Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick

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Mental Health

Contemporary Adult Fiction

Dysfunctional Family

Love & Other Stuff

Lots of Football

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Kindle eBook | Audio

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With Audio Performed by Ray Potter

๏ ๏ ๏  My Thoughts ๏ ๏ ๏ 

I wasn't going to read/listen to this, at least not until Audible offered it for free around Christmas.  Since I've already seen the movie (but found myself not remembering too much about it) I didn't really know if I wanted to even listen to this...but a reading challenge (Snakes & Ladders) gave me the push to finally do so.  It's wasn't too difficult to get into this, despite the numerous football references and shenanigans, I still liked the story overall.  I've never really gotten into reading any classic literature and the varied references to them in this were insightful and helped to reassure me that I probably not missing out.

๏ ๏ ๏  MY RATING ๏ ๏ ๏ 

☆3.5☆STARS - GRADE=B-

๏ Breakdown of Ratings ๏ 

Plot⇝ 3.7/5
Narration Performance⇝ 4/5

Main Characters⇝ 3/5

Secondary Characters⇝ 3/5

The Feels⇝ 3/5

Pacing⇝ 3.8/5

Addictiveness⇝ 3.5/5

Theme or Tone⇝ 3.8/5

Flow (Writing Style)⇝ 4/5

Backdrop (World Building)⇝ 4/5

Ending⇝ 4/5 Cliffhanger⇝ Nope.

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Book Cover⇝ Movie Cover...

Setting⇝ Philadelphia, PA

Source⇝ Own Audible Audio
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Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

The Readymade Thief by Augustus Rose

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Urbex Exploring
Stand-Alone

Young-ish Adult
Davinci Code Feel
Weird AF

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Kindle eBook | Audio

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With Audio Performed by Emily Rankin

๏ ๏ ๏  My Thoughts ๏ ๏ ๏ 

There are quite a few reviews that say this is like Davinci Code...and I didn't like that movie, or I didn't "get it" anyway, so I should have realized this wasn't going to work for me.  Basically, it was too long and too weird for me...the only elements of the book I really liked was the urbex exploring.  Search #urbex on Instagram, there are some really cool pics.

๏ ๏ ๏  MY RATING ๏ ๏ ๏

 

☆2☆STARS - GRADE=D

๏ Breakdown of Ratings ๏ 

Plot⇝ 2/5
Narration Performance⇝ 3/5

Main Characters⇝ 2.5/5

Secondary Characters⇝ 2/5

The Feels⇝ 1/5

Pacing⇝ 2/5

Addictiveness⇝ 1/5

Theme or Tone⇝ 1/5

Flow (Writing Style)⇝ 2/5

Backdrop (World Building)⇝ 4/5

Ending⇝ 1/5 Cliffhanger⇝ Seriously, I don't even care...

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Book Cover⇝  It's quite awesome...I think it went with the story well enough...

Setting⇝ Philadelphia, PA

Source⇝ Audiobook (Library)
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Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant

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Killer Mermaids

Mariana Trench - Deepest Part of the Ocean

Scientific Research
Survival

Splash of Romance

Semi-Futuristic Setting

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Kindle eBook | Audio

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With Audio Performed by Christine Lakin

๏ ๏ ๏  My Thoughts ๏ ๏ ๏ 

My review in one word:  Intense

From the intense character development to the intense action, and of course...the intense killer mermaids.   This could be an epic movie, in the right hands...

While it's debatable whether or not you should call them Mermaids...and I'm not going to say any more than that...these beings are insanely cool and super-scary.  The last half of this book is seriously good, and the first half sets up the second half, with character development that is very in-depth...maybe a little too much...maybe not.  It all depends on what you prefer.

I am really happy I listened to this, it makes the slow sections easier to bear.  I even used an Audible Credit to do so, and I don't regret it.  There is a prequel (Rolling in the Deep) to this and I wished I had known about it, beforehand, I would have read it first.

๏ ๏ ๏  MY RATING ๏ ๏ ๏ 

☆4.5☆STARS - GRADE=A-

๏ Breakdown of Ratings ๏ 

Plot⇝ 4.5/5
Narration Performance⇝ 4.5/5

Main Characters⇝ 4/5

Secondary Characters⇝ 4/5

The Feels⇝ 4.5/5

Pacing⇝ 4/5

Addictiveness⇝ 4.5/5

Theme or Tone⇝ 4.5/5

Flow (Writing Style)⇝ 4.5/5

Backdrop (World Building)⇝ 5/5

Originality⇝ 5/5

Ending⇝ 4/5 Cliffhanger⇝ Not really...

