New York City is probably one of the most popular places to visit in the whole wide world and it's somewhere that's probably on most people's bucket lists. Hubby and I are planning to visit in June (happy birthday/graduation to me)! If you're planning a trip to New York any time this year, it's likely you're planning to visit Times Square, see where Friends was filmed, and spend some time in Central Park… but there’s more to New York than all of this.


New York has the pleasure of being one of the most diverse places in the world because people from all over go there to live and thrive in their careers and lives. It means you can experience a plethora of different cultures and history, as well as eat some of the best foods.


I've never been to New York, so I'm super pumped for my first visit. Here are some of the highly "cultured" spots in New York I plan to add to the itinerary.




Broadway

One of the most famous choices for a cultural trip in New York has to be Broadway. If you've never been to the theatre before, this will be an experience like no other and it can be something which makes you want to visit again and again. There are always a large range of shows on at Broadway and you can look for cheap Broadway tickets online to get a good deal before you head off on your trip. The major one we're trying to see this summer is obviously The Cursed Child, but geez those tickets are worth a pretty penny.



The Metropolitan Museum Of Art

For anyone who appreciates artwork and the beauty of it, The Metropolitan Museum of Art (the Met - as in, the Met Gala) is the ideal place to visit for the day during a trip to the big city. The museum has a massive collection of artwork from artists all over the world, and it is the ideal place to appreciate the talents we've had throughout history. There's also Ancient Egyptian art and European sculptures which date back hundreds and thousands of years. There are new exhibits on all the time so it's worth checking what will be on when you're there.



MOMA

If you love art so much that you want to get an extra dose after visiting the Met, the MOMA is a great choice to see a whole different side to art. Rather than being able to see old Roman and Egyptian works from history, at MOMA you will see modern artwork which has been done during the last century. It's a great way to discover new artists who you may not have see before and it can be a really wonderful way to gain a whole new perspective on the art world.



Metropolitan Opera

Honestly, when a lot of us are trying to think of a fun way to spend our evenings, opera might not come at the top of the list. Opera is a beautiful art form and it is something which has been performed for hundreds of years all over the world. Of course, it’s not commonplace today, but opera can still be a wonderful option for a day out with friends or family. Try visiting an opera show this year and you will genuinely be able to experience something you have never seen before. It is unique and fun and honestly a great way to spend the day.



Nuyorican Poets Café

If you have always wanted to listen to people reciting poetry in a comfortable setting, there is no better option than to come to the Nuyorican Café. This small gem in the heart of the city is cozy and homely and it will allow you to sit down and listen to a whole host of different poets reciting their hearts out to their favorite pieces. It is a great way to bond with different people and you can honestly take away a lot of value from this experience.



Little Italy

If you love Italian food and culture then you should definitely take the time to visit Little Italy while you're in New York. Little Italy is a section of the city which is a hub of Italian wonder and awe. There’s no shortage of amazing foods to try and people to meet and you will feel as if you have stepped into Italy itself for a while as you stay. If you visit during September you will be able to witness the streets completely close down as the people celebrate San Gennaro.



Off-Broadway

We’ve already talked a bit about Broadway (which is obviously the most popular way to watch the theatre), but what about off-Broadway? If you want to see some amazing shows which are less likely to be sold out, you can opt for an off-Broadway option and it will allow you to still see the big shows but without having to wait for a long time to grab a ticket (or without breaking the bank)!





New York Public Library

Of course a library would be on this list. The New York Public Library is a vast building which offers the chance to feel like Belle from Beauty and the Beast when you walk inside its doors. The library is a place which is incredibly grand and beautiful with marble and chandeliers everywhere you turn. It's a veritable palace for books and it's a stunning site to behold each and every time you visit. You’ll be able to find some of the most amazing books in the world on a variety of subjects and it'll probably be one of the biggest collections of works you have ever seen.



