The Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel

Advance Reader's Edition

I received an advance reader's edition of The Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel from GoodReads Giveaways for Free in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. The Roanoke Girls is the first novel I've read by Amy Engel.

I read The Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel in three days. Wow, just wow, Amy Engel's writing is really, really good!! She's a great storyteller and love the way in which Ms. Engel tells the story of the Roanoke girls... Ms. Engel weaves the past and the present in alternating chapters, along with a single short chapter about each Roanoke girl (accept for Lane Roanoke as she is the leading character of the novel) interspersed throughout the novel. 

I loved the characters within The Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel. They are flawed and damaged and really well written... There are dark and twisted family secrets in The Roanoke Girls. I came to dislike Gran and Granddad Roanoke for reasons that I don't want to discuss at this time as it would be a spoiler for those who've yet to read this novel. My favorite characters from The Roanoke Girls are Lane Roanoke and Cooper Sullivan.

The Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel will be released on Tuesday, March 7, 2017. I highly recommend reading this novel.

The following is a plot summary for The Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel from Amazon:

“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 am giving The Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel a rating of 5 stars out of 5 stars. The Roanoke Girls is the 34th book I've read this year and is only the second book I've given a 5 star rating during 2017.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

The Familiar Dark by Amy Engel

I read the uncorrected paperback proof edition of The Familiar Dark by Amy Engel in three days! 

I received The Familiar Dark by Amy Engel through Goodreads Giveaways earlier this year. Below is my honest unbiased review of The Familiar Dark by Amy Engel.

First off, let me begin by saying that The Familiar Dark by Amy Engel is the second novel I've read and reviewed by the author. I read The Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel (click on the link to read my review) in March 2017 and LOVED this novel... So I couldn't wait to hunker down and read The Familiar Dark. 

I wasn't disappointed! Amy Engel has another winner of a novel with The Familiar Dark. Engel's writing is great... Crisp and engaging from start to finish! I loved the twists and turns in this novel along with the red herrings. If you like mysteries/thrillers with dark, gritty characters, then The Familiar Dark by Amy Engel may be the novel for you! 

The Familiar Dark by Amy Engel will be released March 31, 2020.

The following is a plot summary for The Familiar Darkby Amy Engel from Goodreads:

A spellbinding story of a mother with nothing left to lose who sets out on an all-consuming quest for justice after her daughter is murdered on the town playground.

Sometimes the answers are worse than the questions. Sometimes it's better not to know.

Set in the poorest part of the Missouri Ozarks, in a small town with big secrets, The Familiar Dark opens with a murder. Eve Taggert, desperate with grief over losing her daughter, takes it upon herself to find out the truth about what happened. Eve is no stranger to the dark side of life, having been raised by a hard-edged mother whose lessons Eve tried not to pass on to her own daughter. But Eve may need her mother's cruel brand of strength if she's going to face the reality about her daughter's death and about her own true nature. Her quest for justice takes her from the seedy underbelly of town to the quiet woods and, most frighteningly, back to her mother's trailer for a final lesson.

The Familiar Dark is a story about the bonds of family--women doing the best they can for their daughters in dire circumstances--as well as a story about how even the darkest and most terrifying of places can provide the comfort of home.

I am giving The Familiar Dark by Amy Engel 4.5 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Ice Cream Book Tag

I discovered the Ice Cream Book Tag  through Alexa Loves Books Vlog (Or is it called a Book Tube Channel on YouTube??) 

Alexa is a blogger I have followed for quite a few years now as she provides really good content on both her blog and vlog! Alexa's YouTube Channel is a lot of fun and regularly features her husband, Macky, as well. 

The above link takes you to the Alexa Loves Books video on YouTube, where Alexa and Macky give their answers to the Ice Cream Book Tag.

I decided to participate in the Ice Cream Book Tag. Read my answers below.

