks into a café. He orders a sandwich, eats it, then draws a gun and fires two shots in the air. "Why?" asks the confused waiter, as the panda makes towards the exit. The panda produces a badly punctuated wildlife manual and tosses it over his shoulder. "I'm a panda," he says at the door. "Look it up." The waiter turns to the relevant entry and, sure enough, finds an explanation. "Panda. Large black-and-white bear-like mammal, native to China. Eats, shoots and leaves." So, punctuation really does matter, even if it is only occasionally a matter of life and death. Has proper punctuation become an endangered species? This is a book for people who love punctuation, or could learn to love it more!

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain

t least one-third of the people we know are introverts. They are the ones who prefer listening to speaking, reading to partying; who innovate and create but dislike self-promotion; who favor working on their own over brainstorming in teams. Although they are often labeled "quiet," it is to introverts that we owe many of the great contributions to socAt least one-third of all people are introverts. They prefer listening to speaking, reading to partying; who innovate and create but dislike self-promotion; they favor working on their own over brainstorming in teams. Although often labeled "quiet," it is to introverts that we owe many of the great contributions to society--from Van Gogh’s sunflowers to the invention of the personal computer. This book has the power to change how we see introverts and how introverts see themselves.

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

How to Win Friends and Influence Peopleou can go after the job you want...and get it! You can take the job you have...and improve it! You can take any situation you're in...and make it work for you!

Since its release in 1936, How to Win Friends and Influence People has sold more than 15 million copies. Dale Carnegie's first book is a timeless bestseller, packed with rock-solid advice that has carried thousanFull of principles for success in whatever you do, this book has sold 15 million copies since being released in 1936. Read about the six ways to make people like you, the twelve ways to win people over to your way of thinking, and the nine ways to change people without arousing resentment. Would you like to achieve your maximum potential?

Walden by Henry David Thoreau

Walden, or, Life in the Woods, is an American book written by noted transcendentalist Henry David Thoreau. The work is part personal declaration of independence, social experiment, voyage of spiritual discovery, satire, and manual for self-reliance. Published in 1854, it details Thoreau's experiences over the course of two years in a cabin he built near Walden Pond, amid wThoreau's personal declaration of independence, social experiment, voyage of spiritual discovery, satire, and manual for self-reliance, this book, published in 1854, describes his two years living alone in the woods in Massachusetts. Like the woodland scenery, which you should see if at all possible, this book is utterly lovely.

Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal by Eric Schlosser

Fast food - where did it even come from? And how has it seemingly taken over the world? Explore the answers to those questions and find other unsettling truths about the alliance between fast food and Hollywood to the seismic changes the industry has wrought in food production, popular culture, and even real estate.Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal    food has hastened the malling of our landscape, widened the chasm between rich and poor, fueled an epidemic of obesity, and propelled American cultural imperialism abroad. That's a lengthy list of charges, but Eric Schlosser makes them stick with an artful mix of first-rate reportage, wry wit, and careful reasoning

Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell

In this stunning new book, Malcolm Gladwell takes us on an intellectual journey through the world of "outliers"--the best and the brightest, the most famous and the most successful. He asks the question: what makes high-achievers different?

His answer is that we pay too much attention to what successful people are like, and too little attention to where they are from: that "Outliers" are the best and the brightest, the most famous and the most successful. What makes high-achievers different? Discover the secrets of software billionaires, what it takes to be a great soccer player, why Asians are good at math, and what made the Beatles the greatest rock band.

So, what's your favorite non-boring non-fiction?

Library Apps - What You Should Download Next

For my sisters and I growing up with the public library being the primary source of entertainment, naturally, evading library late fines became the earliest of our juvenile crimes. Myriad of excuses and pleading confessions to stern librarians were less than successful. Once the ten cents a book a day began to rack up, the ladies behind the check out desk would get increasingly intimidating. The IOUs ceased being cute, eventually even putting a few quarters down on the immense charges became insufficient.

