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I've always DEVOURED books!  When I was in 6th grade, my mom encouraged me to begin keeping track of the books I read since I read so much.  I would read my books, and if it wasn't time to go back to the library, I'd start in on my brother's!  Ever since then, I've kept track of every (chapter) book I've read.  My goal was to read 1,500 books by the time I graduated college, which I accomplished.  I'm currently around 2,800 and counting!  These recommendations are stand out, 5-star books for me!

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Check out my other Padlet board for some wonderful children's, middle grade, and young adult book recommendations!

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Picture books are for everyone! You're never too old for picture books, and you may even be surprised to find that many are written for a more advanced audience!

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Truly brilliant book! This honestly might just have become my favorite book ever! I love the poignant moments and thoughts Rocky shares with her readers. As her family (children who are now young adults, her husband Nick, and her parents) vacation on Cape Cod, Rocky recalls those every day, small and sometimes insignificant moments that make up the memories of a summer vacation and life well-lived. As a mom, I can relate so much to her and what she’s going through. Laughed, cried, and immediately wanted to read again!

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Aeon Expeditions has finally invented a way to travel back in time to relive one hour, with the caveat that it could be any hour in one’s life.  When four “jumpers” as they are called, all get transported back to the one night that drastically changed each of their lives, they begin to understand their interconnectivity and secrets thought to be left in the past.  This page turner kept me hooked from the start, wanting to find out if knowing the present can affect the past.  I found each character’s story interesting and enjoyed reading how the smallest part of their day impacted others.  This was a quick-paced read right from the start!

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This started out slow (like the first 180 pages!) and was certainly a slow burn for me, but I'm glad I stuck with it! Saint and Patch, two young outsiders, find an unlikely friendship in each other. After a tragic event, their relationship changes, taking winding and surprising turns over the span of decades. I loved the interconnectedness of the characters and how just when there would be a new discovery, the author would take us back to what seemed like a minor thing but became meaningful in some way. There's heartache, heartbreak, psychology, and mystery combined with a bit of a thriller and suspense all rolled into this book.

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I saw an ad for this show and immediately was hooked on the concept; when I found out it was a book first, I HAD to read it before watching the series. Jason Dessen lives a pretty satisfying, average life….until the night he is kidnapped and wakes up in a completely different life, where he is a scientific genius. As Jason attempts to figure out what’s going on, he’s also trying to make it back to the family he loves. The physics in the story is a little tricky to understand at times, but suspending that, this sci-fi thriller really held my attention and had me holding my breath hoping he’d make it home. This book makes you question what your life would have been like, had you made one of any thousand different choices. I’m interested to see how the series holds up to the book!

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Typically not a romance reader, but this one surprised me. Sawyer and Charles, engaged to be married in October, are having two very different summers. Sawyer's publishing company employer allows her "summer Fridays", while Charles has been burning the midnight oil at his law firm, with an attractive coworker, Kendra. When Kendra's boyfriend, Nick, suggests to Sawyer that there might be something going on, the two of them set out to discover the truth. The two spend their summer Fridays together in New York City pre-9/11, and you can probably guess where this is going!

I really enjoyed the setting (1999) of a simpler life before cellphones and social media took over the world and the only way to immediately reach someone was home phone, dial-up internet, email, or AOL Instant Messenger. The last chapter or so leaves the reader in the dark a little, and ties up any loose ends. Enjoyable beach read!

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What can I say, I love me a good library and indie bookstore! I absolutely loved reading all the stories from booksellers and librarians on how they got into that career, the people they meet, and how their love of books has shaped not only their lives, but others as well. Reading this book makes me want to become a librarian...I think it'd be a great fit for me! This book isn't for everyone, so if you're not super into reading and hearing why others are booksellers and librarians, you may want to skip. And speaking of skipping, readers can skip around through chapters and book lovers' stories to read which stories they'd like!

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When Emma discovers a Reddit thread about Justin, a man who has the same curse she happens to have (the person they date immediately finds their soulmate after their breakup), they realize the one way to break the curse is to date each other to find their soulmates. As a traveling nurse, Emma plans her next traveling nursing assignment to be in Minnesota with Justin, but family issues for both of them throw a wrench into their plans.