QUESTIONS:

1. Vanilla - A book you wish had more flavor: 

The Exile: An Outlander Graphic Novel by Diana Gabaldon and Hoang Nguyen (Illustrator). I love the 'Outlander' series. So with that said, I was excited to obtain and read the graphic novel, The Exile, as it's told through the point of view of Jamie Fraser (verses Claire in the original series). 

Although, I enjoyed seeing Hoang Nguyen's illustrations (they are beautiful) for The Exile, I didn't think his illustrations looked like what I envisioned the male characters from the 'Outlander' series to look like... In fact, all the male characters look pretty much the same throughout The Exile and were difficult to tell apart throughout this graphic novel. The story/plot were pretty vanilla/watered down compared with an 800+ page novel. 

I felt like The Exile: An Outlander Graphic Novel by Diana Gabaldon and Hoang Nguyen had so much potential, but fell really short on delivering appeal.

2. Chocolate - A long book or an immersive world that you enjoyed indulging in: 

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon fits the bill for this category! At 850 pages, this historical novel deals with time travel and Scottish and English history. It is an amazing and captivating read!!

3. Strawberry - A romance that was super sweet: 

Hazel & Augustus Waters from The Fault In Our Stars by John Green --- These two teens in this novel have a very sweet romance.

4. Ice cream sundae - A book encompassing all the elements you love: 

Again so many novels fit the bill for this one that it is tough to narrow down my answer! I am going to choose a novel I read earlier this year titled, The Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel. 

This book was an arc that I'd received through Goodreads Giveaways. I'd never read anything by Amy Engel before, so I didn't know what to expect when I began reading this novel. Let's just say that I was blown away by Amy Engel's writing and storytelling! 

Here are a few of the things I liked most about The Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel:

1. Writing style and storytelling are two important key factors in me loving a novel and The Roanoke Girls contains great writing and storytelling. 

2. The characters in The Roanoke Girls are dark, damaged, and flawed (not something I go for or like necessarily). The characters are very well developed and have you wanting to learn more about them as the novel unfolds, which is key for me to liking characters... Characters, whether likable or not, must provoke some sort of strong (and believable enough) reaction to be interesting enough that you want to see what happens to them over the long haul.

3. I like the alternating chapters in this novel told by the various Roanoke Girls with the longest chapters be told through the point of view of the leading character, Lane Roanoke.

5. Milkshake - A book that blends genres:

The Horse Mistress by R. A. Steffan.... This novel blends historical fiction with elements of erotica, paranormal, and lgbt themes altogether in one novel.

6. Sprinkles - A book with a colorful cover:

Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert... This nonfiction book is an awesome read and not just for creative types either. I love Big Magic and highly recommend it.

7. Ice cream cake - A book worthy of a celebration Ice cream cookie sandwich or three scoops on a cone - a book with multiple perspectives:

The Vegetarian by Han Kang is a novel about a woman named Yeong-hye, who essentially goes mad... But The Vegetatian isn't told through Yeong-hye's point of view... It's about Yeong-hye through the point of view of her husband, brother-in-law, and her sister. 

The Vegetarian is a really well written novel. I really enjoyed reading it.

8. Waffle cone - A book you felt compelled to read very quickly: 

So, many books fit this category for me because if it is a book I am really enjoying, then I look forward to finishing it asap!!

Kentucky On The Rocks by Gwendolyn Grace fits the bill on this one!! Gotta love hot, sexy romance reads every so often.

9. Pint - A book you set aside but plan on going back to later:


The Fortune Cookie Chronicles: Adventures in the World of Chinese Food by Jennifer 8 Lee. 

I love Chinese food and nonfiction books about food, so The Fortune Cookie Chronicles is right up my alley... But for some reason I put this book on hold last summer and have not gotten back to it yet. I do look forward to finishing this book at some point though.

10. Your preference - cup or cone? 

CUP most definitely!! I don't want to have to deal with ice cream dripping down the side of my cone and onto my fingers. Plus, if I need to be hands free for a second or two, I can't put the cone down.

