2026 Bookish Books Reading Challenge (hosted by Yours Truly)
2026 Cover Lovers Reading Challenge (hosted by Yours Truly)
2026 Historical Fiction Reading Challenge
2026 POPSUGAR Reading Challenge
Booklist Queen's 2026 Reading Challenge
2026 52 Club Reading Challenge
2026 Craving for Cozies Reading Challenge
2026 Medical Examiner Mystery Reading Challenge
2026 Mount TBR Reading Challenge
2026 Around the Year in 52 Books Reading Challenge
Shelf Reflection Candy Reading Challenge for Kids (and Adults)
2026 Countdown Reading Challenge
Dragon Rambles' Law of Fives Bingo
2026 Southern Literary Reading Challenge
2026 Reading Challenge (by Linz the Bookworm)
2026 Pioneer Book Reading Challenge
European Reading Challenge 2026
2017 Pick Your Poison Reading Challenge (retired challenge - doing old boards for fun)
2026 Reading Challenge Addict Reading Challenge
The 100 Most Common Last Names in the U.S. Reading Challenge
The Life Skills Reading Challenge
Showing posts with label Amnesia/Traumatic Brain Injury. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Amnesia/Traumatic Brain Injury. Show all posts
Monday, December 21, 2020
Woodson's Newest a Poignant, Impactful Tale From a Mastery of Poetry and Prose
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
As the son of a beloved pro football star, Zachariah Johnson, Jr., is used to having a famous parent. Not only is ZJ's dad charming with his fans, but at home he's the fun-loving guy who will chill with ZJ's friends and spend hours writing and strumming the guitar with ZJ. Then, he changes. It starts with headaches and confusion, then progresses to mood swings and memory loss. The doctors diagnose Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), a brain injury caused by all the concussions Zachariah senior has experienced on the football field over the years. According to his medical team, nothing can be done to reverse the condition. The loving, easy-going man ZJ has known all his life is gone forever, replaced by an angry stranger who doesn't always remember ZJ's name. How will ZJ cope with his disheartening new normal? Will his family ever again be the tight, anchoring unit it once was?
I've been a big Jacqueline Woodson fan for years. Her luminous prose and lyrical poetry create books that are beautiful, moving, and memorable. Woodson's newest middle-grade offering, Before the Ever After, is no exception. Written in verse, it's a slim volume but one that packs a definite punch. Although it brings the dark side of fame to light, the story is really about a family and how they're all affected by a member's illness. The tale also concerns life's unexpected, irreversible changes. How do you move on when all you want to do is reverse time? Before the Ever After is a poignant, touching tale featuring sympathetic characters, impactful writing, and a compelling conflict. Like everything Woodson pens, it's a stick-with-you story, beautifully told.
(Readalikes: Hm, nothing's coming to mind. You?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for difficult subject matter and scary situations
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Wednesday, December 09, 2020
Problematic Psychological Thriller Another Meh Read For Me
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Fifteen years ago, three little girls were walking to school. One of them was in a terrible accident that left her with a Traumatic Brain Injury that affects her memory and speech. Living in an institution, Kitty James has trouble communicating, but that doesn't mean she doesn't remember the accident, at least on some level. Alison Baker, Kitty's half-sister, has also never quite recovered from the trauma of that long-ago day. She has no real life and relies on cutting herself in order to feel anything.
With little money in the bank, Alison reluctantly decides to accept a job as an artist-in-residence at an open prison outside of London. She's assigned to teach art to a select group of inmates. Seems simple enough. Then, she begins receiving threatening notes at work. When her classroom erupts in violence, Alison becomes completely unsettled. Someone is purposely tormenting her, someone who knows what really happened the day of Kitty's accident. Alison's kept her secrets carefully guarded for over a decade, but now the truth will out ...
