May 2017 Wrap-Up

May was such a full month. Maybe because of that I was beginning to wonder if it would ever end!

A lot of responsibilities at work but also chances to unwind and relax so overall a good one.

They were all pretty long books, most over 400 pages, and the last one dragged on, so even though I had hoped to squeeze in one more read I think I did pretty well regardless, considering how crazy it has been at work.

AND I reached my Netgalley & Edelweiss challenge goal, woohoo!

May was pretty darn awesome.


Summary:

Total Books Read: 7

Longest Read: The Follower and The Teacher’s Secret (432 pages)

Shortest Read: Waking Gods (Themis Files #2) (320 pages)

Book of the Month: Waking Gods (Themis Files #2)

Favourite Cover:

Challenges Progress:

GoodReads: 40/52

British Books Challenge: 22/12

2017 Netgalley & Edelweiss: 35/35


May Books:

 

I began the month with The Marsh King’s Daughter, by Karen Dionne and boy, what a start.

Reading about a woman who spent her childhood growing up in the marsh with a man who abducted her mother at 14 was never going to be easy but I really appreciate what the author managed to accomplish with this book. It is quite profound and I recommend it if you are able to deal with some pretty heavy stuff.

I rated it 4.25/5 stars.

 

Ginny Moon by Benjamin Ludwig was such a tender and emotional story about an autistic teenager with a huge heart who never ever lies with her mouth. It’s amazing what difference a few nods will do in her life.

I think this novel accurately addressed the stress dealing with such a person can be and also the amazing potential they have to love and be loved.

I rated it 4.25/5 stars.

 

I moved on to The Follower, by Koethi Zan.

I found it dragged on and I could not take to any of the characters. I did not find them interesting nor was invested in finding out what happened to them. There were a few engaging snippets but overall I don’t really recommend it.

I rated it 2/5 stars.

 

The Darkest Lies by Barbara Copperthwaite had the potential to be an amazing, heartbreaking story but I feel it tried to be too much in one book and that it dragged on, so I didn’t much enjoy it…

I rated it 2.75/5 stars.

 

Waking Gods (Themis Files #2), by Sylvain Neuvel was SO good, even better than the first book.

I was not keen on a couple of things but it didn’t put much of a dent on my overwhelmed enjoyment. I highly recommend this series.

I rated it 4.5/5 stars.

 

My Sister’s Bones by Nuala Ellwood was interesting enough but I was annoyed by the main character and tired due to the twist and turns the book would constantly take. I actually found the reveal interesting, though partly expected, so that I finished the book more intrigued than during the first half or so.

I rated it 3.5/5 stars.

 

I struggled with The Teacher’s Secret, by Suzanne Leal because there were too many characters and the pace was slow.

Still the book was well written, and if you can keep up with the pace it will be an enjoyable read, just don’t expect major twists.

I rated it 2.5/5 stars.

 

 


Where I got the books:

Edelweiss

  • The Marsh King’s Daughter

 

Netgalley

  • The Original Ginny Moon
  • The Follower
  • The Darkest Lies
  • Waking Gods (Themis Files #2)
  • My Sister’s Bones
  • The Teacher’s Secret

 

Movie Reviews:

 

Features:

 

Reblogs:

  • International Kindle Paperwhite Giveaway
  •  

    Other Posts in May:

     


    How was May for you?
    Do you have a Wrap-up post? Please link it below!

    April 2017 Wrap-Up

    April was an amazing month! Things were so crazy busy at work that I was afraid I would not get much reading time, but I managed to make books my refuge, dive right in and get lost in them – and in the process, keeping my sanity.

    I continued challenging myself to read new genres/stuff I would not normally read, and began the month with a non-fiction book, followed by a YA book that I won in a giveaway.

    I have been playing with my Instagram account and, though I still have a lot to learn, I am quite happy with the experience. There are some proper talented people out there, let me tell ya. The pictures I come across are quite inspirational.

    My usually dormant artistic bug bit me during a trip to Tiger and I bought watercolour crayons and paper, having created my very own bookmark. It is incredibly amateurish but hey it’s mine, and the process was actually quite relaxing, so even if I don’t stick to it I am happy that I tried.