11. Your preference - favorite flavor?

Oy, really??? I have to pick one single flavor I love the most?? Are you kidding me?? That's so difficult to do! I love so many different flavors of ice cream.... I love just about anything with chocolate, unless it contains marshmallows, as that's just YUCKY!! Can you tell I am not a Rocky Road fan? Coffee flavored ice cream is really good too. Plus, any ice cream that has crunchy bits in it like cookies or candies like toffee bits are yummy. I also enjoy unique flavors of ice cream like lavender, cardamom, eggnog, pistachio, bubblegum (not mixed together, of course), etc...

But if I had to pick just one flavor of ice cream to live with for the rest of my life, I'd go completely old school and pick Baskin Robbins Chocolate and Peanut Butter Ice Cream.

12. Your preference - toppings? 

It depends on my mood, whether I want a topping or not.

13. Your preference - favorite local ice creamery 

Smitten Ice Cream as this place has unique seasonal flavors you cannot find anywhere else.... Yum!

14. Best shared with friends - who do you tag?

Anyone reading this post who would like to participate in the Ice Cream Book Tag, please consider yourself tagged! Share a link to your Ice Cream Book Tag post in the comment section below as I'd like to read your answers for each section.

I hope you enjoyed reading my answers to the Ice Cream Book Tag! Until my next post, happy reading!

Throwback Thursday - Reminiscing on Some of My 2017 Blog Posts!!

 

It's been fun reminiscing with regards to the blog posts I've made over the years!! I try to pick some of the most unique posts I've shared to my blog from 2017. Click on the links below to read what I've written.

1. The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating by Elisabeth Tova Bailey

I was blown away by just how much I enjoyed reading this book. The writing is exquisite. The author, Elisabeth Tova Bailey, came down with a mysterious virus, which leaves her weak and virtually bedridden for many years. During this time she begins studying mollusks after watching a live snail on a plant she'd been given as a gift. 

2. 8 Hacks For Spending Less While Reading More

I was familiar with 7 of the 8 hacks for spending less while reading more!! But am always on the look out for how to spend less on reading whenever possible.

3. Tender Wings of Desire by Colonel Sanders

I couldn't believe that Kentucky Friend Chicken actually came out with a romance novella featuring Colonel Harland Sanders as a character... I figured this novella would be super cheesy! Seriously, have you seen the book cover?? The book cover is super cheesy looking... However, Tender Wings of Desire by Colonel Sanders was FREE and a short read, so figured what did I have to lose? I could always stop reading this novella if it wasn't very good. Surprisingly though, Tender Wings of Desire by Colonel Sanders was actually decent.

4. Recipe for Murder: Frightfully Good Food Inspired by Fiction by Estérelle Payany

I love the layout and how the information is presented in Recipe for Murder: Frightfully Good Food Inspired by Fiction by Estérelle Payany! A page or two is devoted to the villain, then a short excerpt from where the villain is found in literature is presented, which is then followed by a recipe that would be perfect for the the said villain. Plus, the amazing vintage artwork/graphics by Jean-Francois Martin are sprinkled throughout this book as well. I loved the author's sense of humor too in Recipe for Murder: Frightfully Good Food Inspired by Fiction by Estérelle Payany.

5. Alana Dakos --- Knitter, Knit Designer, Author, Business Owner, Knitting Instructor, & More!

I am a knitter. So, in 2017, I was thrilled to learn that Alana Dakos would be at a local independent yarn store. I was thrilled to meet her in person and have her sign two copies of knitting books she had written!

6. English novelist Kazuo Ishiguro wins the 2017 Nobel Prize in Literature!

Every October, I am on pins and needles waiting to learn who will win the Nobel Prize for Literature... And it's so difficult to know who's going to actually win the Nobel Prize for Literature. Sometimes the Nobel Prize for Literature goes to an author I've heard of before and other times I've never heard of the author before ever... So the news as to the winner's identity of the Nobel Prize in Literature always makes for interesting reading to say the least.

