Hi friends! Long time no talk. I‘ve moved my bookish life over to Instagram! Follow my #bookstagram account there, @ what_amy_reads. I‘ll still be checking in here every now and again, but my reviews and posts will be over there. Hope to connect with you on that platform and thank you for building a wonderful community here on Litsy. ❤️ Happy Reading!

Hi friends! I have seen this happen a few times recently both here and on Instagram, so this is just a friendly reminder. If you‘re sharing a photo that is not your own, meaning you didn‘t stage and take it, you should really credit the source if you know it. Even if they‘re not on Litsy or an active Litsy user. Even if they‘re watermarked. Beautifully staged photos are creative WORK. Please don‘t pass them off as your own. Thanks! ❤️❤️

It has been a long time since I stayed up late to finish a book but I did just that with this one. It has an interesting construct, with short, quick chapters that have shockingly relevant titles. I learned quickly to hold my breath as each chapter revealed itself, sometimes in as few as two or three sentences. This one is actually surprisingly lighthearted while it is at the same time dark and thought-provoking.

This book is...not good, & there was so much potential with the plot and setting that I am beyond disappointed to have to say that. The writing is...I just can‘t. The characters are all completely loathsome people and the author drops all these clues and plot points that could have made for an epic thriller and instead are just...never resolved. I‘m sorry I wasted all my commutes on this book this week & honestly wish I had just DNFed. Terrible.

I look forward to packages from @BookwormAHN all month long! Ashley, thank you so much for the thoughtful book mail! Gothic mysteries are my fave and I LOVE Daphne Du Maurier. Cannot wait to dive into these two! #whodunitthesequel

Save Me the Plums by Ruth Reichl...another @annebogel Summer Reading Guide pick best served with a side of champagne. Y‘all, I LOVED this one. Like, two-days-later-I-still-haven‘t-picked-up-another-book-and-I-put-a-library-hold-on-her-book-Garlic-and-Sapphires-at-2AM LOVED this one. 😂😂 Reichl is so funny and honest and it‘s such a fascinating story. Two thumbs up.

THIS BOOK. It wrecked me in all the right ways. Have you ever read The Diary of Anne Frank? It is a lifelong favorite of mine—I‘ve read it probably 10 times and have also read a lot of supplementary books about Anne‘s life and death as well. This book is a fictional tale imagining Anne‘s post-war years if she had lived, and wow. Well-researched, heartbreaking, and hopeful. So, so well done. This one will be with me for awhile.

Finished on audio last week...and am honestly still trying to decide how I feel about it. This was my first Kate Quinn that I finished—I DNFed The Alice Network because I have quibbles with the author‘s portrayal of dialogue for the time period. She seems to write dialogue and indeed, characters, even, who appear and speak more modern than the time period she is depicting. (Continues in comments)

The suffering of these people! Absolutely unimaginable. The author did a great job with pacing and setting a sense of place, which really helped move the story along...helpful, because this tragedy was so long-suffering and at times the material could have been VERY dry. My only quibble is that I would have liked a listing of every person involved because there were a LOT to keep track of. Overall, two thumbs up.

I loved this one, but am recommending it with a caveat: if you haven‘t read Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier, you absolutely need to read that first before you dive into this one, lest you become one of the countless reviewers I saw who griped about certain aspects of this book which are hallmarks of the original. This is a modern retelling of Rebecca, with its own twists & turns, & I absolutely LOVE what the author did with the classic characters.

What to say about this book?! Started it Friday PM, finished it Sun AM and pretty much couldn‘t put it down in between. This book was completely engrossing, full of courage and hope, but it was also completely maddening, as one of the main characters is basically one of the most vile human beings I‘ve ever read about. I have been unable to stop thinking about these women and what they went through. 5 absolutely captivating, heartbreaking stars.

Audiobooks and I have been in a fight lately. There haven‘t been any that have really grabbed my attention, and thus I‘ve been deep diving into podcasts like crazy. But I got this book as a Kindle deal add-on and I listened to it all in two days. Historical fiction is always an excellent audio choice for me. While this book was a bit predictable, overall, I enjoyed it, and it was a nice way to get back into the audiobook game!

Carol Goodman is quickly becoming a favorite author of mine, as I really enjoy the atmosphere and pacing of everything she writes. Her latest, The Night Visitors, is no exception. While the ending was a bit too tidy and some of the resolutions of the various plot lines were a bit too coincidental for my taste, I did find this one to be well-written, quick-paced, and engaging. I loved the characters of Mattie and Oren. Two thumbs up! 👍👍

I have a love/hate relationship with figuring out the “twist” of a book well before the end, and so, I have a love/hate relationship with this book. Don‘t get me wrong—it was GOOD, in that the writing is fine, the pacing is good, and the story is interesting—but I did figure out the ending pretty early on and in this case, it kinda ruined the rest of the book for me. 3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️, though I feel pretty meh about it!

