Wednesday Wishlist

  On Wednesday's I share a book that I am dying to get my hands on but do not have yet.

 

 

The Return by Nicholas Sparks 

 

 Synopsis: 

Trevor Benson never intended to move back to New Bern, North Carolina. But when a mortar blast outside the hospital where he worked sent him home from Afghanistan with devastating injuries, the dilapidated cabin he'd inherited from his grandfather seemed as good a place to regroup as any.

Tending to his grandfather's beloved beehives, Trevor isn't prepared to fall in love with a local . . . yet, from their very first encounter, Trevor feels a connection with deputy sheriff Natalie Masterson that he can't ignore. But even as she seems to reciprocate his feelings, she remains frustratingly distant, making Trevor wonder what she's hiding.

Further complicating his stay in New Bern is the presence of a sullen teenage girl, Callie, who lives in the trailer park down the road. Trevor hopes Callie can shed light on the mysterious circumstances of his grandfather's death, but she offers few clues -- until a crisis triggers a race to uncover the true nature of Callie's past, one more intertwined with the elderly man's passing than Trevor could ever have imagined.

In his quest to unravel Natalie and Callie's secrets, Trevor will learn the true meaning of love and forgiveness . . . and that in life, to move forward, we must often return to the place where it all began.

Why I want to read this: 

I actually just read my first Nicholas Sparks book, Safe Haven, this year! I know, I know! I have seen almost all of the movies so I figured I probably wasn't missing much. But the book was even more beautiful and I fell in love with the writing. So I am excited to dive into a new one.

Sunday: What's on my nightstand

 Every Sunday I will update with what I am currently reading. Reviews to expect in the future :)

 

 

 Midnight Sun

 

Initial thoughts: This one is taking me longer to get through than I imagined. It didn't suck me in like the OG books. Could just be that I am at a different place in life now. It's also hard because I do a lot of reading in the bath and this is just too heavy.

 

 

 

 The Other Mrs. Miller

 

Initial thoughts: I am only 2 chapters in. I am calling this my bath book for now since my main read is too heavy for the tub. So far I am on the fence. 

 

The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware

 

 The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware

 Grade: 4.5 Stars

Audience: Adult

 

Synopsis:

 When she stumbles across the ad, she’s looking for something else completely. But it seems like too good an opportunity to miss—a live-in nannying post, with a staggeringly generous salary. And when Rowan Caine arrives at Heatherbrae House, she is smitten—by the luxurious “smart” home fitted out with all modern conveniences, by the beautiful Scottish Highlands, and by this picture-perfect family.

What she doesn’t know is that she’s stepping into a nightmare—one that will end with a child dead and herself in prison awaiting trial for murder.

Writing to her lawyer from prison, she struggles to explain the events that led to her incarceration. It wasn’t just the constant surveillance from the home’s cameras, or the malfunctioning technology that woke the household with booming music, or turned the lights off at the worst possible time. It wasn’t just the girls, who turned out to be a far cry from the immaculately behaved model children she met at her interview. It wasn’t even the way she was left alone for weeks at a time, with no adults around apart from the enigmatic handyman.

It was everything.

She knows she’s made mistakes. She admits that she lied to obtain the post, and that her behavior toward the children wasn’t always ideal. She’s not innocent, by any means. But, she maintains, she’s not guilty—at least not of murder—but somebody is.

 

My thoughts:

 HOLY SMOKES. It's been a long time since I was so sucked into a book I couldn't put it down. I read this book in just a couple sittings. It would have been one, but alas, mom duty called. Last night I finally had a chance to just sit and read for a few hours and I flew through this book. Page after page, I kept turning because I had to know what was going to happen next. 

Generally I am the type that has to at least attempt to figure out how a book will end. I fell successful when I solve it, but also disappointed that I was able to. There was something about this book that kept me from doing that though. I wanted to be told what happened. I was so excited to be flipping the pages that my brain didn't even attempt to wander into the "who done it" space. 