Lectures

When we hear the word "lecture" a lot of us think about school and being bored half to death while listening to someone drone on about science and history (I'm thinking Harry's depictions of a history of magic), but this isn’t the kind of lecture I'm talking about. If you're the kind of person who is genuinely interested in science or learning a specific subject, there are tons of lectures throughout the city for you to take part in. You’ll be able to listen and learn something amazing and it can be a great way to motivate you. I've been to some local lectures in my hometown, where we sipped on wine and ate yummy little hors d'oeuvres while talking about the history vampirism, so I'm thinking it may be something along those lines.



The American Museum of Natural History

One of the places that's highest on my NYC bucket list is the American Museum of Natural History, and it's probably one of the most impressive places you could possibly see in the city. It's a huge and expansive place which houses millions of plant and animal specimens as well as some stunning exhibitions throughout the year and a lot of unique historical artifacts. The exhibits might not come to life at the end of the night (lol, Ben Stiller) however it's still supposed to be a super fun place to go. And we're all just trying to see dinosaurs in real life, right?




















*This is a collaborative post.

Popsugar 2019 Reading Challenge Prompt: A book about a family



TW: Mentions of sexual assault, domestic abuse



I wasn't sure what to expect when I started reading The Lost Man. I've discussed before that I rarely read novel synopses, as I feel they often share a little too much information. I did read the synopsis once I was quite far into the novel, and I think it's safe to say it's a fairly clear overview that doesn't giveaway too much. One thing I didn't realize when I started reading was the Australian setting, so when they began talking about how terrible the 45 degree weather was, I was certainly confused. So note - it's set in the outback.






This book was fantastically written. Harper's story-telling is amazing. I truly loved the different parallels within the different characters' stories, the development was really well thought out, and even the tiniest details were considered throughout the novel.






I would definitely consider this novel to be a slow-burn. If you're looking for a fast-paced, twisty thriller - this probably isn't the one for you. But if you're looking for a thriller that envelopes you into the lives of its characters, makes you forget you're reading a thriller, and then pops in for a final trick - oh boy, gee whiz, this is the one you're looking for.

I can't get deep into the novel without revealing any of its secrets, but it's one I really enjoyed. It did take me a few chapters to get into the book. I was unfamiliar with the setting and much of the Australian slang, but once I understood a bit better, it was a truly wonderful read. I will say there were some pieces that felt dramatic to me that were brushed off by the characters nonchalantly, which seemed weird. The angst and grief in the story seemed unlasting, especially since the novel is set in a timeline of only about a week. So, I think overall, the timeline for mourning and building trust happened a little too quickly to be realistic, but it is a novel after all.

I will say - I would highly recommend this one and I look forward to reading more from Harper.


Goodreads rating: ★★★★☆


The Lost Man will be out February 5, 2019.
















*I received this book free in exchange for an honest review. All opinions, as always, are 100% my own.

Popsugar 2019 Reading Challenge Prompt: A book about someone with a superpower



TW: Serial killer, light gore




Jessica Branton was only 14 when she wrote How To Experience Death for Beginners, and for a 14 year old, the book is strong. However after somewhere around 10 years, I would have presumed meticulous editing would have taken place to update the novel. The plot is fantastic. I actually really enjoyed the story itself. The reveal is just slightly twisty and a bit too early in the book for my liking, but high-quality nonetheless. But the writing seems like the writing of a 14 year old - impressive for its age, but scattered, underwhelming, inconsistent, and juvenile.

I love YA stories and this has the potential to be great, but publishing a book written at 14 as a 20-something should include some kind of update, not necessarily to the storyline (again, I enjoyed the actual story very much), but to the writing, to the dialogue. The inconsistencies and scattered story made the plot difficult to follow at times and I would flip several pages back to see if I missed something and in most cases, I hadn’t. But let’s hop into the plot really quick.






See? Great plot. YA crime thriller with some supernatural powers thrown in? Yes, please. Another appeal is the real small-town that’s fairly close and familiar to me, which was a truly fun connection.