You wanna freak yourself the hell out? This is the book for you! Holy. Smokes. 😳 This is the terrifying true story of the Ebola and Marburg viruses and hot damn is it simultaneously disgusting and fascinating. I tore through this one and couldn‘t put it down, which is not typical for me with non-fiction. If you like medical thrillers, science, or just a good “holy shit” every now and then, pick this one up.

Received this as an ARC and finished it last night. It‘s out March 19 if you are interested!

Part spy thriller, part procedural mystery, part historical fiction. The writing is fantastic—well-developed characters, nice pacing, excellent scene setting and atmosphere. I loved the main character of Dr. Natalie March. When I first started reading, I got all the Kay Scarpetta vibes, and I used to love that series! Two enthusiastic thumbs up 👍👍

Happy Saturday! We are enjoying a lazy one...I‘m curled up with this book while the baby naps and my older son & husband play games. This book, you guys. It‘s gripping but also so, so gross. 🤮🙈 I‘m reading it for this month‘s #theunreadshelfproject2019 challenge as it‘s been on my bookshelf awhile. If I remember right, I think a Litten sent it to me?! If so, thank you! It‘s so interesting.

More of a slow burn than I usually like, but a fairly solid mystery with great setting and atmosphere. I definitely wouldn‘t call it a thriller as it‘s often billed, and it‘s a bit far-fetched when tying all the bits and pieces together, but it‘d be a great beachy read. 3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

This review is pretty crass, but so is this book, so...🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️
I know many people love this book but I just do NOT get the hype. Like, at all. The basic premise: complete sociopath runs a bookshop, becomes obsessed with a customer, and is addicted to masturbating (seriously, EVERY FREAKING CHAPTER!). (CONTINUED IN COMMENTS BELOW ⬇️)

It has been a WEEK, y‘all. Time for a #bookandabath and some wine too. Finishing this one up tonight—picked it up at random at Target and am really enjoying it. How was your week?

...thus my trips to UPS have been postponed a few times this week, what with the snow and now the cold (-55 wind chills, say what?!). Books for #LMPBC #groupT and #whodunitthesequel will go out to @the-flashley and @Librarybelle on Friday!

Stay warm out there, friends! 🥶

I am still trying to decide how I feel about this one! My friend said it best, “I liked it while I was reading it but then I finished and now I‘m not quite so sure I like it anymore.” It WAS a good read, with a slower burn than I normally like. I found the “twist” to be surprising, yet it is definitely reminiscent of a particular Christie novel (I won‘t say which one so as not to spoil). I continue to mull this one over. 3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ I guess?

Overall, this was a decent thriller, without the “shocking twist” you see so many have these days. I kept waiting for one and was pleasantly surprised that the characters I liked did in fact turn out to be decent people throughout the story. An interesting spin on the domestic thriller trope, with an unreliable narrator but only because she‘s been so traumatized. Some extra gratuitous violence unnecessary to the story; but overall 3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️.

Finally, a design book I can get behind. With simple, concrete steps to take, this book gives you questions to really ponder about how your home is functioning. One of my goals this year is to “create a cozy, functional home that really works for us.” This is just the book to guide me there.

First book of 2019 in the bag! 🙌 I enjoyed this one, although I felt the plot twists weren‘t really twists and the ending was a bit too tidy for me. It was a fast-paced read though, and I really enjoyed the interchanging viewpoints...I actually wished for more of Dr. Shields. She reminded me a lot of Jody from The Silent Wife by ASA Harrison, which is one of my all-time faves. All in all, a good way to start out this reading year!

My 2018 Year in Review. This is my slowest reading year in over 5 years, which to be frank, is disappointing. But, there are silver linings too! Like the fact that I listened to more audiobooks than ever before.

For 2019, I want to grow my #bookstagram presence (@what_amy_reads), be intentional with my choices, tackle Mt. TBR, and resurrect my IRL book club.

Happy New Year to all of you! “How good it is to be among people who are reading.” 🥳

This is my last book of 2018! I‘ve previously read The Couple Next Door and was disappointed, but this one definitely delivered. A perfect winter read with an ending that—no pun intended—slayed. Two thumbs up!
📚
It was a down year for me in terms of reading, what with a new baby who came five weeks early, a demanding job, emergency gallbladder surgery, and...life! 2018 reading stats coming tomorrow!

Merry Christmas, Littens! This was actually the ONLY book under the tree for me...I think people are scared to pick something out for me?! 🤷‍♀️ I‘m the biggest reader on both sides of my family but I almost never get books for Christmas. 😂😂What bookish delights did you find under your tree?

Thank you so much to @BookwormAHN who is the very best #whodunitthesequel friend to have mail to you because she includes such thoughtful extras! Merry Christmas, Ashley and thank you so much for the book and card!! ❤️🎄

Finished this one up in the tub last night. Solid meh rating. A cute holiday story but asks for a little too much suspension of belief. #bookandabath #whatamyreads

I got this for my husband for St. Nick this year...but true to form I stole it and am reading it first. 😂😂 Non-fiction is sometimes tough for me...I think it has to be really gripping a/o I usually have to do it on audio. I‘m pleased to say that so far, this one is living up to the hype. I can‘t put it down!

