Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty

Hello everyone. Hope you are well. Also, hope you have a hot cup of coffee as I have a bit to say today.

I had the world's best parents. Yes, I know it is a bit like saying my kid is the best, when everyone thinks their own child is the most amazing thing on the planet. Honestly, I had great parents. Despite having four kids they were always a couple. Of course, they constantly had their parental hats on, but it was common to walk past the kitchen and see them leaning against the kitchen sink, kissing...in their 50s. We had a finished basement with fireplace and if the mood struck, they'd be slow dancing while the stereo played and fire crackled, often while it snowed outside. How romantic is that? It is with this never-ending love and adoration for my parents that I must tell you about what my father often gave my mother for a gift. Blue eyeshadow. Now, he gave her gifts all the time, brought flowers, etc. But for regular gift giving occasions, Dad couldn't quite figure it out. Sometimes he got it right, but often you'd find him at the drug store buying blue eyeshadow. Now after many years, my mother, having accumulated every shade from Glacier Blue to Night Sky, began to buy her own gifts. She could do anything creative with thread or yarn from sewing our clothes to knitting hats for the homeless and every kind of needlework. Mom would order herself some needlework kits for her birthday and Christmas and call it a day.

Now, I know you are saying this is a book blog and despite the housewife angle this is a bit more off track than normal. But alas, I give you this story as a gift and a warning. The holidays are fast approaching, and you husbands out there may be looking for a gift for your wife, or your secret girlfriend. Often as a gift of last resort, men these days have progressed past the drug store blue eyeshadow to the spa gift certificate. If your wife is a reader, I warn you to avoid this gift at all costs, especially if your wife is a fan of Liane Moriarty.

The new Liane Moriarty book, Nine Perfect Strangers, has so many of the magical traits readers have come to expect in her books. They are so normal, in character and setting. Wives, husbands, neighbors, PTA meetings, neighborhood parks, cookouts...normal everyday things. People that could be any one of us at any time. That is what makes her books so spellbinding, that it could be me...you.... your wife or husband. In Nine Perfect Strangers, Liane takes her characters to a spa. You know I don't restate plots, read the jacket, but it is not your everyday run-of-the-mill spa. Things are a bit rigid and get more so. If you think spas are all relaxation and facials, guess again.  This book gives us the back story of the characters, as always, and brings them together masterfully. However, it has a bit of a thriller edge. I think this makes the pacing of this book faster than her usual stories. The tension is unfurled slowly but steadily, building to a place you won't see coming. As I've said in the past, I have read all Liane Moriarty's books and enjoyed them all, but I think she constantly is improving. This is my favorite and I think her best.

Now back to you husbands, remember, shop early for something your wife actually wants, perhaps a book like Nine Perfect Strangers. For those of you that are naughty with a girlfriend on the side, may I recommend a 10 day stay at a spa.

Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill

Hello, hope you are well....blah, blah, blah, niceties over, time to move on! Forget chicken cooking, housework, etc. We must talk! I purchased a book called Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill. Do you know who Joe Hill is? Huh? Do you? Go on, guess, I'll wait. NO don't google! Unfair! Yes, ladies and gentlemen, boy and girls...Joe Hill is Stephen King's son. You've heard of legacy acceptance into ivy league schools, multi-generational presidents, now we have father and son writers. No, no, not just any writers, horror writers!  Would he write like his dad? Was his dad actually writing for him and slapping sonny's name on it, kinda like a nice inheritance? Would the writing be juvenile? Would it be big words sending me repeatedly to the dictionary like he had something to prove? You know I have a love/hate relationship with Stephen King. Okay, mostly love, I highly doubt you can have had the longevity he has as an author without a whole lotta love. But, his wordiness and tangents totally get on my every last nerve. What about the offspring?!?! Sit down, yes, I know you have far more interesting things to investigate in your life, congratulations Nancy Drew. I had to know if the son was like the father. Had to!

Do you want me to tell you? Draw it out longer? Build the suspense? I'll spill. Joe Hill is amazing! Yes, amazing! No tangents at all (picture me looking up to the heavens mouthing "thank you"). No wordiness. What is left? I'll tell you, a super strong plot. A great ghost story where you see the ghost several times but it is the tension...ah the tension of what is about to happen that spurs you faster and faster through the book. The plot unfolds in such a way that takes some kind of unlikable characters and slowly evokes your compassion and eventually you're rooting for them. The story twists and turns, when you think it might slow down it doesn't and the whole time it is scary. At some points, I couldn't read this book at night. Honestly. Then, I couldn't help but read it anytime I could fit in a page or two. It was so good. It reminds me of everything I love about Stephen King and eliminates the things I don't like. Reading this took me back to reading The Shining, and that is a huge compliment as it started my interest in pleasure reading.

