Bookstagram Made Me Do It (Edition #1)

I feel like I've been a lot more active on "bookstagram" these days compared to my blog.  And to be fair, I'm just as spotty at posting there as I am on here when it comes to keeping up with reviews of books I've read.  But I've been neglecting my blog a bit which I'm hoping to change.  Book blogging in general has really changed from my early blogging days - and that's okay.  Things evolve with time so it is to be expected I suppose.  Time also gets away from me as there is only so much of it that I'm willing to dedicate to the book-related world.  All of this rambling is to say that I've been wanting to change things up here and share more than just reviews or my occasional reading updates.  Will I ever post on here regularly and consistently again?  I don't know but I'm okay with that.  I do feel like my blog is in a posting rut though so that part needs to change (hence this post).  I used to get ALL of my book recommendations from other book blogs.  I still get book recommendations from blogs but I also get many, many more recommendations now from bookstagram.  Here are just a few of the books that are now on my radar thanks to the bookstagram world:

After The Flood by Kassandra Montag

Summary from Goodreads:

"A little more than a century from now, our world has been utterly transformed. After years of slowly overtaking the continent, rising floodwaters have obliterated America’s great coastal cities and then its heartland, leaving nothing but an archipelago of mountaintop colonies surrounded by a deep expanse of open water.

Stubbornly independent Myra and her precocious seven-year-old daughter, Pearl, fish from their small boat, the Bird, visiting dry land only to trade for supplies and information in the few remaining outposts of civilization. For seven years, Myra has grieved the loss of her oldest daughter, Row, who was stolen by her father after a monstrous deluge overtook their home in Nebraska. Then, in a violent confrontation with a stranger, Myra suddenly discovers that Row was last seen in a far-off encampment near the Artic Circle. Throwing aside her usual caution, Myra and Pearl embark on a perilous voyage into the icy northern seas, hoping against hope that Row will still be there.

On their journey, Myra and Pearl join forces with a larger ship and Myra finds herself bonding with her fellow seekers who hope to build a safe haven together in this dangerous new world. But secrets, lust, and betrayals threaten their dream, and after their fortunes take a shocking—and bloody—turn, Myra can no longer ignore the question of whether saving Row is worth endangering Pearl and her fellow travelers."

This book just released this week and the reviews for this one have been rolling in like mad.  I've seen nothing but positive things so far, but I'll admit that I try to skim reviews as much as possible when the hype for a book is this big so nothing gets ruined for me.  Some of the big name bookstagrammers are really raving about it so I'm intrigued.  Add in the fact that post-apocalyptic books are something I'm almost always drawn to and I just knew that I have to read this one soon.  If I didn't have The Passage by Justin Cronin already checked out from the library this one would be on my holds list right now.  I do want to get my hands on this one though before the end of the year!

The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell 

Summary from Goodreads:

"Be careful who you let in. 

Soon after her twenty-fifth birthday, Libby Jones returns home from work to find the letter she’s been waiting for her entire life. She rips it open with one driving thought: I am finally going to know who I am. 

She soon learns not only the identity of her birth parents, but also that she is the sole inheritor of their abandoned mansion on the banks of the Thames in London’s fashionable Chelsea neighborhood, worth millions. Everything in Libby’s life is about to change. But what she can’t possibly know is that others have been waiting for this day as well—and she is on a collision course to meet them. 

Twenty-five years ago, police were called to 16 Cheyne Walk with reports of a baby crying. When they arrived, they found a healthy ten-month-old happily cooing in her crib in the bedroom. Downstairs in the kitchen lay three dead bodies, all dressed in black, next to a hastily scrawled note. And the four other children reported to live at Cheyne Walk were gone."

This book has yet to be released (looks like it releases in November) but early bookstagram reviews have me itching to read this one.  I may have EVERY SINGLE one of this authors books on my TBR list now but I've yet to read a single one of them.  I'm thinking this may be the one I begin with honestly.  The premise just sounds so delightfully creepy - it also sounds like the perfect type of read for this time of year.  I do have a copy of this book thanks to NetGalley so I'm hoping to read this one before publication date.  It just sounds SO good, doesn't it?

The Whisper Man by Alex North

Summary from Goodreads:

"In this dark, suspenseful thriller, Alex North weaves a multi-generational tale of a father and son caught in the crosshairs of an investigation to catch a serial killer preying on a small town.

After the sudden death of his wife, Tom Kennedy believes a fresh start will help him and his young son Jake heal. A new beginning, a new house, a new town. Featherbank.

But the town has a dark past. Twenty years ago, a serial killer abducted and murdered five residents. Until Frank Carter was finally caught, he was nicknamed "The Whisper Man," for he would lure his victims out by whispering at their windows at night.

Just as Tom and Jake settle into their new home, a young boy vanishes. His disappearance bears an unnerving resemblance to Frank Carter's crimes, reigniting old rumors that he preyed with an accomplice. Now, detectives Amanda Beck and Pete Willis must find the boy before it is too late, even if that means Pete has to revisit his great foe in prison: The Whisper Man.

