This is my first taste of Jack Reacher, and I'm intrigued.

As for the story, I wasn't all that impressed. It feels like the ending was the beginning of the real story. An interesting one at that.
I know short stories aren't all that, but I expected more.

This was even better the second time around.
I should really read my favourite books more often.

Previously my rage towards Angie blinded me to her life, what she's been through and why she became the Angie we all hate. But this time around I'm really appreciating Slaughter's character development and background. I mean the why behind Angie totally makes sense. This truly is a gift of Slaughter.
👇🏻 Continue 👇🏻

3½✨
When I bought this book I didn't realise it was Sci-Fi, I actually didn't realise it until I started reading. I'm not a fan of Sci-Fi.
That being said, I found this one rather entertaining.
It's an entirely different writing style; than what I'm use to, so I struggle a lot to keep everything together and had a bit of going back and forth at times. In the beginning it was a lot of work for me to read.
👇🏻 Continue👇🏻

The thing that keeps me most interested in Slaughter's work is her ability to write such believable characters. I'm not just thinking about these well loved - or hated - characters, but even characters from her stand-alones still pop into my head as real people.
The way she uses them enriched the plot and further the story in ways that couldn't be done if you weren't as invested in them as she makes you feel.

I thoroughly enjoyed each second I spent listening to this audiobook.
I find Kelly to be the force of nature I'd always pictured her to be. Hearing her desires and struggles, and how graciously she accepts life and its circumstances was such an inspiration.

I know I've read this one before, but for the life of me I couldn't remember who the mastermind behind the plan was.

A quick on edge thriller, just as I'd have it from Slaughter.

This is my favourite book in the whole series, not before or since (I'm up to book 11) did any of the books entice me like this one.

It's not just that we learn the why behind Will and Amanda. It's the whole book. Everything from the compelling plot, the dual time lines, the characters, the writing, the style, and the pacing. Everything is just right.

I read / listen to this one for two reasons.
Firstly I needed a book that started with a Q for my alphabet challenge; and secondly I was intrigued by this series for quite a while, but wasn't sure if it was something I'd liked.

To be honest I don't feel this book was the best place to start, I didn't know any of the characters and felt quite lost at some points.

Overall I got the gist of the story and I don't think it's for me.

October #WrapUp

📚 3
💭 2
🎧 7

My quests to re-listen to the entire Will Trent series before the end of the year is going great! Infact I've even added the short stories - I'm reading them because I can't find them on audio, but they're so short it almost feels like they aren't allowed to count.

And my Tablet is fixed, so I'm able to read my Comics again 🤩

I love the new #StoryGraph Wrap-Up

3½✨

Suspenseful little short story filled with all things Will.

But not really necessary for the series, as it doesn't add to the overall story or character growth.

I always think of this book as being Faith's, her background, her story. But after this re-listen I realise it's so much more. It's Evelyn's story, and Amanda's and a excellent stepping stone for the next book.

Slaughter is an absolute master at character development!

Re-listening to this series just confirms why Slaughter is one of my top favourites.

She's brilliant with character development, very intense plots and whip-smart dialogue.
I'm amazed with her ability to actualise the characters, they feel so real.

I must say this time around I find I understand Lena better, and actually enjoyed the complexity of her character.

Spending some time in Drakensberg for our 15 year wedding anniversary.
It is absolutely stunning here 😍
Reading on the slow side, because of all the beautiful scenery.

4¼ ✨
Re-reading this just confirms how absolutely brilliant Slaughter is.

Over the years I've thought about this book a lot. How a childhood trauma can shape one's life so drastically that years later you still fear for your life, you actually train yourself that if ever you're in the same situation you will be better prepared.
👇🏻

Two stories one theme: don't aggravate truck drivers.
I enjoyed both stories but found Duel's storyline more to my liking, it made a bigger impact.
However I liked the art in Throttle more than Duel's

Happy Tree Friends meet Dexter

This is a twisted little tale, but it's been done before just in a slightly different format.