    There were a few lovely sunny days and I feel overall quite content so cheers to April, thanks for bringing me joy!


    Summary:

    Total Books Read: 8

    Longest Read: Gambit (556 pages)

    Shortest Read: Virginia (57 pages)

    Book of the Month: All the Good Things

    Favourite Cover:

    Challenges Progress:

    GoodReads: 33/52

    British Books Challenge: 19/12

    2017 Netgalley & Edelweiss: 28/35


    April Books:

     

    My first book of the month was Lady Killers: A Compendium, by Tori Telfer.

    I requested this as part of my new year challenge to read new genres. I enjoyed it but I think I would have been more invested had the cases portrayed in the book been more contemporary. Instead, they took a tone of myth and my thirst for understanding wicked minds was not quenched.

    I rated it 2.5/5 stars.

     

    Gambit (The Prodigy Chronicles #1) by C.L. Denault was an extremely fast-paced read.

    I had quite a few issues with the book as I yearned for less clichés and more character and world development but it was still enjoyable.

    I rated it 3/5 stars.

     
     
     

    All the Good Things, by Clare Fisher was amazing. It is a harrowing book and I had to put it down on a couple of occasions because to be frank it was bringing me down but it is also very beautiful and has the most perfect ending.

    If you can handle tough reads I highly recommend this.

    I rated it 4.5/5 stars.

     
     

    The Lost Children (Detective Lucy Harwin #1) by Helen Phifer was an ok beginning to a crime series.

    There are just so many out there better done that I didn’t enjoy it much. I couldn’t take to the main character, for one. And there wasn’t enough of the premise of the children in the asylum, which was what pulled me in. Some things were quite predictable and I just don’t think I will be following this series.

    I rated it 2.5/5 stars.

     

    Just when you think you have read pretty much everything you could about twisted female characters, The Girlfriend, by Michelle Frances brings things to a whole new level.

    Mother and girlfriend face off in desperate attempts to keep the other out of Daniel’s life. And they are willing to do some pretty desperate things, for sure. This book is extremely rich in terms of character development and, although there were a couple of things here and there I didn’t much like, I do recommend it.

    I rated it 4.25/5 stars.

     
     

    Virginia by William Esmont was a quick, enjoyable read.

    Although there were a few situations where I wished the main character had acted differently and some parts dragged on, I think this novella has a pretty good balance between keeping the author interested while not giving too much away and it ended up being a creepy, interesting read.

    I rated it 3.5/5 stars.

     

    Well, we can’t love every single book, right? It has been a while since I read one I enjoyed so little.

    The Abscission Zone, by Samuel Muggington was an extremely bumpy ride where we get to follow a couple of characters who annoyed the heck out of me.

    I doubt I will be reading anything else by this author.

    I rated it 1.5/5 stars.

     
     

    The Ridge by John Rector was a Stepfordwife-type of novel that got quite creepy and enjoyable at times. However, I could not much get several of the main character’s actions and I finished the book with many unanswered questions.

    It is a book to appreciate for the journey.

    I rated it 3.25/5 stars.

     
     


    Where I got the books:

    Edelweiss

    • Lady Killers

     

    Giveaway

    • Gambit

     

    Netgalley

    • All the Good Things
    • The Lost Children
    • The Girlfriend
    • Virginia
    • The Abscission Zone
    • The Ridge

     

    Movie Reviews:

     

    Features:

     

    Reblogs:

     

    Other Posts in April:

     


    How was April for you?
    Do you have a Wrap-up post? Please link it below!

    March 2017 Wrap-Up

    March is over and it was an AMAZING month!

    I signed up for Edelweiss, at long last. For some reason I thought I would not be able to since I am from Portugal. I have now gotten 5 ARC and really look forward to all of them.

    It’s not the most user-friendly website, is it? Even after watching the tutorials I felt a bit lost. I am more used to it now but I still much prefer Netgalley’s layout with the Recently added section and the Categories one.

    I also became a Book Depository Affiliate! That basically mean I get a tiny amount (5% I think) of whatever people spend on that site with no cost to them. All you have to do is click the Book Depository banner in my sidebar before purchasing. Obviously I won’t know who bought what, I just watch the numbers rise. This is the closest thing I have ever done to even remotely resemble making money with my blog so I have been really excited. Sadly, my count remains at:

    I created accounts in Pinterest and Instagram. Though I am still learning how to work with both I am finding it really enjoyable. Pinterest is so inspiring and makes me want to buy all sorts of pretty things that appeal to my inner bookworm, and Instagram has so many cool pictures by book lovers that make me wish I could do that sort of thing one day.

