Review: Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Review: Behind Her Eyes by Sarah PinboroughBehind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough
Also by this author: Cross Her Heart
Published by Macmillan on January 31st 2017
Genres: Fiction, General, Mystery & Detective, Psychological, Thrillers
Pages: 320
Source: the publisher
Louise is a single mom to a young boy.  Though she works a few days a week at a doctor's office, her son is her entire life.  On a rare night out, she meets a man and instantly finds a connection. The romance doesn't go any further than a kiss, but she can't get him out of her mind.

Until she shows up at work and sees the man again.  At her office. Her new, married boss. He admits the kiss was a mistake and insists they must maintain a professional relationship.  Though difficult at first, Louise agrees.  Until she runs into David's wife, Adele.

Adele is young and beautiful, but desperate for a friend.  She spends most of her time alone in their home, prevented from venturing too far out due to scheduled calls home from David. Their marriage seems perfect, yet obviously there is something that would cause David's love to wane. Louise is drawn to her and, ignoring all the warning signs, she befriends Adele.

It isn't long before Louise becomes sucked in to the drama surrounding David and Adele's marriage. He seems so controlling; she seems to be constantly terrified.  There's something very wrong; just how wrong Louise doesn't discover until it's too late.

Never before have I uttered so man “WTF’s” while reading.

First, let me start by saying I’ve been a fan of Pinborough’s for over a decade.  My first introduction to her work was via her horror. She excels at writing the uber-creepy.  I was then drawn in to her suspense/thrillers and I can’t imagine being a bigger fan!

Nothing, absolutely nothing, prepared me for this one.  I’ve read enough buzz about this book to be warned that it was going to knock me off of my feet but wow…just how much I had no idea.

It is impossible to trust any of the characters in this book; each has some sort of ulterior motive.  Just when I thought I had everything figured out, I was completely taken off base by the concluding chapters.  Sure, its a twisty read full of red-herrings and tangents.  But *insert all the expletives*, this one took me for a loop!

Readers of this novel, in order to appreciate the pure impact, must be able to suspend disbelief, or at least be willing to embrace some truly unbelievable plot twists.  All this said, it’s completely and totally worth it.  I can’t recall a book leaving my mind so jumbled and confused (in the very best ways, of course).

Bottom line: this is THE psychological suspense novel of 2017. I dare not compare it to previous works, for it truly and genuinely stands out on it’s own. Highly, highly recommended.

Posted in Review, Thriller | 3 Comments

Review: Small Admissions by Amy Poeppel

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Review: Small Admissions by Amy PoeppelSmall Admissions by Amy Poeppel
Published by Simon and Schuster on December 27th 2016
Genres: Coming of Age, Contemporary Women, Fiction, Literary
Pages: 368
Format: Hardcover
Source: Publisher
Kate Pearson is quite certain that she and her French boyfriend will marry.  When the opposite happens, and he dumps her, she's heartbroken.  She sinks into a deep depression, her days spent alone in her pajamas.

Eventually, somehow she manages to attain a job as an admissions director at a highly desired New York City school, despite having zero experience and completely bombing the interview. This position requires her to interview children of all sorts, from charming and intelligent to obnoxiously spoiled and entitled brats.  An even further challenge: the elitist parents unable to accept no for an answer.

Without realizing it, Kate discovers that first impressions determine one's fate, and that there is no room in such a world for self-pity or doubt.  Unbeknownst to her family, who is desperate to help Kate get back on her feet, Kate embarks on a remarkable journey in which she learns that one's happiness doesn't depend on others, but one's own self-worth.

I absolutely love when a book takes you by surprise, overwhelming and lifting you up in ways unimaginable.

When I read the premise of this book, I thought it was a light, fluffy read, perfect airplane reading for my  multiple business trips. What I experienced instead was a completely heartwarming, endearing read.

Kate is quite the pathetic character, and I do mean that in the nicest way possible.  She’s hit rock bottom, allowing one man to determine her fate and self-worth.  At first that annoyed me; I tend to get quite irritated with individuals lacking in pride and self-esteem, but following her on this highly humorous (so much so that I found myself laughing out loud on the plane) journey was completely rewarding.

What I also appreciated was the relationships between the women in this book.  While I won’t go into depth about those as it is best to experience them yourself, it was interesting to see how concerned they were about Kate’s well-being, when they really needed to take a step back and deal with their own personal drama!

All in all, this is the sort of book that will lift your spirit, no matter your mood.  Highly, highly recommended.

