Book Review: Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan

July 4, 2018November 9, 2018 Saturday Nite Reader36 Comments

4.5 disco balls

Published: June 11, 2013 by Doubleday
Category: Fiction, Contemporary

This was a super fun read. It was like I was reading a soap opera versus watching one; with a plethora of characters who were just what the book described: crazy! Overbearing, meddling and judgy moms whose circles run the same.

My goodness the things some of these characters do just because of what everyone thinks, not what they want. You kind of feel bad for them, but at the same time lack empathy for them – as they are super rich – and would trade places with them any day (you think).Read More »

Saturday Spotlight: The Rainmaker by John Grisham

June 30, 2018August 28, 2018 Saturday Nite Reader20 Comments

Introducing Saturday Nite Reader’s weekly meme: Saturday Spotlight! Each Saturday I will spotlight a book I have read or am currently reading; and, of course what I think is special about it. I invite you to participate as well! Just link back to my weekly post and don’t forget to add your spotlight link in the comment section for all to see. Happy Sharing! XO, Nikki

This Week:
The Rainmaker by John Grisham

Published: April 28, 1995 by Doubleday
Category: Fiction, Legal Thriller
New York Times Best Selling Author

I read The Rainmaker in HS for fun – this was not a normal activity. I could barely read my required English assignments, but for some reason I would visit my school library and select books that I thought were more worth my time. That is another story for another day, as I had quite the reading preference (i.e. Girl, Interrupted; She’s Come Undone, a Janis Joplin biography = teen angst down pat). I picked up The Rainmaker after reading A Time to Kill. I thought I wanted to be a lawyer: the kind of lawyer in both Grisham novels that would fight for the underdog – the less powerful – and obviously prevail in defeating “the big bad man” in the end every single time.Read More »

Book Review: Social Creature by Tara Isabella Burton

June 29, 2018August 28, 2018 Saturday Nite Reader24 Comments

4 disco balls

Published: June 5, 2018 by Doubleday
Category: Fiction, Thriller, Mystery

You know how most thrillers keep you on edge a bit throughout the book and typically towards the end there is that “hold your breath” moment. Well, for me this happened at the halfway point of this book and my heart and chest hurt right until the very end.

It wasn’t an overwhelming, constant pulse – but more a slow and growing build up of “how the heck is this going to play out?!” I was on the edge of my seat most of this book, not waiting for a twist: waiting for the ball to drop.Read More »

Audiobook Review: Born a Crime by Trevor Noah

June 26, 2018July 6, 2018 Saturday Nite Reader25 Comments

Yes, an audiobook you can sink your ears into – since teeth obviously do not make sense.

5 disco balls

Published: November 15, 2016 by Audible Studios
Audiobook runs 8 hours 50 minutes, narrated by Trevor Noah himself (love that accent!)
Category: Memoir, Autobiography, Nonfiction, Coming of Age

#8 Most Read on Amazon Charts
Highest-rated new book of 2016 by Audible customers
Winner: Audible’s Best of 2016 – Celebrity Memoirs

I prefer reading books versus listening, but do enjoy an audiobook while driving or doing chores. But, for an audiobook to keep my attention the narrator has to be on point. To me, this book is better as an audiobook since the author is the one reading his story. Trevor Noah knows how he wants his story to come across, and delivers his message with a tone and authenticity that makes it hard to push pause…plus, hello that accent – swoon!Read More »

Book Review: Playing with Matches by Hannah Orenstein

June 24, 2018June 29, 2018 Saturday Nite Reader14 Comments

4 disco balls

Publish Date: June 26, 2018 by Touchstone
Category: Chick-lit, Coming of Age

I was looking for a quick read to breeze through the weekend, and Playing with Matches did not disappoint. Fun and fresh, it makes a perfect vacation read; or, if you need something light to break up those ugly cry drama reads – well then, why not pick up this one? It is available for purchase on Tuesday, June 26th!Read More »

Saturday Spotlight: The Red Bandanna by Tom Rinaldi

June 23, 2018September 8, 2018 Saturday Nite Reader17 Comments

This Week:
The Red Bandanna by Tom Rinaldi

Published: September 6, 2016 by Penguin Press
Category: Nonfiction, Biography, Inspirational

I purchased The Red Bandanna after I saw an ESPN piece on Welles Crowther (below). Welles saved at least ten people in the South Tower on September 11th, but would not make it out alive. After reading the book in one sitting I was more than just moved: I had to tell others Welles’ story.

This past 2017, on the anniversary of September 11th, I book fairy dropped two copies of the book with a red bandanna tied to each one. One was left on the Path train and the second in locker 19 (Welles’ number) at my local Soulcycle. This would be the first time I was a book fairy, and an important one at that. I didn’t have the book fairy stickers just yet so I printed out my own message and taped it to the book in hopes that someone will read this book and gift it or book fairy drop for another to read: spreading Welles’ story further.

