5 Books to Read for In Winter of 2017

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Knee deep in the winter of 2017 now. It is downright cold, snowy and icy here as it should be during this time of the year.

Perfect time to snuggle up with a great book and read. 

Also being it is a new year, I now have a new Goodreads challenge. I have my Goodreads challenge set to 60 books for this upcoming year. 

I have read 2 books so far and on my third now. 

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Below though are a few books that I ended 2016 with, plus the first two I read for 2017.

Sit back now and read my reviews on these 5 books. Also, possibly add a few to your own growing list, as well.

1. Piper Perish, by Kayla Cagan

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC, as I was emailed with a cover shot and description of this book recently and just couldn’t get the cover nor the description out of my mind.

So, I thankfully requested and was granted a copy of this YA novel, which depicts Texas soon-to-be graduating high school senior, Piper. She is an aspiring art student, who has her life’s goal to attend a prestigious NYC art university with her best friend and boyfriend alongside her. Basically, she sets her sights on the bright lights of NYC.

But, of course there are roadblocks along the way. For starters, Piper and her boyfriend, Enzo breakup early on in the story. And even though Piper is admitted into her dream school, the issue of finances may actually be a major roadblock for her. 

We learn all of this first hand, journal style, from Piper herself throughout the book.

I can honestly say, I was hopeful for a happy ending even will all that could and did go wrong for Piper along the way. Maybe I am just sap, but I did want to see Piper indeed make it to NYC.

I won’t say if she did or didn’t so as not to spoil it. But the journey that Piper took during this book, for this reader was, was definitely enjoyable nonetheless.

That said, the story itself wasn’t earth shattering and at times predictable, so I can’t give it more than 4 stars. But still is worth reading in my humble estimation.

2. My Not So Perfect Life, by Sophie Kinsella

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.  More excited could I not be for the release of the latest Sophie Kinsella novel, because Kinsella is one of my favorite authors. I have read most if not all of her novels in the past. Therefore, when I realized that the book was on NetGalley, where I could read an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review, I was overjoyed. 

Of course, this one had the similar feel for a Kinsella novel.  The story revolves around, Katie brenner, who has renamed and rebranded herself as Cat Brenner, Londoner instead of the small-town farm girl that she was born and raised as.

What I loved about this book is that Katie’s life is truly anything but perfect. Still she tries to put a good face, especially on Instagram.

But then, her world comes crashing down when she loses her hip, London job and has to move back home to help her dad and stepmother run their new Glamping business.

Just when Katie is at her lowest after applying to many jobs not even getting an interview, her old business and nemesis (Demeter) shows up for her holiday at Katie’s family’s glamping business.

This is where the story takes off complete with Katie seeking revenge against Demeter.  

Still is all how it seemed with Demeter in the past? And will Katie end up happy in the end.  You will have to read and find out. 

My final assessment, it is worth it to see this one through and see how it all ends up for Katie when all is said and done.

3. The Sun is Also a Star, by Nicola Yoon

This was the December BOTM club book. Definitely was on my list previously, so jumped at choosing this one.

The novel itself is centered around one day in the life of two young adolescents, Daniel and Natasha (Tasha).

These two never met, but a chance encounter finds them not only meeting, but slowly falling for one another on this one day.

What I loved was that this book portrayed nicely what young love does look and feel like. Also, the idea of parallel universes and everything happening for a reason was a intriguing concept, which I enjoyed reading further about.

On the whole, this was a quick read for me, but enjoyable, as well. Would recommend and liken to Rainbow Rowell’s writing style, such as Eleanor and Park.

4. I Found You, by Lisa Jewell

Received ARC from NetGalley. OK, so having read The Girls in the Garden, by Jewell earlier this past year, as well as my love of a good mystery novel, I had to request to read.

Without giving away too much, as NetGalley has asked for reviewers to hold their reviews until closer to the review date, I will say three key stories were intriguing. 

The first plot line follows a young bride, Lily who’s husband Carl Monrose goes missing. Next up is that of a lonely single mother, Alice Lake and the amnesiac man that shows up to upend her world. Last, but not least takes place in the past in 1993 with a middle class family vacationing with their teen kids, Gray and Kirsty, at an English beachside town.

All three stories separately stand on their own, but they also play off each other and work together perfectly.

That said, you will have to read to find out how these three integral stories find a way to intersect and come together in the end.

5. If I Was Your Girl, by Meredith Russo

I happened to find this book on BookBub Deals. I read the synopsis on Goodreads and then the sample in iBooks. From all three, I was hooked and sold. 

See the story revolves around Amanda Hardy, who is the all-around pretty girl next door. But Amanda has a huge secret. What is her secret?

Amanda used to be Andrew Hardy and is a transexual, who had surgery to become the girl she always felt in her heart she was.

She also had to come to live with her father, who pretty much abandoned her a few years back when this revelation came to fruition, because while living with her mom she was pretty much tortured and tormented by those who once knew her as Andrew and couldn’t accept her as Amanda.

While this is more of a YA novel about first loves, it also deals with the this huge explosive secret that could blow up into Amanda’s worst nightmare.

I happen to feel even though this book is fiction, it is still such an important book, much like that of Wonder, by R.J. Palacio for today’s youth and those who were also once young to read to come to understand that being transexual doesn’t mean that one is abnormal by any means.

That’s it for now and stay tuned for more book reviews coming your way here soon now.

What are you reading now?

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