Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins ReidMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
I haven't read a book by TJR yet that I didn't really love, so I'm not surprised that this was so good. The format made it so easy to read and I really loved hearing everyone's point of view. This is not a subject I would normally be interested in but the characters were incredible and the story was so raw and fascinating. Highly recommend this one - the hype is real! I've heard the full-cast audio version is wonderful too but I haven't listened to it myself.
A Study in Scarlet Women by Sherry ThomasMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
SO glad I gave this another chance - the audiobook really worked well for me. Charlotte was such a fun character and I really enjoyed this Sherlock Holmes retelling with female Sherlock + Watson. SO fun and looking forward to continuing the series :) Thank you to Netgalley for the copy of this book a couple of years ago in exchange for an honest review.
Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine CenterMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Katherine Center's books have become some of my favourites over the past few years, and I had been anticipating reading this for quite some time. I held off on reading the ARC for a few months because I wanted to be able to share my review closer to its publication date (August 2019), but eventually, I could not resist it on my kindle queue and dove in and finished it in one sitting. I loved this book, as I expected to. It was so interesting to read about the firehouse setting. Cassie was such a great character and I enjoyed the nod to her role in How to Walk Away. I've found myself thinking of it almost every day since finishing, and I re-read parts of it that I really loved. To me, this is the sign of a 5-star book for me. This will be a perfect late summer read to enjoy, laugh with, and relate to the lovely characters. I can't wait to see the success that I'm certain this book will experience.
Thank you so much to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC of this wonderful book by a favourite author.
The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee StewartMy rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
This story was unique and interesting - great for middle-grade. The ending kind of wrapped up faster than I expected after a bit of a long slog in the middle of the book.
The Editor by Steven RowleyMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book was so interesting! I'll admit that I didn't know very much about Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis before reading this, and this is a work of fiction, but it was so interesting to read about her as a potential character. I really enjoyed this story and the way it was told. Thank you to Edelweiss and G.P. Putnam's Sons for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. It released last week!!
Saga, Vol. 1 by Brian K. VaughanMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Decided to start this after Kristen raved about them and they are all on Hoopla. Got completely sucked in and realized I was already done this first volume in less than half an hour. LOVED the pictures. I love the concept. I love the narration (Hazel's side comments). Will definitely be continuing this asap. This is only my third graphic novel experience and it was good!!! (The other two were Anne of Green Gables and Book Love). FYI - This is definitely intended for an adult audience.
A Prince on Paper by Alyssa ColeMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
I have adored the books in this trilogy and I am sad to see them come to an end - although I still have to read the novellas. They take place in such fun and interesting settings and the characters are so wonderful. This book was no exception and I really liked Nya as a person and her strength in facing some very difficult blows during the recent months leading up to the timeline in this book. I was disappointed that this book didn't include a bit more detail about the wedding but it didn't matter - it was still good. Now I need to go and read all of Alyssa Cole's other books :) Thank you to Edelweiss and Avon Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn WardMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
I didn't mind this, but I certainly didn't feel the profound love for it that I felt like I was hearing about all the time when it first came out. I likely would not have finished it if I wasn't listening to the audiobook. I guess I just felt like not too much happened and the paranormal aspect didn't really work for me (even though it works for me in other novels, so I'm not sure about that).
A Ladder to the Sky by John BoyneMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
It took me a little while to get into this, but it was such an interesting storyline that I felt compelled to keep reading to find out how it all ended up. Maurice Swift is one of the most unlikable characters I've ever read about, so I am basing the 4 stars solely on the interesting and compelling plot. John Boyne has quite a way with words. The format and how this book jumped around also took a bit to get used to, but it was a bit similar to The Heart's Invisible Furies in that way (though the similarities mostly end there). I definitely recommend this - I typically don't enjoy unlikable characters but this one was worth the read. In many ways, it is easier to read than The Heart's Invisible Furies, so if you didn't love that or couldn't get through it, this one might be more up your alley. Thank you to Netgalley and Crown Publishing for the ARC of this book.