It wasn’t just a book to me, it was Welles’ story: one that he could not tell himself. I think of Welles from time to time; men like him restore my faith in humanity when I need it most.

In 2017, a full documentary called Man in Red Bandana was released. It is narrated by Gwyneth Paltrow and runs 1 hour and 19 minutes.

Goodreads Stats:
4.19 average rating * 1,284 Ratings * 217 Reviews
Saturday Nite Reader rating: 5 disco balls
Read More »

Book Review: A Double Life by Flynn Berry

June 19, 2018June 19, 2018 Saturday Nite Reader16 Comments

3 disco balls

Publish Date: July 31, 2018 by Viking
Category: Suspense, Mystery, Thriller

Want to read upcoming new releases before they hit the shelves? Join Penguin Random House’s First to Read program – its free – to gain access to a variety of books. That is how I was able to read A Double Life by Flynn Berry.

I am a huge fan of suspense novels that when I read the synopsis for A Double Life I guaranteed my spot to access it.Read More »

Book Review: The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

June 18, 2018November 15, 2018 Saturday Nite Reader17 Comments

5 disco balls

Published: June 5, 2018 by Berkley
Category: Romance, Contemporary, Fiction

The bookstagram community wouldn’t stop raving about this one that when it was a Book of the Month June selection it was a no-brainer to choose. The synopsis sold a love story for Eleanor Oliphant fans so I couldn’t wait to dive in.

Saturday Spotlight: My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult

June 16, 2018June 15, 2018 Saturday Nite Reader22 Comments

This Week:
My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult

Published: April 6, 2004 by Atria Books
Category: Fiction, Contemporary
New York Times Best Selling Author

I vividly remember reading this book at my desk during a lunch break and ugly cried before that term even reemerged as a trend: this was back in 2006.

This is the book that started my never ending love of Jodi Picoult books. Fast-forward 12 years and I have collected all her books in hardcover: I had to scour used book stores and online until I found every single last one. Have you done the same thing with your favorite author?

I do have one piece of advice: stay away from the movie. It did not do this book justice at all, not even close. It was a completely different ending, and the shocking twist of the book’s ending made the book what it was. I can’t believe they changed it, what was Warner Bros. thinking?!

Goodreads Stats:
4.06 average rating * 938,135 Ratings * 31,584 Reviews
Saturday Nite Reader rating: 5 disco balls

Goodreads Synopsis:
Anna is not sick, but she might as well be. By age thirteen, she has undergone countless surgeries, transfusions, and shots so that her older sister, Kate, can somehow fight the leukemia that has plagued her since childhood. The product of preimplantation genetic diagnosis, Anna was conceived as a bone marrow match for Kate — a life and a role that she has never challenged…until now. Like most teenagers, Anna is beginning to question who she truly is. But unlike most teenagers, she has always been defined in terms of her sister — and so Anna makes a decision that for most would be unthinkable, a decision that will tear her family apart and have perhaps fatal consequences for the sister she loves.

‘My Sister’s Keeper’ examines what it means to be a good parent, a good sister, a good person. Is it morally correct to do whatever it takes to save a child’s life, even if that means infringing upon the rights of another? Is it worth trying to discover who you really are, if that quest makes you like yourself less? Should you follow your own heart, or let others lead you? Once again, in ‘My Sister’s Keeper’, Jodi Picoult tackles a controversial real-life subject with grace, wisdom, and sensitivity.

Have you read this book? Do tell! Have a book to spotlight: remember to share your links in the comments below.

Purchase Links
Amazon: Kindle Paperback Audible
Barnes & Noble: Nook Paperback Hardcover

My Jodi Collection:

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Book Review: Tell Me Lies by Carola Lovering

June 15, 2018November 10, 2018 Saturday Nite Reader18 Comments

4 disco balls

Published: June 12, 2018 by Atria Books
Category: Women’s Fiction, Contemporary, Coming of Age

This book brought out many feels in me: nostalgia, regret, anger, but also strength and peace. Each chapter was more addicting than the one before and I could not wait to finish. I felt anxious all the way up until the end.

Before I get to it, I just have a message for Stephen DeMarco and all the other “Stephen DeMarco’s” out there:

Book Review: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

June 11, 2018November 15, 2018 Saturday Nite Reader18 Comments

5 disco balls

Published: June 13, 2017 by Atria Books
Category: Historical Fiction, Women’s Fiction, Contemporary, Romance, LGBT

You know the saying about potato chips “bet you can’t eat just one!”? Well, don’t eat potato chips while reading this book. For starters potato chip grease gets on the pages, which is a pet peeve of mine. But, more importantly you will not be able to stop reading chapter after chapter and your stomach can’t handle all those chips. This can definitely be a one sitting book read.If you are looking for a book to start your summer off right: this here is your jam!