Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis

I first saw family friends recommending this book on Facebook, and thought I would check it out. It took quite a while for my hold to come in! It's the number one requested book on interlibrary loan this year!

I almost didn't finish it, but then I applied one of the lessons of the book, and made myself finish it.

I'm glad I did. 

I know some people have issues with it, but in my opinion, the good outweighs the bad. While sometimes self-indulgent and a bit ignorant, the spirit of the book is nothing to scoff at. And the helpful tools Rachel provides at the end of each chapter are easy to understand and implement. Each chapter begins with a Lie that women often tell themselves, and it ends with list of "Things That Helped Me...". The tools and mantras that Rachel learned from therapy and life experience are shared in simple ways to understand and appreciate. I've already used some, and it's been wonderful: 

1. making and keeping promises to myself. Just as I wouldn't break a promise to a friend, I shouldn't break a promise to myself.

2. each day, schedule and set a 5 minute timer, to think about your trauma, stressful situation, etc. It seems to have been a relief to her to know that she could think about it later in the day, rather than obsess over it throughout the day.

3. hustle for joy. work hard for the fun moments, just as hard as you do anything else.

4. priorities. make a list and decide what is important to you.

goodreads

220 pages

The Librarian and the Spy by Susan Mann

Summary: "Adventure-hungry Quinn Ellington solves mundane mysteries for library patrons while indulging her taste for intrigue with her favorite spy novels. But her latest research project entangles her in a mission to decode the whereabouts of a weapons cache from a priceless work of art before arms dealers beat her to it. Her adventure is filled with fast cars, stolen treasures, international intrigue, and a budding romance with suave, handsome "insurance" agent James Lockwood. Daring rescues and intense covert flirting ensue."

This book was a pleasant surprise! :) I ridiculously enjoyed the library references and mentions. I don't think I've ever read a book that mentioned Worldcat before. The romance was sweet, but fairly tame. 

But now it's convinced me that I would be a GREAT spy ;)

MOBIUS | goodreads

327 pages

Long Way Home by Katie McGarry

Another cozy and comforting re-read. Who knew that MC fiction could be so homey? I love how strong the bonds between the characters are; it's refreshing. 

Honestly, I can't get enough of this series. I guess I'll have to the re-read Pushing the Limits series next!

(I'm in a bit a reading rut, but it sure doesn't feel like it.) 


408 pages

Nowhere but Here by Katie McGarry

It's hard to believe that I first read this book back in 2015! I loved it even more the second time. Re-reading it was such a comfort, like curling up with a warm, fuzzy blanket. 

Diving into this world makes my real-world problems fade away. 

494 pages

Everland by Wendy Spinale

Summary: "London is a ruin, destroyed by German bombs, ravaged by the Horologia virus, and ruled by the ruthless Captain Hanz Otto Oswald Kretschmer, whose Marauders search for and seize the children who are immune to the virus in the hope that their blood will produce a cure--their latest victim is sixteen-year-old Gwen Darling's younger sister and Gwen will do anything to get her back, even join up with Pete and his gang of Lost Boys living in a city hidden underground."

I found this book on one of our staff book swaps, and I am indebted to the person who left it there! :)

I LOVE Peter Pan, especially the Disney version. Everland did a fun and interesting job of retelling the Peter Pan story in a steampunk, post-apocalyptic way. I loved the little Easter eggs and nods to the Peter Pan story. I adored the characterization of Pete, as I could easily picture his attitude and reactions. Some of the story-telling became a little convoluted, and I think there was some missed opportunities toward the end of the book. I very much wanted Wendy/Gwen to walk the plank and for Peter/Pete to save her! 

312 pages

Between Frost and Fury by Chani Lynn Feener

Sequel to Amid Stars and Darkness

Between Frost and Fury by Chani Lynn Feener

Summary: "Delaney finds herself kidnapped by aliens, at the center of a tense political battle between two alien kingdoms, and the attention of Trystan's romantic attentions. Just another day in the life of an ordinary human girl."

Well, darn. I had such high hopes for this sequel, but it didn't quite deliver. I wanted more drama, more intrigue, way more action and more well-loved tropes. I need Trystan to be more extreme, one way or the other. 

I'll definitely read the next one though!

360 pages

The Siren by Kiera Cass

Summary: "Forced to work as a Siren and lure strangers to their deaths after being rescued from drowning by the Ocean, Kahlen falls in love with a human and defies the rules of her service in order to follow her heart."

