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| 0593200381
| 9780593200384
| 3.73
| 27,524
| Mar 05, 2024
| Mar 05, 2024
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really liked it
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**Many thanks to NetGalley, Berkley, and Simone St. James for an ARC of this book! Now available as of 3.5!!** "I danced with the Devil, he tried to ge **Many thanks to NetGalley, Berkley, and Simone St. James for an ARC of this book! Now available as of 3.5!!** "I danced with the Devil, he tried to get my soul Didn't recognize him on the dead man's road Oh no, he's dead and cold Don't go down the dead man's road" - Dead Man's Road, Doc Holliday It's the summer of '97, and April and Eddie have tied the knot...and now it's finally time for a peaceful, relaxing honeymoon. Headed to their quiet resort town along the lake in Michigan, they can almost hear the lull of the waves and feel the warm sun on their faces already...even though it's nighttime. But when they stray off the beaten path and end up on a strange stretch of road known as Atticus Line...the vibes are a lot less Good Vibrations and a lot more 'Oujia Board on Halloween'. They see a hitchhiker stranded on the side of the road, and despite their better judgment (and the obvious kink in their original plans) they stop to help the young woman out...and it's only then they notice that she's COVERED in blood. Eddie and April get the woman (named Rhonda Jean) to a hospital...but unfortunately not soon enough to save her. What they later learn is that she's far from the first to disappear on that fated stretch of road...Atticus Line is known for missing hitchhikers, and one particular hitchhiker is known by all of the locals as "The Lost Girl." This Jane Doe has never been found, and with a string of other unsolved murders taking place on this SAME stretch of highway, police begin to narrow their focus onto the two people who just HAPPENED to be there when Rhonda was found soaked in blood: Eddie and April. Desperate to clear their names and get to the bottom of the case, the married duo tap into local resources: the owner of the B&B they are staying at, Rose, and true Hardy Girls in the flesh, the Snell Sisters, who are teens obsessed with the murders and doing a bit of detective work on their own, and attempt to tackle the last 30 YEARS of unsolved cases to find out just what happened to all of this missing wanderers...and if their spirits are still haunting the same eerie stretch of highway. Can Eddie and April get to the bottom of the mystery with all eyes cast upon them? Or does The Lost Girl have her eyes on a NEW victim...or possibly a pair of victims...and won't stop until she FINALLY exacts her revenge? I have to admit, I've been on the fence about continuing to read Simone St. James' books since my very first. I have always felt like I loved the IDEA of her books more than the finished product itself, and have relied heavily on her fantastic use of atmosphere and her AMAZING ghosts to keep me hooked and hoping for something more each time I pick one up. Oftentimes in the past, her plots have felt very convenient to me, with everything and everyone being in the right place, at the right time for everything to work, with a certain level of suspended disbelief ALSO required just to get me from A to B in terms of plot. I've never felt compelled to keep reading OTHER than to revisit her ghosts again and again, which is a bit bizarre, but just speaks to the quality of her writing when it comes to the paranormal. But with Murder Road, I am thrilled to say that St. James took EVERY aspect of her writing to the next level...and the result was a thriller that was spooky, dripping in 90's nostalgia, and a TWISTY page turner that kept me EASILY enthralled from beginning to end! St. James' atmosphere is ALWAYS on point, but as a 90's kid with a soft spot for the aforementioned era, I feel that she absolutely NAILED the essence of the 90s. This cover says it all: it could just have easily been on a Christopher Pike or R.L Stine book from the same era...and I mean that as an ABSOLUTE compliment! There are plenty of references thrown in along the way to remind you of the time period, but rather than beat her readers over the head with them, for the most part St. James slyly tosses them in as background or scene setting material, from TV footage around big news stories of the time to music playing on the radio during one of April and Eddie's many car rides...and THIS is how you do it. Lots of gentle nods, but nothing in your face: she played it JUST right. ...more |
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1
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Mar 02, 2024
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Mar 06, 2024
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Mar 13, 2024
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Hardcover
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| 0593540700
| 9780593540701
| 0593540700
| 3.84
| 724
| Feb 13, 2024
| Feb 13, 2024
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really liked it
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**Many thanks to NetGalley, Penguin - Putnam, and Richard Roper for an ARC of this book! Now available as of 2.13!!** "If I could you know I would Just **Many thanks to NetGalley, Penguin - Putnam, and Richard Roper for an ARC of this book! Now available as of 2.13!!** "If I could you know I would Just hold your hand and you'd understand I'm the man who loves you" - I'm the Man Who Loves You, Wilco Brian feels like Lily's only been gone for a moment...but at the same time, it feels like an eternity. He can still picture her in that vivid blue dress, smiling at him from behind the bar as though it was yesterday...but it's been almost SEVEN long years without her...and without any explanation as to why she left him. In that time, Brian has tried his best to keep the bar he ran with Lily afloat, and keep all of their dreams alive until she returns...because with the anniversary of her departure coming up, he knows in his GUT that she will be back soon. But one day, Brian catches himself doomscrolling (or is it stalking?) TripAdvisor and finds a username that catches his eye: PinkMoonLily1972. With his Lily's affinity for musician Nick Drake (and especially his album PINK MOON) and her name in the username, Brian is convinced he's finally found her. PinkMoonLily has been all over the place, writing reviews of her adventures...and there even seems to be a method to her madness. Brian takes this as the sign he's been waiting for, and leaves the bar in the hands of his two employees to go out on a quest to bring Lily home to him at last. With a half-formulated plan in mind, Brian sets off, not knowing what to expect...but hoping he can stay two steps ahead of Lily and run into her at long last. But with memories of their long and complicated past flooding back to him along the way....and a curious female stranger named Tess who...catches him off guard, to say the least...will Brian's quest end in triumph? Or with such a tumultuous and at times tortured past between them...is it simply too LATE for their love to FINALLY conquer all? I'm new to Richard Roper, so going into this read I had absolutely no idea what to expect. The beginning of the book is a little bit jarring to start, with bits and pieces of Brian's memories of Lily presented in flashes or as lists, and I was a bit nervous it would take me a while to find my footing and dig in to this read. However, by about 20% in, not only was I used to Brian's narrative style, I can only describe my reading experience as the best kind of mix between Fredrik Backman and David Nicholls....and I was nothing short of ENTHRALLED! I love a story that brilliantly blends past and present, and this narrative slowly unfurled, showing us flashes of Lily and Brian's relationship as it developed over time, but bouncing back over and over to Brian's current quest without feeling disruptive in the slightest. This is a relationship you won't EVER quite understand...because Brian doesn't fully understand it either. He's self-deprecating, but never in an overly dramatic way, and at the same time, he both sees his worth and doubts it constantly. Lily's family and Lily herself are complicated creatures, and since we only get to know Lily through Brian's recollection, she is as much a mystery to us as readers as she is to Brian during her mysterious journey. Brian's sense of humor might take a bit of getting used to also...but as I mentioned earlier, he is right at home with the likes of some of my favorite Backman characters and has the perfect blend of wit, silliness, and still an air of melancholy about him...all with a heart of gold beneath. Though I won't give ANYTHING away, because trust me when I say the journey is worth it, there is a WHOPPER of a twist towards the end of this book...and it is nothing short of a gut punch. I actually gasped out loud and said "No way" TO my Kindle while reading...it is that kind of breathtaking moment that feels eerily reminiscent of the most shocking moment in your OWN life, where you had to stop and look around for a second to make sure the Earth hadn't suddenly fallen off its axis. Once you come back into your body and start breathing again, Roper gives you a fitting AND intriguing end to Brian's story, with a charming final chapter that feels like taking the first sip of hot cocoa on a cold winter night: it'll warm you up from the inside out! ☕ And though I won't say exactly WHERE Brian's journey leads him (or to whom!) Marcel Proust's thoughts on the nature of discovery sums up this quest perfectly: "The voyage of discovery is not in seeking new landscapes...but in having new eyes." ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Feb 04, 2024
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Feb 07, 2024
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Feb 13, 2024
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Paperback
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| 0593640535
| 9780593640531
| 0593640535
| 4.51
| 2,059
| May 07, 2024
| May 07, 2024
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really liked it