7. Joyce Maynard ~ Author Speaking Event!!

It's so cool that our local, public library has hosted several author events. I had the wonderful opportunity to attend one of these events and meet Joyce Maynard in person. Fun event for sure!!

8. Lisa See ~ Author Signing Event!!

It was so much fun hearing Lisa See speak about her novel, The Tea Girl on Hummingbird Lane, and obtain a signed copy before leaving!!

9. Several Ways Readers Can Support The Women's Movement On 'A Day Without A Woman'

I loved the idea behind 'A Day Without A Woman'!! Click on the above link to read more!!

10. The Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel

I received an advance reader's edition of this novel and loved it!! Amy Engel has become a new favorite writer.

Throwback Thursday - 12 Novels Written By Women That Are Worth The Read!!

March is Women's History Month. So for this post I've decided to do a slight twist and focus on novels (vs women's history specifically) written by women that are very much worth the read in my humble opinion.

Below are twelve novels written by women that I've read and reviewed here on my blog. Each of the novels are extremely well written. I enjoyed reading each of them and would enjoy reading them again as they're all thought provoking in one way or another.

Additionally, all of these novels would make great book club reads as I think each novel would generate loads of discussion among book club readers.

Click on the links below to read my review of each of the following novels listed should you care to read/learn more about each novel and why I liked reading it.

1. All Is Not Forgotten by Wendy Walker

2. Juliet Takes A Breath by Gabby Rivera

3. The Giver by Lois Lowry

4. Asking For It by Louise O'Neill

5. The Vegetarian by Han Kang

6. An American Marriage by Tayari Jones

7. The Last Runaway by Tracy Chevalier

8. The Second Mrs. Hockaday by Susan Rivers

9. An Untamed State by Roxane Gay

10. Saving Ruby King by Catherine Adel King

11. The Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel

12. The Familiar Dark by Amy Engel

Have you read any of the above novels? Did you like them as much as I did? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Top Ten Tuesday - 20 Favorite Books Released In the Last Ten Years

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme hosted by Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl. Top Ten Tuesday was originally created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

I found it very difficult to narrow down the books I've read that were published in the past ten years and have become my favorites! 

The first 10 books are nonfiction and the last 10 books are fiction. I've added links to my reviews for each book.

1. Paris, My Sweet: A Year in the City of Light (and Dark Chocolate) by Amy Thomas

2. Stoned: Jewelry, Obsession, and How Desire Shapes the World by Aja Raden

3. Mind Over Medicine: Scientific Proof That You Can Heal Yourself by Lissa Rankin

4. We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

5. Life's Work: A Moral Argument for Choice by Dr. Willie Parker

6. The Rules Do Not Apply by Ariel Levy

7. My Life on the Road by Gloria Steinem

8. The Assassination of the Archduke by Greg King & Sue Woolmans

9. Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert

10. The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating by Elisabeth Tova Bailey

11. An Untamed State by Roxane Gay

12. All Is Not Forgotten by Wendy Walker

13. The Second Mrs. Hockaday by Susan Rivers

14. The Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel

15. Juliet Takes A Breath by Gabby Rivera

16. Yellow Crocus by Laila Ibrahim

17. An American Marriage by Tayari Jones

18. Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

19. Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers

20. Mortal Heart by Robin LaFevers

So which books released in the past ten years are your favorite books?

Top Ten Tuesday - Books You’d be a Fool Not to Read

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme hosted by Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl. Top Ten Tuesday was originally created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

This was a tough list to comprise for me!! Do I pick audiobooks? Do I select nonfiction or nonfiction books? Do I chose from a specific genre? So many choices to choose from when considering which books to add to this week's Top Ten Tuesday post.

I chose to go with fiction novels and no specific genre chosen for the following list of books. I absolutely loved the following novels and wouldn't hesitate recommending them to others. All of these novels are well written and most of them provide thought provoking characters and content. 