I'm typically not a romance/chick lit reader, but this one was a fun book that I had to see if it lived up to the hype. Easy, breezy, meet-cute beach read!

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If you had the ability to spy on everyone in the office's emails, would you? Jolene has surreptitiously been adding secret messages to her emails to colleagues - by changing the text color to white! After being discovered and remanded to complete HR training with Cliff, the new HR guy, Jolene finds a slight IT mixup has allowed her access to everyone's emails and interoffice messaging. Fearing that her job may be next on the chopping block, she uses this to her advantage while delicately balancing her newfound friendship with Cliff. The premise of this book is unique and fun. Jolene is plucky and quirky, two qualities which make the reader want to root for her. A very light, easy read.

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This book was a slow one for me, but I keep coming back to it and can't stop thinking about it! Martha Ballard, a midwife in a small Maine town in the late 1700s, is called to examine the body of a man found frozen in the river. This man just so happens to be involved in an alleged rape a few months back. When the new Harvard-educated physician comes to town and disagrees with her observations (as well as her expertise in childbirth), Martha finds herself sucked into a criminal trial, where her personal diary is a key piece of evidence. I really enjoyed reading about Martha and was infuriated with Dr. Page's character. This historical fiction work, based on real-life Martha Ballard, offers a startling contrast to what women are allowed to do today compared to 1789. To me, the book was slow-paced, but it's such an unforgettable story that it deserves a recommendation.

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We've all been the target of an MLM, or multi-level marketing, pitch, whether it be an unwanted direct message on Instagram, a Facebook invite to a virtual shopping party, or someone we know trying to sell or get us to join their fitness program, book sales, or makeup business as a consultant. In Hey, Hun, Emily Paulson shares her real-life experiences on how she made it to one of the upper tiers of these pyramid schemes, making hundreds of thousands of dollars over the course of her MLM career. She blends in her experiences in using sneaky marketing attempts to attract new consultants, gaslighting and pressuring her downline to make more sales, and how MLMS use these techniques to guilt people into staying and losing money. As Paulson became more successful, she began seeing how harmful the business was to both her downline and her personal relationships with her family, as well as how it contributed to sobriety. If you've seen the documentaries on Lularoe or listened to the many podcasts out there, you won't learn anything too earth-shattering here, but the tea Paulson spills is interesting! I only wish she would have put the MLM she worked for on blast!

pressuring her downline to make more sales,

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Family drama and family secrets abound in this engaging story! Sunday Brennan's life takes a drastic change after a serious car accident forces her to move back in with her family on the east coast and confront her past. Each sibling (as well as Sunday's ex-fiance, considered a part of the family) have their own personal dramas unfolding, which are all intertwined with a deep, dark family secret. Even though each family member has made mistakes, their love and bond is evident throughout the book. There's something for every reader in this book: love, drama, financial strain, relationship woes, and even a murder.

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This is one of the most unique books I've read in a long time, focusing on a pretty rare topic for fiction books, caring for adults with intellectual disabilities. The three sisters, Bets, Maggie, and Ginny, are all living their own separate lives when news comes that Ginny's intellectual disabilities are beginning to affect her health and ability to care for herself independently. Maggie, the more reliable of the other two sisters, is now tasked with taking care of Ginny while navigating a separation, dating, raising teenage sons, and her freelance job, while older sister Bets surfs and lives the dream in California. This heartfelt and sometimes heartbreaking story shows readers the reality of sibling relationships and caring for someone who's not quite ready to give up their independence yet.

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I'm sure we've all heard the metaphor about the bank that makes a deposit every day, but if you don't use it, you lose it. Cassie Holmes does a great job of making readers aware of this type of time poverty. She gives some helpful tips on how to create more meaning in your life by making time for the things you enjoy. I especially liked the time tracking activities and how to optimize the time we do have. A light read with some activities that can be implemented immediately!

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If you haven't considered where your clothes come from and how problematic the fashion industry is, this thought-provoking book will have you thinking twice about your next purchase! Hardy's research shares how many of women of color are abused and taken advantage of when working in garment factories or sewing piecemeal items, all in the name of fashion. This look into fast fashion and corporate case studies gives a great overview of how destructive this trend is to our environment, garment workers, and buyers. You'll think twice next time you go clothing shopping!