And even though there is teenage love central to the plot, it doesn’t overrun the story but kind of ties it all together. Plus, there’s an LGBTQIA+ character, which is always appealing.

Overall, I was disappointed with the book for the reasons listed above. I just felt the super young writing was not quite right for this YA thriller, the inconsistencies and scatteredness were too common throughout the novel, and the dialogue was rough to get through. There were a couple of small plot holes and answers left unanswered, and the character development was really lacking for most of the characters. I’d truly love to read an updated version of this book that’s a combo of teenage Branton and adult Branton to bring together such an exciting plot with a more consistent form of storytelling.



Goodreads rating: ★★☆☆☆

How to Experience Death for Beginners will be out February 14, 2019.


















*I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. All opinions, as always, 100% my own. 

So, you're probably sick and tired of “incredible US road trips” by now. It’s not as if America is some secret waiting to be found. We all know there's pretty fantastic scenery and a life-changing trip to be had once you gather up some friends and get going on a road trip within the US. Seriously, there are some breathtaking views in this country I call home.

We probably all have something on our bucket list like "visit all 50 states." So, while many people are trying to trek from the east coast to the west coast, sometimes people don't think to explore an entire coastline, like the full west coast - Washington to Cali. I've never been on the West Coast, though I have visited a couple of the western desserts (Vegas and Phoenix). A West Coast road trip is something I crave, and maybe it is for you, too.

So, go get your Wild on (in a less primitive way) with this guide to the Pacific Coast Highway.




Seattle Start

There are so many good reasons to start in Seattle, which is high on my list of places to visit. (Can you say Grey's Anatomy?) There are some amazing cityscapes in Seattle. Downtown, you can find the world-famous The Edgewater is a spectacular hotel adorning the bay. You can check out the Sky Needle and Columbia Tower, if you're not afraid of heights like I am. Seattle's also home to the original Starbucks and the Pike Place Fish Market. Further out of Seattle, Port Angeles has Olympic Hot Springs and Aberdeen is home to Nirvana. Oh, and as home to breathtaking national parks such as Mount Rainier and Union Bay, the parks never stop.



Onto Oregon

Oregon is another state high up on my bucket list. Portland is said to be one of the most beautiful and liberal places in the country with some of the most incredible coffee. Plus, hotel rooms in Eugene, Oregon are accessible and cheap. Plus, super cool things happen on the coast where there are an array of stunning beaches. Because of this, Newport and Seaside & Cannon Beach are well worth a stop off especially in the summer for surf aficionados. Fans of The Goonies will want to hit up Astoria which has tons of movie hot spots and memorabilia.



San-Fab-Cisco 
(Do people call it that or no? Because no one calls Atlanta Hotlanta.)

A visit to the West Coast isn't complete without a trip to San Francisco. As well as the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz, there’s a plethora of history. Chinatown is full of diversity and Coit Tower is a war-time building offering panoramic views of the city. Once Union Square and the city are done, you could hop on a bike and cross Golden Gate and into Muir Woods (somewhere I really need to go!). There, you can witness some of the most massive and oldest Californian Redwoods in the world. San Fran has it all, folks.



Big Surprise

Of the countless national parks in Cali, Big Sur isn’t as renowned as Yosemite or Death Valley. Still, it’s an unbelievable region right on the Pacific Coast Highway’s doorstep. 17-mile drive is probably the highlight, but McWay Falls and Pfeiffer Beach aren't too shabby either. The lodge in Pfeiffer is a great place to stop off and rest after a long trip. Or, nature-lovers can camp under the glittering light show in the sky.



Last call?

Well, that’s up to you. The glitz and glamour of Hollywood await wannabe stars, but San Diego has an amazing zoo and coastline - I'd love to see the sea lions just lounging all over the beach. Santa Barbara (*cue the Nick Jonas*) and San Luis Obispo are two stops in between that are unmissable too.



