Click on the links to read my review of each novel.

1. All Is Not Forgotten by Wendy Walker
2. The Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel
3. The Familiar Dark by Amy Engel
4. The Last Runaway by Tracy Chevalier
5. The Second Mrs. Hockaday by Susan Rivers

6. The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt

7. The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
8. The Vegetarian by Han Kang

9. Asking For It by Louise O'Neill

10. An Untamed State by Roxane Gay

I'm curious, have you read any of the novels I've listed in this week's Top Ten Tuesday post?

Top Ten Tuesday - Books That Surprised Me In A Good Way!

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme hosted by Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl. Top Ten Tuesday was originally created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

I've selected books by authors that either I'd never heard of before reading their book or had heard of before, but felt neutral about their book before reading it.

 Click on links below to read my review for each book.

1. I Am Livia by Phyllis T. Smith - Historical fiction set in Roman times. Not boring, but intriguing!
2. Yellow Crocus by Laila Ibrahim - Historical fiction set in the US during slavery. I loved the characters and the storyline. Very well written.
3. The Second Mrs. Hockaday by Susan Rivers - Another historical fiction novel set during the civil war. Wonderfully written.
4. The Space Between Us by Thrity Umrigar - Set in India. Shows the dichotomy between the wealthy and the poor.
5. The Good Traitor by Ryan Quinn - If you love reading thriller novels, then this is the one for you!
6. The Selkie Spell by Sophie Moss - The 1st novel in a trilogy and is set in Ireland. I love this novel.
7. The Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel - Great storytelling! Deep, dark family secrets/scandal.
8. The Girl Who Stopped Swimming by Joshilyn Jackson - Set in the US. Well written. Loved the story and characters.
9. A Life In Parts by Bryan Cranston - I enjoyed watching Bryan Cranston in 'Breaking Bad', but knew nothing about his personal life. I was surprised how much I enjoyed reading his memoir. 
10. Paris, My Sweet: A Year in the City of Light (and Dark Chocolate) by Amy Thomas - This is another memoir.... It's about sweets and the quest for delicious pastries/desserts and much more... So, if you're a foodie and you like all things sweets related, then you'll love reading this memoir.

Which books have you read that have surprised you in a good way? 

Top Ten Tuesday - FREEBIE - Books I’m Worried I Might Not Love as Much the Second Time Around

 

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme hosted by Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl. Top Ten Tuesday was originally created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

Occasionally, I reread books. Sometimes I still love the books when I reread them, but other books I've reread, not so much. It's a crapshoot.

There are several books I've absolutely LOVED reading and have considered rereading... BUT, will I still love them as much as I did the first time around? 

Below are ten books I'm worried I might not love as much the second time around.

1. The Master & Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov

2. Queenie by Michael Korda

3. Portrait of a Killer: Jack the Ripper--Case Closed by Patricia Cornwell

4. The Familiar Dark by Amy Engel

5. The Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel

6. All Is Not Forgotten by Wendy Walker

7. Loser by Jerry Spinelli

8. Wringer by Jerry Spinelli

9. East of Eden by John Steinbeck

10. And Then There Was None by Agatha Christie

Top Ten Tuesday - Books I Want to Re-Read

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme hosted by Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl. Top Ten Tuesday was originally created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

I've done this post several times previously already. Some books are the same from previous posts. A few are new to the list.

1. The Master & Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov

2. The Hero of Our Time by Mikhail Lermontov

3. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne

4. East of Eden by John Steinbeck

5. Why We Can't Wait by Martin Luther King, Junior

6. The Familiar Dark by Amy Engel

7. The Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel

8. All Is Not Forgotten by Wendy Walker

9. Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

10. Suggestible You by Erik Vance

Have you read any of the books mentioned in my post this week?

