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Showing posts with label 2018. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2018. Show all posts

Friday, January 4, 2019

December Re-Cap

I almost forgot about this post...ahhh, Christmas time...all that shopping and wrapping takes up a lot of time and kinda cuts into the reading time...I listened to a total of 7 Audiobooks, and read 3 Kindle eBooks, one of which was a Netgalley eARC.  For a grand total of 10!  A total of 3,685 pages read (including Audio's).








The Broken Girls by Simone St. James

☆5☆STARS | GRADE=A+







Not Even Bones by Rebecca Schaeffer

☆4.2☆STARS | GRADE=B+






Unloved by Katy Regnery

☆4.3☆STARS - GRADE=A-






All Systems Red by Martha Wells

☆2.5☆STARS - GRADE=D+





Obsidio by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

☆5+☆STARS - GRADE=A++






Winter by Marissa Meyer

☆4.3☆STARS - GRADE=A-







Bring Down the Stars by Emma Scott

☆4.3☆STARS - GRADE=A-






Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? 

(And Other Concerns)

☆3.7☆STARS - GRADE=B







Emma in the Night by Wendy Walker

☆3.8☆STARS - GRADE=B






Verity by Colleen Hoover

☆5☆STARS - GRADE=A+









Best Cover of the Month goes to...




Tuesday, January 1, 2019

Most Memorable 2018

2018 has been a year of branching out for me...I've been reading less romance and more mysteries and thrillers and I even dabbled in some horror.  I've come to realize that what makes a romance story 5 stars, isn't necessarily what makes a psychological thriller 5 stars, and it's taking some getting used too.  I've not been able to really favor a mystery book yet, maybe I'll find it in 2019.  I'm going to break this down a little differently than I have before with my top 13.

MOST MIND-BLOWING



Verity by Colleen Hoover and Bad Mommy by Tarryn Fisher (now called I Can Be A Better You)


Kind of cool that these two Authors are two most mind-blowing.


BEST SCIENCE FICTION


    

LIFEL1K3 by Jay Kristoff, This Mortal Coil by Emily Suvada and Contagion by Erin Bowman


I loved all three of these...It seems that my favorite Science Fiction is also YA.



BEST NARRATION



Gemina and Obsidio by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff and Waking Gods by Sylvain Neuvel


I love full-cast narration...it's amazing.



BEST ROMANCE



The Simple Wild by KA Tucker

The setting is what set this apart from other romances...and KA Tucker's amazing writing.


BEST FANTASY




Kill the Queen by Jennifer Estep, Sky In The Deep by Adrienne Young and The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

These three were my kind of fantasy...


BEST HORROR




Fantasticland by Mick Bockoven


One of the horror-if-ic books that I dabbled in this year.  This is one intense ride.

Verity by Colleen Hoover

I believe CoHo was channeling her inner Tarryn Fisher on this one...


๏ ๏ ๏  Book Blurb ๏ ๏ ๏ 


Lowen Ashleigh is a struggling writer on the brink of financial ruin when she accepts the job offer of a lifetime. Jeremy Crawford, the husband of bestselling author Verity Crawford, has hired Lowen to complete the remaining books in a successful series his injured wife is unable to finish.

Lowen arrives at the Crawford home, ready to sort through years of Verity's notes and outlines, hoping to find enough material to get her started. What Lowen doesn't expect to uncover in the chaotic office is an unfinished autobiography Verity never intended for anyone to read. Page after page of bone-chilling admissions, including Verity's recollection of what really happened the day her daughter died.

Lowen decides to keep the manuscript hidden from Jeremy, knowing its contents would devastate the already grieving father. But as Lowen's feelings for Jeremy begin to intensify, she recognizes all the ways she could benefit if he were to read his wife's words. After all, no matter how devoted Jeremy is to his injured wife, a truth this horrifying would make it impossible for him to continue to love her.



