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Monday, January 25, 2021

Show Me Your Books - January

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Last month I didn't do a Show Me Your Books post as I read one book. And this month wasn't much better, but I did read some good ones. I am combining this month's and last month's books. Yep I managed to finish two books, one each month. But to be fair, I am almost done with another book and will probably finish it at the hospital this morning...because I have to be there 2 1/2 hours early.

The Weight of Lies - Emily Carpenter

The Weight of Lies - Emily Carpenter

I got this book for free with my Prime membership and it is still free, so grab it! This is a new to me author, but I enjoyed this book. It took me awhile to get into it and I don't think it is because of the book, but more so the lack of time. But once I was half way through the book, I read the rest in one evening.

The book starts off with Meg Ashley, daughter of famous writer, who wrote the book Kitten. Kitten is based off a murder on Bonny Island. Frances who wrote the book, spent time there when she was 19 years old. When she was there a child was murdered and she wanted to bring light to the story. 

Now almost 40 years later, Meg wants to bring to light how badly her mother raised her and treated her by debunking the book that her mother wrote. She wants to go to Bonny Island and find out what really happened all those years ago. Plus she wants to pepper the book with her own story.

Meg quickly learns that everything isn't as it seems on the island. Who is she to believe? Will she uncover what really happened all those years ago?

I liked this book. It goes back and forth between passages from the book Kitten and Meg's story. Some parts were a little drawn out with life on Bonny Island, but overall, I enjoyed the book. I would give it 4 stars.

Here is Amazon's synopsis:

Reformed party girl Meg Ashley leads a life of privilege, thanks to a bestselling horror novel her mother wrote decades ago. But Meg knows that the glow of their very public life hides a darker reality of lies, manipulation, and the heartbreak of her own solitary childhood. Desperate to break free of her mother, Meg accepts a proposal to write a scandalous, tell-all memoir.

Digging into the past—and her mother’s cult classic—draws Meg to Bonny Island, Georgia, and an unusual woman said to be the inspiration for the book. At first island life seems idyllic, but as Meg starts to ask tough questions, disturbing revelations come to light…including some about her mother.

Soon Meg’s search leads her to question the facts of a decades-old murder. She’s warned to leave it alone, but as the lies pile up, Meg knows she’s getting close to finding a murderer. When her own life is threatened, Meg realizes the darkness found in her mother’s book is nothing compared to the chilling truth that lurks off the page.


Lies She Told - Cate Holahan

I blew through this book in a day. I loved the set up of it. The book is seemingly about Liza Cole who is a best seller author trying to come up with a new idea for her book. She writes romance suspense novels. One chapter is a chapter from her book and the next is about her life.

Liza's husband's best friend goes missing and after a month, her husband is arrested for his murder. All the while, she is writing a book that has similar themes to it. Is she using her life as a template? Everything gets worse once her husband's friend is found. Who is lying? What happened to her husband's best friend? What secrets will Liza unearth?

I don't want to tell more as it could ruin the story. Just know that the book grips you and has some trigger moments towards the end of the book. It was a very good book, but not very lighthearted towards the end. I would give it 4 1/2 stars.

Here is amazon's synposis:

Liza Cole, a once-successful novelist whose career has seen better days, has one month to write the thriller that could land her back on the bestseller list. Meanwhile, she’s struggling to start a family, but her husband is distracted by the disappearance of his best friend, Nick. As stresses weigh her down in her professional and personal lives, Liza escapes into writing the chilling exploits of her latest heroine, Beth.

Beth, a new mother, suspects her husband is cheating on her while she’s home caring for their newborn. Angry and betrayed, she aims to catch him in the act and make him pay for shattering the illusion of their perfect life. But before she realizes what she’s doing, she’s tossing the body of her husband’s mistress into the East River.

Then, the lines between Liza’s fiction and her reality eerily blur. Nick’s body is dragged from the East River, and Liza’s husband is arrested for his murder. Before her deadline is up, Liza will have to face up to the truths about the people around her, including her own. If she doesn’t, the end of her heroine’s story could be the end of her own.

What did you read this month?


32 comments :

  1. I have been trying to read more scary books, because honestly, I am kind of done with not well written chick flicks! I think I might check out the two that you read! I will be sharing my monthly book review and book club linkup tomorrow!

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    1. I love chick lit books though. And I like thrillers, but also just a good mystery. I can't wait to see what you read!

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  2. These look really good to me! Prayers and love to you for your surgery today my sweet friend!

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  3. These both sound great! I read two Colleen Hoover books this month - Layla and Too Late - only enjoyed one of them! I just started the Bridgerton series haha good luck today, Danielle! Praying for you!

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    1. Which one did you enjoy? I haven't read either of those and I am a huge Colleen Hoover fan! Do you like Bridgerton so far?

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  4. I thought the lies she told was so good!! Sending you good vibes for your surgery today!! xo, Biana BlovedBoston

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    1. I remember you reading it and that is why I added it to my list, so thank you! And thank you on the good vibes. I felt them!

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  5. Sounds like two great thrillers! I love thrillers!

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  6. Both of these sound really good! Thinking of you today... I pray everything goes well!

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    1. Thank you so much. And read them. I enjoyed them both!!!

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  7. I haven't read either of these - the second one sounds good!

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    1. They are both good. I can't believe I found two books that you haven't read. I usually get my reads from you!!!

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  8. Thinking and praying for you today!

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  9. Good luck with your surgery.
    These both sounds like great page turners.

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  10. I am always on the hunt for new books - thank you! Best of lucky with your surgery - sending you lots and lots of good vibes from Hawaii! XO

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    1. I am always on the hunt as well. Thank you for the prayers and good vibes! They were felt!

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  11. Good luck with your surgery! I will have to get the free book! I have been so bad about reading!

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    1. I have been bad too. But I am trying to get back into it! And thank you. It went well, but recovery sucks!

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  12. I am trying to start reading again. Hope your surgery went well.

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  13. I just posted my book post over the weekend. I managed to read 7 books from Christmas 'til now. My favorite was probably Colleen Hoover's Nov. 9th.

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    1. You are killing it on book reading. I LOVED November 9th too. It is such a good book and it was one of the more recent ones that I read of Colleen Hoovers.

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  14. I really need to pick up books more often. I'm doing daily scripture reading, but I've also been on Emily Giffin's "Love the one You're With" for like 6 months now. Ha!

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    1. I haven't read that one and I loved most of Emily Giffin's books. I have been slowly getting back to book reading.

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  15. Both of these sound interesting, I will have to add them to my list! Hope you are doing well!

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