*This is a collaborative post. 

Popsugar 2019 Reading Challenge Prompt: A book by two female authors



TW: Stalking



Hendricks and Pekkanen are the power duo of booklandia lately, so obviously I've been seeing An Anonymous Girl around everywhere. I didn't love The Wife Between Us as much as everyone else did, so I wasn't sure what to expect with Anonymous. But it was good!



The novel follows Jess, a struggling makeup artist living in the city and trying to do right by her family. When an opportunity arises for her to make some significantly extra cash by entering a research study, she jumps at the chance. After some preliminary questions, she's offered a chance to proceed further into the study for even more money. Only the study isn't what she expected - she gets in too deep, in too personal, and she's not quite sure anymore if entering the study was a good idea. 



Both books from the dynamic duo have asked readers to make no assumptions, and assumptions truly did no good with this book anyways. From reading the first page, I was fairly hooked, though reading as an ebook made the journey a little longer than I think it would have been as a physical book. The chapters were short and intriguing. The characters were well developed and very broken in their own ways. But for anyone who's been obsessing over You lately (either the show or the book), this is a perfect next read.



"We all carry the weight of secret regrets... And we are all forced to constantly make moral choices. Some of these decisions are small. Others are life-altering." Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen, An Anonymous Girl




I really enjoy when a book offers many parallels within the story, and this book didn't disappoint. There are so many parallels with the characters and the snippets within this novel and it definitely made for a very intriguing story. It was always such a welcome surprise but would also make so much since. Not to mention, every single time I thought I knew what was happening or who to trust, the script would flip, and I'd be confused all over again. Seriously, I wasn't sure who to trust the entire novel, and I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. I definitely don't want to ever enter any research studies, or focus groups ever again.



I'd also say I was fairly pleased with the ending, for reasons I don't want to share here for fear of ruining the ending for anyone, but you can definitely reach out to me on Instagram if you've read it and want to discuss!



Goodreads Rating: ★★★★☆













*I received this book free in exchange for a review, however, as always, all opinions are 100% my own. 

Hubby and I had some good times in 2019, with lots of experiences taking place instead of the exchange of material gifts. It's something I love to do and intend to continue throughout our life together. If you've been following for a while, you may recall I talked about travel tradition - we collect magnets when we take trips and gather experiences together.

Today, I want to share our 2018 magnet collection.
































I took a few extra trips, one with one of my sisters to Savannah, one to Phoenix for a work trip, and a Halloween tour with my other sister, but I don't buy magnets for trips without hubby. It's our special collection together. I'm so excited to see where 2019 will take us!

Popsugar 2019 Reading Challenge Prompt: A book published in 2019




TW: Violence against children, heavy focus on religion, fat-shaming




When asked to review More Than Bones, I wasn't aware of the faith-driven storyline. But I immediately realized religion would play a big part in the novel, as soon as I opened the book. There are very heavy themes of religion (especially faith vs. logic) and LGBTQ issues, but from the very start of the book there was a judgmental feel to the book, specifically towards weight-related issues, but towards socioeconomic issues as well.



The story focuses on Emily, a medical intern who relocates from the Carolinas to Baltimore to complete her residency at a Catholic hospital. Though her father is a Southern preacher (not Catholic at all), Emily prefers to choose science and logic over religion. New to the area, Emily quickly dives in to friendships with a slew of quirky characters, including her new roommate Norton, and an odd old man named Frank who lives next door. Frank immediately gifts her with a pendant, urging her to not take it off once she wears it close to her heart. Thinking the man old and senile, she wears the pendant briefly and after taking it off a variety of bad things begin happening all around her. But they can't possibly be related, right? I mean, how much power can a simple pendant have?