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This book was so captivating! Meet Kate, a woman who starts her own kissing booth in high school with her best friend, Lacey. One thing leads to another, and Kate soon finds herself working in the adult industry, eventually landing at a brothel in Las Vegas called The Hop. As Lady Lane, Kate brings to light privilege in the industry and how legalization could make the work safer for all women. You might notice some parallels to Hugh Hefner's dynasty. Told in an interview format, this book is a quick read with none of the romance, violence, or seediness you might expect from a book about the adult industry.

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This story starts out with the whispers of a house party, making the reader feel as though they, too, are invited to a typical high school party a few weeks before graduation at a newly constructed house on the riverfront.  As the party gets going, Will and his friends find themselves in some perilous situations, and things rapidly spiral out of hand.  While the offenders are let off easy at first, it's not until the contractor discovers hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of damage that things take a turn for the worse. As the police department investigates, owner Maja Jensen attempts to put the pieces of her house back together, all the while struggling with her husband's distant behavior and inability to get pregnant. Coming from an area that is similar both economically, geographically, and academically to this book, it's easy to draw parallels and see how other situations could follow suit. Although the reader knows exactly what happened at the party, it was exciting to see how the details would play out in the town of New Falls. I truly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it, as I think it really shows how privileged many in our society are.

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Whew, what a read!  If you knew how much time you had left to live, would you do anything differently?  One day, everyone in the entire world wakes up to find a wooden box with a piece of string inside it.  The length of the string measures how long one has to live.  Erlick documents the lives of eight characters, each of whom makes difficult decisions about their lives based on the information they have at hand.  At the same time, the world is trying to handle the long-stringers vs. short-stringers and what each role has in this new "normal."  I love how the story is woven together and the ways in which the characters are interconnected.  Throughout the book, I kept thinking, "Would I want to look at my string and know how long my life would be?"  It's not often a book brings me to tears, but this heartfelt ending will tug at all your emotions.  I have a feeling this story will stay with me for quite awhile!

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In case it's not obvious from the title, this book takes place at the Jersey Shore, in Seaside, a town that will always hold a special place in my heart.  Liz & Evy, teenage sisters, are grappling with their dad's glioblastoma multiforme tumor affecting his very being, while their mom, Margot, struggles with her familial relationships and running the family vacation rental business.  I loved how the story was told from the three women's perspectives and subtly included glimpses into their futures.  I also loved how husband and father Brian opened and closed out the book.  This is certainly a heavy summer beach read, but the feelings of first love, sights and smells of the boardwalk, and that salty ocean air bring back ALLL the summer feels!  I truly didn't realize how vested I was in these characters and their stories until the end, when I was sobbing ugly tears.  As a reader, the story ends; for these characters, the pain of losing a loved one and a beloved place will never truly end. This is one of those stories that stays with you for awhile.

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This book was so twisty, I didn't know what or who to believe! Michael and Natalie are in a marriage slump - she's suffering from insomnia, and there are some serious trust issues. Things take a turn for the worse when Natalie and the children disappear on a family trip to New York City. As Michael investigates, we learn more about their marriage, their issues, and most importantly, their histories. This book had me guessing the entire time: was Natalie delusional because of her lack of sleep? (as any new parent knows, sleep deprivation REALLY messes with you!) Or is she telling the truth and Michael is using her condition against her? This book is one wild ride!

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This book will make you think twice about droughts, conserving water, global warming, and emergency preparedness! Even with water restrictions, supply is at critical levels, so water gets permanently cut off for all California residents, save for emergency facilities,. People will do anything to survive and go anywhere with the potential for water. When Alyssa's parents don't return from the desalination plants, she must take care of her younger brother and rely on her awkward classmate/neighbor Kelton for survival. As they attempt to help each other, they are drawn into situations where their morals and beliefs come into question. This book will leave you wanting to down an entire jug of water and then quickly run to stockpile bottled water!

