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Weekend Reads Update : 7/11/2020

First things first, I apparently am still stuck in June. I can’t believe I didn’t notice I put “6” instead if “7” in the title of my last post. So embarrassing. But if anyone needed clarification, that post was in regards to what I was reading the weekend of 7/11/2020.

So anyway, I had a pretty productive reading weekend. I was able to finish one thing, start and finish a second book, and continue on in an audiobook I started a few months ago but never finished.

Call Your Daughter Home – – Deb Spera

I really enjoyed this book. I am a little upset I didn’t realize that I was approved for this through Netgalley before it was released. I can’t believed I missed that and only noticed it a few days ago. But, I finally read it, I enjoyed it and I am glad I got to it.

I decided to listen to this on audiobook. I was surprised to see it available on Hoopla, but I downloaded it right away and started listening.

Call Your Daughter Home follows 3 woman; Gertrude an abused mom of 4, Retta a first generation free slave working as cook and house maid on a plantation and Annie the wife of the man who owns the plantation. At first you would not think they have anything in common, but they do. They are all strong women living in South Carolina dealing with life during the time before the Great Depression.

I love historical fiction and it was nice to be in a time period that wasn’t WWII. I thought the author did a fantastic job of conveying the emotions and atmosphere of these years. She also did a great job with these characters. I loved Retta the most.

Overall, this was a very well done book and I highly recommend it.

5 Stars

The Wife Stalker – – Liv Constantine

Oh boy, what can I say about this one, besides it was a mess. I think I am done with this author duo. I absolutely loved The Last Mrs. Parrish but nearly DNFed The Last Time I Saw You. I should have DNFed this one.

It’s best to list all the things I had a problem with in this book

  • Time frame; it was all over the place. You never really knew how much time passed between chapter or even paragraphs.
  • The dialogue was cringe worthy. Amateurish.
  • Instalove worse than in a YA novel.
  • Unoriginal. As predicted, it was a one man 2 women situation.
  • Even the twist could not save this. It was predictable but at the same time not.
  • Key parts of the story were missing. Important conversations that would have changed the tone of the story weren’t there. You didn’t find out till the end that they even happened.

On the positive side, it was a fast read. The chapters were short and kept the story moving. It was just completely lack luster and just not worth the time, even if it is minimal.

2 Stars

The Goldfinch – – Donna Tart

I feel like I have been making my way through this audiobook for months. While I find it ok, it just isn’t wowing me. I am not eager to pick it up because nothing is really happening. But I have made it halfway through, so I will push to the end. On the positive side, the audiobook is done very well and the narrator is great. The story itself is just meh.

There we have it. Overall, I had a pretty productive reading weekend. It helped that I was just lazy and not really in the mood to leave my house. I am not complaining since I very much do enjoy being at home.

How did your weekend/week reading go?

Until next weekend!

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Quarantine Wrap Up

Like most of you, I have been spending my days at home. I have been out of work since March 17, with no return date as of now. Surprisingly, I have been in a reading mood and have been able to read 19 books since I have been home, which is the most I have ever read in a 2 month span.

Now, I am not going to talk about every book I have read but I do want to highlight some of my favorites and then the few that just missed the mark for me.

Let’s get the not so great books out of the way first.

Disappointing Reads

Thankfully, I do not have many of these. Honestly there was only one book I gave under 3 stars and I can say I hate read.

Never Let You Go – – Chevy Stevens

I did a complete review of this book which you can find HERE. Without a doubt, I did not like this book at all. There is no “maybe”. I did not like the characters in this book, really, I did not enjoy anything about this one. I listened to the audiobook, which I do not recommend. I have heard better narrators in my life. Overall, this was not a good book and I can not wait to unhaul this. I gave this one 2 stars.

TW: Domestic Abuse

I did have 2 reads that I had high expectations for but were a bit of a disappointment. They were not bad books by any means. I was just expecting more from them.

Imaginary Friends – – Stephen Chbosky

Ok, so I have never read Perks to Being A Wallflower, but when I heard about this one, I knew I wanted to read it. I normally do not purchase brand new books, I utilize my library for those. But I did pick this one up at Target when it came out.

