Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish and it is now hosted by The Artsy Reader Girl. This week’s theme is Frequently Used Words In Thriller Titles. Here’s my list:
(all images taken from Goodreads)
Title: Vi
Author: Kim Thúy
Genre: Fiction
Publisher: Penguin Random House Canada
Source: NetGalley
Release Date: April 10, 2018
Rating: ★★★★
Goodreads Synopsis:
The perfect complement to the exquisitely wrought novels Ruand Man , Canada Reads-winner Kim Thuy returns with Vi , once more exploring the lives, loves and struggles of Vietnamese refugees as they reinvent themselves in new lands.
The youngest of four children and the only girl, Vi was given a name that meant “precious, tiny one,” destined to be cosseted and protected, the family’s little treasure.
Daughter of an enterprising mother and a wealthy and spoiled father who never had to grow up, the Vietnam war tears their family asunder. While Vi and many of her family members escape, her father stays behind, and her family must fend for themselves in Canada.
While her mother and brothers put down roots, life has different plans for Vi. As a young woman, she finds the world opening up to her. Taken under the wing of Ha, a worldly family friend and diplomat lover, Vi tests personal boundaries and crosses international ones, letting the winds of life buffet her. From Saigon to Montreal, from Suzhou to Boston to the fall of the Berlin Wall, she is witness to the immensity of the world, the intricate fabric of humanity, the complexity of love, the infinite possibilities before her. Ever the quiet observer, somehow she must find a way to finally take her place in the world.
Review:
I’ve never read a Kim Thuy book before, but she’s won many awards. Her books are translated from French into English and Vietnamese. This makes it a unique experience since it is not in the original language. The language was still poetic and beautiful, so I don’t think anything was lost in the translation.
The story moved quickly. Everything in it was so new to me because I don’t know much about Vietnamese culture. There were small stories that weren’t about Vi’s family, but that framed the atmosphere in Vietnam at the time. One example was a story about a young couple who had a Romeo and Juliet style romance. At times the story was confusing because it jumped from one time and place to another, but the overall story was enjoyable.
The format of the story was confusing to me. I was reading an e-ARC, so it may have been a problem with my file, so I didn’t include this in my rating. I’m curious to see a hard copy of the book to see how it looks on paper.
I enjoyed this book and recommend it!
Title: To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before
Author: Jenny Han
Genre: Young Adult
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Source: Purchased
Release Date: March 20, 2015
Rating: ★★★★★
Goodreads Synopsis:
What if all the crushes you ever had found out how you felt about them… all at once?
Sixteen-year-old Lara Jean Song keeps her love letters in a hatbox her mother gave her. They aren’t love letters that anyone else wrote for her; these are ones she’s written. One for every boy she’s ever loved—five in all. When she writes, she pours out her heart and soul and says all the things she would never say in real life, because her letters are for her eyes only. Until the day her secret letters are mailed, and suddenly, Lara Jean’s love life goes from imaginary to out of control.
Review:
This book definitely lived up to the hype. I met Jenny Han at a book signing last year, and I have all the books in the series, but I hadn’t read any of them until now.
I loved Lara Jean. I found her very relatable. She makes mistakes and can own up to them. Even though it wasn’t her fault that her letters were sent out, she still accepted that it happened and tried to move on.
I liked the family dynamics of the story. The Covey family is unique. Their mother died when they were young, and their father works as a doctor, so most of the housework and cooking fell on Margot’s shoulders because she was the oldest. Then she has to pass that off to Lara Jean when Margot left to go to school in Scotland. The youngest sister, Kitty, was so funny. She was sarcastic and wise beyond her years, so she made many funny comments.
I loved this book. I already had some spoilers to what happened since I’m reading it so late, but I still really enjoyed it.
Title: Real Friends
Author: Shannon Hale, LeUyen Pham
Genre: Middle Grade, Graphic Novel
Publisher: First Second
Source: Borrowed from a friend
Release Date: May 2, 2017
Rating: ★★★★★
Goodreads Synopsis:
When best friends are not forever . . .
Shannon and Adrienne have been best friends ever since they were little. But one day, Adrienne starts hanging out with Jen, the most popular girl in class and the leader of a circle of friends called The Group. Everyone in The Group wants to be Jen’s #1, and some girls would do anything to stay on top . . . even if it means bullying others.
Now every day is like a roller coaster for Shannon. Will she and Adrienne stay friends? Can she stand up for herself? And is she in The Group—or out?
Newbery Honor author Shannon Hale and New York Timesbestselling illustrator LeUyen Pham join forces in this graphic memoir about how hard it is to find your real friends—and why it’s worth the journey.
Review:
This is a great graphic novel for kids.
I loved the art in this book. It made the story quite funny. Shannon’s sister was depicted as a bear sometimes. Shannon had daydreams about creating fantasies with her friends. These things couldn’t have been demonstrated in the same way if it wasn’t a graphic novel.
