Happy Monday everyone! I’ve been on a reading spree lately with some really fantastic reads that I can’t wait to share with you. I think my plan of not continuing on with books I’m not enjoying is really paying off because I’ve had the best time reading lately, staying up late and not even caring about the lost sleep! What I’m also excited about is the variety of books I’m reading, many I might’ve passed by before but am giving a try and it’s paying off. On the movie front, we saw Game Night yesterday and both thought it was great. Funny and pure entertainment as only Jason Bateman can do. Two thumbs up for that one!
RECENTLY READ…
I’ll Be Gone In the Dark (Feb 27) was a page turning, chilling account of one woman’s search for the serial killer she called The Golden State Killer. I’m no longer going to my mailbox in the dark after reading this…(my review will be up Friday but consider this a must read!)
Kill the Angel (Feb 20) was one of my most anticipated sequels for 2018. I loved Kill the Father last year but this one seemed to be missing something for me. It was less complex and the main characters who made Kill the Father so great felt stagnant in this one. On a positive note, the ending was a nice surprise.
The Family Next Door (March 6) was my most recent read and I read it in about a day. This is one I would’ve passed by a few months ago as it’s touted as a domestic suspense and I tend to steer clear of most of those; however, this was getting rave reviews from trusted bloggers so I had to take a closer look and I’m so glad I did. I predict this will be a big hit so you might want to add it to your tbr’s now! I’ll have my review up next week.
CURRENTLY READING…
The Broken Girls (March 20) Another one I’m really surprised to find that I’m not only enjoying, I can’t wait to get back to it and find out more. Typically I don’t enjoy alternating timelines or ghost stories BUT both are keeping me glued to the pages of this one. It alternates between 1950 and 2014 and I’m equally invested in both as well as the underlying mystery.
UPCOMING READING POSSIBILITIES….
The Italian Party (March 20) I would read this for just the cover and title alone but I love that it’s described as “A smart pleasure” and “sharply funny” and the blurb mentions charming spies and prosecco so I’m sold!
Every Note Played (March 20) I’ve read and loved Lisa’s books in the past so I’m very much looking forward to this one featuring a pianist with ALS. There’s always great depth and emotion to her books so I’ll have my tissues ready.
What have YOU read recently? Feel free to leave a comment and share what you’ve read and loved (or not) or what you’re looking forward to reading!
HAPPY READING!
“The Family Next Door” sounds interesting. I am reading “Pure Hollywood” by Christine Schutt
It was really good Martie, definitely worth a look. I haven’t heard of Pure Hollywood, I’ll look it up
Posting my review now
I hope you like it. But, it is a different kind of read, may not be for everyone.
I’m also not finishing books if I get to around 35% and I’m bored or not enjoying at all! Hate to waste precious reading time. I’m reading The Family Next Door later this week so glad you enjoyed it. Hope you enjoy Broken Girls!
My current method for myself when reading now is if I notice my mind wandering I just ask myself if I care and if my answer is no I move on…It’s so freeing!! I hope you love The Family Next Door Holly, can’t wait to hear your thoughts
I loved The Family Next Door, and I’m glad that you did too! That was my 1st Sally Hepworth book, but I definitely want to read more of her books. I’m about to start Every Note Played this week, and I can only imagine it will be good..and a heartbreaker! If I have time, I might start The Broken Girls since it has been sitting on my desk for weeks! So glad that you are enjoying your reading! I did DNF my 1st book of the year at 45% last week, and I thought of you when I did! But I picked it back up a day later then finished it, hahaha! I was so proud of myself when I put it down and then I felt guilty, ugh! Turned out it was pretty bad, only 2-2.5 stars, so I should have just left it alone! Baby steps in DNFing…;)
Wasn’t TFND SO good! It had me fooled too. I’ve already downloaded another of her books for a possible Throwback Thursday post if I can squeeze it in. When I read that you DNFed that book I gave you a little high five…then I read on and you picked it back up😂 too funny, good news is your instinct was right! Silver Lining:)
It was superb! I definitely need to read her again! That sounds like a great idea for TBT. Haha, well I did try, right? My misplaced guilt just wouldn’t let me leave it alone. Sadly, I really liked the main characters and the author’s writing, but the plot was a mess and the ending made me want to through the book…if it wasn’t on my kindle! But, yes, a definite silver lining 🙂
Now I need to read The Family Next Door. It sounds like the kind of book that I would enjoy too. Broken Girls also sounds great. I hope that you will enjoy it to the end. Happy reading 🙂
I think both of those are right up your alley Diana, The Family next door may be a little more fast paced but I think you’ll enjoy both!
I’m glad DNFing is working for you! Such a game changer, right?! You know I love it 🙂
And, I’m interested to hear what you and Susie both think of The Italian Party…I need some fun ones!
