Thursday, July 31, 2014

Review: The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty

Publisher: Amy Einhorn Books/Putnam
Publishing Date: April 13th, 2013
Genre: Adult Contemporary, Mystery
Pages: 394 pgs
ISBN: 9780399159343
Source: Borrowed from the Library



Summary from Goodreads:
At the heart of The Husband’s Secret is a letter that’s not meant to be read

My darling Cecilia, if you’re reading this, then I’ve died...


Imagine that your husband wrote you a letter, to be opened after his death. Imagine, too, that the letter contains his deepest, darkest secret—something with the potential to destroy not just the life you built together, but the lives of others as well. Imagine, then, that you stumble across that letter while your husband is still very much alive. . . .
Cecilia Fitzpatrick has achieved it all—she’s an incredibly successful businesswoman, a pillar of her small community, and a devoted wife and mother. Her life is as orderly and spotless as her home. But that letter is about to change everything, and not just for her: Rachel and Tess barely know Cecilia—or each other—but they too are about to feel the earth-shattering repercussions of her husband’s secret.

Acclaimed author Liane Moriarty has written a gripping, thought-provoking novel about how well it is really possible to know our spouses—and, ultimately, ourselves.

My Review:

What Alice Forgot was a book I really enjoyed and this book has been getting a lot of good hype. I have to say that this book lived up to the hype. I both listened to this book and read this book. While I was in the car I listened to it and when I was at home I read the book. I found that I was so hooked to the story I couldn't wait to be in the car to listen to it. I also found myself staying in the car a few extra minutes to finish listening to the book. It was that addictive. 
The novel starts off with a prologue about Pandora's box. It basically makes you think about the human nature to be curious and to want to know what they shouldn't. It really sets the tone of the story which is told in the perspective of three women. The first woman is Cecilia, a super organized successful mother and wife. She finds a letter tucked away in a box in the attic; the letter is written by her husband with the express directions to only open in the case of his death. She hems and haws over whether or not she should open it. In all honesty I don't know how she holds out for so long. I am the nosiest person alive and I would have a hard time holding off from opening up something like that. Who am I kidding? I'd rip that puppy open after maybe a minute or two of deliberation. We all know the thing about Pandora's box is that while you may find something good in this box, inevitably something bad comes with it too. I don't think I need to tell you that the mystery of the book lies in Cecilia's letter. 
The second woman in the book is Tess. She has just moved back in with her mother because her husband has announced that he is in love with her cousin. Tess has a small boy and her storyline focuses on how the affair has affected her. One side affect Tess's heartbreak is a slight interest in her ex boyfriend. I really liked this character. Even though she was handed a tough break, she remains strong and doesn't allow her husband and her husband to step all over her. She also has a little sass in her.
The third woman in the story is Rachel, an older woman who has a great relationship with her grandson. She has been dealing with something for a long time, the death of her teenage daughter. 
All these stories end up weaving together to create a beautifully written book. When you pick up this novel be prepared with a good chunk of time to dedicate to it. You will not want to put this down at all. If you are listening to the audio version of this book you will enjoy the Australian narrator. It's enchanting and you'll find yourself looking for reasons to drive somewhere so you are able to listen to it. 
Also can we please discuss the cover appeal? I love the look of the flower in the midst of being destroyed. It's a great photo and I would buy this book on the cover alone. Overall I think it's safe to say that I quite enjoyed the quick paced, curiosity filled novel. Go out and get this book as soon as you can!                                                                                                                                

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

W.o.W: Virgin by Radhika Sanghani

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and it is a weekly feature where bloggers share what they are excited to read next.  Here is my pick this week:  


Publisher: Berkley Trade
Publishing Date: August 5th, 2014
Genre: Adult Contemporary
Pages:  304 pgs
ISBN: 9780425276310

Summary from Goodreads:
Okay, I admit it…I didn’t do it.

Yet.

