{WWW Wednesday} 10-12-16

W… W… W… Wednesday, hosted by Taking on a World of Worlds is a weekly meme showcasing what you just finished reading, what you are currently reading, and what you plan to start reading next. Except I’m changing it up a bit, since I can never plan what I’m reading next (moody reader). Instead I’m going to talk about a book I’ve recently added to my TBR that I’m excited about!

 

Last weekend was a bit of a crap show. I ran the 5k on the runway, but at the 2.5 mile mark I popped my hamstring and had to walk the rest of the way. Who’d have ever thought I’d have a sports-related injury in my lifetime. Certainly not me! I’m pretty pissed off about it, because now I’m having to rest my leg and not run or walk for the time being. Probably a minimum of a week. I’m hoping that’s all the longer, because I hate not being able to run and keep up on my steps. It’s how I deal with stress!

And on top of that, my daughter was sick with a cold/cough that kept her up Saturday night. I’m thankful it wasn’t a weeknight, so we were able to be lazy and rest on Sunday. On a good note, she’s feeling much better!

I’m LOVING the colder weather we’re having. Perfect sleeping weather – I sleep the best this time of year! I refuse to turn up our heat, which my husband isn’t too happy about. 😉 We have been using the fireplace, though – it’s so cozy!

 

what i recently finished reading

Absolutely nothing. I haven’t been able to focus on a book for a week. Nothing I pick up is oh-my-god-I-can’t-put-this-down exciting. It’s not the books, it’s me. I’m so easily distracted these days, either by my phone or the tv.

 

 what i’m currently reading

I’ve had this book on my Kindle since last October, so I finally decided to try it. It’s good, I’m enjoying it. Definitely kinda creepy.

 

WHat i have recently added to my tbr

I was super excited to receive this on Netgalley earlier this week! Sarah Jio is one of my favorite authors, and I always look forward to her new releases. This one sounds so good! Her books are always good for pulling me out of a book slump – I may have to break my ‘only creepy reads in October’ rule and start it soon. Anything to help me focus on a book!

 

 Reading anything good this week?

 

Books I’m Thankful For – Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by the Broke and the Bookish. Today’s theme is a Thanksgiving Freebie to do with whatever we choose.

It goes without saying how much I love reading, books, the authors that bring us so many amazing books, the escape it gives me, Goodreads for keeping me organized, my Kindle, and this wonderful book blogging community and all the friendships I’ve made. I’m extremely grateful for being a part of such a wonderful community that allows me to be me.

 

For today’s TTT, I decided to list all of the books that have opened my eyes to new genres and authors over the years. These books top my favorites list, and I’m so thankful to have read them. They’ve connected me with other readers and bloggers over the years, as well. Without so many awesome books in my life, I wouldn’t have that much needed escape that I love, and for that I’m extremely thankful!

 

Surrounded by controversy, and maybe not the most well-written series in the world (and I hate love triangles, so how did I see past all of that?!), but this series means a lot to me. It introduced me to a new genre, as I had never read anything paranormal or fantasy before. It gave me a common bond with a lot of my close friends, where we discussed the books and movies regularly. It was an obsession of mine for many years, the books and the movies. I enjoyed reading before this series, but Stephenie Meyer lit a fire in me and helped me rediscover just how much I loved to read.

 

This book not only gave me my favorite author, but it introduced me to a love of New Adult romance and indie books. I just happened to be browsing Amazon looking for something new to read the day I one-clicked this baby. And to say it changed reading for me is a major understatement.

 

My first major author love goes to Nicholas Sparks. Before CoHo, his books were the ones I ALWAYS had to own (in hardback no less), and I got so excited for a new release. I may have outgrown my Sparks phase, but my love of romance novels is all thanks to him.

 

Only the cutest YA book EVER. I wasn’t a big fan of YA at all until I picked up this book. What a big wonderful world it opened my eyes to. I have read some really fantastic YA contemporary novels over the years, and I thank Stephanie Perkins for giving me my favorite YA book still to date.

 

I used to read a lot of Chick Lit and found many favorite authors along the way. Even though I may be out of that phase at the moment, I feel like these books shaped my love of reading. I’m still a loyal Emily Giffin fan, and look forward to her new releases.

 

  

Haters gonna hate, but it’s all thanks to E L James that I discovered a genre that I love, and then two of my absolute favorite series. I remember finishing the 50 Shades books and immediately going to Amazon to try to find more books similar to it. Amazon recommended Gabriel’s Inferno and Bared to You, which are two of my favorite series. So, thank you E L James, for introducing me to a new genre and in turn giving me some of my favorite books of all time.

 

Although Sarah Jio‘s books have been out for years, I never had the desire to pick one up until I read this one. Which led me to a new author obsession. I believe I have Netgalley to thank for this by approving an ARC and in turn introducing me to an author I’ve come to adore.

 

Exceptional books like this one are the reason why I LOVE suspense novels. I have loved a lot of suspense novels and authors over the years, but this is my most recent favorite.

 

 

I only recently in the past year discovered a new type of adult contemporary novel most call marriage-in-crisis. I admit that I would have never picked up a book described as that in the past, but Landline and Rainbow Rowell helped me to be more open-minded, and because of this book, I have discovered Taylor Jenkins Reid, another favorite author. These books were emotional reads that I needed in my life at that moment in time. Books that make you think and appreciate what you have in life. Both of them have a special place in my heart and are books I recommend to everyone.

