Blogging vs. Reading

Originally I thought it would be so awesome to have a blog where I would write reviews on books I've read. Then I realized if I only read 1 or 2 books a month, that's 1 or 2 blog posts a month. Who wants to follow a blogger that never posts? I then tried to find other things I could post about, but being a stay-at-home mom to an almost 4 year old doesn't leave much free time to post anything. Any free time that I get I try to read. So with that, I find myself at that "between a rock and a hard place" or in my case "between reading and posting on the blog". I sit here typing now with a book right next to my laptop that I keep eyeing and feel guilty that I'm typing instead of reading. It's funny that before I had a child I didn't read at all. I had all the time in the world (ok not really because before her I worked), but never read. I can't even remember what I did then to keep myself so occupied. As much as I love spending every minute of every day with her, I can't wait until she starts preschool and Mommy is able to get some of that alone time....kinda of. I did start babysitting, but he's only a few months old and a good baby so I can read while he naps.

Going forward, I am going to try and get at least 1 post a week in. I know it's not as good as many other blogs that you could be, and probably are, following. However, I hope that you will stick with my as I continue to grow. Suggestions on my blog are always welcome....even constructive criticism. Let me know if you want to see more or less of something. Is there something besides books that I should try to write about?

I do want to take a moment to thank everyone who follows me on Twitter (almost 300 followers), Instagram (1/2 way to 400 followers, and is part of the Facebook Group that is at this moment 1 member away from 1k. I have also created a Pinterest account for anyone who is interested. I look forward to doing more giveaways soon so if you're not stalking me, uhem I mean following me on social media....click those links.

Giveaway, Best Sellers and Kindle Covers

 Giveaway

Enter to Win the Ultimate Twilight Prize Pack!

 The following books were listed as best sellers on Amazon.

The complete collection 1-7

All seven eBooks in the multi-award winning, internationally bestselling Harry Potter series, available as one download with stunning cover art by Olly Moss. Enjoy the stories that have captured the imagination of millions worldwide.

 

Jan needs this. She’s flying to Crete to reunite with friends she met there five years ago and relive an idyllic vacation. Basking in the warmth of the sun, the azure sea, and the aura of antiquity, she can once again pretend—for a little while—that she belongs. Her ex-boyfriend Marcus will be among them, but even he doesn’t know the secrets she keeps hidden behind a veil of lies. None of them really know her, and that’s only part of the problem.

Then again, how well does she know them?

When Jan awakens in utter darkness, chained to a wall, a manacle around her wrist, her echoing screams only give her a sense of how small her cell is. As she desperately tries to reconstruct what happened and determine who is holding her prisoner, dread covers despair like a hand clamped over her mouth. Because, like the Minotaur in the labyrinth in Greek myth, her captor will be coming back for her, and all the lies will catch up to her…

An unspeakable crime. A confounding investigation. At a time when the King brand has never been stronger, he has delivered one of his most unsettling and compulsively readable stories.

An eleven-year-old boy’s violated corpse is found in a town park. Eyewitnesses and fingerprints point unmistakably to one of Flint City’s most popular citizens. He is Terry Maitland, Little League coach, English teacher, husband, and father of two girls. Detective Ralph Anderson, whose son Maitland once coached, orders a quick and very public arrest. Maitland has an alibi, but Anderson and the district attorney soon add DNA evidence to go with the fingerprints and witnesses. Their case seems ironclad.
As the investigation expands and horrifying answers begin to emerge, King’s propulsive story kicks into high gear, generating strong tension and almost unbearable suspense. Terry Maitland seems like a nice guy, but is he wearing another face? When the answer comes, it will shock you as only Stephen King can.


Bookish Goodies
Covers for your Kindle Paperwhite 

The Woman In Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware

The Woman In Cabin 10

by Ruth Ware

Available On Amazon

Available on Book Depository 

Rating (1-5) - 📘📘📘📘
Genre - Crime, Thriller, Suspense
Format - Hardcover
Pages - 340

I chose this for one of my books in my Book Of The Month subscription box. This subscription is different that my PageHabit because I get to choose the books that I want in it.

