What I’m Reading: The Searcher

What I’m reading this week:  The Searcher by Tana French

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Last year was a difficult year for me reading-wise.  If I actually think it through, I’ve had a couple of difficult years with reading.  Nothing was holding my attention.  I feel like I’ve stated this more than once.  Until I picked up this book.  I won’t leave you in suspense.  I LOVED this book.  I had never read a book by Tana French, but I have her on my to be read list now and I plan to burn through all of her work.  

Hayden asked me why I picked this one up from the library.  Just reading the synopsis generally wouldn’t have made me want to read it.

Retired detective Cal Hooper moves to a remote village in rural Ireland. His plans are to fix up the dilapidated cottage he’s bought, to walk the mountains, to put his old police instincts to bed forever.

Then a local boy appeals to him for help. His brother is missing, and no one in the village, least of all the police, seems to care. And once again, Cal feels that restless itch.

Something is wrong in this community, and he must find out what, even if it brings trouble to his door. via

But I kept coming across this book over and over.  People kept saying that “You HAVE to read this”.  And they were right.  This book kept me in a very slight state of anxiety – IN A GOOD WAY – throughout it.  I couldn’t wait to abandon all of my responsibilities for the day, just so I could get back to it.  Again, I LOVED it.

That summary does not do this book justice.  I can’t wait to read another one of her books.

Have you read it?  I’d loved to know what you thought!


The Searcher by Tana French

The Searcher: A Novel by [Tana French]

 

You can find all of the other books I’ve read this year here!Harry Potter Books Set #1-7 in Collectible Trunk-Like Toy Chest Box, Decorative Stickers Included by Harry Potte

What are you reading right now?  I am always looking for another great book to read.

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Thriller
Infinite Kindle Edition by Brian Freeman (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

Memoir
Black Boy Out of Time: A Memoir Kindle Edition by Hari Ziyad (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

Contemporary Fiction

The Speed of Light: A Novel Kindle Edition by Elissa Grossell Dickey (Author) Format: Kindle Edition


Romantic Comedy

The Wedding Game Kindle Edition by Meghan Quinn (Author) Format: Kindle Edition


Historical Fiction
After Alice Fell: A Novel Kindle Edition by Kim Taylor Blakemore (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

Fantasy
Wings of Fury Kindle Edition by Emily R. King (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

Mystery
The Deadly Mystery of the Missing Diamonds (A Dizzy Heights Mystery Book 1) Kindle Edition

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Agnes's Place Kindle Edition by Marit Larsen (Author), Jenny Løvlie (Illustrator), Kari Dickson (Translator) Format: Kindle Edition


Memoir

The Psychopath: A True Story Kindle Edition by Mary Turner Thomson (Author) Format: Kindle Edition


 

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Radical Candor by Kim Scott
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What I’m Reading: Goodbye, Things by Fumio Sasaki

What I’m reading this week:  Goodbye, Things by Fumio Sasaki

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I have read many, many books on decluttering over the years.  I’ve also read quite a few about minimalism.  I want to start this conversation with the statement that I don’t want to become a minimalist.  I have no intention of ever living with a bare minimum of anything.  However, there were so many things that resonated within me as I read this book.

A quick and possibly inaccurate recap of this book is that Fumio Sasaki became overwhelmed with his life and basically gave away or sold everything he owned.  Literally.  He said it freed him in ways that he never anticipated.

As I have culled my possessions over the past nine or so years I understand that freedom that he must have felt.  When I’ve gotten rid of the excess things that I truly did not care for and absolutely didn’t need and just have the things that I love and need surrounding me, it’s so calming.  There are a few places in my home that I’ve actually accomplished this and it makes me want to continue to pare down the rest to have that feeling everywhere in my house.

I highly recommend this book not only for the motivation it will give you to get rid of all the things you don’t need or want, but also for the gems that are hidden throughout the book.  And there are a LOT of them.  One of them is that you will NOT miss anything that you get rid of.  I absolutely agree.  I have been scrutinizing and discarding my belongings for almost a decade now and I have not regretted one single thing that I’ve gotten rid of.  If you are frozen and don’t know where to start, and I’ve been there, this book will help you with getting started.  Highly recommend.