Yep, Joe Hill has talent, bred or learned I don't care, long as it keeps coming. Long live the King and Crown Prince. I'll start practicing my curtsy.

Beautiful Bad Keeps You Guessing

Please don't hate me for telling you about a book that does not launch until March 19,2019. I cannot help myself. I know...I know, the wait is long for this one, but totally worth it. If you are a thriller lover, get right on over to your bookseller's page and preorder.

Beautiful Bad by Annie Ward is one of those thrillers that actually thrill readers by twisting them this way then that. The book opens with a residential attack. We don't know who lives in the house and if any have died or survived. The story slowly introduces you into the small cast of characters, revealing their past. The story shows how these people are linked together for good and sometimes for not so good. Obviously, these people are linked to the beginning of the novel. The reader spends the book trying to figure out who the evil person is. First you lean towards one then the other, back and forth as the story is masterfully woven. It races to a conclusion that isn't a conclusion at all, there is yet one final twist, then again, an encore twist just for good measure. This book holds you tightly until the very last word! 

This review was written for BookishFirst. Many thanks to BookishFirst and Park Row Books for the Advanced Copy of Beautiful Bad by Annie Ward.

Lies by T. M. Logan

Now, I realize I just posted yesterday and you're likely already at your April limit, (who isn't) but I forgot to tell you about a great book, and it releases on September 11th! While I find it annoying to be bombarded with posts, I also don't want you to miss a great book and if you are a thriller lover, this is a great one!

This book starts with a man Joe, in his car with his son, Ben, who sees his mom's car with mommy driving down the road. Since it is not at a time or place Joe would expect to see his wife out and about, he follows her. What unfolds is a wild ride. Joe discovers a vat of simmering doubt and disappointment. 

The cover asks the question about what if your life was based on lies. Now, frankly, I'm certain many of our lives are based on little lies. Nobody wants to look boring to their Facebook friends from high school. Everyone absolutely MUST outdo each other with the frequency of lavish vacations. That's not what the book is talking about. How would you feel if everything you based your life on fell apart. If you suddenly discover piece after piece of information showing you were one giant Jenga tower about to fall because that solid base you stand on was never really there at all. Those are the questions this book asks. It is terrifying. It could happen to any of us. I guess we all rest our faith on the integrity of those around us, but some people are really good liars. 

Lies was so good. A fast paced, keep you up all night page turner with an excellent twist at the end. If this story doesn't have you awake reading, it will have you examining everyone in your life...just to make sure.

The Other Woman by Sandie Jones

Are you ever just so tired that you feel like a slug? Probably no. You are likely one of those annoying, eternally perky people. I detest you. I really do. Okay, maybe I'm jealous. So what? I'm just in a mood, noticing all those signs of aging and resenting the young. My friend said she pulled a muscle the other day just putting on her bra. Hell, I pulled my back just sneezing "the wrong way".  People told me the day I hit 40 it would start, the very day...like on my birthday. Sadly, those wack-a-doodles were completely right. Now this is where I'll write nothing else, since I just mentioned turning 40 and act like I just had that milestone. In actuality, I've lied about my age so much recently when the doctor asked me how old I was, I had to get out my fingers to count. (Get them out, like they were "put away".) I'd say I got out an abacus, but you are all probably too young to even know what that is, which will really tick me off, which will make me sigh and feel even more tired. You see this aging thing is a vicious circle.

Anyway, after reading the amazing 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, I needed a break. I picked a thriller called The Other Woman by Sandie Jones. Honestly, I chose it because it is recent and shorter, just under 300 pages. This book was a great break for my character-laden brain. It follows a girl, Emily, who falls in love with Adam. Unfortunately Adam has a wicked Mother, who doesn't like Emily.  Seemed like a plot that has been done quite a bit. Just turn on the TV any Saturday afternoon, bypass the 9,000th showing of Shawshank Redemption (still love ya Stephen King) and Dirty Dancing, to see Jane Fonda in action in Monster-in-Law. The common plot didn't bother me, obviously, since I bought the book and it called to me from my stack to read. I'm glad it did. Sandie Jones is the kind of writer I like. She skips the BS. Not that background story is BS, but...how do I explain it? If she says something is going to happen on Wednesday, the story immediately skips to that event on Wednesday. I love it. No waiting while the characters do their laundry on Tuesday night, making me wonder why I'm spending so much time reading this book instead of doing my own laundry. Nope, Sandie Jones skips to the good stuff. THANK YOU! This made the book so much faster paced and so much more pleasant to read. The story moves quickly to a conclusion which I am certain I had figured out, but alas was happily wrong again.

