Cozy up with a new book!
Hey guys! So I recently reflected on my 2018 Goals and I really enjoyed that. It was fun looking back and seeing which ones I accomplished and which ones I didn’t get to. I decided not to beat myself up over the ones I didn’t get to cause I ended up doing most of my goals. I am so excited to make new goals and start over fresh. So let’s dive in and see my goals for 2019. Continue reading “My 2019 Blogging & Reading Goals”
Hey guys once again it’s time for another Top Ten Tuesday hosted by The Broke and The Bookish. This week’s week’s theme is 10 Books From X Genre That I’ve Recently Added To My TBR List — I want to know what books have piqued your interest lately from whatever genre you choose! So I decided to go with Thriller because that’s my favorite genre. I have been trying not to add too much to m TBR list but I have added some thrillers so I am excited to share my recent adds!
Emma in the Night By Wendy Walker
Goodreads Synopsis: From the bestselling author of All Is Not Forgotten comes a thriller about two missing sisters, a twisted family, and what happens when one girl comes back…
One night five years ago, the Tanner sisters disappeared: fifteen-year-old Cass and seventeen-year-old Emma. Three years later, Cass returns, without her sister Emma. Her story is one of kidnapping and betrayal, of a mysterious island where the two were held. But to forensic psychiatrist Dr. Abby Winter, something doesn’t add up. Looking deep within this dysfunctional family Dr. Winter uncovers a life where boundaries were violated and a narcissistic parent held sway. And where one sister’s return might just be the beginning of the crime.
It’s Always The Husband By Michele Campbell
Goodreads Synopsis: Kate, Aubrey, and Jenny. They first met as college roommates and soon became inseparable, even though they are as different as three women can be. Twenty years later, one of them is standing at the edge of a bridge . . and someone else is urging her to jump.
How did things come to this?
As the novel cuts back and forth between their college years and their adult years, you see the exact reasons why these women love and hate each other—but can feelings that strong lead to murder? Or will everyone assume, as is often the case, that it’s always the husband?
Goodreads Synopsis: Held captive for eight years, Lily has grown from a teenager to an adult in a small basement prison. Her daughter Sky has been a captive her whole life. But one day their captor leaves the deadbolt unlocked.
This is what happens next…
…to her twin sister, to her mother, to her daughter…and to her captor.
Goodreads Synopsis: A young bride, a lonely single mother, and an amnesiac man of dubious origin lie at the heart of New York Times bestselling author Lisa Jewell’s next suspenseful drama that will appeal to fans of Liane Moriarty and Paula Hawkins.
In a windswept British seaside town, single mom Alice Lake finds a man sitting on the beach outside her house. He has no name, no jacket, and no idea how he got there. Against her better judgment, she invites him inside.
Meanwhile, in a suburb of London, twenty-one-year-old Lily Monrose has only been married for three weeks. When her new husband fails to come home from work one night she is left stranded in a new country where she knows no one. Then the police tell her that her husband never existed.
Twenty-three years earlier, Gray and Kirsty are teenagers on a summer holiday with their parents. Their annual trip to the quaint seaside town is passing by uneventfully, until an enigmatic young man starts paying extra attention to Kirsty. Something about him makes Gray uncomfortable—and it’s not just that he’s playing the role of protective older brother.
Two decades of secrets, a missing husband, and a man with no memory are at the heart of this brilliant new novel, filled with the “beautiful writing, believable characters, pacey narrative, and dark secrets” (London Daily Mail) that make Lisa Jewell so beloved by audiences on both sides of the Atlantic.
The Crime Writer By Jill Dawson
Goodreads Synopsis: In 1964, the eccentric American novelist Patricia Highsmith is hiding out in a cottage in Suffolk, to concentrate on her writing and escape her fans. She has another motive too – a secret romance with a married lover based in London.
Unfortunately it soon becomes clear that all her demons have come with her. Prowlers, sexual obsessives, frauds, imposters, suicides and murderers: the tropes of her fictions clamour for her attention, rudely intruding on her peaceful Suffolk retreat. After the arrival of Ginny, an enigmatic young journalist bent on interviewing her, events take a catastrophic turn. Except, as always in Highsmith’s troubled life, matters are not quite as they first appear . . .