Goodbye, Things by Fumio Sasaki

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You can find all of the other books I’ve read this year here!

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What are you reading right now?  I am always looking for another great book to read.

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Suspense
The Shadow Box Kindle Edition by Luanne Rice (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

Contemporary Fiction
Hadley and Grace: A Novel Kindle Edition by Suzanne Redfearn (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

Thriller

Not One of Us Kindle Edition by Debbie Herbert (Author) Format: Kindle Edition


Historical Fiction

West with Giraffes: A Novel Kindle Edition by Lynda Rutledge (Author) Format: Kindle Edition


Espionage Thriller
Water Memory: A Thriller (Sentro Book 1) Kindle Edition by Daniel Pyne (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

Literary Fiction
Gerta: A Novel Kindle Edition by Kateřina Tučková (Author), Véronique Firkusny (Translator) Format: Kindle Editi

Memoir
Widowish: A Memoir Kindle Edition by Melissa Gould (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

Global Fiction

The Ardent Swarm: A Novel Kindle Edition by Yamen Manai (Author), Lara Vergnaud (Translator) Format: Kindle Edition


Children’s Picture Book

Sadie Sprocket Builds a Rocket Kindle Edition by Sue Fliess (Author), Annabel Tempest (Illustrator) Format: Kindle Edition


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All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
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Suspense
Sweet Water Kindle Edition by Cara Reinard (Author) Format: Kindle Edition 3.0 out of 5 stars

Book Club Fiction
Confessions of a Curious Bookseller: A Novel Kindle Edition by Elizabeth Green (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

Thriller

Bloodline Kindle Edition by Jess Lourey (Author) Format: Kindle Edition


Contemporary Fiction

Lie, Lie Again: A Novel Kindle Edition by Stacy Wise (Author) Format: Kindle Edition


Domestic Suspense
An Accusation: A Novel Kindle Edition by Wendy James (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

Biographical Fiction
Your Story, My Story: A Novel Kindle Edition by Connie Palmen (Author), Eileen J. Stevens (Translator), Anna Asbury (Translator) Format: Kindle Edition

Historical Fiction
A Splendid Ruin: A Novel Kindle Edition by Megan Chance (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

Children’s Picture Book

Scooper and Dumper Kindle Edition by Lindsay Ward (Author, Illustrator) Format: Kindle Edition


Romantic Comedy

The Marriage Code: A Novel Kindle Edition by Brooke Burroughs (Author) Format: Kindle Edition


 

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Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly
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What I’m Reading: Kiersten White-And I Darken,  Now I Rise, and Bright We Burn

What I’m reading this week:  Kiersten White-And I Darken,  Now I Rise, and Bright We BurnAbibliophobia - Funny Reading Bookworm Reader Gift T-Shirt

No one expects a princess to be brutal. And Lada Dragwyla likes it that way.

Ever since she and her brother were abandoned by their father to be raised in the Ottoman sultan’s courts, Lada has known that ruthlessness is the key to survival.  via


Liv and I stopped at a couple of yard sales last weekend and while we were there we found this trilogy of books.  I asked her if I could read them first, when she gave me a pained look and finally conceded.  Her reading list is longer than mine.  ahem.

I had never heard of this author, but I can never resist a beautiful binding or a cover on a book. The covers on these books is truly spectacular.  I know the old adage, and I would never discount a book because it isn’t beautiful, but they do draw my eye when they are lovely.

The first thing I do when I know practically nothing about an era that I’ll be reading about is to find the area on a map.  I need to be able to picture where we are.  I have travelled the world through books.  It’s a wonderful way to see the world.

I thought that the first book was good.  Not spectacular, not horrible.  I just thought it was a good book, well written, with an interesting plot line.

But the second book was spectacular.  I really liked Now I Rise.  The third book was excellent too.  I know that I will reread them at some point, after I can wrench them away from Olivia.  I didn’t want the series to end, so I will definitely look for her other books to satisfy that craving.  Hopefully they will stand up as well!