This is normal, right?  I mean, just because everyone I know has talked like they’ve already done it doesn’t mean that they’re telling the truth…right?

It’s not like I’m asking for that much. I don’t need the perfect guy. I don’t need candlelight or roses. Honestly, I don’t even need a real bed.

The guys I know complain that girls are always looking for Mr. Right—do I have to wear a sign that says I’m only looking for Mr. Right Now?

Sooooo…anyone out there want sex? Anyone? Hello? Just for fun?

I am not going to die a virgin. One way or another I am going to make this happen.

Hey, what have I got to lose? Besides the obvious. 

 This is my pick for the week. I've heard some great things about it already and I'm looking forward to finding out more.

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Top Ten Tuesday: Most Owned Authors

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This week's edition is the top ten authors I own the most books from.  Here are mine: 

Well this one comes in first with 26 books. I went on a huge Patterson kick a few years ago and read everything I could get my hand on. I haven't read anything by him in a while but I own quite a few of his books still.

This makes sense. I own 20 books from Picoult. She is one of my favourite authors and on my auto-buy list. I know some people say her writing is prescriptive but I love it.

Another fave! Who doesn't love Kinsella. If you're not aware she also writes under the name Madeleine Wickham so I couldn't those as well. Her new book Shopaholic to the Stars comes out soon.

I quite enjoy a good murder mystery and Gardiner is the queen of thrillers. I will always read her novels.

I went to Prince Edward Island for the last two years and while there I always pick up a L.M Montgomery book or two or six.

Love Kelley Armstrong! I have a lot of her novels adult and YA.

I think I would say Atwood is my favourite author of all time. Her stuff is so well written and always makes you think.

Sarah Dessen is the epitome of YA contemporaries. I still have to read quite a few of these but I own a lot!

Another fave. Marian Keyes writes women's fiction that is thought provoking but hilarious at the same time.

Okay, this is what I call mind candy. It's not particularly good but it's addictive like candy. You can't just read one. 


 Well those are my top authors. I'm looking forward to seeing all of yours. 

Happy Reading! 

 

Friday, July 25, 2014

Book Haul Partie Deux!

Here we go with partie deux of my book haul. Hope you enjoy! 

Happy Reading! 

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Book Haul

Well, I know it's not Saturday or Sunday but I am breaking convention here and posting my book haul. I will be doing this in two parts so this is part one. I have tried vlogging again so please let me know what you think.  Part Deux will be up later in the week. 

Happy Reading! 

 

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Review: Landline by Rainbow Rowell

Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publishing Date: July 8th, 2014
Genre: Adult Contemporary
Pages: 310 pgs
ISBN: 9781250049377
Source: Borrowed from fellow blogger, Kim



Summary from Goodreads:
Georgie McCool knows her marriage is in trouble. That it’s been in trouble for a long time. She still loves her husband, Neal, and Neal still loves her, deeply — but that almost seems besides the point now.

Maybe that was always besides the point.

Two days before they’re supposed to visit Neal’s family in Omaha for Christmas, Georgie tells Neal that she can’t go. She’s a TV writer, and something’s come up on her show; she has to stay in Los Angeles. She knows that Neal will be upset with her — Neal is always a little upset with Georgie — but she doesn’t expect to him to pack up the kids and go home without her.

When her husband and the kids leave for the airport, Georgie wonders if she’s finally done it. If she’s ruined everything.

That night, Georgie discovers a way to communicate with Neal in the past. It’s not time travel, not exactly, but she feels like she’s been given an opportunity to fix her marriage before it starts . . .

Is that what she’s supposed to do?

Or would Georgie and Neal be better off if their marriage never happened?