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This book was so fun! Molly the maid is working at the Regency Grand Hotel when one of their VIP guests, Mr. Black, is found dead in his room. Unfortunately, Molly is not only the one who discovers him, she becomes the prime suspect in his murder. Her naivete and ability to see the good in everyone unfortunately only digs her deeper - who can she trust, and how can she get out of this mess? Imagine a murder mystery combined with Amelia Bedelia, and you get The Maid!

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Marissa Bishop has hired Avery Chambers, a therapist who recently lost her professional license, to help her and her husband, Matthew, recover from Marissa’s affair.  Although Marissa is over it, her illicit lover and husband are having a hard time moving on, and Avery keeps digging deeper into their business with her unconventional ways. This thriller has a great cast of characters, all hiding various degrees of secretiveness! Who can’t let Marissa go? Who is stalking Avery? Can relationships ever move on from their damaged past? I devoured this drama in a day!

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I've never heard of a locked room thriller/mystery, but apparently, that's what this book is.  On a whim, Jess decides to take her half-brother Ben's offer to stay with him in his Paris apartment. However, when she gets there, Ben is nowhere to be found and not answering her calls or texts. As she begins asking his neighbors if they've seen them, their thoughts all end with everything being Ben's fault. Immediately you're hooked in, wondering what Ben did! As she digs deeper, Jess learns that her brother's journalism work might have uncovered something more sinister than she could have imagined. This was a slow burn book, but the twist at the end was totally worth it for me!

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How far would you go to protect your children?  In this summer's perfect summer beach read, three boys, all lifelong friends who are lifeguarding for the summer, make a shocking discovery on their way home from work.  After telling their mothers (Whitney, Annette, and Liza), the three women go to extraordinary lengths to protect their kids, putting their own friendships on the line, in an effort to keep up appearances and the perfect world they've created. Told in alternating points of view, as well as police reports and neighborhood social media threads, readers slowly piece together what happened that night. The story is engaging and kept me on the edge of my seat, although the final quarter of the book seemed kind of familiar (have I read about that in another book before??) but also missing some key information. Regardless, the book is an easy, suspenseful summer time read!

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I want to start off by saying this book has been controversial, especially as a Reese’s Book Club pick, and there are trigger warnings for abuse, rape, incest, affairs, among others. One thing Heller does incredibly well is describe the setting - I was so wrapped up in those descriptions I felt as if I knew the Back Woods and was right in the story. I was caught up in Elle’s life and enjoyed how previous flashbacks and memories alternated and tied into what was currently happening in her life as she struggled to deal with unresolved traumas, parental disinterest, sibling bonds, first loves, and regular family drama.  This book isn’t for everyone and isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. I enjoyed how the Cape Cod beachy setting came to life, which hooked me into finishing this book in a day!

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Let me preface this first by saying I typically do not read poetry books (unless novels in verse count), but I absolutely LOVED Kate Baer's book!  I first came across her work in an Instagram story someone shared, her poem "Back to School Shopping." Immediately, I knew I HAD to read her work. So many of her poems in this book hit home, so many I could relate to as a woman, wife, mother, and human. They're short and to the point, but full of emotion. I will certainly be reading all her work!

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I first discovered Diane Guerrero from watching Orange is the New Black and loving her character, Maritza; this book was recommended to me by my good friend, Elizabeth, who shared how incredible Diane's background story is. When she was just 14, Diane's parents were deported to their native country, Colombia. Being a U.S. citizen, Diane was able to stay in the U.S. but relied on the kindness of friends who were like family to survive. This memoir details the struggles she faced growing up, including schooling, her relationships with her parents, and how she ultimately got to where she is today. Diane's emotional memoir brings to light the struggle immigrants and their children face on a daily basis in this country.

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This poetry collection by various authors focuses on issues affecting today's kids and society as a whole. There's poems on discrimination, empathy, acceptance, living with disabilities, and social justice. The artwork that goes along with each poem is beautifully done. Read, think, write, and act.