    I won a giveaway and got a lovely present from a fellow book blogger. So yeah. It was quite an emotional roller-coaster of a month!

    Things got quite busy at work towards the last few days. I participated in a professional training and education fair in Lisbon and had loads of fun. I met an ex-student from BIMM Brighton, Rory from Rory Indiana and am now officially a fan! Not only does he seem to be a great person but he also plays and sings really well. I especially like their song Self Sabotage but also Tough Love and Empiricism but yeah well pretty much anything ahah. He played a couple of songs from his coming up album and they sound really good. I made a video with my crappy phone (still saving up for a proper new one) and posted it in my Instagram.

    I got to talk with so many great people throughout the event and though that kinda goes against my nature and it was a lot of hard work it was completely worth it.

    A long, tiring, fulfilling month. Bring it on April!


    Summary:

    Total Books Read: 8

    Longest Read: I Found You (464 pages)

    Shortest Read: One of the Boys (176 pages)

    Book of the Month: You Don’t Know Me

    Favourite Cover:

    Challenges Progress:

    GoodReads: 25/52

    British Books Challenge: 16/12

    2017 Netgalley: 21/35


    March Books:

     

    My first book of March was The Roanoke Girls, by Amy Engel.

    It is not an easy theme. There were a few things I wasn’t entirely sold on and the ending was very predictable but the fact is I wanted to keep reading and would most likely have read it in one or two sittings had I had the time.

    I rated it 3.5/5 stars.

     

    Slade House by David Mitchell was amazing.

    Everytime I thought I knew what was happening the author would surprise me.
    I had never read anything by his author but now I am definitely a fan. It’s a perfect blend of fantasy, horror and paranormal – just my cup of tea!

    I rated it 4.5/5 stars.

     

    Then I moved on to The Fifth Reflection, by Ellen Kirschman.

    It takes place in a police environment and our main character is the department’s psychologist in her fifties. I found that very refreshing.
    The story was interesting as well, a bit slow paced but enjoyable. It was interesting to see how discovering who took Chrissy impacted all of the characters’ lives.
    I was increasingly more disappointed towards the ending, though.

    I rated it 3/5 stars.

     

    One of the Boys by Daniel Magariel was a very disturbing read. It’s an eye opened to not only physical but also psychological violence.

    However, I think the fact that the protagonist at times did not sound 12 years old and that all the members of this family were nameless created a distance that made me unable to get more emotionally involved with the narrative.

    I rated it 3.5/5 stars.

     

    After a short break I moved on to I Found You, by Lisa Jewell.

    The writing was very engaging, I had trouble putting the book down.
    Some things were cleverly done and I wanted to see what happened next.
    I did have trouble with some characters’ cluelessness regarding their own actions and I anticipated several revelations.

    I rated it 3.5/5 stars.

     

    The Breakdown by B.A. Paris had such an interesting premise and I had been hearing so much about it that I had to get on with it.

    Unfortunately, I was very disappointed at the characters and for about three quarters of the book everything that happened felt rather pointless. Then everything that’s relevant seemed to happen out of luck, so I just wasn’t sold on it and am in the minority with this one.

    I rated it 2.5/5 stars.

     

    Then I read The Doll Funeral, by Kate Hamer.

    I did not expect the writing to be so poetic. It was entrancing indeed but my attention wandered quite often and I found myself wishing for something interesting to happen all the time.

    Still, some descriptions will definitely stay with me. It’s just that as a story it takes too long to develop.

    I rated it 2.75/5 stars.

     

    I ended the month with a bang with You Don’t Know Me by Imran Mahmood.

    This story and characters are unlike anything I have ever read before. It is a truly compelling book that forces you to look at realities you don’t want to deal with because this 21-year-old young black man with a vocabulary that takes a while to get used to has his life in your hands. What if he didn’t commit that murder? Will you still convict him?

    Very good, highly recommend it.