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**Many thanks to Berkley and Eve J. Chung for an ARC of this book provided via NetGalley!** "There are two powers in the world; one is the sword and th **Many thanks to Berkley and Eve J. Chung for an ARC of this book provided via NetGalley!** "There are two powers in the world; one is the sword and the other is the pen. There is a third power stronger than both, that of women." - Malala Yousefzai While some may be overjoyed at the birth of ANY child, in 1940s China, having "just another daughter" is nothing short of a curse. Amidst the poverty of the rural community of Shandong, the wealthy Ang family are desperate for a son to carry on the family name and the family wealth, leaving Hai and her sisters feeling like less of a blessing and more of a burden. With the Communist revolution knocking at their doorstep (quite literally) the girls try to keep their heads down and hope to remain out of the fray...but the rest of the family flees when soldiers arrive. Hai, as the eldest girl, is chosen to be representative for her family and must bear the brunt of the soldiers cruelty... and feels lucky to make it out alive. Hai and her sisters know now is the time to make their escape, and with practically nothing but the burlap sacks they fashion as clothing (and flour they hide inside) to take with them as they are forced out...they have NO Idea if they will even make it to their destination alive. Their travels take them from Qingdao to Hong Kong to Taiwan, relying on the kindness of few along the way, with Hai keeping headstrong sister Di on the right path and hoping to lean on her intelligence to land a teaching job, the girls scrap, scrimp, and struggle their way across the countryside, determined to face the men who wronged them and forge a new path for themselves - one that doesn't revolve around producing yet another faceless male heir who will demand their subservience. As they finally reach family in Taiwan, will all of Hai's struggles and the arduous journey she has faced so far be worth the pain in the end as she is able to make a TRUE stand against injustice? Or will the firm grasp of the patriarchy keep these women "in their place" and stifle ANY chance for REAL independence? With historical fiction, it's sometimes easier to get swept away by the text if you're very familiar with the place, era, and the events taking place...and in this case, I had little familiarity coming into this book about all three of those elements. I have to admit I spent a lot more of this read getting acclimated to what was going on at any given time, keeping track of where we were geographically, and keeping track of the characters and their activities than I would have liked, and this did take me out of the 'flow' a bit while reading. Chung is a very talented writer, but I felt like this read a bit more like a text rather than fiction at times, where there was a great deal of focus on the plot, where we were heading next, etc. so this style of HF reads a bit dry to me in comparison to others that have a more balanced approach. However, I also DO feel if I had the historical background coming INTO the book, this probably wouldn't have been noticeable or bothered me in the slightest, so it was one of those instances where I wish I'd taken a few minutes to do a little preemptive research before reading (and perhaps next time I will!) What I honestly wished there was more of in this book was character development - because every glimpse we DID get into these fascinating women left me wanting more. At the beginning, I thought the harsh words from the girls' grandmother about how useless they were for not being born male etc. were going to play a bigger part in the overall goings on...but I felt like despite Chung's best efforts, there was so much plot content to get through, that I didn't get as thorough of a glimpse inside the minds of Hai, Di, and the others as I would have liked. I understood their struggles through the action, sure; but with such dynamic and intelligent personalities, it would have been even more impactful to get a firm sense of their INNER selves. I'm not saying this book could have necessarily functioned as a series of diary entries or the like, but I think utilizing that sort of device would have given an extra layer of realism and emotional connectivity that I personally look for in some of my favorite historical fiction reads. What DID elevate the overall experience for me, however, was the detailed and fascinating author's note Chung includes at the end of this one, where she reveals that this book was in fact based on her OWN family's personal history. Her attention to detail and careful consideration while telling her family's story alone was enough to get me to bump up my rating. This is one of those author's notes that makes you want to read an entire BOOK (or maybe watch a documentary?) about the writing process because there is simply too much detail to fit inside an addendum. I know it probably isn't feasible, but since this is only Chung's debut, perhaps in the future she could delve into what happens next for our beloved women of Shandong! And although I won't reveal whether or not grandmother Nai Nai has to eat her own words by the end of this harrowing tale...I WILL reference one other quote that sums up the power, the resilience, the determination, and the fortitude displayed by ALL of the Daughters of Shandong: "If you want something said, ask a man. If you want something DONE, ask a woman." Perfectly stated, Margaret Thatcher. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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May 02, 2024
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May 06, 2024
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Feb 13, 2024
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Hardcover
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| 0593640225
| 9780593640227
| 0593640225
| 3.86
| 2,527
| Apr 04, 2024
| Apr 09, 2024
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really liked it
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**Many thanks to Berkley and Etta Easton for an ARC of this book provided via NetGalley! Now available as of 4.9!!** Amerie Price is desperate to find **Many thanks to Berkley and Etta Easton for an ARC of this book provided via NetGalley! Now available as of 4.9!!** Amerie Price is desperate to find a lucky star...but all she's been seeing lately are LOTS of clouds. After a breakup that left her crushed AND losing her job, she is scrambling to put together enough money to pay her rent. She feels terrified at the prospect of having to gamble on herself by jumping headfirst into her very own business venture as an event planner...but simultaneously hopes she has the goods to make it all happen. In this vulnerable state, she grabs a coffee at her favorite local Java Joint and bumps into NONE other than the ex she's been eager to forget.. and he has his shiny NEW girlfriend in tow. Looking for the upper hand, Amerie takes a chance encounter with a VERY sexy, Tall, Dark, and Handsome stranger (one that resulted in coffee being spilled all over her), grabs the handsome hottie, and presents him as her boyfriend. The man in question, she will later learn, is Vincent Rogers, and he's got the kind of job that sounds as unlikely as "CIA operative" or "bodyguard to the stars": Vincent is a certified, bonafide ASTRONAUT. Despite his glamorous job, Vincent's been dealing with struggles of his own...namely, a family that is DESPERATE to see him paired up with a nice girl with marriage on the horizon. Vincent decides to play along with Amerie's scheme...by hatching one of his own: Amerie's that one special girl, and he has her move into his pad to help her save some cash AND further the idea that these two are in a long-term, committed relationship. But when family health struggles come up on Amerie's side, and Vincent's family grows increasingly worried that his next mission could be catastrophic...Vincent and Amerie begin to bond in a REAL way...and on a level that neither expected. With so much at stake, can Vincent fulfill ALL of his dreams? Will this next journey into space be his last? And will Amerie have the courage to ask him to stay with her...or is she in line for ANOTHER devastating heartbreak with the 'one who got (lightyears!) away'? This is a debut novel, and since I had no point of reference coming into this story, I figured it would go one of two ways: VERY cheesy fake dating or adorable, charming fake dating with two MCs you just couldn't help but root for from beginning to end. ...And I am thrilled to say there was NO moon cheese here, folks! ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Apr 08, 2024
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Apr 12, 2024
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Feb 13, 2024
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Paperback
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| 0593437055
| 9780593437056
| 0593437055
| 4.47
| 4,333
| Mar 12, 2024
| Mar 12, 2024
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really liked it
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**Many thanks to Berkley and Stephanie Dray for an ARC of this book provided via NetGalley! Now available as of 3.12!** "Being a woman has only bothere **Many thanks to Berkley and Stephanie Dray for an ARC of this book provided via NetGalley! Now available as of 3.12!** "Being a woman has only bothered me in climbing trees." - Frances Perkins It is this frank and fearless nature that sets Frances Perkins apart...and from the moment she arrives in New York City, destined to bring about change, she truly has her work cut out for her. Working with some of the poorest in Hell's Kitchen's tenements, it is apparent that working conditions (and living conditions) are not sustainable for the people of her fair city. She has several compatriots, each with a fire for revolution in their bellies: there's Upton Sinclair, a cheeky young fire-haired writer who longs to be more than just friends with Frances, a wealthy but kind socialite Mary Harriman Rumsey, and a brooding, sensitive young reformer Paul Wilson, each determined to change the landscape in their own way. But after witnessing the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire firsthand (with workers literally LEAPING out of the burning building to the ground below), Frances knows that labor conditions need change: immediate and DRASTIC change. Though she isn't directly involved in politics herself, Frances gets word that Franklin "Feather Duster" Roosevelt, a rich and haughty man she encountered at a party once (who wasn't exactly her number one fan, to put it mildly!) is running for office...and he might actually WIN. Roosevelt has a plan that will take him up through the ranks, and quickly: a plan that will end with him in the White House. When all of this comes to pass, NO one is more surprised than Frances when FDR not only recognizes Frances' passion for reform and labor policy, but wants to appoint her to be his Secretary of Labor...making her the very FIRST woman in the presidential cabinet. Although Frances is honored and perhaps more passionate and driven by her work than anyone around her, she is met with push-back and criticism over and over again. Many men assume she can't do her job AND be a wife and mother...but Frances isn't going to let anything stand in her way. But balancing the severe troubles experienced by members of her family...acting as an indomitable force during FDR's tenure...AND fighting for social security and labor reform proves to be nearly overwhelming for Frances, and she starts to wonder if she can TRULY make all of these dreams come true. Will her bold determination start a blaze of glory that will continue on for generations to come...or will everything she has worked for crumble before her very eyes? I'm a bit ashamed to say that before picking up this book, I probably hadn't heard the name Frances Perkins since elementary school...and since this may have been back in the 2nd or 3rd grade I couldn't have told you a THING about her. After reading this book, it's not only shocking but saddening to me that such an integral part of history was not a MAJOR focus in the curriculum. As someone who is very passionate when it comes to workers' rights (and as a former Union member myself, when I had the opportunity to be in one!) it was easy for me to become VERY invested in Frances' mission as she fought to keep children out of factories, to enforce more limited working hours (No more fourteen hour days...and we think we have it bad now! ) and to establish programs like social security which would benefit ALL citizens, not just those