"Try Not to Breathe" review

"Try Not to Breathe" by Holly Seddon

Published by Ballantine Books

ebook finished 2/25/16

3/5 stars

This is the story of an extremely alcoholic journalist who, while researching a story, comes across a coma patient who had been attacked as a teenager and left for dead.  She remembers hearing of the attack on the news when she was a teenager herself and decides to make her story the one that will hopefully revive her career.  She is determined to find out what happened to the teenage girl 15 years ago and bring her attacker to justice.  Can that be done while your star witness is locked in her own mind and body, unable to tell you just what happened?

I definitely enjoyed this book, but it’s not a favorite.  I was able to figure out the ending about half way through the book, if not earlier, so that took part of the suspense away.  I also felt the main character’s alcoholism was overdone and repetitive.  I did like the way it was written though, from the various points of view to include the coma patient.  One piece of information that came up in the book made me initially think the author was going to write a cheesy ending but she took the higher ground so I was happy about that as well.  Overall, it’s a book book…..just not a fantastic one.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for an advance copy of the book in return for an honest review.



"The Passenger" Review

"The Passenger" by Lisa Lutz
Published by Simon & Schuster


Ebook finished 2/18/16

4/5 Stars

This is the first book I have read by Lisa Lutz but it will not be the last.  At times it seemed a little farfetched but I thoroughly enjoyed the roller coaster ride and found it hard to put down.  I would be relaxing, enjoying the story one minute and then on the edge of my seat the next.  Each time the main character takes on a new identity, there are new risks and challenges, new relationships to create and people to deceive.  As she struggles to survive, she must also struggle with the choices she is forced to make.  Can she live with those choices?  Would it be better to go back to her true identity or continue to run?  You’ll have to read it to find out.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for providing me with an advanced copy of “The Passenger” in return for an honest review.

"The Good Girl" Review

"The Good Girl" by Mary Kubica
Published by MIRA
Finished 2/14/16


3.5 / 5 Stars


This book is about a young woman who goes missing and the search to find her.  It started and finished great.....the middle was just OK.  Overall, I would give it a 3.5.  The narration of the chapters switches between a few characters and between past and present.  Luckily, the chapter title tells who and when to avoid confusion.  Some people don't like when it switches around like that but I actually enjoyed it.  The different points of view help add depth to the story and the change between "before" and "after" keeps you in the dark as to how the two will come together.

"Miller's Valley" Review

"Miller's Valley"
By Anna Quindlen
eBook published by Random House






4/5 Stars
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It’s Anna Quindlen so of course it is well written - the descriptions and similes throughout were fantastic. And it pulled at your heartstrings. Not in the sappy romantic way, but simply for a young girl growing up with desires, heartache, and loss. It is the story of Mimi Miller whose independence, strength and determination carry her through life. She tells us in her own words of her family’s struggle to keep their home that has been in the family for generations and their struggle to simply stay a family, her desire to become something more than a farmer in a small town, and her need to be loved. She is a wonderful main character surrounded by a cast of interesting characters that help shape the story. I highly recommend it.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review and am thankful that I did.

Little Free Library

I know, normally my blogs are book reviews but I wanted to share some fun news......we are getting a Little Free Library (littlefreelibrary.org) for the front of the house!  Now I can share my love of reading with the neighborhood as well :)  I'll initially stock it with books from the used books store and include books for all ages.  As I finish books, rather than trading them in to the used book store for credit, I'll put them in the library for others to enjoy.  I've also ordered some cute bookmarks to have in there for people to take as a little memento. 


As a side note....you might have noticed a big gap in time for this blog - I was in a serious reading slump.  I hardly ever picked up a book.  I think it was because I was going through an emotional time.  That has passed so now I'm back to reading and SO happy about it :)  I'm not going through books as quickly but that is just due to life getting in the way.


OK....I'm off to read now.  I have less than 100 left in my books so you'll be hearing from me again soon.

"After Her"

“After Her”

By Joyce Maynard

eBook published by William Morrow

 

3/5 stars

This was just an OK book for me.  I did enjoy the pre-teen and teenage Rachel….she was probably my favorite part of the book.  The serial killer mystery part was more of a side story while Rachel went through adolescence.  Maybe that’s why this was just OK for me…..I was expecting the murder mystery to take more of a front seat in the storyline.  Plus, once the final section of the book started, you knew exactly how it was going to end so there weren’t any surprises.  Overall it was a good book, just not a favorite.