The premise of the book was enticing to me - I loved the idea of a medical intern storyline mixed in with a magic pendant. But I was turned away as soon as I opened the book to a bible quote prefacing the first chapter. Faith-based books aren't my typical cup of tea, but I figured I'd push on. Then the fat-shaming came, and the judgment of a woman breastfeeding her child (hello, the character is supposed to be a doctor?). Those things within the first few chapters of the book really set up a whole realm of disappointment delving deeper into the story.

I did enjoy, however, that the majority of the characters were LGBTQ, which can be uncommon in a lots of novel. Because of that, though, I expected a much more open-minded character and storyline for other populations, and fat-shaming is really not cool. I think we can all agree on that. I truly disliked Emily's character. She was problematic, judgmental, and unwilling to accept responsibility for her actions. I truly felt she had no redeeming qualities.







The entire novel felt like it wanted to be a southern-style novel, even though it wasn't set in the south - small-town girl with a bit of a superiority complex, lots of morality tests and happenings with an apparent sense of happy endings. And though those typically aren't my favorite types of novels and generally don't house my favorite writing style, but usually they're very light, feel-good books. I never got that vibe from this book. It was too dark at times to be a true light and fluffy southern novel.

There was definitely some mystery wrapped up inside the story that made the urge to continue reading stronger. It's the main reason I kept reading. But I wasn't totally satisfied with the ending. I felt there were too many questions left unanswered.

This was one big eye-roller for me.



Goodreads rating: ★★★☆☆


















*I received this book free in exchange for an honest review. All opinions, as always, are 100% my own.

Popsugar 2019 Reading Challenge: A book told from multiple character POVs










TW: Violence against children, domestic violence





Told from multiple perspectives, this novel follows Lisa, single mother of 16 year-old Ava, and Lisa's best friend Meredith. They all have secrets to hide. Lisa is overprotective of Ava, and becomes anxious at the slightest inconvenience. She begins to slowly unravel as clues from her haunted past begin popping back up. Meanwhile, Ava is chatting with an older man online and hiding it from everyone, including her friends. Meredith, who's always calm, collected, and put-together, has secrets of her own. And literally no one is talking to those who are closest to them.


I swear I was so annoyed this entire book. There are always these situations in books, movies, and tv shows where if people just called the cops in the first place, things would be okay (I'm looking at you, Pretty Little Liars). Granted, the story would probably end fairly abruptly.

There's no doubt Pinborough is a talented writer. Her writing will absolutely suck you in to the story and leave you wanting to know what's going to happen next. The way the story was organized reminded me a lot of Liane Moriarity - something's happened, but you have no idea what's going on and you're trying to figure it out the entire story. Unlike Moriarity's novel, though, I didn't feel connected to the characters. For the storyline to have such serious implications for the characters, I felt the character development was truly lacking. There's a lot of backstory for one of the characters, but it doesn't dive deep.








The story gets very deep though, and it's sickening. I'm not sure how I picked up two books in a row involving violence against children, but it's been a rough start to my reading year. The story started out incredibly slow - it took me around 100 pages to finally get into and start reading with a little more urgency. I'll also say the characters are highly unlikeable, I trusted not one of them.

The twists were certainly twisty, though. Every single time I thought I had so cleverly figured something out, I was wrong. Pinborough did a fantastic job of leading my mind exactly where she wanted it to without me realizing that's what she was doing. The writing was very intentional and I felt psychologically drained while reading.

But the first big reveal is sickening, and I could have gone without it being the main point of the storyline. I hated the flashbacks for multiple reasons. I wouldn't read this book a second time.



Goodreads Rating: ★★★☆☆

TW: Gore, violence against children & animals, sexual assault





I've heard some rave reviews about The Chalk Man, and honestly, I selected it from Book of the Month over a year ago and just now got around to reading it (thanks #unreadbotmchallenge). It didn't quite live up to expectations for me.





The book opens with a chapter about a dismembered girl, which is fairly sickening just within those first few pages. After that, I wasn't quite sure what was happening or what the story was about. Granted, the inside jacket flap gives more of an overview of what's happening, but I feel like that ruins some of the story. The mystery was the allure of getting through the next pages.






