Top Ten Books I Recommend The Most

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created here at The Broke and the Bookish. This meme was created because we are particularly fond of lists here at The Broke and the Bookish. We'd love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

 

 

My Top Ten Books I Recommend the Most and Why

 

 

The Manufactured Identity, favourite of trilogy, recommend trilogy

 

Why I recommend - this is my favourite psychological thriller ever.  Reading the whole trilogy brings it all together but The Manufactured Identity left me breathless and I immediately wanted to reread it with the knowledge I had at the end.  Beyond impressed even 3 years later.

 

This currently is an all time favourite.

 

 

 

 

Still Alice

 

Why I recommend - Anyone that has been touched by Alzheimer's should read this, just an amazing story.  Lisa Genova has a style which teaches you why emotionally engaging you also. 

 

This currently is an all time favourite.

 

 

 

Glass Castle - Jeannette Walls

 

Why I recommend - I never had interest in reading memoirs, it was my first, WOW, definitely a great taste of memoirs.  A remarkable memoir of resilience and redemption, an intense family love you can't believe as they are so dysfunctional. 

 

 

 

 

 

Night Road or Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah

 

Why I recommend - So far Kristin Hannah can do no wrong in my eyes, the best emotional engaged contemporary author for me.  If you haven't read Firefly Lane, do that now as her new book Fly Away is the new beginning after and will be released end of April.

 

 

 

I am not a Serial Killer, favourite of trilogy but recommend whole trilogy

 

Why I recommend - The main character John blew me away, I love him - he is not a serial killer ;-)  It is the best mix of genres, mystery, paranormal, dystopian, science fiction and YA.

 

 

 

 

Secret Garden

 

Why I recommend  - I can't wait for my daughter to grow up so we can read this one together.  Some books are timeless and magical, this is a gem.

 

 

 

 

We Need to Talk about Kevin

 

Why I recommend - This is the best book club read.  You will want to discuss and debate it so choose to read with friends.  It may be hard in the beginning, keep at it until the end.

 

 

 

 

Rebecca - Daphne du Maurier

 

Why I recommend - I only read this classic last year but I am a forever fan, this is the best classic suspense story every in my opinion and everyone wants to read a classic, right.  Read this one.

 

This currently is an all time favourite.

 

 

 

I heart you, you haunt me - Lisa Schroeder

 

Why I recommend - Verse novels became my simple pleasure. I find Lisa Schroeder's to be magical, beautiful writing that touches your soul. I recommend for all ages. If you have a teen that doesn’t read you should try one of these for them.

 

 

 

 

What you reading on this Monday?

Sheila over at Book Journey has an incentive for networking so go over and have fun while adding to your 2013 Wishlist.

I have been reading the same book for over a week and only 60% but I am really enjoying it, just a hard book to read in my life of multiple distractions.

Have you read Blindness, seems like a love it or hate it kind of book.

 

 

Also, this is a paperbook and small print, omg, I so haven't missed reading that way, I can't wait to get back to Kindle reading.

 

What is next, no idea.........

 

 

 

Review - Children of the Fog by Cheryl Kaye Tardif

Book Summary

A supernatural suspense that will leave you breathless and nervously checking your doors and windows. Sadie O'Connell is given a horrifying choice--she can let a kidnapper take her child, or watch her son die. Which would you choose?

My Review - 4

A fast paced great suspenseful ghost story with an unreliable narrator.  Sadie was a recovering alcoholic, clean for 7 years but when her son is taken from her and her marriage is finally broken she starts drinking again.  Can you imagine fighting for your child and being threatened by the kidnapper and only give in so you can save his life?

Sadie's son is mute from a tragic incident, I had figured out part of the tragedy but when it was revealed, wow, just wow.  Once your child has been kidnapped nothing can be worst.

Sadie was a mystery writer but I understood how she couldn't use those skills to try to find her son, she was broken.  It all became about fate.  All readers will not be able to embrace the supernatural and fate dynamics but I enjoyed them, definitely took the unreliable voice to another level.  Is she drunk, dead already, crazy or slightly tipsy sane?

The characters were good but I did feel like the book could have been longer, the side stories more drawn out as they were interesting, like the husbands work crime with the undercover agent.

