I felt like blogging today, but I didn't know what to blog about. Everything has been so crazy lately that I've barely painted my nails or put on makeup. But you know what always makes me happy? Books. Tons of them. I love reading books, sharing books. So I figured why not share my most recent acquistions?
These books have been sitting on my kitchen table "airing out" this week. Anyone else now feel weird touching stuff after it just arrives at your house? I have generalized anxiety that is typically very easily managed - but not in the middle of a pandemic. I've just been more anxious and hyper aware than usual. So books, or any item actually, stays in the kitchen in a corner for a few days until I open everything.
I found this book on BookMooch. I use this site quite a bit. You put up books you want to swap, and you get .1 for each book - and then you can mooch a book from someone for 1 point. When someone wants one of your books, they can request from you, and you get a point. It's a nice way to share books you might not want anymore, while acquiring some you might want to read or collect!
Can't Look Away by Donna Cooner
Torrey Grey is famous. At least, on the internet. Thousands
of people watch her popular videos on fashion and beauty. But when Torrey's
sister is killed in an accident -- maybe because of Torrey and her videos -- Torrey's
perfect world implodes.
Now, strangers online are bashing Torrey. And at her new
school, she doesn't know who to trust. Is queen bee Blair only being sweet
because of Torrey's internet infamy? What about Raylene, who is decidedly
unpopular, but seems accepts Torrey for who she is? And then there's Luis, with
his brooding dark eyes, whose family runs the local funeral home. Torrey finds
herself drawn to Luis, and his fascinating stories about El Dia de los Muertos,
the Day of the Dead.
As the Day of the Dead draws near, Torrey will have to
really look at her own feelings about death, and life, and everything in
between. Can she learn to mourn her sister out of the public eye?
The next three books were purchased from Books-a-Million in a B2G1 promotion. It's still going on, too, so I won't make any promises that I won't buy more hahaha! I'm a huge YA fan, and I'm not ashamed, as a 43-year-old woman, to admit. I decided when I was 12 that I wanted to be an author, and I have written many YA novels myself over the years. They'll never get published - I'm too freaked out by criticism.
Suicide Notes by Michael Thomas Ford
Fifteen-year-old Jeff wakes up on New Year’s Day to find
himself in the hospital—specifically, in the psychiatric ward. Despite the
bandages on his wrists, he’s positive this is all some huge mistake. Jeff is
perfectly fine, perfectly normal; not like the other kids in the hospital with
him.
But over the course of the next forty-five days, Jeff begins
to understand why he ended up here—and realizes he has more in common with the
other kids than he thought.
Did I mention I'm into YA? Well, I went through a phase where all I wanted was YA supernatural, dystopia or paranormal. So I kind of overlooked "real life" YA - and I almost missed out on a great little book called One Of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus. That book single-handedly pulled me into "real life" YA. And I've not looked back. I still do enjoy not "real life" YA now and again.
Six Months Later by Natalie Richards
When Chloe fell asleep in study hall, it was the middle of
May. But when she wakes up, snow is on the ground, and she can't remember the
last six months.
Before, she'd been a mediocre student. Now, she's on track
for valedictorian and being recruited by Ivy League schools.
Before, she never had a chance with sports star Blake. Now
he's her boyfriend.
Before, she and Maggie were inseparable. Now her best friend
won't speak to her.
What happened to her? Remembering the truth could be more
dangerous than she'd ever imagined.
Reading the blurb on this book kind of took my breath away. I'm still kind of have a pit in the bottom of my stomach thinking about reading it, but it's something I really think I need to read, ya know? My son is a sophomore in high school, and while our school is small and everyone knows everyone, you really have zero clue what could happen.
This Is Where It Ends by Marieke Nijkamp
Everyone has a reason to fear the boy with the gun...
10:00 a.m.: The principal of Opportunity, Alabama's high
school finishes her speech, welcoming the entire student body to a new semester
and encouraging them to excel and achieve.
