Whew…what a genuinely gripping read! I couldn‘t put this one down at all & definitely stayed up way too late to breathlessly finish it! Charlotte, a former etiquette writer, is pregnant with her second child at the opening of this book when she learns that her babysitter unexpectedly died four days earlier. And while her elder daughter, Stella, is a difficult child, after Blanka‘s death she seems to start changing…dual timelines & lots of tension!

This one feels like a departure from the series— Todd & Elizabeth no longer are “sort-of” dating & barely seem to know each other! Mr. Bowman‘s the homeroom/English teacher & Bruce is in 6th grade classes! Otherwise, it‘s fun when a hypnotist comes to school & the twins take opposing sides on believing in it. Jessica naturally dives in to trying her hand at hypnotizing her friends. Lila being hypnotized into quacking by the principal is the best!

This updated twist on THE SHINING with its unreliable narrator, set in a snowlocked motel in upstate NY makes a the gripping read! Kerry‘s husband has left, she hasn‘t spoken to her BFF in months & despite landing a dream contract for her debut novel, she still has to finish writing it! She hopes being the caretaker for this Instagram-friendly motel will provide her with the will to stop drinking & just write…but it‘s off the rails from the start!

It‘s the first midwinter break for #SVT & while Lila heads to Paris, the Wakefields head to the Triple Z Ranch. Liz‘s looking forward to the horses & Jessica the boys. But a boy even turns Liz‘s head— a boy who looks exactly like the one Jessica runs into! They vow to never fight over boys again once they realize the cute boy has an identical twin! Full of twin switching hilarity, but Steven and Rocket steal the show in the last day‘s race!

I never wanted to put Collins‘ 5th book down! With an engaging multimedia aspect from emails, DonorConnection communications & texts, Rosie‘s story hooks you in & provides some gasp-inducing twists along the way! A year earlier, Rosie received a heart transplant & knows the identity of the donor via her nurse BFF. This sparks Rosie‘s obsessive side as she learns more about the state of the emotional damage that her new heart had sustained. Twisty!

The final book in the #FrighteningFour miniseries was honestly, a bit of a let-down! Despite all of the spooky happenings, the final resolution is wacky (even for #SweetValley!). Plus, Alice had been established as Eva‘s 15 year old babysitter & now she was suddenly 12… the climax on yet another #SweetValleyHalloween is certainly action-packed (more fire, a cemetery chase!) & Steven plays a hilariously heroic role again but I wanted better answers

This adult fiction debut‘s certainly gained a lot of buzz from being a #BOTM choice & the January Reese Witherspoon pick! And it‘s one that does draw the reader right in with multiple narrators, a book-within-a-book & an authentic depiction of that all encompassing girlhood best friend relationship. It kept my attention (though simple communication & a good shaking of sense into some of them was all that it needed to be resolved!) & I liked it!

This 3rd book in the #FrighteningFour miniseries is the spookiest! Picking right up from the fiery cliffhanger, Steven steps it up into being a real hero. We learn more about Alice as the Sullivan‘s babysitter & the twins are set to hang up their babysitting spurs…until Mrs. Riccoli‘s mother in FL has a heart attack! So the 5 babysitters are back on duty but determined to stay awake no matter what though Jess‘ unfiltered decaf coffee doesn‘t work!

After absolutely loving Whelan‘s 2nd novel, I eagerly picked up her debut—pleased to snag it in an Audible sale, since when I read the other, I was so curious about the audio performance, considering the author‘s expertise! And this doesn‘t disappoint—it‘s a great performance & a storyline that reels you right in with all of Ella‘s dreams coming true in the very opening from arriving as a Rhodes scholar to a job—but the year changes everything!

The second book in the #FrighteningFour miniseries picks up right away with the twins & friends still sharing babysitting duties for the 5 Riccoli kids in their haunted mansion. As Liz tries to piece together the clues in all of the similarities in their nightmares, Steven & Joe break up the tension with hilarity on the Wakefields‘ new riding mower. Also, it‘s clear Alice has a connection to the house all of her own! Plus what a cliffhanger!

This led to one of our book club‘s livelier discussions… mostly from us agreeing on what we didn‘t like! Set in a remote corner of the world where boundaries blur between Sweden, Finland & Russia, the glacial pace irritates with abrupt shifts in perspective (equally frustrating to those who listened & physically read it). Oddly, I really disliked both the beginning & ending, but I did appreciate parts in the middle & the breadth of research here.

I can‘t believe it‘s been 16 years since I read this #FrighteningFour miniseries for the first time! In the #SVT series‘ 7th haunted mansion, the Riccoli family has moved into the old Sullivan place. With five kinds under ten, & a husband still working back in Sacramento, the twins start raking in the babysitting money along with Amy, Winston & Todd. But with dire warnings from the creepy gardener & nightmares with real scratches, this is spooky!

