Friday, March 31, 2023
March Reads
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Labels: Monthly Reads 2023
Tuesday, February 28, 2023
February Reads
5. The Night Before (Walker) ~ 3/5 (just okay), audiobook, NetGalley, psychological thriller
This was intriguing at first, but became mundane. I was waiting for something, hoping to be surprised, but it never happened. It was nothing special, just okay. 2-3-23
6. The Flatshare (O'Leary) ~ 3.25/5 (just okay +), book, chick-lit
I enjoyed the dual POV and communication between the main characters. I'm not so sure the plan would work in real life, but it was a cute idea for a book. 2-10-23
7. Ballad for Sophie (Melo & Cavia) ~ 4.25/5 (very good +), book, graphic novel
This was a very cohesive, full story that captured my attention. It reminded me of an old movie. 2-11-23
8. Oona Out of Order (Montimore) ~ 2.25/5 (not enjoyable +), audiobook, bookclub, magical realism
The concept could have been done so much better. The entire book had a negative overtone and some stuff didn't make sense. I wasn't drawn to any of the characters, especially Oona. 2-16-23
9. A Quiet Retreat (Modglin) ~ 3.25/5 (just okay +), audiobook, thriller
This book had more to it than I expected for a short thriller. It was an enjoyable, quick listen. 2-18-23
DNF Sloppy Firsts (McCafferty), audiobook, YA
10. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (Riggs & Jean) ~ 1/5 (don't bother), book, graphic novel
Ugh. Not for me. 2-20-23
11. Saving Noah (Berry) ~ 3/5 (just okay), book, domestic thriller
I'm not sure how I feel about this book. So many emotions and thoughts that I can't quite sort through to end up with a rating. There were several errors in the book - annoying. Wasn't expecting this type of read ... at all! The writing was simplistic, as well as, very sad and depressing. I think I had a sour look on my face during the major it. I'm going middle of the road, because I was interested in reading it, but I really don't think I would recommend it to anyone. I like thrillers that shock or surprise me, even with unpleasant plots - not make me feel sad and icky. 2-24-23
12. Hello, Transcriber (Morrissey) ~ 2.75/5 (eh +), audiobook, NetGalley, romantic suspense
While the title held a lot of promise, it did not deliver. I was mostly bored and didn't care about any of the characters. It was definitely heavier on the romance than a police investigation. 2-24-23
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Tuesday, January 31, 2023
January Reads
1. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue (Schwab) ~ 3/5 (just okay), book/audiobook, bookclub, fantasy
I probably would have really like this had it been a short story or novella. It was WAY too long. The writing itself was a bit wordy, and it took forever for the story to pick up. It never really delivered, because I predicted the main plot line, so nothing was surprising. Everything else was just okay. 1-4-23
2. Never Fall Down (McCormick) ~ 3.75/5 (good +), audiobook, YA realistic fiction
This heart-wrenching story was told by a young boy who survives the torment of the Cambodian genocide. It definitely gave a very clear picture of his horrific experience. This was based on a true story. 1-8-23
3. The Last Mrs. Parrish (Constantine) ~ 3.75/5 (good +), audiobook, domestic thriller
This was very similar to The Housemaid (McFadden), but didn't keep me as engaged. 1-22-23
4. The Drift (Tudor) ~ 2/5 (not enjoyable), ebook, NetGalley, horror
I was incredibly excited to get to this arc. Unfortunately, my first Tudor book was not a success. I thought the writing was perfectly fine, but the whole plot was very bleak, and I simply didn't enjoy it. It just wasn't for me. Also, I never cared for the characters. 1-22-23
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Saturday, December 31, 2022
Best Reads of 2022
This was a very good reading year for me. There were, also, some positive changes within my Book World. I started a Book Club, which will continue in 2023. I finally purchased a BOTM subscription, and I'm loving that. And, I've been selling books on PangoBooks, as well as, donating to my local library and Little Free Libraries. While it has been a little difficult to actually say goodbye to some books, it has been necessary to house the new ones coming in. More purging to come.
I had a whopping 20 books that I rated 4 (very good) or higher! That definitely is a very good reading year for me! I didn't give any 5s, but I think anything that rates a 4.5 and up is probably a 5. Those real 5s are hard to come by. So without further ado, in order of how I read them . . .