The group of friends in the pages reminded me very much of It's Losers Club, and the setting also reminded me a lot of Derry, Maine, though this story is set in the UK. I found a lot of parallels and similarities between The Chalk Man and Stephen King's It, which had to have been a heavy influence on this story (if it wasn't, I am bewildered). A group of misfit kids, a band of bullies, bad things mysteriously happening, a 30-year gap in the storyline. There are other similarities between the books (not just the film version of It) that would ruin some of the story if I shared, so I'll leave that out.

I'm not easily disturbed (I mean, I get afraid - but not truly disturbed) by books and stories, but there were parts of this book that truly disturbed me that I wish I would've skipped over. Sickening scenes, really. But what really threw me is so much of the book seemed totally unbelievable to me, and there were too many things left unraveled.

That isn't to say I wouldn't read Tudor's work again (and I'm fairly certain she has a new book releasing this year). In fact, I would definitely read another novel by her. I enjoyed the writing style, and the way the book was organized. It was definitely a thrill-ride. This book just wasn't for me.



Goodreads rating: ★★★☆☆

I've never committed to a "word of the year," but I think if I had to choose one, I would choose happy. Not that I imagine every waking second of the year will be full of happiness. I still have the right to be down and out at times. But instead, I want to do more of what makes me happy and choose the happy in more situations than not. So, in honor of 2019 - here are 19 things that make me happy.

*this list is obviously not exclusive.




1. Books, reading, and bookstores
I'm looking forward to surrounding myself with more books this year, reading more, and visiting more independent bookstores in 2019.



2. Coziness - fuzzy blankets, fuzzy socks, leggings and sweatshirts, candles
If I'm at home, it's likely I'm cocooned in a blanket, dressed in my favorite leggings, fuzzy socks, and my favorite TGT sweatshirt. I also love candles year-round, but when it's cold out - woodsy smells are my go-to, especially a strong pine or fir scent like this one.






3. Floor pillows & beanbags
I'm still on the hunt for next great beanbag or floor pillow that isn't overly expensive. I love chilling in the floor (weird?), but I need the proper "furniture" to do so!



4. Late 90s/Early 00s tv 
Please give me all the X-Files, Buffy, Roswell (thank God for Hulu), but not these garbage remakes they keep trying to bring back. I mean, I'm fine with continuing seasons with the original series/actors - that X-Files continuance made me so happy. But I am not down with this whole Roswell reboot.



5. Lazy days
I love days where I don't have to leave the house. They're few and far between, but they. are. glorious!



6. Coffee
Give me dark roast, blonde roast, and whatever's in between. I love it all, seriously.



7. Diet soda and white cheddar popcorn
Ooh, Smartfood white cheddar popcorn is my favorite, paired with a nice diet soda - it's the perfect junk food combo.



8. Sleeping in and/or nap
Need I say more?



9. Visiting new places
I'm looking forward to traveling more, near and far. And I plan on having hubby right by my side.



10. Spending time with hubby, literally doing anything
We have so much fun together, especially hanging out at home just being goofballs together.



11. Watching TGIT shows with my sister
My sister and I try to get together on Fridays to watch all our TGIT shows, complete with comfy clothes, sweets, and wine.



12. Grabbing lunch or coffee with my sister
My other sister is out of town a lot for work, but from time-to-time, we try to go get some coffee together or grab lunch when she's in town.



13. Eating, in general
I love food, and I don't plan to stop loving it anytime soon. Burritos and Chick-fil-a are my forever favorites.



14. Wireless bras
Wires give me issues, so I go wire-free. Finding the perfect fit is hard to come by, but when I do, it's truly amazing.



15. Fluffy cats
Just look at that fluffball.






16. Comfy sneakers
I love wearing my sneakers on my days off, and I get so many compliments on them usually. I'd prefer my feet not kill me at the end of a long day. Comfort > cute, but you can do both!



