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The Queen’s Gambit Book Review ~ Chess Moves that Moved Me
I must admit, when my husband suggested this as our next Netflix binge I was iffy at best. An entire series on chess? How completely boring, I so wrongly thought! This series was so fascinating that as soon as I realized it was based on a book by Walter Tevis I had to read it! The book did not disappoint. Written by Walter Tevis Coming of Age, General Fiction Kentucky and beyond, 1960s N/A Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on linkedin Share on pinterest Share on email Share on google Book Review The Queen’s Gambit 5/5 An orphaned girl glows up to become a shark in the…
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One By One Book Review ~ An Avalanche of Thrills
Ruth Ware has done it again. One by One is a thrilling read, cover to cover. Three of her five previous psychological thriller novels are heading to the screen and I’m hoping One By One will be joining them. Ruth Ware Thriller, Psychological Thriller French Alps Imogen Church Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on linkedin Share on pinterest Share on email Share on google Book Review One By One 4.5/5 Ten music industry “friends” are trapped in a luxury ski chalet in the French Alps. This Whodunnit is filled with an avalanche, murder, music and gourmet food. I’m going to suggest this as my next “book journey”…
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Blindsighted Book Review ~ A Slaughter on the Senses
This book is a thriller in every sense of the word. Psychological, crime, mystery and a splash of medical thrown in for good fun. Do you ever wonder about the psyche of writers who can seamlessly create a horrifyingly real fictional account?? Just me? Ok. Well whatever it is, Karin Slaughter has a gift. I will be reading the entire Grant County series. Karin Slaughter Thriller, Psychological Thriller Grant County, GA Kathleen Early Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on linkedin Share on pinterest Share on email Share on google Book Review Blindsighted 4.3/5 Small town pediatrician/coroner Sara Linton starts finding women who have been terrorized and left…
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Evidence of the Affair Book Review ~ An Engaging Exchange
Taylor Jenkins Reid could write an obituary and I would read it. I found this short story to be a sweet and realistic glimpse into troubled relationships. Taylor Jenkins Reid General Fiction California, 1970s Julia Whelan, George Newbern, James Daniels, Dara Rosenberg Book Review Evidence of the Affair 4.1/5 What would you do if you found a letter from your husband’s mistress? Set in the 1970s, this entire short story is made up of letters, mostly between Carrie and David whose spouses are having an affair. What this novella lacks in length it makes up for in originality and realism. Taylor Jenkins Reid could write an obituary and I…
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In Five Years Book Review ~ I Cried. A Lot.
I opened this book with a shrug and happy induced time traveling Outlander thoughts of Jaime. Be fair warned!!! I went in expecting You’ve Got Mail and got The Notebook. This is not a romantic fluff book. In Five Years covers a lot of emotional bases- love, friendship and fate. Rebecca Serle Romance, Time Travel Fiction, Domestic Fiction NYC, present Megan Hilty Book Review In Five Years 4/5 Accountant Dannie Kohan has the perfectly planned controlled outlook on life that only the young can afford. She has everything planned out, especially the next five years. On the night of her by the book marriage proposal she falls asleep only to…
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Where the Crawdads Sing ~ A Book Journey
Have you ever read a book so intense that you wanted more? Something about Crawdads sparked this need inside of me to explore for myself. It was just so beautifully written that I wanted more of Kya and the salt marsh. Sometimes books just aren’t enough for this nerdy girl. I had to see what Delia Owens so vividly wrote about. I packed my bags and went on my first Nerdy Gourmet adventure. Hence, book inspired travel and food became my passion. Where the Crawdads Sing ~ Review and Book Journey Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on linkedin Share on pinterest Share on email Share on google Delia…
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WomanCode Book Review and Recipes
Recipe Overload Alert!!! All of the healthy gluten free/dairy free/refined sugar free recipes below have been created for the cycle syncing way of life. The list is ever growing as I love sharing new meal ideas so check back often! This book is a life changer for me. I am working towards being my optimal self and this is a great guide. Alisa Vitti is sharing a world of information with women all over who are seeking to heal themselves in all facets of life. Recipe Guide below the book review! Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on linkedin Share on pinterest Share on email Share on google WomanCode…
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The Girl Left Behind Book Review ~A Modern Police Procedural
M William Phelp Crime Fiction, Suspense Thriller Conneticut, present N/A Book Review The Girl Left Behind 4.3/5 A teen girl goes missing from a small farm town in Connecticut. Detective Linda Kane is faced with finding Cassie despite the case triggering childhood memories of her best friend’s disappearance. The Girl Left Behind is intense at the start- descriptive, free flowing and fast paced. I had an immediate connection with the characters with whom Phelps spent a lot of time building depth. I’m very excited that Detective Kane could be a reoccurring character with her own series. Apparently, the full title is The Girl Left Behind (A Linda Kane Thriller, Book…