Masterfully recreating Highsmith’s much exercised fantasies of murder and madness, Jill Dawson probes the darkest reaches of the imagination in this novel – at once a brilliant portrait of a writer and an atmospheric, emotionally charged, riveting tale.
Goodreads Synopsis: “I glance at my wife as she climbs into the passenger seat, and I am bursting with confidence. Today will be everything I’ve promised her…and more…”
Paul Strom has the perfect life: a glittering career as an advertising executive, a beautiful wife, two healthy boys and a big house in a wealthy suburb. And he’s the perfect husband: breadwinner, protector, provider. That’s why he’s planned a romantic weekend for his wife, Mia, at their lake house, just the two of them. And he’s promised today will be the best day ever.
But as Paul and Mia drive out of the city and toward the countryside, a spike of tension begins to wedge itself between them and doubts start to arise. How much do they trust each other? And how perfect is their marriage, or any marriage, really?
Forcing us to ask ourselves just how well we know those who are closest to us, Best Day Ever crackles with dark energy, spinning ever tighter toward its shocking conclusion. In the bestselling, page-turning vein of The Couple Next Door and The Dinner, Kaira Rouda weaves a gripping, tautly suspenseful tale of deception and betrayal dark enough to destroy a marriage…or a life.
Sometimes I Lie By Alice Feeney
Goodreads Synopsis: My name is Amber Reynolds. There are three things you should know about me:
1. I’m in a coma.
2. My husband doesn’t love me anymore.
3. Sometimes I lie.
Goodreads Synopsis: The detective wants to know what happened to Saskia, as if I could just skip to the ending and all would be well. But stories begin at the beginning and some secrets have to be earned.
Angela is being held in a police interrogation room. Her ex’s wife has gone missing and Detective Novak is sure Angela knows something, despite her claim that she’s not involved.
At Novak’s prodding, Angela tells a story going back ten years, explaining how she met and fell in love with her high school friend HP. But as her past unfolds, she reveals a disconcerting love triangle and a dark, tangled web of betrayals. Is Angela a scorned ex-lover with criminal intent? Or a pawn in someone else’s revenge scheme? Who is she protecting? And why?
Twisty and suspenseful, Our Little Secret is an intense cat-and-mouse game and a riveting thriller about the lies we tell others—and ourselves.
The Marriage Pact By Michelle Richmond
Goodreads Synopsis: Newlyweds Alice and Jake are a picture-perfect couple. Alice, once a singer in a well-known rock band, is now a successful lawyer. Jake is a partner in an up-and-coming psychology practice. Their life together holds endless possibilities. After receiving an enticing wedding gift from one of Alice s prominent clients, they decide to join an exclusive and mysterious group known only as The Pact.
The goal of The Pact seems simple: to keep marriages happy and intact. And most of its rules make sense. Always answer the phone when your spouse calls. Exchange thoughtful gifts monthly. Plan a trip together once per quarter. . . .
Never mention The Pact to anyone.
Alice and Jake are initially seduced by the glamorous parties, the sense of community, their widening social circle of like-minded couples.
And then one of them breaks the rules.
The young lovers are about to discover that for adherents to The Pact, membership, like marriage, is for life. And The Pact will go to any lengths to enforce that rule.
For Jake and Alice, the marriage of their dreams is about to become their worst nightmare.”
Fractured By Catherine McKenzie
Goodreads Synopsis: Julie Prentice and her family move across the country to the idyllic Mount Adams district of Cincinnati, hoping to evade the stalker who’s been terrorizing them ever since the publication of her bestselling novel, The Murder Game. Since Julie doesn’t know anyone in her new town, when she meets her neighbor John Dunbar, their instant connection brings measured hope for a new beginning. But she never imagines that a simple, benign conversation with him could set her life spinning so far off course.
After a series of misunderstandings, Julie and her family become the target of increasingly unsettling harassment. Has Julie’s stalker found her, or are her neighbors out to get her, too? As tension in the neighborhood rises, new friends turn into enemies, and the results are deadly.
