April Showers Bring A New List of Goodreads

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Been a little over a month since I last updated my blog readers of the books I have been reading.

Since that time, I have read another 8 books to add to my ever growing list.

With spring and nicer weather on the horizon, am hopeful for those who are avid readers or simply looking for a book to take a look at my latest Goodreads. 

For your Spring reading pleasure take a look at my 8 latest with reviews included below…

♥ A Study In Charlotte, by Brittany Cavallaro

This YA novel is billed as the modern day Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson Young Adult novel. This edition revolves around the great-great-great-grandkids of the original Holmes and Watson. The two seemingly meet up for the first time in boarding school. While all is not how it appears even down to their first initial meeting.

What I can say is that while I did enjoy the lead up to trying to figure who did set up Watson and Holmes. My one complaint is that some of the dialogue came off a bit tedious to me at times. Definitely not how I’d picture teens speaking to each other even of British descent. 

However, while the dialogue left me feeling less than enthusiastic at times, I still quite enjoyed these two and their so-called friendship. Therefore, I would recommend to those who enjoy YA novels and enjoy trying to solve mystery/thrillers.

♥ Behind Her Eyes, by Sarah Pinborough

This was my February BOTM selection. Right from the get go, this one was labeled by this month’s judge as, “You think you know how it ends? You’re wrong. I promise!”

Well, they couldn’t have been more right if the tried. Seriously, I have read a lot of mysteries, thrillers and even mind bogglers, such as Caroline Kepnes’ “You”, but this one definitely shocked even me with the ending.

The story of Adele and David, a married couple, who both bring in Louise, a divorcee and single mom in their web of marital craziness was definitely a crazy ride. 

But nothing, truly prepared me for the ending. While the clues were definitely there, I readily admit I missed them almost to the bitter, bizarre ending.

Therefore trust me, when I say you will want to read this one and see it to the end to get the full impact. 

♥ An Abundance of Katherines, by John Green

The fourth novel by John Green that I have read so far. What can I say? But that I just couldn’t resist when my library had a copy to borrow.

In An Abundance of Katherines, Colin Singleton has just been dumped by the 19th Katherine he has dated. 

Crushed and beyond devastated, he decides to go on a road trip with his best friend, Hassan for a summer adventure to get over his heartbreak.

What ensues may not be earth shattering. But the boys’ friendship, as well as, Hassan’s humor in this book definitely is worth the summer trip. 

Along the way, Colin also just happens to learn a thing or two about love with a Katherine and possibly beyond. Plus, he finds a summer job, more friends, a connection to a old time southern town and even maybe some romance awaits, too.

Therefore I would say with warmer, spring and even summer time looming, this one is more than worthy to enjoy now or later, as well.

♥ Bridget Jones’s Baby, by Helen Fielding

Been awhile since I read about Bridget Jones’s, but she has never been completely out of my system. Because I most definitely enjoyed her earlier tales, plus her movies based on these stories.

So, it made sense that I’d have the newest Bridget Jones’s adventures on my short list to read.

Finally got my hands on a copy from my local library. I read in less than one day’s time. I also highly enjoyed how she finally gets pregnant in this edition, as well as, getting to find out who her baby’s daddy was in the end.

So for Bridget Jones’s fans I would most definitely recommend as it more lovable, but zany Bridget, plus a light and fun read, too.

♥ The Princess Diarist, by Carrie Fisher

This book was on my short (long) list when it came out late last year. Mainly, because I am and always have been a Star War’s fan. I know as such a fan, I am a dime a dozen. But still a fan I am.

Therefore, for me I truly did want to read Carrie Fisher’s aka Star War’s Princess Leia’s recollection from those original filming days from now one of the most iconic movies. Of course, I was also curious and more than a bit noisy to learn more about her revelation that she and co-star, Harrison Ford aka Hans Solo during this time in a far off galaxy.

I never tired of Carrie’s sarcastic, but witty and honest share. Just didn’t want to see it end as I sadly know this has to be the last time to get this story in her own words with her untimely demise this past December. What can I say that hasn’t been said? Of course Carrie Fisher will be missed by all, especially fans such as myself. Just happy she was able to get this part of her life out there for all to read and left yet another legendary mark out there before she passed on.

Therefore, would highly recommend for Star Wars and Carrie Fisher fans. 

♥ The Last of August, by Brittany Cavallaro

This book was the second in the series by Brittany Cavallaro. Having recently ready the first with A Study in Charlotte (see above), I couldn’t resist reading the sequel.

This time out Holmes and Watson characters are on Winter break in Europe after having survived their last almost deadly adventures in boarding school in the states. Even though, their past adventures are indeed behind them, they are thrust right back into a new one when Holmes’ beloved Uncle goes missing and her mom is left fighting for her life after being poisoned.

Added to the scene this time is the elusive, August Moriarty, who we were left unsure of his still existence in the first novel. But he is alive and well in this sequel.

I truly once again enjoyed the characters of Holmes and Watson, as well as the level of mystery and intrigue in this one. But my favorite part was the two chapters told in Holmes voice while Watson is unconscious. 

Plus, not to give anything away, but I am still left reeling and more than intrigued by the crazy ending of this one. Just wish the next installment was on its way sooner rather than later as I am left with more questions than resolution by any means.

♥ The Edge of Everything, by Jeff Giles

Since I have indeed been on a YA fiction kick, I kept seeing this novel every which way I turned.  Then I was as many read previously offered a free YA Box, which included this book and a few more. I was a bit skeptical of the supernatural aspect that was to be included. But the overall plot still had me intrigued.

This one followed the life of 17 year old Zoe, who apparently not only lost her father to a caving accident, but also sustained a pretty intense attack at the opening of the book with her kid brother. It is during this attack that she meets, “X” an out of this world bounty hunter. Zoe soon becomes enamored of “X”. It is their love story and their ultimate fates that left me on the edge of my seat as I continued to read. 

I know others had said they felt the beginning and the end were action packed, but no so much for the middle. I must say even the middle of this book seemed to move quickly and didn’t bore me in the least. Plus, the fact the end of this story wasn’t so much the end, but seemed to be the beginning for the next in this series has me excited to read more of Zoe and X’s tale to see what is to come.

Therefore, I gave this one a 5 out of 5. Want to again thank Quarterly for the free copy and for Jeff Giles’ sticky notes in my edition as this really added a fun layer to reading this awesome YA novel.

♥ Marlena, by Julie Buntin

This was one of my March BOTM selections, because the description of the past friendship 15 year old Cat and neighbor Marlena intrigued me. 

See the novel is set about 15 or so years ago in the past, when Cat moved in next door to Marlena in rural Michigan. We learn pretty quickly that Marlena passed away about a year after the girls met and became friends. See the book alternates between the past and the present day, where Cat now lives in NYC. We also find out that Cat in the present day has a a profound problem with alcohol. See in those earlier days befriending, Marlena she was thrust into a world of not only alcohol, but drugs, as well.

I would like to say that this book was as interesting and gripping as the original description led me to believe. But honestly, I had trouble pushing forward to read until I hit about page 60 or so.

I actually took a break and read The Edge of Everything. But after I finished that book, I did return to give Marlena another go. The next 200 pages did go quicker for me. But sadly while there were parts I did enjoy, overall I just never really felt that this book was as captivating as I was led to believe. Plus, the ending seemed a bit rushed and never really did get the true back story as to what happened to Marlena.

Therefore, I would honestly say if you are on the fence about reading this one to skip it. Because while I did again enjoy some parts, overall really didn’t feel the pay off was worth the time spent on reading this one.

There you have it my most recent reads reviewed for your reading pleasure now.

What have you been reading lately?

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