Five 2016 Releases I Meant to Read...

Hello friends,

As the new year approaches, one cannot help but review the past year and reflect on it. I have started this process a bit, and in doing this, I have realized that I have a read a solid number of books this past year (93 as of Dec 13th), and I am very satisfied with that number, and I have read a number of really great books, However, there are still a handful of books I had planned on reading this year, but didn't.

So, today I bring you the five 2016 releases I meant to read this year but didn't

1) Truly, Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty (July 26th)- I discovered Liane a number of years ago a devoured her books. I was really excited about the release of her newest novel. However, July came and went, and now all of a sudden it's the end of the year. I am excited to read this one. Moriarty has a way of making the mundane fun and interesting.

2) The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson (May 3rd)- I read Since You've Been Gone earlier this year and loved it. I was very eager to read her newest one. Buuuut- I forgot about it. Completely. It wasn't until I was going through someone's wish list a few weeks ago and saw it, and I was like "oh yeah.







3) A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallaro (March 1st)- I was committed to reading more YA debuts this year. So early on I made a pretty great list of all the debuts I wanted to read. I even bought A Study in Charlotte on audio (it was on sale one day). But then I said I wasn't starting anymore series, and when I found out this was part of one, I said I needed to finish two before I could read it... and well, ya know.



4) The Girl With the Lower Back Tattoo by Amy Schumer (August 16th)- I don't read a lot of non-fiction, I don't tend to really enjoy it. But I really like Amy Schumer, and I have heard good things about her memoir. I have heard it's grittier than expected. I had every intention of grabbing the audio of this book. But, I was never "in the mood."  Which kills me.

5) The Beauty of Darkness by Mary E. Pearson (August 2nd)- Oh man, I was excited to read the conclusion to Mary E. Pearson's Remnant Chronicles this year. This trilogy is SO good, I was so impressed. However, when the third book came out,  early readers were giving it so many mixed reviews, I got nervous. So, I put it off. I even had the book out from the library read the first few chapters, and then stopped. This one is priority for me though for 2017. I want to know... I need to know how the story ends.




There you have it, five books I totally meant to get read this past year, but didn't. I hope you enjoyed this list. Keep an eye out for more 2016 recaps. I have a few more coming your way.

~Happy Reading Everyone.

Stefanie's Thoughts: Atlantia by Ally Condie

Can you hear Atlantia breathing?

For as long as she can remember, Rio has dreamt of the sand and sky Above—of life beyond her underwater city of Atlantia. But in a single moment, all her plans for the future are thwarted when her twin sister, Bay, makes an unexpected decision, stranding Rio Below. Alone, ripped away from the last person who knew Rio’s true self—and the powerful siren voice she has long hidden—she has nothing left to lose.

Guided by a dangerous and unlikely mentor, Rio formulates a plan that leads to increasingly treacherous questions about her mother’s death, her own destiny, and the complex system constructed to govern the divide between land and sea. Her life and her city depend on Rio to listen to the voices of the past and to speak long-hidden truths.

Hi everyone,

Mermaids. I love them (Little Mermaid movie/musical, Tera Lynn Child's series Forgive My Fins is possible my second favorite series ever). Sirens, even better because not a lot gets written about them (the last book I recall reading about sirens was Ripple by Mandy Hubbard).

I have never read a book by Ally Condie before (dystopian isn't my genre), so when I saw this one I knew I should give it a try. I waited a couple years to read it (not sure why) but look at that cover; that shell is so pretty!

I really got into this book once I got reading. The first couple chapters had me hooked. I felt like I was in Atlantia swimming around. I was picturing being in The Little Mermaid while reading. I don't think I've actually ever enjoyed descriptions this much in a while, to just fully allow yourself to go into the world and feel like you yourself are right there watching Rio.

Then after the fourth chapter I grew bored to tears. I have no idea what happened, but the story was moving along swimmingly (see what I did there) and then it felt like I was getting some fairy-tale ripoff shoved at me. I put the book down and left it for a day just to see if I could get back into it, but I just couldn't do it. It was like two different authors wrote this book, the one with all the beautiful descriptions and the initial world/ plot set up and then the author that finished up the book. I will admit though I don't think I've ever read a more enticing first chapter before.

While I didn't read the whole book I did finish it. Even after skipping whole chapters, I knew this book wasn't for me, mermaids or not. I think it's possible that maybe I didn't like this because it had a slight dystopian feel to me, maybe it's a dystopian story the entire time and I assumed it would be a fantasy since it involved sirens.

