Showin' You My Books

The last month I slowed down with reading a bit since I started work, but I still managed to get through 4 books!

Secret Lives by Diane Chamberlain
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This one was written in the early 90's, so when you read it, keep in mind when she talks about "word processor" just pretend she means "laptop". 
This is a story about an actress who goes back to her hometown in order to research more about her mother (a famous author) who was known as kind of a recluse. Along the way, she discovers some deep seeded family secrets. There's also a love story that has it's own complications, too.

I really enjoyed this book, and it was the second Diane Chamberlain book that I read, that convinced me that I really like this author.
I give this one 4 out of 5 stars.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child -Parts One and Two by J.K. Rowling
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I was incredibly excited when I saw that a new HP book was coming out, but then I saw some mixed reviews on this one and it got me wondering. My father-in-law gave me this one (he's the best) and I read it in about 1 day I think. You have to keep in mind that this is a play, so it doesn't read like a typical Harry Potter book does. There's not as much character development, and things/time skip around, much like they would in a play. I think I would have liked this better if I'd SEEN the play, rather than reading it. I gave it 3 stars since it was still enjoyable (mainly halfway through it got better), but it wasn't up to my expectations of a typical HP book.

Stepdog by Nicole Galland
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I got this one from my mom and was immediately intrigued since I love stories centered around animals, especially dogs (hello, Art of Racing in the Rain!). This story is about a guy who isn't a citizen, but gets into a relationship with a coworker, and subsequently inherits her dog as part of the relationship, which he's not thrilled about.
They get into some adventures with another character in the book (I won't give it away), and that part of the book kind of drags on for a bit too long, in my opinion. I also felt disconnected from the main character because he wasn't connected to the dog, and I just couldn't relate. 
The story was still interesting, but it definitely dragged towards the middle/end of the book. I gave it 3 stars.


Keeper of the Light (Kiss River #1) by Diane Chamberlain
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Another Diane Chamberlain book that I thoroughly enjoyed. I borrowed this one from my friend Trish (again--she's a good friend!) and I'm so glad that I did. It's another older book of Chamberlain's but the story is still good.
It starts off a bit slow, but picks up pretty quickly and soon you're really invested in the characters.
I'll give you the Goodreads synopsis, since I'm not really sure how to put it into words well:
"Dr. Olivia Simon is in the middle of treating a gunshot victim while on duty Christmas night when she realizes that the patient is Annie O'Neill, the woman with whom her husband, Paul, is in love. Despite Olivia's best efforts to save her, Annie dies in surgery. For Olivia, Paul and Annie's husband, Alec, life will never be the same."
This was the book that I was reading every night last week, and even while Bravo shows were on, because I wanted to find out what happened. I definitely recommend this one.
I gave it 4 stars.

That's all I got through this month. Hopefully I'll get into a few more good ones in the coming weeks!

20 comments:

  1. You have convinced me to check out Diane Chamberlain! Happy Tuesday!

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  2. Always love when you share book recommendations :)

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  3. These are such great book recommendations! Thanks for sharing.

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  4. Diane Chamberlain has become a new fave! I am reading the Secret Life of Cee Cee Wilkes, that I believe you recommended and it is so good!! Can't wait to get my hands on these as well!

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  5. LOL @ the word processor bit. I love dated material even when it dates me. I might give that one a go.

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  6. Ohhh that last one sounds right up my alley!! I need a new good book!

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  7. Those cheesy 90s covers crack me up. My mom had a few that I read a few years back and they were pretty good. I left one book off that I read by Johanna Lindsey and it was written in the late 80s. It was terrible but those covers remind me of that!

    I felt the same way when I read The Cursed Child. but since I'm such a Potterhead there were parts that just weren't believable to me. But I agree that I think I need to see the actual play and I'd enjoy it more!

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  8. I need to check out Diane Chamberlain! I have the HP sitting on ym bookshelf to read, I just need to pull the trigger. My friend was looking into tickets to see the play in London for her 40th birthday (in two years) and the tickets were like 3 grand or something! So crazy!

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  9. 4 books?! Impressive! I read that Harry Potter book like a little tween! Cover to cover as soon as humanly possible-- it wasn't amazing, but it felt good to be back with the characters. Like catching up with old friends! Sigh. Have a great day! R

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  10. You got through way more books than I have lately. Thank you for the suggestions!

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  11. You've definitely convinced me to check out Diane Chamberlain. I loved Cursed Child and like you, I read it in about a day. It was definitely not up to the level of the other books but I really was just so happy to be reading about Harry again that I didn't seem to care. haha. I think seeing the play would be infinitely more enjoyable than reading the play.

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  12. i really don't know if i want to read the new HP book. i keep going back and forth. i feel like i'd rather not know, i don't want to read it and dislike it lol

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  13. The show The Night Of has been keeping me away from books. I'm trying to read my current book but at the same time, I keep looking at my computer wanting to watch just one more episode :(

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  14. Secret Lives sounds super intriguing! Bummer that the HP book wasn't as good as it was hyped up to be though!

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  15. Sometimes when I don't realize a book is a bit older, I get all confused by their references. Why do they have an answering machine? Why don't they just use their smartphone. Oh, it's 1980-something. LOL! I still really enjoyed Cursed Child, in part because I was just so darn happy to be reading new Harry Potter but agree that it probably works best seen and not read.

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  16. Sounds like you found several good ones to read this month! There really is nothing better than a good book :)
    Kelsey
    www.thepeacockroost.com

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  17. Art of racing in the rain? I'm intrigued! I like Dean Koontz bc of the animal plots as well! My MIL got me a signed copy which I'm trying to get through now (Ashley Bell) anyway, way to go on this many! And in one month!

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  18. Diane Chamberlin and especially Secret Lives sounds intriguing! I wonder if this would be available as an audiobook since that's been my thing recently? I'll have to check...

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  19. The Art of Racing in the Rain is one of my all-time favorite books! So much so that it's actually hard for me to read other books where dogs are the central character.

    I love reading dated books.

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  20. I'm adding stepdog to my list! I'm not really a dog person, so I think I'll relate.

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