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If you can't get enough of the college admissions scandals rocking the celebrity world, this book will feed that fire!  Follow the lives of three high school seniors attending the prestigious Elliott Bay Academy in Seattle, all vying for one coveted spot at Stanford University. Each girl has a different socioeconomic status and mother who will do anything to get them into their dream college, but when an accident befalls one of them, whose family is really to blame? This reminded me of Maid meeting the college admissions scandal...a great, fascinating read!

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This is one book that truly lives up to its hype!  Ellie is constantly made fun of for her weight, starting with her siblings at her fifth birthday, when her cannonball made a giant splash. The pool, however, is the one place Ellie truly feels weightless and at home.  Outside of the water, she is constantly bullied at school, made to feel inferior by her mom, and shuttled along to various doctors in order to "fix" her weight problems.  With the support and help of her dad, Ellie begins therapy and even makes a new friend along the way.  But is that enough for Ellie to leave her "Fat Girl Rules" behind and find happiness?  I felt for Ellie throughout the entire story and could certainly relate to some of her feelings.  This YA novel in verse pairs well with the picture book, Abigail the Whale by Davide Cali.

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Just when Aven has finally started to fit in, her parents decide to move the family to Arizona to manage a rundown amusement park called Stagecoach Pass. This would be a difficult adjustment for anyone, but especially for Aven, who was born without arms. Will she ever make any new friends or is she destined to eat her lunch in the library forever?  I LOVED this book and enjoyed the mini mystery in it as well!  If you enjoyed Wonder, Ugly, or just like books about characters with challenges, you will certainly enjoy this book!  Be sure to check out the sequel, Momentous Events in the Life of a Cactus.

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This sweet graphic novel gives all the fall feels!  Deja and Josiah work at the best pumpkin patch ever each fall, until this year, their senior year and last at the patch. Josiah is feeling down about this but Deja has a grand plan to make this the best Halloween ever! Instead of working their usual post, they try out all the things - s'mores, the hayride, the maze, and searching for Josiah's secret crush! Grab a pumpkin spice latte, light an apple cinnamon candle, and settle in with a cozy blanket to really enjoy this adorably cute read!

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Tyler Feder's memoir about losing her mom to cancer is heartbreaking, poignant, and funny at the same time. She takes us through the beginning of her mother's journey with cancer, from her first oncology appointment, through the funeral, and how she continues on after her mom's death. Make sure to have the tissues ready!

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For anyone who grew up in the late 90s, your teenage self will feel like it's transported back in time! Jess lives in Swickley, a pretty boring small town, with her pretty normal family (except for her sister, who is sick). Jess's normal life soon becomes anything but - she hears strange voices, her family and friends begin acting weird, and a strange black box with an apple on it falls out of a friend's bag. What is going on?! Jess is determined to figure this out! The teenage me definitely would have loved this book just as much as adult me enjoyed this nostalgic book. Looking forward to reading the sequel!

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This novel in verse by Kate Karyus Quinn really brings out all the feels. Content warning: eating disorders and abusive relationships. The first thing people notice about June is that she is fat. What they can't see is that June is also struggling with an eating disorder, leading to self-hate and depression, worsened by her cute new neighbor, Toby's, up and down feelings and attention for her. As June struggles with these situations, her older sister Mae, whom June admires, is also dealing with her own weight and relationship issues. Can June and Mae find the strength to confront their challenges? This is a fast-paced, hi-lo novel in verse (high interest topic accessible to many reading levels).

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Wow, incredible.  A very poignant, eye-opening story about poverty in America and what it takes to survive as a single mother working for minimal wages, struggling to provide for herself and her daughter, and still keeping her own hopes and dreams alive. My freshman year of college our required summer reading was Nicole and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich, which was the best required summer reading book I was assigned. This book is on that same level. You can't help but want Stephanie to overcome and succeed, as well as others in her situation.

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Fair warning, this book will tug at your heart strings and make you angry at the same time. Lakshmi, a 13 year old girl from Nepal, must take a job housekeeping in order to help support her poor family, whom she loves dearly. She travels to India, only to find that the job she was promised was a lie: she has been sold into prostitution and is trapped until she can pay off her debt. Of course, the woman in charge of the brothel ensures Lakshmi is forever in her debt by taking most of her meager earnings. Can Lakshmi risk her life to return to her old life? This book shows just how easily women are tricked into human trafficking and how important of an issue this really is.