Top Ten Tuesday --- Best Books I've Read In 2017 So Far

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created here at The Broke and the Bookish. This feature was created because we are particularly fond of lists here at The Broke and the Bookish. We'd love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

Each week we will post a new Top Ten list that one of our bloggers here at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone is welcome to join. All we ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so that everyone can check out other bloggers lists! If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. Have fun with it! It's a fun way to get to know your fellow bloggers.

The following is my list of best reads for 2017 so far.

1. Kentucky On The Rocks by Gwendolyn Grace

2. The Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel

3. The Sound Of A Wild Snail Eating by Elisabeth Tova Bailey

4. Juliet Takes A Breath by Gabby Rivera

5. Bone Deep by Bonnie Dee

6. Imperfect Chemistry by Mary Frame

7. Eat Dirt by Josh Axe

8. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo

9. All By My Selfie by Jo Noelle

10. Deenie by Judy Blume

So, which books have been your favorite reads so far this year?

Top Ten Tuesday -- Top Ten Favorite Books of 2017

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created here at The Broke and the Bookish. This feature was created because we are particularly fond of lists here at The Broke and the Bookish. We'd love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

Each week we will post a new Top Ten list that one of our bloggers here at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone is welcome to join. All we ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so that everyone can check out other bloggers lists! If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. Have fun with it! It's a fun way to get to know your fellow bloggers.

My list features books that I not only gave a high rating, but would also reread again in a heartbeat!

1. The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating by Elisabeth Tova Bailey
2. The Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel
3. The Second Mrs. Hockaday by Susan Rivers
4. Kentucky on the Rocks by Gwendolyn Grace
5. Bone Deep by Bonnie Dee (Read this book twice this year!!)
6. Imperfect Chemistry by Mary Frame
7. The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo
8. The Vegetarian by Han Kang
9. Juliet Takes A Breath by Gabby Rivera
10. Caleb's Crossing by Geraldine Brooks

Which books were your favorites in 2017??

2017 Second Quarter Reading Update

2017 is officially halfway over with, can you believe it?? I've read a total of 100 reads this year so far, which seems unfathomable to me as I've never read this much before in previous years to my knowledge.

Some of my best reads this year have included the following:

1. Kentucky On The Rocks by Gwendolyn Grace

2. The Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel

3. The Sound Of A Wild Snail Eating by Elisabeth Tova Bailey

4. Juliet Takes A Breath by Gabby Rivera

5. Bone Deep by Bonnie Dee

6. Imperfect Chemistry by Mary Frame

7. Eat Dirt by Josh Axe

8. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo

9. All By My Selfie by Jo Noelle

10. Deenie by Judy Blume
11. Hollywood Moon by Joseph Wambaugh

I've also visited 13 new to me Little Free Libraries and exchanged books, which has been fun.

I've enjoyed seeing and hearing author, Lisa See, speak at a local independent book. 

Plus, I also attended the 2017 Bay Area Book Festival in Berkeley, California for the 3rd year in a row and had a blast. I attended three of the author speaking events and had five of my books sign by the author! Seeing and meeting Roxane Gay, Cornelia Funke, Aya de Leon, and Cathryn Jakobson Ramin at the Bay Area Book Festival was awesome.

How's your year in reading been going so far this year??

Underrated American Authors - These Writers Are Gems!

With it being the 250th anniversary of the United States of America this month on July 4th, it occurred to me to promote a few American authors that need more love! 

I came across this idea from a YouTuber. I decided to make my own list of underrated American authors that perhaps need more attention. Sure it's easy to list Octavia Butler, Joyce Carol Oates, Toni Morrison, Mark Twain, Louisa May Alcott, Pearl S. Buck, Kate Chopin, and so on. But who are some other, not so well known American writers who are gems?

I had a difficult time making this list because it's difficult to come up with American authors that I have read and consider underrated gems! It's a tall order for sure. I've added links to most of my reviews for each novel below. Check out the list below.