Posted in General Fiction, Review | 5 Comments

Batgirl at Super Hero High (DC Super Hero Girls) by Lisa Yee

Batgirl at Super Hero High (DC Super Hero Girls) by Lisa YeeBatgirl at Super Hero High by Lisa Yee
Also by this author: Supergirl at Super Hero High
Published by Random House Children's Books on January 3, 2017
Genres: Action & Adventure, Comics & Graphic Novels, General, Media Tie-In, Superheroes, Young Adult
Pages: 240
Format: Hardcover
Barbara Gordon has always been a brilliantly talented student. As a friend of Supergirl, her tech wiz skills are recognized and she's given the chance of a lifetime: to become a student at Super Hero High.  Unlike her friend and the other students at Super Hero High, she doesn't have super powers like the ability to fly or enormous strength.  That said, she is ready to prove her ability to join the ranks of such an elite student body.

This is now the third book I’ve read in this series and it may very well be my favorite.  I believe it serves an important message to young girls, those who have been immersed in stories and movies about famous male super heroes, now given the ability to read about female super heroes.

In this case, Barbara Gordon/Supergirl, is a brilliant student. While skills as a tech guru aren’t in question, her father, Police Commissioner Gordon, fears for her safety.  He has full knowledge of the danger these super heroes are put in on a daily basis.  Also, her abilities to perform as a super hero are questioned, simply because she’s a young girl.

Yee so expertly portrays a strong, brilliantly talented young girl, a computer nerd.  I believe young girls of all ages will connect with her as a character; she’s quite easy to connect with due to her genuine character.  The fact that she doesn’t have any obvious super powers allows young female readers to realize it doesn’t take the ability to fly or lift heavy objects to be a super hero.

I can’t wait to read more into this series. I commend the publisher for providing these series to young girls! Highly recommended, not just to young girls, but readers of both sexes!  A truly engaging and fun read!

Posted in Kid-Lit/Middle Grade, Random House, Review | 2 Comments

Review: Two Days Gone by Randall Silvis

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Review: Two Days Gone by Randall SilvisTwo Days Gone by Randall Silvis
Published by Sourcebooks, Inc. on January 10th 2017
Genres: Crime, Fiction, General, Mystery & Detective, Police Procedural, Thrillers
Pages: 400
Format: eARC
Source: the publisher
Thomas Huston had what was seemingly the perfect life.  A college professor and best-selling author, he and his wife and children had everything.  Until after one night, that perfection was shattered. His family is found brutally murdered.  Missing, Huston is immediately made the prime suspect.

Sergeant Ryan DeMarco is leading the investigation.  He's Huston's acquaintance and cant' help but wonder what causes a man to snap and destroy everything he holds so dear to his heart.  Yet if he wasn't guilty, why is he fleeing from the police? And how does an incomplete manuscript he's left behind tie to his family's murder?

 

 

Wow. This is certainly not a book for the faint of heart.  From the very beginning, Silvis takes his reader into a dark and harrowing journey.  The slaughter (there isn’t really any other way to to describe it) of his family will shock you and break your heart, instantly evoking a strong feeling of hatred for Thomas Huston.   The author doesn’t attempt to influence or alter your opinion with any indication of hope; it is only by following the investigation and Huston’s own hunt for answers that will lead the reader to the truth, no matter how shocking.

I must say, this is quite the captivating read.  That said, when a morsel of information was revealed, I was quickly able to surmise the identity of the killer, though there was still a quarter of the book to read.  That said, I don’t feel the pages were worthless, they did add some dimension to the storyline and allow for what I assume to be subsequent books in this series.

Without a doubt, this was one of those books that grips you from the beginning. Though there were some bits that seemed to wane in intensity, it all quickly picked up in a matter of time.  That beginning, though, may be too devastating for readers to get over.  Once that feat is attained, they are quickly rewarded with a truly intense read.  Recommended (with warning).

 

Posted in Mystery/Suspense, Review, Thriller | 3 Comments

Review: Little Heaven by Nick Cutter

Review: Little Heaven by Nick CutterLittle Heaven by Nick Cutter
Published by Simon and Schuster on January 10th 2017
Genres: Fiction, General, Horror, Suspense, Thrillers
Pages: 496
An unlikely trio of mercenaries is hired for a seemingly easy job: to check on a young boy, held by his father in a remote settlement in New Mexico called Little Heaven.  When they arrive, they discover a sickly group of individuals, led by a single religious leader.  Children have gone missing in the surrounding woods, a dark and chilling setting, all in the shadow of the foreboding Black Rock. Something has drawn the leader of Little Heaven to this land...and that something has now invaded Little Heaven.

