The Sunday Post #32 (R.I.P Reading)

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme"

Football Sundays are here!  This is the beginning of my favorite time of the year.  I love the cooler temps, watching football, and of course spookier reading.  The annual R.I.P. reading challenge is here and I'm super excited to begin reading for it.  I've already pulled off two stacks of books from my own shelves.  I'm itching to get to the library though and grab a few from there as well.  LOL!  So consider this my official sign up post!  I plan on reading as many as possible but I'm officially signing up for Peril the first which is just four books.  I've actually already finished reading one book that I'm counting towards this challenge so three more to go!

Other than spooky reading, we've just been busy with games, practices, and school.  I feel like I'm reading more than I have been but my reading numbers are just so far behind what they usually are that it doesn't seem to be making a difference.  37 books.  I'm going to need September to be an amazing month of reading to give me any hope of reaching my goal of 75 books for the year.  It may not happen, but it is fun to try!  Since my last reading update I've finished two books.  I finished the following books:

The Snowman by Jo Nesbo - This counts as my first official read for the RIP XII challenge.  I first heard about this one on the Read or Dead podcast as there is a movie coming out soon based off of this book.  I've got to say that I'm looking forward to the movie now!  This was dark and twisted - probably not for all readers but I really liked it.  This is my first time reading this series but it won't be my last (and I actually have a couple others in this series already on my shelves).

The Lost Girls by John Glatt - This was one of the most disturbing and difficult books that I've read in a long time.  Made even worse by the fact that everything was true as this is a nonfiction read.  What these three women went through was horrible!  I took long breaks while reading this one because it was just all so hard to read about.  I definitely won't be forgetting about this one any time soon!

I'm now currently reading the following:

I'm currently only reading one book as I haven't yet settled on a new print book to read.  I love having an open schedule and being able to choose whatever I like for my next read.  That being said this means that I'm also struggling on deciding what to read next.  #Readerproblems....LOL!  I'm enjoying this one so far even though I'm only about 20% in.  I'm hoping to spend some quality time with it this afternoon.

New Additions:

All are review copies thanks to NetGalley and the publishers.  Am I the only one that is struggling with the fact that some of these are 2018 releases already?!?  Crazy!  I'm really looking forward to reading all of these but especially the Jennifer Harlow book as I loved the first book in this series!  My kindle is overflowing with goodness!

Now I'm off to spend the afternoon watching football and probably eating too much food.  I've got laundry piles calling my name as well.  I'm also going to try and settle on what my next print read should be.  (If you are interested in some of the possibilities check me out on Litsy - Samantha.1020)  I'm also hoping to write up a few reviews and get some reading time in.  Sounds like a perfect Sunday to me!

Happy Sunday and Happy Reading!

A Study In Scarlet Women by Sherry Thomas (thoughts)

Summary from Goodreads:

"With her inquisitive mind, Charlotte Holmes has never felt comfortable with the demureness expected of the fairer sex in upper class society. But even she never thought that she would become a social pariah, an outcast fending for herself on the mean streets of London.

When the city is struck by a trio of unexpected deaths and suspicion falls on her sister and her father, Charlotte is desperate to find the true culprits and clear the family name. She’ll have help from friends new and old—a kind-hearted widow, a police inspector, and a man who has long loved her. But in the end, it will be up to Charlotte, under the assumed name Sherlock Holmes, to challenge society’s expectations and match wits against an unseen mastermind."

My Thoughts:

I adored my time reading this book! There is just something about historical mysteries that I love. Add in Sherlock Holmes but with a twist and you have a book that I couldn't help but enjoy. I mean changing Sherlock Homes into Lady Sherlock is just brilliant in my opinion. It allows for the author to really explore what it means to be a woman during this time period and an exceptional one at that. Charlotte Holmes is one of the most unique characters that I've ever had the pleasure to read about. She more than likely would be considered to be a prodigy in this day and age, but as she is a woman during this time period she is just considered to be a bit unusual. Her father humors her more than anything and no one expects her to do anything outside of social norms. Despite expectations, Charlotte makes choices throughout this book that no one expects and it is these choices that lead her to take control of her own life. I loved every minute of it! She was such an amazing character to read about and I really could not get enough of her.

When you then mix in an exceptionally good mystery, you have a wonderful read! I loved the way this book was broken up into almost two parts. One that focused on Charlotte and the challenges that she was facing and another on the actual police investigation. I honestly didn't even prefer one story line over the other as I found them both to be intriguing. I never was able to figure out the mystery on my own but was left surprised by the ending. It was just a really great mystery that was made even better by the wonderful characters that this author created. I finished this one and was almost sad to see it end. The only thing that makes it better is that it looks like this is the beginning of a series so I have more to look forward to! I cannot wait! On a side note, I think that this cover is so completely well done. How could you not want to pick up this book based off of that gorgeous cover alone?

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and was left very excited about this series! If this is only the first book, I can only imagine what this author will come up with next. Charlotte is a character that I won't forget about anytime soon. I'm so glad that I didn't wait to read this one. I actually decided to read it based off of a tweet on Twitter. It was a great choice on my part so thanks to the book community yet again! I would recommend this book to mystery fans especially, but really I think that this is a book that anyone could enjoy! Highly recommended!

Bottom Line: This book is as good as it looks! Read it!

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book thanks to the publisher and NetGalley.