And then Jake begins acting strangely. He hears a whispering at his window..."

Now this book has been ALL OVER bookstagram.  So much so that even though I currently have it checked out from the library I'm a bit hesitant to read it (which is what happens to me when the hype for a book is this big).  But I also just can't resist giving this one a try to see if it is as creepy as it sounds.  And this is the perfect time of year for creepy reads just like this!  I just want to read them all....give me all of the creepy thrillers to read until the end of October!

I'm going to stick with three books this time around.  Tell me though, what books have you added to your TBR list lately?

Track of the Cat by Nevada Barr (thoughts)

Summary from Goodreads:

"Anna Pigeon has fled New York and her memories to find work as a ranger in the country’s national parks. In the remote backcountry of West Texas, however, she discovers murder and violence. Fellow park ranger Sheila Drury is mysteriously killed, presumably by a mountain lion. But the deep claw marks Anna finds across Drury’s throat and the paw prints surrounding the body are too perfect to be real."

My Thoughts:

This is my second book read for my personal TBR challenge.  I actually picked up my copy of this book from the used bookstore but then it just languished on my shelves.  I'm grateful for the push to finally pick it up that this challenge gave me because I really enjoyed this one.  It was a quieter mystery but it was the perfect choice for the reading mood that I was in.  I loved this book for the setting alone.  The author was able to just draw me in to the wilderness and stark back country of Texas within the pages of this book.  Through Anna's love of nature and the area where she lived, I was also able to feel like I was there myself.  I found that the mystery came almost second to me in comparison to just experiencing the atmosphere that Barr created within this book.  

What I loved about this book besides the setting was the feel of it.  It almost reminded me of a Sue Grafton novel although they are two very different type of books.  I think it was the fact that both series are set in a different way of life - a time where technology and cell phones aren't the every day norm.  Anna has to use a pay phone to make calls to her sister in New York and can barely type up reports that she needs to do.  Both series feature a different type of investigating where it isn't all focused on forensics but instead focuses more on uncovering the secrets leading up to the crime.  This was a shorter book but I still was so easily caught within the pages.  I found myself surprised by the ending as I didn't see any of it coming.  It just made the book that much more enjoyable and has me eager to continue on with this series (which is why I now have a copy of book two on my shelves ready and waiting).

Overall, I really enjoyed this quiet mystery and am very excited about this series in general.  Luckily for me I believe I have many more books to look forward to.  I'm two for two as well when it comes to books read for this challenge.  Both have been really great reads for me and finally knocked a couple of books off of my TBR that have been on there for entirely too long.  I don't plan on waiting long before moving on to the second book!  I think that fans of mysteries and suspenseful reads will enjoy this book.  I really do see a lot of comparisons to the Sue Grafton series so if you enjoy that one you may like this one as well.  Easily recommended!

Bottom Line: A quiet mystery that sucked me into the beauty of its' surroundings!

Disclosure:  I purchased my copy of this book from my local used bookstore.

The Sunday Post #38 (2018 Reading Plans)

"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"

Good morning everyone!  I'm actually writing this post ahead of time which means it won't get posted in the late afternoon like it usually does.  Success on my part - LOL!  As the title of this post probably already shows, I've been really thinking about my reading plans for 2018 already.  I've said this before but 2017 has not been my best year of reading.  In fact, I'm on track to read the fewest number of books this year since I began blogging back in 2008.  I'm sitting at 50 books read for the year - if I finish 4 more books I will tie with my reading year in 2012.  I know I shouldn't worry about the numbers so much but it is quite the difference when in the last two years I have finished eighty books both years.  My TBR keeps growing but my reading pace has slowed down and I'm not really sure why.

I'm not going to sit and moan about it though, instead I'm trying to figure out what I can do to make 2018's reading better.  Signing up for #COYER was a great way to begin but I'm not going to stop there.  One of my new plans to jump start my reading with really great reads is I have come up with a list of fifty books that I'm calling my TBR list (not very original - I know).  This is a mixture of fiction and nonfiction reads that have all been on my TBR list for some time- no new 2018 releases involved.  Every month (or more than once a month if I like) I'm going to use the random number generator to pick one of these books to read.  I'm going to knock some of these books off of my TBR list once and for all!  I have a tendency to "save" books to read that I think I'm going to really like but I don't want to read right away because then I won't have them to look forward to read.  This makes no sense but there you have it.  I put a bunch of books like this on my list to finally give myself the push to read them.  I made a tab on my blog if you are interested in seeing the fifty books that I chose (I might make a separate post but it is doubtful because that is a lot of books covers to share).  The plan is to keep my list at fifty constantly - for every book that I finish I will add a new one to the list.  And at the end of the year I'm going to look back at all of the books I finish for this personal challenge.  It should be fun! I've got other reading plans for 2018 but I'll post about them at a later date.  I've already got my first book picked out for this because I can't wait until the new year to begin.  I will be reading this gem very soon:

It has been a few weeks since my last reading update which means I have a lot to catch up with you on.  I've actually finished three books since my last post which is pretty awesome considering.  These are the books that I've recently read:

Into The Drowning Deep by Mira Grant was just as amazing as I had hoped that it would be.  I loved every minute of reading it so I'm absolutely thrilled that it looks like it is part of a series.  I need more killer mermaids in my life!  I'm going to post my thoughts on this one soon but expect a lot of gushing to be involved.

Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie was delightful read.  I've actually already written up my thoughts on this one which I'm calling a success.  This book was such a great read!  It has me wanting to read more of her books soon, and I heard on another Read or Dead podcast episode that there is another movie coming in the future based off of one of her books.  I'm pumped!

Bloodstains with Bronte by Katherine Bolger Hyde was a fun follow-up to the first book in the series (Arsenic With Austen) that I recently read.  While I definitely liked the first book more, it was great to get back to this cast of characters and cozy series once again.  I will be working on writing up my thoughts on this one very soon as well.

I'm now currently reading the following two books:

 

Final Girls by Riley Sager is so completely intense!  I can't stop reading yet find myself unsure if I want to keep going.  I'm loving every minute of it!  I'm also reading Troublemaker by Leah Remini as my nonfiction read.  I'm a huge fan of her show exposing Scientology so I couldn't resist picking up the book.  I'm enjoying it although I have to say that most of my attention is currently focused on Final Girls at the moment.  These are both print books and I don't have an ebook on the go currently which is rare.  I'll be picking up one of my choices from my #COYER reading pool soon to start on my kindle.

Plans for the day are the usual.  My youngest has basketball pictures before his game so we have that in the afternoon.  My laundry piles are sky high so I'm going to be working on getting those down to a more manageable level.  Reading and blogging as much as possible.  And then football, family time, and The Walking Dead of course.  It sounds like the recipe for a great Sunday and perfect start to my week.  I'm off to work on said laundry piles but do share if you are also already thinking about your reading in 2018.  I would love to hear what your plans are!

Happy Sunday and Happy Reading!

April Reading Plans (2017 Edition)

Wow!  It is hard to believe that I'm already working on my reading plans for April.  2017 hasn't been my best year so far in regards to how many books I've read but it has been a good year quality wise.  This will probably one of the busier months for my family as we adjust to sports schedules and fitting all of that around school and homework.  I still have lots of reading goals and books that I would like to read so my reading pile is as huge as always.  Here are the print books that I'm hoping to read in April:

• A Perfect Gentleman by Candace Camp - This was a surprise review copy sent by the publisher to me this past month.  I enjoyed one of this author's books last year so I was super excited about this especially as I hadn't heard about it until now.  I read the premise and can already tell that this is a book I will enjoy.
•  Summer Knight by Jim Butcher - I've been craving some Harry Dresden so it is well past time to continue on with this series.  I was listening to a podcast the other day that mentioned this series and ended up requesting this book from the library soon after.  I can't wait to see what kind of trouble Harry gets himself into next.
• The Surgeon by Tess Gerritsen - 1st in a series and this is actually off of my own shelves.  I picked this book up from the used bookstore earlier this year I believe and am anxious to read it.  I've never seen the show that is based on this series but I wouldn't mind checking it out (after I read the books first).  I can't wait to check this book out!
• The Day I Died by Lori Rader-Day - This is a review copy for an upcoming TLC Book tour that is later this month.  This author has been on my radar for awhile now so I can't wait to finally give her a try!  It sounds like my kind of book and will probably end up being my next read.

I've decided that for April my goal is to mainly read e-books for the majority of the month.  You've heard me say a million times how terrible my self control is when it comes to NetGalley and Edelweiss.  Despite always signing up and participating in #COYER e-reading challenges, I am still desperately trying to catch up on some of these review copies that are just sitting unread.  I would love, love, love to make a dent on my TBR list for e-books.  Here are the kindle books that I have added to my April pile of possibilities:

 

 

 

