5 disco balls
Published: November 20, 2018 by Doubleday Books
Hardcover: 226 pages
Category: Contemporary Fiction, Thriller
I thought it was a clever, well crafted read. It is easily devoured and can be read in one to a few sittings. Try putting this one down once you start…it will be super hard to not keep turning the page!Read More »
3.5 disco balls
Published: July 31, 2018 by Riverhead Books
Category: Literary Fiction, Religion
After finishing this one I had to let my thoughts marinate a bit.
I am calling the writing vibe: eerie flow. I just made that up, but it sounded right. The whole tone and the build up to the end left me feeling…I can’t find the right word to verbalize my feeling.Read More »
Overall Story:
4 disco balls
Narration:
5 disco balls
Published: March 6, 2018 by Macmillan Audio
Narrated by: Bahni Turpin
Length: 17 hours and 44 minutes
Category: Young Adult, Fantasy, Fiction
Kirkus Prize Nominee for Young Readers’ Literature (2018), Goodreads Choice Award for Debut Author and Nominee for Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction (2018)
I bought this book in March of 2018 and it had been sitting on my shelf a bit too long. I typically do not read fantasy, but was intrigued by the synopsis and gravitated toward the stunning book cover. Fast forward to January 2019 and it was my book club book! Its a beast of a book clocking in at 527 pages so I thought I would enlist the help of the audiobook from the library to keep me on pace.
I am SO glad I picked up the audiobook! The book is action packed and narrator, Bahni Turpin, brought all the characters to life. She captured the emotions effortlessly that I would often listen to the audio while reading along (as I do like to hold a book in my hands).Read More »
5 disco balls
Published: November 13, 2018 by Crown
Category: Nonfiction, Biography, Memoir
2018 was the year I discovered my love of nonfiction. I thought it wasn’t for me, but after reading Educated by Tara Westover, Bad Blood by John Carreyrou, and Becoming by Michelle Obama, I realized how wrong I was.
Over a few weeks I laughed with Michelle, cried with her, and enjoyed simply listening to her. She is graceful, relatable…human. It wasn’t a political narrative, but the story of a young girl becoming a woman and learning more about herself as she grew.Read More »
5 disco balls
Published: May 21, 2018 by Knopf Publishing Group
Category: Nonfiction
Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Nonfiction (2018)
If you were looking for a book to close out 2018 this here’s the one. No joke: It was an addicting, consuming read.
Wall Street Journal Investigative Reporter John Carreyrou was instrumental in blowing up Theranos’ spot. In Bad Blood, Carreyrou meticulously described the entire Theranos evolution leading to his expose and it was simply crazy…every last drop of it (and not small drops, hehe see what I did there?! too much?)Read More »
Doesn’t that throw look super comfy?! It is! I got it at Indigo for $35 (since I purchased a bit of books I was able to get a promo price). Okay, now back to the book…
3 jingle bells
Published: September 25, 2018 by Kensington Publishing Corporation
Category: Contemporary, Holiday
It’s Book 3 in a series, but it can be read as a standalone
I came across this book at Target and the cover screamed “cute holiday love story in a small, cozy town.” I was thinking Hallmark movie and what I got was more in line with an ABC after school special: looks can be deceiving.Read More »
Being born on the 11th clearly made the #11 my favorite number. To top it off, today is my 38th birthday and 3 + 8 = 11…so this must mean its going to be a lucky one 😉
To honor the #11, here are my Top 11 reads from this year. This year has been my best reading year yet and it was very hard to narrow them down!
It is a story of perseverance, acceptance and love for so many of the characters. 
It is a story about friendship; but, not ordinary friendship. A supreme friendship so connected that without it one is not whole, but lost. Friendship that gives one breathe: a reason.
Cue in the soundtrack to Pretty Woman and you got yourself the cutest love story – with a side of spice – I have read in a while.
It was an addicting, brilliantly written story. This can definitely be a one sitting book read.
The book tells a beautiful tale of a loving and caring person who just needed someone to believe in her.
It’s one of those stories that brightens your mood: perfect to read on a sunny day (or those rainy/snowy days where you are looking for something to lighten your mood). 
This book had me on edge the whole entire time. THE WHOLE ENTIRE TIME.
Like classic Jodi, she has this rational way of presenting both sides of an issue where you feel empathy for all characters whether you agree with them or not (she’s brilliant at this!) You may not agree, but you understand.
Francie Nolan became one of my favorite literary characters.
Backman’s writing consists of simple sentences packed with punch: so much meaning with the right amount of build up. His writing style is brilliant!
The tension between Lucy and Josh from the minute the book starts is ridiculously tantalizing.
Do you have a favorite amongst my birthday book stack? Do tell!
You may also find me here:
5 jingle bells
Published: October 16, 2018 by William Morrow
Category: Contemporary, Holiday
If I had to sum up this holiday read in 3 images:
Now I really want a hot chocolate!Read More »
3.5 disco balls
Published: December 7, 2017 by Simon & Schuster Audio
Category: Nonfiction, Memoir, Humor
Comedian Tiffany Haddish made me laugh so many times even when describing painful memories. Her gift of humor shines through her narration of her own memoir.
Its a quick audiobook, one that will help quickly pass the time during longer road trips or doing chores around the house. Read More »
click on the images to be directed to my review
My Top 5 (of the 27)
the rest in no specific order: (they are all 5 disco ball gems!)
click on the image to be directed to my Goodreads review (or to add to your Goodreads TBR!)
4 disco balls
Published (Paperback): March 4, 2014 by Anchor
Category: Fiction, Contemporary, Cultural
Chicago Tribune Heartland Prize for Fiction (2013); National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction (2013); Women’s Prize for Fiction Nominee (2014); Andrew Carnegie Medal Nominee for Fiction (Shortlist) (2014); Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Fiction (2013); International DUBLIN Literary Award Nominee for Shortlist (2015); Go On Girl! Book Club Award for Author of the Year (2016)
The paperback clocked in at 588 pages. I will admit that it was a very slow start for me and if it weren’t for book club I probably would have set it aside after reading over 200 pages. BUT, I am glad I kept with it! For me this was one of the rare instances where the book got better and better with each turn of the page.
There is no doubt that author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, writes beautifully. In each scene I felt I was there: it’s usually hard for me to wrap my head around a lot of description but she did it with ease.Read More »
Saturday Nite Reader 