It started out strong and I was enjoying it. I think it was about halfway through, maybe a little less, when I felt like the reveal happened and it could have ended. But I still had a few hundred pages to go. Despite the length and despite it feeling like it could have been like 200 pages shorter, I read it very quickly. I don’t think it was as scary as I was hoping and as scary as I wanted at that time. My biggest disappointment came at the end, when it took a weird turn. It wasn’t what I was expecting at all and I wasn’t into it.

Overall, I gave this 3.5 stars but it is probably closer to 3 stars.

The Deep – – Alma Katsu

I LOVED The Hunger so when I heard about this and that it was taking place on the Titanic, I had to have this. And when I got it, I had to read it right away.

First, it took me awhile to get into this. I thought it was a little slow going. And to be honest, I don’t think it every really picked up. I did enjoy the two different timelines, but again, I was hoping for something that was scarier. I was completely weirded out by The Hunger, and was expecting more from this. It never really got there. And the ending was just mediocre in my opinion. I think there was so much potential. The atmosphere was there, the location of being on the Titanic and knowing how that plays out, set this up to be so much more than it was. And the cover is stunning. It just fell flat for me.

I gave this 3.5 stars but again it is more like a 3 star.

Standout Reads

The last two months I have been binge reading The Grant County Series by Karin Slaughter. I love the audiobooks of these so I just did one right after the other. I was able to read the first 4 books; Blindsighted, Kisscut, A Faint Cold Fear and Indelible. If you have never read Karin Slaughter and you can handle tough, sometimes gory and gruesome subject matters, I highly recommend her books. When people ask me about them, I compare her books to Law and Order: SVU but a little more in depth. They are so fast paced and keep your attention the whole time.

I would advise to read these in order, the same with the Will Trent series. Each crime is finished within the book, but Slaughter develops her characters a little more with each book that it just makes sense to read them in order to get the full effect. And I would recommend reading the Grant County Series before the Will Trent Series as they do merge at some point and can be spoiled.

Overall this is a fantastic series and I can’t wait to finish the last two books this month.

4 Stars

All the other books I read during my time home were average reads. I enjoyed them but I don’t have much to day about them. If you would like to keep up on my reading, check me out on Goodreads or on my Instagram. I would love to be friends on both platforms!

How has your reading been while spending some time at home?

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Book Review : Never Let You Go by Chevy Stevens

It has been quite awhile since I have read something that I so strongly disliked. And for that I am super grateful, but I knew I was bound to come across something that was such a disappointment for me.

The book that has prompted my return to my blog is Never Let You Go by Chevy Stevens.

Earlier this year I read That Night, also by Chevy Stevens. Now, it wasn’t the best mystery/thriller that I have ever read, but I didn’t dislike it. I gave it 3/3.5 stars, which in my rating, I would consider pretty good. So when I saw Never Let You Go was also available on Hoopla as an audiobook, I figured why not.

Never Let You Go is told in a dual timeline as well as from two different perspectives. I actually like both of these concepts. One timeline is from when Lindsey and Andrew were early into their marriage and the other is from 10 years later when Lindsey and her 17 year old daughter are rebuilding their lives.

I thought this was going to be everything I like in a suspense novel. Twists and turns, a domestic thriller, unreliable people. But it was not. And one of the big reasons why it was not for me was all the domestic violence in here. I can handle a lot, but domestic violence is something I have a hard time with. Had I paid more attention to reviews and what this book was about, I don’t think I would have read it.

I will say, that I do think a big part of my dislike of this book was the audio narration. The version I listened to had two separate narrators; one for Lindsey and one for Sophie. I did not like either, but especially Sophie. Sophie in general reminded me why I do not read a lot of YA. I have little to no tolerance of whiny, entitled teenagers, and this perfectly describes Sophie. To be honest, I was taken out of the story every time the chapter was from her perspective. I cringed when I was listening to it, and not in a good way.

Because of the audio narration and because of my strong dislike for one of the main characters, I completely fell out of this story. I did not care what was going on. All I paid any attention to was how much time I had left in the audiobook.

My final thoughts. There was nothing thrilling about this book. It was more a domestic suspense novel that really wasn’t that great, with characters, or more specifically one character that I wish didn’t have a main role in the book. Towards the end, I was just listening to get it over with.

