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Hello Again! Mini Book Reviews

I am back with a few book reviews, to get myself back in the habit of getting on here. I miss blogging and want to make sure I get at least one post a week up. I may even get some new graphics for the page.

But we are here for the reviews so let’s have at it.

We Begin at the End – – Chris Whitaker

Wow…What a book.

If I book makes me cry, it has to be 5 stars. I have never felt for a character they way I felt for Duchess and Robin. What they go through was breaking my hard. This author really knows how to play on the emotions. I could not put this book down. The short chapters kept me reading but so did the storyline. I was routing fo these kids in everyday possible. 

The one downside is I did not get along with the audiobook. I felt the narrator’s tone did not match the story being told. I ended up reading this in print and loved it much more that way.

5 Stars

First, Become Ashes – – K. M. Szpara

I am not sure what I think about this book. Maybe it is too smart for me? That it went over my head and has a deeper meaning…

It was definitely a quick read and I was interested enough to keep picking it up.

When I read “Docile” I had strong feelings when I finished. I loved that book for majority of it. This book just leaves me confused.

It seems more fantasy that I was expecting, but not high fantasy. Maybe a little sci-fi as well. The heart of the story (I think) is 2 young men grow up in what is essentially a cult where they are taught that they are chosen ones and when they reach 25, they can leave the compound to complete a quest and fight monsters. One of them starts to doubt what they are taught while the other is a true believer. And this is the story of when it starts to fall apart.

This book does have some graphic scenes, so if you are sensitive. this may not be for you. If you like this author’s first book, I would give it a go.

3.5 Stars

The Last House on Needless Street – – Catriona Ward

This book came out of left field for me, in the best way possible. I was completely engrossed in it, even if I didn’t fully understand what was going on. It definitely comes together in the end, but it is a wild ride before that. 

While reading it, you will be confused. And you will think some things don’t make sense and think other things are so out of left field. But trust the process. It all comes together in the end, and it is worth it. 

I will. be picking up a copy on release day.

4.5 Stars

Every Vow you Break – – Peter Swanson

Possible Spoiler…..Read at your own risk

What can I say about ANOTHER book where men act like (explicit) just because they are men and they “can”.

This book is essentially about a twenty something woman who meets and older, much wealthier man who she ends up marrying less than two years after meeting. They go away no their honeymoon to a secluded New England island where strange things start happening. 

Unfortunately for me, this author’s last two books have not worked for me. In this book, I found the story to be lacking any thrill and was just mediocre. Of course, it could be because I am just so over the story of men doing what they want and treating women like garbage just because they are men and believe that they can. There is nothing thrilling about that. And it is just so frustrating to play on the idea that woman are the other ones who make mistakes in relationships. 

I could go on and on, but it would be just a rant. This was just overall so frustrating, that I couldn’t enjoy it. I still like this author and will continue to read what he puts out. This was just a nope for me.

2.5 Stars

In the Garden of Spite: A novel of the Black Widow of La Porte – – Camilla Bruce

I love dark and twisty books about very disturbing people. And this one fit the bill. 

I don’t know what that says about me that I love sinking into a book that involves serial killers, but here we are with another one and one that I really, really liked. 

I had never heard of Belle Gunness but now I want to go down the rabbit hole that is this crazy woman. She did some messed up things.

I will say, the first 100 pages or so was a bit slow for me. But it provided good information with setting up and explanation of reasons why Belle became the person she did. But once it gets moving, hold on. I read the last 250 pages very quickly and was engrossed in the story the whole time. 

If you are interested in the dark world that is serial killers, I have no doubt you will like this. The writing is very good and the story very interesting. 

4.5 Stars

There we have it; some books I have finished in the last few weeks that really stood out to me one way or another.

Have you read any of these? Thoughts? Let’s Chat!

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Last Year I Was Reading…

This meme was created by ReadingMaria.

It is super easy to participate in. All you have to do is:

Take your current read and compare it to what you reading this exact time last year. Which one do you like better? What is different about the books? Any special facts/things you want to make note of or bring attention to.

Current Read

The Most Fun We Ever Had – – Claire Lombardo

I am 31% through this and I am enjoying it. This story follows the Sorenson Family, which consists of Marilyn and David and their four daughters; Wendy, Violet, Liza and Grace. This is a long winded story that follows a (slightly) dysfunctional family, which is pretty much right up my alley. At over 500 pages, it spans quite a bit of time, and I love a story like that. It is a bit more dense than other books I have been reading, but it is engaging and I want to keep picking it up; it’s just taking me a bit more time to read.