What I did like about the book was the big concept of family. I loved how close Rio was with her family. Sure I felt the reason Bay went above and left Rio below was a tad weak (almost to the point I wondered why I hadn't thought of it myself) but the fact Bay did what she did was because of family you can't fault her for that (excuse me for being sentimental there).

All in all this wasn't the book I thought it would be going in and glad I waited a bit and picked it up from the library. I still won't get over that amazing cover. How was it not about sirens! I can't say if I'll pick up another book by Ally Condie in the future. 1 1/2 stars.

Until my next review,
Stefanie

Stefanie's November Wrap Up

Another month done, November went by so quickly. Can't complain though, I enjoyed the fact we barely had any snow (and if I had it my way we'd get snow maybe December 20th and it would melt by January 4th).

 Now that it's December I feel like I can tell everyone that in between reading and work, I've been obsessively watching those cheesy made for-TV Hallmark Christmas movies since November 1st (you are right I'm lying, I did start one October 27 because Showcase aired it). I can't get enough of them even if the plots are basically the same thing with new character names and different casts. A couple of my favorite of them have been Merry Matrimony, Perfect Christmas List (with Beth Broderick, Sabrina the Teenage Witch fan for life here) and A Royal Christmas.







 If you have no idea what I'm talking about that's nothing to be ashamed of (at times I secretly wonder if I have a life when all I do for November and December is binge watch as many Christmas movies as possible). That'll have to come to an end soon since Fuller House season 2 airs so soon!

As for the books, another solid reading month for me. I tried my best to get some more books read that have been sitting on the TBR shelf for a good three years, so this month was mostly dedicated to that.

I read:

The Breakup Bible by Melissa Kantor (1 star)
Kissing Booth by Lexie Hill (3 stars)
Frosted Kisses by Heather Hepler (4 stars)
Deadly Cool by Gemma Halliday (4 stars)
Love? Maybe by Heather Hepler (5 stars)
Megan Meade's Guide to the McGowan Boys by Kate Brian (3 stars)
Jinx by Meg Cabot (re-read) (4 stars)
In Such Good Company: Eleven Years of Laughter, Mayhem, and Fun in the Sandbox by Carol Burnett (5 stars, here's a secret about me, I loved Carol Burnett, Went With the Wind might be one of my favorite scenes ever)
Sweet Sixteen Princess by Meg Cabot (re-read, 5 stars)
My Unscripted Life my Lauren Morrill (3 stars)
The Boy is Back by Meg Cabot (5 stars)
Gemina by Amie Kaufman (3 stars)
Where Am I Now? by Mara Wilson (5 stars)

Book of the Month:
Is it possible to have a tie with three books?

The Boy is Back by Meg Cabot, Love? Maybe by Heather Hepler and Where Am I Now by Mara Wilson. If I had to pick one it would be Meg Cabot, but to be not so predictable, I'm picking Love? Maybe, there was just something so sweet and fun about it.

I'm now off to go binge some more Christmas movies and tackling a couple for TBR's before I get into my Christmas/winter reads.

Until my next review,
Stefanie

November Recap

Happy December! Only 25 days until Christmas!!

November was a pretty fun month for me. I was able to take some time off work and have a couple long weekends. Which were very welcome.  I went on a mini vacation to Edmonton, Alberta this past weekend. It was my nephew's 6th birthday and he really wanted to go on an airplane for his birthday. So, my sister, my little brother and my nephew went for 4 days. We spent the majority of the time at West Edmonton Mall, we went to the water park, the amusement park and did some Black Friday Shopping. It was pretty fun, I was also able to visit with one of my BFFs who lives out there.

A little snuggle time with my little loves after a very busy day. #familyvacation #littleloves

A photo posted by Sara (@jstanotherstory) on Nov 24, 2016 at 5:32pm PST

This is one of like 3 pictures I took on this trip.

But really, you know what November was really all about?    

The Crown

Guys, I binged this show on one of my long weekends. Mind you, it's only ten episodes, but still. This show, this show. Oh man, this show. Brilliant. I didn't think I was going to like it, I honestly thought it would be kind of boring. I sat down one day to watch a couple episodes to see how Matt Smith (like seriously- My Doctor) did as Prince Phillip. Next thing I know, I am completely hooked. The Crown was SO well done, and well researched (I think). I really was fascinated with the politics of everything, and Queen Elizabeth's internal struggle.  Watch this show. 

