Tackling the TBR list

How do you keep track of your TBR pile?

I use LibraryThing for tracking my TBR with notes on who recommended or where I heard about the book, won it etc.

Is your TBR mostly print or ebook?

I am now a 99% ebook reader.  I have actually decided to download the books still on my bookshelf that I still have interest in reading.


A book that has been on your TBR pile the longest

This is one I just need to download because I really want to read it.

A book you recently added to your TBR pile

I love books on mental illness, it is the mental heath career I never followed that draws me.

A book in your TBR with a beautiful cover

Hmmmm, I love thrillers and crime so a beautiful cover, this just didn't work for me. I have always loved this cover, I like artistic covers.

My Review

A book on your TBR that you never plan on reading

Don't throw books at me...... I read Hunger Games and have no interest in reading the others.  I was able to appreciate the hype but they are not for me.  I have loved the movies though.

My Review of Hunger Games 3 1/2 stars
My Review of the Movie 5 stars

An unpublished book on your TBR that you are excited about

Release date - May 17, 2016

I absolutely love the Forensics Instinct series, so to see this coming out EXCITED

Book summary

A serendipitous crossing of paths between two women leaves one of them dead and the other a fugitive— hiding behind one lie after another to escape a cold-blooded killer. 

A 16-year-old female gymnast’s dream of Olympic gold is shattered when the “supplement” she has been taking turns out to be a designer performance enhancing drug. 

Her trainer, Julie Forman, is furious at the people who victimized her star pupil, and goes on a personal crusade for the truth. That crusade is interrupted by a serendipitous crossing of paths between Julie and Lisa Barnes, a down-on-her-luck woman seeking a job. This chance meeting lands one of them six feet under and the other hiding behind one lie after another. 

In a twisting tale of medical research gone awry, bodies are piling up between Chicago, New Jersey and Vermont as a megalomaniacal genius will stop at nothing 

A book on your TBR that basically everyone's read but you

There have been to many mixed reviews of this one and bloggers saying similar to Gone Girl which I didn't enjoy so this is on my TBR list but I'm pretty sure I won't end up reading it.

A book on your TBR that everyone recommend to you

I can't wait to read this one.

A book on your TBR that you are dying to read

I love everything Lisa Genova, a favourite author, this is just a mood read for me but I can't wait to read it.

A book that you have crossed off your TBR list recently that you really loved

JT Ellison - a book from her Samantha Owens series which I love

My most recent Review

Fictionophile posted this on her blog, so I decided why not participate, I am in the mood today.

I would love to hear one of your responses to the Tackling the TBR list post in the comments.   And if you did the post, let me know.

Review - Edge of Black by JT Ellison

Book Summary

Dr. Samantha Owens is starting over: new city, new job, new man, new life. But before she's even unpacked her office at Georgetown University's forensic pathology department, she's called to consult on a case that's rocked the capital and the country. An unknown pathogen released into the Washington Metro has caused nationwide panic. Three people died—just three.

Amid the media frenzy and Homeland Security alarm bells, Sam painstakingly dissects the lives of those three victims and makes an unsettling conclusion. This is no textbook terrorist, but an assassin whose motive is deeply personal and far from understandable.

Xander Whitfield, a former army ranger and Sam's new boyfriend, knows about seeing the world in shades of gray. About feeling compelled to do the wrong thing for the right reasons. Only his disturbing kinship with a killer can lead Sam to the truth...and once more into the line of fire.

My Review - 4 1/2

I think JT Ellison has officially became my favourite investigative thriller author and to think the first book I read by her I wasn't impressed, so glad I tried again.  She gives me everything I want now.  The feeling of being on the edge and can't read fast enough to know how it will end.  Allowing the reader to be part of the investigation as clues are revealed.  Really great characters who you begin to connect with and look forward to seeing more of. There are always connections which highlights how small our world really is, I find this so true and exciting.

The Edge of Black is the 2nd book in the series of Dr. Samantha Owen, a Forensic Pathologist.  This book begins with an unknown environment attack in the Metro system and a student falls ill while Samantha is teaching.  They rush her to the hospital when all hell breaks loose, is this a terrorist attack.  Many are sick and in the hospital but only 3 die, how is this possible?  I enjoyed the investigation on finding out if the 3 are connected and how.  

We get to know unknown groups in the underworld, tech hackers, groups that many would consider cults and those that live the clean life, away from all.  Samantha's new lover, Xander, is one and he has his own way of helping the investigation.  Book 1 is about Samantha losing her family, helping to investigate a murder of a friend and meeting Xander.

This book is told from the voices of Samantha, Xander and an old friend Detective Darren Fletcher, they are not officially a team and always banter with who is in charge and who and when should they reveal delicate information for the investigation but also their own safety.   I liked that this book felt like it could happen today which is quite scary.  I think we would be amazed at how many people are out to damage the government in any way possible and how many are ready to try to continue living when the world is vulnerable and possibly ending. 

We first met Samantha in the Taylor series by JT Ellison but I love these one's a little more.  I would start with A Deeper Darkness.  I highly recommend this to fans of thrillers, crime/police procedural and suspense fans. Also those that used to love Patricia Cornwell, give this series a try.  A 5 star series, I need to read book 4, I don't know how I read out of order.

Samantha Owen Series for JT Ellison

A Deeper Darkness (Book 1) I didn't review 4 1/2 stars

Edge of Black (Book 2)

When Shadows Fall (Book 3 ) My Review 5 star  (I read out of order)

What Lies Beyond (Book 4)

It's Monday What Are Your Reading?