Last year I was reading

The Death of Mrs. Westaway – – Ruth Ware

Mystery/Thrillers are my favorite to read, so not surprised that is what I was reading this time last year. I read this on audio and while it was good, it wasn’t my favorite. To be honest, I haven’t picked up another Ruth Ware since this one.

Comparisons

They are different because what I am currently reading is slow paced and pretty straight forward while last years read is fast paced with twists and turns. Both I am a fan of.

They are similar in that both involve families and the drama/problems/situations that these large families get into. Again, both of which I like.

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Book Review : Catherine House

Catherine House – – Elisabeth Thomas

Honestly, I have no idea how I feel about this book. I think I was expecting one thing, and it turned out to be something completely different, but I am not mad about it.

The writing is not particularly ground breaking. It’s fine. Easy to read and not confusing. But overall, I am not really sure what was going on and what exactly happened. There was a theme that stayed throughout the book of heavy drinking (even during classes) and sex and all nighters and things that happen in college, but here were 10xs worse, or more involved. I thought that was going to play out with the outcome of the story but it didn’t. Which confused me on why it was there so heavily in the first place.

I originally thought this was a dark academia novel. And it was, for most of it. But then it started dipping into the Sci-Fi genre and stayed there until the end of the book. Which again, I don’t hate it.

I found the characters to be one dimensional with no growth. They all seemed to mesh together, which could just be how they were suppose to be because they are in this school that is very weird and pretty much drains everything out of the students. I didn’t hate the main character Ines. I think she could have been developed a little bit more. She had the start of an interesting background but that story never really took off. And I think it could have explained her actions and her character a lot more with just a bit more depth.

This is from a debut author, and even though I think you can tell that, I don’t think this book was bad. It had the makings to be really good. I just think it fell flat in parts.

My review is all over the place, but so are my feelings with this book. I found myself wanting to pick the book up and when I did, it would take nothing to read 100 pages in no time. I finished the last 100 pages before bed last night. I think my biggest issue with the book is I am just not sure what it is suppose to be about and what is it really. This may be a book I come back to in the future. I will also most definitely read from this author again. There is something there that caught my attention and I want to see where it goes and what else she has to offer.

3.5 Stars

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Weekend Reads : 8/15/2020

It is finally my weekend!

I am so ready to dive in to some books the next two days. My boyfriend is helping a friend move and it looks to be rainy so the couch is where I will be. Here is what I have in store for the next few days.

The Most Fun We Ever Had – Claire Lombardo

I am very much looking forward to reading this and I think I am going to enjoy it. I love long, lengthy deep dives into family drama and this looks to have that. At over 500 pages and a family of 4 sibling girls, I think this going to be right up my alley. I originally had heard about this book from the Book Riot podcast and it immediately caught my attention and I knew I needed to read it. The time has come and I am here for it.

The Splendid and the Vile – Erik Larson

This is my slow but steady book. I have this marked out to finish so many chapters a week, taking me about 2 months to read this. I love all things history and love reading both fiction and non-fiction historical books. This follows Winston Churchill in his first year as Prime Minister. It is a dense book, but interesting so far. This is a book that I can only read a chapter or two a night before I feel weighed down by it. I am a little behind on my own schedule with this, and hope to finish up the 6 chapters I have left for this weeks section.

I am still not feeling like listening to an audiobook right now which is a bummer because I was so in to them only a few months ago. I think once I get caught up on The Currently Reading podcast, I’ll feel like picking up an audiobook again.

What do you have planned for this weekend? Enjoying some reading or spending it outdoors for these last weeks of summer? Let’s chat in the comments!

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Weekend Reads : 8/8/202

And I am back.

I took a weekend off of reading because I am starting to feel slumpy. To be honest, I am still feeling this way, but I have so many books I want to read, that I am trying to push through.

Over the weekend I was able to finish one book and managed to get over halfway through another.

Mexican Gothic – Silvia Moreno-Garcia

I have a dedicate review up for this HERE, but in short, this just wasn’t for me, and I am disappointed in that. I was very much looking forward to reading this and wanted to love it, but I was bored throughout the whole thing. I did just hear the news that it is being adapted and I will most likely watch the adaptation. Maybe I will appreciate it more that way.

If you want to hear my full thoughts, check out my review.

Catherine House – – Elisabeth Thomas

I was hoping to have this one done before my weekend was over, but it just didn’t happen. I did manage to get halfway through though, and will have it done for sure by the start of my next weekend. My initial thoughts are that it’s fine? I am rather confused on my own feelings. I hope I sort them out when I finish this book. I am finding it easy to read, and I am picking it up. I just don’t know what is really going on. I was expecting a dark academia book, which it kind of is but I am also getting sci-fi vibes from it.

I’ll reserve my full thoughts for when I finish it.