The Books:

Number of books completed

10 

Physical books

7

Audiobooks

3

Physical Books: 

Fling by Jana Aston (4 Stars)

A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay (2.5 Stars)

Trust by Jana Aston (3.5 Stars)

The Couple Next Door by Shari LaPena (2.5 Stars)

Paper Princess by Erin Watt (3 Starts) 

Tell the Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt (4.5 Stars)

Baby Doll by Hollie Overton (4 Stars)

Favourite Read of the Month

This book crept up on me. I randomly saw Margot from Epic Reads talk about it, and thought I needed to get it read. Guys, you need this book in your life. It's such an amazing story. About AIDS in the 80's, when the disease was just emerging and there was a lot of fear. Tell the Wolves I'm Home is about a girl who befriends her deceased uncle's lover. It's such a beautiful story. 

Audiobooks: 

The King of Wall Street by Louise Bay (3.5 Stars) 

The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom (4.5 Stars)

Indigo Nights by Louise Bay (4 Stars)

Favourite Listen of the Month

This one also surprised me. I wasn't expecting to be so moved by it. About a man who dies and who believes lived a rather "average life" but really didn't. He met so many people and influenced their lives in so many amazing ways. I loved it.

November on the Blog 

Stefanie's Thoughts: Castle Hangnail by Ursula Vernon

October Recap

Stefanie's October Recap

My Thoughts: The Nerdy and the Dirty by B.T. Gottfred

Stefanie's Thoughts: The Boy is Back by Meg Cabot

My Mini Thoughts: The Thriller Edition

Stefanie's Thoughts: Gemina by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

Whoa, that was a long one. I hope you enjoyed.

~Happy Reading Everyone.

Stefanie's Thoughts: Gemina by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

Moving to a space station at the edge of the galaxy was always going to be the death of Hanna’s social life. Nobody said it might actually get her killed.

The sci-fi saga that began with the breakout bestseller Illuminae continues on board the Jump Station Heimdall, where two new characters will confront the next wave of the BeiTech assault.

Hanna is the station captain’s pampered daughter; Nik the reluctant member of a notorious crime family. But while the pair are struggling with the realities of life aboard the galaxy's most boring space station, little do they know that Kady Grant and the Hypatia are headed right toward Heimdall, carrying news of the Kerenza invasion.

When an elite BeiTech strike team invades the station, Hanna and Nik are thrown together to defend their home. But alien predators are picking off the station residents one by one, and a malfunction in the station's wormhole means the space-time continuum might be ripped in two before dinner. Soon Hanna and Nik aren’t just fighting for their own survival; the fate of everyone on the Hypatia—and possibly the known universe—is in their hands.

But relax. They've totally got this. They hope.

Hi everyone,

What a week, it snowed here for the first time and I hate snow; well maybe not the actual show but the super cold temperatures that follow. I guess those cold temperatures bring on being inside, watching movies, drinking tea and reading as many books as humanly possible.

I'm here today reviewing Gemina by Amie Kaufman book two in The Illuminae Files series. I'm not big on reading sci-fi (I prefer it in BBC TV like Doctor Who) but this series sounded so different that I figured I'd try it out. I had read Illuminae earlier this year (April) and loved it; my favorite part of that book was the star graphs and diagrams included. I think my favorite part of this series will be the fact it's told through messages, star charts, transcripts, security camera footage and more. I'm going to try to keep this spoiler free, but I will be mentioning plot points that happened in book one (although everything I mention I hope was part of the books synopsis, so it wouldn't be anything you've never heard of before).

My main problem I think with Gemina was the novelty had worn off. The unexpected feeling I got from reading Illuminae and not knowing what I would find inside wasn't there, because I knew I'd get the story told through different mediums. However I did find it easier to jump right into the book because I wasn't as confused trying to understand how to process/ read this book through the different charts. I actually thought Gemina needed more star charts! I think too in this book there was more of the story told through security footage narrative and messages and not enough pictures overall (however Marie Lu's illustrations were a much appreciated addition, hope she's included in book three) . I did skip a whole ton of transcipts because I found them not bringing anything to the story.

I also wasn't attached to Hanna and Nik like I was with Kady (I loved her in Illuminae). I honestly didn't care what happened to the two, I didn't care what would happen to Heimdall, the station our story takes place on. I guess I was more invested about watching how the Phobos virus was spreading through the ship than hearing how alien invaders. I guess personally the thought of trying to avoid a plague like virus or battling aliens, the virus thing seemed more deadly, more on my seat excited.

The ending however. I won't say anything about it but it was such a twist I know I'll need to pick up book three to see how everything plays out.

