Before I was a mom, I read for fun quite often — usually in my hammock with a glass of wine. Fast-forward to pregnancy, during which I read every birth and baby care book I could get my hands on.

Then came baby.

A friend gave me a book as a gift right after my daughter was born. It took me at least six months to read. IF I found time to read, I would fall asleep three pages in.

Now my daughter is a bit older, and I can sort of find time to read again! I don’t know about you, but after working all day, parenting, and then wrestling my kiddo to bed, I am wiped out. But, some nights I sneak in a chapter or two. I find it to be a great way to unwind and lose myself in a story. I read fiction for the most part — fast-moving tales of interesting people and often times ridiculous situations.

Here are some quick reads I’ve enjoyed lately.

The Royal We by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan: Americans have quite the fascination with the British Royal Family. When fellow DMMB team member Kara recommended this made-up royal love story, I thought I would give it a try. I’m only a few chapters in, but already I am in love with the prince and rooting for the underdog gal to win his heart. It’s told from the perspective of Bex, an American studying in England who happens to land in the same dorm as Prince Nick. Funny college drinking games, snooty society girls, and a prince with a lot on his plate start this book out on a light-hearted, hopeful note. I can’t wait to see what lies ahead for Bex and Prince Nick! And, I wonder if Will and Kate have read this.

Then Came You by Jennifer Weiner: Any other Jennifer Weiner fans out there?! I love her books. They are fast reads and always so entertaining. Then Came You fits right into that template. This isn’t her newest book, but written in 2011, it has four women telling their sides of the story to a sort of fertility triangle (square, I guess). Jules, the poor college student/egg donor, and Annie, the tired stay-at-home-mom/surrogate, play big roles in helping wealthy trophy-wife India have a baby, while Bettina is the step-daughter who has to pull it all together once the “stuff” hits the fan. Have I lost you yet? Don’t worry — it’s not really that complicated. And, you’ll become attached to all of these women and their common cause!

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion: This is a book I found by accident. I was having a particularly rough week and literally Googled “books to read when you’re sad.” The Rosie Project was one of them, and it was available at my local library! It’s about a quirky scientist who has traits similar to that of people with Aspberger’s Syndrome. His “project” is a project to find him a wife. As normal societal ways of courting do not suit his nature, he develops a survey as well as a rating process. The author writes funny scenes of Don on his dates, and he will flat out tell the women they don’t rate high and ask them to leave. That is until he meets Rosie, a sort of joke date set up by his co-worker. Rosie turns Don’s world upside down and vice versa. I couldn’t put the book down, and so…

The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion: …I read the sequel! SPOILER ALERT: No, seriously. You’ve been warned. Don and Rosie are still together, and surprise — Rosie’s pregnant! The oddities of Don are amplified as he prepares for fatherhood. Prepping for baby is stressful enough for the average couple. With Don and Rosie’s high levels of intelligence and eccentric personalities, this again turns into an amusing tale in which you cheer hard for the main characters to stop screwing it up. They are too cute.

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins: Read it before you see it! The film based on this book and starring Emily Blunt comes out in October. If you get a chance, read this bestseller before you see the movie. It’s a mystery, at times unsettling, that unfolds when Rachel sees something shocking in a quaint suburban area while her train zips by. It’s a story that proves not everything is as it seems. This psychological thriller was one I couldn’t put down.

Disclaimer: These books include some adult language and situations.

So, that’s what I’ve been reading. How about you?