Thank you for joining me here! (Reminder: the page numbers I list here reflect the number of Kindle pages, not paper pages.) I hope you enjoy this series and I’d love to hear from you about what you are reading these days.
Book #1:
Ghosted by Rosie Walsh (Length: 347 pages). I saw this book was recommended on Bookstagram, and since I was in the mood for a lighter romance, I checked it out. Set in England, this is a fun novel that is also well-written, with a few different plot twists that occur in the middle of the book. The author divides the book into two different perspectives, of the two main characters, which makes for an interesting take on the standard romance novel. There are deeper subject matters here, such as mental health, and the death of a young sibling, which elevate this book to be more than “chick lit” which I appreciate. I would definitely recommend this one, namely because this was a book that I thought about between the times I picked it up to continue reading.
From the publisher:
Seven perfect days. Then he disappeared. A love story with a secret at its heart.
When Sarah meets Eddie, they connect instantly and fall in love. To Sarah, it seems as though her life has finally begun. And it’s mutual: It’s as though Eddie has been waiting for her, too. Sarah has never been so certain of anything. So when Eddie leaves for a long-booked vacation and promises to call from the airport, she has no cause to doubt him. But he doesn’t call.
Sarah’s friends tell her to forget about him, but she can’t. She knows something’s happened–there must be an explanation.
Minutes, days, weeks go by as Sarah becomes increasingly worried. But then she discovers she’s right. There is a reason for Eddie’s disappearance, and it’s the one thing they didn’t share with each other: the truth.
Book #2:
The Choice: Embrace the Possible by Dr. Edith Eva Eger (Length: 305 pages). This memoir was given to me by my best friend who urged me to read it, telling me it would change my life. She was right. I first let my 14-year old daughter read it (for a “free” read for her freshman English class) and she adored it as well. The first half of the memoir covers Dr. Eger’s account of the Holocaust as she experienced it as a 16 year old. The scenes are graphic, as they should be, but what’s so interesting is reading about how Dr. Eger continually tried to find the positives in her situation, and tried to remain optimistic at all turns. The second half of the book is about how Dr. Eger learned to process what happened to her. She became a licensed psychologist at the age of 55 (!) and then uses her life lessons to help her patients, accounts she also shares here. I will absolutely use her advice in my own life, and I won’t ever forget this book. Simply put, it’s an amazing book that everyone should read!
From the publisher:
Winner of the National Jewish Book Award and Christopher Award
At the age of sixteen, Edith Eger was sent to Auschwitz. Hours after her parents were killed, Nazi officer Dr. Josef Mengele, forced Edie to dance for his amusement and her survival. Edie was pulled from a pile of corpses when the American troops liberated the camps in 1945.
Edie spent decades struggling with flashbacks and survivor’s guilt, determined to stay silent and hide from the past. Thirty-five years after the war ended, she returned to Auschwitz and was finally able to fully heal and forgive the one person she’d been unable to forgive—herself.
Edie weaves her remarkable personal journey with the moving stories of those she has helped heal. She explores how we can be imprisoned in our own minds and shows us how to find the key to freedom. The Choice is a life-changing book that will provide hope and comfort to generations of readers.
Book #3:
Verity by Colleen Hoover (Length: 333 pages). I have heard of this psychological thriller for several months, as well as this author (who is more known for her romance novels). I knew going into it that there would be some disturbing plot points, but wow–I wasn’t prepared for what I actually read. I had to put the novel down at a few places to take a break. There are several vivid accounts of infant and child abuse, and as a mother of two daughters, these were tough for me to get through. I will say that the writing is decent overall, as is the character development. But be forewarned, you won’t care for the main characters (nor are you supposed to). I will say you should keep an open mind while reading, as the plot resolution is interesting and the final “twist” does turn the entire novel on its head. In my opinion this is worth a library check out if you want to see what all of the fuss is about. Having said this, I will be checking out a few of Hoover’s romance novels as that’s the genre that has made her such a popular author.
From the publisher:
An Amazon top 100 bestseller of 2020
Lowen Ashleigh is a struggling writer on the brink of financial ruin when she accepts the job offer of a lifetime. Jeremy Crawford, husband of bestselling author Verity Crawford, has hired Lowen to complete the remaining books in a successful series his injured wife is unable to finish.Lowen arrives at the Crawford home, ready to sort through years of Verity’s notes and outlines, hoping to find enough material to get her started. What Lowen doesn’t expect to uncover in the chaotic office is an unfinished autobiography Verity never intended for anyone to read. Page after page of bone-chilling admissions, including Verity’s recollection of the night their family was forever altered.
Lowen decides to keep the manuscript hidden from Jeremy, knowing its contents would devastate the already grieving father. But as Lowen’s feelings for Jeremy begin to intensify, she recognizes all the ways she could benefit if he were to read his wife’s words. After all, no matter how devoted Jeremy is to his injured wife, a truth this horrifying would make it impossible for him to continue to love her.
Due to graphic scenes and mature content, this book is recommended for readers 18+.
Lora Terrill 