On its surface, Blood Sisters by Jane Corry seems like the kind of tense psychological thriller I enjoy. Unfortunately, I had a big problem with the characters in this novel. They're not at all likable. Alison is cold, immature, and melodramatic, all of which made it difficult to feel connected to her. The only cast member I felt anything for was Alison's poor mum. Corry's prose is awkward as well. As far as plot goes, Blood Sisters kept my attention, although I saw some of the twists coming. Many of the situations seem contrived and the Big Reveals at the end drove me crazy, justifying my dislike and distrust of a certain character even more. Not surprisingly, Blood Sisters is a sad, depressing story. All of these elements combined to make the novel a rather unpleasant read. So, while I liked the premise, I just didn't love this book. Bummer.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of other the-past-comes-calling psychological thrillers, although no specific titles are coming to mind)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language, violence, blood/gore, mild sexual content, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: I bought a copy of Blood Sisters with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
Tuesday, April 02, 2019
Top Ten Tuesday: They Get Me Every Time
I'll spill those particular beans in a minute, but first, if you want to join in the Top Ten Tuesday fun (and you really do), click on over to That Artsy Reader Girl. Read some simple instructions, make your own list, then have a grand ole time visiting other blogs. It's a great way to find new blogs to love, add good reads to your TBR list, and spread the book blogging love. Plus, it's FUN.
Okay, here we go with the Top Ten Things That Make Me Immediately Want to Read a Book:
1. Family Secrets—I'm always intrigued by the tantalizing secrets lurking in the closets of families, especially in those that seem perfect from the outside. Note: I enjoy this topic in fiction. In real life, you can keep your dirty laundry to yourself. I really don't want to know. In novels, though, bring it on!
Favorite book(s) in the genre: Anything by Kate Morton or Joshilyn Jackson
2. Creepy Old Houses—There's just something about a big, mysterious abode that sets my imagination of fire. Especially if it's perched atop a rugged cliff near the sea. The possibilities with this theme are literally endless. Think hidden passageways, ghosts, secret rooms, forgotten bones, concealed treasures, etc. Show me a creepy old house on a book's cover or anywhere in its plot summary, and I'll read it.
Favorite book(s) in the genre: Anything by Kate Morton or Carol Goodman
3. Homesteading/Pioneers—On the flip side, I also enjoy books about pioneers who leave their creepy old houses to go West in search of land, freedom, and new starts of all kinds. Something about a character battling inclement weather, poverty, opposing forces, etc. in order to eke out a life in a wild land appeals to me. Must be my Mormon pioneer heritage that draws me to these kinds of stories.
Favorite book(s) in the genre: Little House on the Prairie series by Laura Ingalls Wilder, the Gold Seer trilogy by Rae Carson, and Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson
4. World War II—I love historical fiction and this event/time period is one I just can't stop reading about. No matter how many WWII novels I read, I always want to pick up more. It's an endlessly fascinating topic and time period.
Favorite book(s) in the genre: The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, The Diary of Anne Frank, Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum
5. Adoption—Adopting my daughter has been an incredible, life-altering experience. I'll never not want to read about adoption, whether it's non-fiction guides on various aspects of the process or novels about adoptees searching for their birth families, this topic always reels me in.
Favorite book(s) in the genre: Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery, How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr
6. Amnesia/Traumatic Brain Injury—For some reason, I also find this topic irresistible. From psychological thrillers to murder mysteries to domestic dramas, I love me an amnesia/TBI novel.
Favorite book(s) in the genre: What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty, Before I Go to Sleep by S.J. Watson
7. Survival Novels, Especially in Severe Environments of In the Wake of Some Kind of Disaster—As big a wimp as I am, it's kind of surprising that I enjoy these types of books so much, but I do. Whether they're memoirs or novels, I dig a riveting survival story.
Favorite book(s) in the genre: Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer, The Watch That Ends the Night by Allan Wolf, Last Survivors series by Susan Beth Pfeffer
8. Virus/Disease Outbreaks—Again, I'm not sure why this topic intrigues me so, but it does. I find outbreak books (both fiction and non-) both horrifying and hard to put down.
Favorite book(s) in the genre: A Death-Struck Year by Makiia Lucier and Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson
9. Hoarding—Having books stashed and stacked in every corner of your house doesn't count as hoarding, right? Asking for a friend ... I'm always engrossed by books about this condition. It's fascinating to read about the psychology behind the disease and how people cope with it.
Favorite book(s) in the genre: Dirty Little Secrets by C.J. Omolulu
10. Small Towns—Cue Bruce Springsteen. I was born and raised in a beautiful little town that's not nearly as exciting as most fictional villages. Still, I love me a small town setting, especially if it's filled with quirky characters, loving (if nosy) neighbors, and some simmering secrets that are about to be uncovered ... Be it quaint, hardscrabble, mysterious, or somewhere in between, a small town setting is always going to get me.