The last of my #12BooksOf2024 wasn‘t a hard choice since I read the last 400 pages of this in literally one sitting!! I loved it!!

Thanks for organizing this fun end of year summary, @Andrew65 — looking forward to next year‘s collection!

Starting in 1955, this novel revolves around the titular character‘s life through a public breakdown & its aftermath. Margaret, a Shakespearean actress has redefined her life, but her past still plays a role, as her roles start to play within her life. The historical details are handled well, & as expected, a theatrical cast brings plenty of drama to this quick read. Margaret‘s the focus but I wanted more depth to the supporting roles.

Even with only three options, my #12BooksOf2024 choice was still a tough one for November! But, as I listened to this one, it felt like it was written just for me! I immediately ordered a physical copy and I am already looking forward to re-reading it!

Only one more to go, @Andrew65 !

Casey‘s Ice Cream Parlor not only suddenly has waiters, but college student/clown Joe Carrey is everyone‘s favorite employee. But when Jessica forces her sister into a late night run to the pharmacy for maxi pads, they become witnesses in an armed robbery! Liz can‘t believe that the clown in question is Joe & using Amanda Howard as a guide, she sets out to prove his innocence! Cameo locations of #SVU & fun riddles make this a great one!

Well, this was yet another tough decision for which October read would be one of my #12BooksOf2024! But, I had to ultimately go with the scariest and the most tense (a very close runner-up was SOMEONE IN THE ATTIC which had me just checking on our own attic before taking my review picture!🤣) which was this listen. Not only did it scare me, but my gasping out loud while walking our dog passed along the scares to him! So this one even scared him!

While Feeney‘s 7th novel isn‘t my favorite, I still found myself listening to this at every opportunity! With dual perspectives, this one hooked me from the start. Author Grady Green‘s whole life has crumbled in the wake of his wife‘s mysterious disappearance. But his agent (and wife‘s godmother) throws him an opportunity to write in the isolated cabin she inherited on a remote Scottish island. It‘s quickly clear that the island harbors secrets!

This was another tough pick for the #12BooksOf2024 but I had to go with this sweetly moving debut novel— and another one where multiple copies were opened under the tree this year. I am definitely excited to see how my friends and family enjoy this one! I loved it!

Thanks, @Andrew65 for organizing!

Despite the girls‘ basketball team championship of #20PlayingHooky, the school no longer has a girls team & after Steven gives his sisters a basketball lesson, they‘re naturals! Steven needs coaching experience & so the Honeybees are formed— but the boys‘ team isn‘t supportive— refusing to go to games! So the Boosters boycott them, ending their winning streak! Bruce Patman cuts a deal in the end, & it‘s all a good laugh despite the inconsistency!

Though August was another great month, immediately after finishing this ARC, I ordered three copies to give as Christmas presents because not only did I love it, but I knew my BFF, mom and SIL would also love it! I am looking forward to hearing what they think!
#12BooksOf2024
@Andrew65

Though I haven‘t listened to the podcast, I enjoyed this compilation of quick & fascinating little articles arranged in a variety of themes to guarantee there‘s something to capture anyone‘s interest! Though I read it straight through, it would be more enjoyable to read only one or two at a time, as the dad joke humor can be a bit much after a while. But, I am hoping that this will make an excellent dad gift, as I just bought extra copies to give!

July was another good reading month so it was tough narrowing this down for the #12BooksOf2024– but I had a lot of anticipation for this one, and wasn‘t remotely disappointed! Couldn‘t put it down and I‘m counting down the days till Sager‘s next!
Sorry for falling a little behind, but I‘m going to catch up @Andrew65 !

This volume in the series tackles a more serious subject— child abuse. Brian Boyd, proven bully, has been bragging about winning fights & keeps disrupting Mr. Bowman‘s unit on families. Liz reads in the paper about a 12 year old removed from his home due to abuse, & after seeing Brian cry in the alley, puts it together that those “fights” have been at the hands of his father. Oddly, most of #SweetValley wants to send him away! Liz to the rescue!

Though June was another good reading month with plenty of books to choose from for the #12BooksOf2024, I think Margo‘s story surprised me the most & has lingered with me the longest—definitely a top read for the year!

Thanks, @Andrew65 for organizing— I saw that this made many other Littens‘ lists as well!

This YA fiction set in the not-so-distant future in the UK makes for a quick & engaging listen. Emma, an ob-gyn nurse, watches her hospital struggling with a recent surge in stillbirths as political conspiracies start to be carefully whispered about. Her teenage daughter, Lainey, gets involved in protests after one of her friends goes missing after they suspect she was pregnant. Lainey has her own problems as bigger truths are uncovered. Exciting!