And I Darken by Kiersten White

And I Darken by [Kiersten White]

Now I Rise by Kiersten White

Now I Rise (And I Darken Book 2) by [Kiersten White]

Bright We Burn by Kiersten White

Bright We Burn (And I Darken Book 3) by [Kiersten White]

 

You can find all of the other books I’ve read this year here!

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What are you reading right now?  I am always looking for another book to read.

FREE: Amazon First Reads Books for November 2020

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Suspense
very Last Secret Kindle Edition by A. R. Torre (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

Book Club Fiction
Memories in the Drift: A Novel Kindle Edition by Melissa Payne (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

Historical Fiction

Under a Gilded Moon: A Novel Kindle Edition by Joy Jordan-Lake (Author) Format: Kindle Edition


Domestic Suspense

Open House: A Novel Kindle Edition by Katie Sise (Author) Format: Kindle Edition


Thriller
The Last Resort Kindle Edition by Susi Holliday (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

Biographical Fiction
The Empress: A Novel Kindle Edition by Laura Martínez-Belli (Author), Simon Bruni (Translator) Format: Kindle Edition

Children’s Picture Book
The Snow Dancer Kindle Edition by Addie Boswell (Author), Mercè López (Illustrator) Format: Kindle Edition

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Jew(ish): A primer, A memoir, A manual, A plea Kindle Edition by Matt Greene (Author) Format: Kindle Edition


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What I’m Reading

What I’m reading this week: Having Fun Isn't Hard When You've Got a Library Card Book Premium T-Shirt

So.  I have been all over the place lately with what I’ve been reading.  How about you?  I’ll pick up a book, start it, get a couple of chapters in and drop it to pick up something else to do the same thing – over and over again.

It’s not that the books aren’t great either.  I learned a long time ago that if I get a hundred pages into a book and it’s just not working, to give in and give it up.  Maybe I’ll try it again when I’m in a different mood or mind frame.  But this isn’t the case with the books I’ve been picking up lately.  I just get so easily distracted by the things around me.

The only books that are a comfort to me right now are things that I’ve read before and loved.  You know my ongoing love of Nora Roberts books.  They always soothe my mind.  I know what I’m in for when I pick one up.

Yet again I’m changing how I tell you about the books that I’m reading.  This week I’m just going to fill you in on all of the books I’ve picked up and started – and plan to finish because they truly are fantastic – and I’ll keep you posted on how long it actually takes my fatigued brain to finish them.

First up:  Atomic Habits by James Clear

Atomic Habits Paperback – January 1, 2018 by James Clear (Author)

I’ve had this book on my nightstand for weeks and I’ll read a little bit here and there.  It is FANTASTIC.  I’m sort of immersing myself in this one.  I don’t want to actually miss something.  I’ve already gone back over the first chapter and reread it, so it may take awhile for me to finish this.

Shadows in Death by J. D. Robb

Shadows in Death: An Eve Dallas Novel by [J. D. Robb]

It was a happy day when I picked up my new list of to be read books from the library and I found this one in the pile.  I hadn’t realized that it was available, so I took them all home and lost myself in the future with Eve Dallas.  It was lovely, as always.

You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero

You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life Paperback – April 23, 2013 by Jen Sincero (Author)

I added this one to my list from the recommendation of Megan from Love Meg.  I’ve watched her channel from the beginning when she lived in a doublewide in North Carolina and have truly loved watching her grow and live her best life.  She highly recommended this book which made me want to read it.

Educated by Tara Westover

Educated: A Memoir by [Tara Westover]

This book has been on so many people’s must read list for a couple of years now, I wanted to see what all of the hype was about.  The only way I could get my hands on a copy was audio book – not my favorite way to read a book – but I requested it earlier this summer.  I managed to get a third of the way through it before it returned itself, but I was very drawn in by the story she tells.  I really want to read the hardcover edition without the influence of the narrator, so I’ll wait until I can borrow this one.

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

The Hate U Give Hardcover – February 28, 2017 by Angie Thomas (Author)

This is another one that I didn’t get to finish before it had to go back.  I’m definitely going to borrow it again to finish it, but I do have to say that it was hard for me to read.  Not for the reason that you’re thinking.  I remember when Hayden was about fourteen and we were at the beach.  One thing that we’ve always bought as souvenirs is books.  Yes, we are weird and we like it that way.