Then one day my older sister discovered she could use the library card of a friend who moved far away, and she became "Michael". Little did she know she was already on the mental "most wanted" list of the head librarian. Why they let her get away with her false identity is beyond me, perhaps they were rewarding her for creativity, as I can only imagine one might be tempted to do if faced with a fearless ten year old willing to commit minor crime just to take home the next Nancy Drew.

That being said, aren't ebooks nice? You can download ebooks with a couple of touches on an ipad while sitting on your couch in your pjs and drinking your tea or coffee, and, bonus, you never, ever, get charged late fees.

Here are a few of my most favored ebook apps (in addition to ibooks, nook, and kindle) listed for you to try.

Overdrive, Overdrive, Overdrive!

Friends and family alike have all heard me sing this app's praises and you would sing too if all your book checking out was as simple, convenient and free as my experience with Overdrive has been.

Pros:

• FREE Books, Audiobooks, and Movies
• Able to use multiple library cards (shh)
• Checks your books back in automatically
• The app is available on phone, tablet, etc
• Bookmarks your place across devices
• Built in dictionary

Cons:

• Newest items are not immediately available
• No highlighting, or note taking ability

Audible

This audiobook listening app is easy to use, offers a free 30 day trial, and currently boasts +180,000 different audiobooks.

Pros:

• Great selection
• Available on multiple devices
• Saves your place in your audiobook
• Whispersync capable
• First month free

Cons:

• Not free - Costs $10 a month
• Can download a limited number of audiobooks at a time
• Must download on website and then listen in app

Check out Audible Here!

Goodreads

This app is full of book reviews and recommendations. You can connect with authors and friends, see what new or old books they are reading or writing! I enjoy this app for a quick checkout of reviews of books to see if it's worth reading or not.

Pros:

• Free
• Connect with your friends and favorite authors
• Read reviews written by readers
• Occasional free book giveaways

Cons:

• No actual access to books!
• Limited "if you liked this then you will like that" feature

Runners Up

• Freebooks

• This app pleasantly surprised me, it's chock full of classics! Sure, they might be free downloads on many websites, but on this app books are neatly organized by Author or genre. For example, just tap on the mystery tab to find every Sherlock book ready for download. Also, the poetry section has a nice selection of classics waiting to be added to your to read list. 

• Bookbub

• This app is full of books for you to download, sometimes free or $1 or more. Though, I haven't bought anything here yet, I actually really enjoy cruising through their book recommendations based off other books you've enjoyed, I usually find something to further investigate.

What's your favorite reading app? Leave me a note and let me know! :)

Books That Make You Laugh Out Loud - What You Should Read Next

"Books that make you laugh out loud" hold a special place in my heart. 

Sure, deep and meaningful stories are great, causing us to explore our inner motivations, learn about other peoples and cultures, times and ideas, or perhaps even learn to become better humans ourselves while we discuss poignant social issues. I'm most definitely a fan. That being said, at some times that's just not what you need in life! A giggle, a belly laugh, and feeling like someone is stupider than you but still completely lovable can feel purely therapeutic. The endorphine rush (nerd word for happiness) from a relaxing and smile-inducing novel is also great. And yes, I did have fun with those italics. 

Here are some of my favorites!


I've Got Your Number - Sophie Kinsella

Poppy Wyatt's dreams have come true, and then she loses her engagement ring, is involved in a hotel fire, and her cell phone is stolen. A modern woman crumbling without her cell phone at her side, she spots a cell phone abandoned in a trash can and you know she just has to go for it. Sam, the real owner of her "new" phone, doesn’t appreciate Poppy reading his messages and wading into his personal life. It’s hilarious to watch them upend each other’s lives through emails and text messages. 

Why you should read it: This book is lighthearted and relatable, laugh out loud hilarious. A guaranteed fun read, it won't make you smarter, but it will make you happier. I promise.

Quote: “We're playing Scrabble. It's a nightmare."
"Scrabble?" He sounds surprised. "Scrabble's great."
"Not when you're playing with a family of geniuses, it's not. They all put words like 'iridiums'. And I put 'pig'.” 