A very pleasant read, would make a great plane or beach read.

Our House by Louise Candlish

I was so fortunate to receive an advanced reader copy of Our House by Louise Candlish. This book is published by Berkley and hits stores on August 7th, although you can pre-order now. Huge thanks to Berkley publishing not only for the book copy but for all the work you do!

This book is set in England, where a couple with two children live a nice life in an area where real estate values have dramatically increased. Their home is now worth substantially more than they paid for it, in fact more than 2 million pounds. One day the wife, Fi, (short for Fiona) comes home to find her husband, Bram, (short for Abraham) in the backyard inside the children's playhouse. The kids are in bed asleep but Bram isn't playing alone in the little house, he is with one of their female neighbors. Shortly after this infidelity, Fi and Bram Lawson separate.

One day, when Fi is going out of town, she pops back to the house to discover someone else moving in. She confronts the intruders to discover that all her and the children's belongings are gone and indeed, the house has not only been emptied but has been legally sold. The money paid for the home is missing, but the deed has been transferred. The act complete, her house is gone. Fi tries in vain to reach her estranged husband, who now has a disconnected phone and is nowhere to be found.

I don't want to say anything more about the plot, but suffice it to say I love the plot. In fact, this could have been one of my all-time favorite thrillers. Could have been. Sadly, for me, this book's pacing is way too slow. The facts learned by page 150 could have easily been told in 20 pages.  As the story progresses past the halfway mark of this over 400 page book, the pacing increases slightly.  I'll give you an example, something happens to Fi, you as the reader witness it. Then Fi tells the neighbor what happened, instead of just saying that she explained the occurrence to the neighbor, no, the author retells every detail. Then the neighbor retells someone else....again....geez. I really liked the story but don't want to read the same portion retold over and over. This is what holds up the pacing. The plot has all the makings of a blockbuster thriller, I mean it is a really interesting idea, it should be a page turner. My eyes should be bloodshot from reading without sleep because the story drives forward so quickly. Instead I kept putting the book down, yelling at it to just move on. Then there is the end. The end is abrupt and completely unsatisfying. I guess you could say it is ironic, but I was left saying "What, that's it?".

Now, please keep in mind I read a lot of thrillers that move very quickly. I have never read anything from Louise Candlish before, maybe this pacing is her style and something I am just not used to. Remember every book simply cannot be for every person. While this book was too slow for me, the plot was wonderful and the pacing maybe perfect for you. I hope you love it.

The Red Ledger Reborn by Meredith Wild

I was lucky to receive an advanced copy of The Red Ledger Reborn by Meredith Wild. I had never heard of this title or author. Upon receiving this book I googled Meredith and found some very interesting things. First, I don't think this is the first novel in what appears to be a series. It does not matter, this book stands on its own. Next, I discovered an interesting story about the author. It seems she usually writes romance and used to self-publish. Apparently finding it difficult to get books into brick-and-mortar stores, she started her own publishing house.

Good for you, Meredith Wild, and good for Waterhouse Press (her publishing brand). I so adore when someone hits a wall and can't find a way around, then blasts through to make their own door, saying "Take that, book world!" Now I'm intrigued. So I start the novel the author classifies as suspense. Thriller, suspense, tomato, toe-maato. Right from the beginning...(I'm smiling here because it has an usual beginning that I desperately want to tell you, but I won't, it's too good not to read for yourself)...right from the beginning I'm hooked.

The story is about a hitman who is about to kill a young woman who is his target, but he realizes that she knows him. Some parts of his memory are unclear so he wonders if her knowledge would help him, but then again he does have this "job" to do. I don't want to say more.  Know that the book moves quickly, stays on topic, is well written and is pleasant and interesting reading. One thing that might annoy readers is that this narrative alternates back and forth, being told from the perspective of each of the two main characters, Isabel and Tristan. Frankly, it didn't bother me in the least and I really found it a helpful way of telling the story. I found myself looking forward to the perspective change so I would know what the other character was thinking. A very enjoyable book, indeed.