Sadie was a great mother and I enjoyed the motherly instincts even though with the alcohol made her seem a little crazy.  Mysterious fate brought it all together, very rewarding sad ending.


Children of the Fog is a free ebook for Prime members.

I recommend to those that enjoyed:

The Lovely Bones
Primal

100 Day Happiness Project

I have officially signed up for the 100 Happiness day project.

I realised I was emotionally disengaging with family, friends, colleagues and blogging.  I started to become angry and maybe even slightly depressed.  Grieving over the loss of my brother, dealing with my partners grief from the loss of his mom, my living arrangements, new boss etc, to name the direct triggers anyway.

I had to do something.  I am known to be optimistic, happy, the go to person that always listens and gives advise personally and career related, well I needed to look in the mirror and do for myself.  I have to be in control of my own happiness.

I thought the 100 day happiness project would be perfect, kind of a basic 101 for me.  I decided to think about the things I have done in the past that always made me happy and make time for them again but also keeping a balance of responsibilities.

The project is being hosted over at the Partyka project blog.  I initially saw it on Christine's blog, The happily ever after......

So here is my challenge,  I started on March 3 and 100 days end on June 11.  Wish me luck.  I will update once a month to let you know how I am doing.

                                                               Have friends over for dinner

                           Complete personal Appraisal goals for work

                                                               Plan a Minute to Win it party

          Go for a walk at Spittle Pond Park

                                                   Create Intimate memory to celebrate anniversary of buying home together

                                                 Cook a New recipe

         Go Jasmines Lounge for some Earl grey tea

                                              Go to the Spa

               Take the day off and go to Sports day to support daughter

This book also helped me to 'check myself'.  I will review when complete, some amazing quotes I can't wait to share with you.

Monday's come fast and furious

Sheila over at Book Journey has an incentive for networking so go over and have fun while adding to your 2013 Wishlist.

In Bermuda, our time sprung forward, did yours?  Months are going by quickly but these Monday's are coming fast and furious, slow down life, please........ :-)

I just read an amazing book, I am sure many of you have overlooked it, don't, I highly recommend. Let's pretend the title is The Manuscript Tragedy, not The Human Bobby and forget the cover, honestly just go read it.

My Review - 5 star

 

 

Today I finished a great ghost suspense, review up this week.

 

 

 

I have been in such a reading rut but these 2 books have me excited again.  Maybe I will choose from networking today. 

 

I also realised, I have read every book on my Kindle this year so far, usually I feel a pull towards a book but I haven't.  I know I love my Kindle but wow I'm starting to feel a little guilty.

 

Have an amazing week.

 

 

Review - The Human Bobby by Gabe Rotter

Book Summary

THE GRIPPING STORY OF THE UNRAVELING OF ONE MAN’S SEEMINGLY PERFECT LIFE, AND HIS STRUGGLE TO GET EVERYTHING BACK.

A new baby, a loving wife, a solid career, a dream house in Beverly Hills: Dr. Bobby Flopkowski has it all. Until a complicated series of events snowball into a disaster that changes the course of his life forever. Now, with a tent on the beach as his only home and an addiction that has cut him off from everyone he once loved, Bobby has a revelation that could put him back on track: he believes he has solved the puzzling crime that led to his downfall. But as the reality he’s always known slips farther away, will he be able to convince someone—anyone—that his suspicions aren’t merely the pleas of a desperate man?

My Review - 5

A quote by Paul Simon is the intro to the book - losing love is like a window in your heart, everybody sees you're blown apart.

This book is labeled a novel but it is a fascinating tension building thriller, I highly recommend to psychological thriller fans.  This is one of the best unreliable character driven books I have read. 

I really enjoyed reading about Dr. Bobby and how he met his lovely wife and then their charmed life together.  It is amazing what a tragedy will do to a person and a relationship. If you have ever known someone you was trying to help and finally the only way was that they had to hit bottom, but watching and waiting was brutal.  The tension in this book is shocking and you just say Dr. Bobby, what will it take, stop and put your  life back together.