I love the cover! And I love the love in this book. It's refreshing and touches my heart. 

Some of the story dragged at times, and I ultimately wanted more time between Kahlen (love the name!) and her true love. They were oooey-gooey sweet together, and I just wanted (NEEDED) more of the good stuff between them. 

327 pages

Daughter of the Siren Queen by Tricia Levenseller

Sequel to Daughter of the Pirate King

Summary: "Alosa is the daughter of the Siren Queen, and her mission is finally complete. Not only has she recovered all three pieces of the map to a legendary hidden treasure, but the pirates who originally took her captive are now prisoners on her ship. Still unfairly attractive and unexpectedly loyal, first mate Riden is a constant distraction, but now he's under her orders. Now Alosa and her crew are in a deadly race with Vordan, the pirate king, to find the treasure."

Well, I liked this book, but I wish it was just...more. It felt like the author didn't know where to take the story. In the first book, there was a stronger focus and purpose to everything that happened. In this book, plot-lines seems random and unfulfilled. I still enjoyed Alosa, Riden and the other characters as well as the female pirates and sirens. The sirens were ultimately underused and underappreciated - I wanted so much more from them! 

341 pages

Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness by Susannah Cahalan

Summary: "The story of twenty-four-year-old Susannah Cahalan and the life-saving discovery of the autoimmune disorder that nearly killed her -- and that could perhaps be the root of "demonic possessions" throughout history."

Even though the movie is now available on Netflix, I would highly recommend reading the book first! Once I started reading, I couldn't put this book down. The story was gripping. 

Susannah is a great writer, and she is extremely brave to write with such honesty and truth. Her experience with the medical system (doctors, hospitals, endless tests, lack of answers, medical bills), is relatable to us all. 

Through her story, she also does an excellent job of explaining the mysteries of the brain: how it's structured, how it works, what happens when it "breaks," etc. 

I hope that every doctor, especially neurologists, read this! 

264 pages

The Wicked Deep by Shea Ernshaw

Summary: "Two centuries ago, in the town of Sparrow, three sisters were sentenced to death for witchery. Stones were tied to their ankles and they were drowned in the deep waters surrounding the town. For a brief time each summer the sisters return, stealing the bodies of three girls so that they may seek their revenge, luring boys into the harbor and pulling them under. Penny Talbot has accepted the fate of the town. But on the eve of the sisters' return a boy named Bo Carter arrives, unaware of the danger he has just stumbled into. Now Penny will be forced to choose: save Bo, or save herself."

Wow, wow, wow! This book is creepy, haunting and wonderful. Loved it!

310 pages

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Summary: "Aria and Perry, two teens from radically different societies--one highly advanced, the other primitive--hate being dependent on one another until they overcome their prejudices..."

I took my time with this book, and I ended up really loving it. The end really takes off and actually left me shocked in some places.

There were a few rushed moments, which led to frustration and confusion. It was like the author wanted to write much more, but the editor struck out large sections. 

On to the next one! 

376 pages

Sky in the Deep by Adrienne Young

I LOVED THIS BOOK! Definitely a favorite from 2018 so far. It's one of those where you can't put it down, but you force yourself to read a bit slowly so that you can savor it as long as you can. 

I have no more words, so I'll just point you to Becky's review. 

340 pages

Hiding Lies (Eleanor Ames #2) by Julie Cross

Summary: "Eleanor Ames has never been what she seems. Average high school student on the outside, but reformed con artist trying to break free of her past on the inside. When Eleanor receives startling news about someone from her previous criminal life, plans for a new operation coinciding with her school's upcoming field trip quickly consume her. But operations rarely go according to plan. And this is one her irresistible teen FBI agent boyfriend, Miles, would never approve of."

What.happened.to.Ellie.

Ellie seemed to have lost her wit, spunk and personality between the first book and this one. Unlike my experience reading the first book, I don't think I laughed once! Most of what I enjoyed from the first book was missing from this one: no high school antics, no Harper, no Aidan, minimal Miles. The plot was convoluted, confusing and unresolved. I had to force myself to finish it. Disappointing! :( T

295 pages

My Not So Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella

Summary: "When Katie Brenner is fired from her dream job in advertising in London...she is forced to rethink her revenge fantasies and her assumptions about family, love, and office politics and realize how much she may have misjudged everyone--and everything--around her."