Favorite book(s) in the genre: the Armand Gamache series by Louise Penny, the Virgin River series by Robyn Carr, and the Big Stone Gap series by Adriana Trigiani
So there you have it, ten themes/genres that I just can't resist. How about you? What topics/settings/genres pull you right in? If you've read any great books that fit into my favorite categories, let me know. Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor.
Happy TTT!
Tuesday, December 11, 2018
Meh Times Two
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
With a new, but solid marriage, a lovely home in a safe, well-maintained neighborhood, and a stable bookkeeping job, life is comfortable for Karen Krupp. She's not the type to involve herself in any kind of drama, so when she disappears—leaving behind her purse and cell phone—her husband is flummoxed. He's even more confused when he's summoned to the hospital to find Karen alive but with no memory of where she's been. According to the police, she was driving in the worst part of town, an area she had no reason to visit, when she crashed into a utility pole. What was Karen doing there? She can't remember and Tom Krupp has no idea.
When a corpse is discovered near the place where Karen had her accident, the police believe it's no coincidence. As they investigate, they find that everyone—Karen,Tom, and even Karen's purported best friend—are hiding something. The more Detective Rasbach digs, the more disturbing the case becomes. Can he figure out what Karen was doing on the night she crashed? And what, if anything, she had to do with a violent murder?
I'm always up for an intriguing amnesia-based psychological thriller and A Stranger in the House by Shari Lapena fits the bill. Kinda. While it's engrossing, the story is told in an odd, off-putting way, which distances the reader from the action. The characters, even Detective Rasbach who is a recurring character in Lapena's novels, are not developed enough to be likable or unlikable. In addition, the tale is melodramatic and predictable; I wanted more complexity from it. All this aside, A Stranger in the House is still a compelling page turner. I just didn't love it and, in the end, didn't find it to be a very satisfying read.
(Readalikes: Reminds me a little of If I Die Tonight by Alison Gaylin)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language, violence, mild sexual content, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Friday, November 16, 2018
French's Newest Slower, More Meditative, But Compelling Nonetheless
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
A charmer with an uncanny knack for lucking his way out of every scrape, 28-year-old Toby Hennessy is celebrating his latest near-miss when his luck finally runs out. When he surprises a pair of thieves in the act of robbing his flat, Toby is beaten and left for dead. Although he survives, he suffers a traumatic brain injury that results in debilitating anxiety and panic attacks. Needing a change of scenery, Toby flees Dublin for the Ivy House, his ancestral home in the country.
Toby's idyllic country retreat is shattered when a skull is discovered inside a witch elm on the property. When the remains are identified and motives are ascertained, Toby is left with a mystery to solve. With the help of two cousins with whom he grew up, he tries to make sense of his past, a prospect that is suddenly much grimmer and perplexing than he ever thought. His closest friends and relatives are keeping damning secrets—can Toby uncover the truth they're hiding? Does he even want to?
As much as I love the Dublin Murder Squad series by Irish crime writer Tana French, I admit I was intrigued when I heard she would be publishing her first standalone novel. While The Witch Elm shares similarities with French's previous books, it's also quite different. Slower moving and more meditative. Which doesn't mean it's not compelling. It is. It's just engrossing in a different way. Although the story revolves around a mysterious death and involves a police investigation, The Witch Elm is not a crime novel per se. That is, it's not so much about solving a case as it is about looking inside the heads and hearts of some very intriguing characters. While the action does ramp up toward the end, the book's finale is depressing and pointless, but also thought-provoking. Overall, I liked The Witch Elm, although it's definitely not my favorite from French.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of other books by Tana French)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language, violence, drug use, sexual content, and disturbing subject matter
Wednesday, October 03, 2018
Immigrant Tale Poignant, Thoughtful
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
"We're the unknown Americans, the ones no one even wants to know, because they've been told they're supposed to be scared of us and because maybe if they did take the time to get to know us, they might realize that we're not that bad, maybe even that we're a lot like them. And who would they hate then?" (237)
After falling off a ladder in her native Mexico, 15-year-old Maribel Rivera is left with a traumatic brain injury that changes everything for her and her family. Desperate to get their daughter the medical care she needs, the Riveras start driving across the border. They end up in Delaware, where Arturo finds work at a nearby mushroom farm and Alma tries to make sense of a new language and culture. When beautiful, vulnerable Maribel catches the eye of Mayor Toro—a bullied Panamanian-American high schooler who lives in their apartment building—the Riveras worry about their budding romance. Mayor only wants to prove to their parents that his intentions toward Maribel are honorable, but when he unwittingly causes a panic in their neighborhood, Mayor sets in motion a chain of events that will have terrible, tragic consequences.