•  Missing, Presumed by Susie Steiner - These first two books are both the first books in a series that I haven't yet started and now also have the 2nd book waiting to be read.  Don't worry I'm shaking my head at myself over here too.  I really like the sound of this one and am eager to get started on it!
• Mummy's Favorite by Sarah Flint - See above for my part of my explanation on wanting to read.  The cover of this one is also pretty great and then you add in the description....well, I've already downloaded this one on my phone ready to be started.  Both of these books sound like they will be right up my alley so I can't wait!
• Final Girls by Riley Sager - I told you guys that I wouldn't be able to wait too much longer before reading this one.  It doesn't release until July I believe but I just have to check it out for myself now.  It sounds creepy and thrilling and I'm there for all of that!  Plus, that cover!!!
• Dangerous Behavior by Nancy Bush - I requested this one from NetGalley based of the description alone.  I've had this author on my TBR list for years but hopefully not for much longer.  It sounds like a page turner and I'm looking forward to checking it out!
• He Said/She Said by Erin Kelly - This is another author that I've been wanting to read for years.  I jumped all over the chance to read this one because I've got no self control.  Also, because this book basically sounded amazing and how could I not?  
• Gone Without a Trace by Mary Torjussen - I'm participating in a blog tour for the publisher for this one later this month.  I couldn't help saying yes because I am basically addicted to all thrillers/mysteries as of late.  It sounds like it will be a great read and I have high hopes!
• Death Among the Doilies by Mollie Cox Bryan - 1st in a cozy mystery series that I've been wanting to start.  It also helps that I now have the second book also waiting to be read on my kindle so I need to read this one first (I'm seeing a trend here as well).  I love a good cozy to switch things up so this should be perfect.
• The Child by Fiona Barton - Last year I read and enjoyed The Widow by this author.  This book sounds even better so I couldn't resist requesting it.  I'm loving that cover as well!  I think that one of the characters from the previous book is in this one as well (the detective or reporter maybe?) so that will be interesting to see as well. 
• The Lady Traveler's Guide to Scoundrels & Other Gentlemen by Victoria Alexander - I feel like this book should win the award for longest title.  This is for another upcoming TLC book tour although my review date isn't until May or June - I can't remember off the top of my head.  Another author that I've been wanting to try so I'm excited to see what this book is all about!
• Undertow by Elizabeth Heathcote - Oh my goodness- the premise of this book!  A woman who gets married and then thinks that her new husband may have killed his previous wife.  I'm so there!  That cover is so eye-catching as well and I just had to check it out for myself!

So many books!!  I really, really would love to read the majority of these books and make a small dent in my e-reader TBR.  Okay, it might only be a drop but it is the thought that counts.  I have plenty of good reading ahead of me so hopefully my reading picks up this month.  I mean how can it now when I have all of these to look forward to?

What book/s should I read first?  Have you read any of these yet?  What books are you hoping to read in April?  Do share!

Happy Reading!

 

March Reading Plans (2017 Edition)

Hello!  It feels like it has been awhile when maybe it really hasn't?  I've had posts scheduled so my blog hasn't been silent but I haven't actually written any posts up in a couple of weeks almost.  Responding to comments?  Nope.  What happened you might wonder?  Well, first we went out of town for the weekend with the kiddos so that was a lot of fun.  We came back though to a week of the flu- it was one kid after the other.  It wasn't fun but we seem to be all past it now for which I am very thankful.  On top of that I've been working mandatory overtime all month long and that is going to continue on through this month.  Busy, busy!  March is here though and it is already time to think about the books that I'm hoping/planning to read this month.  I've already finished my 1st book for the month and it was completely off pile.  I'm counting it as a win though since it was actually in my February pile of possibilities and off of my own shelves.  Score!  Here are the print books that I would like to read this month:

• By Book or by Crook by Eva Gates - 1st in a cozy mystery series and one that I picked up last month when I was at a local Goodwill.  I loved the sound of it and decided I didn't want to wait long to give this series a try!
• Leave the Grave Green by Deborah Crombie - 3rd book in this mystery series and also from my own shelves.  I read the first two books in this series a year or two back and just adored them.  I've been meaning to continue on with this series every since so in March I'm hoping to do exactly that.  I've got really high hopes for this one!
• The American Girl by Kate Horsley - This is actually a recent library find that I was so intrigued by.  I picked it up on a whim and read the back....and just like that I knew it was coming home with me to be read as soon as possible.  I love when I find new to me books like this!
• Someone Must Die by Sharon Potts - Another Goodwill find that I couldn't resist bringing home with me (I've already brought a ridiculous number of books into my house in 2017 but that's another story).  I really like the sound of this one and couldn't resist adding a thriller to my pile of reads.  It sounds right up my alley!
• Elizabeth is Missing by Emma Healey - This is a review copy that has been sitting on my shelves for way too long.  I keep saying that I'm finally going to get through some of these older review copies- maybe this month will be the month that I actually do just that.  It sounds intriguing!
• Never Tell by Alafair Burke - Another aged review copy.  And I love Alafair Burke so I have no clue why I haven't read this one yet.  Obviously that needs to change and soon.  I'm really looking forward to this one as I haven't read a bad book by this author yet.  
• The River at Night by Erica Ferencik - This was a Goodread's win that I just recently received.  I've seen some really great reviews for this thriller so I'm super excited to have the chance to read it!  I will definitely be squeezing this one in before March ends.
• Origin in Death by J.D. Robb - Off of my own shelves and the next book (for me at least) in the In Death series.  Enough said!