Well, I picked up this Sophie Kinsella novel because I was in desperate need of a laugh, and her novels always deliver giggles and random bursts of laughter in public. BUT, this was not the case in this instance. I enjoyed the story and the message, but I hardly ever laughed, which was such a disappointment. :(

438 pages

Love, Life, and the List by Kasie West

Summary: "Seventeen-year-old Abby Turner’s summer isn’t going the way she’d planned. She has a not-so-secret but definitely unrequited crush on her best friend, Cooper. She hasn’t been able to manage her mother’s growing issues with anxiety. And now she’s been rejected from an art show because her work “has no heart.” So when she gets another opportunity to show her paintings Abby isn’t going to take any chances.

Which is where the list comes in.

Abby gives herself one month to do ten things, ranging from face a fear (#3) to learn a stranger’s story (#5) to fall in love (#8). She knows that if she can complete the list she’ll become the kind of artist she’s always dreamed of being. But as the deadline approaches, Abby realizes that getting through the list isn’t as straightforward as it seems… and that maybe—just maybe—she can’t change her art if she isn’t first willing to change herself."

Kasie West's latest book was the perfect vacation read, as usual! I laughed out loud multiple times, Abby is quite the witty MC. I loved every minute of reading this book :) 

384 pages

Breaking the Ice (Juniper Falls #2) by Julie Cross

Summary: "Haley Stevenson seems like she’s got it all together: cheer captain, “Princess” of Juniper Falls, and voted Most Likely to Get Things Done. But below the surface, she’s struggling with a less-than-stellar GPA and still reeling from the loss of her first love. Repeating her Civics class during summer school is her chance to Get Things Done, not angst over boys. In fact, she’s sworn them off completely until college.

Fletcher Scott is happy to keep a low profile around Juniper Falls. He’s always been the invisible guy, warming the bench on the hockey team and moonlighting at a job that would make his grandma blush. Suddenly, though, he’s finding he wants more: more time on the ice, and more time with his infuriatingly perfect summer-school study partner. 

But leave it to a girl who requires perfection to shake up a boy who’s ready to break all the rules."

I adored this second novel in the Juniper Falls series. Haley and Fletcher are well-rounded characters, with believable flaws and natural character development. Their romance is slow but still sizzling. 

 341 pages

To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo

Summary: "Princess Lira is siren royalty and the most lethal of them all. With the hearts of seventeen princes in her collection, she is revered across the sea. Until a twist of fate forces her to kill one of her own. To punish her daughter, the Sea Queen transforms Lira into the one thing they loathe most—a human. Robbed of her song, Lira has until the winter solstice to deliver Prince Elian’s heart to the Sea Queen or remain a human forever."

Whew, this book was quite a ride! It started off a little slow for me, but then it picked up the pace. I adored Lira's spirit and her interactions with Elian. I also appreciated that the author didn't shy away from the violence and brutality associated with sirens and the Sea Queen. 

Even though some of the plot and pacing is a little off at times, this is a wonderful story overall. I would love to see more siren stories in the future! 

P.S. There are pirates in this one! Wildcard!

342 pages

Obsidio (Illuminae #3) by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

The final installment of the wonderful and terrible Illuminae Files series! 

Illuminae is one of the most interesting books I've ever read, and it definitely had a huge impact on me. Because of this strong impact, I was less than impressed by Obsidio. I think my expectations were too high, but nothing truly unique happens in Obsidio. I found myself bored...which is an unusual feeling for this series. However, I still very much enjoyed the characters and format of the story!

I would highly recommend the entire series to anyone and everyone! 

“Live a life worth dying for.” 

613 pages

Black Widow: S.H.I.E.L.D's Most Wanted by Mark Waid & Chris Samnee

Summary: "The Black Widow goes on the lam, hunting for the Weeping Lion, and finding herself on a collision course with the Invincible Iron Man."

The art of Chris Samnee is awesome in this Black Widow comic. He and Mark Waid truly capture who Natasha was, is and is trying to be. he art is fantastic (they draw her so well!), but the story could be a bit stronger. 

I can't wait for the next installment!

136 pages

Say You'll Remember Me by Katie McGarry

Summary: "Drix and Elle come from different backgrounds and different worlds. He was convicted of a crime he didn't commit; she's the governor's daughter. They try to find what connects them and break past the odds to, maybe, be together while finding their own independence from their pasts and their families' expectations."

Love, love, loved this! Say You'll Remember Me just might be my favorite Katie McGarry book thus far. The story and characters are mature, emotional and intriguing all the way through. I hope she keeps writing books like this for many years to come.  

452 pages