Egads, this book is spooky.  Having ready Cutter’s previous works, I thought I was prepared for this one. Clearly, that wasn’t the case.  This is the type of horror that chills you from the core, an evil that reminds me of Clive Barker’s work…yet still more terrifying.

Told in two time periods, fifteen years apart.  Cutter builds up the main characters (Minerva, Eb, and Micah) slowly and deliberately, providing a pretty good foundation for readers to embrace. My only issue is that I feel this really could have been split up into two novels.  The first time period covers the trio’s first visit to Little Heaven, the second is fifteen years later when they are forced to return.  I felt that more time was spent on the earlier time period, leaving the latter to feel rushed and not as developed.  I felt invested enough in each of the characters that this leap to the “present” feels me wanting to know more about what has happened in the time in between.

All in all, though, a terrifyingly good read.  Certainly not for the weak of heart and mind…

Posted in Horror, Review | Leave a comment

Book Club Discussions: Favorites of 2016

OMPBookClub

 

The fiction book club I lead at One More Page Books kicks off the new year by talking about our favorite reads of the previous year.  We call it a book club potluck: instead of food we bring book recommendations! This aren’t necessarily book club picks, but books we’ve read outside of book club that we’ve really enjoyed. Additionally, they don’t have to have been published recently, simply books we’ve read in the last year. You can check out our 2012 , 2013,  2014  and 2015 favorites.

Since it was the first day many people went back to work after the holidays, we only had about 5 (counting me) of our 10-12 usual attendance.  Size doesn’t matter, however.  We still came up with quite a list.

Fiction:

A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams
The Choices We Make by Karma Brown
The Ramblers by Aidan Donnelley Rowley
Jane Steele by Lyndsay Faye *
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman (one of our book club picks, a favorite by all!)
Monsters: A Love Story by Liz Kay
A Certain Age by Beatriz Williams (another book club pick; we adore Williams’ writing!)
Homecoming by Yaa Gyasi
A Study in Scarlet Women by Sherry Thomas
Eligible: A modern retelling of Pride and Prejudice by Curtis Sittenfeld
The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead

 

Non-Fiction:

Grandma Gatewood’s Walk: The Inspiring Story of the Woman Who Saved the Appalachian Trail by Ben Montgomery
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
Books for Living by Will Schwalbe
Blood in the Water: The Attica Prison Uprising of 1971 and Its Legacy by Heather Ann Thompson
Once a Runner by John L. Parker Jr

 

Additionally, I shared my lengthy list of favorites as well!

Does your book club do something similar?

Posted in Book Club Discussion | Leave a comment

Review: The Sleepwalker by Chris Bohjalian

Review: The Sleepwalker by Chris BohjalianThe Sleepwalker by Chris Bohjalian
Also by this author: The Guest Room
Published by Doubleday Books on January 10, 2017
Genres: Fiction, Psychological, Romance, Suspense, Thrillers
Pages: 416
When her daughters awake to find their mother, Annalee Ahlberg, missing, they immediately concerned.  Annalee suffers from a severe case of sleepwalking; the severity of which is rare and alarming.  Typically, the damage done is minimal, including damage to the family's hydrangeas. Yet, on one occasion, her adult daughter, Lianna, finds her mere moments before she falls off the bridge into the river.

Their father, Warren, flies home from a business trip.  Lianna and her teen sister, Paige, are questioned by the police. A search team scours the woods near their home. The only evidence is a swatch of fabric from Annalee's nightshirt, found hanging from a tree branch.  Most assume she is dead, yet one of the detectives, Gavin Rikert, is unable to let go of hope. Lianna is drawn to Gavin, for he has a strange connection to her mother.

As the investigation continues, Lianna uncovers a great deal about her mother's ailment, including the reasons why she only seems to sleepwalk when her husband is away.  Succumbed to the fact her mother has died, the family struggles to trace her steps that final night, no matter the consequences.

While I’m aware of parasomnia, or sleepwalking, I don’t suppose I was quite as familiar with its severity or symptoms. Without relaying too much of the plot, Bohjalian digs deep into this sleep disorder and the various versions of its manifestations.

This novel, at its heart, is not only the mystery of a woman’s disappearance, but the uncovering of family secrets left buried or hidden, for the sake of protecting the ones they held so dear. The author takes the reader on a whirlwind of a experience, leading us down wavering paths that we believe lead to answers.  Just when you think you have it all figured it out, the truth is revealed, one that completely took me off guard.