The Book of Unknown Americans, a slim but poignant novel by Cristina Henriquez, takes a sharp and affecting look at what it means to be an immigrant in The United States. While it doesn't offer a lot in the way of plot, the story features strong prose, interesting characters, and enough conflict to keep the tale chugging along. While the novel is definitely thought-provoking, it's also sad and depressing. Overall, I didn't love The Book of Unknown Americans. I didn't dislike it either. In the end, I just feel ambivalent about what turned out to be only a so-so read.
(Readalikes: Hm, I can't think of anything. Can you?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for strong language, violence, and sexual content
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Friday, September 28, 2018
The Elizas Tells a Strange Little Tale
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Eliza Fontaine has tried to commit suicide several times, so no one's all that surprised when her unconscious body is fished out of a hotel swimming pool. When the 22-year-old comes to in the hospital, however, she claims she didn't try to kill herself this time. Someone pushed her. With no witnesses or security camera footage, there's nothing to prove her story true except her own memory. It soon becomes clear, however, that her recollection is the last thing she can rely on. With some major holes in her memory, Eliza's not sure what to believe.
Things become even more confusing when Eliza's associates—her family, her agent, her editor, etc.—keep mixing up scenarios from Eliza's about-to-be-published debut novel with the events of her own life. Her book is pure fiction. Right? The more perplexing her life gets, the more uncertain she becomes. If she can't trust herself, who can she trust? Will Eliza ever know what really happened the night she almost drowned? Is someone trying to kill her or is her own damaged mind playing a cruel, cruel trick on her?
I'm still not quite sure what to think about The Elizas, a thriller by Sara Shepard. It's an odd little tale with a heroine who's strangely intriguing but not all that likable. Alternating between Eliza's story and chapters from her book, it's got a compelling setup, although I'm not sure it worked all that well in this particular novel. The Elizas gets confusing and far-fetched, although it's also twisty and entertaining. Overall, then, I'm kind of on the fence about this one. On the whole, I found it to be just okay.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of The Weight of Lies by Emily Carpenter)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language, sexual content, violence, disturbing subject matter, and depictions of illegal drug use
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Friday, July 06, 2018
Compelling Memory-Loss Thriller Still Only a Ho-Hum Read
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
It's been two years since the car crash that killed David Hall and erased Jane Norton's memory. A traumatic brain injury, leading to amnesia, has stolen the last three years from the 17-year-old. Although Jane can recall events from childhood, she can't remember high school, her father's death, or the "accident" that killed David, her best friend's boyfriend. The police have what appears to be a suicide note, written in Jane's handwriting, but she can't fathom why she would have been in a car with David, let alone with the intention of ending their lives together. It makes no sense. Nothing does for Jane, who desperately wants to remember the one event no one will let her forget.
When anonymous threats start appearing on social media and at David's grave site, Jane thinks it must be a sick joke. Someone calling themselves "Liv Danger" claims to know what happened that night. They also warn that "All will pay." When idle threats turn into sinister action, Jane knows only she can stop Liv Danger from going any further. Wracking her shattered brain for clues, the teenager becomes more and more confused. What really happened the night of the accident? Jane knows the answers that could stop the violence and maybe even clear her name are hiding somewhere in her head. Can Jane force them out before it's too late? Or will Liv Danger get the revenge they're so desperately seeking?
I enjoy a psychological suspense novel that leaves me feeling off-kilter and keeps me guessing what is real and what is not. Blame by Jeff Abbott does that, which is why I kept reading the novel despite its flat, unlikable characters and its increasing nosedive toward the far-fetched and melodramatic. Whatever else it might not be, Blame is certainly compelling. I definitely wanted to know what was going to happen. Still, the novel's disappointing, eye roll-worthy finale bugged and overall, the story just did not feel very satisfying. Although Blame has gotten lots of positive buzz, for me, it ended up being only a ho-hum read.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of other psychological thrillers featuring main characters with memory loss, like Before I Go to Sleep by S.J. Watson; The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins; In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware; Elizabeth Is Missing by Emma Healey; The First Wife by Erica Spindler; and Remember Mia by Alexandra Burt)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (no F-bombs), violence, sexual innuendo, depictions of underage drinking/partying, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find.