2 Stars

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Goodreads Monday : 11/11/19

The concept is super simple and was started by @Lauren’s Page Turners. To participate, randomly choose a book of your “Want To Read” shelf on Goodreads and explain why you want to read it.

All of my books on my “Want to Read” shelf are book that I currently own.

This weeks book is:

Can You Keep a Secret – – Sophie Kinsella

Goodreads Blurb

Meet Emma Corrigan, a young woman with a huge heart, an irrepressible spirit, and a few little secrets: Secrets from her boyfriend: I’ve always thought Connor looks a bit like Ken. As in Barbie and Ken. Secrets from her mother: I lost my virginity in the spare bedroom with Danny Nussbaum while Mum and Dad were downstairs watching Ben-Hur. Secrets she wouldn’t share with anyone in the world: I have no idea what NATO stands for. Or even what it is. Until she spills them all to a handsome stranger on a plane. At least, she thought he was a stranger.…Until Emma comes face-to-face with Jack Harper, the company’s elusive CEO, a man who knows every single humiliating detail about her…

Why I Want to Read it

This is one of the last Sophie Kinsella books I have left to read. I was first introduced to this author through the Shopaholic Series, which to this day is one of my favorite series. SO naturally I had to seek out more from her. Granted, some of her stand alones are a little hit or miss for me, but I love them because they are light and fluffy and are sure to give me a laugh. I expect this one to be no different. I believe this is one of her shorter books, and involves a young women who ends up spilling everything to someone she doesn’t know. That’s all I know about it. I do have the audiobook waiting for me on Hoopla. I have come to really enjoy the audiobooks for this author. I like to have these around when I need something quick and fun and I think December will be the perfect time for it.

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Goodreads Monday : 11/04/19

The concept is super simple and was started by @Lauren’s Page Turners. To participate, randomly choose a book of your “Want To Read” shelf on Goodreads and explain why you want to read it.

All of my books on my “Want to Read” shelf are book that I currently own.

This weeks book is:

The Wangs vs. the World – – Jade Chang

Goodreads Blurb

A hilarious debut novel about a wealthy but fractured Chinese immigrant family that had it all, only to lose every last cent – and about the road trip they take across America that binds them back together.

Charles Wang is mad at America. A brash, lovable immigrant businessman who built a cosmetics empire and made a fortune, he’s just been ruined by the financial crisis. Now all Charles wants is to get his kids safely stowed away so that he can go to China and attempt to reclaim his family’s ancestral lands – and his pride. 

Charles pulls Andrew, his aspiring comedian son, and Grace, his style-obsessed daughter, out of schools he can no longer afford. Together with their stepmother, Barbra, they embark on a cross-country road trip from their foreclosed Bel-Air home to the upstate New York hideout of the eldest daughter, disgraced art world it-girl Saina. But with his son waylaid by a temptress in New Orleans, his wife ready to defect for a set of 1,000-thread-count sheets, and an epic smash-up in North Carolina, Charles may have to choose between the old world and the new, between keeping his family intact and finally fulfilling his dream of starting anew in China. 

Outrageously funny and full of charm, The Wangs vs. the World is an entirely fresh look at what it means to belong in America – and how going from glorious riches to (still name-brand) rags brings one family together in a way money never could.

Why I want to read it

I have had this book on my Want to Read shelf for 3 years… 3 years! I am pretty sure I bought this after hearing about it on Book Riot’s podcast All the Books. It caught my attention because it is about a dysfunctional family. And I absolutely love dysfunctional family stories. Its is also suppose to be a humorous story, which is something else I really enjoy. I did pick this up once before, and was quite enjoying it, but I put it down. I don’t even remember why i did that. I usually really enjoy stories by Asian authors and I am sure I will enjoy this when I finally pick it up.

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Book Review : A Ladder to the Sky

A Ladder to the Sky – – John Boyne

Genre – – Contemporary

Rating – -4 Stars

Published – – November 13, 2018

Goodreads Blurb

Maurice Swift is handsome, charming, and hungry for success. The one thing he doesn’t have is talent – but he’s not about to let a detail like that stand in his way. After all, a would-be writer can find stories anywhere. They don’t need to be his own. Working as a waiter in a West Berlin hotel in 1988, Maurice engineers the perfect opportunity: a chance encounter with celebrated novelist Erich Ackermann. He quickly ingratiates himself with the powerful – but desperately lonely – older man, teasing out of Erich a terrible, long-held secret about his activities during the war. Perfect material for Maurice’s first novel. 