    I rated it 4.5/5 stars.

     


    Where I got the books:

    Blogging for Books

    • The Roanoke Girls

    Book Depository

    • Slade House

    Netgalley

    • The Fifth Reflection
    • One of the Boys
    • I Found You
    • The Breakdown
    • The Doll Funeral
    • You Don’t Know Me

     

    Movie Reviews:

     

    Features:

     

    Reblogs:

     

    Other Posts in March:

     


    How was March for you?
    Do you have a Wrap-up post? Please link it below!

    February 2017 Wrap-Up

    February was such an amazing month!

    I managed to read a few great books, watch a couple of awesome movies and work quite a lot on the blog, considering what I usually manage to do.

    I went through the list of blogs I followed and found that some had not posted anything since as early as 2015. Others did not post anything I could relate to. So I unfollowed some and searched for new ones. In the process I came across a couple of awesome challenges that will help me stay motivated and started two new blog features as well!

    In this month I have striven to reach out. Besides looking for new blogs, I made an effort to visit them often, liking posts and commenting whenever I had anything to say. The fact is I want to get to know you all! I really enjoy meeting people from all over the world and luckily work was very manageable during February and though I know it will start to get hectic again I will do my best to keep up.

    I made an effort to post at least once a day and things that I normally wouldn’t, since Ana’s Lair is ultimately a blog for book and movie reviews. I shared bits of my day with you, stuff I bought, and stuff I found online that struck me as interesting or funny and felt it would be nice to share. Several of you took the time to like and comment these posts, which I really appreciate!

    I ventured with hashtags for the first time. I cannot begin to tell you what a noob I am when it comes to social media. The fact is I never knew what all those # thingies people use were exactly for. I knew it had something to do with Twitter but I never delved into it. Then I decided to venture there, typed #Netgalley and found all sorts of interesting things. And pronto, there was another awesome way to meet new people who had similar interests! And ‘lo and behold, it appears that they work on Facebook too. Go figure. (yes, I am still quite the noob at this)

    My final discovery was Bloglovin’. I found it is a great way to discover new content and I absolutely love the Save option.
    I added the Follow me on Bloglovin’ button to my sidebar, I hope you will add me.

    So that was February for me. Short but sweet!


    Summary:

    Total Books Read: 8

    Longest Read: Little Girl Lost (DI Robyn Carter #1) (412 pages)

    Shortest Read: The Picture of Dorian Gray (165 pages)

    Book of the Month: The House

    Favourite Cover:

    Challenges Progress:

    GoodReads: 17/52

    British Books Challenge: 11/12

    2017 Netgalley: 14/35


    February Books:

     

    The first book I picked up in February was Blink, by K.L. Slater.

    It took a while to pick up but once it did the tension gripped me.
    I did struggle with Toni’s character and both the plot twist highly advertised and the resolution did not seem believable to me but I believe fans of psychological thrillers were love the book because it is full of unexpected twists, and do recommend it.

    I rated it 3.5/5 stars.

     

    Doll House by John Hunt was a very creepy read.

    However, the premise was too cool for the way it was executed. I craved a more thorough psychological development, especially of the main villain, and I had trouble connecting with the characters. There were truly creepy parts but it could have been so much better.

    I rated it 2/5 stars.

     
     
    Wicked Prayers, by S.D. Moore was classic gore horror.

    I was truly creeped out by those descriptions but the dialogues made me cringe and not in a good way.
    I was really sad to give it such a low rating but I could not find much positive with this book.

    I rated it 1.5/5 stars.

     

    Then I moved on to Little Girl Lost by Carol Wyer, the first book in DI Robyn Carter series, and finally things started looking up.
    The prose was enthralling and I kept wanting to know what happened next. It got quite intense and it is full of twists and turns. There were only a couple of things I would have liked to see done differently. Otherwise, highly recommended. For sure one of the best of its genre out there.

    I rated it 4.5/5 stars.

     

    I wanted to read something different so I picked up Sleeping Giants (Themis Files #1), by Sylvain Neuvel.

    It was a pleasant surprise! I can see not everyone will appreciate the detached narrative style as the story is told mostly through interviews, reports and whatnot, but I for one enjoyed it.
    The plot is quite ingenious as well and although the cliffhanger ending made me want to find out what happened next I was content with this book.