A pretty uneventful reading weekend if you ask me. I am definitely struggling right now with picking up books, especially audiobooks. Hopefully I find myself out of it soon.

Tell me your thoughts if you read these books? Am I the only one who found Mexican Gothic to be a little lackluster? What about Catherine House? I want to hear what you think!

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book blog book meme Book Review bookish books currently reading Uncategorized

Last Year I Was Reading…

This meme was created by ReadingMaria.

It is super easy to participate in. All you have to do is:

Take your current read and compare it to what you reading this exact time last year. Which one do you like better? What is different about the books? Any special facts/things you want to make note of or bring attention to.

Current Read

Catherine House – – Elisabeth Thomas

I am just about 100 pages into this and I must say, I am intrigued. The book does not have a very good rating on Goodreads, but honestly that doesn’t really bother me. I am not sure what this book is about, except I heard a reviewer say it was really weird. I like weird, and I am in the mood to read weird, so I requested it from the library. I should have this book finished by the time this post goes up, so it should be featured in my Weekend Reads post on Friday.

Last Year I Was Reading…

Fix Her Up – – Tessa Bailey

I do not read a lot of adult sexy time books, so I decided to give it a try. I picked this one up on audio, and while it was a good time, it was not my favorite in this genre that I have read. I haven’t continued in this series and I am not sure that I will. Since reading this, I have read some others in this genre that I like more.

Comparisons

These books could not be further away from each other in terms of genres. Catherine House is a mystery/thriller by a debut author. From the little bit that I have read, I think it is going to be quite dark and gothic. Fix Her Up is a romance written by a seasoned author with an extensive backlist of titles. It had some serious aspects to it but it was pretty light for the most part.

I am really trying to expand my reading by picking up books that don’t fit my typical genres. So far, it has been working out for me. I look forward to finding new books that I enjoy that I would have otherwise missed because I was living in my little box.

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Book Review : Mexican Gothic

WARNING

Unpopular opinion ahead.

When I saw the cover of Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, I was like what is this and how do I get my hands on it? Then I started reading and watching reviews of the book and everything sounded so promising. I am always in the mood for a good horror book and this (seemed) to fit that. I have to say I was underwhelmed by this book.

By no means is this a bad book. It’s not. It just didn’t work for me. I found it to be very slow. Nothing was happening and nothing was holding my attention. I found that when I put it down, I didn’t want to come back to it. This 300 page book took me the full 2 week loan to read it. And I’m pretty sure my Overdrive loan expired and I still had about 40 pages left to read. (As long as you don’t exit out of the ebook, the library won’t take it back). This may be because it was more of a gothic horror. I generally am a thriller reader and prefer fast paced.

When I finally got to the climax and the twist so to speak, I was left a little, like really? That is what is going on here? I didn’t see it coming, but I also didn’t care for it. To be honest, I came very close to DNFing it at that point, because I just didn’t care for the reveal at all.

I knew going in to this, that it was going to be slow moving. I just didn’t realize it was going to be this slow. It took almost 70% for it to finally move along, and like I said, the reveal was very meh and frankly confusing to me. I personally didn’t think the buildup and the first 60-70% was worth the ending for me.

Overall, this was a big disappointment for me. It was just okay. Nothing to go out and recommend in my opinion. However, I think if this author writes another book in the horror genre, I will probably give it a try. We will see.

Did you read Mexican Gothic? What are your thoughts? I know I am in the minority on this one! I tried to really like it, but in the end I struggled to get through it.

2.5 Stars

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Weekend Reads : 7/25/2020

I went a little nuts at my library the past 2 weeks. I had a few books on hold and I browsed around a bit too. I want to work my way through as many of these as I can before they are due. I am hoping to read at least two of these this weekend.

Home Before Dark – – Riley Sager

I look forward to a book from Riley Sager every July. Luckily I got on my library’s hold list somewhat early and didn’t have to wait too long. This one seems to be right up my alley. I love haunted house stories and I am hoping this is a hit. I was not a fan of Lock Every Door but I do have high hopes for this one.

He Started It – – Samantha Downing

I am giving this author another shot because her debut novel My Lovely Wife was not my favorite, but I saw potential. So I am reading this to see if she is an author for me.

I don’t know a whole lot about this except it involves siblings recreating a road trip in order to receive their inheritance from their grandfather. As it is Samantha Downing, I am expecting something thrilling and fast to get through.

Wonderland – – Zoje Stage

I have a theme going on here; reading books from authors I previously disliked. I read and was meh about Baby Teeth. But again, I saw potential and I am interested to see what this author’s sophomore novel is like.

I believe this book follows a family who moves out of NYC into a home in the woods and there is something lingering outside the house. Interesting concept. I am intrigued .