The Little Lady Agency - Hester Browne

After getting fired (again) Melissa decides that instead of getting another secretarial job she will no doubt hate, she starts an independent business wherein she might use her homemaking, party hosting and womanly social skills to help out clueless single men in need. With her blond wig, pencil skirts and heels she feels like “Honey”, a new woman, but that won’t stop her from getting in one snaffu after another, and it certainly won’t stop us from laughing at her. 

Why you should read it: Totally clean, stiches in your side funny, this book won’t disappoint.

Quote: “There are many marks of a true lady but I believe that one of them is to walk with her head held high while her world falls apart around her.” 

Where'd You Go, Bernadette? - Maria Semple

This book describes a deliciously crazy family, dad, mom and daughter living in modern day Seattle. When Bernadette outsources her life to India, and disappears, it's left up to Bee, her daughter, to figure out just where she's gone to. 

Why you should read it: A bizarre story about mother-daughter relationships and burnt out artists trying to exist, it struck me as both realistic and hilarious. 

Quote: “I recently made one friend, though, a woman named Manjula, who runs errands for me all the way from India. She’s virtual, but it’s start.”

Bossypants - Tina Fey

She makes life funny from start to finish, from feeling ugly in childhood to knowing you sometimes are in adulthood, in this book Tina Fey shares her own personal life stories and it's so funny. She trims her daughter's toenails than lives in fear of the babysitter will find out. She almost dies on a cruise boat. 

Why you should read it: You will laugh and laugh and laugh.

Quotes: "The first real change in women’s body image came when JLo turned it butt-style." “What Turning Forty Means to Me: I need to take my pants off as soon as I get home. I didn't used to have to do that. But now I do.” “My proudest moment as a child was the time I beat my uncle Pierre at Scrabble with the seven-letter word FARTING.”

Tragedy - Books That Will Make You Cry - Get Your Book Out and BYOTissues

Johann Goethe - The Sorrows of Young Werther

So beautifully written is the description of the young passionate artist Werther who falls head over heels for Charlotte, a young country girl who cares for her younger siblings following her mothers death. He falls in love with her, despite knowing Charlotte to be an engaged woman. This tragic love story compelled hundreds of young Germans to commit broken heart induced suicide when it was first published. So beware!

Esther Forbes - Johnny Tremain

The first book I truly loved, I'll never forget being nine years old and reading through my tears the tragic tale of Johnny who gets his hand melted to crippled status and attempts to keep on going in life. Set at the time of the American Revolutionary War, this story features historical characters such as Samuel Adams, John Hancock, and Paul Revere, as well as events like the Boston Tea Party. Epic and educational.

Thomas Hardy - Tess of the D'Urbervilles

Classically tragic, Tess, after suffering trauma and disaster becomes a milkmaid, falls in love with the perfect young man named Angel, only to be eventually ripped from his arms, and come to a tragic demise, at Stonehenge! Honestly, you could read it for the perfect descriptions of pastoral existence and enjoy the word pictures Hardy paints of the rolling hilly landscape, but Tess and Angel are absolutely epic as well.

John Green - The Fault in Our Stars

Young teenage love and cancer. Get out your tissues. I liked both of the main characters the minute I met them. This story is real, the characters are in love and totally lovable, and you will cry and cry and cry, as if you'd lost your own.

Markus Zusak - The Book Thief

Told from the perspective of death, this tale set in Nazi Germany describes an adopted girl whose passionate love of books motivates and drives her existence. There is also a young blond boy obsessed with being an Olympic running athlete, a mother who curses like a sailor, an accordion player, and a Jew in hiding. Unavoidably miserable, and thoroughly triumphant, Zusak has created a must read.

E. Lockhart - We Were Liars

At first open I assumed this was a book about snooty rich kids, living on their summer island. So, ready to be bored with the complaints of the second generation of upper class rich white people, I was blown away and devastated to find that it's so much more than that. Cadence Sinclair, a teenage girl with mental ghosts struggles with some suppressed trauma, and fights to thrive in her unhealthy living environment. She seems strikingly real! I laughed and cried with her and seriously just wanted to give her a hug by the end of the novel.