born into wealth. Sadly, many of these fights persist today, but they would have been Dead on Arrival PERMANENTLY if not for the tireless work of Frances Perkins. To say this book is enlightening is an understatement: I feel I owe Frances a debt of gratitude! Dray also does something special with this narrative: this is technically historical fiction, but almost reads more like a diary or a memoir. Perkins takes you through so many years of her life, but the chapters are fairly short and manageable, and there is a solid balance between Perkins' work life and her personal life. There is romance and heartache, inner turmoil and also an exploration of the power of friendship. While Perkins and FDR have a rocky start, the two learn to work in tandem in a truly powerful way, and like all of the relationships explored here, has a complexity and a beauty all its own. Perkins' choices are never easy, and this is the recurring theme underlying her entire career. Being a woman during this time was hard enough in and of itself, but to make some of the 'radical' statements and decisions Perkins was forced to make at times was what set her apart...and I am SO thrilled Dray chose to share this history in such an interesting way. This book is also 500+ pages (!) which is usually somewhat of a red flag for me when it comes to historical fiction, but this one is written in such a way that it never feels overly long or complex. The chapters move along at a pretty good clip, and as a reader I felt that the only reason the book was this length was to make sure she captured as much detail about Perkins' life as possible: this one is meticulously researched, with Dray highlighting at the end any areas where she took creative liberty, but these are few and far between. There's always a stark difference between authors who TRULY do their research in historical fiction and those that rely on more 'basic' tropes and commonly known information. I applaud Dray's dedication to preserving the integrity of Frances Perkins and EVERYTHING she accomplished during her truly impactful time in office. And through Dray, by the end of her journey, Perkins makes an observation true of so many bold and brilliant, brave and breathtaking revolutionaries of the past, present, and future: "So maybe a spark of madness is what it takes to accomplish anything truly revolutionary in this world." One tiny, seemingly insignificant, but POWERFUL spark! ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Mar 10, 2024
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Mar 14, 2024
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Feb 13, 2024
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Hardcover
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| 1728265770
| 9781728265773
| 1728265770
| 3.94
| 1,702
| May 14, 2024
| May 14, 2024
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really liked it
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**Many thanks to NetGalley, SOURCEBOOKS Landmark, and Terah Shelton Harris for an ARC of this book!** |
Notes are private!
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1
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May 22, 2024
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May 30, 2024
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Feb 12, 2024
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Paperback
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| 4.00
| 14,354
| Jun 18, 2024
| Jun 18, 2024
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really liked it
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**Many thanks to NetGalley, Random House-Ballantine, and Liv Constantine for an ARC of this book!** "Revenge is sweet and not fattening" - Alfred Hitch **Many thanks to NetGalley, Random House-Ballantine, and Liv Constantine for an ARC of this book!** "Revenge is sweet and not fattening" - Alfred Hitchcock Amber Patterson Parrish planned EVERYTHING out when she decided she would stop at nothing to become the wife of wealthy Jackson Parrish...except what she would do when he got out of prison, that is. Amber's scheme (detailed in the first book of this series, The Last Mrs. Parrish) involved leaving her questionable past behind, sidling up to Mr. Moneybags, earning his trust and his love...and then getting him locked up for tax evasion and enjoying a lavish lifestyle on her own, scot-free. After all, when it comes to love or money? It's ALWAYS been an easy choice for Amber. But as Jackson's bank account dwindles and the clock continues to tick, panic sets in. Will Amber's social standing in Bishop's Harbor and the life that has become second nature to her be ripped away when her 'Darling' Husband returns... with his own axe to grind? Meanwhile, Jackson's first wife Daphne has her own connections to Jackson that keep her tied to her horrifying past...her beautiful daughters. She too knows that Jackson's time in prison is coming to an end, and although she vowed to keep her life as separate from Jackson as possible, her children miss their dad and beg for the chance to spend some time with him upon his release. Daphne is more than a bit reluctant, with memories of the verbal, mental, and physical abuse her family endured still fresh in her mind, but she feels she cannot deny her kids the opportunity to see their dad, so she gives in. But once she spends some time around Jackson he APPEARS to be a changed man...and wants to lure Daphne back into his bed. Will her dark and disturbing relationship past be enough to keep her away from Jackson's arms...or could she fall BACK under his spell? And then there's Daisy Ann, a woman out seeking revenge of her own...for the murder of her late father. Daisy is a successful business owner now, but she hasn't been able to overcome the loss of her beloved dad...and KNOWS in her gut that his 'accidental' hunting death was far from an accident. Though the evidence has never emerged to prove anything conclusively, Daisy Ann hasn't given up hope that all will be revealed and the party who is TRULY responsible will be brought to justice. And it just so happens that this woman MAY be incredibly wealthy and prominent in Bishop's Harbor...at least, for now. When this suspect ends up poised to take away Daisy's company, WHO will end up with the spoils? Will Jackson's release allow him to FINALLY catch up with BOTH of his 'loves'...and will he finally get the chance for revenge HE has been craving? Or does Amber have ONE final trick (or perhaps, rare and expensive diamond ...more |
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1
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Jun 16, 2024
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Jun 19, 2024
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Jan 30, 2024
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ebook
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| 1101990562
| 9781101990568
| 1101990562
| 3.77
| 579
| Jan 23, 2024
| Jan 23, 2024
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really liked it
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**Many thanks to NetGalley, Berkley, and Jeanne Mackin for an ARC of this book! Now available as of 1.23!!** As much as the world already knows, Alana **Many thanks to NetGalley, Berkley, and Jeanne Mackin for an ARC of this book! Now available as of 1.23!!** As much as the world already knows, Alana Olson believes there is more to Picasso's story than meets the eye...and she is DETERMINED to write the perfect article to reveal the truth. As a female journalist amidst a sea of men in the 1950's, Alana has her work cut out for her...and knowing Picasso's philandering ways, there is a part of her that is apprehensive about diving into the past of this master. However, her determination leads the way, and Alana dives into the investigation head-on. Her research leads her to Sara Murphy, who knew Picasso and spent time with him back in 1923... and she has QUITE the tale to tell. While Alana finds herself wrapped up in her own 'affair' of sorts with a handsome man who owns the hotel she is staying at, the more she learns about Picasso, the more intrigued she becomes...and feels like there is one piece to this puzzle that has specifically led HER here. Finding out the truth behind the many affairs and romantic entanglements that inspired Pablo to create some of his most iconic works and the many muses that ended up in his bed (or wished they had!) What Alana discovers seems like a coincidence...but could there be even MORE to this story than she ever imagined? Will she have the courage to look the artist himself in the eye...and demand the answers she is desperate to discover? Or will her fear, looming political tensions in the world around her, and the internal struggle about whether or not to remain in her marriage keep her distracted from a potentially life-changing truth? For historical fiction to truly work well for me, it needs three elements: an authentic and atmospheric setting, compelling and realistic characters, and a plot that doesn't get overly convoluted due to messy timelines or sloppy storytelling. I am glad to say that with this book, Mackin delivered on ALL three levels. This is a bit of a slower book to start, and the first bit is narrated by one of the women in Picasso's life, Irene. When the narrative switched, I first thought we were going to receive narration from ALL of Picasso's lovers mentioned in the text (In sort of a round robin way), and although I thought this would be confusing after a while, I thought it was a clever device. Luckily, the narrative switches to Alana and stays there for the majority of the book...and I think this was to the benefit of the story, as it helped me keep details, time, and of COURSE the women, straight throughout. There's something enchanting about the air of the French Riviera, especially during the time period explored in this story, and even the cover immediately draws you into this era effortlessly. I appreciated all of the nods to the time period and as someone who was relatively uninformed about Picasso prior to reading this book, I felt like I got brought up to speed quickly. References to some of his most famous paintings, from Guernica to The Lovers, helped to bring the story to life and neatly blended the line between fact and fiction. Mackin also mentions in her authors note specifically what was complete fiction versus reference to real life for clarity, and these are the sort of touches that made this an informative experience while still having the 'fiction' feel. The third act conflict, especially, feels both expected AND very unlikely...but at the same time, there is JUST enough potential for it to BE true based on what we come to learn about both Picasso and Alana that it almost gives the story an air of magical realism. Do you need to suspend disbelief a little? Sure. But since it's only a minor suspension, it felt very in line with the context of the overall story. Mackin's attention to detail in weaving in the political climate of the time, and mirroring the infidelity in Picasso's story with the infidelity in Alana's own present situation, helped to expand the depth and breadth of the narrative too. And of course, there's the character of Picasso...who is a real person, of course, but it's up to YOU whether you sympathize with him, are angry with him...or, like so many in his life, just find him IMPOSSIBLE to truly figure out! ...more |
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1