Catherine House – – Elisabeth Thomas

I am going to be honest, I have no idea what this book is about. I saw it on a Booktuber’s video (I forget which one) and all I remember her saying is it is weird. I am feeling a little weird in my reading, so I picked it up from my library. It does not have the best rating on Goodreads, but I don’t pay too much attention to that. And I figure if it isn’t grabbing me in the first 50 pages, I’ll take it back to the library.

Out of my stack of books, these are the ones I want to make a priority because they have no renewals on them. I think I have about 14 days with them, maybe 21. This is definitely ambitious but I am feeling lazy this weekend, so I am optimistic I can make a dent in this pile.

Out of the ones that are not priority, I am really interesting in reading The City of Brass. I may abandon all plans and just pick that up.

Have you read any of these? Opinions on what I should pick up first? I love to read what you have to say in the comments.

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Weekend Wrap up : 7/18/2020

The Goldfinch – – Donna Tart

I am so conflicted on this one. I think I enjoyed it? But I am really not sure!

I have been listening to the audiobook for quite some time. The audiobook is fantastic. The narrator does a great job with the different characters. I can’t believe it was just one narrator. 10 out of 10 recommend the audiobook if you are going to read this. 

I am just not sure what I think about the story itself. This is a long one, almost 800 pages. And while I do like long stories that span a characters life, I don’t know if this one fits that category. I think I was about 300 pages in and I felt like the story was going nowhere. But the writing was very good. A bit long winded in spots, but good nonetheless.

Overall, my rating is confused. I am going to hold onto this one and I think I will reread it in physical form at some point. Maybe I will get a better understanding of my feelings if I do it that way.

3.5 Stars

Scythe – – Neal Shusterman

I am embarrassed to say I almost unhauled this unread not that long ago. I am so glad that I held off and that I finally read this.

This has to be my most surprising read of the year. I did not expect to like this, let alone love it. It is not my preferred genre or age range. But I loved every page of it.

I blew through this over 400 page book. I was hooked from the very beginning. I am not a huge YA reader, but this had none of the elements of YA that I dislike.

I just received Thunderhead and plan to read that very soon.

I am currently in the middle of trying to pick my next reads. Stay tuned for when I post what I plan for next weekend!

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Weekend Reads : 6/11/20

Its my 1 year anniversary of having my blog and I need to get my self in gear! I feel all over the place and need to get organized. To start that, I am introducing a new series of blog post call Weekend Reads.

I am back to work after over 100 days off and it is a bit hectic. I have been coming home every night with just enough energy to shower and crawl into bed. So its no surprise I am getting most of my reading done on the weekends. I am a hairstylist, so my weekends consist of Sunday and Monday. Here is what I have planned for this weekend.

I made a long overdue trip to the library this week and went a little nuts. I’m hoping I can get at least one of them read this weekend, if not two of them.

The Wife Stalker – -Liv Constantine

I had no idea this writing duo had another book release until I saw it on one of the FB groups I am in. I immediately went on my library app and requested it. Their books are hit or miss with me. I LOVED The Last Mrs. Parrish and I hate read The Last Time I Saw You. I am hoping The Wife Stalker is one that I enjoy.

I don’t know a whole lot about this except it looks to be another domestic thriller. I don’t like reading the blurbs of any thriller book for fear of spoilers. But going off their last two books, I would assume this is another 2 women 1 man type of situation.

All Adults Here – – Emma Straub

I am also hoping to pick up the new Emma Straub release All Adults Here. I have read and enjoyed quite a few Emma Straub books so I am hoping this doesn’t disappoint. I was on the fence of actually purchasing this, but then I heard it compared to another one of my favorite books on the Currently Reading Podcast, and decided to purchase it.

From what I know, it is a family drama book, which is something I really like reading about. I think it follows a mother and her 3 grown children and the mother coming to terms with how she raised her children and her early years as a parent and how it has effected them now and in their own adult lives. I am intrigued and I hope to pick this up before Monday, but if not definitely before the end of the month.

Call Your Daughter Home – – Deb Spera

This is one that I know I will have finished before the end of the weekend. I only have 2 hours left of the audiobook and I am really enjoying it.

In Call Your Daughter Home, we follow 3 strong woman living in South Carolina in the early 1920s. They have nothing in common as they are in different social classes, but they come together and build a bond between them.

I am very much enjoying the audiobook. I like that is a full cast narration and each of the voice actors does a wonderful job of bringing the characters to life. It is available on Hoopla for anyone who has access to it.

If I can get at least 2 of these read during the weekend, I will be pretty happy. My reading is taking a back seat to my work life for the time being and I am looking forward to spending some time with my books for the next couple of days.

What are you reading this weekend? I’d love to know!

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