Louise 👏Penny 👏is 👏fabulous! I would follow Chief Inspector Gamache anywhere.

Went to ER last night and what is the only thing I packed? My book. 😂😂 I ended up having emergency gallbladder surgery this morning and will spend another night in the hospital. I am doing fine and feeling MUCH better than I did yesterday!

This book! A perfect case of right book, wrong time. I started it this summer and just couldn‘t get into it. Recently picked it back up because it felt right with our cold, snowy weather, and now I can‘t put it down. The writing is so so good and I really relate to the working mom, Kira. I‘m not to the inciting incident yet but have figured out what it likely is due to the heavy foreshadowing. I wish I could stay home and read all day!

My bookshelves are overflowing and my TBR is overwhelming and I am in a real RUT, y‘all. {note that not all of these are unread, but also that there ARE tons more TBR scattered around my house and on my Kindle. 😬}

Some bookish happenings:
@BookwormAHN I received the next #whodunitthesequel
@Librarybelle the next one should be delivered to you today
@the-flashley I finally sent the next #LMPBC as well! (So sorry for the delay! 😬)

Such a fantastic package from @EH2018 for the #AllHallowsReadSwap! Thank you so much Erika! I love everything and cannot wait to dive into these books this weekend. 🧡🖤 Happy Halloween! Thanks for hosting @MaleficentBookDragon 🎃

Litsy Mail Fun!

This box of fun is headed out to my #AllHallowsReadBookSwap match today! I‘m also going to be mailing the next TWO books to @the-flashley for #LMPBC #groupT on MONDAY, and I‘ll be getting in touch with @Librarybelle in the next few days to arrange a skip to her in the #whodunitthesequel swap and mail the next book to her on Monday as well.

🎃🎃🎃 Happy Halloween, Littens!

Latest read. My son is obsessed with Jurassic World and Fallen Kingdom so I figured it was time to read the book that started it all. I‘ve been in a real reading slump lately so I‘m hoping something like this is the cure for what ails me!

When you and your neighbor make the nerdiest book bet ever on the Iowa-Wisconsin game (I won, BTW). 😂🙌 #gobucky

When your notes for #LMPBC are talking to your fellow group members even though you‘re the third one to read this book. 😂😂😂😂 #groupT @callielafleur @whippoorwill815 @the-flashley

I signed up for the #AllHallowsReadSwap being hosted by the fabulous @MaleficentBookDragon 🎃

This was the first swap I ever did on Litsy and it is still one of my all-time faves! It introduced me to the fabulous @kylienoele and I loved how much fun it was to have some tricks and treats to open on Halloween. If you‘ve never done a book swap, this would be a great one to sign up for! 🎃🎃🎃

Hi Littens! Sorry I‘ve been MIA lately... those newborn days, whew! I forgot how hard they can be, haha. A little bit of housekeeping:
• Today I am sending out The Butterfly Garden for #LMPBC #groupT to @the-flashley
• I am also sending Arrowood out to @shendrix413 for #whodunitthesequel
• @CrowCAH Look! I finally had a chance to teach myself how to knit! I‘m learning on this chunky yarn before I use the beautiful yarn you sent me. I love it!

New #BOTM! One of my favorite mail days each month! 🙌 What did you guys pick?

Thanks for the tag, @GypsyKat ❤️ It‘s been awhile since I‘ve done one of these!
1) Tome
2) Is that even a question?! #PotterHead
3) Both!
4) Coffee
5) Dame Agatha for life.
6) I tag @jbhops

#tuesdaytidbits @JenlovesJT47

Deliciously great fun! The perfect book to cure your book hangover. A few too many characters and plot lines for my taste, but overall, I loved it. This is one of those rare books where I knew going into it that I was probably going to love it, so I really made sure to savor it. I‘ve seen some complaining about the number of designer name drops but I thought it just added to the obscenity of the whole book. A rollicking good guilty pleasure!

New book, new hair!

Finished this one this morning and WOW. Heartbreaking and hopeful at the same time. I really enjoyed it and admire the author‘s strength. I found this book difficult to swallow however. I was torn between anger at the author‘s family to disbelief that people can actually live this way. I wanted to reach through the book and yell at them frequently. Overall, great read! I hope she writes a follow-up.

Rainy day, apple cider, newborn baby in the wrap on my chest, and my newest read. Pretty much perfect. 🍁 🍂📚

Finished this book in basically one sitting. I read here on Litsy that the publisher used the hashtag #WTFthatending to publicize this book and...YES. So fitting! Overall I really enjoyed this one. Unreliable narrators are my jam and this did not disappoint on that front. Good pacing as well. And #WTFthatending! The last 5 pages are mind blowing with a super interesting twist. Two thumbs up.

Current read! Thanks so much @BookwormAHN ❤️ I am really enjoying it so far!