currentbookstack

November 30, 2021

The Push

Thoughts: I could not put this book down I had to see what would happen next and the short chapters make it an easy read. The story itself was Verity level of omg did that really just happen and definitely not for everyone as a disclaimer. There’s a cliff hanger ending but you also get more context about the beginning and I was almost tempted to go back and read those first chapters again.

Summary: Blythe Connor is determined that she will be the warm, comforting mother to her new baby Violet that she herself never had. But in the thick of motherhood’s exhausting early days, Blythe becomes convinced that something is wrong with her daughter—she doesn’t behave like most children do. Or is it all in Blythe’s head? Her husband, Fox, says she’s imagining things. The more Fox dismisses her fears, the more Blythe begins to question her own sanity, and the more we begin to question what Blythe is telling us about her life as well. Then their son Sam is born—and with him, Blythe has the blissful connection she’d always imagined with her child. Even Violet seems to love her little brother. But when life as they know it is changed in an instant, the devastating fall-out forces Blythe to face the truth.

November 30, 2021

If I Disappear

Thoughts: As someone who loves true crime podcasts I expected to love this more than I did. It had a lot of suspense to it and I think I suspected every character at least once which always creates interesting twists. The ending was a little too unresolved for me but definitely an exciting read and if you love podcasts you’ll connect to that dynamic in the book.

Summary: Sera loves true crime podcasts. They give her a sense of control in a world where women just like her disappear daily. She’s sure they are preparing her for something. So when Rachel, her favorite podcast host, goes missing, Sera knows it’s time to act. Rachel has always taught her to trust her instincts.

Sera follows the clues hidden in the episodes to an isolated ranch outside Rachel’s small hometown to begin her search. She’s convinced her investigation will make Rachel so proud. But the more Sera digs into this unfamiliar world, the more off things start to feel. Because Rachel is not the first woman to vanish from the ranch, and she won’t be the last…

November 30, 2021November 30, 2021

Emma in the Night

Thoughts: For a thriller this has everything you could ask for. A story you get swept up in, enough twists that you don’t know what to believe, and the ending ties up every loose end perfectly so you have no questions. I would call it a Gone Girl jr as it’s a little lighter but still just as much manipulation and turns.

Summary: One night three years ago, the Tanner sisters disappeared: fifteen-year-old Cass and seventeen-year-old Emma. Three years later, Cass returns, without her sister Emma. Her story is one of kidnapping and betrayal, of a mysterious island where the two were held. But to forensic psychiatrist Dr. Abby Winter, something doesn’t add up. Looking deep within this dysfunctional family Dr. Winter uncovers a life where boundaries were violated and a narcissistic parent held sway. And where one sister’s return might just be the beginning of the crime.

February 1, 2021

January Book Stack

Breaking down what I read in January and how I’d rate everything. Looking back I realized I didn’t fall into my normal routine of reading all one genre which I was happy about. I feel like I usually end up reading 3 of the same books in a row and then mix up plots and characters so I’m going to try to stick to mixing it up this year. I’m currently 6 books into my 75 book goal for the year so we’re moving at a good pace!

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Do I even need to elaborate? Two more left in my reread and I already don’t want it to end.

Black Buck

Loved this book, it was a great balance between entertainment and life advice. The story telling was captivating and I walked away with a lot of great lessons on sales and how to interact with others.

Leave the World Behind

I really didn’t enjoy this book. It was hard to follow at times and there were parts included that seemed like big events that we just never heard about again. The ending was abrupt and had no real resolution or explanation to what was happening so I was left really unsatisfied.

The Dating Plan

I loved this one. A sweet romcom with characters you’re really rooting for. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a quick light hearted story. I got this as my Book of the Month for January.

The Only Child

Randomly picked this up in the used section of the bookstore. It was essentially Mind Hunter meets bad horror movie but I enjoyed it.

Moonflower Murders

This was great, if you love mysteries just start diving head first into Anthony Horowitz. This is a follow up to Magpie Murders so I’d suggest reading that first.

January 14, 2021November 30, 2021

Black Buck

Pairs well with: Starbucks Pike Place

Thoughts: This book was incredible. I’m usually hesitant going into books that have a lot of hype around them especially as they first come out but Black Buck lived up to my expectations. It’s written as a racial satire but there is a lot of great advice along the way, especially if you’re in a sales role. Throughout the book the author, Mateo, jumps in to point out lessons and call out parts that you should write down and take with you. The story really hits on the importance of diversity in the workplace and the power of passing on knowledge, I highly recommend this book to everyone.

Summary: Darren is an incredibly bright former valedictorian trying to figure out what to do with his life. He’s been managing a Starbucks for four years when he decides to try to sell one of their regulars a different drink, and it leads to a job offer to join his sales team. Darren quickly learns how toxic and noninclusive some of these workplaces can be while in ‘hell week’ at his new job. The company runs into a huge PR scandal and we see Darren try to rise to the occasion and take on the future of the company, his reputation and all those around him.