    I rated it 4.25/5 stars.

     

    I really wanted to like See What I Have Done by Sarah Schmidt. I have seen so many 4 and 5 star reviews that it makes me feel I missed something really important. At the end of the day not all books will please everyone and this struck me as overdone and repetitive, and I had really hoped for proper closure at the end after such a morose development.

    I rated it 1.75/5 stars.

     
     

    I will be trying to read one paperback per month and since The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde was mentioned quite a few times when I asked you what I should read next I figured I would give it a go.
    I found it quite a profound book that made me contemplate today’s society as much as Wilde’s. However, it exhausted me at times. Lord Henry’s constant aphorisms and all the flowery descriptions tired me and I found it difficult to focus even when the narrative became interesting again.
    Still, I am glad I read it and recommend it.

    I rated it 3.5/5 stars.

     

    I ended February with a bang. The House by Simon Lelic was a surprising, enthralling read, which narrative style pulled me in and made me care for the characters and what happened to them.

    There were a few things I would have liked seen handled differently but overall this was a fast-paced book with a strong psychological charge, which I always love.

    I rated it 4.5/5 stars.
     


    Where I got the books:

    Book Depository

    • The Picture of Dorian Gray

     
    Netgalley

    • Blink
    • Doll House
    • Wicked Prayers
    • Little Girl Lost (DI Robyn Carter #1)
    • Sleeping Giants
    • See What I Have Done
    • The House

     

    Movie Reviews:

     

    Features:

     

    Reblogs:

     

    Other Posts in February:

     


    How was February for you?
    Do you have a Wrap-up post? Please link it below!

    January 2017 Wrap-Up

    January was great! It was month of getting cosy indoors with a good book and leaving the cold outside so I ended up reading much more than my usual amount and overall really enjoyed all books. I am so glad I managed to go through 2850 pages in only a month.

    I was also able to post other topics besides the usual book and movie reviews, which brought a few reactions from you lovely people. I was so happy to read your comments, thank you so much to all who take a few minutes to interact with me! You are truly amazing.

    This was a wonderful start to my year, thank you for being part of it!


    Summary:

    Total Books Read: 9

    Longest Read: Hangman’s Army (Lake of Sins #3) (565 pages)

    Shortest Read: Fungoid (177 pages)

    Book of the Month: Fungoid

    Favourite Cover:

    Challenges Progress:

    GoodReads: 9/52

    Netgalley: 7/35


    January Books:

     

    What a way to start the year! Fungoid, by William Meikle, was a tense apocalyptic tale, extremely well thought out and developed, and with a creepiness factor off the chart.

    There were only a couple of things that bothered me but overall this was really well achieved. A gem amongst others of the genre.

    I rated it 4.5/5 stars.

     
     

    In Bitter Chill (Inspector Francis Sadler #1) by Sarah Ward was a pleasant surprise. I am not usually a fan of crime novels but this one was quite enjoyable.

    There were too many characters and the book got repetitive/dragged on every now and then but overall I had a good time figuring out whodunnit and I had not seen it coming.

    I rated it 4.25/5 stars.

     

    I immediately moved on to the sequel, A Deadly Thaw (Inspector Francis Sadler #2).

    I was afraid I would be disappointed but ended up enjoying it quite a lot.
    I was not sold on the explanations at the end but I appreciated the book for the journey instead of the destination.

    I rated it 4/5 stars.

     
     

    Dreams Before the Start of Time by Anne Charnock was a unique experience for me. The book spans across 5 generations and is very thought-provoking. I could definitely see some of that stuff happening.
    Unfortunately the disjointed and abrupt narrative made me unable to connect with the characters or care about what happened to them but I can definitely appreciate the value of this book.

    I rated it 3.5/5 stars.

     
     

    I then read The Fire Child, by S.K. Tremayne.

    In some points it was an extremely tense thriller but the resolution left me really disappointed. It just did not live up to the tension built up throughout the narrative and some plot devices were too obvious.

    I rated it 3/5 stars.

     
     
     

    A Collapse of Horses by Brian Evenson was an entrancing short story collection. It is definitely amongst the best I have ever read.