17. Good hair days
Bangs are the bane of my existence, but I always end up getting them. But some days my hair looks amazing and it can turn my entire mood around.



18. All things Hufflepuff
I am a proud Hufflepuff and when I find Hufflepuffly things, it makes me so very happy!



19. Harry Potter Funko Pops
The only Pops I collect are Harry Potter ones. My collection is small, but I'm definitely hoping to grow my collection this year (can you believe I don't have a Hermione yet?).




















*I received a candle free from Goose Creek Candle to include in this post. All opinions, as always are 100% my own.

2018 was one hell of a reading year! I finished my Popsugar Reading Challenge (for the first time ever!) and I completed my Goodreads Challenge. I'm excited to share an overview of all the books I read below (thanks, Goodreads for the fun graphic) and share some of my favorites of the year. Of the 65 books I read, I've listed 18 favorites below (both published in 2018 and backlist books).







Favorite books published in 2018


The Anomaly by Michael Rutger ★★★★★

When I'm asked about my favorite book of 2018, this one is it. Hands down, without a doubt - The Anomaly. It's been months and I can't get it out of my mind. Marketed at The X-Files meets Indiana Jones, I'd say that's the perfect description. It's a paranormal thriller, fast-paced, and so unlike anything you've ever read before. (And PS, the sequel is set to be released this year!)





Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owns ★★★★★

The book everyone obsessed over during the end of 2018, I only picked it up because it fulfilled my final challenge prompt. I will say it was incredibly slow-paced the beginning half of the book. There's a focus on character development, and the separate timelines had me so confused. But once I got through that first half, I couldn't put the book down. Everything started to make sense and tie together. It's a beautifully written book, and basically the definition of slow burn.









Still Me by Jojo Moyes ★★★★☆

The third (and final?) book in the Me Before You series, continues to follow everyone's favorite quirky character, Louisa Clark. This book is fairly different from the other novels in the series, just because it's a new experience. Don't read it without reading the first two, Me Before You and After You. If you've come to read about and love Louisa, you'll love her brand new self discovery in this novel.









The Last Time I Lied by Riley Sage ★★★★☆

I never went to camp, and books/movies like this one are the reason why. Sager's sophomore novel does not disappoint in this campy story (and yes, I mean as in sleepaway camp, and campy as an adjective). I read this novel in one sitting while I was chilling on a Moe's sidewalk overnight to be one of the 50 first customers and win a year's worth of burritos. There is scene in the book that had me so shook, I had to just take a breath, but also go back and re-read some pages because it really threw me. You hear of twists, but you will not see this one coming.  *I received an ARC of this book.







No Exit by Taylor Adams ★★★★☆

Another one I read in one sitting, and technically this is being released this month, but I received it early through Book of the Month. There are twists upon twists upon twists in this novel. When I thought I would have something figured out, I'd be so wrong. This one literally kept me guessing through the very last page.






Undead Girl Gang by Lily Anderson ★★★★☆

This YA novel is the perfect book about body positivity and girl power, while also throwing some dead girls into the mix. This isn't scary or horror, but a murder mystery with a spin. Not to mention to main character is a POC. I truly loved this sweet story. *I received an ARC of this book.








The Woman in the Window by AJ Finn ★★★★☆

I've heard some mixed feelings about this book, but I really loved it. It's the ultimate unreliable narrator thriller, because the protagonist is on a medicinal cocktail with some wine on the side. She's agoraphobic, so she can't leave the house to figure out what really happened. It was a wild ride, though I did figure basically all of the twists out, I thought it was still a great novel.








Favorite backlist books that I read in 2018


11/22/63 by Stephen King ★★★★★

I'd seen the show on Hulu and loved it, so I picked up the book to fulfill a reading challenge prompt and I'm damn glad I did. The show does not hold a candle to this novel. If you're into time travel, unlikely heroes, fun little Stephen King easter eggs and JFK, this one will be right up your alley. This is less horror and more historical thriller.