Have you guys read an of these thrillers? If so which ones and did you like them? If you haven’t are you looking forward to reading any of these? I do love my thrillers.
Hey guys!! I’m so excited to do another Top 5 Wednesday. I am super excited for this one because it has to do with Summer. Summer is my favorite time of the year. The theme is Summer Reads –The weather is heating up (for half of the world), so what books remind you of summer and are your quintessential summer reads?
Girl Out of Water By Laura Silverman
Reason: Okay so I’m so happy to have this 2017 debut author on my list. I read this book and I absolutely loved it. It deals with the main character basically not being able to take part in the summer she has been super excited for. It was really fun and enjoyable. It truly is a great coming of age story that I really highly recommend. I hope to reread this soon.
Dangerous Girls by Abigail Haas
Reason: Okay so this isn’t a summer book it has to do with spring break but it gives me summer vibes. I mean just look at that cover doesn’t it scream summer. Plus when I read this it was summer time so that counts, right? I really enjoyed this book and it really kept me guessing until the end. If you haven’t read this you should check it out.
The Truth About Forever By Sarah Dessen
Reason: Okay so I’m really upset I waited so long to read this book. I really liked it a lot. It takes place in the summer. Macy spends her summer at a job where her coworkers don’t like her and she spend the rest of the day studying. She doesn’t have much of a life until she decides to work at a catering job. This was such a great story. I loved seeing the development of Macy. It really is such a great story that I have sat on for way too long.
The Thousand-Dollar Tan Line By Rob Thomas and Jennifer Graham
Reason: This is another book that takes place during spring break but it also gives me summer vibes at the same time. I mean just look at the title and the book cover alone. I am a huge Veronica Mars fan and I am so happy these books were made to keep the spirit of the show going strong. I really enjoyed it and I have the second one waiting for me to read. I’m just not ready for it to be over. If you’re a fan of Veronica Mars than I highly recommend you check this out!
Anything that was written by Morgan Matson
Reason: I am a huge fan of Morgan. I’ve only read two of her books but this month I plan on reading the other two I haven’t read yet plus rereading the other books. I love Morgan’s books so much. They give off the ultimate summer vibes. I mean you really can’t go wrong with these books. They’re so fun.
Have you guys read any of the books on this list? What are some books that give you those summer vibes? I would love to hear what you guys have to say. Summer contemporaries are so fun to read.
Okay so I have to admit that I haven’t read too many LGBTQ+ books. I have read a couple but none that have really blown me away. So I decided instead of writing about my favorites, I decided I would write about ones I look forward to reading. All of these are books I’ve recently found out about and how to get my hands on soon.
The Love Interest By Cale Dietrich
Release Date: May 16th 2017
Reason: This book kinda reminds me of the movie This Means War. Those are the vibes I am getting from it. I enjoyed that movie so I have high hopes for this story. I do love that this story is about two guys fighting for the affection of this girl and they end up falling for each other. I can picture this being a fun read. I can’t wait for it to come out.
Of Fire and Stars By Audrey Coulthrust
Reason: I’ve been hearing a lot about this book lately. It’s about how this princess is promised to marry the prince but she ends up falling in love with his sister. I think this is a lovely take on fairy tales. I also really am drawn to the cover. I can’t wait to check this one out.
More Happy Than Not By Adam Silveria
Reason: I’ve heard nothing but amazing things about Adam’s writing. I really would love to read all his books. This is his first book so I thought this would be a great place to start. I am ready to bring on the tears.
The Five Stages of Andrew Brawley by Shaun David Hutchinson
Reason: I’ve heard nothing but great things about Shaun’s books as well. I read Violent Ends and enjoyed it. I really want to check out his other books. I know We Are the Ants is very loved. This is his second most loved book so I really would like to check out both of these books.
Aristotle and Dante Discover Secrets of the World By Benjamin Alire Sáenz
Reason: This is the one book on the list I don’t really know much about. I’ve heard a lot of people mention how they really love this book and the characters. I am extremely curious about it especially since I don’t know much about it.