๏ ๏ ๏  My Review ๏ ๏ ๏ 


What kind of mind-fuckery is this?  Seriously, that beginning...that middle, and of course, that freaking crazy AF ending.  If you like Colleen Hoover and you also like romantic suspense...then you'll be totally eating this story up...with a fork and a spoon.  But only, if you like your stories and your characters completely twisted.  Disclaimer:  If you like your stories to leave you feeling like they all live happily-ever-after...then this might not be for you.  A book to make you go hmmm...


   A Bookish Obsession Favorite   


๏ ๏ ๏  MY RATING ๏ ๏ ๏ 


☆5☆STARS - GRADE=A+




๏ Breakdown of Ratings ๏ 

Plot⇝ 5/5
Main Characters⇝ 5/5
Secondary Characters⇝ 5/5
The Feels⇝ 5/5
Pacing⇝ 5/5
Addictiveness⇝ 5/5
Theme or Tone⇝ 4.5/5
Flow (Writing Style)⇝ 5/5
Backdrop (World Building)⇝ 5/5
Originality⇝ 5/5
Ending⇝ 5/5 Cliffhanger⇝ Not really...
๏ ๏ ๏
Book Cover⇝ It's sketchy...
Setting⇝ Mostly Vermont
Source⇝ I own Kindle eBook 
๏ ๏ ๏
Goodreads
Amazon
Booklikes

Saturday, December 29, 2018

Emma In The Night by Wendy Walker

A twisted family affair...


๏ ๏ ๏  Book Blurb ๏ ๏ ๏ 


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.


๏ ๏ ๏  My Review ๏ ๏ ๏ 


I've read reviews where they call the MC of a book an unreliable narrator, but I've never quite grasped what that means...until now, that is.  I think it's when they (the MC) is not giving you; the reader, all the information despite it being from their pov.  For instance, in this book, Cass doesn't give anything away, other than conveying that you "don't know the whole story".  Do I like this approach?  Maybe...my feelings are mixed on this.

This was an okay read, despite anti-climatic ending...nothing spectacular...but I mostly liked it.  The narrators were decent too.  The topic of narcissism was not only interesting but also something quite different and it felt well researched.  It was a worthwhile listen just for that alone.  Which is good because the characters were somewhat unlikable at best...and the rest were quite obnoxious, although, some of them were that way on purpose, for sure.

๏ ๏ ๏  MY RATING ๏ ๏ ๏ 

☆3.8☆STARS - GRADE=B



๏ Breakdown of Ratings ๏ 

Plot⇝ 4/5
Main Characters⇝ 4/5 
Secondary Characters⇝ 3.7/5
The Feels⇝ 4/5
Pacing⇝ 4.2/5
Addictiveness⇝ 4/5
Theme or Tone⇝ 4/5
Flow (Writing Style)⇝ 3.7/5
Backdrop (World Building)⇝ 4/5
Originality⇝ 4.3/5
Ending⇝ 3.7/5 Cliffhanger⇝ Nope.
๏ ๏ ๏
Book Cover⇝ It freaked me out at first, it kinda looks like an exorcism, because you have to look closely to see that her face is actually facing forward.
Narration⇝ ☆4.5☆ for Therese Plummer (as Abby) & Julia Whelan (as Cass)...they were both quite good and also had distinct voices.  I've listened to them both many times in many different books.
Setting⇝ Connecticut
Source⇝ Audiobook (Library)
๏ ๏ ๏
Goodreads
Amazon
Booklikes


Friday, December 28, 2018

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling

Love the title...and I know everyone is hanging out without me, I see the evidence on my Facebook, after all...