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Camino and Yahaira are separated by an ocean but connected by a secret that's waiting to reveal itself. As Camino eagerly awaits her father's landing in her native Dominican Republic, Yahaira is called to the principal's office; both girls are given the heart-wrenching news that their father has passed away. Not only do the girls have to deal with their grief, they must also deal with the truth of their father's secret: a sibling exists. Although this novel in verse is a quick read, readers will want to savor Elizabeth Acevedo's words and the emotions they bring forth.

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As a society, we have become glued to our phones.  Personally, I do get annoyed when I'm trying to spend time with someone and their phone is on the table at a meal or they are texting/ scrolling/calling, etc. while I'm trying to have a conversation with them.  There is also nothing more disturbing to me than seeing an entire group of people at a restaurant or somewhere all on their phones (including kids on devices!).  They probably need this book more than me, but I still greatly enjoyed it.  Price gives practical solutions and a 30-day plan on how to use your phone less.  I think all of us could stand to benefit from finding and reigniting our passions, getting out into nature more, and living our lives in person rather than electronically.

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Prince Sebastian's parents are determined to find him a wife, but Sebastian is hiding a secret from them: his secret life as fashionista Lady Crystallia! The brilliant mind behind his cutting edge dresses? His dressmaker, Frances, who dreams of greatness as a fashion designer. As Sebastian's social life blossoms, Frances dreams seem to be put on hold. If both of their dreams are to be realized, something must change. Although it's a fairy tale, it deals with very real feelings relating to family, friendships, fitting in, and finding out who you truly are.

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This book is frighteningly eye-opening to the deceitful tactics used by the food industry in growing, producing, and manufacturing the food and chemicals (yes, you read that right, chemicals) that we ingest daily. Vani Hari has done her research and provides the reader with an education on the money Big Food spends to influence scientists, farmers, and the media to convince us our food is safe (spoiler alert - it's really not). This book definitely makes me think twice about what I'm putting into my body. She also has a 48 hour toxin detox to help you start feeling the best you ever have!

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As I try to live a more meaningful life, breaking away from technology and making time to do the things I enjoy and actually want to do, I found this book to be a good companion to read right after Digital Minimalism.  (They were probably even next to each other on the library shelf haha).  While some of Vanderkam's ideas may seem extreme, such as tracking what she's doing every half hour of the day for the past few years, there is some validity in giving this a try to best maximize your day to include what you most want to be doing.  I enjoyed the case studies and wish I did have the type of job that would allow for more flexibility in my schedule to be most productive.

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I had never seen these comics before but they're hysterical!  The beings in this book have similar experiences to those on Earth, and it's fun to figure out what they relate to.  There's also a second one out now too!

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With the ever-present technologies we have at our fingertips today, it can feel overwhelming trying to keep up with everyone and everything. Between Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, emails, online games, apps, and all the other media content out there, it can be hard to put down the phone and actually LIVE life. Cal Newport explains about how we got to this point and gives plans and tips on how to break away from the constant connection our phones provide, allowing us to live a more purposeful life focused on our own passions and enjoyment. After reading this, I was ready to make some changes in my online habits, deleting certain apps off my phone and limiting my use of others.

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Enchanted Jones is an aspiring singer who has a chance meeting with R&B singer Korey Fields.  Korey sees talent in Enchanted, who is starstruck and fascinated by his celebrity life.  As Enchanted is drawn more and more into Korey's world of touring, partying, and more sinister deeds, her family and best friend, Gab, slowly fade into the background.  When she wakes up with blood on her hands, Enchanted comes to her senses.  This book is eerily similar to R. Kelly's allegations and deals with some heavy content...but is so necessary amid the #metoo movement.

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This is the first more adult (YA) graphic novel I've read, and I think it's gotten me hooked on that genre. Robin Ha takes a look back at her life in Korea and her move to the United States after her mother decides to remarry. She illustrates her struggles with her new step family, bullies at school, and missing her friends in Korea. As she looks for a group to fit in with at school, Robin and her mother realize things aren't always as they seem, and sometimes all we need is each other to survive.