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Jan 16, 2024
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Jan 21, 2024
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Jan 27, 2024
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Paperback
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| 059355034X
| 9780593550342
| 3.15
| 750
| Jan 23, 2023
| Jan 24, 2024
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really liked it
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**Many thanks to Berkley and Sara-Jane Collins for an ARC provided via NetGalley! Now available as of 1.23!!** "Time is the fire in which we burn." **Many thanks to Berkley and Sara-Jane Collins for an ARC provided via NetGalley! Now available as of 1.23!!** "Time is the fire in which we burn." - Gene Roddenberry Alison still can hardly believe she made it out alive. When a wildfire tore across her town, she relied on her street smarts, keeping herself safe and wrapped in a wet blanket in her bathroom. When she finally emerges into a world seemingly torn apart by ash, she finds the evidence of even more destruction at her doorstep. A red car is stranded beneath a tree in her yard...but it isn't empty. Inside is the body of a woman...a woman who is now dead. Alison is horrified...but who is this woman, and WHY did she end up practically sitting on her doorstep? After a quick search through the woman's bag, she finds an ID that finally gives her a name for the mysterious stranger: Simone Arnold. This name means nothing to her...but another name on a slip of paper also inside the bag does...Alison King. Now that it's clear this woman was on a mission to reach her, what sort of message did Simone have to deliver? Troubled by her already complicated past with a man she's been trying desperately to forget ---and to keep away at all costs---will Alison and her detective friend be able to crack the case with this now-permanently silent player? Or will the fires return to finish what they started...and take Alison as their next victim? This novel takes place in Australia, and even in the first few pages, Collins does an excellent job of setting the scene and building a smoky, orange post-apocalyptic setting for our MC Alison. In general, this storytelling reminded me a lot of many of the Scananavian noir-type novels I've read in the past, where a heavy dose of atmosphere is almost a character in and of itself. While the action and mystery could be entertaining without it, you truly need to allow yourself to become immersed in the world of the book in order to have a complete reading experience. In order for the fires to feel like a character, the memory has to linger not only with Alison, but with YOU as the reader, and at times I certainly felt like I could smell the acrid smoke lingering in the air. While the fire may be the most abstract character, there are a FEW worthwhile players in this one to keep you hooked. Alison, unfortunately, is a MC who is guaranteed to frustrate many readers: she's not the best at taking advice, has a substance abuse problem of sorts, and more baggage than a steam train. All that being said, however, she is a COMPLEX character, one whose past traumas slowly unfold throughout the book (some in flashback, some in the present time) and while you won't always agree with her, the choices in front of her will become less cut and dried and the line between right and wrong will become irrevocably blurred. And at the center of this is MY favorite aspect of this story, the will-they-won't-they tortured not-quite-romantic-but-NOT-at-all-platonic-relatonship between Alison and one of her close male friends...who also happens to be a cop. Normally, a relationship like this would be set up as a device to move the story along or to get Alison insider intel...but in this case, it was more of a character study of these two souls, each lost in their own way, and the tension (as well as the sexual tension!) added layer upon layer to this already complex narrative. Along with conversations about grief and ruminations about the past, Collins gave these characters SO much material to delve into and discuss that there was never a dull moment when these two were in the room...and never an 'easy' moment between them either. The mystery itself is also compelling and ties back well (once you have the full story) to Alison's past...and while I suppose in some sense it is predictable, because there is enough other drama permeating the narrative, you won't get too bogged down by this fact. There are points where I felt like things slowed down a bit or were needlessly complicated, but in the end it was the complex character relationships and overall feel that took this up a notch for me, and kept me waiting with bated breath to see just how the journey would end for Allison...because with so much internal conflict, trust me when I say there are TWO ways this story can go right up until the end. ...And as Alison learns, much like flame itself...in so many ways it's up to nature (and fate) to TRULY decide who (and what) is left standing when the smoke FINALLY clears. ...more |
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Jan 13, 2024
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Jan 18, 2024
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Jan 22, 2024
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Hardcover
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| 4.08
| 85,681
| Nov 05, 2015
| Nov 05, 2015
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really liked it
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So after finishing Heartstopper: Volume Four and immediately jumping on the hold list for Heartstopper: Volume Five, I started to wonder how LONG I'd
So after finishing Heartstopper: Volume Four and immediately jumping on the hold list for Heartstopper: Volume Five, I started to wonder how LONG I'd have to go through Nick and Charlie withdrawals.
...more
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1
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Dec 23, 2023
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Dec 23, 2023
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Dec 23, 2023
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Kindle Edition
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| 0593639723
| 9780593639726
| 0593639723
| 3.83
| 662
| May 14, 2024
| May 14, 2024
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really liked it
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**Many thanks to Berkley and Nicola Solvinic for an ARC of this book provided via NetGalley!** Anna Koray has done her best to step out of the shadows. **Many thanks to Berkley and Nicola Solvinic for an ARC of this book provided via NetGalley!** Anna Koray has done her best to step out of the shadows...her father's shadow, that is. After Anna finds out at a young age that her father was a serial killer, Anna's mother did her best to fill the void left by his absence. Eventually, Anna ended up becoming ward of the state and moving in with another family, where she spent the rest of her preteen and teen years before blossoming into a successful adult. She has used her background as fuel, and now works as a detective hoping to stop men just like her father in their tracks. Nestled in a small rural town, far away from the terrifying events of her past, she is working to build a new life and deal with her trauma with a hypnotherapist's help. But when she accidentally kills a perp in self defense in the line of duty, a flood of memories she has been working so hard to suppress comes back...and visions of her father with blood covered hands return...as well as memories of the forest God, Veles, that he claimed to serve. Even more terrifying, it seems that a copycat killer has emerged in town...one who seems to know ALL of the tiny details of her father's killing patterns. When Anna gets a note revealing that someone knows her secret, the new life she's been fighting for seems like it is slipping away...and she feels HERSELF slowly start to spin out of control. Could the true crime podcaster who's been skulking around have a DEADLY fascination with her father's crimes? Or did Anna inherit something she can't control...a lust for blood? As true crime and detective stories can be a bit off-putting for me, I was nervous coming into this read that the police/detective element would take over and minimize the impact of the overall read for me...but I'm happy to say that Solvinic managed to dance back and forth across the boundaries of the mystery, true crime, paranormal, AND psychological thriller genres with fluent, effortless ease! At the center of everything is the main character of Anna, and if she doesn't 'work' as a character? The story itself doesn't work. With Anna as our only narrator, everything about her past, the complicated history with her father, and the revelations of her suppressed memories relies on her to be a force we feel we can both trust AND question (as she is most definitely an unreliable narrator of sorts) and Solvinic did an excellent job of giving her the emotional depth, intelligence, and complexity necessary to keep the reader guessing AND flesh out what could kindly be called a complicated past. Since the suspension of disbelief required to really enjoy this one also requires buy-in with some paranormal elements, it makes it even MORE important that Anna and her internal battles feel grounded in reality...and luckily for us, Solvinic NAILS this aspect. Speaking of the paranormal elements...if making sacrifices to the forest gods as a general concept is a turn off to you in the genre, that IS a large portion of the narrative, so you'd probably be wise to pass on this one. There are a few gruesome moments in terms of animal sacrifice etc. (although much is left to the imagination) but if you don't want to read ANYthing about them, it might be hard to find a way to 'neatly' skip these sections. Since so much is uncovered throughout Anna's sessions with her doctor, we sort of dive in and out of the past...but let's just say Veles the forest god is VERY much in Anna's present. (How? I cannot say...you'll have to read to find out! ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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May 16, 2024
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May 21, 2024
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Dec 17, 2023
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Hardcover
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| 0593198786
| 9780593198780
| 0593198786
| 3.62
| 1,726
| Apr 16, 2024
| Apr 16, 2024
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really liked it
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**Many thanks to Berkley and Abbi Waxman for an ARC of this book provided via NetGalley!** If you're looking for a fresh, fun spring cocktail recipe: t **Many thanks to Berkley and Abbi Waxman for an ARC of this book provided via NetGalley!** If you're looking for a fresh, fun spring cocktail recipe: take one part Jack Hanna, one part Where'd You Go, Bernadette, and one part Jacque(line) Cousteau...and you'll end up with a "Christa" that will knock your socks off! Christa Liddle has spent the last few years trying to put fame behind her...and for good reason. Growing up as the daughter of Jasper Liddle, a sort of Jack Hanna/Bear Grylls hybrid, she and her sisters were constantly thrust into the spotlight...and as youngest daughter, she was giving the hideous nickname by one too many a talk show host: "the littlest Liddle." Her father's rise to fame catapulted the entire family into the spotlight, and even was the impetus for a Beanie Baby-esque line of toys ("Liddle's Liddles") inspired by the Liddle empire. ...more |
