sseashell1243
Team Owner
In My Dreams I Hold A Knife & The Perfect Ruin.Which ones have you enjoyed?
In My Dreams I Hold A Knife & The Perfect Ruin.Which ones have you enjoyed?
This weekend I played way more Minecraft than I intended to, so I didn't get a lot of reading done .So what is everyone reading this weekend???
@Alisea are you still reading The Southern Book Club's Guide, if so how are you liking it? I have made it to chapter 4, starting tomorrow I will make more progress with this one.
Happy Reading
I am happy you enjoyed your weekend. You cannot read all the time. ☺This weekend I played way more Minecraft than I intended to, so I didn't get a lot of reading done .
I am about 33% in, Chapter 14 right now.
And I am getting more and more annoyed with the main character tbh, she is so dumb omg! I feel like how the women are portrayed is a very male idea of women. And all of the black characters so far are like caretakers, bartenders or alleged witches in the woods and crazies who got framed and murdered for some background story. I wonder if the author has deliberately set his novel in the early 1990s in order to get away with this kind of representation of women and black people.
The story itself is entertaining so far. There are some funny moments, some really messed up ones. Not bad. Let's see how it goes, I haven't given up on the book yet.
I got this one in the mail. I've read her romance and enjoyed it.So this book is described as part mystery, part thriller, romance that is LGBTQ friendly. AC is an old school romance writer, nice to see her branching out.
Anyway the book publishes in November and will be available to read for free with a Kindle Unlimited subscription.
View attachment 3005492
Three women form an unbreakable bond in a sexy, suspenseful, and adventurous novel about empowerment and sisterhood through thick and thin.
Venus McGee, Draya Carter, and Jackie Benson are coworkers with a lot in common. They’re smart, independent, driven, and deserving of recognition—certainly more than they’ve been handed by a demoralizing boss. He’s the topic of conversation at their impromptu get-together after the company holiday party, where the threesome fantasizes about a life without him. There has to be an alternative to taking a deep breath and sucking it up. There is. It’s just not the one they expected.
When morning comes, Venus, Draya, and Jackie are blindsided by murder—a twist of fate that brings a startling new challenge to the table and forces them to navigate a hair-raising detour they never saw coming. For better and (unless they can help it) for worse, it’s going to turn their world upside down. What starts as a necessary bond of mutual trust soon morphs into an empowering and galvanizing friendship that Venus, Draya, and Jackie need now more than ever.
Happy Reading!!!!
So after reading The Final Girl Support Group by this author, I can say I won't be reading it regardless of how high it's rated. The Ikea book was pretty interesting but he is not my type and we have gone our separate waysHas anyone read The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires. I knoe sseashells read it and did not care for it, particularly for it's misuse of Black life if I recall correctly. Everyone seems to love it, I was sort of curious about it. I would like to form an opinion on it and critique it for myself. For those wondering what book I am asking about.
View attachment 3005812
Patricia Campbell’s life has never felt smaller. Her husband is a workaholic, her teenage kids have their own lives, her senile mother-in-law needs constant care, and she’s always a step behind on her endless to-do list. The only thing keeping her sane is her book club, a close-knit group of Charleston women united by their love of true crime. At these meetings they’re as likely to talk about the Manson family as they are about their own families.
One evening after book club, Patricia is viciously attacked by an elderly neighbor, bringing the neighbor's handsome nephew, James Harris, into her life. James is well traveled and well read, and he makes Patricia feel things she hasn’t felt in years. But when children on the other side of town go missing, their deaths written off by local police, Patricia has reason to believe James Harris is more of a Bundy than a Brad Pitt. The real problem? James is a monster of a different kind—and Patricia has already invited him in.
Little by little, James will insinuate himself into Patricia’s life and try to take everything she took for granted—including the book club—but she won’t surrender without a fight in this blood-soaked tale of neighborly kindness gone wrong.
I am very excited by each of these books! "The Children on the Hill" especially. McHanon does a wonderful job scaring me lol!Greetings
So the end of the year is near and I will be posting some books that I am excited to read in 2022. Please post any that you guys are excited for as well.
Super excited for the new Lucy Foley, I really enjoyed The Guest List. I read her books as a form of escapism, in my opinion, despite having to suspend one's disbelief, I think her books are well plotted.