Overall I'm glad I picked up the book and read it; I felt like if I hadn't going into book three would be a huge mind boggling experience. I loved Marie Lu's illustrations, and really hope she's included in book three, or have another guest illustrator come in and share illustrations from a character's journal. I also enjoyed how the setting was out of our galaxy, I've always loved astronomy so even reading about fictional universes and space stations is a great ride.

My rating is a 3 out of 5

Until my next review,
Stefanie

My Mini Thoughts: The Thriller Edition

So thrillers, psychological thrillers to be exact. They have kind of been my thing lately. I have read three in short succession and I want to share a few thoughts on them. So, today I bring you my thoughts on Paul Tremblay's A Head Full of Ghosts, The Couple Next Door by Shari LaPena and Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris.

The lives of the Barretts, a normal suburban New England family, are torn apart when fourteen-year-old Marjorie begins to display signs of acute schizophrenia.

To her parents' despair, the doctors are unable to stop Marjorie's descent into madness. As their stable home devolves into a house of horrors, they reluctantly turn to a local Catholic priest for help. Father Wanderly suggests an exorcism; he believes the vulnerable teenager is the victim of demonic possession. He also contacts a production company that is eager to document the Barretts' plight. With John, Marjorie's father, out of work for more than a year and the medical bills looming, the family agrees to be filmed, and soon find themselves the unwitting stars of The Possession, a hit reality television show. When events in the Barrett household explode in tragedy, the show and the shocking incidents it captures become the stuff of urban legend.
Fifteen years later, a bestselling writer interviews Marjorie's younger sister, Merry. As she recalls those long ago events that took place when she was just eight years old, long-buried secrets and painful memories that clash with what was broadcast on television begin to surface--and a mind-bending tale of psychological horror is unleashed, raising vexing questions about memory and reality, science and religion, and the very nature of evil.

I read Paul Tremblay's A Head Full of Ghosts because I had seen a number of people recommend it and they have been raving about this book and how much of a mind f**k it was. I was curious.

A Head Full of Ghosts is an interesting story- is she suffering from a mental illness or is she possessed?  This is a question that is explored throughout the whole of the story.

This book was hard for me to dig into, but at the same time, it was really easy to read. I found when I was reading I was in it, but I also had no problem putting the book down and I didn't find myself overly eager to pick it back up.  Because of this, it took me ages to get this book finished.

In all honesty, this book was a little boring. I was super interested in the concept and I was expecting a lot of twists in the plot, but I didn't get any of that. I would have given this book a straight 3 stars, but the end really ticked me off. I felt like it was a bit gimmicky for shock value and which really bugged me, so I gave it a lower rating of 2.5 stars. People seemed  to have loved the end, so it must have worked.

Anne and Marco Conti seem to have it all—a loving relationship, a wonderful home, and their beautiful baby, Cora, but one night when they are at a dinner party next door, a terrible crime is committed. Suspicion immediately focuses on the parents, but the truth is a much more complicated story.

Inside the curtained house, an unsettling account of what actually happened unfolds. Detective Rasbach knows that the panicked couple is hiding something. Both Anne and Marco soon discover that the other is keeping secrets, secrets they've kept for years.

I was dying to read Shari Lapena's The Couple Next Door once I had initially heard about it. As soon as I read the synopsis I wanted to know what happened. Who was behind everything and what happened to that baby.

I read this book pretty quickly, and not because it was good. More because I needed to know what was going on. There are very few likable characters in this book. Really, The baby was the only one I liked, I was rooting for baby Cora.  What bothered me about The Couple Next Door, was appearance of a big reveal was in the middle of the story, after that things piddled out I got bored.

The story was predictable, which I don't mind, but when it's predictable and meh, that's not a good thing. So, I was disappointed with this one. I don't particularly understand why this is a Goodreads award contender. It was a little bland.

Everyone knows a couple like Jack and Grace: he has looks and wealth, she has charm and elegance. You'd like to get to know Grace better. But it's difficult, because you realize Jack and Grace are never apart. Some might call this true love.

Picture this: a dinner party at their perfect home, the conversation and wine flowing. They appear to be in their element while entertaining. And Grace's friends are eager to reciprocate with lunch the following week. Grace wants to go, but knows she never will. Her friends call—so why doesn't Grace ever answer the phone? And how can she cook such elaborate meals but remain so slim?

And why are there bars on one of the bedroom windows?

The perfect marriage? Or the perfect lie?

I saved the best for last. I saw this book at the bookstore, and I was curious about it. But I had to wait eons for it at the library. I was like number 67 when I first requested it. When it finally came and I powered through it.  I started one night at 7 and read until 10:30 without stops, I went on to finish it the next night within 2 1/2 hours.

