If you remember I signed up for TWO book challenges this summer, see the lists here and here. I may have bitten off more than I could chew but I really like getting some books off my to-read list that has been growing a little too long lately.
Hopefully you find a book or two you want to read too. Just remember books that connect with me may not connect with you and that is okay, as long as you are reading!
My rating system:
Five Stars: Blew me away, made me want to stay up till 3am to finish, would read again and again or I didn’t find anything I would want to change.
Four Stars: Really good book, fast paced or thought provoking, but may have dragged a bit or left something unresolved
Three Stars: Okay, didn’t thrill me but didn’t disappoint me either.
Two Stars: I almost didn’t finish, it may have irritated or offended me in some way.
** – Item was received from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I pull no punches though, so you get all my opinions good or bad.
NOTE: I may not care for a book or I may love a book and my reactions are based on my experiences and tastes. Please don’t let my opinions deter you if a book really intrigues you, and know all opinions are my own.
The Promise of Stardust – I don’t want to give anything away because I want you to read this book and fully experience it. It is the story of a boy who fell in love with the girl next door. He has to make the ultimate call when his pregnant wife has a tragic accident, save his unborn baby or end his wife’s life who never wanted to be on life support. Such a hard decision, and you get so many points of view. It makes you think, moves you, and at times led me to tears. Beautifully written.
Wonder – August “Auggie” Pullman was born with a facial deformity, he is used to people expressing their shock when they see him. For that reason he has been home schooled and he doesn’t want to go to public school. His tale is heart breaking, disturbing but also witty and funny. You see the story through his eyes as well as his sister, his sisters boyfriend, and his friends. It gives you perspective that not everyone is perfect and everyone can be redeemed and forgiven. The heart of Auggie will blow you away. A must read!
The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry – A.J Fikry is an eccentric man who has isolated himself from everyone after losing his wife, and after a drunken night his very rare Poe book is stolen. He may be miserable but he does find happiness in books, even if he is a literary snob. A police officer Lambiase, is his only friend, and his sister-in-law Ismay are the only ones keeping him going. One night changes everything, and he gets to start over. The town begins to notice the changes, and soon he is hosting book clubs. As a book lover I could relate to this book in so many ways, thought similarly to A.J at times. There was a depth to each character and and I sped through this book wanted to know what happened next.
The Sea of Tranquility – Nastya writes in her journal and runs for miles just to quiet her mind, after a horrific event left her hand crushed and her soul even more so. She ends up at the end of the driveway of Josh who she feels drawn too, maybe because he is just as damaged as she feels. She hasn’t talked to anyone in over a year but she wants to talk to him. Josh has lost just about everyone in his life, his parents, sister, grandmother and now his grandfather is barely hanging on. Neither wants to get attached but they find a way to slowly build their lives again. The stories surrounding each is heartbreaking and sad. A few times I felt the story moved slowly but I loved the characters and it was very well written.
** Faking Perfect – Lexi has a deal with bad boy Tyler even though she has been crushing on Ben, the smart jock. Tyler knows about her alcoholic mother, and understands her relationship with her best friend whose family took her into their home when her Mom is too drunk. Ben begins to show interest and her relationship with Tyler is threatened. Problem is someone what you always wanted isn’t what you need.
Falling for the Marine – If it wasn’t for being handcuffed to her bed Chloe would have run from embarrassment from the sexy neighbor who came to her rescue. When he shows up at her work the next day it’s all business since Michael needs her skills as a Massage Therapist to get back into his helicopter. After being caught in a compromising position they help each other out but in order to do that they need to fake an engagement. Trouble is, feelings can’t be faked. Great chemistry, and I’ll read the next book in the series.
** Eeny Meeny – Waking up in a room, disoriented with one other person a gun and a cell phone is never a good sign. They are given the ultimatum it’s you or them but only one is making it out alive. Stranded and starved for weeks they must decide. Detective Inspector Helen Grace speaks with the surviving victim to try and get clues to who is playing this game. When more pairs are abducted the victims seem unrelated and she will have to piece it all together. Darkly twisted, fast paced, and gripping read. A thrilling mystery, I didn’t figure out the ending until the very end, looking forward to more from this series.