 

Last but not least, Kristin Hannah has been impressing me with her fantastic writing for years. Some of my all time favorite books are her books, and there’s no doubt they all pack an emotional punch. It was most recently The Nightingale that left a lasting impression on my heart. I not only found a new love for historical fiction, thanks to this book, but I was blown away by the powerful and incredible story. It’s one I think every single bookworm should read at some point in their life. Even non-historical fiction readers like myself will appreciate the message Hannah so perfectly conveys in this stunning novel.

 

So, there you have it. The books and authors that have shaped my love of reading over the years. I’m thankful they have given me so many wonderful books to love that have left a lasting impression on my heart.

{Mini Review} The Last Camellia

Goodreads / Amazon

About the book

A romantic and suspenseful tale about two women whose destiny is bound across the years.

On the eve of World War II, the last surviving specimen of a camellia plant known as the Middlebury Pink lies secreted away on an English country estate. Flora, an amateur American botanist, is contracted by an international ring of flower thieves to infiltrate the household and acquire the coveted bloom. Her search is at once brightened by new love and threatened by her discovery of a series of ghastly crimes.

More than half a century later, garden designer Addison takes up residence at the manor, now owned by the family of her husband, Rex. The couple’s shared passion for mysteries is fueled by the enchanting camellia orchard and an old gardener’s notebook. Yet its pages hint at dark acts ingeniously concealed. If the danger that Flora once faced remains very much alive, will Addison share her fate?

My Thoughts

This book had way more mystery and suspense than I’m used to from a Sarah Jio book, and that’s what made it so enjoyable. The entire plot was just different than anything else I’ve read, and even though I figured out one of the main reveals about halfway through, I was still pleasantly surprised by some of the twists at the end. It wasn’t my favorite of her books, but I’m glad I finally read it. Her books are such quick and light reads, and they are always good for getting me out of a book slump. I only have one book of Jio’s left to read before I’m finally caught up on all of her books!

4 Stars

Genre: Adult Contemporary, Mystery-Suspense, Historical

Standalone

Published: May 28, 2013 by Plume

Length: 320 Pages

Top Ten Auto-Buy Authors

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, this week’s topic is Top Ten Auto-Buy Authors.

Most of these aren’t going to be a big surprise. I have several favorite authors who’s books I will absolute automatically buy when they are released (unless I received an ARC before hand – and even then, I usually buy the book on paperback later). Here is my list, in no particular order. Of course I couldn’t stop at just 10…

Are any of these authors on your list? Any that you haven’t heard of?

 

The Courtship Book Tag

My blogging friend, Joey, over at Thoughts and Afterthoughts tagged me for this because, and I quote, “this tag basically calls to your swoony romance”. And he’s not wrong. I was to choose a book for every phase of a relationship. So, here goes…

Phase 1 – Initial Attraction: A book that you bought because of the cover

I don’t really buy books strictly because of the cover. Yes, certain covers will grab my attention, but the synopsis has to interest me too, regardless if I love the cover. That being said, I bought the paperback version of this book because a.) I had already read it in eBook form, b.) it is one of my favorite books ever, and I had to own a hard copy, and c.) I love the cover.

 

Phase 2 – First Impressions: A book that you got because of the summary

 

 

Don’t we choose every book because of the summary?! Okay, this one definitely had me at ‘family vineyard’ and ‘wine’.

Phase 3 – Sweet Talk: A book with great writing

 

 

One of the most beautiful books ever written. If you ever listen to any of my recommendations, this should be the one. I can’t say enough how gorgeously written this book is.

 

Phase 4 – First Date: A first book of a series which made you want to pursue the rest of the series

 

 

I have a lot of books for this question, but I decided on this one. This is one of my favorite series. I have loved every single book.

Phase 5 – Late night phone calls: A book that kept you up all night long

 

The answer is always this book. I have never stayed up all night reading, even when participating in the 24 hour readathon. I require too much sleep to function. But this is the ONE book that I stayed up until 3 AM to finish. I had started it that evening, and it was so suspenseful that I couldn’t put it down until I finished it. I would love to reread it some day to see if the suspense still holds true.

Phase 6 – Always on my mind: A book that you could not stop thinking about

 

I still think about this book years after reading it. I remember being on Christmas vacation, where I sat on the couch while I devoured it in one sitting. And I remember crying my eyes out. This book is one of the few that has ever impacted me so strongly.

Phase 7 – Getting Physical: A book in which you love the way it feels

 

 

I don’t feel up my books. That’s weird. So, I’m going with a series I had to own in hardback. This series means a lot to me. It kick-started my love of reading again, and introduced me to a new genre. I’ll forever be a Twihard.

Phase 8 – Meeting the Parents: A book in which you would recommend to your friends and family

 

 

Every single CoHo book. But I always start with this one because I think it appeals to a variety of readers.

Phase 9 – Thinking about the future: A book or series that you know you’ll re-read many times in the future

 

I am not a re-reader, but I want to be. Someday. Right now I’m too distracted by all the new releases to make time to reread my favorites. And honestly, I worry that I won’t feel the same way about them if I re-read them. Which sounds lame, but it’s true. That being said, Sylvain Reynard’s writing is so beautiful that I know rereading his books over and over would be worth it. I couldn’t chose between these two series so I’m picking both. I have every intention of reading these books in the future – and of course, every CoHo book. But I figured that was a given. And you probably all get sick of me listing her books as the answer to everything. And I couldn’t just pick one of her books, either.

Phase 10 – Share the love! Who would you like to tag?

If you want to participate, please do! I’m gonna tag my sweet friends Rachel & Stefani. 😉