๏ ๏ ๏  Book Blurb ๏ ๏ ๏ 



Mindy Kaling has lived many lives: the obedient child of immigrant professionals, a timid chubster afraid of her own bike, a Ben Affleck–impersonating Off-Broadway performer and playwright, and, finally, a comedy writer and actress prone to starting fights with her friends and coworkers with the sentence “Can I just say one last thing about this, and then I swear I’ll shut up about it?” 
Perhaps you want to know what Mindy thinks makes a great best friend (someone who will fill your prescription in the middle of the night), or what makes a great guy (one who is aware of all elderly people in any room at any time and acts accordingly), or what is the perfect amount of fame (so famous you can never get convicted of murder in a court of law), or how to maintain a trim figure (you will not find that information in these pages). If so, you’ve come to the right book, mostly!
In Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?, Mindy invites readers on a tour of her life and her unscientific observations on romance, friendship, and Hollywood, with several conveniently placed stopping points for you to run errands and make phone calls. Mindy Kaling really is just a Girl Next Door—not so much literally anywhere in the continental United States, but definitely if you live in India or Sri Lanka



๏ ๏ ๏  My Review ๏ ๏ ๏ 


I don't usually read many memoir type stories, and I really only listened to this because I needed a title that ends in a question mark.  I would say this more the musings of a comedian than a memoir, though.  I've never seen The Office or The Mindy Project, but I don't think that matters entirely, at least not to enjoy this.  I laughed out loud many times and if I didn't laugh, I at least smiled.  I can't really say anything bad about something that makes me laugh...

๏ ๏ ๏  MY RATING ๏ ๏ ๏ 


3.7STARS - GRADE=B



๏ Breakdown of Ratings ๏ 

Pacing⇝ 4/5 
Addictiveness⇝ 3.5/5
Flow (Writing Style)⇝ 3.5/5
Did It Make Me Laugh⇝ 4/5
๏ ๏ ๏
Book Cover⇝ Pretty...
Narration⇝ Mindy Kaling...It was good, I mean who else is going to narrate your book about your thoughts properly other than you???
Source⇝ Audiobook (Library)
๏ ๏ ๏
Goodreads
Amazon
Booklikes


Friday, November 30, 2018

November Re-Cap

While I only read a total of 10 books plus 1 novella this month, which is lower than what I've been reading lately, I've had some really good reads/listens this month. With the exception of one DNF, I only had 2 ratings under 4 and a half stars....so November has totally been a quality reading month over quantity.  I'll take that!  I also started a blog...again.  What can I say, I cannot make up my mind whether or not I want a blog or not.  So...we will see how this goes for me. 





(Audiobook) Uncanny by Sarah Fine
Finish Date:  11/01
☆4☆STARS - GRADE=B+


(eBook on Riveted) These Precious Scars by Emily Suvada
Finish Date:  11/02
☆3☆STARS - GRADE=C


(Kindle eBook) Beyond What Is Given by Rebecca Yarros
Finish Date:  11/05
☆4.5☆STARS - GRADE=A-


(Audiobook) This Cruel Design by Emily Suvada
Finish Date:  11/08
☆4.5☆STARS - GRADE=A-


(Audiobook) Sky In The Deep by Adrienne Young
Finish Date:  11/10
☆4.8☆STARS - GRADE=A


(Kindle eBook) This Is Love by Caroline Nolan
Finish Date:  11/12
☆5☆STARS - GRADE=A+



(Audiobook) The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein by Kiersten White
Finish Date:  11/16
☆3.2☆STARS - GRADE=C+


(Netgalley eARC) You'd Be Mine by Erin Hahn
Finish Date:  11/19
☆4.8☆STARS - GRADE=A




(Audiobook) Into The Black Nowhere by Meg Gardiner
Finish Date:  11/20
☆4.3☆STARS - GRADE=A-



(Audiobook) The Nowhere Girls by Amy Reed
Finish Date:  11/26
☆4.5☆STARS - GRADE=A-


(Audiobook) Kill The Queen by Jennifer Estep (Review Pending)
Finish Date:  11/30
☆4.8☆STARS - GRADE=A

11 books total, 7 of which were Audiobooks, 3 were eBooks and 1 Netgalley eARC.
Plus 1 DNF (I dnf'd this early on, it just wasn't for me)


For a grand total (including Audiobooks) of 3,682 Pages!

My Choice for Best Cover for the Month of November is




My Latest Post

AUDIOBOOK ➯ THE PERFECT MOTHER