10:02 a.m.: The students get up to leave the auditorium for
their next class.
10:03 a.m.: The auditorium doors won't open.
10:05 a.m.: Someone starts shooting.
Over the course of 54 minutes, four students must confront
their greatest hopes, and darkest fears, as they come face-to-face with the boy
with the gun. In a world where violence in schools is at an all-time high and
school shootings are a horrifyingly common reality for teenagers, This Is Where
It Ends is a rallying cry to end the gun violence epidemic for good.
Ok, so this book. Man, this book. Our local library had an Adult Winter Reading Program back in January, before all this craziness started. The only real rule was you had to check the books you read out of the library. I picked this book up, and I've been thinking about it ever since. I've recommended it to at least a dozen people. And everyone has enjoyed it. I managed to get a great deal on this hardback copy through Thrift Books, and I am super stoked to add it to my collection. I told my husband the other day that I might make him read it, too. I'm even thinking of making my kid read it, too! haha
This Is Our Story by Ashley Elston
No one knows what happened that morning at River Point. Five
boys went hunting. Four came back. The boys won't say who fired the shot that
killed their friend, Grant; the evidence shows it could have been any one of
them.
Kate Marino's senior year internship at the District
Attorney's Office isn't exactly glamorous-more like an excuse to leave school
early that looks good on college applications. Then the DA hands her boss, Mr.
Stone, the biggest case her small town of Belle Terre has ever seen. The River
Point Boys are all anyone can talk about. Despite their damning toxicology
reports the morning of the accident, the DA wants the boys' case swept under
the rug. He owes his political office to their powerful families.
Kate won't let that happen. Digging up secrets without
revealing her own is a dangerous line to walk; Kate has personal reasons for
seeking justice for Grant. As she investigates with Stone-the aging prosecutor
relying on Kate to see and hear what he cannot-she realizes that nothing about
the case-or the boys-is what it seems. Grant wasn't who she thought he was, and
neither is Stone's prime suspect. As Kate gets dangerously close to the truth,
it becomes clear that the early morning accident might not have been an
accident at all-and if Kate doesn't uncover the true killer, more than one life
could be on the line - including her own.
And finally.... a good dose of REAL real life - Neil Patrick Harris' autobiography. I snagged this book from BookMooch, as well. I do enjoy reading memoirs and autobiographies of people, certain people mind you. Really only people I like watching or listening to or... well, that appear to be funny, decent people. I read Anna Faris' autobiography last year, and it read more like a book of stories than "This Is Your Life" type stuff. I'm hoping this one is kind of the same. I hope it really is a choose your own type thing!
Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography
Seeking an exciting read that puts the “u” back in
“aUtobiography”? Look no further than
Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography! In this entertaining and
innovative memoir, Neil Patrick Harris shares intimate and hilarious stories
about everything from his early days in LA, life on the How I Met Your Mother
set, secrets from backstage at award shows, and family life with David, Harper,
and Gideon. In a fresh spin on the
typical celebrity narrative, he lets you, the reader, choose which path you
want him to follow. All this plus magic
tricks, cocktail recipes, embarrassing pictures from his time as a child actor,
and even a closing song!
And there pictures.... Every year, I set up a "to read" shelf in my bedroom, so if I'm ever in a rut trying to figure out what to read, I choose from this shelf. This year, I have a bunch of series on here because I don't want to separate my series hahaha But really, these are the books I will be reading soon. Still trying to decide what's next.
Are you a reader? Do you have a favorite book? I'm always looking for book recommendations, but I will warn you - I don't do full-out romance or classic literature. I've never read (or watched) Gone With The Wind or Pride and Prejudice (Although I am a HUGE HUGE HUGE fan of both the book and movie of Pride+Prejudice+Zombies hahah!) Drop your favorite in the comments!
Here are some handy dandy (affiliate) links to Amazon for these books!
**DISCLAIMER** I was not paid for this review by anyone. I either purchased these products myself or was given it as a gift. Affiliate links are to Amazon.com.