The Woman In Cabin 10 started off really slow for me. Although an easy read, there were parts that I thought were taking too long. As much as I enjoyed the book, it is the 3rd one in the last few months where the main character drinks too much, can't sleep and goes around blaming everyone. Only this one takes place on a ship.

Lo is a travel journalist who gets the chance to cover a story on a new luxury cruise ship, the Aurora, while her boss is sick. She almost passes off the story due to a break in at her home, but realizes that this could be her chance to show what she can do and advance in her career. Plus, isn't a weeks vacation with housekeeping, extravagant dinner parties and nothing but relaxation the best way to forget about a bad situation, at least for a little while? It might be, as long as another, even worse situation, doesn't happen during your vacation. Unfortunately for Lo, she couldn't be any further away from relaxation.

At the beginning of her trip, Lo witnesses a murder in the cabin next door to hers. She talks to the head of security, but the investigation is over as soon as it starts. Cabin 10 is empty, or is it. The more she tries to find out who the woman was, the more she starts to doubt everyone on board the ship. Lo doesn't know who she can trust besides herself. Instead of enjoying her time aboard the ship gathering material for an awesome story, she is constantly looking over her shoulder and having panic attacks. To top it all of the WiFi is down and there's no cell service - how convenient.

There were a couple parts that made me want to yell because of how stupid Lo was being. It was almost like watching a horror story where the people are doing the most obvious stupid move a person can make. Don't go down there, don't follow that person, stay in your room - all things I probably said out loud and didn't realize it.

Despite the annoying moments, there were some good twists that had me wondering how I hadn't figured it out. If your looking for a quick book to pass the time, I suggest this one.

Timelapse by Douglas Rugambwa

Timelapse

by Douglas Rugambwa

Rating (1-5) - 📘 (DNF)
Genre - Psychological Thriller
Format -E-book

I received this an ARC (advanced reader copy).

Let me start off by saying this is clearly one of those books that you might enjoy, but I was no where close. I am disappointed to add that this is my first DNF (did not finish) book. I've pushed through to make it just over 60%, but have actually starting skipping paragraphs. Reaching that point in a book it just wasted time I could be reading something else. Maybe I'll go back and try again, but I doubt it.

The book is said to be similar to the Matrix, in which we are living a lie. The beginning started of pretty good until the whole "treasure hunt". From that point on I felt as if I was back in high school going from class to class. History, science and even religion. At one point in the book there's a link to watch a video....an actual link. So I'm guessing this book is only meant to be an e-book? So the video along with all the maps and charts just made it too educational for me. I understand the concept of what was being said, but did it really have to have numbers, charts and all that?

It is possible that the book got better. Maybe it got great! But at this point, it is just not something I care to find out.

Lies You Never Told Me by Jennifer Donaldson

Lies You Never Told Me

by Jennifer Donaldson

Available On Amazon

Available on Book Depository 

Rating (1-5) - 📘📘📘📘📘
Genre - Young Adult, Romance, Thriller, Suspense
Format -Softcover

I received this an ARC (advanced reader copy). The book will be released on May 29, 2018.

I was so glad to have received this book. I finished it within 2 days. A page turner that is very easy to read. The teens in this book have quite extreme situations. There's Gabe, who is dating Sasha, the most popular girl in school. Sasha thinks that she can boss Gabe around and he'll do whatever she says with question. Gabe finally realizes that he doesn't want that kind of relationship and breaks it off, however, Sasha isn't going to let him get away so easy.

Elyse has lived a tough life taking care of her addict mom. She is not use to being in the spotlight, so when she lands the part of Juliet in her school play she doubts her ability. With the help of her teacher she starts to realize her potential. In addition to the play she also becomes the center of someone's attention leading to another rough road in life.

Lastly, there's Catherine. Catherine does everything she can to not be noticed. She doesn't want to stand out in the crowd. She tries to keep a low profile, but when she crosses Gabe's path she realizes that she really wants to have friends. Her home life doesn't make it so easy and she has to hide the feelings that she is starting to feel for Gabe.

Although the book changes character views, the chapters are set up so that you don't get confused. I wanted to know what was going to happen to everyone from the very beginning and the I never could have predicted the twist..dun...dun....duuun. The ending was good, but at the same time I thought it was sad and wished things were different. You will know what I mean when you finish the book (because you really should read it).