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Book Cover⇝  I love the way the title looks like it's moving in the water.

Setting⇝ The Mariana Trench & Monterey, CA

Source⇝ I Own Audible Audiobook
Series Continuation⇝ Yes, No, Maybe or Probably
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Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Do Not Disturb by A.R. Torre

Deanna Madden Series #2

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Psychological Thriller

Romantic Suspense

Erotic Cyber Sex

Darkish
Homicidal Tendencies

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Kindle eBook | Audio

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With Audio Performed by Jorjeana Marie

๏ ๏ ๏  My Thoughts ๏ ๏ ๏

 

I didn't like this quite as much as the first book but it was still a solid follow-up to The Girl in 6E.  Do Not Disturb has stepped up the romance a bit, between Deanna and the UPS guy, Jeremy.  Also, we get to know the elusive hacker, Mike, somewhat.  There is a new dilemma with a customer of Deanna's who just got out of jail for Rape and is hell-bent on meeting up her, despite telling him repeatedly that she doesn't do that sort of thing.  Things escalate quickly, and she has to deal with the consequences of that.  All of this is going on while Deanna tries to deal with her need to kill, plus her newfound need to escape her apartment. 

The ending was definitely missing something for me, things tied up a little too quickly and I still wish this had a male narrator for the male parts of the book...but honestly, Jorjeana Marie does do a stellar job as the voice of Deanna Madden.

๏ ๏ ๏  MY RATING ๏ ๏ ๏ 

☆4☆STARS - GRADE=B+

๏ Breakdown of Ratings ๏ 

Plot⇝ 4/5
Narration Performance⇝ 4/5

Characters⇝ 4.8/5

The Feels⇝ 3.8/5

Pacing⇝ 4/5

Addictiveness⇝4.3/5

Theme or Tone⇝ 4/5

Flow (Writing Style)⇝ 4.2/5

Backdrop (World Building)⇝ 4/5

Originality⇝ 5/5

Ending⇝ 3.8/5 Cliffhanger⇝ "to be continued"

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Book Cover⇝ It also goes perfectly with the series...

Setting⇝ Mostly Tulsa, OK

Source⇝ Audiobook (Library)
Series Continuation⇝ Yes, No, Maybe or Probably
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Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

The Girl in 6E by A.R. Torre

Deanna Madden Series #1

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Psychological Suspense Thriller

Darkish Mystery

Homicidal Tendencies
Splash of Romance

Erotic Cyber Sex

Will Give You Insight Into the Life of A Cam-Girl 

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Kindle eBook | Audio

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With Audio Performed by Jorjeana Marie

๏ ๏ ๏  My Thoughts ๏ ๏ ๏ 

A very different kind of thriller about a twenty-something girl who believes she has homicidal tendencies just like her Mother had.  She also makes a living as a cam-girl on the internet.   Deanna Madden is unlike anyone I've ever read about, she is seriously disturbed, yet absolutely compelling.  The Author has not only researched her topics thoroughly she has also put in meticulous details, that make this story feel genuine.  From her tower of boxes that she has in her apartment from ordering everything she needs online, and having it delivered via UPS to the scandalous, yet oddly educational life of a cam-girl.

There are two separate stories going on and eventually, they converge into one.  That convergence is when the story really gets interesting.  Jorjeana Marie is perfect for the voice of Deanna but they should have had a male narrator for the male voices, having Jorjeana voice the male parts also, just made this a bit hard to separate them from one another.  Overall, I actually really connected with this, and I wasn't sure that I would.  It is one of these most sexual books I ever read/listen without any actual sex.

๏ ๏ ๏  MY RATING ๏ ๏ ๏ 

☆4.5☆STARS - GRADE=A-

๏ Breakdown of Ratings ๏ 

Plot⇝ 4.7/5
Narration Performance⇝ 4/5

Characters⇝ 4.3/5

The Feels⇝ 5/5

Pacing⇝ 5/5

Addictiveness⇝ 5/5

Theme or Tone⇝4.7/5

Flow (Writing Style)⇝ 5/5

Backdrop (World Building)⇝ 5/5

Originality⇝ 5/5

Ending⇝ 5/5 Cliffhanger⇝ "to be continued" 

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Book Cover⇝ Very fitting...