This book was crazy! Super addicting and very entertaining. Behind Closed Door is everything a psychological thriller should be. It's crazy intense, pretty twisted and it totally kept me on the edge of my seat. I really enjoyed this reading experience.

However, Behind Closed Doors wasn't a perfect read. The main character, Grace was a bit annoying, and the end was a little weak. However, this is B.A. Paris' first novel and I am convinced she will only get better as she goes.

I only gave this one a 3 stars on goodreads, but I think I may up my rating to a 4. I had a good time reading this one.


This has been my experience with thrillers, thus far. It may seem like I am not a fan of the genre and will give up, but that is certainly not true. I like the mystery found in these novels. I am looking for recommendations, if you have any thrillers that I absolutely should read, please, pass them along.

~Happy Reading Everyone

Stefanie's Thoughts: The Boy is Back by Meg Cabot

Sometimes to move forward, you have to go back…

One post. That’s all it took to destroy the care free, glamorous life of pro golfer Reed Stewart. One tiny post on the Internet.

Then again, it’s not like Reed’s been winning many tournaments lately, and his uncle isn’t the only one who says it’s because of the unfinished business he left behind back home in Bloomville, Indiana—namely Reed’s father, the Honorable Judge Richard P. Stewart, and the only girl Reed ever loved, Becky Flowers.

But Reed hasn’t spoken to either his father or Becky in over a decade.

Until that post on the Internet. Suddenly, Reed’s family has become a national laughingstock, his publicist won’t stop calling, his siblings are begging for help, and Reed realizes he has no other choice: He’s got to go home to face his past . . . the Judge and the girl he left behind.

Becky’s worked hard to build her successful senior relocation business, but she’s worked even harder to forget Reed Stewart ever existed—which hasn’t been easy, considering he’s their hometown’s golden boy, and all anyone ever talks about. It was fine while they were thousands of miles apart, but now he’s back in Bloomville. She has absolutely no intention of seeing him—until his family hires her to help save his parents.

Now Reed and Becky can’t avoid one another…or the memories of that one fateful night.

Can the quirky residents of Bloomville bring these two young people back together, or will Reed and Becky continue to allow their pasts to deny them the future they deserve?

Happy November!

Meg Cabot is my favorite author ever, so naturally when a new book of hers gets announced I’m over the moon excited for it. Then I go and pre order it three months in advance, forgot about it until I get the shipping notification email from Chapters telling me it’s shipped from the warehouse. Then I forget about it because it’s October and I’m trying to read as many Halloween related books I can get my hands on. Then I realized it’s November, this book hasn’t been read yet and I get the feeling that I’ve just wasted the last month away because I haven’t read the book yet…does this happen to anyone else or is that just me?

The Boy is Back is the fourth book in the Boy series by Meg Cabot, but each book can be read on its own as a standalone. If you haven’t read the series before, each book is told through emails, texts, journal/ blog entries and sometimes personal advertisements. I think that’s why I love this series so much because I’m always drawn to books told in alternative formats to the traditional book. I also think it gives a more personal insight into the characters because you are reading exactly what they are thinking.

Reed Stewart never thought he’d come back to Bloomville, Indiana the town he left ten years ago after heartbreak and his father kicking him out. Now that he’s found fame through the professional golf circuit he’s summoned back by his sister-in-law to help his family’s name.

Enter Becky Flowers, the girl Reed left behind, who now owns the only moving company for seniors within the area. She’s hired by Reed’s family to help relocate Reed’s parents (the Honorable Judge Richard P. Stewart and his wife) after a public town scandal leaves the family embarrassed and in shock.

I absolutely loved the family dynamic between the Stewarts. Marshall (Reed’s brother) and Carly (Marshall’s wife) were my two favorite characters and I loved the texts between them the best. I loved how Carly wouldn’t put up with any of the family’s shenanigans (and in this book the shenanigans were endless) and call out both Marshall and Reed when necessary.

The small town atmosphere was another great perk. You really get the 'whole town knows your business' feeling in this (mostly because Becky’s mom at one point gets involved and publicizes the Stewart’s business), which only complicates the relationship (and adds awkwardness) between Reed and Becky, but we as readers benefit from witnessing this all.

I can’t give The Boy is Back enough praise or love. This is exactly what I want from a Meg Cabot book; something that makes you feel good, laugh and when you close it you can’t help but feel like that fairytale romance actually exists.

A very solid 5 out of 5 for The Boy is Back (if I could I would have given it ten out of five stars).

Until my next review,
Stefanie