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1
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Apr 16, 2024
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Apr 19, 2024
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Dec 17, 2023
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Paperback
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| 0593318250
| 9780593318256
| 0593318250
| 3.93
| 13,048
| Feb 27, 2024
| Feb 27, 2024
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really liked it
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**Many thanks to NetGalley, Knopf, and Tommy Orange for an ARC of this book! Now available as of 2.27!!** "But surviving wasn't enough. To endure or **Many thanks to NetGalley, Knopf, and Tommy Orange for an ARC of this book! Now available as of 2.27!!** "But surviving wasn't enough. To endure or to pass through endurance test after endurance test only ever gave you endurance test passing abilities. Simply lasting was great for a wall, for a fortress, but not for a person." The year is 1864. Star is a survivor of the Sand Creek Massacre, a mass execution of Cheyenne and Arapaho people during the American Indian Wars and has made it through the bloodshed, but has been relocated to Fort Marion Prison Castle. Now under the watch of Richard Henry Pratt, he is forced to put his culture and heritage aside and learn both Christianity and English. This will be the beginning of a mission for Pratt, who will later found the Carlisle Indian Industrial School, an institution whose core mission will be much the same: erase and replace Indian culture. This school will find the family several years later, when Jude's son Charles also falls victim to the prison and trapped in these unfeeling and unforgiving walls. Charles' only solace is his friendship with a fellow inmate Opal Viola, and the bond they share is quick and effortless. They both long for a future on the outside, a world without a motto that states "Kill the Indian, Save the Man." We then jump in time to Oakland in 2018, directly after the violent pow-wow massacre that took place at the end of Orange's first book, There There, and the horrific aftermath of these events. Orvil has survived the shooting, but heads down a dangerous road when it comes to his painkillers, and his family, knee deep in their own trauma, is not much better off. Under the strain of racism, injustice, and pain, can this family band together to rail against the forces that keep them clawing and fighting for their very survival? Or will the legacy of generational trauma, pain, and degradation leave them as 'wandering stars'...forever? There There is nothing short of a stunning piece of literature. I remember TEARING through that book in a day or less, enraptured by the cast of characters and Orange's fluid, mesmerizing prose. The voices were SO distinct, SO real, that I felt as though I was reading a collection of journals rather than a work of fiction. So much so, that I honestly GOOGLED There There after reading it JUST to make sure it was fiction: it was just THAT good. The crescendo of action, the perfect climax, the beautiful mix of light and dark that played gently throughout the pages...there's a reason the book was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. Oh, and not to mention...that was Orange's DEBUT. So it's hard to imagine a book that could live up to the sort of impossible precedent Orange laid out for well, himself, after such a jaw-dropping first novel. I went into Wandering Stars with the loftiest of hopes, the highest of expectations...and while I was still thoroughly WOWED by Orange's ability to turn a phrase...There There this was not. First off, Orange attempted to do something I don't think I've ever personally read in a book before: he wrote a prequel AND a sequel to There There...and put them in the same book. This was a strange experience for me as a reader, in the sense that There, There is SO contemporary in flavor from start to finish, and the first part of THIS book essentially reads more like historical fiction...and a very specific subset of historical fiction dealing with the aforementioned battle, at that. This isn't to say this section of the book is BAD by any stretch, and it is certainly informative and provides a different level of context, but like with so many other historical fiction reads, it felt a bit dry and less emotionally driven compared to the in-your-face gut punch that began from page one of There, There. I'm not sure if being more familiar with the context of the events themselves would have been helpful, but many times I felt bogged down by the details rather than simply swept away by Orange's storytelling ability. There's also the fact that this story works its way through a (somewhat) complex family tree, where family members are often named after one another or have multiple names, and this makes the family tree that Orange puts at the beginning of the book nothing short of essential. Especially for someone whose memory can get a bit muddled when there are LOTS of characters involved, I can't even tell you the number of times I flipped back and forth to remember who was talking or who was related to who and how...it can be a LOT. Always worthwhile, mind you, but although this is more of a personal preference, I wish the chapters were outlined with the narrator's name at the beginning of each section for reference too: sometimes we went into a new character's narration abruptly, and other times it was simply a continuation from the previous chapter, and it would have been wonderful to have a clearer distinction between the two options. Once we got to the present day (or rather, as close as we get in the novel, from 2018 onward) things began to turn and I felt more of the flow I had been missing thus far. There was one chapter in particular (I believe narrated by Lony) that at its completion, I sat back and honestly wished I could give that single chapter TEN stars. Orange is such a gifted writer, so thoughtful and specific, prescient without coming off as high brow or arrogant, and his ability to craft a compelling sentence is top-notch. There were so many instances where if I'd had a physical copy of this book I KNOW I would have been highlighting it left and right (Or at least, adding Post-It note markers for later reference!) and as time wore on, I started to wish that the WHOLE book had read more like this last section. I know Orange had the ability to make this SEQUEL book happen and in some ways, it became a bit one note with the addiction struggles of sorts experienced by multiple characters. I did miss a bit of the pulse-pounding, adrenaline fueled rush of his first book's third act climax...but this book is more about examination and exploration of past abominations....and the ripples that still are felt, even today. I'll leave you with an observation from one of Orange's many brilliant narrators, with a sentiment that not only applies to the long-standing struggle and pain of indigenous people, but to a longing and wanting keenly felt by humanity itself: "I think I needed to feel the bottom to know how to rise. Maybe we're all looking for our bottoms and tops in search of balance, where the loop feels just right, and like it's not just rote, not just repetition, but a beautiful echo, one so entrenching we lose ourselves in it." ...May we lose ourselves in it, indeed. 4 stars ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Feb 21, 2024
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Mar 04, 2024
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Dec 02, 2023
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Hardcover
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| 0593550528
| 9780593550526
| 0593550528
| 3.82
| 3,759
| Apr 02, 2024
| Apr 02, 2024
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really liked it
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**Many thanks to Berkley and Freya Sampson for an ARC provided via NetGalley! Now available as of 4.2!!** "People are almost always better than their n **Many thanks to Berkley and Freya Sampson for an ARC provided via NetGalley! Now available as of 4.2!!** "People are almost always better than their neighbors think they are."- George Eliot The residents of the historic Shelley House certainly have their minds made up about one another...and let's just say sharing a roof is QUITE enough 'closeness' for most of them. There's Omar and Ayesha, father and daughter who have lost the third member of their family (Ayesha's mom) and are still finding their new normal without her. Joseph occupies one of the other flats, a semi-curmudgeon whose best trait (at least in others estimation) is the ownership of his Jack Russell terrier, Reggie. The noisy yet mysterious tenant Vincent in the 4th flat, Tomas Wojcik (and HIS dog, a pitbull named Princess), and Gloria Brown (and a revolving door full of suitors) all have come to coexist in Shelley House...but not always peacefully. At the center of it all, however, is Shelley House's self-named guardian and 'warden' of sorts...septuagenarian Dorothy Darling. Armed with her trusty notebook, she keeps a VIGILANT log of ALL comings and goings in the complex and ANY subsequent violations of the House Rules. Heard something go bump in the night last Tuesday? Dorothy can tell you ALL about it....or at least, everything she's been able to piece together with her eagle eyes and diligent ears. So it's no surprise that when Joseph illegally sublets his space to the pink haired, sharp tongued 20-something named Kat, Dorothy is skeptical and frowns upon the new neighbor. According to all, she's unapproachable at best, and Dorothy's reputation at the nosy, cranky old lady of the house precedes her too. But when both women are forced to spend SOME time together, it becomes evident that appearances aren't ALWAYS what they seem, and there are VERY good reasons that both women keep their distance from the outside world...and hold certain secrets close to the vest. When the residents of Shelley House find out that Dastardly Developer Fergus Alexander is set to TEAR DOWN Shelley House, however, the residents are bound and determined to save the place they have for so long called home. They all find ways to band together...except for ONE resident, who holds firm in her wish to NEVER leave Shelley House unless she leaves 'in a box': none other than Dorothy Darling, of course. Can her newly formed friendship with Kat and the deep bond these two have forged be enough to allow Kat to change Dorothy's mind...and encourage her to join the fight? Or are her scars from a tortured past TOO deep and TOO lasting to allow her to stand alongside her neighbors...and save the place she holds SO dear? Freya Sampson is one of those authors I've been eager to try for quite a while now. I adore books that have a 'cozy' feel in general, especially with complex and interesting characters, and an emotionally charged plot, and Sampson's books seem to fit neatly in this subgenre, at least based on their descriptions alone. Although I was a bit nervous that this particular book would FEEL more like a cozy mystery (since it purportedly has a mystery