In this 4th #SweetValleyTwinsSpringBreak, the twins are headed to live with a French family (they‘re in French, which was established in #46 that they weren‘t old enough for!). But a last minute change in plans has them looking for Madame du Noir, an older widow. Between Liz‘s latest Amanda Howard mystery & an article about missing blonde Americans that Jessica reads, they‘re terrified & go on the run in Paris! The whole fam comes to rescue them!

Ooops, sorry for the delay— I could have sworn I posted this last night, but obviously I was more tired than I thought! 😳
Though I really loved Brandon Sanderson‘s Skyward series in May, I am going with this thriller instead for the monthly #12BooksOf2024 because it really hooked me in (and it‘s too hard to pick just one from a series!🤣).

Thanks, @Andrew65 for organizing!

With just a few days to spare, I finished the last state (Arkansas!) for the #ReadAroundTheUSChallenge! Set at University of AK, this follows a visiting professor/writer, an RA with goals for after graduation & a suite of young women with their own problems of varying intensity. Very different from my own college experience, the characters do come to life, but it sort of makes the reader feel like an eavesdropper along with the characters!

A 2 week fundraising fair for the library provides Jessica the perfect opportunity to share her psychic gifts with her classmates! Her two free fortunes— that Patrick & Sophia will break up & that her twin will fail her history test— come true, cementing her talent. Soon all of her predictions are coming true, but only seeing doom makes her a pariah! Meanwhile, Liz gets very bent out of shape about library fines until she discovers her own fine!

April‘s my birthday month, so I had another tough time narrowing this down to just one for the #12BooksOf2024, but how could I not go with my all-time favorite author, John Connolly?! The Charlie Parker series just gets better and better and each time I finish the latest, I just start counting down the days once more to his next! You can see my other top reads for the month from my planner!

Thanks for organizing, @Andrew65

Wow! Went in with high expectations & this still totally blew me away! I read the last 400 pgs in a breathless sitting—gasping, laughing, crying!Seriously, I loved this so very deeply that I must track down everything else he‘s written! What a talent! Great characters—not just the mains but scene stealers like Sammy & Charlotte, too! Well-plotted & epically spanning more than a quarter of a century, I didn‘t want to end, but desperately got there!

After their ship sinks in the storm, the twins & their friends wash up on a deserted island! Though there‘s fresh water & fruit, disagreements arise splitting them into 2 groups! But only working together do they have a chance of getting back to #SweetValley! Plus, the island has dangers of its own! And Liz sustains yet another head injury!! An exciting conclusion to this first miniseries within the #SweetValleyTwins series! A four day adventure!

Whew… March was a tough one to narrow down for my #12BooksOf2024 (as you can see, it was a month with over 10 five star reads!), but I am going with this re-imagining of Strangers On A Train! I loved it and have thought of it often since finishing it!

Thanks to @Andrew65 for organizing!!

Lillian practically raised her younger sister, Rosie, but after their parents‘ death, they haven‘t spoken in years. As Lillian struggles with her career, a newborn & her husband‘s distance, Rosie reaches out for a reunion. But a Lake Shore Drive accident leaves Lillian to put together the unknown pieces of her sister‘s life. Dual perspectives & some chilling scenes make this an absorbing & well-performed listen, highlighting medicine & therapy.

A group of 25 SVMS students are headed for a Saturday field trip for extra science credit to Santa Maria Island… but the boat abruptly leaves before the teacher or chaperones get on! At first, this only adds to the fun until they discover the real captain & first mate tied up! The boat‘s been hijacked by bank robbers who don‘t seem afraid to throw them all off into shark-infested waters! They must save themselves! What a cliffhanger of an ending!

For Day 2 of the #12BooksOf2024, my February pick was harder to narrow down— but LISTEN FOR THE LIE was one of my favorite audiobooks of the whole year, though honorable mentions must go to the other 5-star reads I read that month (my monthly calendar log in the photo lists the 5 others!).

Thanks @Andrew65 for organizing this fun countdown!

I loved THE LAST THING HE TOLD ME, so I went into this with my hopes too high. It fell flat for me as distant half-siblings try to learn the truth about their father‘s unexpected death. While the plot holds some surprises, I never felt invested in the relationships described & by the end, it all felt too implausible. Maybe had I connected with any of the characters, it would‘ve been more fun to read— though I‘m sure it would be fun to discuss.