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The Flatshare Book Review ~ Romantic Roomates
by Beth O’Leary narrated by Carrie Hope Fletcher and Kwaku Fortune set in West London, present day Book Review The Flatshare is the definition of a romcom. It’s sweet and funny, in a witty way and a breath of fresh air after all the deep thrillers I’ve read recently. Tiffy’s struggle in life and love is totally relatable to everyday life. I found myself laughing out loud during walks around the neighborhood. O’Leary is clearly talented, her characters full of life and thoroughly defined. Each of their personalities are so distinctive that I could open the book to a random page and tell immediately if it was Tiffy or Leon narrating.…
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Mexican Gothic Book Review – A Disgusting Delight
This book is creepy, eerie and terrifying- great for the Halloween season. If you want a sneak peak into the novel, check out my Pinterest page for pictures of 1950’s vintage fashion, the setting of El Triunfo and more. Link above. by Silvia Moreno-Garcia narrated by: Frankie Corzo El Triunfo, Mexico, present time, Gothic Horror Book Review Young, beautiful debutante Noemi is a sophisticated 22 year old in 1950’s Mexico City. She does what she wants skimming the edge of society’s expectations. At the bequest of her father, Noemi travels to the countryside in response to a letter from her newlywed cousin, Catalina, begging for help in disordered ramblings. There…
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The Guest List
by Lucy Foley narrated by: Jot Davies, Chloe Massey, Olivia Dowd, Aoife McMahon, Sara Ovens, Rich Keeble Irish island, present time, Psychological Thriller, Suspense Book Review A destination wedding has gone wrong on a remote island off the coast of Ireland. A dead body is found during the reception and all the guests are suddenly suspects. The Guest List is a whole mood. I found this book to be completely engaging. Rich, descriptive and captivating characters will immediately grasp your attention while a primitive fear oozes in the background. What an utterly engrossing “who dunnit” that you will not want to put down. My thoughts on the last TWO…
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The Silent Patient Book Review ~ Suspense in the Psych Ward
by Alex Michaelides London, present time, Psychological Thriller Book Review “No crazy parts allowed.” The Silent Patient is visceral. Michaelides is extremely descriptive and yet clean, using no unnecessary fluff words. He took his time rolling the story out but it didn’t feel slow; I was never bored or easily distracted from the book. It just felt as if he purposefully immersed the reader into the minds of Theo and Alysia. At first, I had no interest in Theo’s story. I just wanted more of Alysia. but then I started getting hooked on Theo’s psychotherapeutic interpretations of the other characters. No spoilers but The “Twist” that hyped this book and…
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The Empress Book Review ~ A Madwoman in Mexico
by Laura Martinez-belli 1866, Mexico Book Review 4.5/5 I knew I was going to love this book when it began with a cast of characters à la a Shakespearean play. Enriched with little known history and authentic persons, the dullness of centuries past becomes suffused with color, bright and alive. Somewhat reminiscent of Philippa Gregory’s works, The Empress is full of Mexican culture, international politics, power struggles and aristocratic manipulations. Though centurial affairs can be at times dry, there was never a lack of interesting storylines. Martinez-Belli kept the narrative thriving through her many characters, especially the regal Empress Carlota and her questionable lady, Constanza. I absolutely adore all things…
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You Are Not Alone
by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen narrated by Barrie Kreinik & Dylan Moore set in NYC, present day Book Review “On average, women report having eight close friends. Studies have found that, when under stress, women tend to seek out these female friends.” But what do you do when the people you share your life with are using you for foul purposes? Dark undertones, twisted plots, beautiful and manipulative villains. You Are Not Alone is my first book by Hendricks and Pekkanen but it won’t be my last! This dynamic duo was made to write thrillers together. I absolutely loved this book!! Thrilling from the start, it is packed with Nerdy…
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Behind Every Lie
by Christina McDonald narrated by Lisa Flanagan and Fiona Hardinghamset in Seattle, WA and London Book Review 3.5/5 I absolutely adored The Night Olivia Fell and so I had high hopes for McDonald’s latest novel. It was a fast paced, agreeable read. Eva has been struck by lightening. She emerges from a coma only to learn her mother has been killed- and that she is the prime suspect. Her memory is gone and so she starts the search to uncover the truth only to find her entire life has been a lie. Kat’s story parallels Eva’s, each telling their personal tale in expressive detail. For me, Behind Every Lie was…
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Comanche
by Brett Riley set in Comanche, TX and New Orleans, LA, present time Book Review Quick review: Comanche is a macabre and slightly stilted western ghost story. Overall I found this book to be a fantastical read with low budget horror movie vibes. In Depth Review: Comanche is the tale of two private eyes versus a murderous gun slinging ghost. Oh, and the detectives have a psychic side kick (try saying that three times!) Still here?? Okay. You will probably like this book. This was an easy fantastical story, despite some questionable descriptions and horrible analogies (ie: “the mayors face turned deep red, as if someone had chopped his head…