at its center) I was absolutely still on board and eager to get to know the quirky personalities of Shelley House. And I'll be honest, after a couple of chapters, the panic DID set in: there are a lot of characters here, and the opening bits establishing Dorothy and her semi-spying-but-mostly-notetaking-habits weren't really clicking. I had an early feeling Sampson was going to constantly be throwing bits and pieces and dribs and drabs about all of these characters at me...but that I wouldn't really get to KNOW them fully, let alone like them. A long character list (or longer than say, 3 or 4) can sometimes just feel like TOO MUCH...and I was a bit concerned I wasn't going to like Kat OR Dorothy enough to get emotionally invested in their relationship. But by about 30% or so, ALL of that nervous energy turned into relief, and I was swept away by the emotional vulnerability and the depth and breadth of these characters...and MORE than fully invested in them, and in particular, the LOVELY and authentic relationship between Dorothy and Kat! Even with all of the heartbreaking revelations from Dorothy and Kat along the way, there is still plenty of room for occasional levity AND for the interesting mystery to play out in the background...one that will keep you guessing, because it sure kept ME on my toes! Sampson effortlessly tied threads from both Dorothy and Kat's background and past into the present to not only inform their characters, but to draw subtle parallels between the two women as well. I liked that none of the neighbors were too OTT or goofy to draw focus away from the somewhat heavy and emotional tone of the book, but that this read still gave me the sort of warm fuzzies that you'd find standard in any cozy mystery. It was okay to have the villain, Fergus, being played as a bit larger than life because the relationship between Kat and Dorothy was SO authentic, grounding, and real. And by the finale, I GUARANTEE you'll be rooting for the survival of Shelley House AND for the future of this unlikely pair that's one part Thelma and Louise AND one part Sherlock and Watson...with a bit of sass and brightly colored locks to boot! (I mean, I'm ASSUMING Watson never dyed his hair... but the next TV or film adaptation can feel free to prove me wrong! ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Mar 31, 2024
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Apr 02, 2024
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Nov 21, 2023
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Paperback
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| 0593539893
| 9780593539897
| 0593539893
| 4.05
| 25,977
| Nov 07, 2023
| Nov 07, 2023
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really liked it
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**Many thanks to NetGalley, Penguin-Putnam, and Sophie Cousens for an ARC of this book! Now available as of 11.7!!** Move over, Zoltar...there's a new **Many thanks to NetGalley, Penguin-Putnam, and Sophie Cousens for an ARC of this book! Now available as of 11.7!!** Move over, Zoltar...there's a new wishing machine in town! Lucy Young still feels like an impatient kid on a road trip...she keeps asking herself "Are we there yet?" But when it comes to growing up, finding your place in the world, AND also finding the love of your live and starting a family...the final destination can seem like an ever-moving target. Lucy loves her three roommates...although she could live without their random one-night stands crashing at their pad and the homemade bone broth in the tub (Don't ask). Lucy works in the TV world and likes her job....but she's also waiting for her big break and is tired of being overlooked or being asked to just go get coffee when she knows she has so much more to offer. And Mr. Right could be waiting just around the next corner... Lucy goes on a Tinder date, crossing her fingers and hoping for the best...but yet again, she's met with an eye-roll-worthy jerk who reminds her just HOW awful online dating can be. On a rainy walk home, she takes temporary cover in an unusual shop with a charming Scottish lady at the counter...and a wishing machine in back. Figuring she has nothing left to lose, Lucy drops a coin in the slot, squeezes her eyes shut, and wishes to simply skip to "The Good Part" of her life. And when she opens her eyes the following morning....EVERYTHING is different. She's in a fancy house, with a drop dead GORGEOUS man in her room, a glittering diamond on her finger...and two kids nearby who seem to be under the impression that she is their mother. When she shows up at work, EVERYONE bows to her knowledge and title...but Lucy hasn't a clue. Even worse, when Lucy looks in the mirror, she sees her own face...but it's a weathered and loved FORTY YEAR OLD version of her face. Has she LOST the past 16 years to a mysterious form of amnesia...or has her desperately whispered wish become a reality...and if so, is there a way to get back to the life full of possibility that was her twenties? Or is she now trapped in a life she hardly understands with so many people depending on her...permanently? This is only my second Cousens book, but the rest of hers are on my list...and with good reason. There is a warm, charming, and cozy aspect to her books, but they also manage to explore the trials and tribulations of being a young woman in your mid-twenties with SOME of life figured out...but plenty left to go. This one reminded me of so many books in the genre at its beginning, with the cute cast of lovable, quirky friends and their silly and sometimes impetuous behavior. I'll be honest, I almost struggled with connecting to the characters at the beginning because I was sort of 'feeling my age'...as many in their 30s and 40s do when they realize they are no longer 20 and they attempt to hang out with 20 year old people. But then we got to the wish, and the time jump....and suddenly, I felt right at home. Although I haven't hit 40 yet (and trust me, I am NOT rushing that particular milestone), so much of Lucy's "adultier" life rang true, from the scramble to get a kid out the door, the maddening rush to stop babies from putting everything in their mouths, the unfortunate reality that earning more money than you did as a renter in your twenties simply means you are going to spend much, much more of it as a homeowner...and that feelings of workplace inadequacy (especially as a woman pitted against a man) can be soul-crushing. It was so easy to get swept away by the 'love story' in reverse that I couldn't fathom HOW Lucy could still be thinking about life in her twenties - at all. ...Until a couple of events from Lucy's past are revealed to her by her husband that are more than just a gut-punch: they're simply tragic. I felt so deeply for her and was as stunned as if I'd received the news myself...and herein lies the greatest conflict. IS there such a thing as 'guaranteed' happiness? If you had the option to skip the pain, would you do it...if missing out on it ALSO meant that you were going to miss all of the happy memories and potential along the way? Although I certainly had my preference for Lucy's final choice, I was on the edge of my seat right up until the end to see if our thoughts aligned. And while I was a TAD let down by how everything played out, the VERY end of the book gave me a bit of the redemptive arc I had hoped to find (and even though it may have strayed into wholly predictable territory at the same time, it's the kind of predictable that feels like one last warm, snuggly hug! ...more |
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1
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Oct 31, 2023
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Nov 05, 2023
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Nov 11, 2023
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Paperback
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| 0593654765
| 9780593654767
| 0593654765
| 3.89
| 16,297
| Feb 01, 2024
| Feb 06, 2024
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really liked it
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**Many thanks to NetGalley, Penguin Viking - Pamela Dorman Books, and Tracy Sierra for an ARC of this book! Now available as of 2.6!** As a parent, the **Many thanks to NetGalley, Penguin Viking - Pamela Dorman Books, and Tracy Sierra for an ARC of this book! Now available as of 2.6!** As a parent, there's NOTHING more frightening than the possibility of something bad happening to your child...but what if the ominous presence only appeared at night, under cover of darkness...and couldn't even be SEEN? How can you protect your children if you aren't even sure WHO the enemy is....or exactly WHY they are lurking in the corner? Such is the terrifying predicament the mother in this book experiences one snowy night. Sure, it's an old house...but those sounds aren't normal...and she can't afford to take ANY chances. With the harrowing blizzard raging outside, she makes the snap decision to hide her two children in a secret space behind the wall, desperate to keep them safe at all costs. She warns them not to make a single sound, as the Corner (the name she gives this terrifying entity) taunts them from down below. Can she manage to conquer this enemy without putting herself and her children in even GREATER danger? Could her evil father-in-law be behind all of this terror? Or is there a good REASON the security cameras didn't get a glimpse or this perpetrator, and that there are no footprints in the snow the next day...other than her own? After some rave early reviews from trusted reviewer friends, I have to admit I could not resist the pull of this book, particularly since psychological thrillers are my absolute favorite kind of thriller, and I haven't read one that felt compelling and unputdownable in QUITE a while. But I have to say that when it came to this read....for the first 40% or so, it was a bit TOO easy for me to put it down...and I ALMOST put it down permanently. The beginning of the book thrusts you immediately into the tense scenario with mother, child, and unknown perp, and I'll be honest: it was a bit jarring in terms of presentation. I found the author's writing a bit clipped, the dialogue from the perp a bit...odd, to say the least, and it felt like the opening events were not so much frightening as just a matter of course. This might sound strange to say, but for me, the tension felt lacking and I kept waiting for it to pick up....and for the plot to start to GO somewhere. All that being said...there is a REASON the beginning of the book is written like this, and I feel going back into it a second time, none of this would feel as bizarre and discordant as it did the first time...but at the same time, I don't feel like this is the type of read that would benefit from a revisit, because going into it knowing the twists would pretty much take all of the air out of the tires. So thankfully, at about the midpoint, this book started morphing into something that is much more my speed: your standard "are they or aren't they an unreliable narrator" tale. Where I don't necessarily feel like the author tread too much in terms of new ground here, I DID finally feel like I had a reason to dig my heels in and keep reading. The narrator's backstory slowly becomes more and more relevant, and the book finds the much-needed emotional foothold that felt lacking during its frenzied, scattered beginning. It was a relief to feel invested in the mystery and in the main character in general, and the author cleverly weaves in some social commentary about misogyny, abuse, and the tendency of men to paint women as 'crazy' unless evidence is all but shoved in their faces. I found the ending a bit lackluster and 'safe' in terms of storytelling, but at the same time, it was certainly serviceable. Though I don't feel as though this debut particularly covered any new ground in the space or made me think or feel as much as I would have liked, there was enough palpable tension to keep me invested enough to finish and Sierra certainly has the writing chops to make a name for herself in the space in the future. And if there's anything I can attribute to Sierra after finishing this one? ...I had REM's "Nightswimming" (or in this case, "Nightwatching" ...more |