My Review: 

I think that Rainbow Rowell is one of my new favourites. I have read all her novels and I have to say I have enjoyed them all. I'll admit to Fangirl not being my fave but the rest I have greatly enjoyed. This book is no exception.
First of all, how could you not like a book with a main character named Georgie McCool? This character is the epitome of independent woman. Her life is in a bit of a shamble when we first meet her. She is skipping out on her family's Christmas trip to Omaha in order to work. She works with her best friend, who just happens to be a guy who used to be someone she crushed on. For obvious reasons, this pisses off her husband Neal and he decides to take their children to Omaha anyhow. Georgie is by herself and this gives her time to evaluate her life. While all of this is going on she comes across a magical phone that allows her to speak to her husband in Omaha. Why is this magical you ask? Well she is speaking to Neal of the past, Neal from the 90s before they got married.
This book read really easily and I finished within 24 hours. This is the perfect beach read. You'll want to be reading this while sprawled out on a towel enjoying the sunshine. It's fun while still making you question a few things.
For example, are our lives predestined by fate? How much control do we have over where our lives take us? Also, how do our actions affect our future? The smallest thing can set in motion a whole set of events.
I also think that it makes you think about life/work balance. How much ambition is too much? I have to admit to being a pretty independent woman. I have been on my own since I was 17 and sometimes it's hard to accept help from others, even my husband. In this way, I could relate to Georgie. She is very independent and she likes to work hard. This has caused some rifts in her marriage and it's up to her to fix them.
While I really enjoyed this novel, it is pretty light. I would have liked to see a little bit more character development and a little more interaction between Georgie and Neal. I'd say that's a pretty small gripe and Rowell is on my auto-buy list. Go out and get this for your cottage days/beach days.
  

Sunday, July 20, 2014

Life gets in the way.


Derek and I in Toronto
Well, it's been a long time since my last post. If I'm being honest, this year has been quite a fail in terms of the blog. It's not that I haven't been reading because I've been reading steadily. It's mostly because my life has been a bit of a shit show. I'm just now starting to pick some pieces back together.

Coral we made for the set.
About a year ago I posted about my struggles with fertility. Well, I'm still struggling with the same thing except it's been even more challenging. I was taking some hormones to help me out but as it turns out after quite a few months on them it turns out they weren't working. This devastated me. I have always grown up thinking I was going to have children. My jobs have been child-centric and I have never thought of a life without children. All that to say, I had a bit of a crisis of identity when I found out that not having children may be a life that I would lead. I have struggled with depression since my early 20s but I have been able to manage it without medication for quite some time now. This winter I had a very difficult time with my depression and a lot went to the wayside.

This is all sounding very grim but there is still some hope for my husband and I. We are at the IVF stage of the fertility process. This is quite expensive so we are taking some time to regroup and save up for the process. The Ontario government announced in April that it may fund one round of IVF but we are waiting to see what happens. We are trying to stay positive throughout this but at times it is difficult.


Baxter.   Showing off the costumes for the Little Mermaid
 I am starting to pull through the depression and that's why I decided to write this post. I will try my best to keep up with the reviews but at the same time this is a hobby for me. I will be posting when I am able to. I hope that you will continue to read my blog and enjoy it but just know that it may not be as frequent as other blogs are.
Spraying students with water guns.

There have been many positives this year too. I had a wonderful, grade 1 class, and helped put on our school musical of The Little Mermaid. I also spent some quality time with my husband on a little weekend trip in Toronto where we enjoyed some good eats and visited the aquarium. I've been to see Lady Antebellum, Tim Hicks and Sam Hunt and had beach days. Derek and I also adopted a very cute little puppy. So we are now parents to a very cute black lab/spaniel mix named Baxter. Another big help has been my friends. The blogging community is amazing and I am so glad that I have met some great ladies. We have had some laughter, minor debates about music and books and above all supported each other. Thank you for being there Ciara, Katie, Emilie, Katherine, Kim, Jess and Kathy.  I hope everyone is enjoying a lovely summer and thanks again for following.
Egg Drop, Beach Day with Ciara, Lady Antebellum

I wish you all happy reading!