The setting of this novel was a huge character. I love these "middle of nowhere, police couldn't be there for an hour" type of books. Though actually living that sounds like a nightmare to me. Every time the house was described there was this feeling of being watched. Huge windows allow for observing of beautiful scenery but they also make me feel like I am living in a fishbowl. When our main character would go plop herself in front of these huge windows at 11pm I wanted to throw up with stress. Doesn't she know that as soon as the sun starts to go down you have to shut the blinds?! 

 

Each character in this novel was so well developed. Our main character, Rowan, was incredibly likeable. She came across, initially, like she was always trying to be her best self. But then we start to see these loose threads: her need to always ACT like someone else entirely. I really felt for her the whole way through. The young girls were also well developed. Maddie has this level of anger to her. You can almost feel the steam from her coming off the pages. Sweet little Ellie was precious. I have twin 6 year olds and Ellie seemed so much younger than them, even though she was only a year younger. I kept having to remind myself she wasn't 3. She really came across as just wanting to feel loved, and that broke my mama heart. 

 

If you have never tried a novel by Ruth Ware, you are missing out. I highly recommend starting here or with The Woman in Cabin 10.

 

Wednesday Wishlist

 On Wednesday's I share a book that I am dying to get my hands on but do not have yet.

 

 Sex and Vanity by Kevin Kwan

 

 Synopsis:

 On her very first morning on the jewel-like island of Capri, Lucie Churchill sets eyes on George Zao and she instantly can’t stand him. She can’t stand it when he gallantly offers to trade hotel rooms with her so that she can have the view of the Tyrrhenian Sea, she can’t stand that he knows more about Curzio Malaparte than she does, and she really can’t stand it when he kisses her in the darkness of the ancient ruins of a Roman villa and they are caught by her snobbish, disapproving cousin, Charlotte. “Your mother is Chinese so it’s no surprise you’d be attracted to someone like him,” Charlotte teases. Daughter of an American-born-Chinese mother and blue-blooded New York father, Lucie has always sublimated the Asian side of herself in favor of the white side, and she adamantly denies having feelings for George. But several years later, when George unexpectedly appears in East Hampton where Lucie is weekending with her new fiancé, Lucie finds herself drawn to George again. Soon, Lucy is spinning a web of deceit that involves her family, her fiancé, the co-op board of her Fifth Avenue apartment, and ultimately herself as she tries mightily to deny George entry into her world–and her heart.

 

Why I want to read this book:  

I was a big fan of Crazy Rich Asians. It actually wasn't even a book I wanted to read. My book club voted and since I co-lead the club, I had no choice but to read. DANG was I glad I did. I am super excited to dive into another story with this author. His writing makes me feel like I am there and very much part of it. 

Sunday: What's on my nightstand

Every Sunday I will update with what I am currently reading. Reviews to expect in the future :)

 

Tell me what you are reading in the comments!

Midnight Sun by Stephenie Meyer

The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware

The Wives by Tarryn Fisher

 The Wives by Tarryn Fisher 

 Grade: B

Rating:  Adult

 

 

 Synopsis:

 Imagine that your husband has two other wives. You’ve never met the other wives. None of you know each other, and because of this unconventional arrangement, you can see your husband only one day a week. But you love him so much you don’t care. Or at least that’s what you’ve told yourself.

But one day, while you’re doing laundry, you find a scrap of paper in his pocket—an appointment reminder for a woman named Hannah, and you just know it’s another of the wives.

You thought you were fine with your arrangement, but you can’t help yourself: you track her down, and, under false pretenses, you strike up a friendship. Hannah has no idea who you really are. Then, Hannah starts showing up to your coffee dates with telltale bruises, and you realize she’s being abused by her husband. Who, of course, is also your husband. But you’ve never known him to be violent, ever.

Who exactly is your husband, and how far would you go to find the truth? Would you risk your own life?

And who is his mysterious third wife?

 

My thoughts:

This was on odd one for me. I had a weird relationship with it. I didn't love it. I didn't like the characters. But I couldn't stop reading. I had to know what was next. 

Our main character, Thursday, was someone I wanted to like. I tried hard to find the good in her or to even feel sorry for her. But there was just something so off about her. Part of me felt guilty feeling that way, especially early in the book. As the story unfolded I definitely saw how different things that bothered me played a huge key in who she was. That's all I can say about that without giving anything away. 