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1
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Jan 30, 2024
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Feb 03, 2024
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Nov 06, 2023
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Hardcover
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| 3.97
| 5,961
| Apr 11, 2024
| Apr 11, 2024
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really liked it
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**Many thanks to NetGalley, Random House - Ballantine, and C.J. Tudor for an ARC of this book! Now available as of 4.9!** "Dash her on the paving stone **Many thanks to NetGalley, Random House - Ballantine, and C.J. Tudor for an ARC of this book! Now available as of 4.9!** "Dash her on the paving stones It may break your heart to break her bones But someone's got to do the culling of the fold" -"Culling of the Fold", The Decemberists It may be time for just such a cull...and the residents of the tiny isolated town of Deadhart Alaska are determined to make that decision. It's been many years since they've had a resurgence of vampyrs...but the fear is real, and after a teen boy is murdered, they call in the Authority on Vampyr Killings: Detective Barbara Adkins. She's seen her share of grisly murders, and when she arrives in Alaska, the evidence at first seems pretty clear cut: the teenage boy's body has been drained of blood and his throat has been violently ripped out. Although it's been several years since vampyrs have proven a threat in the area, the residents of Deadhart are VERY aware that they lurk close by...a Colony, in hiding. But when Barbara takes a closer look at the video footage, she discovers that the murder looks a bit TOO neat...and several clues point to the possibility that the video footage was staged...and someone is out to FRAME the vampyrs to launch the cull, regardless of the ramifications for the town. Barbara reaches out to former police officer, Sheriff Jenson Tucker, who used to be very involved at keeping the Colony at bay, but has been living the hermit life in recent years after being ostracized by the citizens of Deadhart. Despite his recent years of solitude, he has plenty of knowledge about the secrets of Deadhart and is still dedicated to protecting and serving his town and working through the mystery with Barbara. But as Barbara quickly discovers, the folk of Deadhart don't take kindly to strangers...and when more bodies start piling up, it's clear that Barbara has ruffled the wrong feathers (or WINGS, perhaps! ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Apr 02, 2024
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Apr 07, 2024
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Nov 06, 2023
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Kindle Edition
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| 0063357860
| 9780063357860
| 0063357860
| 3.71
| 19,305
| Jun 18, 2024
| Jun 18, 2024
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really liked it
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"If you go down to the woods today You better go in disguise If you go down to the woods today Beware of a big surprise..." Imagine an estate so grand "If you go down to the woods today You better go in disguise If you go down to the woods today Beware of a big surprise..." Imagine an estate so grand, so ominous, and so unique that rather than having a ostentatious name, it holds enough gravitas to simply be called The Manor. This sprawling property overlooks the water, with lakeside cabins and seaside views to boot, and should bring an aura of peace...at least, that's the goal. Lanterns light the night skies, and although the eerie woods are close by, the promise of tranquility hangs in the air. Owner Francesca has been working tirelessly to prepare the Manor for its opening night affair...and the time is FINALLY here. With crystals in each room and white linen outfits for the guests to wear, she and husband Owen have carefully worked to curate a VERY specific 'experience' for their guests. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Jun 11, 2024
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Jun 17, 2024
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Oct 27, 2023
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Paperback
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| 0593639006
| 9780593639009
| 0593639006
| 3.88
| 2,247
| unknown
| Oct 24, 2023
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really liked it
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**Many thanks to Catherine Barra at Berkley and Emma Noyes for an ARC of this book provided via NetGalley! Now available as of 10.24!** Being herself a **Many thanks to Catherine Barra at Berkley and Emma Noyes for an ARC of this book provided via NetGalley! Now available as of 10.24!** Being herself and being truly comfortable in her skin has been a lifelong struggle for Ginny, but she never feels more at home than when she's allowed to drop the pretense, kick back, and hang out with "the guys." Her group of friends make the perfect roommates: she can be authentic, have fun, and never have to worry about the awkward tension that comes being around potential boyfriends. Of course, one of her roommates is her ex Finch, but he's moved on to a new girlfriend Heather, and all of their tortured romantic push-and-pull is in the past...at least, Ginny THINKS so. But when mysterious and handsome Adrian joins their circle of friends, and the two end up spending an evening together in Adrian's room after a night out clubbing, even though nothing seriously physical happens between the two...they both experience butterflies and an almost magnetic, magical pull they've never felt before. As much as they deny their feelings, they can't help but grow close to one another. But Adrian has been terrified to fall in love ever since he witnessed his mother's heartbreak when his father died...and he promised himself he would NEVER let himself get in that position. And Ginny is carrying an even darker secret...after a long battle with anorexia, she has now found herself grappling with bulimia...and desperate to keep this dark descent into her own personal hell from EVERYONE. As time passes and feelings grow, Ginny finds it increasingly difficult to keep the monsters in her head at bay...and Adrian is still waging the war against his own feelings, trying to suppress them at all costs. But when Ginny's disorder reaches its highest peak, will she finally allow someone in and fight to take her power back from the beast ripping her apart? Can Adrian put aside his fear and simply let love in? Or will a bit of unfinished business from Ginny's romantic past tear these Ginny and Adrian apart...for good? This book starts off with a VERY prescient trigger warning, one that gave me immediate pause but also was COMPLETELY warranted for the tale ahead. This book deals with anorexia and bulimia in an authentic, gritty, honest, and often disturbing way, and Noyes warns the reader from the off that reading this story could be triggering. She makes it clear she is not attempting to glamorize either disease, but I have to say after finishing this book, the word 'glamorous' will be the furthest thing from your mind after reading Ginny's experience. Emma Noyes herself struggled with eating disorders, and as such, is able to take you into the mind of an anorexic/bulimic in a way I have NEVER experienced before. It is SO real, so tortured, and so gripping that at times, I actually felt like *I* was having some of the thoughts the character was experiencing. I felt sick to my stomach on some level more than once, but I also want to emphasize this was not necessarily off-putting...it's just a LOT. It takes an immeasurable amount of bravery to sort of expose your darkest and most private moments to a reading audience, but Noyes was up to the challenge, and completely delivered. I felt so heartbroken for Ginny, and above anything, as a reader I was BEGGING for her to reach out to those in her network, let them in, and just receive the help she needed (and deserved!) I can't tell you the last time I wanted to hug a fictional character so much, but Ginny was so clearly battling an invisible monster feeding her lie after lie, and I would have done anything to help her banish those negative thoughts, because there is oftentimes NOTHING more crippling than the harsh words we tell ourselves. That's not to say this ENTIRE story revolves around the eating disorders, although it is a large component. There is also a beautifully told love story, and Adrian has his own demons to acknowledge and conquer. Like so many, he has become an expert in repression and keeping his heart safe just by burying emotions and pretending oftentimes that they don't exist...but it's also clear from the very beginning that he has a wealth of love to give. While it would have been easy for the two to engage in a one night stand at the beginning of the book after a fun, alcohol-fueled night out, Noyes makes you wait and get to KNOW the characters first. Adrian is a puzzle up until nearly the end of the book, and as a reader, I was completely committed to seeing the relationship through, no matter what the end result. Noyes also uses Ginny's former boyfriend Finch to explore the sort of toxic mind games that men (particularly men in their younger 20s who believe themselves to be pretty charming) can play and how difficult it can be to leave the past in the past, ESPECIALLY when you are at your most vulnerable. Despite all of these plot lines going at once (including some emotional scenes between Ginny and sister), I never felt like there was too much happening at once, and though the book hopped forward in time multiple times, it gave me more of a "One Day" feel rather than a disjointed feeling, and I felt like I was watching the characters grow and evolve through real time. I would also classify this book as "New Adult" rather than adult. only because the characters are in their 20s and it feels appropriate...but unlike most New Adult books I've read, this one had a MUCH appreciated air of maturity to it. There are moments of fun and levity, but also a heartfelt, serious through line that will capture the hearts and minds of older AND younger readers alike. And while I can't say whether or not Ginny ends up with Adrian, she DOES discover that one relationship in her life is more important, lasting, and fundamental than any other, and only through prioritizing THAT one does she have a chance at success in all others. And no, it isn't with food, a friend, a parent, a sibling, or even a man. It is in the beauty and power of her relationship with herself. 4 stars ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Oct 14, 2023
