Published: July 24, 2018 by Lake Union Publishing
Category: Thriller, Mystery, Suspense
But were they really?
Three long time friends (Ashley, Natalie, Lauren) take a girls vacation to Mexico. Three is a crowd. Two are always competing for the leader of the pack’s attention: while loving and hating her at the same time. Make up your darn mind ladies! Anywho, Ashley goes missing after getting into major blows with Natalie and Lauren (separate fights that Natalie and Lauren don’t know all the details of…hmmm).Read More »
Publish Date: July 24, 2018 by Atria Books
Category: Contemporary Fiction, Cultural
I came across Silent Hearts during one of my many NetGalley searches and was lured in by the message that it would appeal to fans of Khaled Hosseini’s A Thousand Splendid Suns; my most recommended book. There is no doubt that Gwen Florio is an extremely talented writer. Her words created a setting in which I could easily visualize the scenes themselves (which is usually hard for me, I am more of a dialogue fan than description for that reason). Her years as a journalist – and experience covering conflict zones – aided in her crafting the unlikely friendship between Liv and Farida, our two protagonists in Silent Hearts.Read More »
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 One-in-a-Million Boy by Monica Wood
Published: April 5, 2016 by Headline Review
Category: Fiction, Contemporary Nautilus Book Award for Fiction: Large Publisher (2016)
I came across this gem through a widget on the sidebar of my Goodreads homepage one day. Not sure exactly why it popped up, but I was so glad it did!
After reading the synopsis (below), I was certainly intrigued. It was my turn to pick our next book club read and after seeing its Goodreads stats my decision was easily made. I enjoyed this book immensely: I laughed, I cried, I needed a hug. The book brings you on a journey: one that I recommend all experience. You will adore the characters and also need a hug in the end. (All these hugs, as someone who isn’t a huge fan of them who am I becoming?!) If it also helps: when my book club discussed our favorite read of the year this one came up several times.
Goodreads Synopsis: The incandescent story of a 104-year-old woman and the sweet, strange young boy assigned to help her around the house — a friendship that touches each member of the boy’s unmoored family.
The story of your life never starts at the beginning. Don’t they teach you anything at school?
For years, guitarist Quinn Porter has been on the road, chasing gig after gig, largely absent to his twice-ex-wife Belle and their odd, Guinness records–obsessed son. When the boy dies suddenly, Quinn seeks forgiveness for his paternal shortcomings by completing the requirements for his son’s unfinished Boy Scout badge.
For seven Saturdays, Quinn does yard work for Ona Vitkus, the wily 104-year-old Lithuanian immigrant the boy had visited weekly. Quinn soon discovers that the boy had talked Ona into gunning for the world record for Oldest Licensed Driver — and that’s the least of her secrets. Despite himself, Quinn picks up where the boy left off, forging a friendship with Ona that allows him to know the son he never understood, a boy who was always listening, always learning.
The One-in-a-Million Boy is a richly layered novel of hearts broken seemingly beyond repair and then bound by a stunning act of human devotion.
Have you read this book? Do tell! Have a book to spotlight: remember to share your links in the comments below.
The Author, Monica Wood, discusses The One-in-a-Million Boy:
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Please note: this post contains Amazon and B&N affiliate links. If you purchase this book through the links above I will earn a small fee; at no additional cost to you. This will help me purchase more books to read and recommend to you all!
Publish date: April 24, 2018 by Balzer + Bray
Category: Young Adult, Contemporary, LGBT
I had a hard time rating this one a 3.5, but just couldn’t give it a 4 and 3.75 seemed weird. I whipped through this book in two days and love author Becky Albertalli’s writing style. I am a fan of dialogue and witty banter is even better: you get that with this book. I just felt it was missing something. That something special that came with the experience of reading Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda.
Note: ‘Leah on the Offbeat’ is a continuation of the Creekwood series; Simon being Creekwood #1. It can be read as a standalone – but then you wouldn’t really know the characters and I absolutely recommend reading Simon! That is a given.Read More »
I’ve never had an experience with a book the way I did with ‘A Little Life’. Ever. I will never forget how I felt reading it. The characters will stay with me. Oh how they’ll stay with me.
“And so I try to be kind to everything I see, and in everything I see, I see him.”
– Hanya Yanagihara, A Little Life
5 disco balls
Publish Date: March 10, 2015 by Doubleday, reprint January 26, 2016 by Anchor The audiobook on Amazon is only $4.95. The narrator Oliver Wyman beautifully brings the characters to life.
Category: Literary Fiction, Contemporary
This book has become one of my top books of all time. It is not an easy read. It is heartbreaking, it’s a gut punch, it steam rolls right over your heart over and over and over. Cue the ugly cries and heavy emotions. It knocks the wind right out of you.Read More »
Goodreads Mondayis a weekly meme hosted by Lauren’s Page Turners. To take part, you simply choose a random book from your TBR and show it off. Don’t forget to check out Lauren’s Goodreads Monday blog post to share your Monday selections.
I am still on a 5 disco ball book high after finishing Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli. I loved the movie Love, Simon just as much. Both are a must experience.
One of Simon’s best friends is Leah. And, she is getting her own book coming out the end of this month! If you are like me and missing Simon and his group of friends tremendously, you won’t have to wait much longer. And yes, I already preordered my copy!
Leah on the Offbeat by Becky Albertalli
Publish date: April 24, 2018 by HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray
Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble
Category: Young Adult, Contemporary, LGBT
Goodreads Synopsis: Leah Burke—girl-band drummer, master of deadpan, and Simon Spier’s best friend from the award-winning ‘Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda’—takes center stage in this novel of first love and senior-year angst.
When it comes to drumming, Leah Burke is usually on beat—but real life isn’t always so rhythmic. An anomaly in her friend group, she’s the only child of a young, single mom, and her life is decidedly less privileged. She loves to draw but is too self-conscious to show it. And even though her mom knows she’s bisexual, she hasn’t mustered the courage to tell her friends—not even her openly gay BFF, Simon.
So Leah really doesn’t know what to do when her rock-solid friend group starts to fracture in unexpected ways. With prom and college on the horizon, tensions are running high. It’s hard for Leah to strike the right note while the people she loves are fighting—especially when she realizes she might love one of them more than she ever intended.
Please note: this post contains an Amazon affiliate link. If you purchase this book through the link above I will earn a small fee; at no additional cost to you. This will help me purchase more books to read and recommend to you all!
What drew me first to this book was the cover: its absolutely beautiful.
4 disco balls
Published: February 14, 2017 by Dutton Books
Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble
Category: Young Adult, Contemporary, Fiction
The synopsis on the book jacket is somewhat vague, which I often prefer. It just explains how lead character, Marin, left home with only her wallet, cell phone and a photo. She hasn’t spoken to anyone from her prior life in 3 months; until her best friend shows up to visit for three days.
During this visit we will piece together Marin’s former life and learn why she just picked up and left. Read More »
Published: February 1, 2018 by Graydon House
Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble
Category: Fiction, Chick lit
It started out slow and bit all over the place; after I invested a bit of time into it I became more engaged in the story. Boy was there loads of drama. And, the drama kept on coming even when you wanted to cover your eyes and will it to stop. (Why Emily, why?!)Read More »
This Week:
One of Simon’s best friends is Leah. And, she is getting her own book coming out the end of this month! If you are like me and missing Simon and his group of friends tremendously, you won’t have to wait much longer. And yes, I already preordered my copy!
Saturday Nite Reader 