Monday Reading Update

 

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!!

Monday Reading Update & Feedback Please!

Happy New Year’s Eve everyone! I can’t believe 2018 is almost over. Has anyone else been super busy this holiday season? I wish I could say it’s because I’ve been traveling but I haven’t, just a lot of busyness after Christmas. I feel like I’m finally slowing down but yes, my reading has suffered. I’ve read 1 book over the past 2 weeks and I’m starting to get frustrated by not having a book to look forward to reading at the end of the day. I’ve picked up so many books over the last few days and haven’t been able to get into ANY!  I’m sure I’m not alone in that feeling that happens when you can’t get into anything…like oh no, I’m never going to find another book I love! Irrational I know but I start to feel like that. This is also the curse of being a mood reader; I’m only in the mood for certain types of reads lately, namely thrillers or quality romance. P.S. Before I came back to finish writing this post I started a book …read on to find out what has FINALLY got my attention.

That being said I’ve also been thinking about blog postings for the new year and would love your quick feedback in the comment section. What would you like to see more of on the blog…book lists, Monday Updates, Top Ten Tuesdays, Throwback Thursdays, more reviews, mini reviews, discussions, etc? I’d really like to hear what you’d like to read more (or less) of on the blog. I’m trying to come up with a more consistent posting schedule so please share any thoughts you have. I’m looking forward to talking books with you in 2019…

RECENTLY READ…

 

The Sandman  by Lars Kepler
Published: March 6, 2018 by Knopf
464 pages

My Thoughts: This was a fantastic, creepy thriller that also had a good mystery to it. I jumped right into the series with this book (book 4) and didn’t feel like I was missing anything. I love the main character, Joona, and the Scandi setting is perfect for a winter read. Plus, book 5, Stalker is coming out in Feb. If you love intelligent, plot driven thrillers give this a try

 

 

 

TRIED BUT COULDN’T GET INTO…

Scrublands  publishes in January and was a book I was really looking forward to. The marketing blurb said it was The Dry meets Before the Fall but while it was set in Australia like The Dry that’s where the similarities ended for me. I gave this one 40% but found it to be very repetitive and to have way too much going on. The Paragon Hotel  is another January release that sounded right up my alley. Set in the era of Prohibition there’s a single woman with a gun shot wound running from someone on a train bound for Oregon. The blurb says a good mystery involving a missing child comes up but I didn’t get past 10%. The writing and dialogue felt stilted to me and by 10% I had to admit I had no idea who was who or what was going on. If trusted reading friends love it I may give it another try. The premise ( a Serial like documentary with a convicted murderer) and introduction of Don’t Believe It intrigued me and I think I’ll revisit this one another time, it just wasn’t compelling enough to hold my interest right now (DNF 15%). I’ve had She Rides Shotgun  on my TBR for so long. It won the Edgar award for best debut novel which usually is a surefire sign I’ll like a book but while I know the dad in the story was an outlaw and “bad” person, I just found him annoying and didn’t care about the little girl. This is one instance I think if the author would’ve allowed me to get to know either of them before diving right into the action I might’ve been connected enough with at least the little girl to keep going (DNF 8%).

CURRENTLY READING…(as of about 2 hours ago)

Forever is the Worst Long Time  was on my radar in the past but I forgot about it unfortunately. When I saw it on an Instagram favorite books of 2018 post today I immediately downloaded a sample, loved it and promptly bought it! So far it’s reminding me of One Day in December  (My Review) with what seems like an interesting love triangle developing. I’m loving the dialogue and pace, so far so good which makes me really happy.

What have you been reading & loving lately? I’d love to know and don’t forget, if you have an extra minute, leave me a comment letting me know what you’d like to see more of on the blog for 2019! 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!