Here are my 2022 Best Reads:
*memories of the book are .25 higher
1. No Exit (Adams) ~ Thriller
4.5/5 (excellent)
2. Salt to the Sea (Sepetys) ~ YA Historical Fiction
4/5 (very good)
3. Verity (Hoover) ~ Romantic Thriller
4/5 (very good)
4. The Shadows We Hide (Eskens) ~ Mystery
4/5 (very good)
5. The Midnight Library (Haig) ~ Science Fiction
4.25/5 (very good +)
6. Playing Nice (Delaney) ~ Fiction
4/5 (very good)
*4.25 (very good +)
7. Project Hail Mary (Weir) ~ Science Fiction
4.75/5 (excellent +)
8. For Your Own Good (Downing) ~ Thriller
4/5 (very good)
9. An Anonymous Girl (Hendricks & Pekkanen) ~ Thriller
4/5 (very good)
10. Know My Name (Miller) ~ Memoir
4.75/5 (excellent +)
11. The House in the Cerulean Sea (Klune) ~ YA Fantasy
4.75/5 (excellent +)
12. To Kill a Mockingbird (Fordham/Lee) ~ YA Graphic Classic Novel
4/5 (very good)
13. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo (Reid) ~ Fiction
4.75/5 (excellent +)
14. The Collective (Gaylin) ~ Thriller
4.25/5 (very good +)
15. The Arrangement (Modglin) ~ Thriller
4/5 (very good)
*4.25/5 (very good +)
16. The Swimmers (Otsuka) ~ Fiction
4/5 (very good)
17. When Stars are Scattered (Mohamed & Jamieson) ~ Children's Graphic Memoir
4.5/5 (excellent)
18. The Housemaid (McFadden) ~ Thriller
4/5 (very good)
*4.25/5 (very good +)
19. It Ends With Us (Hoover) ~ Romance
4/5 (very good)
20. The Measure (Erlick) ~ Science Fiction
4/5 (very good)
*4.25/5 (very good +)
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Friday, December 30, 2022
December Reads
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Wednesday, November 30, 2022
November Reads
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Monday, October 31, 2022
October Reads
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Friday, September 30, 2022
September Reads
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Wednesday, August 31, 2022
August Reads
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Sunday, July 31, 2022
July Reads
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Saturday, July 16, 2022
SWEET 16!
Well, I didn't realize that I totally missed my 15th year Blogiversary until a few days ago. Oops! No matter, I'm 16 now and feeling happy. (Surprised that it actually has been 16 years, though!!!)
What to say ...
I've continued to read, as always, but this year my preference has gone back to reading more physical books. I'm still reading via an iPad (ebooks) and iPod/iPhone (audiobooks), but have thoroughly enjoyed the simple, handheld version the best.
Over the last few months, I have culled my bookshelves to make room for so many new books. It has been so much fun - out with the old, in with the new! My taste in genres hasn't changed too much (still a mystery/thriller reader), but I have now included a very little sci-fi/fantasy. Both of those have to be rooted in modern times or grounded in something close to reality. Reading sci-fi or fantasy that have new world systems is still not for me. I don't rule it out, but for now, I'm good without it. :) My shelves are overflowing again, which is delightful to peruse. My TBR shelves are very enticing and my Favorites shelves hold wonderful memories.
I started this current calendar year out strong and hope to keep it up. I had to change my Goodreads goal, already, due to surpassing the previous one I set for myself. :)
May your reading bring you much enjoyment, as it has me.
Thoughts of Joy
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Labels: Blogiversary
Thursday, June 30, 2022
June Reads
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Tuesday, May 31, 2022
May Reads
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Saturday, April 30, 2022
April Reads
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Thursday, March 31, 2022
March Reads
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Monday, February 28, 2022
February Reads
5. Rock Paper Scissors (Feeney) ~ 3/5 (just okay), audiobook
This was not an exciting book. I kept waiting for the big event or something to happen. When it did, I thought I heard it wrong and was confused. There were a couple twists that I appreciated, but overall, it seemed a bit boring. 2-4-22
6. An Unwanted Guest (Lapena) ~ 3.25/5 (just okay +), audiobook
I guessed part of this locked room mystery. It had a full cast of characters that were suspects in a murder. I didn't feel like it was suspenseful, like I thought it was intended. It had a satisfying ending, though. 2-15-22
7. Salt to the Sea (Sepetys) ~ 4/5 (very good), YA book
Another piece of WWII history that I was unaware of or don't remember. Sepetys makes history come alive in her fictional depictions. I felt the struggles, the pain and the love. 2-15-22
8. The Younger Wife (Hepworth) ~ 3.75/5 (good +), ebook, NetGalley
There was definitely more to think about after reading this than during the process. It took me a second to come to my conclusion as the book ended, and I'm not so sure I like it. I did enjoy the variety of personalities and that it made me think. 2-18-22
9. Finlay Donovan is Killing It (Cosimano) ~ 3.75/5 (good +), book/book club
Not my favorite genre, mainly because I think they can get too silly. This one had a better balance than others I have read. I did get sucked into Finlay's world and actually laughed out loud. It was a clever book, and I loved the ending -- great setup for the next book. 2-22-22
10. Verity (Hoover) ~ 4/5 (very good), book/book club
Oh My Goodness!! I thought this was a romance/thriller book when it was chosen for book club. It was more like a p*rn/horror book. YIKES! I don't choose to read either of those genres. It was my first Hoover book and apparently hers in this genre, as well. Ultimately, I thought it was very good, but I had a VERY difficult time reading some scenes. Did NOT like that at all. The storyline itself was intriguing, and I was invested. I figured out bits, but not exacts. Team Manuscript or Team Letter?! 2-25-22
11. Eight Perfect Murders (Swanson) ~ 3.5/5 (good), audiobook
I wanted to love this one, but that didn't happen. I really enjoyed the premise, but unfortunately, I didn't get to benefit from all the book references. I have not read them all, so that went over my head. However, what I did love was the last line. 2-26-22
12. Sea Prayer (Hosseini) ~ 3/5 (just okay), book
Don't know what I expected, but this wasn't it. It was a short, okay read with a melancholy message. 2-27-22
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