What are some of your LGBTQ+ books that you liked that you would recommend? I always am open to recommendations.
Well it’s that time again for Top Ten Tuesday hosted by The Broke and The Bookish. I am so excited for this week’s theme.
The theme is : Top Ten Authors I’m Dying to Meet / Top Ten Authors I can’t believe I met
Gillian Flynn: If you know me this is no surprise. I have been such a huge fan of Gillian since I read Dark Places. I love her work and am always surprised by the outcome of her books. She never disappoints. I am anxiously waiting for her to write a new book. If she does any tours I am going to do whatever I can to meet her.
Morgan Matson: I have only read two of Morgan’s books and I have loved every second of them. Hands down one of my favorite contemporary author. Plus they just make me wish summer could be all year round. I saw she is suppose to be at Bookcon this year. I’m hoping she’ll be there on Saturday so I can meet her.
Bryan Cranston: I am super obsessed with Breaking Bad. I was so excited when he wrote a memoir last year. I haven’t read it yet. I am anxiously waiting for the audiobook to become available from the library. I would love to meet him.
Brian K.Vaughan & Fiona Staples: I am a huge fan of the Saga comic. I love the story and am such a huge fan of the artwork. I believe these two would be extremely cool to meet. I would love to get inside their heads and find out more about their process. I have always wondered about the process of comics and think seeing them speak about Saga would be such a great experience.
Ruth Ware: I’ve heard a lot of good things about Ruth’s books. Last year I finally decided to read the first book she came out with and absolutely loved it. I was so upset I waited so long to read her books. I would love to meet her. I know she’s coming out with a new book this year so hoping she does some book tours for it.
Augusten Burroughs: Wow has this man lived an intense life. Augusten writes memoirs about his life. He writes them so detailed that I feel like I’m friends with him. It feels like we are hanging out together and he is catching up on everything that’s been going on. I’ve read two of his books so far and I can’t wait to continue on and learn more about him. He really is such a talented author. I’m so upset because he had an event the other day but I wasn’t able to make it. Hopefully I will be able to go the next time.
Kimberly McCreight: I’m happy to say I have met Kimberly twice so far. I read Reconstructing Amelia and loved it. Not only was it an amazing mystery book but it took place right in the neighborhood I lived in. I found out Kimberly was doing a book signing for her newest book at the time, Where They Found Her. I had to go. I ended up going and got to meet her. It was such a great event. I ended up loving the book. She’s a local author so thankfully she always has signings near me. I look forward to her next release which is The Scattering, a sequel in The Outliers series. I’m really looking forward to that.
Amy Poehler: I am such a huge fan of Parks and Recreation that the moment I found out Amy was having a book signing I had to go. I got to hear Amy talk about the book and then read a chapter from the book. Then after got to meet her. She called me Anne and I got to give her a hug. Seriously the best book signing I have ever been too. This woman is a pure delight.
Ned Vizzini: I honestly feel like this is my author meeting story. I know meeting Amy is up there but this one is even more special because Ned approached me. So me and my friend were at Barnes and nobles years ago. Barnes and noble was always my go to hangout spot when I was younger. So we were just looking at books when all of a sudden this man came up to us. What do you know but it was none other than Ned Vizzini. He told us he holds a writing program for teens at Barnes and Noble. He told us about the program and when they meet and told us he would love for us to join. I am sad to say we didn’t end up taking up on the offer but really wish I did. He was such a down to earth guy and I still to this day can’t get over that he was the one to approach us and not the other way around. I have read Be More Chill and absolutely loved it. I have It’s Kind of a Funny Story and feel I am long over due to read it. It breaks my heart to know what happened to him. 😦
Meg Cabot: I met Meg years ago. I think it was for the release of either the 5th Princess Diaries book or 6th book. It was after the movie came out so I had to go. I remember it being such a fun experience. She read from the book and was giving out swag from the book. It was such a fun time and I really cherish that book. I’m pretty sure at the time I didn’t even read the series I just really wanted to get a signed book from her. When I was younger I did really enjoy the Mediator series but I think I got into that after I went to this signing.
Can’t wait to see what authors you guys would like to meet and who you’ve actually met!!