This polygamy plot was intriguing to me from the start. As someone who watches shows like Sister Wives and Escaping Polygamy, I am definitely always fascinated by the lifestyle. Though it isn't something I personally would choose to do.... The aspect of these wives not knowing each other added a whole new dimension. Imagine the jealousy when you think there is another wife off being spoiled somewhere. Another wife living in your dream home. Another wife having the babies you always wanted. Add in this element where you think your husband is a different person around other wives and you have quite the story. 

As this novel unfolded it took lots of twists and turns. Generally thrillers do not surprise me. I can almost always call it by the halfway point but I still love reading them. This was not one of those stories. I was shocked by the final revelation, as well as the details that lead up to that. One thing I didn't like was how rushed the ending felt. It was like there were so many details that were tied together way too quickly in one last chapter. 

If you enjoy psychological thrillers, I would recommend giving this book a try.

The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley

The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley

Grade: C

Rating: Adult

Synopsis:
During the languid days of the Christmas break, a group of thirtysomething friends from Oxford meet to welcome in the New Year together, a tradition they began as students ten years ago. For this vacation, they’ve chosen an idyllic and isolated estate in the Scottish Highlands—the perfect place to get away and unwind by themselves.

The trip begins innocently enough: admiring the stunning if foreboding scenery, champagne in front of a crackling fire, and reminiscences about the past. But after a decade, the weight of secret resentments has grown too heavy for the group’s tenuous nostalgia to bear. Amid the boisterous revelry of New Year’s Eve, the cord holding them together snaps, just as a historic blizzard seals the lodge off from the outside world.

Two days later, on New Year’s Day, one of them is dead. . . and another of them did it.

Keep your friends close, the old adage says. But how close is too close?


My Thoughts: 
This was my first Lucy Foley novel. I want to start off by saying that the story was interesting enough. It kept me reading for the most part and I did want to know what was going to happen next. This was one where I really didn't know how it would end until we actually got there. That in itself gives me reason to try another one of Lucy's books down the road.

 Another thing this novel did have going for it was the setting. The setting was described in such a way that I truly felt that I was there. The hairs on the back of my neck were constantly standing up while I read and I felt on edge. I felt isolated. Like I was in the middle of nowhere, with no escape. The setting was so vivid that I felt like I was there watching this unfold. All great qualities in a thriller. 

The above paragraphs are probably confusing given the "C" rating I gave this book. My explanation for that is the characters. The development was lacking and I honestly didn't like a single one. I didn't care what happened to them. Some even irked me.  As a reader who is very character driven, someone who wants to connect with them, it was impossible for me to see past that.

If you are someone who can just enjoy a good thriller for the story and doesn't need to feel a relationship between the characters and the reader, this is likely a book you will love. If you find yourself needing to connect, this probably isn't the book for you.

Wednesday Wishlist

This is a feature I did back in the day that I wanted to start again. On Wednesday's I share a book that I am dying to get my hands on but do not have yet.

The End of Her by Shari Lapena

Synopsis: 
A long-ago accident--and a vistor from out of the blue. . .

Stephanie and Patrick are adjusting to life with their colicky twin girls. The babies are a handful, but even as Stephanie struggles with the disorientation of sleep deprivation, there's one thing she's sure of: she has all she ever wanted.

Then Erica, a woman from Patrick's past, appears and makes a disturbing accusation. Patrick had always said his first wife's death was an accident, but now Erica claims it was murder.

Patrick insists he's innocent, that this is nothing but a blackmail attempt. Still, Erica knows things about Patrick--things that make Stephanie begin to question her husband. Stephanie isn't sure what, or who, to believe. As Stephanie's trust in Patrick begins to falter, Patrick stands to lose everything. Is Patrick telling the truth--is Erica the persuasive liar Patrick says she is? Or has Stephanie made a terrible mistake?


Why I want to read it: 
Every one of Shari's books that I have read has kept me on my toes. I always find myself trying to figure out mysteries before the end and quite often I hit the nail on the head. This has not been the case with her books so I am excited to dive into another one. Be prepared, Shari Lapena thrillers will make a whole afternoon get away from you.... They must be devoured in one sitting.