He was on a John Green kick that summer; he bought his entire collection and he asked me to read one of the books after he finished it.  I ended up reading three of them I believe and I felt the same way reading this book.  There is a reason that teens and preteens LOVE John Green’s books.  He gets them.  He remembers all of the feelings, emotions, the angst – all the FEELS that you have when you are that age.   Angie Thomas pulls that out too, and it’s so uncomfortable to read for me.  I tell Denton all the time, you couldn’t pay me a million dollars to go back and live those years again.  Just the sheer emotion that flows through teenagers makes me shiver to think about it.

All of that to say she is a compelling writer and I definitely want to finish it.  I just hate being drawn into that mindset.  No, I wasn’t bullied in school, I guess you could say I was popular; at least I knew everyone in the school by name, but that wasn’t hard to do in the small school I grew up in.  There were about 300 of us total.  It’s just the total out of control feeling that I felt all of my teenage years, I suppose.  Hello – control freak speaking here.  And now that I have waaaaayyyy overexplained as usual, I’m going to stop myself now.  Sigh.


I know there are a lot more books that I haven’t told you about this year, but I felt weird telling you about them since I hadn’t finished many of them.  How about you?  Are you plowing through the books at a rapid pace or are you bouncing around like a ping pong ball like me?  Inquiring minds want to know.

You can find all of the other books I’ve read this year here!akeke Literary Book Lover Quotes Vintage Dictionary Wall Art Print Decor Gift for Book Lover 8x10 Unframed

What are you reading right now?  I am always looking for another book to read.

FREE: Amazon First Reads Books for October 2020

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Gothic Fiction
The Haunting of Brynn Wilder: A Novel Kindle Edition by Wendy Webb (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

Thriller
The Cipher (Nina Guerrera Book 1) Kindle Edition by Isabella Maldonado (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

Book Club Fiction

This Magnificent Dappled Sea: A Novel Kindle Edition by David Biro (Author) Format: Kindle Edition


Historical Fantasy

Spellbreaker Kindle Edition by Charlie N. Holmberg (Author) Format: Kindle Edition


Suspence
Girls of Brackenhill: A Thriller Kindle Edition by Kate Moretti (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

Historical Fiction
The Last Correspondent Kindle Edition by Soraya M. Lane (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

Memoir
The Boy Between: A Mother and Son’s Journey From a World Gone Grey Kindle Edition

Contemporary Fiction

erfectly Impossible: A Novel Kindle Edition by Elizabeth Topp (Author) Format: Kindle Edition


Children’s Picture Book

Some Days Kindle Edition


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Summer Reading

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My Favorite Books: The Bone Clocks

My Favorite Books: The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell

The Bone Clocks: A Novel by [David Mitchell]

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I started this book in December of 2018.  Yeeeaahhh.

I got about a third of the way through and put it down one night where it sat on my nightstand for more than a year.  Which is a crying shame now that I’ve picked it up and finished it.  This is an amazing book.

Hayden is the one who recommended it to me, but as always he asked me to go into the book completely blind.  Which I have discovered that I hate.  He loves to read this way.  I however need to know at least what the story is about so that I don’t flounder around trying to figure out what’s going on.  Which is why I put this book down the first time.

I am never one to give out spoilers, so I’m going to give you fair warning now:

!!!!POSSIBLE SPOILER AHEAD!!!!

This entire book is about Holly.  That’s all I’m going to say.  When you get past the first few chapters you will understand why I told you that, but just go get the book and start reading.  It’s excellent.  David Mitchell has an extraordinary way with words that I love.  It makes me want to read more of his work, especially since I didn’t like the Cloud Atlas movie.  Sigh.


Have you read this book?  Do you have it in your own home library?  What was your opinion?  I LOVE it.  Let me know!

You can find all of the books I’ve read this year here.

You can find all of my FAVORITE books here.

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Have you ever seen one of these?!?  I think I just might need one of them in my life….

What are you reading right now? I am always on the lookout for another book to reaThe One with All the Recipes: An Unofficial Cookbook for Fans of Friends Hardcover – September 18, 2018