January 9, 2021November 30, 2021

This Time Next Year

Pairs well with: NYE champagne

I tend to go through periods where I read too many thrillers and need to mix in a lighter romance book and this one was perfect for that. It was a really sweet book with relatable characters, and a fun concept. It also was a nice way to escape what 2020 actually looked like and pretend it could’ve been like this sweet story.

30 years ago in London there was a contest to be the first baby born in the new decade. Two roommates helped each other through labor and had their kids minutes a part, one taking home the prize. Quinn not only won the prize, but he won the name Minnies’ mother was going to give her, and as she sees it he stole her luck in life. Quinn and Minnie end up at the same 2019 NYE party and realize their connection. The story goes between watching Minnie and Quinn get to know each other in 2020 and past New Years Eve’s where they were at the same places and just missed meeting each other.

January 4, 2021November 30, 2021

The Last Time I Lied

Pairs well with: Water from your camp branded water bottle

If you’re in the market for a good suspense thriller this is it. I feel like I’ve read so many thrillers at this point that I can start to predict the endings but this ending really caught me off guard. There’s a good balance of creepiness, paranoia and nostalgia of being at summer camp.

While attending summer camp Emmas’ three bunkmates went missing and were never found. Now 15 years later, a professional painter, she cannot stop painting the girls. At an art show she runs into the owner of the camp who informs her they’re reopening and want her to come teach art. She decides to accept the offer so that she can investigate and figure out the truth about 15 years ago, but quickly regrets it. The end will have your heart racing and then as soon as you think everything is resolved there’s a second bomb that will truly have you saying WTF.

January 2, 2021

Top 5 Books of 2020

I finished up my final book of 2020 on Wednesday which makes 75 total for the year. I’ve loved being able to share books with everyone this year and the below five are ones I couldn’t stop thinking about and recommending to others.

1. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo I truly loved this book, it has everything you could ask for in a story and will keep you captivated and invested throughout. Evelyn Hugo was the it girl of Hollywood for decades, and now that she’s getting older she want to tell her whole story. She hires a young writer to write the book and keep her legacy alive, and we get to listen is as she recounts her decades in Hollywood and life since the spotlight.

2. Verity If Gone Girl is one of your movies that you see playing on TV and can’t pass by, you have to read this book. An author named Lowen is hired to ghost write a book in a very popular series after the author is in a car accident and isn’t able to finish. She moves into the Crawfords’ home to go through the notes Verity made for the book and tries to piece everything together. While looking through the notes however she discovers a lot more than she intended to.

3. The Alice Network If you’re a historical fiction fan, any Kate Quinn is mandatory reading, but The Alice Network was my favorite. The book follows Eve during WWII as she becomes a spy in France, and shows the incredible contributions these women made to the war. The timeline then shifts to 1947 where an American girl Charlie is searching for her cousin who she lost contact with during the war.

4. Talking to Strangers The irony is not lost on me that this was one of my favorite books in a year where 75% of my days I only speak to my husband and cats. What this year did bring however was a change in how we all communicate and interact with coworkers, friends, family and everyone else around us. Throughout the process of learning how to navigate these new communication standards I referenced lessons learned in this book multiple times.

5. Normal People The perfect cuddle up with a blanket and read in one sitting love story. The book follows Connell and Marianne from high school to college and all the life and love lessons they learn along the way. Disclaimer: this is not your happy romcom story, and you might cry, but you will fall in love with this couple. The book was also made into a show on Hulu for when you finish but still want more.

December 29, 2020November 30, 2021

The Huntress

Pairs well with: Sam Adams Boston Lager

I had high expectations going into The Huntress as The Alice Network was one of my favorite books of 2020, and I wasn’t disappointed. I’m not even embarrassed to say that I’ve now learned more about WWII from Kate Quinn novels than I did in high school. The way she crafts characters and weaves together stories is perfection. This book is no exception, the way everything comes together at the end is *chefs kiss.* If you’re a historical fiction fan you likely need no convincing to pick up another Kate Quinn, but trust me, do it.

What I love about The Alice Network and now The Huntress is that they focus on strong females getting to tell their stories and the impact they had on the war. The Huntress shines a light on Russian female pilots, following Nina through her journey of becoming a pilot and getting out of her small town. We not only get Ninas’ story through the war but follow afterwards as she teams up with Ian and Tony to attempt to catch war criminals, more specifically, ‘The Huntress.’ This search leads them to Boston where Jordan is living with her father and his new wife.

December 29, 2020November 30, 2021

Final Cut

Pairs well with: English breakfast tea

I really enjoyed this story, although I feel like every thriller I’ve read lately takes place in the UK? This was an interesting twist on your typical old town with a secret Thriller. It gets a little dark so if you’re looking for a light beach read thriller this isn’t for you, it leans into Verity territory (probably why I enjoyed it so much, tbh.)

Final Cut follows Alex, a filmmaker, who gets a tip to travel to a small town in Northern England as the focus of her new documentary. The people in town are hesitant to speak to her and all seem to have their own secrets to keep. The purpose of the documentary is to showcase the ‘everyday life’ in Blackwood Bay but Alex quickly gets caught up in the mystery of three missing girls. The twists continue as Alex starts having memories come to her and think she’s been to the town before.