October Wrap Up

Welcome to my October wrap up. I read seven books this month, was introduced to a new series I fell in love with, read the creepiest book that I have (quite possibly) ever read in my life, and found a book with the most perfect ending. Here are my reviews for this month. I hope you find a book you'd like to add to your TBR list.

The #1 book for this month is, The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware. This book was also a great read for the month of October. It was creepy and had me sleeping with a pillow over my head.  It was, without a doubt, a 5 star book that pulled me in from the beginning.  I would classify this book as a psychological thriller. I love psychological thrillers and this book didn't disappoint! It's about a nanny who stumbles upon an ad. A live-in nanny position for a picture-perfect family at Heatherbrae House, an impressive house with a history. I really liked how this book began. You could definitely sense the urgency...and talk about a plot twist at the end! I highly recommend this book. I haven't read any other books by this author but this one won't be my last, so if you have a favorite, let me know.

#2 on my list for this month is Finlay Donovan Is Killing It, by Elle Cosimano. When I started this book, I wasn't sure I was going to like it. Something was missing and I felt like I wasn't connecting with the main character, but then Vero showed up and the story took off. Finlay Donovan's life is falling apart. She's a single mom with overdue bills and an author just trying to find inspiration for her new book. And just when things look like they couldn't get worse, someone overhears her talking to her agent about a book plot, and mistakes her for a contract killer. This is a humorous mystery with a Stephanie Plum vibe. It's also a series and with the way this book ends it makes you want to pick up the next book and read it immediately. A 4-star book for me.

Which leads me to #3 on my list for the month. Finlay Donovan Knocks Em Dead, by Elle Cosimano. I actually liked this book more than the first and there is a third book coming out at the end of January I'm excited about reading. I really don't want to spoil the ending of the first book, so this review will be very vague. Finlay Donovan is trying to finish her next novel, she's trying to keep the people she loves safe, she's trying to keep Detective Nick Anthony at arm's length and to top it all off, Vero is keeping secrets of her own. This book was definitely more suspenseful for me and the ending was very surprising. Another 4 star for me.

#4 on my list is a historical fiction book, Child of the River by Irma Joubert. This book is set in South Africa during WW2, and it follows a young girl named Persomi. Born to poor illiterate sharecroppers, Persomi struggles to find her place in the world. She dreams of an education, of finding love, and of making the world a better place. The tragedies of war and racial strife hit her hard, but she perseveres and finally discovers where she belongs. This coming-of-age novel gets 4 stars from me. 

#5 on my list is Behind Closed Doors, by B.A. Paris. Another psychological thriller by a new (to me) author. Jack and Grace have the perfect marriage. Or do they? Some are wondering why Grace never answers the phone, why she always cancels lunch dates, and why she is never seen without Jack. Grace just loves her sister and will do anything to protect her. and by anything, I mean ANYTHING. This book was a bit unsettling and disturbing at times. There wasn't much of a plot twist but was still an overall good read. A 3 1/2-star book for me.

#6 on the list for the month is Flight of the Sparrow, by Amy Belding Brown. This is another historical fiction set in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1676. Mary Rowlandson and her children are captured by the Indians. It was a violent day filled with a lot of terror and death. After her capture, Mary realizes that she is freer in her captivity than when she was living among the English with her husband. Living with the Indians makes her question all of the things she has been taught. She makes friends along her journey but coming back to the society she once lived in is harder than she thinks it would be. This book is based on the real-life story of Mary Rowlandson, who was captured by Indians. I give this 3 1/2 stars. While I found it to be a good read, there were parts of the story I thought were lacking in development. Some parts were rushed, others moved a little too slow. I do, however, love the cover of this book. 

And finally, #7 on my list is, The Last Thing He Told Me, by Laura Dave. Before Owen Michael's disappears, he sends a note to his wife, Protect Her. This story follows his wife, Hannah, and his daughter and their suspenseful journey trying to discover the truth about his disappearance. When I started reading this book, I loved it. Couldn't put it down. Kept telling my daughter how great it was and that I couldn't wait to find out the secret. Just knew it was going to be something good, but in the end, it was anti-climactic and really didn't warrant all the secret keeping. I really expected a better plot twist and was left very disappointed. I thought this book would be on the top of the list for this month, but it quickly fell to the bottom. However, the ending was so good. I actually re-read it twice, but it's still a 3 star book for me. 

There was one DNF book for me. It was Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid. I have read two books by this author. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Malibu Rising. One was great, the other I struggled to finish. 

I actually started Daisy Jones and the Six a couple of years ago. Got about 30 pages in and put it down, but never picked it up again. It remained on my TBR list, so I thought I would give it another try. Documentaries, I hate them. What's worse than watching a documentary? Reading one. Sadly, I just couldn't get into this book. It was like reading a documentary. I finally removed it from my list.

Thanks for sticking around. I hope you enjoyed these reviews. Until next time...

-She read books as one would breathe air, to fill up and live. -Annie Dillard