I'm of course also hoping to read plenty of books on my kindle.  Here are the kindle books that I am hoping to read in March:

• Path Into Darkness by Lisa Alber - NetGalley review copy and that cover alone had me adding this book to my TBR list.  The description had me requesting this book as fast as I could (despite the fact that I really, really don't need to be requesting books from Netgalley).  I'm really looking forward to giving this author a try!
• The Lost Children by Helen Phifer - This author has been on my radar for awhile now so I jumped at the chance to read this one (also courtesy of NetGalley).  I love the sound of this book as well and cannot wait to give it a try.  This publisher is one of my favorites for a thrilling read so I can't wait!
• Hard-Hearted Highlander by Julia London - I recently read and enjoyed Sinful Scottish Laird by this author.  This is the next book in the series and one that I'm reading for another TLC book tour that is coming up in April I believe.  I enjoyed the previous book so much that I'm really looking forward to this one!  I also am hoping to read ahead so I'm adding this book to March's TBR pile.
• I See You by Claire Mackintosh - I have heard SO MANY great things about this author and her books.  I simply must finally see what the hype is all about!  I know next to nothing about this book other than it is a thriller and that readers are loving this author a lot.  I can't wait to give this book a try!
• The Secrets You Keep by Kate White - I've loved this author's books in the past so I'm super excited to have her newest book on my e-reader.  She always writes page-turners and that is exactly what I'm in the mood for.  I keep saying this but I cannot wait to read this one as well!  So many books, so little time!
• Deadly Silence by Rebecca Zanetti - This is the beginning to a new romantic suspense series.  I really don't read enough books like this so I'm really looking forward to giving this book a try.  Plus that gorgeous cover really helps!  I have high hopes as I've read a different book by this author (also a 1st in a different series) and really enjoyed it.  
• Saving Sophie by Sam Carrington - I knew as soon as I read the description of this book that I wanted to read it.  Somehow it got pushed to the side for other books though and I'm just now adding it to my reading pile.  Also a thriller but this one sounds like it focuses more of family relationships.  I can't wait to begin!
• When the Grits Hit the Fan by Maddie Day - 3rd book in one of my favorite cozy mystery series.  I seriously stalked NetGalley for this book because I wanted to read it so badly.  I actually just shared my thoughts on the 2nd book not that long ago and that got me even more excited for this book.  I CANNOT WAIT!

So many books here!  So many books that I really, really want to read right this minute.  2017 has been a bit of a slower reading year so far for me.  I'm already two books behind on my Goodread's goal.  Obviously I need to stay off Facebook and Litsy more which will help me not to be so distracted and give me more reading time.  I just love Litsy so much though!!  Maybe March will be the month where my reading year starts turning around.  I sure hope so because I really want to read all of these and that isn't including all of the other books that I wanted to read in the past two months that I haven't gotten to yet.  A girl has to dream, right?

What books are you hoping to read in March?  Have you read any of the books that are in my reading pile?  If you have feel free to let me know your thoughts or tell me which ones I should read next.  Happy reading!

February Reading Plans (2017 Edition)

Here we are and I'm already planning out my reading for February.  How fast time flies by lately!  I went off pile with my reading in January but I also managed to read a few books that were included in January reading plans.  A good mix if I'm being honest with myself.  I'm a very moody reader so sometimes I just have to go with my reading moods or risk a nasty reading slump instead.  I'm having fun still with coming up with books that I want to read each month so here we are with my February reading pile.  A few things to note though (besides the given fact that I will most likely ALWAYS go off pile at some point each month): one- I feel like it is a given that any library book I have checked out currently is always a possibility for that months reads.  I include library books in my reading piles sometimes but I certainly don't include them all - because I always have a ridiculous number checked out.  LOL!  I'm also still mulling over what my nonfiction pick will be for this month.  I'm still working on January's pick- which is Into The Wild by Jon Krakauer.  In light of everything that is going on in politics lately....well, I'm still deciding on my next nonfiction read.  I will leave it at that.  Here are the print books that I'm hoping/wanting to read in February:

• From Potter's Field by Patricia Cornwell - Last year I binged out on the earlier books in this series and enjoyed every minute of it.  I am ready to continue on and see what type of case Scarpetta gets involved with next.  These books are always page turners and I'm especially looking forward to this one.  This book is from my own shelves which is an added bonus.
• Baby It's Cold Outside by Addison Fox -  I added this one to my TBR list awhile back thanks to the Smart Bitches, Trashy Books podcast which is a favorite of mine for romance recommendations.  This book just sounds like fun and the perfect read for this time of year.  I kind of have an obsession with anything related to Alaska so it is high up there on my reading list!  This is a library find.
• Wilde Lake by Laura Lippman - This is a review copy for an upcoming TLC book tour.  My tour date isn't actually until March but I'm trying to read ahead so it is on this month's pile.  Also, it basically sounds amazing so why wait?  Lippman is one of those authors that I always mean to read- but I don't know that I've actually ever read anything by her.  I have high hopes though for this book!
• Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Mass - In 2017 I'm really hoping to push myself in reading in different ways.  One of those ways is in actually reading the books that EVERYONE else seems to be talking about or have loved.  I add those books to my TBR list but then never read them myself (sad fact- I've never read The Hunger Games- for real).  I picked this one up from the library to push myself.  I don't read a lot of YA or fantasy but I've heard such good things about these books.  I can't wait to see for myself what the hype is all about!
• The Drifter by Christine Lennon - Another review copy for upcoming TLC book tour.  This is also for a March tour date but I don't want to wait that long to read it as it sounds too good.  Add to that an absolutely gorgeous cover and I'm ready to begin this one right now!
• Asylum by Jeannette De Beauvoir - This is a Goodread's giveaway win that I then never read.  What in the heck as I love the sound of this one??  I'm changing that this month though and finally knocking this book off of my TBR shelves.  It sounds quite creepy and I am always in the mood for a good mystery.
• The Book of You by Claire Kendal - This is the review copy that I picked out to read this month that has been on my shelves now for WAY too long.  I don't even know why I never read this one until now as it sounds like my type of book.  I'm really looking forward to finally giving this book a try!