The Time of Our Lives by Portia MacIntoshMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
There were a few aspects of this book that I found a bit over the top to read, and it is definitely pretty fluffy chick lit but I laughed so hard at times that I actually had tears in my eyes, so that was pretty enjoyable. I really liked the characters and the concept of them all living together at university and reuniting at a wedding. The back-and-forth aspect worked well for me too. It was very easy to read and relate to. If you're looking for a good palate cleanser or summer read that will make you laugh out loud, this might be for you :) Thank you to Netgalley and HQ Digital for the ARC of this book.
In Want of a Wife by Noelle AdamsMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
I adored this story which was a super quick read. I am no stranger to Pride and Prejudice adaptations and this one was one of my favourites yet. I loved the idea of Pemberley House. The characters were fun and multi-faceted. I cannot wait to read the next books in this series asap. Thank you to Netgalley and the author for the ARC of this book.
Things My Son Needs to Know about the World by Fredrik BackmanMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Fredrik Backman can do no wrong in my eyes, and this book was so fun to read. I highlighted large parts of it and laughed out loud many times. His approach to talking about early parenthood is nothing short of hilarious and heartwarming. So grateful to have read this and looking forward to sharing it with many parents in the future.
Thank you to Netgalley and Atria for the advanced review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The Girl He Used to Know by Tracey Garvis GravesMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
I had never heard of this author (though I will absolutely pursue more of her books asap), but this book sounded really interesting. I'm sooo glad I picked it up because I absolutely loved this! Annika was such a great character and it was impossible not to root for her and even relate to her in some ways. Jonathan was such a great guy too and their reunion was far from easy but so wonderful. I find it both endlessly fascinating and so important to read accurate accounts of characters on the spectrum and Annika was so well done, in my opinion (not being an expert). I really enjoyed this book.
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. MontgomeryMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is one of my favourite books of all time and Rachel McAdams' narration is absolutely fantastic. I loved this SO much. Perfect way to start spring. Now I want to devour the rest of the series, or at least until Anne and Gilbert move forward even more ❤
I also read Devil's Daughter by Lisa Kleypas (loved that, and love that whole series so much), Pretty Face and Making Up by Lucy Parker (these books are SOOOO good), My Ex-Best Friend's Wedding by Wendy Wax via First to Read (3 stars - not bad but not a new fave by any means), First Earl I See Tonight by Anna Bennett which was quick and cute but didn't stick long-term (thank you Netgalley!) and G'Morning, GNight by Lin-Manuel Miranda of Hamilton fame - this was a 30 minute read and very uplifting. I will be referring back to it when I need a little hug from a book. I am also partway through and loving Chanel Cleeton's Wild Aces series (thanks again Kristen :D) which are typical contemporary romance but with an interesting set of characters who are fighter pilots - i.e. top gun in fiction, kind of :) love them!
TL;DR - I wholeheartedly recommend: the Anne of Green Gables audiobook narrated by Rachel McAdams, The Girl He Used to Know, Things you Save in a Fire (comes out in August), Daisy Jones, The Editor, and A Ladder to the Sky depending on your tastes. For romance fans, Lucy Parker's series is fantastic and I have enjoyed it immensely. Lisa Kleypas's Ravenels series is great. AND - whether you are a parent or know a parent or soon-to-be-parent or even if not, Fredrik Backman's book is funny and touching and would be a great gift particularly for any new dads out there. If you have 30 minutes and Hoopla, Saga is unlike anything I've ever read.
Currently reading:
On the Come Up (audio), The Bride Test (ARC), Tuesdays in the Castle (read-aloud with Molly), and Chanel Cleeton's Wild Aces trilogy. Coming up is The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren - cannot wait!! I'm also savoring The Read-Aloud Family which is AMAZING.
Phew - sorry for the length of this post, I just had so much to say!!!!! Next time I will try to spread these thoughts out over the month. Lol.
What have you been reading lately?!?!
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