Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Recent Reads

I haven't linked up in a few months, so I won't do a full breakdown of every book I've read since August, but I will highlight a few that need explaining :)

After Anna // Lisa Scottoline
Rating: 3.5/5

Crazy Rich Asians // Kevin Kwan
Rating: 4/5

Of course I jumped on this train! And as always, the book was better than the  movie but the movie is still worth seeing - just read this first. I just picked up the second book from the library so I'm excited to see where the story goes.

Ghosted // Rosie Walsh
Rating: 4/5

Lie To Me // J.T. Ellison
Rating: 4/5

This is a SOLID mystery/thriller. I never saw the ending coming!

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo // Taylor Jenkins Reid
Rating: 4/5

Gosh, I really liked this book. There was an overlying mystery in the book but it's not a mystery book like I normally read but I was so taken in with Reid's storytelling that I've already got another book of hers on my nightstand now to read!

Cross Her Heart // Sarah Pinborough
Rating: 3/5

Meh. This one was fine but a traditional thriller. I read it quickly, but it was easily digestible.

Pretty Girls // Karin Slaughter
Rating: 3.5/5

I read another book by Karin Slaughter earlier this year and enjoyed it ( The Good Daughter) but this one was much more violent than the last one. I was drawn in because it took place in Atlanta/Athens/Watkinsville, GA. I was born in Athens and grew up there/in Watkinsville (they're basically the same place) so it was cool to read about landmarks and things I know but then the violence and gore was tough to stomach for that same reason.

The mystery/thriller aspect was great, but be prepared for some seriously messed up violence.

The Last Mrs. Parrish // Liv Constantine
Rating: 3/5

Truth be told, I originally had this book as 4/5 but once I thought about it some more, I don't love the ending. The book was a great read and kept me guessing but I just didn't love the "gotcha" at the end once I stepped away.

Tear Me Apart // JT Ellison
Rating: 3.5/5

I liked this one in that it had a mystery element but it wasn't scary, per se. The characters were well written and believable which is always a plus when you're dealing with sometimes out of the ordinary situations.

An American Marriage // Tayari Jones
Rating: 4/5

Everyone should read this book immediately. What an amazing, heartbreaking story. This one hit really close to home for me in ways I don't think it will for the vast majority of readers... But, regardless it's an amazing story about our "justice" system and how it tears families apart even as hard as the families try to stay together. I was so empty at the end.. in a good way? If that even makes sense. Just read it!

The Perfect Mother // Aimee Molloy
Rating: 3/5

I felt that the "twist" in this book was just too out of left field. I never guessed it because it just didn't make a lot of sense.

The Last Time I Lied // Riley Sager
Rating: 4/5

Oooo this was twisty but also believable. I really loved that it took place at a summer camp because I always wanted to go to a camp but never did. The author did a great job of immersing you in the camp and also keeping your second guessing literally everyone.

The Widow // Fiona Barton
Rating: 4/5

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets // JK Rowling
Rating: 5/5

I'm currently listening to the audiobooks with my husband. He's never read them so it's so fun!

My Oxford Year // Julia Whelan
Rating: 3/5

When can I go to Europe?

Linking up with Steph and Jana!

9 comments:

SMD @ lifeaccordingtosteph said...

Loved the Riley Sager and the two JT Ellison Books.

Empty at the end in a good way is a nearly perfect description of closing An American Marriage after the last page was read.

Jana @ Jana Says said...

Ghosted was great as was the Slaughter book. An American Marriage is one of my 2018 favorites.

And Evelyn. My god, did I love that book, too.

Ashley @ The Wandering Weekenders said...

Crazy Rich Asians has been on my list for so long, and I want to read it even more now that the movie is out! I need to read another book by Karin Slaughter.

Carly said...

I was really looking forward to Ghosted, but when I finally got it from the library I couldn't get into it for some reason (though I didn't get very far into it), I might put it back on my hold list eventually though! I read Pretty Girls last year (or the year before??) and thought it was one of the best thrillers I've ever read-- though because of how graphic/violent it was at times I would never want to reread it!

Audrey Louise said...

Evelyn Hugo was one of my favs. I tried to read Crazy Rich Asians but it was SO much right in the beginning and I couldn't get into it. I saw the movie, though (which I never do). I think the book will be a little easier for me now that I have faces with names. An American Marriage is on my tbr list!

Ericka @ A Quiet Girl's Musings... said...

I so enjoyed Crazy Rich Asians! I distinctly remember laughing out loud so many times! I LOVE The Seven Lives of... Seriously, I'm beginning to thing that TJR can do no wrong! I agree, although I liked All the Pretty Girls, I found it very graphic and disturbing. I haven't been willing to give KS another shot since that book.

LIe to Me has me intrigued!

Shooting Stars Mag said...

I really want to read The Last Time I Lied and An American Marriage, though I know the latter will make me angry.

-Lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net

Simply Alexandra // My Favorite Things said...

ooh yay for Harry Potter! The third and sixth are my favorite! :) I liked her mysteries as well. Under pen name Robert Galbraith. XO - Alexandra

Simply Alexandra: My Favorite Things

Kristin said...

I've read most of these or want to read most of these. I didn't finish Pretty Girls because it just didn't have the story to back up the gore, in my opinion.
I can't even remember what happened at the end of The Perfect Mother. I feel like the storyline was annoyingly non-believable (I read it while 8 months pregnant and now, with a 5 month old, I think it's just as non-believable).