I knew there was a lot of controversy about this book before I read it. TBH, I didn’t really understand what all of the controversy was about; if an author has an idea for a story, they should be allowed to write about it. Right? Well, maybe.

This book was amazingly well written and I found it hard to put down while simultaneously having to put it down several times because it was so intense. The story of a mother and her child trying to escape to America after a drug cartel murders their entire family, this book was compelling and heart wrenching. There are very few books that I have had to put down because my head & my heart needed a moment to recover, but this one did that to me several times.

The controversy about the book revolves around whether a white, American woman should have been allowed to write this story. Cummins has said she wants the book to drive discussions about immigration and make us talk about the kind of country we want to be. I think this book will do that to an extent.

As much as I loved this book, though, the entire time I read it I couldn’t help but think that Cummins wrote a book that isn’t really her story to tell. This book paints the entire country of Mexico in a terrible light. Is it her right to do that (even if it might be the truth)? If not, where do we draw the line? Can authors write novels about countries they don’t live in as long as they paint them in a positive light? Can you write about things you haven’t personally experienced? Should men not be allowed to write books from a female perspective? Can a straight author write about homosexual characters? If authors are only allowed to write about their own, limited experiences, will that create a void where amazing imagination and storytelling have brought us wonderful books in the past?

As a writer, this book made me think about whether or not telling someone else’s story is right. As a reader, I loved this book and highly recommend it.

Thoughts?

Not a lot to say about this one. I finished it bc the story was interesting enough. I have several friends who loved this and highly recommend it. 

I’m just meh. 

I have a ton of other books I’d recommend before this one.

Twisty! Described as a “delicious twist on a Gothic classic,” this was a super fun read. 

What I loved: the Southern ladies, the twists and turns, the ending. 

What I didn’t love: the main character, Jane. I found her to be incredibly tedious. 

This is a typical thriller; I can’t say there’s anything special or superior about it. I can say that it’s twisty and fun and if you like thrillers, you should add this to your TBR!

So many things to love about this book from Kate Quinn, author of The Alice Network. 

I loved the cast of characters. ALL of them. 

I loved all of the history (coming from someone who hated history in high school). 

I loved the story and all of the sub-plots. 

I loved how Quinn was able to muddy the waters and create situations that challenge your moral compass. 

I loved the ending. 

I loved this book as much as I loved The Alice Network.

Highly recommend. 

Another good one from Lisa Jewell! 

This is the story of a perfectly normal family that isn’t as perfect as they seem, their creepy neighbor, and a missing girl. Jewell created such an untrustworthy cast of characters that even at the end of the story you aren’t 100% convinced you know who the bad guy is. 

Are you looking for a book with an original story, lots of twists to keep you guessing, and characters you never quite like or trust? Invisible Girl is the book for you!

Book set in a library ✔️
Goodreads Choice winner ✔️
Lots of recommendations from friends ✔️

I’ll be honest- I didn’t love this book the way a lot of people did. I loved the premise of it. After a suicide attempt, Nora Seed is given the opportunity to explore the roads not taken in a magic library. Caught somewhere between life and death, she chooses books that allow her to live the lives she passed up, to see what might have been if she’d made different choices. 

I enjoyed reading this book, but at times it felt overly preachy. Based on other reviews I’ve read, though, what I felt was preachy others found “heartwarming” and “inspirational.” 

I enjoyed this book, and have no reservations recommending it. It’s one to read when you are looking for a feel-good book. 

Don’t you love a book set in a library?

This is a two character, dual timeline story that works wonderfully because the setting, The New York Public Library, holds all of the characters and storylines together. 

The first storyline is set in the early 1900s and focuses on Laura. An aspiring journalist, she’s a wife and mother who finds her growing involvement in the early women’s rights movement changing not only the way she thinks about herself, but also how she views her various roles in her family and society. 

The second storyline focuses on her granddaughter, Sadie. Set in 1993, Sadie is a librarian at The New York Public Library who has just been put in charge of an exhibit set to feature some of her grandmother’s works. 

Sometimes in a book like this, one of the storylines will be notably stronger, but I enjoyed them both. The mystery of missing rare books that weaves between them was a fun bonus. 

After reading this, visiting the New York Public Library is on my bucket list! If you like mysteries, books, and libraries, this is the book for you!

The Vanishing Stair is the second book in the Truly Devious series, and I think I liked this one even better than the first. 

It picks up right where Truly Devious left off with Stevie and the rest of her crew embroiled in the mysteries surrounding the Ellingham Academy. I feel like Johnson really hit her stride in this one- with both the story and the characters. 

Loved this one! 