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Upon first glance, I thought this book was a true story of something called Haden's Syndrome.  It's not; it's a science fiction novella about a potentially deadly disease that affects America 15 years from now.  I am usually not a sci-fi fan, but this book really got me thinking!  A flu-like illness quickly spreads around the globe, affecting millions and then reinfecting millions.  Is it biological warfare, an accident, or a flu-like mutation?  Told from the perspective of various authorities, they try to get to the bottom of this medical mystery. Sadly, this is something that could be a reality in our future.

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Emma had a traumatic break-in at her old apartment and is looking for a safe place to live.  After finding One Folgate Street and passing its myriad tests and rules, Emma moves in.  Unfortunately for Emma, she meets a very untimely death in this new apartment.  Fast-forward to Jane, who is now looking for a new place to live after her own personal misfortunes.  Jane soon learns of the previous tenant's death and begins investigating.  Jane not only looks like Emma, but begins finding herself making decisions similar to Emma's.  The path Jane embarks on and what she finds out is startling.  Will she survive?

This story is told through alternating chapters, which gave me suspicions of various characters.  The book is in a similar style to Gone Girl and is being made into a movie as well.

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By far my favorite book of summer 2018 and quite possibly my favorite book of the year! This book is based on the true story of Sally Horner, who was kidnapped in 1948 after stealing from the local Woolworth's in an attempt to impress some classmates. Frank LaSalle, a supposed FBI agent, catches her and offers to take her to a judge to plead her story. Instead, he has something much more sinister on his mind. As Frank continues to threaten Sally and move her around country, Sally begins questioning everything she ever knew. The reader can only hope someone helps her before it's too late.

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Bitty, a college freshman, is one of Samwell's newest hockey team members. He is a lovable, likeable, and hysterical character just trying to fit in with a bunch of hockey bros as he navigates college life, bakes pies, falls in love with the hockey captain, and deals with some toxic masculinity. This graphic novel started out as a webcomic and has now developed into a small graphic novel series.

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Disturbing is the best word to describe this book. Hanna, a selectively mute seven year old, is insanely jealous of her father’s love for her mother. Determined to have her father all to herself, Hanna plots various ways to torture and kill her mother, all while manipulating her father. I NEEDED to know what happened and couldn’t put this book down!

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Karen has a 6-year old and stage 4 cancer. She is petrified of leaving Jacob behind and not getting to see him grow up. Karen begins writing a book for Jake, telling him all about how she became pregnant, how his father didn't know he existed, and the advice she wants to impart. When Jake begins asking to meet his dad, Karen reluctantly contacts her old flame, Dave, who is overjoyed to know he has a son. As Dave and Jake begin their relationship, Karen has to come to terms with the fact that she won't always be around and find it in her heart to do what is best for her son: allow him to have a meaningful, and possibly permanent, relationship with his father.

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I rarely read books twice, but this one was SO GOOD!  India, Finn, and Mouse are sent to live with their uncle in Colorado after the bank takes back their house. When their plane is detoured, a mysterious driver takes them to some very interesting places.  The three siblings must make some very important choices in this new place.  The ending was a total surprise that I didn't see coming...so I had to go back and reread it for all the clues I missed!  After I told my mom how good it was, SHE read it, was surprised by the ending, and then read it a second time too!

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Harriet's husband has died, yet she still decides to go on the cruise to Alaska that he planned before his death. Throughout the book, Harriet examines her life and her self. What I really enjoyed was the flashbacks to earlier times in her life. The reader finds out a little more about Harriet in each chapter and must piece together these different memories to get a complete picture of Harriet. This book is easy to get into and a quick read.

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I had seen this book being recommended from so many different places, but it still didn't seem like something I'd be interested in reading.  After winning an advanced readers copy (thanks, Goodreads!), I decided to give it a try and see what all the hype was about.  Well, let me tell you, I REALLY enjoyed this book!  Cameroonian immigrant Jende Jonga immigrates to New York City to start a better life for himself and his family.  Jende gets a job as a chauffeur for Lehman Brothers executive Clark Edwards and his wife, Neni, begins working for the family at their summer house in the Hamptons.  Jende is privy to many personal conversations and interactions, which impact not only the Edwards family, but his own as well.  The icing on the cake is the fall of Lehman Brothers, leaving Jende and Neni to make a difficult decision.