The e-books that I'm adding to my February reading pile are:

• Stolen by Carey Baldwin - Edelweiss review copy for an upcoming PICT book tour.  My tour date is actually in February (though later in the month) so this will be my 1st e-book choice.  I couldn't resist the opportunity to read this one after loving the previous book in this series last year.  I'm anxious to get started!
• First Degree Mudder - This is the latest installment in one of my very favorite cozy mystery series.  I'm been waiting to read this one for awhile now so I'm glad to finally add it to the pile.  This is a NetGalley review copy and one that will count towards #COYER Blackout.  I'm looking forward to getting back to these characters and catching up!
• Chasing Shadows by Karen Harper - NetGalley review copy (as are really all of the e-books on my list almost) and also the 1st in a new series.  I read the description of this book and just knew that I had to read it.  This author has been on my radar for awhile now so I'm excited to give her a try with this new book.
• No One Knows by J.T. Ellison - This book is on my radar thanks to the What Should I Read Next podcast (which is also becoming one of my favorites).  She was talking about it and I was instantly intrigued.  I've enjoyed this author in the past so I have high hopes for this book!
• Her Husband's Lover by Julia Crouch - I just read a really great review for this one and knew that I needed to move this book up my reading TBR list!  I can't get enough of thrillers as of late and this book just sounds intense!  I need it in my reading life for sure!  
• Someone Else's Skin by Sarah Hilary - This is the 1st in a mystery series that I've been meaning to try for WAY too long.  I've seen some rave reviews for it and I've no excuse on why I haven't yet read it.  February is going to be an amazing month of reading if I get the chance to read half of these books and authors!
• Shadowed by Karen E. Olson - 2nd book in a series where I just loved book one.  And yet I STILL haven't continued on with this series yet.  I'm hoping to change that especially as I think the 3rd book is due to release soon (if it hasn't already).  
• A Cast of Vultures by Judith Flanders - This book was recommended to me by the publisher and something about that cover is just calling my name.  I like the sound of it even though it means I will be starting yet another series out of order.  No worries, if I enjoy this one I will just go back to the beginning then.  LOL!  

Whew!  I'm both excited and exhausted just thinking about all of these great sounding books.  My book piles overflow!  I tried to include a mix of books in a variety of genres to keep things interesting (and maybe keep me from going off-pile so much).  Any books that I didn't read from my January reading pile are also being thrown into the mix here as obviously I want to read them as well in the near future.  I'm going to burrow under the blankets this month and just read to my heart's content!

What books are you hoping to reading in February?  Is there any book here that you think I should read first?  I hope that all of you have an amazing month of reading in February as well!

5 Books That Are on My Radar (Thrilling Reads)

I add books to my TBR list constantly thanks to a variety of online sources.  In fact one of my very favorite things to do is find new books that I want to read.  In a change of pace from my usual weekly reading update, I thought I would share with all of you the five books that I have added to my ever-growing TBR pile recently.  These are books that I'm really excited about and am planning on reading soon.  Don't mind the fact that they weren't in my monthly reading pile.  LOL!  Here are five books that I have come across recently that I just cannot wait to begin reading (summaries are thanks to Goodreads):

Final Girls by Riley Sager

"Ten years ago, college student Quincy Carpenter went on vacation with five friends and came back alone, the only survivor of a horror movie–scale massacre. In an instant, she became a member of a club no one wants to belong to—a group of similar survivors known in the press as the Final Girls. Lisa, who lost nine sorority sisters to a college dropout’s knife; Sam, who went up against the Sack Man during her shift at the Nightlight Inn; and now Quincy, who ran bleeding through the woods to escape Pine Cottage and the man she refers to only as Him. The three girls are all attempting to put their nightmares behind them, and, with that, one another. Despite the media’s attempts, they never meet.