Wednesday, January 25, 2017
I Found You A Liked-It-Didn't-Love-It Psychological Thriller
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Single mom Alice Lake lives a lonely life by the sea in East Yorkshire. The 41-year-old takes care of her "Bennetton" children, makes crafts out of old maps, and minds her own business. Until she notices a strange man sitting on the beach near her cottage. He remains there all day, barely moving, despite the inclement weather. The man seems harmless, although he's dazed and can't remember his name or the reason for his vigil at Ridinghouse Bay. Despite her reservations, Alice offers the man a room for the night. As a single night turns into many more, she grows increasingly curious about who the stranger is and what he might be hiding.
Meanwhile, in London, Lily Monrose is searching for her missing husband. The 21-year-old has only been married for three weeks. She can't imagine where Carl could be. When she notifies the police of his disappearance, she's shocked to learn that there is no such person as Carl Monrose. Stuck in a foreign country with no one to lean on, Lily doesn't know where to turn.
As both women search for answers, shocking secrets will come to light. What will they be left with when the truth is finally revealed?
I Found You (available in the U.S. on April 25, 2017), a psychological thriller by Lisa Jewell, tells a tense, twisty tale. It's an intriguing page turner that kept me reading and guessing. The novel gets depressing, even a little bizarre in places, but overall, it's a compelling read. Although I didn't love I Found You, I liked it well enough that I'll search out more books by Jewell.
(Readalikes: Reminded me a little of Coffin Road by Peter May)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language, sexual content, violence, and depictions of illegal drug use
To the FTC, with love: I received an e-ARC of I Found You from the generous folks at Atria Books (an imprint of Simon and Schuster) via those at NetGalley. Thank you!
Tuesday, January 24, 2017
Coffin Road Another Twisty, Atmospheric Mystery From May
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
A dazed, hypothermic man walks out of the sea on the Outer Hebrides' Isle of Harris with no recollection of his name, address, or occupation. Gradually, he learns that he's Ian McLean, he lives in a seaside cottage in Luskentyre, and he's a writer working on a book about something called the Coffin Road. According to his neighbors, Ian moved to the island 18 months ago to write. It's curious, then, that he can find no evidence of a manuscript-in-progress anywhere in his house. Has he been suffering from a massive case of writer's block? Or is something else going on here? Nothing that Ian has learned about himself feels right. Who is he, really? And what's he been doing in the Outer Hebrides?
George Gunn, a detective sergeant from Stornoway, also has a mystery on his hands. The body of an unidentified man has been found on a tiny, sea-soaked island where a century ago a trio of lighthouse keepers disappeared without a trace. George doesn't recognize the corpse, but Ian thinks he does. The details are very murky in Ian's mind, but he believes he might have been the one to kill the man.
Karen Fleming, a 17-year-old Goth girl living in Edinburgh, is also trying to piece together a mysterious puzzle. Her father, a scientist, vanished two years ago. His apparent suicide doesn't sit well with her. The more Karen finds out about the work her dad was doing before he disappeared, the more convinced she is that he didn't kill himself. But if he didn't, who did?
As these three mysteries unfurl, it's up to the principal characters to figure out what in the world is going on. When the different threads become tangled together, it's apparent that something very sinister is happening on the Isle of Harris. Can Ian and George weave it all together in time to save themselves? Or will they, too, become victims in the dangerous game being played out before their eyes?
Like Peter May's other Outer Hebridean mysteries, Coffin Road is a tense, intriguing mystery set against a broody backdrop that lends an otherworldly eeriness to the story at hand. This one gets maybe a little far-fetched, but who cares? It's a twisty, compelling tale that kept me turning pages well into the night. If you're a fan of intriguing mysteries set in remote, atmospheric locales (which I am), definitely give Peter May a go. I've read a number of his books over the last year or so and I've enjoyed them all. Coffin Road is no exception.
(Readalikes: other mysteries by Peter May, including the Lewis Trilogy [The Blackhouse; The Lewis Man; The Chessmen] and Entry Island)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language, violence, blood/gore, sexual content, and references to illegal drug use
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of Coffin Road from the generous folks at Quercus (a division of Hachette Book Group). Thank you!
