Recent Reads

(linking up with Steph & Jana for SUYB)

Dear Edward – Ann Napolitano // This book was heartbreaking, but also heartwarming in the same breath.  It’s about a 12 year old sole survivor of a plane crash, and the aftermath.  The book flips between the day on the flight and what is going on afterward.  As an anxious flyer, this book did make my hands sweat a bit with the descriptions, but the ending is well worth it.

The Stranger – Harlan Coben // Oh, man, I’m really starting to like this Coben person.  I mean, whoa.  I am notoriously bad at guessing what is going to happen in books, and I did not see this one coming at all.  A “stranger” comes to deliver a secret that will alter Adam’s life and make him realize maybe there is more to the white picket fences in his affluent suburban neighborhood.  The book is told from different points of view, and that’s always my favorite.  Little dark, lots of good.

Dear Girls – Ali Wong // First of all, Ali Wong is hilarious.  You’re doing yourself a huge disservice if you don’t watch her stand-up, and second – in this book, I feel like she could totally be one of those moms that you would want to hang out with.  The book is divided into chapters written to her two daughters about all the important things she wants them to know.  They range from the serious to the not-so-much, but it was an absolute joy to read.  Note: there is quite a bit of swearing and potty words mixed in, so if that’s not your jam, this may not be for you.

Confessions on the 7:45 – Lisa Unger // This book was super interesting – with short chapters, which I can always appreciate.  Selena meets a stranger on the train on her way home, and they both spill their darkest secrets to each other, and one of the woman’s problems just “disappears.” The story went back and forth between time periods and points of view – which also kept the book interesting.  I didn’t see the ending coming – but that’s pretty common for me.  Definitely passed the time just fine.

Someone We Know – Shari Lapena // Oh man, I love to sink into one of Lapena’s who-dunnits.  A new neighbor’s wife is murdered, and everyone is a suspect.  I can’t tell you how many times I thought I had this book figured out only to find out I was wrong every single time.  I love the book from all of the characters different perspectives – finished this book in a day, and I couldn’t put it down until I knew.

In A Holidaze – Christina Lauren // There’s just something so cozy about sinking into a Christina Lauren – they sure know how to make you feel the feels.  It’s got just a tiny bit of holiday magic as a woman tries to figure out exactly what will make her happy.  I could just feel being in that cozy cabin in Utah during the holidays – it literally took me half a day to read – I couldn’t put it down.