Once Maurice has had a taste of literary fame, he knows he can stop at nothing in pursuit of that high. Moving from the Amalfi Coast, where he matches wits with Gore Vidal, to Manhattan and London, Maurice hones his talent for deceit and manipulation, preying on the talented and vulnerable in his cold-blooded climb to the top. But the higher he climbs, the further he has to fall…

Review


First, “The Heart’s Invisible Furies” was my NUMBER 1 read of 2017. I recommend that book to EVERYONE, and the more I think about it, I should pick it up again soon. 

The only thing you need to know about this work of art is we are introduced to Maurice, a man who, early on is life, decides he wants to be a writer. And he will do anything, and I mean ANYTHING, to make that happen. He is a terrible human being, so unlikeable through and through. But you can’t help but want to read this and see where it goes. I cannot imagine wanted something so badly, a career at that, that I would do things, some which are unthinkable, to achieve that “something”. 

“A Ladder to the Sky” is my second John Boyne novel, following “The Heart’s Invisible Furies”. And maybe my expectations were too high and unrealistic. By no means is this a bad book. It is very good actually. Well written, unique storyline that, for the most part is well developed. The only negative I have is I feel the ending was rushed. Most times, books are dragged out too long. In this case, I felt it could do with a few more pages. I would gladly read them. 

I give this one 4 stars. The only thing stopping me from going a full 5 stars, is it is not as great as his previous novel. However, I think I have found a new favorite author of mine. 


4 Stars

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Currently Reading

I do believe something very magical can happen when you read a good book. – – J.K. Rowling

I am EXHAUSTED and WORN OUT! Where I live, we are currently experiencing a heat wave, and real feel temps of 105+. All I want to do is stay inside and read. But there is one problem with that, I am currently in a slump. (Insert sad face here). I have been reading a lot the past few months, but is has just been a very mediocre reading year thus far for me. Of the 47 books I have read, 9 have been 5 star reads for me. But if I am being honest, 2 or 3 of those are more of 4-4.5 stars. Nothing is grabbing my attention. I want another Night Circus or The Heart’s Invisible Furies. So because of this, I have only finished 4 books this month, 2 of which were started last month, so really, did I even read anything? But enough of that. Let’s talk about what I am reading. Spoiler, it’s not much.

Just Started

Just today I started Beartown by Fredrik Backman. I decided to read this VIA audiobook since my hold from the library came in. I have only read one other Fredrik Backman, and although in the end, I did enjoy it, it did take me a while to get into it. I am only about 45 minutes into the audiobook, but so far it is pretty hockey heavy. from what I know of it, it does lay off the sports aspect eventually and focuses more on the traumatic incident that happens. I am hoping this can be a 5 star read for me.

This is another one I just started today, only one chapter in. This was not even on my radar, I have never heard of It’s Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini. I am an avid watcher of Booktube, (YouTube channels all about books). I was watching Sarah of Sarah’s Nightstand , and her latest video is about reading books that she became interested in because of other BookTubers. This was one of them. The way she summarized it and the fact that she couldn’t put it down, sold me and I immediately checked all my resources and got this book. The opening line grabbed my attention right away. I think this is going to be a tough read as it involves depression and thoughts of suicide, but for lack of better words, I am looking forward to it. I want to read more about mental health issues, and the struggles of young people because it is a big deal that gets overlooked too much. TW: Depression, Mental Health Issues, Suicide.

Up Next

Last week I picked up Bad Mommy by Tarryn Fisher from the Library. I have never read anything by her, but I have heard she writes some messed up stuff. As I have just discovered my love for Karin Slaughter, I am ready to read more like that. The only thing I know about this is there is a woman who wants what another woman has, her husband, her kids, her life. That’s all Goodreads gives us and that’s all I want to know. Hopefully it satisfies my desire to read some messed up stuff.

And there it is. My TBR for the next week or so. I am hoping one of these pulls me out of my slump, or my July wrap up is going to be very unexciting.

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