Thursday, October 29, 2020

Reading Lately

Today I'm sharing a few recent "reads" and I have "reads" in quotations because I'm not sure if you could listening to an audio book as reading (no, seriously... do you???).  I didn't think I'd like audiobooks but decided to try it out on a whim since I do love a good podcast and I LOVE IT!!!   If you're not typically a reader but a book recommendation intrigues you I'd for sure recommend trying it out in audio format and seeing if you like it!

 My most recent listen was "If You Tell" by Gregg Olsen.  I knew going into it that it was going to be "dark" and being a true story could be potentially hard to read but I was definitely not prepared for how awful the abuse detailed in this book was going to be.  It was intense and if I didn't know that it was true I wouldn't believe it because it was so so so awful.  While I wouldn't say I enjoyed the book (because how can you really say you enjoyed listening to hundreds of pages detailing horrific torture) I AM glad I read it and would recommend it if you're emotionally prepared to read something truly disturbing.  I will say that I felt like there was some redemption to the story in the end and it's truly a book I will never ever forget.  



I also think it's an important read because it really details how you NEVER KNOW what could be going on behind seemingly normal closed doors and it's important to be paying attention to situations and your gut.  

It also gave me some really good insight (particularly in the epilogue and afterward sections) into the psyches of kids who grow up in these kinds of homes.  It's hard to understand and comprehend how kids who live in these types of situations cope and often still love their parents and this book laid that out in the best way I've ever heard it explained.


Pretty Things by Janelle Brown was SO GOOD!!!  The story was told in the alternating perspectives of Nina (a con artist) and Vanessa (an influencer) her mark.  There were multiple plot twists and "reveals" in the book and while it was a bit slow in spots I never got bored.  It was suspenseful, clever and I totally didn't see the ending coming which I love.   It was LONG which didn't bother me but keep that in mind in case you're looking for a quick read.


I loved Pretty Things so much I listened to  Watch Me Disappear next and while I enjoyed it (I'm Janelle Brown's newest fan) I didn't love it as much as I did Pretty Things.  I think the biggest hangup I had was that the whole premise was the missing mom/wife and by the end of about chapter 2 I really didn't like her and while I wanted to know what happened I really didn't care about her, you know?  The story was intriguing and definitely kept me guessing and I enjoyed the ending but I just didn't find myself really rooting for any of the characters.


Next Year In Havana was a little off of the thriller/mystery train I've been riding on lately but I did enjoy it. Marisol is returning to Havana to spread her grandmother's ashes and when she's there she uncovers a secret about her grandmother that draws parallels to her own life.  The book alternates between Marisol's current day perspective and Elisa (her grandmother's) point of view as a young woman in Havana in the 1950's and while the ending (and a few other parts) were a bit too sappy/dramatic for me I did enjoy getting to know the characters and learn a bit more about Cuba along the way.  If you like historical fiction with a romantic bent this would be a great read for you.  


The Guest List was another FAVORITE!  It felt very "Agatha Christie" to me from the isolated setting to the multiple points of view and the "whodunnit" vibe throughout.  Throughout the book the past histories of the characters are laid out - jealousy, grief, resentment... all kinds of motives to kill which make for a great murder mystery.  It kept me guessing and the twist/reveal at the end left my head spinning!  If you were going to pick one from my list today (and you like a good thriller) make it this one! 


After my run of thrillers and then "If You Tell" I needed something light and fluffy and I'm currently in the middle of  "Gimme Some Sugar" and I'm loving it!  It has that Southern "Sweet Magnolias" kind of sassiness to it and I'm really loving the characters and writing.  I'll keep you posted on what I think when I finish it!


I'd love to know what you've been reading and/or listening to lately!  Leave your recommendations in the comments, pretty please!

Happy Thursday, friends!!!

PS - this post contained affiliate links... thank you so much for reading and supporting my blog!

14 comments :

  1. I am currently reading Next year in Havana. I am not too far in it, but am enjoying it thus far. I grew up in PR and one of my dearest friends escaped Cuba for PR so much of it is intriguing for me because I can truly visualize those buildings and the people. I vividly remember sitting outside on our front porch with my mom when Castro was a threat and asking her what would happen to us if there was a war in PR. Cubanos are beautiful, hardworking people who established successful lives and business' in PR. The ones I knew were obviously fleeing the Castro regime so it was a little later than in the mid 50's.

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  2. I also loved the Guest List and Pretty Things. I'm glad you did too. I've added Gimme Some Sugar and If You Tell to my TBR list. I love hearing about new books & your reviews. Hope you make it a monthly feature. I recently read The Banker's Wife which is a suspense and it was very good.

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  3. I read The Guest List this month too and enjoyed it once I got in a few chapters with each perspective. This month I also read November 9 by Hoover and loved it and The Flatshare. I actually wrote a blog post about those three books today too! (https://showmeandsweettea.com/2020/10/29/october-what-ive-been-reading/) Today was book day for me with your post and Shay's. :) I'm definitely adding Gimme Some Sugar to my list.

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  4. I really want to read The Guest List. Trying to pick it back up and get it read!

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  5. I read Next Year in Havana too! I haven't read in months though and need to get back on the wagon!

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  6. Gimme Some Sugar is the third in the "Southern Eclectic" series, they are ALL GREAT reads!!

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  7. I liked Next Year in Havana but loved When We Left Cuba, the "second" one. It's about Marisol's sister and I found the storyline so much more enjoyable.

    If you want something completely different, try We Ride Upon Sticks! It's a little weird but was also real fun.

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  8. I liked Next Year in Havana but loved When We Left Cuba, the "second" one. It's about Marisol's sister and I found the storyline so much more enjoyable.

    If you want something completely different, try We Ride Upon Sticks! It's a little weird but was also real fun.

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  9. I read If You Tell and your assessment was spot on. I thought it was well done but definitely a hard read.

    I also zipped through I Found You and Invisible Girl, both by Lisa Jewell. I just started The Bookish Life of Nina Hill and am really enjoying it so far.

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  10. I definitely think that audiobooks count as reading; in fact my sons high school language arts teacher just told the class that very thing! Sounds like you read some great books this month! Pinned.

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  11. Do you use audible? I'm trying to figure out the best option for audiobooks...

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  12. I loved the Guest List too! I just finished the Simple Wild and Wild at Heart. If you like chick-lit I would highly recommend.

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  13. I read If You Tell in 2 days and could not but it down. The description you gave was spot on. Thanks for sharing!

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