Whoah! This 3rd #SweetValleyHalloween in the #SVT series is the spookiest! Jessica finds Liz‘s Halloween “carols” & attitude juvenile so she doesn‘t want to do a joint costume. Liz plans with Amy & Maria until a stray dog leads her to a grotesque skeleton mask that she inexplicably loves. Soon she‘s acting meaner than Betsy Martin (she debuts here!) & making her friends & twin cry. Jessica braves yet another spooky house to learn how to save her!

My first #12BooksOf2024 is the first book club read of 2024! I couldn‘t put this one down, and was definitely my favorite January read— though an honorable mention goes to Anders de la Motte‘s THE MOUNTAIN KING for the month— still waiting on the sequel being translated into English!

Thanks for organizing, @Andrew65 !
 @JenlovesJT47 I am curious to see your list!! 😊

Despite the excellent audio performance & the great opening hook, this one fell apart in the end for me. Narrator Addison has been reviled his whole life— even his mother can barely stand the sight of him. After his adoptive father dies, he‘s been alone living in the under city & avoiding people, until he encounters a young woman running for her life. Their unlikely relationship takes on bigger significance amongst their tragedy filled lives.

Cousin Robin‘s in #SweetValley for 2 weeks while her parents are in Europe (but no mention of Stacey!!) & while it‘s all fun at first, the upcoming Sadie Hawkins Dance starts the titular war. Jessica wants to ask Argentinian exchange student, Juan, despite his crush on Robin. Busy Liz asks Todd to be nice to Robin, who in turn decides he‘s the love of her life! Complete with a twin switch, Jessica schemes her way to the dance while fights erupt!

Such a fun holiday rom-com!! Mystery writer Maggie has had a hard time lately after her marriage falls apart. A mysterious invitation from her editor for a trip over the holidays should be a great distraction— except her writer nemesis, Ethan, shows up on the private plane! With a locked room mystery, enemies to lovers and great banter, this is a light hearted and quick read perfect for the season! I appreciated the Agatha Christie inspiration!

Jessica‘s nearly made it to the honor roll for the month & a sugar cookie contest in home ec will give her the perfect nudge to make it! While fighting with her twin (who‘s feeling under appreciated since she‘s been on the honor roll since elementary school), she accidentally adds special ingredients to the cookies. They‘re a hit but in order to recreate them for a guest spot on Lifestyles of the French & Famous, even the Unicorns can‘t help! Fun!

I‘ve had this one on my Audible shelf for a while, & the snowy cover made this seem like a perfect time to dive in! Though well-performed, I never connected with any of the characters & the main character just grated against my nerves from start to finish (I, too, would have pushed her into the pool!). There were some interesting threads to the story & usually a fixed setting mystery works for me, but too many leaps to conclusions for me here!

Oh man, I wish I had read this for the first time back in 1995 when it first came out!! So much fun!! I love a good prank war & when Mr. Bowman starts a scary story unit focusing on classics like Frankenstein, Dracula & Edgar “Alvin” Poe‘s stories, the boys start trying to prove the girls are bigger chickens! And when the twins start using Steven as a test dummy for their revenge pranks, he gets in on the scaring! Heck, even Alice & Ned join in!

After that cliffhanger, I was glad to have this conclusion on hand! And while I appreciated that everything was nicely tied up, with a thorough epilogue, I really didn‘t like the ending twist at all. It is a wonder Inez will ever trust anyone ever with anything after this adventure! The action moves from Cairo to Alexandria with fast pacing throughout. Ultimately, there‘s too much betrayal for me & not enough real justice. Not as fun as I‘d hoped!

It‘s the 3rd #SweetValleySummerVacation & while Lila jets around Europe, the twins are bored in #SweetValley! Liz wants to write her own mystery novel & is delighted when Ned & Alice surprise them with Camp Faraway that offers writing & acting classes & traditional camp fun! A cave exploration is nearly spoiled by snooty camp nemesis Priscilla, but Liz finds a glowing fountain pen! Not only does it work without ink, but it writes its own story!

I‘m a sucker for an Egyptian mystery/adventure but when I heard it was to be a duology, I waited to have the second in hand before cracking this open! Considering that cliffhanger of an ending, I‘m glad! Main character Inez leaves Argentina after receiving a letter about her parents‘ disappearance in the desert. Always longing to join them, she hopes to uncover the truth of what happened to them. Some predictable turns & Inez‘s naïveté soured it.

After a planned Mother‘s Day party is a disaster when no one completes party errands, a debate ensues over who has it rougher— parents or kids. Alice “swaps” places with the twins for the weekend— she has to get rollerblade-a-thon donations for Jessica & complete Elizabeth‘s media report while the twins take on household responsibilities plus designing a sun porch for their neighbor. It‘s fun to see Alice really get into it despite VCR trouble!