    All were very thought-provoking and utterly insane and although quite dark and heavy at times I enjoyed them.
    Probably best to balance this with a lighter book.

    I rated it 4/5 stars.

     

    When I started book 3 of the Lake of Sins series by L.S. O’Dea, Hangman’s Army, I had no idea I would be done that fast.

    There are many characters but the narrative is easy enough to follow. The book is full of tension, fun banter and adventure and I am sure fans of YA will love it.
    Do read the previous two books first, though.

    I rated it 4/5 stars.
     
     
     

    Never Out of Sight by Louise Stone was a gripping psychological thriller.

    The main character got on my nerves a bit but it was terrifying to realise something like this could happen to anyone if you did not pay attention.
    The ending sent a chill down my spine.

    I rated it 4/5 stars.

     
     

    My last book of the month was enjoyable but it didn’t really shine amongst others of the genre.

    Hope’s Peak (Harper and Lane #1) by Tony Healey had a really creepy villain and that is what brought the rating up for me.

    I rated it 3/5 stars.

     
     


    Where I got the books:

    Author

    • Hangman’s Army (Lake of Sins #3)

     

    Gift

    • In Bitter Chill

     

    Netgalley

    • Fungoid
    • A Deadly Thaw (Inspector Francis Sadler #2)
    • Dreams Before the Start of Time
    • The Fire Child
    • A Collapse of Horses
    • Never Out of Sight
    • Hope’s Peak (Harper and Lane #1)

     

    Movie Reviews:

     

    Reblogs:

     

    Other Posts in January:

     


    How was January for you?
    Do you have a Wrap-up post? Please link it below!

    December 2016 Wrap-Up

    Well, this is it, the end of the year is here!

    December was a fairly good month. Lots of tea and hot chocolate and I even got a week off work so I got to relax.

    Also, the days are finally getting longer, which I truly craved.

    This month and really the whole year were quite a ride. I am so very grateful.

    Here’s to the New Year!


    Summary:

    Total Books Read: 5

    Longest Read: An Intimate Obsession (360 pages)

    Shortest Read: The Catcher in the Rye (230 pages)

    Book of the Month: An Intimate Obsession

    Favourite Cover:

    Challenges Progress:

    GoodReads: 60/50

    2016 Netgalley & Edelweiss: 42/?


    DecemberBooks:

     

    My month started with Dark Vision, by Debbie Johnson.

    The main character’s voice was refreshing but overall the ideas felt underdeveloped and that the book dragged on for too long.

    I rated it 2/5 stars.

     
     
     
     

    I have to admit Only Blue Will Do by Mark Rippon drew me in by the cover.

    I suppose it could be one of those books that people either love or hate.
    What I did comprehend of the scrambled narrative amounted to an utterly pointless effort and I finished the book feeling quite disappointed.

    I rated it 1.5/5 stars.

     
     

    Carnivalesque, by Neil Jordan, is a fantasy book that lost me at times but that is immensely special.

    The way the author incorporated magic into the ordinary life (or is it the other way around?) makes it an entrancing ride.

    I rated it 3.5/5 stars.

     
     
     

    An Intimate Obsession by Elizabeth McGregor was an enthralling thriller than got under my skin. There is so much tension on those pages and a lot going on. Some of the characters had features I did not find believable and the climax of the story happened quite early on to me but I do recommend it.

    I rated it 3.75/5 stars.

     
     

    My last book of the year was a classic I have been meaning to read for several years now – The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger.

    This was special and unique but I did struggle to keep reading at times.
    I can definitely see why it is a classic, though, and there is plenty food for thought amongst these pages.

    I rated it 3.5/5 stars.

     
     


    Where I got the books:

    Book Depository

    • The Catcher in the Rye

     

    Netgalley

    • Dark Vision
    • Only Blue Will Do
    • Carnivalesque
    • An Intimate Obsession

     

    Movie Reviews:

     

    Reblogs:

     

    Other Posts in December:

     


    How was December for you?
    Do you have a Wrap-up post? Please link it below!

    November 2016 Wrap-Up

    November was a pretty amazing month!

    I cozied up with several great reads while it was raining outside and it was heavenly.

    I read shorter books for the most part and so I was able to get fully involved with the stories, instead of there being so many breaks in between reads.