After You by Jojo Moyes ★★★★★

The follow-up to Me Before You is sad and full of grief. It's a hard adjustment after reading the first novel, so I was really glad I took time before the two. It took me a little while to get into the story because grief changes people and Louisa is not what you'll remember from the first book, but it's a lovely story and fantastic writing from Moyes.





The Animators by Kayla Rae Whitaker ★★★★★

There are so many pieces of this book that I still think about regularly and I read it over a year ago at this point. I was worried there would be tech talk about animating (which I know nothing about), but that's not the full premise of the story, so don't let it dissuade you from reading it. The writing is phenomenal. The story-telling is heart-wrenching and emotional. And if you're from the south,  you're really going to enjoy several tidbits from the book. It's a rollercoaster of a ride in the best way possible, and all in a debut novel.








Duma Key by Stephen King ★★★★★

I had never actually heard of this novel, even though it was on my bookshelf, because I just buy Stephen King books when I find them for cheap. It's another I read because it fulfilled a challenge prompt, and it's another one that's really sticking with me. This is a highly underrated King book. There were some terrifying moments that really freaked me out, but the characters are so well-written and I missed them immensely when I closed the last pages.






Dumplin' by Julie Murphy ★★★★★

This book's been on my radar for a while, but I never actually went out to buy/borrow it to read. Then I ended up getting two copies for Christmas, so I spend a day reading it and watched the Netflix adaptation. I know a lot of people are watching the movie because hello, Dolly and it has Jennifer Anniston in it, but the book easily blows it out of the water. Relationships are key in the book, and especially if you're a fat girl, you'll relate to Willowdean so much. The insecurities and judgements and second-guessing are all so realistic. It's easy to spend straight through this wonderful YA novel written for anyone.









Gwendy's Button Box by Stephen King & Richard Chizmar ★★★★★

At under 200 pages, this is an easy Stephen King read anyone can get through. It's haunting in the way that Black Mirror is, but it's not so much a horror novel. A super quick read, I'd highly recommend giving this one a try because there's a major jaw-dropper that will really blow your mind.

Little & Lion by Brandy Colbert ★★★★★

We all need more diverse characters and diverse situations in our life. I love that this book has so much diversity in its pages, because that's really the kind of world we live in. Combined families from different background, mental health, insecurities in sexuality - this novel has it all and it's such a beautiful portrayal of real-life.

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline ★★★★★

If you haven't read this one yet, have you been living under a rock? It was actually released in 2011, but popped back up this year thanks to Book of the Month (again) and the film adaptation. Though the film caught a lot of flack, both are fantastic in their own right. They're different experiences, so even if you've seen the movie, the book is way worth it, too. It's thrives on the telling of true friendships and gives me major Harry Potter vibes. The nostalgia's fantastic if you were into any 80s pop culture, but it's still fun to read if you don't get all the references.


You by Caroline Kepnes ★★★★★

Another one that was adapted to tv this year. It's getting a lot of notice right now because Netflix bought the Lifetime adaptation and will be continuing the story for future seasons (hello, Hidden Bodies). The only way to describe how I read this book is the word "devour." I could not put it down. The show does a really great job in adaptation, but the book is truly haunting and so very creepy. Reading from the point-of-view of the "bad guy" is a truly terrifying experience.








Final Girls by Riley Sager ★★★★☆

Some of favorite movies are slasher flicks with a final girl at the end - like Scream. This novel pays homage to those final girls and life after the terror. This book was a page-turner, campy (in the adjective this time), and twisty.









Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng ★★★★☆

I was never totally sure what this novel was about, even as I was reading it - I would highly recommend going in with no set expectations. But I was invested in the characters in a way that doesn't happen often and that really drove the entire novel. It's set in Shaker Heights in the 90s, which was a cool setting, but really go in focused on the characters. And definitely read it before Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington bring the story to life in the upcoming adaptation.