Now, Quincy is doing well—maybe even great, thanks to her Xanax prescription. She has a caring almost-fiancé, Jeff; a popular baking blog; a beautiful apartment; and a therapeutic presence in Coop, the police officer who saved her life all those years ago. Her memory won’t even allow her to recall the events of that night; the past is in the past.

That is, until Lisa, the first Final Girl, is found dead in her bathtub, wrists slit, and Sam, the second, appears on Quincy’s doorstep. Blowing through Quincy’s life like a whirlwind, Sam seems intent on making Quincy relive the past, with increasingly dire consequences, all of which makes Quincy question why Sam is really seeking her out. And when new details about Lisa’s death come to light, Quincy’s life becomes a race against time as she tries to unravel Sam’s truths from her lies, evade the police and hungry reporters, and, most crucially, remember what really happened at Pine Cottage, before what was started ten years ago is finished."

The description of this book sounds so intense and thrilling!  This book isn't even out until July of this year- but I'm not going to be able to wait that long as I have a copy on my Kindle thanks to NetGalley.  Eek!  I can already tell that this is a book that I'm going to enjoy so I just may have to read this one super early.  And that cover!

The Marriage Lie by Kimberly Belle

"Even the perfect marriage has its dark side… 

Iris and Will's marriage is as close to perfect as it can be: a large house in a nice Atlanta neighborhood, rewarding careers and the excitement of trying for their first baby. But on the morning Will leaves for a business trip to Orlando, Iris's happy world comes to an abrupt halt. Another plane headed for Seattle has crashed into a field, killing everyone on board, and according to the airline, Will was one of the passengers on this plane.

Grief-stricken and confused, Iris is convinced it all must be a huge misunderstanding. But as time passes and there is still no sign of Will, she reluctantly accepts that he is gone. Still, Iris needs answers. Why did Will lie about where he was going? What is in Seattle? And what else has he lied about? As Iris sets off on a desperate quest to find out what her husband was keeping from her, the answers she receives will shock her to her very core."

I'm trying to remember where I first heard about this book and now I can't remember.  I may not remember where but I sure as heck requested a copy from my local library and now it is sitting in my current library stack.  I love the sound of this book - the idea of the secrets behind a "perfect marriage" are something that I just can't resist.  I won't be waiting long to read this book and have high hopes that it is as good as it sounds.

The Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel

"Roanoke girls never last long around here. In the end, we either run or we die.

After her mother's suicide, fifteen year-old Lane Roanoke came to live with her grandparents and fireball cousin, Allegra, on their vast estate in rural Kansas. Lane knew little of her mother's mysterious family, but she quickly embraced life as one of the rich and beautiful Roanoke girls. But when she discovered the dark truth at the heart of the family, she ran fast and far away.

Eleven years later, Lane is adrift in Los Angeles when her grandfather calls to tell her Allegra has gone missing. Did she run too? Or something worse? Unable to resist his pleas, Lane returns to help search, and to ease her guilt at having left Allegra behind. Her homecoming may mean a second chance with the boyfriend whose heart she broke that long ago summer. But it also means facing the devastating secret that made her flee, one she may not be strong enough to run from again.

As it weaves between Lane's first Roanoke summer and her return, The Roanoke Girls shocks and tantalizes, twisting its way through revelation after mesmerizing revelation, exploring the secrets families keep and the fierce and terrible love that both binds them together and rips them apart."

I seem to be drawn to books lately that are focused on family secrets.  The description of this one made me instantly add this book to my TBR pile thanks to NetGalley.  Luckily this one publishes in March so I don't have to feel too guilty for reading it sooner rather than later.  I love the cover to this book as well!  Just gorgeous!

Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough

"Louise is a single mom, a secretary, stuck in a modern-day rut. On a rare night out, she meets a man in a bar and sparks fly. Though he leaves after they kiss, she’s thrilled she finally connected with someone.

When Louise arrives at work on Monday, she meets her new boss, David. The man from the bar. The very married man from the bar…who says the kiss was a terrible mistake but who still can’t keep his eyes off Louise.

And then Louise bumps into Adele, who’s new to town and in need of a friend, but she also just happens to be married to David. David and Adele look like the picture-perfect husband and wife, but then why is David so controlling, and why is Adele so scared of him?

As Louise is drawn into David and Adele’s orbit, she uncovers more puzzling questions than answers. The only thing that is crystal clear is that something in this marriage is very, very wrong, but Louise can’t guess how wrong―and how far a person might go to protect their marriage’s secrets."

I've been hearing about this book a lot lately and I've just been drawn to it.  It sounds like a book that I will enjoy and that description....oh my!  I've got a copy of this one as well thanks to NetGalley and since this book releases this month will probably reading this one in the very near future.  I want to see what the hype is all about!

The Twilight Wife by A.J. Banner

"From bestselling author A.J. Banner comes a dazzling new novel of psychological suspense in the vein of S.J. Watson’s Before I Go to Sleep and Mary Kubica’s The Good Girl that questions just how much we can trust the people around us.

