Tuesday, November 8, 2016

Ten Books I Recently Added to my TBR - Top Ten Tuesday

This girl's TBR is absolutely out of control. Most of the time I feel like a kid in the candy store just sticking my arm out onto the shelf getting everything into the cart. Which means I'm not really looking at what I'm adding - most of the time the books I add are impulse adds. So I dug a little deeper, these are all books that I added in the last six months that I am interested in reading, think that I will actually read, and also really, really want to read!

I've included summaries from Amazon.com to give you a taste of the plot, and of course also to try and get you to read it, too!






It Ends With Us
by Colleen Hoover
Lily hasn’t always had it easy, but that’s never stopped her from working hard for the life she wants. She’s come a long way from the small town in Maine where she grew up—she graduated from college, moved to Boston, and started her own business. So when she feels a spark with a gorgeous neurosurgeon named Ryle Kincaid, everything in Lily’s life suddenly seems almost too good to be true.

I haven't read anything by Colleen Hoover (!!!) and I'm not usually a fan of romance- BUT this book in particular has been all over the book blogging and #bookstagram world for months. Mostly I just want to be able to participate in the conversation. Which wasn't really a concern to me before blogging, but now it is definitely something I think about when a book is always popping up.
The Twelve
by Justin Cronin
In the present day, as the man-made apocalypse unfolds, three strangers navigate the chaos. Lila, a doctor and an expectant mother, is so shattered by the spread of violence and infection that she continues to plan for her child’s arrival even as society dissolves around her. Kittridge, known to the world as “Last Stand in Denver,” has been forced to flee his stronghold and is now on the road, dodging the infected, armed but alone and well aware that a tank of gas will get him only so far. April is a teenager fighting to guide her little brother safely through a landscape of death and ruin. These three will learn that they have not been fully abandoned—and that in connection lies hope, even on the darkest of nights.
I absolutely loved "The Passage", but it was just so long. I get long book fatigue, and that makes it really hard to finish a series ( hello, Outlander- I'm looking at you). But, I definitely plan on reading this book in 2017!


The Nightingale 
by Kristin Hannah
In the quiet village of Carriveau, Vianne Mauriac says goodbye to her husband, Antoine, as he heads for the Front. She doesn't believe that the Nazis will invade France … but invade they do, in droves of marching soldiers, in caravans of trucks and tanks, in planes that fill the skies and drop bombs upon the innocent. When a German captain requisitions Vianne's home, she and her daughter must live with the enemy or lose everything. Without food or money or hope, as danger escalates all around them, she is forced to make one impossible choice after another to keep her family alive.

This is another book that it feels like everyone has read - my grandma even recommended I read it! Like, come on! I really need to read this one- I just placed a hold on it at my local library!


The Opposite of Everyone
by Joshilyn Jackson
A fiercely independent divorce lawyer learns the power of family and connection when she receives a cryptic message from her estranged mother in this bittersweet, witty novel from the nationally bestselling author of Someone Else’s Love Story and gods in Alabama—an emotionally resonant tale about the endurance of love and the power of stories to shape and transform our lives.

Lesser known than my last few picks, but SUPER well reviewed. Almost 5 stars after 167 reviews says to me - read this book. The premise sounds really interesting- I am always drawn to family drama-ish novels. 

I'm Thinking of Ending Things
by Ian Reid
In this smart, suspenseful, and intense literary thriller, debut novelist Iain Reid explores the depths of the human psyche, questioning consciousness, free will, the value of relationships, fear, and the limitations of solitude. Reminiscent of Jose Saramago’s early work, Michel Faber’s cult classic Under the Skin, and Lionel Shriver’s We Need to Talk about KevinI’m Thinking of Ending Things is an edgy, haunting debut. Tense, gripping, and atmospheric, this novel pulls you in from the very first page…and never lets you go.

This books always jumps out at me when I am at the library- and shockingly it is almost always there when I go! And while it clearly isn’t getting very much love at my local library, I have read a couple of really good reviews for it!


 Finding Mr. Brightside
by Jay Clark
Abram and Juliette know each other. They've lived down the street from each other their whole lives. But they don't really know each other―at least, not until Juliette's mom and Abram's dad have a torrid affair that culminates in a deadly car crash. Sharing the same subdivision is uncomfortable, to say the least. They don't speak.

I don’t read YA very often- but this book has totally got my attention. I don’t know if it is the adorable cover, title, or description - but the combo has me very interested!

My Holiday in North Korea
by Wendy Simmons
In My Holiday in North Korea: The Funniest/Worst Place on Earth, Wendy shares a glimpse of North Korea as it’s never been seen before. Even though it’s the scariest place on Earth, somehow Wendy forgot to check her sense of humor at the border. But Wendy’s initial amusement and bewilderment soon turned to frustration and growing paranoia. Before long, she learned the essential conundrum of “tourism” in North Korea: Travel is truly a love affair. But, just like love, it’s a two-way street. And North Korea deprives you of all this. They want you to fall in love with the singular vision of the country they’re willing to show you and nothing more.