It was however entertaining and enjoyable

I should really start looking at content warnings before just blindly diving into books.

The only thing I knew about Eleanor Oliphant is that everyone seems to like the book.
So I had a few triggers pop-up, nevertheless I still found it absolutely brilliant. It was done so realistically, and true to the issues that I almost believed Eleanor was a real person I've met just the other day.

I get the hype.

In my mind this is the true start of Will Trent, the first book - while brilliant - felt more like an introduction, especially considering that the main point of view is so different from the rest of the books.
This book really shows who Will is and what he's accomplished with his life.
It's always fun re-reading books; seeing how the author already knew more of his backstory in book two than we could have ever guessed at this point.

3½ ✨

This was something different for me.

I'm usually one for the fast past, action pack, gruesome thrillers. Or a fast moving mystery with a lot of clues for me to figure out.
This however was more of a slow burn mystery with a lot of family drama.

I remember this being my first ever book by Slaughter. I remember how caught up I was and how I couldn't get enough.

Almost exactly 10 years later I have the exact same reaction as then. Even though I knew the ending, even though I knew I would later come to love or hate some of the characters. This felt exciting, on edge and again I couldn't get enough.

4½ ✨

Revisiting this book, made me realise just how much I've let the spoiled ending and need to continue with the Will Trent series affect my opinion.
This is a brilliant book!
While revising Faithless I even had the thought that for a small quiet town, it seemed to be attracting a lot of bad. Sort of far fetching.

👇🏼 Continue 👇🏼

September #WrapUp

📚 5
🎧 5

Re-listening to the Grant County series is definitely my highlight of the month.

I was so disappointed with Atlas 🫤

It disturbs me that we as a human race can be so cruel towards each other.

At a later stage I will re-read this book, in a more enlightened frame of mind. Because this time around I was not ready for harsh topics so blatantly stated.

I can see why this is seen as a Modernist masterpiece

8 years later....

I'm still just a captivated and enthralled as the first time.
I love the subtle sarcasm and humour, it doesn't fail to bring a smile to my face every time.

Going on an adventure with Geralt is quickly becoming one of my favourite escapisms.
Killing monsters, breaking curses, and sharing it all with some good friends.

My only complaint is that these stories is too short.

"She came to him toward morning."

#FirstLineFriday
@ShyBookOwl

4½✨

"when ordinary people pray, they gain access to extraordinary power"

10 Inspiring stories of how the prayers of women influence the situations around them, and what they can teach us about our own prayer life.

I loved that each chapter started with a little story, I found it impactful on a different level to see things through the eyes of these women.

I've always thought my dislike for this book stemmed from the Grant County ending being spoiled for me just before starting this specific book. But after this re-listen I've realised that, that's not the reason.
I just wasn't as invested in this story as the previous ones, and it felt unnecessarily drawn out.

Diabolical.

Surprisingly gripping. Despite not liking any of the characters or the plot, I read this in two days.

To be honest, I have no idea why I had this compilation to finish this book so quickly. It could be the brilliant writing or the fact that I just wanted this twisted little girl out of my life.

👇🏼 Continue 👇🏼

MAYBE THE MACHINE could see the words she never spoke.

#FirstLineFridays
@ShyBookOwl

🌷 An oldie, but a goodie
🌷 Paper or Audio
🌷 Fantasy

Thanks for the tag @Yuki_Onna
#WondrousWednesday
@Eggs

Please help....
I can't decide which book to read next.
I want to read them all.

I realised why this has always been my favourite book; it's the dual time-line.
I love when I get to know the younger versions of my favourite characters.

This re-listen really reminds me why Karin is one of my favourite authors.

With the previous two books I could distinctly remember who the killers were and why, but with this one I wasn't so sure.
Funny how your brain retains certain things and forgets others.
So this re-listen was a blast.

Lena's story is such a sad one, but I just can't like her.
Now on to my favourite of the Grant County series.

2✨
I'm disappointed.