Thirty-four-year-old marine biologist Kyra Winthrop remembers nothing about the diving accident that left her with a complex form of memory loss. With only brief flashes of the last few years of her life, her world has narrowed to a few close friendships on the island where she lives with her devoted husband, Jacob.

But all is not what it seems. Kyra begins to have visions—or are they memories?—of a rocky marriage, broken promises, and cryptic relationships with the island residents, whom she believes to be her friends.

As Kyra races to uncover her past, the truth becomes a terrifying nightmare. A twisty, immersive thriller, The Twilight Wife will keep readers enthralled through the final, shocking twist."

I added this book to my must-read pile thanks to Litsy.  I then immediately requested a copy of this book from my library as well and it just came in.  I adored Before I Go to Sleep so really reading this one with that comparison was a for sure thing!  I love the cover for this book as well!

Whew!  I have TONS of really great reading ahead of me with these books.  I'm currently working my way through a nonfiction read (Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer) but after that one of these books is next for sure.  I'm just going to have to go off pile as these books are calling to me the loudest!  
  
Which of these books would you read next if you had to choose?  Do share as we all know how indecisive I can be!  

January Reading Plans (2017 Edition)

Here we go again!  I really debated on if I wanted to come up with a pile of possible reads in January.  Let me start off by saying that I fully acknowledge how nutty I can be when it comes to books.  I love, love, love coming up with piles of books to read from.  But what I learned last year, is that I can also overwhelm myself by all of the possibilities that I have to choose from.  There is just not enough time in the day for all of the books that I would like to read.  I'm instead going to use this book pile to hopefully help to motivate me to read more this time around.  That sounds like a much better idea in my opinion!  I'm sure that I will go off pile whenever the mood strikes but I'm okay with that.  I'm including a mixture of print and e-books and I'm hoping to just read, read, read!  Here are the books that I would love to read in January:

• Locked In by Kerry Wilkinson - This is the 1st in a series and off of my own shelves.  I love the sound of this book and have been meaning to read it every since I bought it.  I'm not waiting too much longer to see what this series is all about!
• The Doll's House by M.J. Arlidge - 3rd book in one of my favorite series.  One of the things that I would really like to do in the new year is catch up with some of the series that I am in the middle of.  This is definitely one of them.  Copy from my local library.
• The Hating Game by Sally Thorne - I couldn't not request this book from the library after seeing if on multiple top reads lists from some of my favorite romance bloggers.  I cannot wait to give this one a try and see what everyone is talking about!
• Killer's Island by Anna Jansson - This is a review copy that has been sitting on my shelves for a ridiculous amount of time.  I don't know much about it other than it is a mystery- but that is enough for me to want to finally read it.  I WILL read some of these older review copies that have been languishing on my shelves in 2017.
• The First Days by Rhiannon Frater - This is a book that I just got back from my sister that she highly recommends.  I forgot I even lent it to her but I'm super excited to read it.  Maybe this will give me my zombie fix while I wait for The Walking Dead to return.
• Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs - Last year I reread the first three books in Briggs' Mercy Thompson series back to back, and I loved every minute of it!  I'm not waiting for two more years (or some other ridiculous length of time) before I continue on with this series.  This is another book off of my own shelves.

Here are the e-books that I'm also including in my reading plans for January:

• Sinful Scottish Laird by Julia London - NetGalley review copy for a TLC Book tour in February.  I'm going to try and get ahead of the game by reading this book early.  I'm in the mood for some historical romance so I'm looking forward to this one.
• Right Behind You by Lisa Gardner - I loved Find Me last year by this author so I'm not waiting long to read this one.  It sounds just as intense and thrilling so I'm really looking forward to it!  This is also a NetGalley review copy.
• Snowblind by Ragnar Jonasson - This is also a NetGalley review copy and a thriller that fits this time of year perfectly.  I'm really looking forward to giving this author a try as I've been hearing great things.  And that cover is just perfection!
• Lady Claire is All That by Maya Rodale - Edelweiss review copy and a new to me author.  I've also been seeing some great reviews of this author's books so I'm really looking forward to this book as well.  AND this book is loosely based off of one of my favorite movies from when I was a teenager.  I can't wait!
• Black-Eyed Susans by Julia Heaberlin - This is one of those books that has been languishing on my e-reader for way too long.  I've only heard good things about this book so I have no clue why I've waited so long to read it.  That's going to change though soon!
•  The Day She Can't Forget by Meg Carter - I love, love, love the sound of this book.  It just sounds like a thriller that I will enjoy so I have very high hopes for it.  Yet another NetGalley review copy (sigh- I really need to work on my self control in 2017).

That's it!  I just realized that I didn't include the books that I'm already currently reading in this post but I'm too lazy to change it at this point.  I obviously won't get through all of these but I'm sure going to try and read as many as possible.  I might add a few library books in the pile as well as the month goes along and my holds come in but that's another day, different post.  Have you read any of these?  Are there any books here that you think I should read first or before all others?  Do share!