I want to thank Meredith Wild, Waterhouse Press and Bookish First for the copy of this great novel. It will be released on August 7, 2018 and is available for PRE-ORDER NOW.  I'm heading to the bookstore myself. I want to read everything else Meredith has written!

Bring Me Back by B.A. Paris

A few weeks ago, June 19th to be exact, B.A. Paris' new book Bring Me Back was released. I was very excited as I have read and enjoyed both of her previous books, Behind Closed Doors and The Break Down. I implored my husband to pick it up at the bookstore near his office on release date. I must read it immediately. Finally, after several deep breaths, who am I kidding practically hyperventilating, I said no. I would wait. I have tons of brand-new books here waiting, hell begging to be read. I would wait until this came out in paperback or when not in such a precarious position as to be crushed by my own stack of to be read books.

Alas, along came the dreaded Barnes and Noble 20% off coupon. Getting such a current release hard back for on $13 must be a sign, it is fate, meant to be. We were destined to become story-reader soul mates. Well, I've finished it and I'm unsure of our current status. If I had to purchase it again, I would...so I consider that a recommendation, but somethings keep nagging at me. Without a plot rehash I'll just say a man and his girlfriend on a trip, pull into a rest stop. He returns from the bathroom and she is missing. The story flashes forward 12 years and the same man (named Finn, if that matters), is about to be married, to the woman who disappeared sister. I don't know, my husband is very close to my family, I can already see him saying "ewe", not that he doesn't adore my sisters but not in a creepy incest kind of way.

Anyway, the story leads you to believe that the original girlfriend might still be alive and stalking Finn and her sister, his current love interest. Sounds super interesting. One of my pet peeves is when books yammer on about topics that don't matter to the story or rehash the same thing over and over. I have a lot to read (see leaning tower of to be read books above), and I want authors to be very respectful of my time. This book seemed to spend a lot of time pondering who it could be sending clues to Finn. He goes over the same people in his head repeatedly. That gets on my nerves and makes me feel like the story needed something else in the story line to take up space instead of me obsessing about Finn obsessing. Then there is the end. I don't want to spoil it for you but it kind of hit me like the Sopranos fade to black, it was neat and interesting, don't get me wrong and a great story idea but I kind of felt a teensy bit cheated, like he would have known and to say he had no idea is insincere.

None the less, I still liked to book very much. I will still try and show some self control the next time B.A. Paris releases a book and wait for the paperback or purchase the kindle version...at least until I have a bad day or a good day and MUST consol or reward myself with her newest book.

Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate

Well, I thought reporting in on my vacuum might be the big news today, boy was I wrong. Also, I'm going to have to curb any other talk of cooking or cleaning. Today I must tell you about this book, Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate.  If you're a big reader person, you've undoubtedly heard about this book, it's on the New York Times Bestseller list as we speak. No matter what you've heard about how good it is, it is better.

This book is like a sweeping movie, epic in proportion. It follows a family from birth until old age. You might think this is dry or a slower read, it isn't. This book is mesmerizing as it flows from past to present, weaving the story together flawlessly. It makes us wonder, driving the story forward, and yes it does deliver answers so as not to frustrate the reader. Of the gazillion books I've read, I have one all-time favorite that nothing has ever been able to touch. This might be that good. Simply amazing.

If you can get to the end and not be misty eyed, then perhaps you're a descendent of the Grinch. I was in a puddle, sobbing. It isn't that this is sad, it's just....perfect. If you have children, read it. If you were ever a child, read it. If you have a sibling, read it. If you have a heart, read it.

As for me, I'm sending my copy round robin style to my sisters, we'll see if they have a heart!

Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine

I don't know why I always say I'm a thriller girl. Well, yes I do, I gravitate toward thrillers, but actually I like any great book. There are so many interesting books out there, so little time. Insert mental clip of Burgess Meredith saying "that's not fair, that's not fair" here. If you don't know what I'm talking about, shame on you...and you call yourself a book lover.  Go find a copy of the Twilight Zone, episode Time Enough At Last. Be enlightened!