Is there anywhere or anything more interesting or terrifying that North Korea? I am absolutely fascinated by it and I feel like this book would be a page turner- it is also super well reviewed with almost 5 stars and almost 100 reviews.



All at Sea
by Decca Aitkenhead
On a hot, still morning on a beautiful beach in Jamaica, Decca Aitkenhead’s life changed forever. Her four-year-old son was paddling peacefully at the water’s edge when a wave pulled him out to sea. Her partner, Tony, swam out and saved their son’s life—then drowned before her eyes.

I absolutely love nonfiction and this memoir sounds incredibly powerful. While I am absolutely terrified of the actual story, I am drawn in by the cover and the potential for perspective on pain and healing.

Did you Ever Have a Family
by Bill Clegg

On the eve of her daughter’s wedding, June Reid’s life is upended when a shocking disaster takes the lives of her daughter, her daughter’s fiancĂ©, her ex-husband, and her boyfriend, Luke—her entire family, all gone in a moment. June is the only survivor. Alone and directionless, June drives across the country, away from her small Connecticut town. In her wake, a community emerges, weaving a beautiful and surprising web of connections through shared heartbreak.



Apparently my TBR list has a flair for the dramatic! The plot of this story really pulls me in though, and the book has been nominated for a ton of awards. Sign me up!

Have you read any of the books on my TBR? Let me know! So many books here - where do you think I should start? What books have you recently added to your TBR?


22 comments:

  1. I loved Hopeless and Losing Hope by Colleen Hoover, so I also want to read It Ends with Us as well as all of her other books! I hope you like it and want to continue to read her books too!

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  2. I see everyone talking about Colleen Hoover, but I have yet to read anything by her. I'll have to try one out.

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  3. It Ends With Us is absolutely fantastic. CoHo's best yet! It's more than just romance. It explores more serious issues. Very thought provoking. HIGHLY recommended!

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  4. Nightingale was great. Someone else also listed It Ends With Us. All At Sea is going on my list--thanks

    Lisa https://hopewellslibraryoflife.wordpress.com/2016/11/08/top-ten-tuesday-books-ive-added-to-my-to-be-read-list-lately/

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  5. Ooh, I've been really looking forward to reading My Holiday in North Korea, as well! Great list, I think I'm going to have to come back and look up some of these more specifically. :)

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  6. Heard great things with It Ends with Us. Great list!

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  7. I'm Thinking Of Ending Things is on my wishlist. I've read really mixed reviews of it but I think it sounds amazing!

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  8. I've read two of the books on your TBR list and completely loved them! It Ends With Us is one I read a month or so ago and I've still not written a review. It's one of those where I think, how in the world can my words do it justice? The other is The Nightingale. It was one of my favorite books of 2015. Simply amazing. I hope you'll love them both when you get to them.
    MY TTT LIST
    Tanya @ Girl Plus Books

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  9. Great list - The Nightingale is amazing, definitely read it!

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  10. I've got The Nightengale on my list, too!

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  11. I haven't read any of your TBRs, but I started The Nightingale. Somehow I wasn't in the right mood to read it, so it's been just sitting there. I still think it will be a great read, though :)

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  12. It Ends With Us is my favorite Colleen Hoover book. So fantastic. And I loved The Nightingale. Definitely a must read book.

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  13. You have some good ones on here. I loved both It Ends With Us and The Nightingale.

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  14. The Nightingale is on my TBR too. I can't wait to get to this book. Great list.

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  15. I haven't read a Colleen Hoover either, so that will be my first one. I am looking forward to it.

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  16. Great list! My book group is reading The Nightingale this month, and I'm really looking forward to it. (Which reminds me, I need to get started!)I've been meaning to read the Opposite of Everyone too. I hope you enjoy all of these!

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  17. I haven't read any of these books, but The Nightingale is one of those that I've been thinking about reading for a while now. It sounds really good and has totally positive reviews. Hope you'll enjoy all these novels!
    Veronika @ The Regal Critiques

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  18. I'm super interested in what you think about the North Korea book...my husband isn't a big reader but he loves North Korea, so I try to get him good books about it to get him to read more!

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  19. Seriously, North Korea is fascinating. I am super excited to read that one and I will definitely report back!

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  20. Thanks, Lisa! Hope you have enjoyed The Nightingale - I *still* haven't found the time to read it!

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  21. Oh wow! I haven't read any of these yet! It Ends With Us is on my TBR... And now I have just added The Nightingale because I love WW2 books especially set in France and Finding Mr Brightside. Thanks for the recs.

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