I’m actually a HUGE DNFer I’ve just kept most of them a secret in the past because I felt bad being so overly negative if I put them on the blog all the time:) I don’t feel anymore that I need to read it just because I got it on netgalley either if it’s really not working for me, I just give my honest feedback. I’m accumulating a lot of possible fun ones for the summer so fingers crossed most of them are good!!
Sounds like your new reading plan is really paying off!
I’m so glad you mentioned Game Night. My husband and I are planning on going to the movies this week but there’s not much out there that is catching our eye. Yesterday he mentioned seeing Game Night, I think it’s meant to be 😊
Yes, reading is fantastic lately! I love that we can talk movies as well as books Tina! If you like Jason Bateman you’ll love the movie, sometimes it’s just so fun to suspend all possible disbelief and just have fun at a movie:)
I love Jason Bateman!
Me too, my husband and I are big movie junkies haha
Glad you’re enjoying your reading at the moment! My aim for this year was to balance out ARCs and my own books more, and I’ve found that that has improved things for me 🙂
Your thoughts on Kill the Angel are interesting – I’ve got this on my wish list as I loved Kill the Father too, but I’ve not actually seen any reviews for the follow up…
I wish I would’ve loved it but there are a few others on Goodreads who felt as I did. That spark with Dante and Columba just seemed to be missing and the plot wasn’t as thrilling…IMO:)
Oh, I was really hoping you’d love Kill The Angel, I’ve got so many books to read, I’m slyly hesitant now – I won’t rush to it 🙂
I wanted to love it but I just didn’t:( I wrote a mini review on goodreads but I may not put one up on the blog. Yes, I’d say no rush on this although I would really like to talk about it with you and see if we’re on the same page
I just read your review on Goodreads 😊 I was tempted to request it from NG but somethings held me back, I’ll read it at some point, no idea when though 🙈
So many great reviews of I’ll Be Gone in the Dark! It’s intriguing–but I’m not sure I’m brave enough 🙂
I’m also trying hard to DNF when I’m not enjoying something. I struggle with it, for some reason, but finding a good next read seems to be key.
I’ll Be Gone in the Dark is so scary and chilling Allison but I absolutely loved it! I think the more amazing books you read the easier it becomes to DNF, at least for me because I always think the next book I pick up could be a 5 star:)
I’ve been seeing a lot of glowing reviews on The Family Next Door and I’m adding it to my TBR list! I’m looking forward to your review.
I’m glad to hear you’re adding it Abby, I gave a few of my initial thoughts on goodreads but I just thought it was so fantastic!
Renee, I regret that I didn’t request it earlier! 🙂
If it’s still on netgalley, fingers crossed maybe you’ll get it!!
I just did! Fingers and toes crossed 🤞🏻
I think I’ve got the family next door on my tbr. I’m intrigued by ill be gone in the dark. I’m going to look it up. I’m reading and enjoying breaking by Danielle Collins. next will be mates and dates book 6.
I’ll be Gone in the Dark wasn’t like any other nonfiction I’ve ever read & boy was it chilling just FYI. I haven’t heard of Breaking or that author…will look up:)
Kill the Angel was definitely less intense than Kill the Father. It felt more character driven to me, and less desperate somehow, with Colomba and Dante on the way to mending a little bit. Though the pace and tone were a bit different, it was a very smart plot, and I enjoyed it.
I have The Broken Girls as well, but don’t know when I’ll be able to tackle it. I’m looking forward to your review to see if I should find a place to squeeze it in. 🙂
Have a great reading week!
I just read your review and I agree with you about Dante’s past being such an intriguing piece for me as well. I can’t wait to find out the whole story…that ending was awesome!
The cover of The Italian Party is great! I hope the book lives up to it, and that you manage to tempt me with it… 🙂
I really want to read I’ll Be Gone in the Dark and I’m going to, but you and Sarah have scared me off a little. I don’t normally get scared, but I live alone and am a little nervous to read it.
I didn’t realize Lisa Genova’s new book was out in March. How did I miss that? I may need to go turn in a quick request, but may let you vet it first. Let me know what you think.
So happy to hear your reading is working so well right now.
I think I’ll Be Gone in the Dark is one you’d really like because it’s SO well-written, but yes my heart was racing in parts and I was checking all the windows and doors ( my husband was out of town). I’ll definitely let you know about the Lisa Genova!
I really enjoyed a The Family Next Door too!
Glad to hear you enjoyed Game Night. I want to see that one too! All of the mail I had held when we were away was delivered today. I was very happy to find a copy of The Family Next Door among all the bills and flyers. I’m really looking forward to reading it after seeing your review.
Oh I’m so glad you got The Family Next Door! I feel confident that’s one you’ll like. I really want to post my review but I’ll wait until next week:)