Though there are aspects of this novel that are graphic and hard to read, the author uses this technique not for shock and awe, but to provide a true and genuine experience.  The story is told from two perspectives: Lianna’s and an unknown individual, whose perspective is told through a series of journal entries.  The reader is kept in the dark about this individual’s identity, leaving us to question just who to trust.

All in all, this was a completely engaging, informative, and yes, heartbreaking read.  This was my last read of 2016, my first review of 2017.  Thank you, Chris Bojalian, for setting the bar high!

Posted in Mystery/Suspense, Review | 1 Comment

Year in Review: Best Books of 2016

bestbooks2016

It’s quite interesting; I’ve been sitting here the last few weeks trying to squeeze in some 2016 reads in the hopes of adding them to this list.  For the last two months, I haven’t been able to find many books to keep my attention.  I blame it on my inability to turn my mind off from all the insanity that is happening in our country and world.   So, I assumed this meant I had a less than spectacular reading year.

Yet, as I pulled my monthly favorites together to create this “Best of” list, it was rewarding and heartwarming to be reminded of all the great reads I experienced in 2016.

They are broken down by a mismatch of categories.  Each title is a link, which will take you to my review of that title.  There are a few titles on this list that I read, yet couldn’t seem to put my feelings into words, the titles were that good.

Literary Fiction

General Fiction

Suspense/Thriller

Horror/Fantasy/Paranormal

Historical Fiction:

Nonfiction:

Middle Grade/Young Adult

What were your favorite reads of 2016?

Posted in Bookish Chatter | 5 Comments

Review: A Boy Named Christmas by Matt Haig

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Review: A Boy Named Christmas by Matt HaigA Boy Called Christmas by Matt Haig
Published by Random House Children's Books on November 1, 2016
Genres: Christmas & Advent, Fantasy & Magic, Holidays & Celebrations, Young Adult
Pages: 240
Format: Hardcover
Source: the publisher
Nikolas is an eleven-year-old boy who, despite not having much in life, believes in the impossible. Nicknamed "Christmas" after the day on which he was born, Nikolas has only received two gifts in his life: a wooden sleigh his father built him and a doll made from a turnip, made by his mother, now deceased.  They are his prized possessions, for they were made out of love by those who love him.

When his wood chopper father goes on an adventure to the great north to prove the existence of Elfhelm, Nikolas is left with his cruel aunt. Unable to bear it any longer, he runs away, desperate to find his now-missing father. On his journey, he discovers that the fate of the holiday spirit and all things joyful are in his hands. A witty and warm Christmas story, certain to bring happiness and joy to readers of all ages!

I’m a sucker for retellings of the story of Santa Claus.  Add the fact that this is written by Matt Haig, author of a few of my favorite adult novels like The Humans and The Radleys and I’m sold!

That said, it’s not all happiness and glee.  Haig does quite accurately pick up on the dark side of people, namely greed.  I think the two actually go hand-in hand, reminding readers that there is a message behind the holiday, a holiday that can easily force celebrants to succumb to greed.

Though labeled as a middle-grade (and the main character is eleven), I would actually raise the age limit to higher middle grade/pre-teen.  There are some rough subjects addressed; readers of a younger age may be uncomfortable or unable to handle the darker aspects of the story.

As an adult, however, I enjoyed the wit and charm of the story.  It’s a quick-read, given the writing style.  Additionally, illustrations by Chris Mould really add depth and humor to the story!

All in all, a fun holiday read.  Highly recommended.

Posted in Review | Leave a comment

Audio book Review: Echo by Pam Muñoz Ryan

Audio book Review: Echo by Pam Muñoz RyanEcho by Pam Muñoz Ryan
Published by Scholastic Inc. on February 24th 2015
Genres: General, Historical, Music, Performing Arts, Social Themes, Young Adult
Pages: 592
Lost in the Black Forest, young Otto meets three sisters.  There, he hears of their unwritten story and the powerful magic behind a single harmonica.

Decades later, Fredrich lives in Germany with his father, uncle, and sister.  Hitler's reign is in full force, tearing this family apart. Fredrich fears for what Hitler's reign will do to those close to him, while his sister decides to do the unbelievable and vows her support to the Nazi movement. Fredrich's only solace his his music, for he has dreams of becoming a conductor.  Music moves something within his soul, something that must lay abandoned for fear of being transported off to a work camp.

Mike and his younger brother are orphans in Pennsylvania. With the orphanage filled to capacity, their fate is at risk.  They had hopes of being adopted together, into a family surrounded by music. They, too, cross paths with a harmonica, one that seemingly calls out to them, leading their fate.
Posted in Audiobook, Fantasty, Historical Fiction, Review, Scholastic, YA | 1 Comment