Book Date now hosts It's Monday What Are Your Reading?  The meme that we use to share what we read this past week and what our plans are for the upcoming week.  It's a great way to see what others are reading and add to your own To Be Read List.

I'm currently reading

The movie will be out in September.

I completed but need to review.  I love JT Elllison

I completed and reviewed

Book club read - Boys in the Boat, I couldn't into it, but thanks to you guys I was able to tell one of the ladies to listen to it and she loved the audio book.

This one is starting to speak to me, it might just be my next read

Movie Trailer - Have you read Peregrines Home for Peculiar Children?

I have had this book forever, also bought it instead of downloading on Kindle due to the pictures included, what a very cool hardback book.

I saw the trailer yesterday and it made me pick it up, so I started it today.

Have you read it, did you enjoy it?  Are you looking forward to the movie?  Does the trailer get you excited?

My daughter has been sick since Wednesday night, she hasn't been able to enjoy any of the Easter festivities and there are a ton to choose from here in Bermuda.  Poor site, she has just been sleeping, not eating.  I have had the chance to read lots though.

Have a great week.

Review - The Visitor by Amanda Stevens

Release Date - March 29, 2016, next week - thanks to Netgalley for this read

Book Summary

Restoring lost and abandoned cemeteries is my profession, but I’m starting to believe that my true calling is deciphering the riddles of the dead. Legend has it that Kroll Cemetery is a puzzle no one has ever been able to solve. For over half a century, the answer has remained hidden within the strange headstone inscriptions and intricate engravings. Because uncovering the mystery of that tiny, remote graveyard may come at a terrible price.

Years after their mass death, Ezra Kroll’s disciples lie unquiet, their tormented souls trapped within the walls of Kroll Cemetery, waiting to be released by someone strong and clever enough to solve the puzzle. For whatever reason, I’m being summoned to that graveyard by both the living and the dead. Every lead I follow, every clue I unravel brings me closer to an unlikely killer and to a destiny that will threaten my sanity and a future with my love, John Devlin.

The Visitor - Book 4 of the Graveyard Queen Series 

My Review - 3

This has been one of my favourite series but I wasn't able to connect with this one.  I have been thinking about it for a week and I think the fact that it has been four years since the last may be the issue. It still has the eerie atmospheric feel that keeps you reading but I found it took to long to get to the mystery.

The other books in the series were perfectly executed into each other but I felt Amanda Stevens had to give back story to really have you remember even from the beginning regarding the rules Amelia's dad taught her to stay safe.

Something very strange was happening to and around me.  I recognized a supernatural manipulation as surely as I could sense the icy chill of a ghostly presence..... The intrusion from beyond both angered and frightened me, but I couldn't deny a certain fascination.  Kindle 31%

I have been patiently waiting to read more about Amelia and Devlin's relationship and what the connection was but again the carrot was dangled and this was one of the main background stories with a anticlimactic ending, enough to make me want to read the next one, I won't give up on the series.

I was on the fence also with this one as Amelia seemed very scared, unsure of her gift and at times herself.   She has been given a puzzle to solve and there are those that want to keep her out of it.  Is it the dead or individuals she has come in contact with for her next job.  Amelia has a new gift that she needs to understand and except which adds to the eerie feeling and is visible frightened.

Death walkers are those rare individuals who have the ability to help souls pass from this world to the next.  They serve a unique and powerful purpose in the circle of life.  Kindle 37%

I do like that there are additional family connections for Amelia to learn about.  She has also been able to tap into Devlin's history, this was intriguing but a little weird, the point in a relationship where you may want that skill but also know it is wrong.

Out of all the books in this series, this has been the most odd one, mysterious but not as engaging, it may just not have been what I expected.  The Sinner, book 5 is out in September, I do look forward to that one, I need closure with this series now.  Amelia also felt she didn't quite understand her role in this book which may be why I was a little put off, it didn't grip me like the others.

From the prequel to Book 2, amazing series, book 3 and book 4 have been ok for me.  I wished they continued on with the covers though, they were stunning.

See below for my reviews if interested.  It was also an honour to have Amanda Stevens give an interview here at Tea Time with Marce, have a read if you have enjoyed her Graveyard Queen series.

My Reviews

 

The Abandoned  Prequel

The Restorer Book 1

The Kingdom Book 2

 The Prophet Book 3

Interview with Amanda Stevens

Teaser Tuesday - Dancing on Broken Glass by Ka Hancock

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Books And A Beat.

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My teaser is from a book I read last year. - My Review 4 1/2 stars

Tears filled my eyes again.  If I couldn't leave him our baby, then what had I been doing all this for?  The very thing he was pushing away was the only thing I had to leave him. 

Kindle 73%

Have a great week

It's Monday, What are you reading?

Book Date now hosts It's Monday What Are Your Reading?  The meme that we use to share what we read this past week and what our plans are for the upcoming week.  It's a great way to see what others are reading and add to your own To Be Read List.


I'm currently trying to read 2 books.  I never do this but the book club choice I'm not in the mood for right now. 

1) A netgalley read, The Visitor from a series, Graveyard Queen I love

Reviews of the others

2) The book club choice

I tried this one years ago and I just couldn't get through it.  I watched the movie for the first time, great movie.........

Author LS Hawker emailed me after I reviewed her book and agreed to Skype with my book club in April.  How exciting.

My Review - 4 1/2 stars

With 2 books going on I don't want to think about what is next or it will derail my reading.

Enjoy your week