Setting⇝ Mostly Tulsa, OK

Source⇝ Audiobook (Library)
Series Continuation⇝ Yes, No, Maybe or Probably (already started on the 2nd book)
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Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

No Exit by Taylor Adams

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Unrelenting Suspense
Nail-Biting Thriller

Stranded in a Snow Storm

Colorado Rockies
Totally Twisted

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Kindle eBook | Audio

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With Narration Performed by Sarah Naughton

๏ ๏ ๏  My Thoughts ๏ ๏ ๏ 

Stranded at a Colorado rest stop with a would-be child kidnapper...in a hella snow storm.  Turns out this makes for a crazy suspenseful story.  With so many twists and turns, it made for an un-stoppable listen.  Sadly, though...for me...I felt like it just went on and on, and I started to lose interest in the MC's struggle to survive.  So much so that I had to rewind and re-listen to the last part of the story to see how it all played out.  I mean, ultimately, I was still invested in the overall story.   I do, however, believe that this would make for an excellent movie.

๏ ๏ ๏  MY RATING ๏ ๏ ๏ 

☆4☆STARS - GRADE=B+

๏ Breakdown of Ratings ๏ 

Plot⇝ 4/5 
Narration Performance⇝ 4/5

Main Characters⇝ 4/5

The Feels⇝ 4.2/5

Pacing⇝ 3.5/5

Addictiveness⇝ 4.3/5

Theme or Tone⇝ 4/5

Flow (Writing Style)⇝ 4/5

Backdrop (World Building)⇝ 5/5

Originality⇝ 4/5

Ending⇝ 4/5 Cliffhanger⇝ Nah...

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Book Cover⇝ Kind of overplayed...but it goes with the story, actually.

Setting⇝ Colorada

Source⇝ Audible Audiobook
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Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Freefall by Jessica Barry

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Survivor Story

Airplane Crash
Mystery Suspense
Flashbacks
Dual POV's

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Kindle eBook | Audio

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With Narration Performed by Hilary Huber, Karissa Vacker and Macleod Andrews

๏ ๏ ๏  My Thoughts ๏ ๏ ๏ 

I couldn't really connect with the characters and I believe it's totally due to the narration...I don't know why this happens in audiobooks, but when a lot of the story is told in flashbacks, you need a way to let the listener know when you're changing from present to past...I'm not sure what needs to be done, sometimes a narrator can change their voice subtly to let you know...or at the least, you could have a significant pause before you jump from one to the other.  Whether this is the fault of the producer, the Author or the Narrator, something has to be done about this.  

Sadly, I was constantly trying to figure out what was going on, and this could have been something I really would have liked otherwise...as it is...I thought it was an okay listen.  Despite this, the other two narrators (Vacker and Andrews) were fairly good. But overall, this lacked something for me...from the lackluster mystery to the overly slow reveals, I just wasn't that into it...

๏ ๏ ๏  MY RATING ๏ ๏ ๏ 

☆3☆STARS - GRADE=C

๏ Breakdown of Ratings ๏ 

Plot⇝ 3.5/5
Narration Performance⇝ 3/5

Characters⇝ 3/5

The Feels⇝ 2/5

Pacing⇝ 2.7/5

Addictiveness⇝ 3/5

Theme or Tone⇝ 3/5

Flow (Writing Style)⇝ 3.5/5

Backdrop (World Building)⇝ 3.7/5

Originality⇝ 4/5

Ending⇝ 3.8/5 Cliffanger⇝ Nope. 

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Book Cover⇝  It's Blue...I like Blue and if you look closely you can see some clouds.  I like the cover more than the story...

Setting⇝ The Rocky Mountains, California, and Maine

Source⇝ Audiobook (Library)
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Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

All Is Not Forgotten by Wendy Walker

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Unreliable Narrator

A Story w/Layers

Mystery Thriller

Rape/Dark Themes

Betrayals

๏ ๏ ๏ Links ๏ ๏ ๏

Kindle eBook | Audio

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With Narration by Dylan Baker

๏ ๏ ๏  My Thoughts ๏ ๏ ๏ 

Wow, this one was difficult to listen too...especially in the beginning.  It paints the picture of a horrendous rape...both sickening and heart-breaking.  But if you can get past that, you should be able to listen to the entire story...and what a fucked-up story it is.  A multi-layered story that is so much more than what it appears to be, with all these loose ends waiting to be tied up.

I was wondering before I even started this, why does it have a male narrator...I thought it was from Jenny's pov...but it's not.  You should have a guess of who the narrator is fairly quickly...and if you don't, it is revealed by the end of Chapter 5.  This book made me feel...all sorts of feels, actually.  From disgust to sadness, to hope and to something like incredulity, the ending was really something.