    Also, I set myself a challenge – get to at least 70% feedback rate on Netgalley and stay there – and I achieved it! It’s the staying there part that proves a challenge but so far so good.

    And finally towards the end of the month I had a job opportunity that allowed me to travel to Southampton, England and I thoroughly enjoyed it! Still with my head in the clouds a bit.


    Summary:

    Total Books Read: 10

    Longest Read: The Summer Goddess (464 pages)

    Shortest Read: Drayton, the Taker (Drayton #1) (70 pages)

    Book of the Month: All We Shall Know

    Favourite Cover:

    Challenges Progress:

    GoodReads: 55/50

    2016 Netgalley & Edelweiss: 37/?


    November Books:

     

    I began the month by finishing The Summer Goddess, by Joanne Hall.

    This book left me with mixed feelings. I did not care for the main character and, although interesting, it was not one of those books I felt I had to know what happened next, but I feel that was mostly because I was not the target audience for this, as the overly descriptive pose lost me quite often. I know other people will enjoy it very much.

    I rated it 3/5 stars.

     

    I then read White by Tim Lebbon.

    It is a cabin-in-the-woods where everyone starts dying one by one sort of tale sort of tale but the author manages to do something completely different with it. The horror and sense of hopelessness is palpable.

    I rated it 3.5/5 stars.

     

    I then immersed myself in All We Shall Know, by Donal Ryan.

    This was such a new and positive experience for me. I really wish I could have read this in one sitting. Melody Shee is not a lovable character but she is a very deep one and this book is just amazing on so many levels. Highly recommended.

    I rated it 4.8/5 stars.

     

    I moved on to another short tale, Drayton, the Taker (Drayton #1) by Tony Bertauski.

    Once again the author does not disappoint.
    This is a short story introducing a vampire inspired character who is so much more than that. There are details that make the story and character unique and I have to recommend it.

    I rated it 4.5/5 stars.

     

    I moved on to The Many, by Nathan Field.

    Boy, that one had me hooked from the get go. It was so suspenseful with such freaky stuff going on. I never knew if there was something supernatural with it. I love being kept in the dark. Then around halfway through the book the turn of events became quite disappointing. I felt this book deserved a much better resolution. It was still an exciting read, for the most part, and I absolutely adore the cover.

    I rated it 3.5/5 stars.

     

    I then read Lies by TM Logan.

    This truly was a gripping psychological thriller. The author does a terrific job at explaining how an average Joe would find his life turned upside down. There were quite a few surprises but the fact I figured out what was happening about halfway through the book brought the rating down. Still, it was very well written and I recommend it.

    I rated it 3.5/5 stars.

     

    I finally got to In a Dark, Dark Wood, by Ruth Ware.

    This began so well and the development was great up until the last third or so.
    Then it felt like it dragged on, with obvious devices being used to stretch out the narrative and come to the resolution the author intended, which I found predictable.

    I rated it 3.25/5 stars.

     

    Still sticking with psychological thrillers, Safe With Me by K.L. Slater was next.

    The main character was something, alright. I don’t think I have ever read a book starring someone as deranged.
    Watching things through Anna’s eyes was disturbing, which I loved but got old after a while, and I felt not enough interesting stuff was happening. On the other hand I wished for more closure on a few things.

    I rated it 3/5 stars.

     

    We Like You So Much and Want to Know You Better, by Dave Eggers and narrated by Dion Graham was a very quick listen.

    The characters were weak but it was a thought-provoking story, so I recommend it.

    I rated it 3.5/5 stars.

     

     

    My final book of the month was The Fates by Thomas Tessier.

    Well, it was different. Unfortunately not in a good way.
    The characters were many and not very development and the lack of resolution was quite disappointing.

    I rated it 2/5 stars.

     


    Where I got the books:

    Audible

    • We Like You So Much and Want to Know You Better

    Netgalley

    • The Summer Goddess
    • White
    • All We Shall Know
    • Drayton, the Taker (Drayton #1)
    • The Many
    • Lies
    • In a Dark, Dark Wood
    • Safe With Me
    • The Fates

     

    Movie Reviews:

     

     

    Other Posts in November :

     


    How was November for you?
    Do you have a Wrap-up post? Please link it below!
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