Wednesday, October 07, 2015
Earthbound An Enjoyable Supernatural Thrill Ride
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
As the only survivor of a plane crash that killed 255 people (including her parents), Tavia Michaels is confused. Sure, it could be the traumatic brain injury (TBI) talking, but that only explains some of what the 18-year-old is now experiencing. She sees strange shapes on historic structures, people who seem to flicker, and now, a guy who dresses in Revolutionary War-era clothing appears to be stalking her. Tavia doesn't know what to make of it all. Her small circle of confidantes—her guardians, her psychiatrist, and Benson Ryder, the boy who makes her heart beat double-time—doesn't think she's crazy. Not exactly. But Tavia's beginning to wonder ...When Tavia confronts her stalker, Quinn Avery, she's unnerved by the things he says. Also intrigued. Desperate for answers, she continues to communicate with him, becoming more and more attracted to the handsome blonde. After overhearing an alarming phone conversation at her aunt's house, Tavia's convinced Quinn knows exactly what is happening to her. And that she's in grave danger. With Benson's help, she flees to Camden, Maine, following the clues the mysterious man has left for her. As Tavia puts together the pieces of the mind-boggling puzzle that will reveal the answers to all her questions, she finds herself caught not just in a heady, supernatural time warp, but also in a love triangle that is pulling her heart in two different directions. Can she untangle the mystery of who she really is and what she really wants in time to save the world from imminent disaster? What about her own life? What about her heart?
I usually shy away from paranormal YA novels because they all seem to feature the same tired, cookie-cutter plots. Earthbound by Aprilynne Pike is no exception. And yet, I didn't hate this first book in the Earthbound series—in fact, I liked it. With solid prose and a tense, exciting storyline, it kept me engrossed. Although the tale starts out confusing, it's a good kind of puzzlement, the kind that makes everything more suspenseful. Earthbound does get melodramatic, insta-lovey, and predictable at times, but overall, I found it to be a compelling page turner. If you can overlook the been-there-done-that-a-million-times plot summary, Earthbound makes for an enjoyable read.
(Readalikes: Every other oh-my-gosh-I-can't-believe-I'm-really-a-vampire/mermaid/goddess/witch/angel/devil/dragon/demon slayer, etc. YA book; also the other books in the series, Earthquake and Earthrise)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (no F-bombs), mild sexual innuendo/content, and violence
To the FTC, with love: I received an ARC of Earthbound (in 2013!) from the generous folks at Razorbill (a division of Penguin Random House). Thank you!
Monday, September 21, 2015
Remember Mia: The Thriller That Just ... Wasn't
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
When Estelle Paradise awakens in a hospital room, the 27-year-old is totally confused. The doctor says she's been in a car accident, but Estelle has no memory of a crash. In fact, she can't remember anything. Nothing except her 7-month-old daughter, Mia. As she pushes past the amnesia that clouds her head, Estelle learns that Mia has been missing for several days. According to Estelle's own account, the infant disappeared from her crib—along with her diapers, clothing, toys, and every other trace of her—while Estelle was napping. The story sounds ridiculous even to Estelle. But it's the truth. She just has to convince the police, her angry husband, and, most of all, herself. Estelle knows she's been a little off since giving birth to Mia, but she's not crazy. She's not.
The question remains: Where is Mia? Was she taken by some desperate, baby-crazy stranger? Did her father do something to her? Estelle couldn't have harmed the baby, could she? Even though Mia drove her half-crazy with her colicky screaming? Do clues to the child's whereabouts lie buried somewhere in Estelle's fractured memory? Estelle must find the answers before she's convicted of a crime she didn't commit. Or did she?
I love mind-twisting psychological thrillers that keep me wondering what's real and what's not. The not knowing guarantees I'll turn the pages until I find out. With its very intriguing premise, as well as comparisons to Gone Girl, Remember Mia—a debut novel by Alexandra Burt—seemed to be just this kind of novel. And it could have been. It had the potential, for sure. What kept it from hitting the spot for me? First off, the writing and plotting seemed rocky and disjointed. A more subtle, streamlined story would have been nice. Then, there were the flat, cliché characters. Despite the battle with post-partum depression/exhaustion which should have made her sympathetic, Estelle continually came off as cold and self-absorbed. I don't need a warm, fuzzy narrator in order to really feel a story, but I do need to feel some connection with the main character. Which didn't happen here. Lastly, I felt like Remember Mia needed a subplot, or something to give it more depth and richness. As is, the book missed the mark somewhat. Although there were some pulse-pounding moments, overall, this thriller fails to thrill. Or stand out. Too bad, because I'm still haunted by its incredibly promising premise.