๏ ๏ ๏  MY RATING ๏ ๏ ๏ 

☆4.5☆STARS - GRADE=A-

๏ Breakdown of Ratings ๏ 

Plot⇝ 4.3/5
Narration Performance⇝ 5/5

Main Characters⇝ 4.5/5

Secondary Characters⇝ 4/5

The Feels⇝ 5/5

Pacing⇝ 4.2/5

Addictiveness⇝ 4.5/5

Theme or Tone⇝ 4/5

Flow (Writing Style)⇝ 4/5

Backdrop (World Building)⇝ 4.3/5

Originality⇝ 4.5/5

Ending⇝ 4.5/5 Cliffhanger⇝ Nope.

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Book Cover⇝ It's Perfect for the story.

Setting⇝ Fairview, CT

Source⇝ Audiobook (Library)
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Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

January Monthly Re-Cap

The month of January was a decent reading month for me overall.  Lots of crappy/cold weather that kept me homebound, well, other than going to work.  I was able to get a decent amount of reading/listening in.

๏ ๏ ๏ A Bookish Obsession Monthly Reading Re-Cap ๏ ๏ ๏

{Audio} Devils Unto Dust by Emma Berquist

Highlights Include:  

Zombie-like Creatures

Alternate History

Young Adult

Finish Date:  01/01

☆2.5☆STARS - GRADE=D+

{Netgalley eARC} Long Live the Beautiful Hearts by Emma Scott

Highlights Include:

Contemporary Romance

Wonderful Characters

A Favorite Author

Part 2 Of A Duology

Finish Date:  05/05

☆5+☆STARS - GRADE=A++

{Audio} You by Caroline Kepnes

Highlights Include:

JOE

Mouth-Dropping Moments

Sex-Plicit

Finish Date:  01/06

☆4.7☆STARS - GRADE=A

{Audio} Sugar & Gold by Emma Scott

Highlights Include:

Adult Contemporary Romance

Sexually Explicit Scenes (possibly a few too many)

Splash of Supernatural Elements

One of my Favorite Authors

Finish Date: 01/10

☆4☆STARS - GRADE=B+

{Audio} Those Who Knew by Idra Novey

Highlights Include:

Political Intrigue

An Odd Alternate World

DNF @ 75%

Finish Date: 01/11

☆2☆STARS - GRADE=D

{Audio} Only Human by Sylvain Neuvel

Highlights Include:

Giant Robots

Science Fiction w/Aliens
Life On Another Planet

Existential Elements

A Satisfying Ending

Full-Cast Narration

Finish Date: 01/13

☆5☆STARS - GRADE=A+

{Audio} Bright Ruin by Vic James

Highlights Include:

Alternate/Dystopian-ish Society

Magic

Fantastical Elements

Intrigue

Good Triumphing Over Evil

A Small Splash of Romance

Finish Date: 01/17

☆4.3☆STARS - GRADE=A-

{Kindle eBook} Everything Unexpected by Caroline Nolan

Highlights Include:

Adult Contemporary Romance

Friends to Lovers 

The heroine has the same name as ME! 

My second book by this Author

Finish Date: 01/19

☆3.5☆STARS - GRADE=B-

{Audio} All These Beautiful Strangers by Elizabeth Klehfoth

Highlights Include:

Young Adult Contemporary

Pretty Little Liars Vibe

Boarding School Secret Society

Multi-Layered Mystery

Psychological Thriller

Three different Narrators

Stand-Alone

Finish Date: 01/22

☆4.3☆STARS - GRADE=A-

{Audio} Sadie by Courtney Summers

Highlights Include:

Full-Cast Narration

Mystery

Revenge

Substance Abuse

YA Contemporary

Unique Format

Finish Date: 01/24

☆4.7☆STARS - GRADE=A

{Audio} Roomies by Christina Lauren

Highlights Include:

Let's Get Married then Fall In Love

Irish Hero

Musically Influenced

Rom-Com

New-to-Me Author

Sex-Plicit

Finish Date: 01/27

☆4☆STARS - GRADE=B+

{Audio} Monstrous Beauty by Elizabeth Fama

Highlights Include:

Present Day Interspersed With Historical Flashbacks

Pilgrims of Plymouth History

Mermaids

Cursed Ghosts

An Evil Sea Hag

Doomed Romance

Finish Date: 01/30

☆3☆STARS - GRADE=C

{Kindle eBook} Pitch Dark by Courtney Alameda

Highlights Include:

Adventure in Deep Space

Diverse Cast of Characters

Dystopian-ish

Horror-if-ic

YA Romance

A Stand-Alone

Finish Date: 01/31

☆3.3☆STARS - GRADE=B-

JANUARY'S TOTAL BOOKS READ IS 13

10 Audiobooks

2 Kindle eBooks

& 1 Netgalley eARC

MY TOTAL # of pages read (including Audio) is 4,743

With Best Cover Going To...