Hi All! Hope you had a good weekend. We’re still waiting for warmer weather here in Ohio, so in the meantime I’ve been taking advantage of reading under my favorite cozy blanket. I had a SUPER productive reading week last week, finishing 3 books, 2 of which I really liked although none were 5 star reads…close but not quite.
RECENTLY READ…
The River was way more literary than I expected. I don’t mean that in a bad way because the writing was excellent but I thought it would be more thriller like and it really wasn’t. I appreciated the author’s obvious knowledge of canoeing on a river and wilderness survival along with his ability to create extremely realistic scenes. I wanted to read this book because I love nature and stories about wilderness survival because I would never ever want to go camping or rafting on a river…ever. I felt like I was there while reading this story though. However, I thought there was something lacking. I’m not sure if it was the third person narration which made me feel less connected to either Wynn or Jack but I was left feeling underwhelmed when I should’ve felt several other emotions.
Before She Knew Him was one of my most anticipated winter reads and it definitely ended up being addictive reading. I love how Swanson writes characters who are wacky and completely in your face about it! BUT, I ended up having thoughts…many thoughts…I’ll have a review up soon.
The Last Act was a such a fast paced, action filled read. The blurb for this contained so many of my favorite buzz words (FBI, prison, undercover, ) I knew I would love it…and I did. Review up (hopefully) tomorrow for pub day
TRIED BUT WASN’T FEELING…
American Spy also had so many of my favorite buzz words in the publisher blurb…espionage, spy thriller, FBI, passionate romance and betrayal…yes please! After the opening scene, however, the plot quickly fizzled for me with WAY too much telling and a second person narrative structure I didn’t like.
CURRENTLY READING…
The Devil Aspect came on my radar after I saw Katie’s review at Basicbsguide on Instagram. This creepy story centering around the “criminally insane” sounds like something I’ll love. I’ve just started it but I can say it’s drawn me in from the first page. Let’s hope my luck with quality thriller reads continues!
POSSIBLE NEXT READS…
OR 
I think I’m about ready for a thriller break before I start having nightmares about all the psychopaths I’ve been reading about! Both of these sound promising and would be much lighter reads.
Did you read anything great last week? Have anything that sounds amazing coming up? Let me know in the comments!
Have a Great Week!!
itsbooktalkcom.wordpress.com 
I’m listening to The River right now. Less than an hour in, so it’s hard to say, but I like things more on the literary side, so maybe it will work well for me.
The Devil Aspect is one I’ve not even seen. It’s amazing how we can be so into books and still miss lots of them!
LikeLike
I’d love to hear what you think of The River when you’re finished, message me if you have time. I’m always so surprised when I come across a book that sounds perfect for me and I didn’t already know about it…the fun of being in such a large book community:)
LikeLike
I’m glad you had a good reading week. Hopefully you get a 5 star read soon!! I finally had one with the new Camille Pagan book. I put the audio of Before She Knew Him on hold at my library. Now I am anxious to see your review!
LikeLike
I got Camilla’s new book as my kindle first read so I’m excited that was a 5 star for you. Before She Knew Him will probably be awesome on audio, especially if they have 2 narrators. I hope I’ll have a review up WEd or thurs:)
LikeLike
I really want to read Before She Knew Him! It would be my first Peter Swanson read 🙂
LikeLike
You’re in for a treat Tina! Also, try The Kind Worth Killing, that’s so good too
LikeLike