The story is important for all kids to read. Shannon had trouble making friends. She would have a friend and then they would move away. She didn’t fit in with the popular group, though she tried to join them. When she tried to leave them, she couldn’t get anyone to join her new group. Many kids have these kinds of problems at some point in their lives, so this would show them that they aren’t alone with their feelings.
Shannon also had problems with her sister. They didn’t get along most of the time. But then it was revealed that they actually had a lot in common. Sometimes you don’t like things about someone else because they remind you of yourself. This also shows that it may not be your fault if you don’t get along with someone.
I really enjoyed this story. I recommend it for young readers!
Title: Goldie Vance, Volume 1
Author: Hope Larson, Brittney Williams, Sarah Stern
Genre: Young Adult, Graphic Novel
Publisher: Boom Entertainment
Source: Purchased
Release Date: October 18, 2016
Rating: ★★★★★
Goodreads Synopsis:
GOLDIE VANCE IS ON THE CASE
Sixteen-year-old Marigold “Goldie” Vance has an insatiable curiosity. She lives at a Florida resort with her dad, who manages the place, and it’s her dream to one day be the hotel’s in-house detective. When Walter, the current detective, encounters a case he can’t crack, together they utilize her smarts, skills, and connections to solve the mystery…even if it means getting into a drag race, solving puzzles, or chasing a helicopter to do it!
Review:
I loved this graphic novel! I wish I had read it sooner!
Goldie Vance reminded me a lot of Nancy Drew. However, Goldie has more nerve than Nancy. Goldie doesn’t think twice about breaking the rules in order to solve a mystery. In this book she even stole, or “borrowed,” a car in order to recover a stolen item.
There was a lot going on in the story around Goldie as well. She had to deal with her parents, who are divorced. Her father was always running around working at the same hotel with Goldie, and he didn’t seem to have much time for her unless she was doing something wrong. She also had a few friends who helped Goldie solve her mysteries. All of her friends were going on dates, but Goldie didn’t, so I’m wondering if she will have more of a romantic storyline in the future volumes.
I’m really excited to continue this series. This is a great start to the story!
Title: Then She Was Gone
Author: Lisa Jewell
Genre: Thriller, Women’s Fiction
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Canada
Source: NetGalley
Release Date: April 17, 2018
Rating: ★★★★★
Goodreads Synopsis:
THEN
She was fifteen, her mother’s
golden girl. She had her whole life ahead of her.
And then, in the blink of an eye, Ellie was gone.NOW
It’s been ten years since Ellie
disappeared, but Laurel has never given up
hope of finding her daughter.
And then one day a charming and charismatic stranger called Floyd walks into a café and sweeps Laurel off her feet.
Before too long she’s staying the night at this house and being introduced to his nine year old daughter.
Poppy is precocious and pretty – and meeting her completely takes Laurel’s breath away.Because Poppy is the spitting image of Ellie when she was that age.
And now all those unanswered questions that have haunted Laurel come flooding back.What happened to Ellie? Where did she go?
Who still has secrets to hide?
Review:
I loved this book! I couldn’t put it down!
I was hooked right from the beginning. Ellie’s disappearance was so mysterious. Even though we get a hint of who was involved in her disappearance early on in the book, the details of what happened are saved until the end. I didn’t want to stop reading because I really wanted to find out what happened to her!
I found Floyd so creepy right from the moment he was introduced. He was a little too good to be true. He seemed like the perfect guy for Laurel, which was too convenient. His daughter was a little odd too. Poppy is very mature for her age and she looks just like Laurel’s daughter. Their appearance in Laurel’s life was suspicious.
Though the novel was very suspenseful, the ending was so emotional that it made me cry. If you’re looking for a thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat, go read this book!
Title: Running Through Sprinklers
Author: Michelle Kim
Genre: Middle Grade
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Canada
Source: Publisher
Release Date: April 17, 2018
Rating: ★★★★
Goodreads Synopsis:
Two life-long best friends grow up and begin to grow apart in this honest, deeply felt middle grade debut.
Sara and Nadine.
Nadine and Sara.It’s only ever been the two of them. Two halves of the same person. Best friends forever—until they aren’t.
Everything has changed this year. Nadine has suddenly skipped a grade and gone to high school without Sara. No matter how hard she fights to save their friendship, Sara can feel it slipping away.
But change can happen from the inside, too. The forever-friend days of running through sprinklers and slurping up ice cream cones may be over. Yet in their place, Sara just might discover something new and wonderful: herself.
Review:
This is a great middle grade novel about real life.
Sara tells this story through her memories and things that are happening to her right now. The story takes place throughout one year, her last year of elementary school. She experiences many things, such as losing friends, making friends, puberty, and even a friend going missing.