Dr. Bobby's father committed suicide and left him his manuscript and a gun.  Dr. Bobby lives his life just not wanting to be like his dad but in the end it all ends with the manuscript and the gun, in what way is the question,

Such a thought provoking read and as it is labeled a novel you don't try to figure out the mystery.  And one suspenseful part we figure out before Dr. Bobby starts solving his tragic crime but I think this adds to the dilemma.

I cannot say more other than go read this.  This is one I think more bloggers should read, put it on your soon to be read shelf, it deserves to push a few back down to wait longer. 

I do think the title doesn't draw you in and the cover doesn't help even though both are relevant. For those that have read it, what are your thoughts on a title? Mine are My Dad's Manuscript, The Manuscript and the Gun or The Manuscript Tragedy.

I did go back and fourth from 4 1/2 or 5 but Goodreads and Amazon do not do half and it is much better than a 4 so a 5 it gets.

Some may remember my love for The Manufactured Identity by Heath Sommer, I would categorize them the same but I still have love for TMI even after 3 years.

My blogging friend Christa recommended The Human Bobby to me 2 years ago, go read her review here.


 

Monday - What are you reading?

Sheila over at Book Journey has an incentive for networking so go over and have fun while adding to your 2013 Wishlist.

I'm currently reading and loving

Book Summary

THE GRIPPING STORY OF THE UNRAVELING OF ONE MAN’S SEEMINGLY PERFECT LIFE, AND HIS STRUGGLE TO GET EVERYTHING BACK.
A new baby, a loving wife, a solid career, a dream house in Beverly Hills: Dr. Bobby Flopkowski has it all. Until a complicated series of events snowball into a disaster that changes the course of his life forever. Now, with a tent on the beach as his only home and an addiction that has cut him off from everyone he once loved, Bobby has a revelation that could put him back on track: he believes he has solved the puzzling crime that led to his downfall. But as the reality he’s always known slips farther away, will he be able to convince someone—anyone—that his suspicions aren’t merely the pleas of a desperate man?


I finally completed a book.  I would only recommend to YA fans

For those interested in what to read from Kate Morton. 

My poll says to start with:

1. Forgotten Garden (7 bloggers)
2. Secret Keeper (6 bloggers)
3. House of Riverton (2 bloggers)
4. Distant Hourse (1 blogger)

I do not know what is next, I'm just excited to be reading something great, finally.



 

Review - The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

Book Summary from Amazon

Violet Ambrose is grappling with two major issues: Jay Heaton and her morbid secret ability. While the sixteen-year-old is confused by her new feelings for her best friend since childhood, she is more disturbed by her "power" to sense dead bodies—or at least those that have been murdered. Since she was a little girl, she has felt the echoes the dead leave behind in the world . . . and the imprints that attach to their killers.

Violet has never considered her strange talent to be a gift; it mostly just led her to find dead birds her cat left for her. But now that a serial killer is terrorizing her small town, and the echoes of the local girls he's claimed haunt her daily, Violet realizes she might be the only person who can stop him.
Despite his fierce protectiveness over her, Jay reluctantly agrees to help Violet find the murderer—and Violet is unnerved by her hope that Jay's intentions are much more than friendly. But even as she's falling intensely in love, Violet is getting closer and closer to discovering a killer . . . and becoming his prey herself.

My Review - 3

I am very disappointed that my expectations were not met.  I will not be continuing this series.  This book has been on my TBR list for awhile and when I saw the kindle version on sale last year I went for it.  The first chapter I just knew I was in for a treat SMACK - reality, this is a true YA book.

I have to be honest YA is not my cup of tea but most thrillers I love in any genre, this to me was not a thriller but I would highly recommend to the YA genre fans.  Young love, finding themselves and each other, high school stuff, blah blah, sigh, the normal YA expectation.

There were a few chapters from the mind of the serial killer.  I enjoy this style so thought it was good and added another layer to the story. 

The thriller was the minor story and just never got my heart racing enough to care.  I actually considered it being a do not finish read but completed it because the writing is good and overall probably an amazing YA read when competing with others.  This is not for the suspense fans like me.

Sentence teasers to share......

They were bodies at peace.  Ripped from this world before their time, but laid to rest by those who loved them most.  And they were in harmony.  47% on kindle

Her first thought was that there was a body nearby.  The intensity of it didn't speak to what it was so much as when it might have been left behind.  77% on kindle