Blogging Fun and Signing Up

It wouldn't be fall if I wasn't signed up to participate in R.I.P. (or Readers Imbibing Peril).  Even though I'm a bit later than usual in signing up, I have been reading for this challenge already.  There is no challenge out there like Carl's Annual R.I.P. event and I look forward to it every year.  As always to participate all you have to do is the following:

"There are only two expectations if you want to participate with us:

1. Have fun reading (and watching*).
2. Share that fun with others."

I always end up adding a ton of books to my TBR list thanks to this challenge.  Usually I would share a pool of possibilities but since I've been a bad blogger lately I'm going to skip that part for the first time in years.  I'm signing up for Peril the First which only requires me to read four books.  It almost feels like cheating when I've already read three books with this event in mind.  I'm counting them too because I can.  Ha!  Here is what I've read so far if you are interested (or looking for book suggestions for yourself:

If you want to sign up then go here.  Basically all of my reading till the end of October will fit in with this challenge because nothing makes me think of fall more than spooky reading.  And look at that beautiful artwork from Abigail Larson!  How could you not want to share that as well??

I'm also planning on participating in Blog Ahead.  This is a blogging event that focuses on schedule posts ahead of time.  This is something that I always want to do but very rarely happens.  I wouldn't have month long gaps in between my posts if I could schedule and plan ahead that far.  For the month of October I'm going to work really hard to creating posts ahead of time with the goal of getting at least a week ahead (if not more).  It is going to be hard but fun and I'm really looking forward to participating.  If you would like to participate yourself, sign up here.  

So I take off a month of blogging and jump back in feet first.  Sounds about right, doesn't it?  LOL!  Are you participating in either of these events?  If you are then let me know so we can cheer each other on!

Beautiful Maids All in a Row by Jennifer Harlow (thoughts)

Summary from Goodreads:

"Dr. Iris Ballard’s glory days are behind her, so when Luke Hudson, her former FBI partner and onetime lover, asks for help constructing a psychological profile of an elusive serial killer who murders single mothers and dumps their bodies in the woods, Iris turns him away. She just wants to be left alone with her infomercials, her German Shepherd, and her vodka. That is, until she gets a peek at the case files.

The media has dubbed him “the Woodsman.” But after Iris learns the sickening details held back from the press, and as she sets foot onto the scene of his latest crime, she assembles a portrait of a more complicated, enigmatic, meticulous man. Control is his motivation. He thrives on it. Soon he even tries to manipulate the investigation by contacting Iris, hoping to rattle the woman he considers an intellectual equal.

The game is on. Iris thinks she has a read on her target, enough to push his buttons, to make him lose control. But when the Woodsman gains the upper hand, Iris faces the most painful reckoning of all—with her own violent past."

My Thoughts:

I requested this book from NetGalley based off of the cover alone because I just thought it was great. Then I read the above description and this book shot to the top of my TBR list that easily. As we are slowly getting closer to fall weather, I am constantly in the mood for dark and creepy thrillers. This book was exactly what I was looking for and is a perfect read for this time of year! It spooked me a few times and I found myself unable to put this book down because of it. It was just the perfect combination of mystery and thriller where as the reader, I couldn't stop reading just so I could see what would happen next. Talk about a page turner! The intensity level was high from the very beginning and didn't let up until the very end. If this was this author's first book ever written (which she is just now publishing), well I just cannot wait to read more by her!

One of the things that I liked most about this book was the main character Iris Ballard. I love a book with a strong female lead and she was one of those characters I enjoy the most. She isn't perfect and is in fact really struggling when the book begins. I don't want to share why though as it is an important part of this book in the sense that it really shapes Iris and the woman that she has become. I loved her character and am really hoping that we get to see more of her in future books. I can definitely see this being a series and I would be first in line to get my hands on book two- this book was just that good. I've forgotten how hard it is to share my thoughts on a book like this without giving anything away. Suffice it to say that if you are looking for an intense, heart-pounding read then look no further. This was just as good as I had hoped it would be when I first heard about it (if not better).

Final thoughts: I need more of Iris Ballard in my life! Please, please, please tell me that this is going to be a series because I really want it to be. I feel like I didn't say much about this book but I didn't want to spoil any of it. I'm going to be recommending this one to everyone I know because I enjoyed it that much. I'm also planning on checking into some of Jennifer Harlow's other books to see what else she has written. This book was very good, dark and thrilling, and I want more. Highly recommended!

Bottom Line: A thriller that shouldn't be missed!

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book thanks to the publisher and NetGalley.

Just a side note but if you enjoyed The Body Reader by Anne Frasier then I really think that you will enjoy this book as well. Or if you enjoy this one try The Body Reader as it features another strong female lead and is quite thrilling as well!

Read-A-Longs (Where I Overcommit Myself Yet Again)

 

What is it about this time of year that always makes me want to find a great read-a-long to join in on?  I don't know the exact reasons, but I can tell you that I've really been in the mood to participate in a read-a-long just for the sense of community that these always seem to bring.   Plus, it is always such  fun to discuss a good book with other readers (and especially a scary one).  So here I am completely over-extending myself and signing up for three read-a-longs that will all fit in with the R.I.P. challenge.  

I'm a bit late for the first one but I am planning on starting (today) The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson.  This read-a-long is being hosted by the lovely ladies at The Estella Society.  I should be ready to discuss on October 1st.  I'm super excited to finally read this one as it has been on my R.I.P. lists for years now. 

I am also finally read to try Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury hosted by Sandy from You've Gotta Read This and Ti from Book Chatter.  I couldn't resist joining this one when I saw the Twitter hashtag #EnterTheRingmaster.  This should be fun!

Finally, I am signing up to participate in a read-a-long for Fingersmith by Sarah Waters.  I loved Affinity (the only book of hers that I have read so far) and have been meaning to read more every since.  This read-a-long is being hosted by The Literate Housewife.

I cannot tell you guys how excited I am to participate in all three of these read-a-longs.  Are any of you planning on joining in on one of these?  Or are you just sitting there laughing at my crazy bookish ways yet once again??