Although it's a work of fiction, it's pretty easy to imagine many of these events taking place during the collapse of so many financial institutions.

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This book, loosely based on the Manson cult, got a lot of hype, so I was pretty excited to read it. Evie notices two girls in the park and is fascinated by them. Feeling isolated, lonely, and all the other mixed emotions teenage girls go through only leads to her obsession with Suzanne. Suzanne introduces Evie to Russell, who is the leader of a sinister cult. Although detached from the cult in some ways, Evie finds herself in deeper than she expected, and it may be too late to get out.

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This is one of my more recent favorites!  This story takes place during World War II and follows the lives of three women, nurse Caroline, Polish mother Kasia, and German doctor Herta, who all become involved in the ongoing war in some way.  Their stories start out right before the war, and in alternating chapters, the reader learns what happens to each woman during the war and how their lives come to intersect at Ravensbruck, a re-education camp.  I literally couldn't put this book down and learned so much about World War II that I hadn't known before. At times, this information was shocking! Although a work of historical fiction, the women's stories are based on real-life events, which the author clearly researched well.

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This book? novella? totally changed my opinion on what a novel is. I had to read this book for my English class, and not liking any of the other books we had read so far, was expecting this to be more of the same. Boy, was I wrong! DiBlasi focuses on the relationship between Kale and Willa; it's no coincidence that the physical drought the Midwest is experiencing is having a profound effect on their relationship. The chapters read more like beautiful poetry, getting right to the point without sacrificing any important details. A quick, easy, and interesting read!

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Everyone who enters into a marriage expects their marriage to last forever, but what if there was a surefire way to GUARANTEE that would happen? Newlyweds Jake and Alice receive a mysterious wedding gift from one of Alice's clients. It's an invitation to join a group called The Pact, whose sole purpose is making sure a couple's marriage is happy and lasting. At first, the rules of The Pact seem like common sense, and even kind of fun....but the consequences to breaking these rules could be deadly. Unfortunately for this couple, when infractions are committed, they are forced to face these severe penalties and begin questioning not only their loyalty to the pact, but their marriage as well.

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Suzanne experiences a life-changing health event that leads her to Matthew, her loving husband with whom she has a beautiful boy, Nicholas. Told through her diary entries, the reader learns about Suzanne's idyllic, perfect life with her husband and baby. Unfortunately, her previous health crisis has serious consequences that could potentially shatter her world. To me, this book reads more like a Nicholas Sparks novel than James Patterson, whose books have always struck me as more "thrilling" than romantic. Because of this, I had no idea what to expect, and the ending did catch me by surprise. A very fast, good read.

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When Veronica unexpectedly gets pregnant at 17, her options are limited.  Deciding to get an abortion, she must go to the closest legal clinic: 900 miles away in New Mexico. Another problem?  She doesn't have a car.  Desperate, she enlists her ex-best friend, Bailey, to drive her there and back.  She knows it will be an awkward drive but never expects the outlandish people and experiences they face.  This trip can either repair their friendship or break them even further apart. A good girl-power book!

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This young adult novel-in-verse tackles some pretty heavy topics, but Christine Heppermann's descriptive poems get right to the heart of those matters.  Addie is a star cross-country runner, but when she accidentally gets pregnant, her entire life changes.  Readers can't help but root for her as she deals with the unexpected consequences from her choice.  It doesn't help that Addie attends a Catholic high school and those beliefs directly challenge her decision. Some of my favorite passages from the book are her creative poems about what Mary and Jesus would be like if they were living in today's world. Heppermann really has a talent for getting her point across in short, but poignant poems.

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Cadence comes from a prestigious family who owns a few houses on a private island, where she summers with her cousins and friend. As their bond deepens, their family structure begins showing strains and fractures. What seems to be a well-intentioned, planned idea has consequences none of the four Liars could have seen coming. I loved the descriptions of the foods, setting, and characters throughout the story and was shocked at certain turns of events!