February 22, 2022
View attachment 3028918
I really enjoy Simone St. James' books. I like how she discusses crime historically and today and its impact on women, since we are typically the victims of most crimes. Then on top of that she always has a spooky or supernatural element to her books which I enjoy.From the New York Times bestselling author of The Guest List comes a new locked room mystery, set in a Paris apartment building in which every resident has something to hide…
Jess needs a fresh start. She’s broke and alone, and she’s just left her job under less than ideal circumstances. Her half-brother Ben didn’t sound thrilled when she asked if she could crash with him for a bit, but he didn’t say no, and surely everything will look better from Paris. Only when she shows up – to find a very nice apartment, could Ben really have afforded this? – he’s not there.
The longer Ben stays missing, the more Jess starts to dig into her brother’s situation, and the more questions she has. Ben’s neighbors are an eclectic bunch, and not particularly friendly. Jess may have come to Paris to escape her past, but it’s starting to look like it’s Ben’s future that’s in question.
The socialite – The nice guy – The alcoholic – The girl on the verge – The concierge
Everyone's a neighbor. Everyone's a suspect. And everyone knows something they’re not telling.
March 15 2022
View attachment 3028920
In 1977, Claire Lake, Oregon, was shaken by the Lady Killer Murders: Two men, seemingly randomly, were murdered with the same gun, with strange notes left behind. Beth Greer was the perfect suspect—a rich, eccentric twenty-three-year-old woman, seen fleeing one of the crimes. But she was acquitted, and she retreated to the isolation of her mansion.
Oregon, 2017. Shea Collins is a receptionist, but by night, she runs a true crime website, the Book of Cold Cases—a passion fueled by the attempted abduction she escaped as a child. When she meets Beth by chance, Shea asks her for an interview. To Shea’s surprise, Beth says yes.
They meet regularly at Beth’s mansion, though Shea is never comfortable there. Items move when she’s not looking, and she could swear she’s seen a girl outside the window. The allure of learning the truth about the case from the smart, charming Beth is too much to resist, but even as they grow closer, Shea senses something isn’t right. Is she making friends with a manipulative murderer, or are there other dangers lurking in the darkness of the Greer house?
I have not read Jennifer McMahon's most popular books yet, but I read The Drowning Kind last year and I really liked her play on fantasy in modern life. She like St. James seem to always have dual timelines.
April 26 2022
View attachment 3028929
1978: At her renowned treatment center in picturesque Vermont, the brilliant psychiatrist, Dr. Helen Hildreth, is acclaimed for her compassionate work with the mentally ill. But when’s she home with her cherished grandchildren, Vi and Eric, she’s just Gran—teaching them how to take care of their pets, preparing them home-cooked meals, providing them with care and attention and love.
Then one day Gran brings home a child to stay with the family. Iris—silent, hollow-eyed, skittish, and feral—does not behave like a normal girl.
Still, Violet is thrilled to have a new playmate. She and Eric invite Iris to join their Monster Club, where they catalogue all kinds of monsters and dream up ways to defeat them. Before long, Iris begins to come out of her shell. She and Vi and Eric do everything together: ride their bicycles, go to the drive-in, meet at their clubhouse in secret to hunt monsters. Because, as Vi explains, monsters are everywhere.
2019: Lizzy Shelley, the host of the popular podcast Monsters Among Us, is traveling to Vermont, where a young girl has been abducted, and a monster sighting has the town in an uproar. She’s determined to hunt it down, because Lizzy knows better than anyone that monsters are real—and one of them is her very own sister.
A haunting, vividly suspenseful page-turner from the “literary descendant of Shirley Jackson” (Chris Bohjalian, author of The Flight Attendant), The Children on the Hill takes us on a breathless journey to face the primal fears that lurk within us all.
I have read two of Jennifer Hillier books, one I really liked which was Wonderland, one I didn't care for as much which is Jar of Hearts, but her books are always messy so I am excited for her new release, not much of synopsis yet though.
July 19 2022
View attachment 3028949
hings We Do in the Dark is a brilliant new thriller from Jennifer Hillier, the award-winning author of the breakout novels Little Secrets and Jar of Hearts, where the secrets of the past come back around when a woman, long believed dead, turns up alive...