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Oct 17, 2023
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Oct 22, 2023
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Paperback
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| 0063306263
| 9780063306264
| 0063306263
| 4.14
| 719
| unknown
| Oct 10, 2023
|
really liked it
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**Many thanks to NetGalley, William Morrow-Harvest, and to Alyssa Blask Campbell and Lauren Elizabeth Stauble for an ARC of this book! Now available a
**Many thanks to NetGalley, William Morrow-Harvest, and to Alyssa Blask Campbell and Lauren Elizabeth Stauble for an ARC of this book! Now available as of 10.10!!** "When little people are overwhelmed by big emotions, it's our job to share our calm, not to join their chaos."-L.R Knost Okay, sure...but how exactly do we go about DOING that amidst screaming, tiny fists a' flying and little bodies flailing....not to MENTION people staring at you with that "Get your loud child out of this public place...and oh, maybe try a little PARENTING once you get home while you're at it" face? While it sometimes takes a village, these two authors (and founders of Seed & Sow.org) take the reader on a journey through raising emotionally intelligent little ones: a trip that begins with parents examining their own psyches and upbringings and the way we were often taught to repress and hide our feelings for the comfort and others, and exploring their new methodology of Collective Emotion Processing (CEP) that encourages children to identify feelings, process needs, and to learn to communicate, even at the height of stress. This book is split into three sections: the first deals with a broad conversation on Emotions and their significance, and the importance of self-awareness and self-regulation. how DO we want to raise our children? What do we want to be different in terms of processing and self-expression? The best part of this first section for me were the examples provided of how to charge our batteries, either through proprioceptive sense (big body play) that can include a long hug, massage, going for a run, wearing a baby, jumping into a pile of pillows, etc. or recharging our vestibular system (ex. swinging, going upside down, bouncing on a yoga ball, etc.) Learning how to reset and recharge our nervous systems is an ESSENTIAL tool for getting out of a fight or flight response and back 'into our bodies,' and all of these strategies can be applied to children as well as adults. (All of these resources are also listed at the authors' website if you need a quick resource). Part two is the meat and potatoes of the book and deals with Collaborative Emotion Processing. The process involves a wheel of mindfulness, with spokes including adult-child interactions, self-awareness, scientific knowledge, uncovering implicit bias, and self-care. This sounds like a LOT: and well, it is. We need to identify our feelings, what triggers the feelings, seek support through coping strategies, and solve the problem or let it go. (And if our child is the one experiencing the emotion...we need to help them through this process!) In essence when a big emotion arises, we need to determine if a child is in a state of dysregulation or not. If they are, it isn't the time to teach: we need to calm them first. If a child is hitting, it's tempting to say "We do not hit", but this alone will not teach the child not to hit. If we can determine their underlying feelings or needs and provide empathy, sometimes this alone is enough. It's a tricky process, and as the book goes on, it becomes increasingly clear that this methodology doesn't necessarily fall in line with societal expectations...and I'll be honest, I did get a bit deflated and overwhelmed during the book at times, when it seemed like the task of teaching self-regulation to tiny humans seemed a bit much. But what I came to realize as I read is while I might not approach every situation as 'perfectly' as the experienced childcare experts who penned this book, even making the ATTEMPT to hold boundaries and provide support rather than resorting to yelling or punishment instantly is a huge step up...and it will always be a work in progress. My son is two and a half, and no doubt as his communication continues to develop, this will be an ever-changing roller coaster ride. However, even coming into situations backed with scientific knowledge about how our minds and nervous systems coalesce in moments of stress and having those strategies on deck is ENORMOUSLY helpful. The authors also realize the world is designed to punish "bad behavior": my child's daycare teachers utilize time outs, and it's not like the criminal justice system is simply going to abandon incarceration in the wake of mindfulness and an attempt at tackling problems at the root rather than punishing a negative outcome. However, living in a world that is FINALLY beginning to acknowledge the power of emotional processing rather than simply criticizing bad behavior (and teaching children shame) rather than learning TRUE coping strategies. Although this book in some ways could be viewed as a conduit to guide readers towards seedandsow.org and also to the authors' podcast, this book felt less like an advertisement and more like a survival guide that ANYONE who spends time with children needs to have hanging around. CEP is a long road, an unpredictable journey, and one you will embark on one day, one hour, and sometimes one MINUTE at a time. As the authors state, "You might be the only emotionally safe person for your child to break down to, and you are enough." But the message at the end of that quote is at the core of everything we are and everything we do, and is one that as parents and caregivers, we can't ever afford to forget: "You are enough." ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Oct 05, 2023
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Oct 08, 2023
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Oct 15, 2023
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Hardcover
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my rating |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| 3.73
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really liked it
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Mar 06, 2024
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Mar 13, 2024
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| 3.84
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really liked it
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Feb 07, 2024
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Feb 13, 2024
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| 4.51
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really liked it
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May 06, 2024
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Feb 13, 2024
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| 3.86
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really liked it
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Apr 12, 2024
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Feb 13, 2024
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| 4.47
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really liked it
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Mar 14, 2024
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Feb 13, 2024
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| 3.94
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really liked it
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May 30, 2024
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Feb 12, 2024
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| 4.00
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really liked it
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Jun 19, 2024
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Jan 30, 2024
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| 3.77
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really liked it
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Jan 21, 2024
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Jan 27, 2024
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| 3.15
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really liked it
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Jan 18, 2024
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Jan 22, 2024
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| 4.08
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really liked it
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Dec 23, 2023
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Dec 23, 2023
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| 3.83
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really liked it
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May 21, 2024
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Dec 17, 2023
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| 3.62
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really liked it
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Apr 19, 2024
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Dec 17, 2023
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| 3.93
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really liked it
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Mar 04, 2024
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Dec 02, 2023
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| 3.82
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really liked it
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Apr 02, 2024
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Nov 21, 2023
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| 4.05
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really liked it
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Nov 05, 2023
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Nov 11, 2023
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| 3.89
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really liked it
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Feb 03, 2024
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Nov 06, 2023
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| 3.97
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really liked it
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Apr 07, 2024
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Nov 06, 2023
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| 3.71
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really liked it
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Jun 17, 2024
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Oct 27, 2023
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| 3.88
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really liked it
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Oct 17, 2023
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Oct 22, 2023
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| 4.14
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really liked it
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Oct 08, 2023
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Oct 15, 2023
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