** Risk It – Dani cons the stodgy Rand Sterling Winston IV into buying one of her friends painting, buy then he requests that she hand delivers it. He tracks her down and proposes a no strings affair. See my full review here.
** Safe Distance – This was a debut book from the author and a good first showing. Haylee and Ryan met and both said they are not relationship material but agreed to be friends. Ryan was being deployed soon but they really got to know each other after he left through the letters they wrote. The story was heartbreaking in that there was a lot of tragedy, but the romance was good.
** Never Loved – The premise of the book sounded so good and I tried really hard to like it. I even got up to 68% complete, but I really was annoyed for most of it. There is barely any dialogue it is just the rambling inner thoughts of the female character named Bea, the male lead Serge was a nice change but we didn’t get to know much about him. Such a frustrating read.
What books have you read this month?
Will you add any of these books to your list?
Linking up with Steph and Jana for this months reads.
I fee like with the stardust book you just end up going back and forth with your own feelings a lot too!! Great books girl! xo, Biana
Yes, totally went back and forth. It is such a sad time and to go through all those emotions I can’t imagine!
wonder and fikry are 2 of the best books i’ve read this year (martian is #1).
So good, Martian is on my list once my challenges are done! I am on book overload.
All of your 5 stars on my TBR list! now I just need to get to them! I am also doing 2 book challenges and I’m definitely feeling challenged.
Ohhh you will like them I think. So good. It does put the pressure on but I love all the books on my list so I am enjoying it.
Wonder sounds like a book I’d want to read. Going to add it to the list immediately!!
It was so wonderfully written and made you feel and think. So good. I heard a movie is coming too so get reading! 😉
Every time someone likes AJ Fickry as much as I did it makes me happy!!
What was not to like a book shop on an island with awesome characters?! Total win!
I read Eeeny Meeny and wasn’t really thrilled with it at all. It left me feeling depressed. lol. I really enjoyed Faking Perfect tho. It was kind of fun. AJ Fickery is on my “to read” list. So many people seem to love it
Haha! I can see how that can happen it is a darker sort of book. I think Faking Perfect was a good YA book, you really started to like Tyler by the end. I think all book lovers should read AJ Fikry, I wanted to own his shop.
I loved The Promise of Stardust, Sea of Tranquility and Fikry.
Eeny Meeny sounds like a nightmare!
Those are some of my top books for the year. Eeny Meeny was very creepy but more so in the choices given to them. A good thriller/mystery.
Wow, those first two sound really intense! Adding to the TBR list 🙂
They were but in the best way a book should. I left with thoughts, feelings and totally moved.
Guess I NEED to read Promise of Stardust, Wonder and Sea of Tranquility. They have been making the circuit and getting great reviews.
I have seen a lot of people reading them and so far only good things to say about them. I totally recommend them.
Your top 3–YES to all of them. Read them all earlier this year/late last year and I highly recommend them all. I’m going to have to read more about Eeny Meeny. Sounds like my kind of book but if it’s too creepy, I may pass.
They were all so good. Eeny Meeny is creepy in that the choices were given to the people but it wasn’t overly gruesome. It was similar to the movie SAW but without the visuals. If that makes sense.
Wonder was definitely on my top ten list of books I’ve read so far this year. It was such a sweet story. I’m definitely intrigued by the Promise Of Stardust! Adding it to my list!
It was so sweet and I liked all the different perspectives. That one tugged at my heartstrings and really makes you question a lot, such a good story.
So many good ones this month! I’m really intrigued by them! I’m reading The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova right now.
Thank you. I think everyone should read Wonder and AJ Fikry is for book lovers. I haven’t heard of that one, are you liking it?
I’m so mad I’ve never read Wonder yet… I keep meaning to pick that up & never have done it yet.