Some of the things that Sara goes through are sad, but it reflects real life. Her friendship with her best friend, Nadine, breaks apart when Nadine is moved ahead a grade and into high school. Also, Sara’s brother’s friend goes missing, and they are the last ones who saw him, so they feel like they have to help find him. Though these experiences are tough to read about, they are things that kids may experience in real life, so it is important that their books reflect that.
I enjoyed this book, and I recommend it for middle grade readers!
This is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine. In this post we highlight a book that’s highly anticipated.
The book that I’m waiting on this Wednesday is Stay Sweet by Siobhan Vivian.
Goodreads Synopsis:
A summer read about first love, feminism, and ice cream.
Summer in Sand Lake isn’t complete without a trip to Meade Creamery—the local ice cream stand founded in 1944 by Molly Meade who started making ice cream to cheer up her lovesick girlfriends while all the boys were away at war. Since then, the stand has been owned and managed exclusively by local girls, who inevitably become the best of friends. Seventeen-year-old Amelia and her best friend Cate have worked at the stand every summer for the past three years, and Amelia is “Head Girl” at the stand this summer. When Molly passes away before Amelia even has her first day in charge, Amelia isn’t sure that the stand can go on. That is, until Molly’s grandnephew Grady arrives and asks Amelia to stay on to help continue the business…but Grady’s got some changes in mind…
What books are you waiting on this week?
Title: Suitors and Sabotage
Author: Cindy Anstey
Genre: Young Adult
Publisher: Swoon Reads
Source: Xpresso Book Tours, NetGalley
Release Date: April 17, 2018
Rating: ★★★★★
Goodreads Synopsis:
Shy aspiring artist Imogene Chively has just had a successful Season in London, complete with a suitor of her father’s approval. Imogene is ambivalent about the young gentleman until he comes to visit her at the Chively estate with his younger brother in tow. When her interest is piqued, however, it is for the wrong brother.
Charming Ben Steeple has a secret: despite being an architectural apprentice, he has no drawing aptitude. When Imogene offers to teach him, Ben is soon smitten by the young lady he considers his brother’s intended.
But hiding their true feelings becomes the least of their problems when, after a series of “accidents,” it becomes apparent that someone means Ben harm. And as their affection for each other grows—despite their efforts to remain just friends—so does the danger. . .
Review:
This book was great! I didn’t enjoy the last couple of books I read, so this was a great book to get me out of that rut.
I love Victorian novels, and this was a great twist on the traditional love story. Imogene is conflicted between two suitors. And even worse, the suitors are brothers! This would be too scandalous for Victorian times, but it made a great conflict for a contemporary story.
The story was very fast paced. It has mystery elements that keep the story moving. It appears that someone is trying to harm Ben’s reputation, which also would have been a scandalous storyline for the main character of a real Victorian novel.
This was a very exciting story. I loved it, and I highly recommend it!
About the Author:
Whenever she is not sitting at the computer, throwing a ball in the backyard, gardening or reading, Cindy can be found–actually, not found–adventuring around the world with her hubby.
She has lived on three continents, had a monkey in her yard and a scorpion under her sink, dwelt among castles and canals, enjoyed the jazz of Beale St and attempted to speak French.
Cindy loves history, mystery and… a chocolate Labrador called Chester. Love, Lies and Spies is her debut novel.
Giveaway:
Tour-wide giveaway (US/CAN)
Tour Schedule:
April 16th
–SERIESous Book Reviews >> Review
–The Book Drealms >> Guest post
–The Bookish Thought >> Review
–Tale Out Loud >> Review
–QUITE THE NOVEL IDEA >> Review
April 17th
–The Book Dutchesses >> Review
–Jill’s Book Blog >> Review
–Rattle the Stars >> Excerpt
–Dani Reviews Things >> Review
–Darque Dreamer Reads >> Review
April 18th
–Love in a Time of Feminism >> Review
–Lisa Loves Literature >> Interview
–Little Library Muse >> Excerpt
–The Book Maiden >> Review
April 19th
–Milky Way of Books >> Review
–Bibliobibuli YA >> Interview
–Reading With Wrin >> Review
–I Smell Sheep >> Guest post
–Charmed Book Haven Reviews >> Review
April 20th
–What Cathy Read Next >> Review
–Smada’s Book Smack >> Review
–It’s a Book Life >> Review
–Belle’s Book Blog >> Review
–The Heart of a Book Blogger >> Review
Thank you to Xpresso Book Tours for letting me participate in this blog tour.
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish and it is now hosted by The Artsy Reader Girl. This week’s theme is a freebie, so I am going to do one of the lists that I missed a couple of weeks ago: Books That Take Place In Another Country. Here’s my list:
(all images taken from Goodreads)
Jill's Book Blog 