Happy Reading
Glad to know you and your family are safe and sound. I hope you had fun with your family back in the US.So, I have been traveling and it was the first time I made it back to the US in 3 years! Along with my teenager and 14-month-old baby, and husband (yes he acts 14 months old as well) so I have not been able to update much. Since we are now settled and in our location for the next couple of months, I have time. So this book "The Undesired" by Yrsa Sigurdardottir (thanks for the audiobook because I can finally say it lol) was pretty ok. The setup was interesting... basically, you get two stories, a story told by a character in the '70s and one in the present day. The blend was interesting and I enjoyed the pace of the book. A lot is left to be desired though... While there are some juicy twists, the end was a bit slapped together and I can say that I was a fan. Was this a horror? NO. I didn't find anything remotely creepy about this book but more mystery and thriller vibes. However, I would recommend this book because Sigurdardottir does a wonderful job keeping the reader's attention, cleverly misdirecting, and is somewhat realistic. I will be reading her other books; this one did not blow me away but there is something there that tells me she will be worth adding in the future. There is something almost refreshing about Scandinavian Literature/Nordic Noir that I cannot get enough of. The lens is different in comparison to American authors, the focus is shifted and I really enjoy reading this genre. 3/5 for this book but I promise to visit this author again.
View attachment 3035419
I totally understand. Don't let me interrupt your breakup.So after reading The Final Girl Support Group by this author, I can say I won't be reading it regardless of how high it's rated. The Ikea book was pretty interesting but he is not my type and we have gone our separate ways
Any recommendations you have would be grateful.Welcome,
Chime in whenever you are readying with your thoughts and recommendations.
What exactly are you interested in?Any recommendations you have would be grateful.
I really loved the tone of the book! I was not shocked when the stuff hit the fan but still enjoyed the journey.Glad to know you and your family are safe and sound. I hope you had fun with your family back in the US.
Great review, I enjoyed reading it.
absolutely.I really want to read her book The Doll. Are you gonna read another one of hers??
I received a copy of this book and I will definitely move it up based off your review.This one drops next week.
View attachment 3030047
Elise Littlejohn just got the opportunity of her life, promotion to general counsel, something she has dreamed of since she left Chillicothe, Georgia, and all of its secrets behind, it is umfortunate that it has come at the expense of the death of her married lover. His death not withstanding, this could be a chance of a lifetime, all of her sacrifice is being rewarded or is Elise actually the sacrificial lamb. Pick up All Her Little Secrets to find out which one.
All Her Little Secrets is a well written fast pace thriller replete with thought provoking prose and a flawed yet affable protagonist that you root for even when her sins come to light. I thought the mystery aspect was well done even though the small town girl who made it with secrets trope has been utilized time and again, Morris brought a fresh perspective with her Black protagonist Elise, a perspective which made it a satisfying read. I highly recommend that you pick it up.
Did you enjoy this one?I just finished reading Not A Happy Family by Shari Lapena, about a rich couple who're murdered after easter dinner and all the kids are suspects
View attachment 3039584
yes it was a good read, although some things were predictableDid you enjoy this one?
Review for Within These Wicked Walls. This book is on my TBR but I have not had time to read it.
Please support Black bloggers it helps with their blogs and their access to the advanced reading copy books that they can review.
Happy Reading!!!
Really nice review thanks for sharing. I agree the audio seemed of with the narration, unsure why they could not find an authentic one. But some look at the narration as the book being read to them as opposed to dramatization.I read it. I liked it and though the audiobook was throwing off the vibe with the British accent. Very light on the gothic horror part and a little more heavy on the romance. Simple and straightforward magic system. Definitely read more teen than a lot of the YA fantasy lately that seems more geared towards adults.
Within These Wicked Walls by Lauren Blackwood
Women of color book blogwomenofcolorreadtoo.blogspot.com
It just threw things off for me becuase it made me immediately keep associating this with Europe instead of Ethiopia. I've listened to fantasy books inspired by North Africa where the narration matched so it would've been nice for them to find an East African narrator. Plus it reminded me of how movies and tv often default to a British accent if tbe story takes place outside of America.Really nice review thanks for sharing. I agree the audio seemed of with the narration, unsure why they could not find an authentic one. But some look at the narration as the book being read to them as opposed to dramatization.
This is true, they do it a lot with Nordic Noir books as well, using default British accent. I have put back a few audio books because the narration was off American accents when books take place in Finland or Africa real or imaginary. I had the audio for Within These Wicked Walls and I chose to read the book later.It just threw things off for me becuase it made me immediately keep associating this with Europe instead of Ethiopia. I've listened to fantasy books inspired by North Africa where the narration matched so it would've been nice for them to find an East African narrator. Plus it reminded me of how movies and tv often default to a British accent if tbe story takes place outside of America.
At one point I turned the audiobook off and decided to just read the ebookThis is true, they do it a lot with Nordic Noir books as well, using default British accent. I have put back a few audio books because the narration was off American accents when books take place in Finland or Africa real or imaginary. I had the audio for Within These Wicked Walls and I chose to read the book later.