Do it, and soon! Such a powerfully wonderful book. Tugs at every heartstring.
The Promise of Stardust, Sea of Tranquility and Wonder have all been on my list to read and I really need to get to them! I absolutely loved AJ Fikry! I am adding Risk it and Falling for the Marine to my to read list 🙂 I love book day!!!!!
You really should they are all so good. It really is the best day, so many books to add.
I’ve read Wonder and completely agree with your 5 star rating! The other 2 5-star books are also on my list!
I think it really should be a required read in high schools.
falling for the marine sounds interesting! i am so glad you loved all three of the books you rated 5 stars, i’m sad you didn’t love the sea of tranquility more lol
It was a good romance, light and fluffy. I think it was just a little too long which took away some of my love for it.
I read Fikry this month too, but didn’t totally love it. Wonder is so amazing. I just finished up on of it’s companion novels. I’ll read anything and everything about Auggie! I’m adding Promise of Stardust to my list!
The literary parts are heavy but I kinda loved that part, but i can see it being annoying too. Ohh a companion novel with more Auggie? Do tell.
I keep seeing Wonder and thinking I should read it. I’m going to add it to my “to read” list on Goodreads now.
It is so good, in a way that it gives so many different perspectives and reminds you not to judge a book by it’s cover.
I’ve seen so many great reviews about Stardust, but I am still not feeling the draw. Sometimes I’m weird. I adored Wonder & Fikry is on my to read list, as well as Sea of Tranquility. I love an honest review, so I might check out Eeny Meeny with the notion that I may be disappointed or I may like it a lot.
Haha! It is sad and I was worried about it but I think it was good. No worries if it isn’t intriguing you. I think Wonder and AJ Fikry is my favorites for the year. I liked Eeny Meeny, it is dark and twisted but I didn’t mind that so much. It is the first book in the series so it is a little open ended. Just keep an open mind.
As much as I don’t want to cry, I’m adding the Stardust book to my TBR because it sounds like a great read. Falling for the Marine is already on my TBR, so hopefully one day I’ll get around to reading it! Great reads this month!!
I think it really makes you think. Ohh will be interested to see what you think about it.
You know how I felt about Stardust… but I did love Wonder and Sea of Tranquility is on my list… AJ Fikry is on my list, too, but it’s so different from what I normally read that I’m hesitant but since everyone else loved it, I feel like I should give it a try!
Wonder was so good. I think being a book lover I loved AJ Fikry. He is eccentric and a little odd but I really liked how the story was told though there are a lot of literary references. Just keep an open mind.
I’m currently reading Sea of Tranquility. It does move slow but it s a good read. Thanks for recommending it. I read every few second i have even if it is only two pages at a time. At least I’m reading, right? lol
It is really good, and has good depth to it. As long as you are reading!!
Wonder has been on my list for a bit. Glad to see it had such a high rating from you!
You should bump it up to the top of the list, it was so good.
I’m happy to say that all of your 5-stars were already on my TBR list! I’m doing the Literary Ladies challenge, which is my first one ever. I can’t imagine trying to do two at once!
I think you’ll like them. Each was so good in their own way. It is tough because I also got a ton from NetGalley too that I need to read and review. It’s a balancing act but I love it too.
The Promise of Stardust was so heartwrenching. But so good!!!
It was so good. I couldn’t imagine having to make that kind of decision.
I was on the fence about reading The Promise of Stardust, but I think I will add it after reading your review. I keep seeing it pop up on people’s read lists. I just finished A Storied Life, and I liked it! It was a bit interesting to read a book, about books 🙂
It really is a touching book and make you think. Totally worth the read.
UMMM I’d buy “Risk It” just for the cover lol ‘Wonder’ sounds interesting. Putting it on my list but who knows when I’ll get to it
Haha! The covers are the best with romance books! 😉 Wonder is really a must read for everyone. It really reminds you never to judge someone for how they look. Like Mean Girls but better. I hear ya, my list is so long I might never get through it, fun trying though.