While I appreciate what Harry did in finishing this project for his mother, I could tell he didn't quite possess his mother's skill.

This book felt very shallow and it felt like all the characters diverted back to teenagers; after each had such amazing character growth in their own books this was my biggest disappointment.

August #WrapUp

I can't believe how much I've read this month 🤯
Coming back from a very long, very bad reading slump feels so good. 😍

I find it absolutely fascinating that there are millions of little microbes living inside of us, that have such an impact on our wellbeing.

At the end of the book I realised that this information is almost a decade old, so I'm interested to see how things have changed since then.

If anyone has any suggestions on a more recent book, I'll appreciate suggestions.

I've always hoped that Karin would get Will to bring the very sadistic perpetrators to justis in a later book.

This is such a sad, sick story.
I always get this hollow feeling on the pit of my stomach to the point of nausea when children are involved.
I think the part that gets to me most is knowing that there really are people out there that abuse kids like this.

I'm so glad that I already own Atlas, and can start to read it right after I finish this - very short - review.

I did not like Merry McDougal, she just rubbed me the wrong way from the get-go. So for a long while I didn't read more than 10 pages a week. But as the story took form and my brain figured out what was literally only revealed on the last few pages my interests picked up.

Since I'm permanently back in the office, I get way less reading time.
But I decided to use my commute to listen to Audiobooks and I'm loving that I now don't want to get out of the car 😜

5✨
After finishing 'After That Night' last year, I've been meaning to re-read Sara's story again.
So when I saw 'This Is Why We Lied' on the shelf at my local bookshop and realised I still haven't gotten around to my re-read, I just caved and got them all on audio.
Listening to this was a different experience.

Excited to start 'Kisscut'

4✨

This was a very insightful and helpful book, I've learned quite a lot about myself and boundaries - mine and others.

3✨
I think I was expecting more.
I've heard so many great things about this series, and it was compared to authors such as Gillian Flynn, Stieg Larson, AJ Finn, Lisa Jewel (whom I love) and Ruth Ware (whom I tolerate)
So I thought, why not give it a go.

I was in need of a good Mystery / Thriller as it always gets me out of a reading slump, and I coul definitely feel one approaching.

👇🏼 continue 👇🏼

My reading has been dismal this year...
At the end of July I've only read 10 books

But then at the beginning of this week I just got the urge to sit down and read.
So far I've finished 2 half-read books, and started 2 more.

Looks like I'm back! 🎉

My March #WrapUp

I'm pleasantly surprised with the Cainsville series.

3½✨

While I guessed at the goings-on in Cainsville while reading Omens, I was still totally wrapped up and lost in Olivia's world.

It started with me wanting to know more about her parents, and it ends with me desperately needing to find the next book, because I realised it's all about Cainsville.

This is just the exact right combination of mystery, intrigue and myth to hit my sweet spot of enjoyment.

4✨
I am not a fan of Nesta.
But I also wasn't a fan of Chaol, and didn't want to read Tower of Dawn - It ended up as one of my favourites in the Throne of Glass series.
I'm still not a fan of Nesta, but I do appreciate what Maas did with her character. I love the message that no matter what you are loved, and you are worthy of love.
And even though this book didn't find its way to my favourites, I still shed a few tears there at the end.
Cont👇🏼

I couldn't find a physical book for Visions on such short notice, but I did find the Audio book 🤩

Hoping to finish aCoSF this week.

#CurrentlyReading

3½✨
I honestly don't even know how I got this book, but it's been on my shelf forever.
I started it without even knowing genre. But the initial start drew me in, and I just had to know if her parents were guilty by the 40% mark, so today I sat down and finished it.
I was pleasantly surprised with this one, I'll be on the lookout for the rest of the books in the series.

Not a fan of Nesta, but I've heard that I need to read this one before I continue with House of Flame & Shadow.
#CurrentlyReading

My February #WrapUp

I think my reading slump is over 🎊🎉
Took long enough (October 23 to mid February 24) 😱
Think this was the longest time I've ever gone without reading.