(Readalikes: Similar to other books where the heroine wakes up with amnesia and has to piece together what has happened to her. The First Wife by Erica Spindler comes to mind, as does Before I Go to Sleep by S.J. Watson.)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for strong language and violence
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Friday, September 18, 2015
New Regency Romance Simply Charming (With a Giveaway!)
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
A humiliating rejection in London sends Lord Philip Hamilton looking for a far-off place to hide while he mends his broken heart. Oakely Park, his father's sugarcane plantation in Jamaica, seems to fit the bill perfectly. Except, of course, for the country's oppressive, interminable heat; the inadequate, untrained household staff; and a cruel, intimidating overseer who sets Philip's teeth on edge. The 29-year-old may be a spoiled dandy who knows little about island life, but he's determined to make his new situation work. He'll ensure the plantation continues to turn a profit, while searching for a wealthy wife who can help him increase his holdings. Philip has had enough of love; a profitable business transaction is all he desires from marriage now.
Just as Philip is feeling comfortable in his new role as a sugar baron, the body of an unconscious woman washes up on the shore of his property. Judging by her injuries, she's been floating in the water for some time. Not knowing what to make of this turn-of-events, Philip carries her to his home and waits for her to recover. Anna (according to the pendant around her neck) awakens with no memory of her former life or the accident that pitched her into the sea. Concerned, Philip allows her to stay as she regains her strength. As the weeks pass, Philip finds himself thoroughly enchanted by Anna, despite his best efforts not to be. His heart may be opening to the kind, beautiful woman, but a very large question remains: Who is she? Will her memory ever return? And, if it does, will it compel her to leave Oakely Park behind, possibly forever? Philip's got plenty to worry about already—the success of his crops, managing dozens of slaves, bloodthirsty highwaymen lurking between his plantation and the nearest port, pirates, the flattery of a very rich woman, etc.—but it's Anna who's most on his mind. Who is the mysterious woman and how has she managed to creep so stealthily into his locked heart?
Although I don't read a lot of Regency romances, it's a genre I can always count on for light, pleasurable reading between darker, heavier fare. Slipping into a glittering fantasy world of elegant dances, frivolous gossip, and genteel flirtation is just fun, you know? Jennifer Moore's novels offer all this—and more. Going beyond the typical banter and ball gowns, she explores meatier issues (like PTSD in Lady Emma's Campaign) which give her romances an atypical depth. Simply Anna, Moore's newest, is no exception. While the author makes a real effort to keep the novel light, she addresses a very dark problem: slavery in the West Indies in the 19th Century. Through Malachi, Betty, Ezekiel, and others, Moore shows the cruelty and prejudice slaves often faced as the "property" of greedy sugar barons. This element adds poignancy to a tale that's already full of heart, humor, and swashbuckling adventure. At its center, though, Simply Anna is a story about two people discovering what's most important in life. A quick, charming yarn, this one's too enjoyable to pass up.
(Readalikes: Similar in tone to other novels by Jennifer Moore; also, those of Sarah M. Eden and Julianne Donaldson)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for violence and mild sexual innuendo
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of Simply Anna from the generous folks at Covenant in exchange for taking part in the book's virtual tour. Thank you!
***
Enter for a chance to win a copy of Simply Anna and a $25 Amazon gift card:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Check out other stops on the blog tour:
*Sept. 14th: http://www.
*Sept. 15th: https://joyinthemoments.
*Sept.16th:http://
*Sept. 17th: http://www.bonnieharris.
*Sept. 18th: http://fireandicereads.
Subscribe to:
Posts
(Atom)
Readin'
Beach Thriller by Jamie Day
Listenin'
Hidden Rooms by Kate Michaelson
Followin' with Feedly
-
-
-
-
Sweet Spot by Kemper Donovan4 hours ago
-
Grab my Button!
Blog Design by:
2026 Goodreads Reading Challenge
2024 - Elementary/Middle Grade Nonfiction
2023 - Middle Grade Fiction
2022 - Middle Grade Fiction
2021 - Middle Grade Fiction
2020 - Middle Grade Fiction
