The Raw and The Cooked

I’ve mentioned before that I’m a Goodreads lover, right? Why Goodreads? Because you can track the books you’ve read, currently reading, divide them up into lists (I love lists), read reviews, learn the books history, about the author, the genre, number of pages, and everything in between. It’s pretty freaking cool — oh and did I mention that it’s F R E E ? Sign up right now (you can thank me later) and then add me as a friend!

The absolute best part about Goodreads, is their annual Reading Challenge. And of course, at the end of the year you can see your stats — who doesn’t love stats?

I’m thrilled to share with you some of my favorites, some no-no’s, and the books I recommend you add to your list for the upcoming year. Let’s dive in!

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You know what’s better than reading an awesome thriller novel? Having the very next book you read just as suspenseful and enjoyable. And even better than that? Having the third book in a row be just a great. I recently finished three books back to back that were all gripping, suspenseful, and impossible to put down.

If you’re looking for a few novels to curl up with during the relaxing down time in between Christmas and NYE, look no further than these three….

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I’ve been plowing away at my fall reading list. So far, I’ve finished four out of the six must reads. I’ve very much enjoyed all of the ones read, so far. Today’s overrated reads includes three recents books that I’ve read in between — the filler books, if I may.  All three of the books from todays post — Volume #4 — were borrowed from the library, and we’re picked up on a whim.

FOOL ME ONCE BY HARLAN COBEN

I never thought I would see the day where Harlan Coben would make the list of books to skip. In fact, I’m still a little surprised that I have him on here — but this book was so, so, so terrible that I couldn’t even finish it. Like T-E-R-R-I-B-L-E. OK, so I’ve been reading Coben’s novels since high school. I love him and his writing, but he has a formula (for literally every book he’s ever written):

• Setting in New Jersey
• Suburban life, mini vans, young children, soccer practice, EZ passes
• One of the two spouses goes missing or is murdered
• A horrific past secret said murdered husband / wife keeps from their partner comes bubbling to the surface
• Strip club / another shady business is involved somehow

The formula typically works, until this book. I can’t put my finger on it other than it had a ridiculous, unbelievable plot. The main character was unlikeable, arrogant, hot-headed, irrational, and mean. I returned the book to the library after forcing myself to read at least 100 pages. I couldn’t do it any more. Which says a lot, because I usually finish books — even if they are unenjoyable.

DON’T YOU CRY BY MARY KUBICA

Oh man. This is Mary Kubica’s third book. Her other two books are The Good Girl and Pretty Baby. Two thumbs up for The Good Girl and two thumbs down for Pretty Baby. (Blogged about here). I wanted Don’t You Cry to be the tie breaker. The book had two main narrators, I hated them both.Which is never a great start for a book. Both narrators were lazy, annoying, and whiny. It took more than halfway through the book for it to go anywhere, and when the ‘twist’ was finally revealed, I was bored and annoyed at the build up to nothing. I won’t be reading another Kubica book again, two strikes and you’re o-u-t!

THE FEVER BY MEGAN ABBOTT

This was a recommendation from theSkimm, so I obviously had to read it. Meh. I probably would’ve been better off passing on it. I enjoyed the overall idea of the book, in the grand scheme of the plot, however it wasn’t a great story. It seemed to go down too many roads that led to no where, and weren’t wrapped up by the time the book finished, or didn’t seem relevant for the author to even bother. It’s about a group of high school girlfriends that one by one catch ‘the fever’ that seems to be spreading like wildfire. Again, meh is how I would sum this up. I’d say skip.

Have you read any of these three novels? If so, I want to hear your thoughts! Do you agree with me? Or did you find any of these 3 enjoyable?

PS. HAPPY THANKSGIVING !!!