Search This Blog







2025 Cover Lovers Reading Challenge (hosted by Yours Truly)

2025 Literary Escapes Challenge
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California (1)
- Colorado (3)
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida (1)
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa (2)
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine (1)
- Maryland
- Massachusetts (1)
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York (2)
- North Carolina (1)
- North Dakota
- Ohio (1)
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island (1)
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont (2)
- Virginia (1)
- Washington (1)
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin (1)
- Wyoming
- Washington, D.C.* (1)
International:
- Australia (1)
- England (3)
- France (1)
- Puerto Rico (1)
- Scotland (1)


2025 POPSUGAR Reading Challenge



2025 Build Your Library Reading Challenge









Thursday, January 26, 2017
Dark YA Noir Mystery Just Not Enjoyable
1:30 AM
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
No one's sure exactly how it happened, but one thing is for certain: vibrant Maggie Kim is dead. Her body has been discovered in the family swimming pool, chock full of pills. Did the flamboyant senior kill herself? Or was it an accident? Maggie's best friend, Jude, can't accept either explanation. Maggie was brilliant, beautiful, and brimming with life. With so much going for her, why would she commit suicide? Jude is convinced something more sinister has happened: murder. But who would want Maggie dead? Suddenly, everyone Maggie knew is looking like a suspect ...
As Jude investigates her friend's death, it becomes painfully apparent that Maggie's been keeping secrets. Did Jude know her BFF at all? What else was Maggie hiding? Did something she knew lead to her untimely death? Jude is determined to find out, even if it means letting her own skeletons out of the closet.

(Readalikes: Reminds me a little of Far From You by Tess Sharpe)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (a dozen or so F-bombs, plus milder expletives), mild sexual content, and depictions of underage drinking and the use of illegal drugs
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Bizarre Psychological Thriller Fails to Live Up to Its Promising Premise
1:00 AM
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Eleven years ago, Rebecca "Bec" Winter went missing during her summer break in Canbera. After working her shift at the local McDonald's, the 16-year-old never came home. She'd been experiencing some odd things, including the feeling of being watched, but Bec never thought much of it. Then, she disappeared without a trace.
Bearing an uncanny resemblance to the infamous Bec Winter, a 24-year-old homeless woman seizes a chance to avoid police trouble by claiming to be the missing Bec. Although the lead detective is suspicious of her admission, the imposter is soon living in Bec's home, wearing her clothes, and hanging out with her friends. The more Bec's doppleganger learns about the woman she's replaced, however, the more worried she becomes. It appears that Bec's tormentor is still at large. Will the person who harmed Bec come for her replacement as well?
I love me a good psychological thriller. You all know that. When I heard about Only Daughter, a debut novel by Australian author Anna Snoekstra, I knew I wanted to give it a go. The premise is intriguing, if not wholly original, so I picked it up. What did I think? Well ... the story has promise, it really does. It just doesn't live up to its potential. First of all, the characters are almost entirely unlikable, especially the two women at the center of the novel. The plot is tense and suspenseful, true, but it also gets weird—just really bizarre—and far-fetched. The big reveal seemed improbable, which made the ending unsatisfying for me. I wanted to like this one, but overall, I just didn't. Bummer.
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language, violence, sexual content, depictions of underage drinking, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Subscribe to:
Posts
(Atom)


Reading
Finlay Donovan Is Killing It by Elle Cosimano

Listening
If Walls Could Talk by Juliet Blackwell


Followin' with Bloglovin'

-
After Oz by Gordon McAlpine6 minutes ago
-
-
-
Week in Review #88 hours ago
-
-
-
-
Noir by Christopher Moore: Book Review16 hours ago
-
TBR Pile Reading Challenge 202517 hours ago
-
-
All About Our Costa Rica Vacation20 hours ago
-
-
-
-
End of August by Paige Dinneny1 day ago
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
A Review of Priye1 day ago
-
It’s Only Drowning2 days ago
-
-
-
-
-
-
Sunday Post #5612 weeks ago
-
January 2025 Reading Wrap Up2 weeks ago
-
-
-
-
-
-
I'm Still Reading - This Was My October3 months ago
-
Review: The Duke and I6 months ago
-
Girl Plus Books: On Hiatus6 months ago
-
-
-
What Happened to Summer?1 year ago
-
-
-
-
-
-
Are you looking for Pretty Books?2 years ago
-
-
-
-
-
-

Grab my Button!


Blog Archive
- ► 2021 (159)
- ► 2020 (205)
- ► 2019 (197)
- ► 2018 (223)
- ▼ 2017 (157)
- ► 2016 (157)
- ► 2015 (188)
- ► 2014 (133)
- ► 2013 (183)
- ► 2012 (193)
- ► 2011 (232)
- ► 2010 (257)
- ► 2009 (211)
- ► 2008 (192)


2025 Goodreads Reading Challenge
2024 - Elementary/Middle Grade Nonfiction
2023 - Middle Grade Fiction
2022 - Middle Grade Fiction
2021 - Middle Grade Fiction

2020 - Middle Grade Fiction
