The Siberian American: Seven Books I Read in October

Monday, November 7, 2016

Seven Books I Read in October

How is it already time to share my books for October? Honestly, I had another blog post ready for today, and then I realized it’s time for the Show Us Your Books linkup. October was a weird reading month for me. I started out in a major reading slump. Nothing I read really worked until I switched to exclusively thrillers. One note: I have been thinking of categorizing my book reviews by how much I liked the book, like others do in this linkup. Would this be beneficial for anyone?


The Wonder by Emma Donoghue
(c/o NetGalley)
I really liked Room, so I decided The Wonder was worth a try. Lib, a nurse who trained under Florence Nightingale, is sent to Ireland to observe a young girl who has not eaten for four months. Is it a hoax, or is the girl really able to survive without eating? My problem with this book is it took me forever to get into it. I really liked the last fourth of the book but had a hard time getting there. It was a unique read, which I really appreciated, but I wish it took less time to set the story.


Last Seen Leaving by Caleb Roehrig
(c/o NetGalley)
In general, I liked this story of Flynn trying to figure out what happened to his girlfriend January after she went missing. This book is both a thriller and a coming of age story. I liked Flynn as a character, but I felt like the mystery was a bit formulaic and predictable. It was a decent read but not one I would go out of my way to recommend.


Siracusa by Delia Ephron
(c/o NetGalley)
I have mentioned it in the past, but I strongly believe that sometimes you read a book and don't really like it because of the frame of mind you are in at the time. I think that's what happened with Siracusa. I liked the writing, but most of the time I was really annoyed at the characters. The story did get better as it went on, but it never really wowed me.


You Will Know Me by Megan Abbott
(c/o NetGalley)
How far would you go to help your child excel? Devon is a child gymnastics prodigy, and her parents have devoted years to her success. Then, six weeks before her tryouts for Senior Elite, a tragedy occurs in the gym. I really enjoyed this book. I know how crazy the gymnastics world is, and this book explains it well. The thriller aspect was a bit weak at times, but I still really enjoyed it and read it in a day.


Baby Doll by Hollie Overton
(c/o NetGalley)
After eight years in captivity, Lily's kidnapper finally makes a mistake, and she escapes. This book is the aftermath of what happens-to Lily, her daughter, her twin sister Abby, her mother, and her kidnapper. It's suspenseful and emotional, and I couldn't put it down.


Beautiful Maids All in a Row by Jennifer Harlow
(c/o NetGalley)
I really liked this first book in a new detective series (though I think it works well as a stand alone). Iris is a unique character-an FBI agent who left the field after losing her husband at the hands of a serial killer. Two years later, a case makes her come back as a consultant. Then, the serial killer contacts Iris, and the story becomes even more interesting. This was a great thriller. It was interesting, with a few unique twists. I would definitely recommend it to those who love detective novels.


All These Perfect Strangers by Aoife Clifford
(c/o NetGalley)
This book surprised me. I saw quite a few negative reviews on GoodReads and thought I would hate it. There were definitely some problems: it was really a thriller and never felt suspenseful. I also wasn't a fan of the ending. That said, I thought it was a good character study. I mostly liked Pen, and the diary format worked. It's not the best book I have read, but it was definitely interesting!


Favorite reads in October: You Will Know Me, Baby Doll, and Beautiful Maids All in a Row

Linking up with Steph & Jana.

I love book suggestions. What have you read lately?

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30 comments:

  1. Baby Doll is one of the next ones on my list! Glad to hear you liked it.

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  2. Oh totally adding Baby Doll to my reading list. Thanks for sharing.

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  3. All of these sound pretty interesting. I try to read books other than thrillers from time to time, but agree that thrillers are the ones that I find I can really get through (even if it takes me until the last quarter of a book to really start enjoying it!).

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    1. Yes! So true. If it's a good thriller, it's easy to get through.

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  4. Baby Doll sounds totally suspenseful!!!

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  5. I still haven't read Babydoll, but I know that I need to get on it! I hadn't heard of Beautiful Maids All In A Row, but it sounds like another great book as well! For starting off in a slump, you still managed to make your way through some really good books! And I totally know what you mean about needing to just read certain types of books, and thrillers are sometimes just what I need too!

