2018 A to Z Challenge

Bookworm is FINishing books left and right in this Alphabet Challenge!  She has achieved Dolphin status!!!

And Couscous finally caught up!  20 books done!

Girl Last Seen by Nina Laurin

Debut Novel

2018 A to Z Challenge - G

"Two Missing Girls.  Thirteen Years Apart."   Hmmm.... We learn early on the connection between these 2 girls, but Laurin doesn't give away any other secrets until the end.  It wasn't the most gripping "thriller" I have ever read, but it had its moments. At times I felt the story was a little drawn out, but the protagonist is such a troubled character that you can't help root for her (even though I was often frustrated by her self-destructive behavior).  Nonetheless, it is a quick easy read.

Quote:  "That veneer of normalcy may be tissue-paper thin, but you'll soon find out that no one is in any hurry to scratch the surface, let alone test if for weak spots."

#2018AtoZChallenge

                  Educated  -  Tara Westover
                    "E" - 2018atozchallenge

     
    Tara was raised by a fundamentalist Mormon family living off the grid.   The family was poorly home schooled and any injuries were treated by Tara's mother, a midwife and herbalist.  Her father was paranoid about the government and was constantly preparing his family for The End of Days.  He worked a junkyard and made most of his children work in the junkyard scrapping metal, sometimes a dangerous job.

At 17, Tara takes the ACT and is accepted into BYU, against her parent's wishes.  She hides the fact that she has no education, her family life, or any of the abuse that she has suffered.

She faced many challenges along the way to get her education. She  learned that many ideals her father had lectured her on were false and  she had to balance between those lies and the real facts.

This is an interesting read, a difficult read, and a disturbing read.
                                   
                                                     #2018atozchallenge



.                                             

Hotel on Shadow Lake by Daniela Tully

PageHabit Subscription - April 2018 - Historical Fiction

2018 A to Z Challenge - "H"

An enticing story made all the more fascinating by the actual story its based on!

Yet, beyond that it is an engaging read that has surprises, deceit, heartbreak and betrayal.  One finds empathy for the terribly conflicting times at the rise of the Nazi Regime.  Hindsight gives us the clarity so many did not have.

And I SO want to check out the hotel that inspired the Montgomery Hotel!

     Rosemary,  the Hidden Kennedy Daughter
                by Kate Clifford Larson

"R" - 2018atozchallenge

I am not sure how I feel about this book.  First off , Rosemary was born in a time when little was known or understood about"special needs" children.  They were either institutionalized or they were kept hidden. So it was a sad read for that reason.

Secondly,  Rosemary was either born into the wrong family or the right family...  The wrong family because she was expected to keep up with her siblings, all very smart and competitive, and there was a certain public persona that all Kennedys had to present. Rosemary was always watched to make sure she did not embarrass the family.  Joe and Rose Kennedy were always trying to find ways that would 'cure' Rosemary.

Or the right family because in later life, Rosemary got excellent care and the Kennedys had the money and the political power to make improvements in the health industry and the care of people with physical and intellectual disabilities.

The writing style was a little dry for me.  Filled with dates and names that I don't know  were relevant to Rosemary's story.  The Kennedy's story yes,  but not sure if it belongs to Rosemary's

The Dog Who Knew Too Much by Spencer Quinn

Series

I am bound and determined to get through this series (mainly b/c we already bought all 8 books)!  Now, I'm 1/2 way there!!   I'm trying not to let Chet annoy me TOO much with his constant repetition and just focus on the "cozy" mystery.  There's little to say, there's a who done it - this time in the woods at a camp and near an old mine, the mystery gets wrapped up nicely at the end, Chet repeats himself ad nauseam.  And on we go to Book 5!

  A year by the Sea - Joan Anderson
     "Y" - 2018atozchallenge

A year of self-discovery for a woman who has lost her own self and her dreams while caring for her family, realizing that she has neglected to nurture herself, as most women do.  This book has lots of words of wisdom and ways of putting ourselves first.,  to reconnect with the inner you.

"It is hard for most women to state what they want, because they've gotten used to wanting only what's available."

  Sometimes I Lie  -   Alice Feeney
              Guilty Pleasure

Wow,  just wow!!  So many twists that I did not see coming.  Just when I thought I might be figuring something out, I would get a curve ball and had my mind blown!!! 

Amber is in a coma, she can not move or see but she can hear.  She does not know why or what happened to her.  Her husband, Paul and her sister, Clare visit her and she hears them talking about her and  "the accident".  There is also a strange visitor that only comes at night.  Who is it?  Amber is also afraid,  but she is not sure of what or of whom.

This was a good psychological thriller but with an ending that I am still wondering about. 

                                                  #2018atozchallenge