1. The Seas by Samantha Hunt

2. Jubilee by Margaret Walker

3. The True Story of Hansel & Gretel by Louise Murphy

4. These Women by Ivy Pochoda

5. The Familiar Dark & The Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel

6. Saving Ruby King by Catherine Adel West

7. The Second Mrs. Hockaday by Susan Rivers

8. Woodworking by Emily St. James

9. His Fair Assassin Trilogy by Robin LaFevers

10.  All Is Not Forgotten by Wendy Walker

Have you read any of the above authors? Which American authors would make your list of underrated ones?

2017 First Quarter Wrap Up Post!!

I can't believe the first quarter of 2017 has come to a close already!! Seriously, where does the time go?! I know, I know, I practically say this every quarter, but it is true... Time seems to fly by.

I've had a really great quarter in terms of reading! I've read a total of 52 books so far this year, which essentially means that I am averaging 17.33 books a month!! This is pretty awesome as I have not read this many books in such a short amount time before that I know of anyway.

So far this year, I've only given 3 books a rating of 5 stars out of 5 stars. So, my top three reads are as follows:

The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating by Elisabeth Tova Bailey
The Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel
Kentucky on the Rocks by Gwendolyn Grace

I've also given a lot of other books a 4 to 4.5 star ratings this year as well as come across some disappointing reads along the way too! But I will choose to only highlight my top rated reads at this time.

As usual, I read books in all formats from hardbacks and paperbacks to ebooks and audiobooks! I've also read books from quite a few genres, including nonfiction books, cozy mystery novels, romance novels, paranormal, young adult, a graphic novel, horror, and even erotica books too to name a few of the genres. 

Essentially, my tastes in what I read varies widely, as I like to not only read books from familiar authors and genres, but also explore new to me authors as well.

I've also had fun swapping books at four different (new to me) Little Free Libraries in my local area, which is always a fun activity to participate in as I like visiting Little Free Libraries.

I also enjoyed hearing author, Lisa See, speak at an author event earlier this month. This is the first author event I've attended this year. I love attending author events and meeting/hearing authors speak about their books and their writing. Plus, having them sign copies of their book(s) is also a perk as well! I am hoping to attend more author events later in the year.

So, that pretty much wraps up my first quarter in 2017. How has your first quarter of 2017 gone in terms of reading? What have been your best or worst reads so far this year? Have you attended any author events or book festivals this year?

50/50 Friday ~ Best/Worst Book Read in 2017

50/50 Friday is a meme hosted by Carrie @ The Butterfly Reads and Laura @ Blue Eye Books. This fun themed meme focuses on the opposite sides of books (best/worst, differing opinions, etc). Every week a new topic will give bloggers the chance to showcase their answers.

This week's topic is your Best/Worst Book Read in 2017! This is going to be a tough choice because I read 174 books last year and so many were great and so many were bad... How to decide which one is the best or the worst read???

I've chosen to focus on full length novels for my choices... Verses nonfiction and short stories!

My Best Reads For 2017

The Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel

(click on above link to read my review)

The Second Mrs. Hockaday by Susan Rivers

(Click on above link to read my review)

My Worst Read For 2017

Everblue: Mer Tales #1 by Brenda Pandos

(Click on above link to read my review)

So, share with me your best and worst read of 2017 in the comment section below!

50/50 FridayBest/Worst Book Read in March

50/50 Friday is a meme hosted by Carrie @ The Butterfly Reads and Karen @ Blue Eye Books. This fun themed meme focuses on the opposite sides of books (best/worst, differing opinions, etc). Every week a new topic will give bloggers the chance to showcase their answers.

This week's topic is to highlight your Best/Worst Book Read In March 2017!

My Best Read for the Month of March is:

I gave two books this month a rating 
of 5 stars out of 5 stars.

The Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel

(Click above link to read my review)

Kentucky on the Rocks by Gwendolyn Grace
(Click above link to read my review)

My Worst Read for the Month of March is:

This is a difficult choice because I rated
several books this month with 2 stars out of 5 stars.

Fading Dawn by Jessica Taylor
(Click above link to read my review)