Anyway, in the realm of housewifery (?), my new vacuum arrived (I know you were so concerned, practically holding your breath, checking here daily, "OMG did she get the vacuum, I'm so concerned" said you.) It is here, but has to be put together. Despite it being here for days, it is not together yet. In the realm of procrastination I am successful! Shocking, I know. I finished a wonderful book called Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine by Gail Honeyman.

This story follows Eleanor who is an awkward, completely socially inept, young woman.  We find out why she is the way she is, about her horrific mother who calls her weekly, what has happened in her past, and how she slowly starts to bloom. This book will have you in tears one minute and literally laughing out loud the next. The story is character-centric, so it is imperative that the characters be well-developed and the reader becomes invested in them. The author does a great job here. The story is beautifully told and one of those you find hard to shake days after you've finished reading it.

Well, enough book chat, better get on the dumb vacuum thing. Hubby better not give me any grief over it or I'll give him a little Eleanor, and don't think I can't do it!

Baby Teeth

I have to tell you the funniest story. I was recently sent a advanced reader copy for a new thriller called Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage, which hits bookstores July 17th. By the way, huge thanks to St. Martin's Press, the publisher, for making my week. Anyway, I start reading this unusual book. It is about a young girl, 7 years old, who is very smart. She loves her dad so much but her mom, she'd kind like her out of the picture so she can have her dad all to herself. The little girl is Hanna and the mom is Suzette. So let's just cut to the short of it, this book is devious, dark, intense and quite thrilling. I really liked it.

So, I'm reading along one afternoon, about halfway through the book when my husband comes in with the mail. He stops in our hall and doesn't move. Odd, I ask if anything bad came in the mail. No answer. I ask if he's okay, no answer. Finally, he says "I don't know." We had received a post card, on the front are kids drawings and printed over it is "Maybe if Mommy was uglier, maybe Daddy wouldn't love her as much." Hubby was confused. He didn't know if this was a weird campaign for some unusual group or product, or if some little girl was really a problem child and had sent something very odd to the wrong address. He flipped to postcard over and it says in red ink written like a child, "I hate mommy so much. I promise you'll feel the same way, cross my heart, hope mommy dies." The postcard was from the publisher, reminding me of the book they'd sent. Believe me I needed no reminding.

Now if that does not convince you to buy and read this book, then I wash my hands of you, so would Hanna!

A Gathering of Secrets by Linda Castillo

Well everyone, I bought a new vacuum but now the dishwasher broke. All I want is to live in a home of complete harmony, is that really so much to ask? Needless to say, to escape the Maximum Overdrive 2.0 going on in my house I have resorted to books! As usual!

I have been so fortunate to receive an advance reader copy of A Gathering of Secrets by Linda Castillo. I haven't read anything by Linda before so went into this completely blind. This story is half thriller half mystery. It opens like a rocket, and I mean opens. I was saying "wow" out loud during the prologue....you read that right...THE PROLOGUE. The first chapter was even more shocking. Immediately I'm intrigued.

Without giving the story away, this is set in Ohio within several groups of Amish. There is a murder, and we follow the chief of police, Kate Burkholder. Now Kate, who is ex-Amish herself has her own set of problems and they intertwine with the murder. Interesting huh? The chief is a very likable character that you find yourself totally rooting for. The thing is, after the super-exciting beginning the book settles into Kate going from person to person, interviewing them trying to find out who knew what and why certain things happened. I started to think "uh oh, here we go, this is about to get really dry and boring." The thing is, it didn't! It got more and more compelling of a read the further it went along and hung on until the very end...I mean the very end.

If you are interested in a mystery/thriller in a different setting or are interested in the Amish, this is the book for you. If the Amish setting is a turn off for you please know that it only assists the story, it doesn't detract or bog it down in any way. This book is released July 10th.

I cannot thank St. Martin's Press enough for so generously sending me a proof of this amazing story. Please don't mind it though if I blame you for my sudden urge to learn how to quilt.

The Anomaly by Michael Rutger

For Valentine's Day, my husband gave me a gift subscription to The Book of the Month. I've loved it. Every month, so far, I have picked a wonderful thriller to read. For June I received The Anomaly by Michael Rutger. It is issued early for BOTM and is due for release June 19th.

I don't generally go over the plot, assuming you just want to know if it's good or annoying since you've obviously searched out a review and have certainly read the jacket.  Since this is not released I will say this is kind of like Indiana Jones meets Robert Langdon. It's the story of a group of people that shoot a series that is broadcast on YouTube. They are searching for a cave in the Grand Canyon that was supposedly visited decades ago but now only legend. The unusual cast of characters finds a cavern and to say it is a unhospitable place is an understatement. No more, nope, not saying anything more, tick-a-lock!