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  6. I like that at the end of the post you list which reads were you favorite. I love knowing which books bloggers liked most and which ones they wouldn't recommend.
    I think I have a few of these on my TBR list, but I'm going to add Beautiful Maids... and Baby Doll!

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  7. well, i read these posts and if people do categorise them into how much they liked them, i pretty much skim or don't read the ones they didn't like. which is fine, but i was against it for that reason.. but i totally prefer the categories now, makes it a lot easier to read and write to be honest. so i vote yes!
    i am in a slump right now, and whereas you went exclusively to thrillers, i think i need to exclusively read some fluff. it's just what i am craving right now.
    the wonder is on my list! well, on my kindle lol. i'm not feeling it right now though, so we'll see. baby doll is also on my list, i've seen a few people recommend it.

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  8. Looks like you read some great thrillers! The gymnastics one sounds interesting because I'm sure the craziness about that world is very real!

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  9. I definitely need to add Baby Doll to my list! And anything with gymnastics will always spark my curiosity! Cheers to a fabulous week gurlie <3
    Green Fashionista

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  10. I'm adding some of these to my November list! Hoping to have lots of reading time over Thanksgiving, so thank you for the recommendations!

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    1. I hope you get to have some time to read over the holidays! :)

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  11. I finished Baby Doll this month as well. I appreciated the fact that almost all the characters were severely flawed by the kidnapping, because, that felt real to me.
    Added Beautiful Maids all in a Row.
    I have Siracusa on my tbr, but I haven't been in a rush to get it.

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  12. I'm with everyone else here that "Baby Doll" sounds like a really fascinating read. It's one of those things, like a car accident...when you hear about something like this happening in real life it's so bizarre you can't help but want to know more.

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  13. Baby Doll sounds really intense - I think I'll add that one to my list. I've heard mixed reviews of Siracusa but it's on my TBR anyway!

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  14. My daughter is a competitive cheerleader so the Megan Abbott one hits a little too close to home given the similarities between cheer and gymnastics. The rest seem pretty fascinating, though. Except The Wonder. I adored Room but loathed Frog Music so I've been on the fence about this one. I'm also not a huge historical fiction fan which might bias me.

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  15. You always inspire me to dig into my netgalley list. I loved Siracusa, but can totally see what you mean about not caring for the characters. Beautiful Maids sounds really interesting!

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  16. You read so many great books in October - so many that sound like great thrillers too! xo, Biana-BlovedBoston

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  17. I really enjoyed You Will Know Me, too :)

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  18. I already added Baby Doll to my list yesterday but You Will KNow Me sounds really good! Totally adding it too!

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  19. Last Seen Leaving sounds like my kind of book. I love those coming of age stories, and suspense? Sign me up!

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  20. The Wonder sounds super interesting!

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  21. wow! what a great variety of books. I've only heard of The Wonder and Siracusa. I think I will heed your review and not add The Wonder to my list. I did enjoy The Room though. I had hoped she would publish an equally gripping story to follow.

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  22. Dang girl, your netgalley reading is so good! Hahah I have to make myself do it. :P I'm glad you enjoyed most of them! Totally reminding me that it's been a while since I have read a thriller or mystery... hmm... xo - Alexandra

    Simply Alexandra: My Favorite Things

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  23. Baby Doll has been on a my list for a bit now and I can't wait to read it. You Will Know Me sounds really interesting too! Adding that to my list now!

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  24. Definitely trying Beautiful Maids All in a Row. I have You Will Know Me on my kindle so glad to hear you liked it.

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  25. baby Doll and the Abbott book are on my list. Beautiful Maids sounds like something I would like too.

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  26. Siracusa and Baby Doll are on my list already. I'm adding Beautiful Maids All in a Row.

    I LOVED You Will Know Me! Megan Abbott is becoming one of my favorite authors.

    I'm not sure if I'll ever try The Wonder. I didn't really know what it was about, but for some reason the cover intrigued me. I'm one of the few people who didn't like Room, though I'm not sure if it was because I hated the child narrator or because the writing style just wasn't for me.

    Oh, and like you, I tend to turn to thrillers if I'm in a reading slump! :-)

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