My To Read Tragedy List
M. L. Stedman - The Light Between Oceans
Rainbow Rowell - Eleanor and Park
S. E. Hinton - The Outsiders
Jodi Picoult - My Sister's Keeper

Do you have a favorite tear-jerking tragedy?

Leave me a comment so I can add it to my list!

Pride and Prejudice Fans - What You Should Read Next

There are, quite literally, hundreds of Austen fan fictions. There are imitations, additions, extensions, enhancements, and alterations. There are after the Austens, before the Austens, Austen with zombies, rather sexy Austens, time travelling Austens, miserable Austens, as well as happy Austens. Indeed, the options are endless!

How to choose your next "I loved that Austen but just want more" read?

Here is a guide before you dive in, some of my top picks.

A Darcy Perspective

 

 

Pamela Aiden's "An Assembly Such as This“, ”Duty and Desire" and "These Three Remain" allow the reader to listen to the beloved Darcy’s introverted thoughts and feelings.

 

This Darcy-perspective saga feels easy to read, and incorporates quotes and details from the original "Pride and Prejudice" making it a seamless complement. 

 

A Murder Mystery

 

 

P. D. James' "Death Comes to Pemberley" is a dramatic whodunit type story set at the home of none other than the beloved Darcys. 

Wickham is behaving badly once again, but can he really be found guilty of murder?

Good thing Darcy and Elizabeth have maintained their rock solid marriage relationship, which undoubtedly will help them weather this dramatic storm.

 

Mary Bennet Gets A Turn In The Spotlight

 

 

Colleen Mccolough's "Independence of Mary Bennet" tells the after Austen story of the stupidest Bennet sister. 

 

With men falling at her feet proclaiming love, Ms. Mary Bennett chooses to tromp off on a personal mission of educated enlightenment, only to be robbed, tossed in horse poop, and kidnapped not once but twice, then held hostage for weeks!

 

Good fun I say! 

 

Swashbuckling Darcy

 

 

Kara Louise's "Pirates and Prejudice" tells how the aftereffects of Elizabeth's refusal of marriage drives Darcy far away from Hartfordshire, until he finds himself on the docks of London, and suprisingly mistaken for a pirate escapee.

 

While Elizabeth, plans to tour the Lake District cancelled, finds herself sailing to Sicilly with her father only to be tossed about by storms, shipwrecked, and set upon by pirates, one of whom seems oddly familiar.

Modern-Day Austen Fan

 

 

Shannon Hale's "Austenland" tells of a modern-day Austen fan who checks out of real life, and checks in to a Austen-fan hotel, where she wears empire-waisted Regency gowns, learns proper etiquette, and flirts with real gentlemen.

Though obviously fantastical, will her time staying in this place help her find a Mr. Darcy of all her own?

 

So, those are my Austen-esque favorites... what are yours? 

Please leave a comment and let me know! :)

Unlikely Girl Becomes Spy Novels - What You Should Read Next

Because every girl wants to be the one that becomes a spy...

Y.S. Lee - A Spy In The House

Exciting, fast paced, and relatable, Mary Quinn, living in late 1800s London, is a young half Chinese woman working as a teacher in a girls school when she gets recruited to be part of "The Agency", a fully female spying organization responsible for stopping crime before it starts. A novice spy mishap wherein she unintentionally traps herself into a closet with a man starts her down the path to romantic situation, so we all might enjoy watching her work with, run from, and share an angry banter or two or twenty with James Easton, an up and coming engineer, who's chemistry with Mary is so real you will positively rejoice when he shows up in the next and next novels. 

Tasha Alexander - And Only To Deceive

Her husband dies, and Lady Emily Ashton is sad, sure, but she would have been more sad if her husband had actually been the love of her life. Bored in mourning dress, she starts to go through her husbands things and learns he really did love her, and also his death was less than the accident originally thought. Good thing Colin Hargreaves is there to help her investigate! She faints a lot, but speaks Ancient Greek and eventually even stands up to her mother, so heroine she is! 