Hey guys! I am super excited to announce that I will be partaking in the A Very Arc-ish Readathon hosted by Aimal at Bookshelves and Paperbacks. I can’t wait to do this readathon because I have a good amount of arcs I’ve been meaning to read. I would like to get my feedback ratio up on Netgalley since I keep requesting so many.
This readathon will take place starting 12:01 AM (your time) on April 1st to April 30th, 11:59 PM (your time).
Here is the list of arcs I will be reading for the readathon:
Follow Me Back By A.V. Geiger
Release Date: June 1st 2017
Last Seen By J.L. Doucette
Release Date: May 23rd 2017
Breakwater By Catherine Jones Payne
Release Date: May 30th 2017
The Creeps (Deep Dark Collections #2) By Fran Krause
Release Date: September 26th 2017
The Child By Fiona Barton
Release Date: June 29th 2017
The Breakdown By B.A. Paris
Release Date: July 18th 2017
The Silent Corner By Dean Koonz
Release Date: June 20th 2017
June By Miranda Beverly-Whittemore
Release Day: February14th 2017 (paperback)
Throw Away Girls By Jennifer Vaughn
Release Date: July 15 2016
Update 4/17: So I ended up updating this list because there were some arcs I tried to read but I didn’t like so I got rid of them from the list. I also got approved for a couple more arcs that I’m really interested in so I added those. This has been very helpful for getting my Feedback Ratio up so I’m very happy about this. I can’t wait to see what other people have read.
So I recently discovered Top 5 Wednesday and I decided I would try one and see how it goes. I’m so excited to switch it up and do something different from reviews and wrap-ups.
The theme for this week is: Books You Felt Betrayed By –Beware the Ides of March! What books (or characters) did you feel betrayed by, for whatever reason…big or small.
Reason: This was a book I heard so many good things about last year. I finally got around to reading it this year and I was so disappointed. I muscled through it but overall did not enjoy.
Reason: I’m not sure how this book got on my radar but I remember looking forward to reading it. I loved the concept of it I just hated the romantic aspect that took up majority of the book.
The Notebook By Nicholas Sparks
Reason: So usually I read the book before the movie but that wasn’t the case for this. I really enjoyed the movie. The book really disappointed me. It was just so boring. I have another Nicholas Sparks book on my TBR list so I hope that ends up being better.
Four: A Divergent Story Collection By Veronica Roth
Reason: So I’m a big fan of the Divergent series. I couldn’t wait to read more about the series once it ended. The stories are from Four’s point of view. I feel everything was pretty much information I already knew. I just felt like I was reading a recap of the series.
Reason: Gillian Flynn is one of my favorite authors. I was so excited to hear that they were releasing one of her short stories. I honestly didn’t enjoy it as much as her other stories. I wanted so much more from this. Plus the ending was very open-ended.
What are some books you feel betrayed by? I am excited to hear what you guys have to say.
Hey guys!! So it has been a while since I’ve written on here. I promise I haven’t forgotten about you guys. I have just been so busy the last couple of months looking for a job, traveling and then finally actually getting a full time job. I was always tired but now I have some free time. Well I was looking through my email and something caught my eye that made me decided I wanted to do as well. Since I’ve been MIA I decided a fun way to bring myself back would be to do a wrap up of 2016.
I do hope since right now I’m back to looking for a job I will be able to find time to post more and motivate myself to post here.
Hi guys!! So this is my first post. I decided that I was going to jump right into things and write about the book challenge I am doing for 2016. I will write an about me in a couple of posts. Anyway last year I did a reading challenge with the same group and I only read 32 of those books. This year I am stepping it up. I made sure I got a lot more organized with everything. It’s funny when I first started the challenge I ended up doing it completely wrong. I for some reason thought you had to read a book title from each letter of the alphabet. Not sure how that even happened. Thankfully the books I had read ended up fitting into the challenge perfectly. I also ended up making a list of everything I plan on reading. I thought it be fun to share that list with you guys!
Best Day Ever By Kaira Rouda 
Every Day By David Levithan 
Bookish In Bed 