Don’t you hate it when the last books in a series don’t live up to the first one? 

Not to worry! The Hand on the Wall lives up to the first two books in the trilogy and keeps you guessing right up until the end. 

This was a super fun trilogy to read and I can’t wait until the fourth book (based on the trilogy but considered a standalone) comes out!

Where to start? 

First, if you haven’t read Dear Martin you will still love Dear Justyce. I highly recommend you read it because it’s an awesome book and will give some background to the story (you don’t have to read it first, but you do have to read it 😉).

Second, you definitely need to read the author’s notes and acknowledgements. This book is so good, and these give insights into how the book came into being. 

That said… I love Nic Stone’s writing. Dear Justyce tells the story of Quan, a teen in prison awaiting trial. Through flashbacks and letters to his childhood friend, Justyce, we learn not only his story but also about the challenges that many young Black teens face. If you’ve never heard of the school-to-prison pipeline, this will open your eyes (and, hopefully, your heart). 

Highly recommend!

Lucy Foley!!!

Although I didn’t like this one as much as The Guest List, it was full of suspense and interpersonal drama and was a thoroughly enjoyable read!

Fans of psychological thrillers will enjoy this and should definitely add it to their TBRs. 

This book was not my thing. The story is really cute and I loved the characters, but the graphic language and sex scenes were entirely too much for me. 

If you like watching Hallmark movies on the porn channel, this is the book for you. 

Thank you to @simonandschuster for the ARC to enjoy and review!

This book is listed as one of the most anticipated thrillers of the year and it does not disappoint.

The action starts almost at the first page and doesn’t end until the last one. Although this isn’t a super fast-paced thriller, the anticipation builds throughout the book until a very satisfying ending (notice I didn’t say “happy ending”?).

I loved the two main characters in the book, Hannah and her stepdaughter, Bailey. They are believable (especially 16 year old Bailey’s character) and I loved the evolution of their relationship. One thing that I appreciated about this book was that even though there were some heavy themes (what would you do to protect your child?), none of the “lessons” were shoved down my throat through introspective monologues or conversations with a sage elder.

This is definitely a book to move to the top of your TBR!

I cannot believe I almost DNFd this one. 

I will be completely upfront about the fact that I initially hated this book and the main character, Britt-Marie. The only reason I stayed with it is because I love Fredrik Backman’s books. 

In typical Backman fashion, the quirky and annoying main character is actually a wonderful person and the story is full of quirky, wonderful, and sometimes annoying characters, too. 

It took a while for me to warm up to Britt-Marie and the story but once I did, I completely fell in love. Enough that I still gave it five stars after such a rocky start. 

This was a fabulous feel good story and I highly recommend it!

Fans of The Breakdown and Behind Closed Doors might find themselves a little disappointed with this one. Although the book is full suspense and Paris does a great job building anticipation, this is not a thriller. 

It’s a family drama about secrets and expectations. 

One spouse keeps a secret she thinks will devastate the family, the other keeps one that he knows will do just that. The story is told over the course of 24 hours, uses flashbacks, and alternating POVs. It’s a good book, if you aren’t expecting her usual level of thrill. 

Don’t rush to read this one, but don’t turn it down if someone gives it to you. 

This one took a while to get into but then…. ALL THE FEELS! 

I’m still not tired of books set in WWI or WW2 because of winners like this one. Drama, suspense, great characters, and a fabulous story. 

All that said, I will say unequivocally that this is not a beach read. Once my eyes started leaking, there was no stopping them. I managed not to ugly cry in public, but the struggle was real. 

Even if you think you are sick of “war” books, grab this one. Sooner rather than later to make your heart happy. 

Where are my Ruth Ware fans?

What did you think of this one? I have mixed feelings about it, especially since I generally love her books. For the most part, I enjoyed it. The story was fun to read and the characters were interesting enough. But it was long and predictable. I was ready for it to be over, and then it just kept going.

Still a fan of her books, but this one is probably my least favorite of hers. Read it if you’re a fan, but don’t rush it to the top of your TBR.

I definitely enjoy Lisa Jewell’s thrillers more than her other books.

This family drama is a good book; sad, but good. She tackles some tough topics in this one- hoarding, suicide, adultery, family secrets… some better than others.

All in all, I liked this one but I didn’t love it the way I did Then She Was Gone and Invisible Girl.

This is a Lake Country Currents Reads book club pick and it is perfect for our group of entrepreneurs. 

This “Little Story” is a business parable about a man named Joe who seeks out a mentor to help him find the secret to success. It’s a super quick, enjoyable read full of valuable information.

If you enjoyed The Latte Factor, you will enjoy The Go-Giver!