Sarah Zettel - Dangerous Deception

Peggy gained my respect when at the start of the story, using only a fan, she beat her fiancé who was trying to take advantage of her in a garden shed. She's then faced with the prospect of either marrying her slimy would be molester of a fiancé or disappearing into King George's London court to work as a spy. Friends are few and far between, and card games are important as never before. If Peggy's corset doesn't kill her first, someone else might!

Anna Lee Huber - The Anatomist's Wife

Lady Darby's artistic talent of painting was greatly taken advantage of by her late and famous anatomist husband, who forced her to observe corpse after corpse being sliced and diced and to paint illustrations for his legendary book. Trying to recover emotionally and socially from her husband's death proves none to easy when she is recruited to assist in an unlikely murder investigation that happened at her own sisters house and steps away from where she had been walking. Sebastian Gage, investigator, is an unlikely ally, whom Lady Darby and readers alike gently fall for. 

Kathryn Miller Haynes - The Girl is Murder

It's the 1940s and Iris Anderson is 15 years old. Her father, a failing one legged private investigator desperately needs her help, though he doesn't know it. She becomes the self appointed legs of the investigative team, sneaking out of the house and away from friends, towards the solution to her father's case. This book contained a surprising insight into 1940s war veteran challenges, really touching my heart. 

Not surprising, each of these books is the first in a series. So step on the accelerator! You've got your work cut out for you! As would be expected with any series/saga/sequel situation, I found none of the follow ups held my attention as well as the originals. However, the initial books being so absorbing and with characters I appreciated so thoroughly, I was glad to see continuations, and just had to try them all, which I recommend to you too. 

Exception to aforesaid disclaimer: Y.S. Lee's Agency Series - I inhaled the first three whole and waited on hot coals for the third to arrive. Sorry everyone else. 

4 Must Read Animal Stories

 

Animals DO go with books!!!

 

Ever read a book about animals and LOVED it?

 

I know, me too!

 

By recommending some of these books I feel we are getting into some serious childhood reading here... 

 

However, just in case you missed one of these or even just need a refresher please find below why it was and still is completely read-worthy.

 

 

 

Watership Down

by Richard Adams

 

Watership DownSet in England's Downs, a once idyllic rural landscape, this stirring tale of adventure, courage and survival follows a band of very special creatures on their flight from the intrusion of man and the certain destruction of their home. Led by a stouthearted pair of friends, they journey forth from their native Sandleford Warren through the harrowing trials posed by Learning that their home will be soon destroyed, a group of rabbits journey across the English countryside seeking Watership Down, a safer place for their warren.

 

The characters, despite being talking bunnies are strikingly in depth, heroic, legendary. Bigwig, Fiver, Hazel, you will love them all!

 

    

 

 

Where The Red Fern Grows

by Wilson Rawls 

 

This is an epic story of a boy and his two hound dogs and their many and varied adventures exploring. 

 

A tale of love and loss and lots of adventures you'll never forget.

 

    

 

 

Black Beauty

by Anna Sewell 

 

Black Beauty

This horse lives a long and varied life, from a fancy colt in a pleasant meadow to an elegant carriage horse for a gentleman to a painfully overworked cab horse.

 

You will be screaming against animal mistreatment by the end, and loving this black horse who is beautiful inside and out.

 

    

The Call of the Wild

by Jack London 

 

The Call of the Wild Buck, a sturdy crossbreed canine (half St. Bernard, half Shepard), is a dog born to luxury and raised in a sheltered Californian home. But then he is kidnapped and sold to be a sled dog in the harsh and frozen Yukon Territory. Passed from master to master, Buck embarks on an extraordinary journey, proving his unbreakable spirit...

First published in 1903, The Call of thCombining a love story, a coming of age story, and a seriously great adventure story, Buck is kidnapped and sold to be a sled dog in the harsh and frozen Yukon Territory. As he is passed from master to master,  he proves his unbreakable spirit as he fights for survival in the frozen Alaskan Klondike.

 

This dog is incredibly cool and if you get to the end of the book and you still don't want to be his best friend then you are wrong... or a cat-lover.

 

 

Already read these? Which animal stories do you recommend?