I am always amazed when writers can describe action and it's easy to picture without the words getting in the way. Some thriller writers do that really well, James Rollins comes to mind, Michael Rutger is one of those writers. The Anomaly is well paced, well edited, is creepy and interesting at the same time. It has some really good dialog, especially if you like sarcasm, who doesn't? Overall, I completely enjoyed this book. If you like books that are a little rough and tumble, you'll like this, There are absolutely no make-up tips here. If you like books that make you wonder enough to turn the pages faster and that almost each chapter ends on a bit of a cliff hanger, you'll like this. If you are claustrophobic, you'll be completely freaked out by this book. Needless to say, I'm rethinking that trip to the Grand Canyon, photographs of it are so good these days!

Fairest of All: A Tale of the Wicked Queen by Serena Valentino

Hello everyone. Hope you are well. I've been reading up a storm, well perhaps an intermittent shower for some of you but a storm for me. It is June 9th, and I've just completed my fourth book. My husband might tell you this is cheating as I finished my first book of the month at precisely 12:20 am on the first. But you have to cut the previous month off somewhere and everyone knows (read with exaggerated eye roll) that midnight is the cut off. So I have branded him wrong, me correct (as any happily married man will know his wife is always correct, because we ARE). That brings my total this year to 31 books read. That is as many as I read in all of last year, so I'm pretty darn happy.

If you read my blog intro, which shame on you I know you didn't, then you'd know already that I don't "do" audiobooks. For the record, I would read/listen to anything that had a great story so perhaps I should say I haven't "done" an audiobook yet. Another thing I don't usually do is Young Adult books. Sure, I've seen youtube, now branded "booktube", full of 20 somethings proclaiming they've read 8 gazillion books in a month. (By the way, one gave a very negative review on The Woman in the Window, not liking so much of what she read including how it was set in London.....really? It is set in New York...so I don't know about "reading" so many books in a month. Course, I could just be extremely jealous as I am, as you know, a confessed pokey ass reader.) (as a sidenote, what is with all the quotes in this post? geez),

Anyway, I don't get all these adults, men and women....not boys and girls, but men and women that are reading books for kids. There are so many adult books that are fantastic, why would you read outside books meant for you? Judgmental isn't it? Yeah I know. I've got a sink full of dishes and my left leg is falling asleep, I think I'm cranky. ...Breathe...."Anyway," she said sweetly and calmly, all that rant being out there I did see a few kids books I was a tiny bit curious about. Have you seen these books about Disney stories where they retell what happened, often before or after the official story? I wonder if these are a result of the whole Wicked series. Anyway, I might have purchased a few, okay three.

So last week, I could not resist and I opened, just to glance at the first page or two of Fairest of All. It is a story about the wicked queen in Snow White. No spoilers but it talks about when she was a child, her parents, Snow White's life before her, the wicked queen's marriage and relationship with the king. To be completely honest, I was blown away. The story by Serena Valentino intertwines with the Snow White story I know and love, brilliantly. It explains but doesn't rewrite or distort any part of the original.  Obviously, I read the whole thing and am trying to look away from the others I purchased as I have a long list of books to read this month. If you don't want to dish out the money for this book, check out your library, since it was published in 2012 it's probably off reserve! As for me, I have a sudden craving for a bright red apple.

Hello everyone. My name is April and I'm a housewife. I like to cook, hate to clean and love to read. As you can probably guess, reading becomes a crutch to some major procrastination! I read digital books and hard copies; I don't listen to audio books. Not sure why, except I want characters to have my voice, and the author's of course. Most of the books I read I really like but I'm fairly cautious about what I buy. I lean heavily on reviews from friends, social media and from vendors sites. I think if a story really interested me, I'd pretty much read anything. However, my current my favorite genre is thrillers, but I swing wildly from that path especially when I trust the author to deliver something wonderful. I'm constantly pestering my family with "book chat" so thought I'd pester you instead. You're most likely further away, don't know any of my deep, dark secrets, and wouldn't dare pull a prank on me. This is a really safe bet since this is my first post and there is nobody here to read it. Alas, I sentence you, dear universe, to sit through my book ramblings!  Sorry, but you'll wipe us out someday with an asteroid, so I figure we're even.