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

Grade: B

Rating: Adult

Synopsis:
In Shaker Heights, a placid, progressive suburb of Cleveland, everything is planned—from the layout of the winding roads, to the colors of the houses, to the successful lives its residents will go on to lead. And no one embodies this spirit more than Elena Richardson, whose guiding principle is playing by the rules.

Enter Mia Warren—an enigmatic artist and single mother—who arrives in this idyllic bubble with her teenaged daughter Pearl, and rents a house from the Richardsons. Soon Mia and Pearl become more than tenants: all four Richardson children are drawn to the mother-daughter pair. But Mia carries with her a mysterious past and a disregard for the status quo that threatens to upend this carefully ordered community.

When old family friends of the Richardsons attempt to adopt a Chinese-American baby, a custody battle erupts that dramatically divides the town—and puts Mia and Elena on opposing sides.  Suspicious of Mia and her motives, Elena is determined to uncover the secrets in Mia’s past. But her obsession will come at unexpected and devastating costs.

My Thoughts: 
I am the first to admit that I don't often give in to hype. Cool new app? I'll be the last to download it. Everyone's obsessed with a song? I think it's "meh." So when this book first came out and the reviews were raving, I figured it was just another book that was only popular because a few celebrities liked it and wanted to make it into a TV show. Then I came across the show on HULU one day.... I had a dozen loads of laundry to fold so I thought, "why not?" One episode in and I was hooked. So when it came time to nominate a book for my book club's August read I decided it was time to give the book a fair shake.

My immediate thoughts about the book were that it was very detailed. Some parts of that felt excessive, like when it came to the scenery, but it also allowed for vivid character development. I felt like I was inside the Richardson family. I wanted to be friends with Lexie, to be part of the growth that she was going through. I wanted to bop Elena upside the head because her flaws were so real and relevant. I wanted to hug Izzy and make sure she felt loved. That's how real these characters were to me. When their hearts ached, so did mine. When they were angry, so was I.

As this novel went on the story line really got me thinking. I couldn't just passively read this one. Especially given our current climate in the US, I had opinions about every aspect. I found myself asking "would I have done the same thing?" "Would I have stood up?" That is what made this such a great novel to me. It wasn't light and fluffy. There were so many layers of depth, so much to peel back, without it being some massive 500 page book.

If you, like me, find yourself often turned off by excessive hype. If you usually dislike the books the world seems to be amazed with. If you usually shy away from books that are turned into movies or shows. Do yourself a favor and give in here. You won't regret it.

7 years later.....

Woah. It's been 7 years since I've logged into this blog. This used to be my baby. I spent so many hours writing and networking. So many more hours reading. This blog provided me with some amazing opportunities! Meeting more authors than I can count; Suzanne Young, Alexa Young, Jay Asher, and Molly Ringwald (yes, THE Molly Ringwald), just to name a few.

Over the last 7 years I never stopped reading, though my tastes grew up with me. I spend way more time in adult fiction, with only an occasional young adult break. I’ve discovered my love for thrillers, a genre I always assumed I would hate. I’ve run an online book club where I have read books that I would have never picked myself.

What else have I been up to? Well, you may remember when I left, I was going to start nursing school and we were thinking about starting our family. I did not end up going back to school. Instead we moved across the country and my husband got a job that allows me to stay home with our girls. Yes, we had girls! 6 years ago, we welcomed identical twin girls. 19 months later their little sister joined the party. Raising these girls has been an absolute blast. We don’t think we are done but we had wanted to wait awhile before having more. During this interlude I have had the pleasure of being entrusted with carrying 2 sweet babies for other families.

Gestational surrogacy is something that has always been on my heart. After delivering the 1^st surrogate baby I was offered a position as a case manager at a surrogacy agency. I couldn’t say no to the opportunity to support other women on this beautiful path, so I do that part-time, from my home office.

Recently my husband has been encouraging me to write again. He was there with me when I gave up this blog, so he remembers how hard that was. He also remembers how much fun I had doing this. So, with his encouragement, I am back to give this another try. Maybe nobody will read this anymore. Maybe I’ll be writing just for myself. But even so, that’s okay.