The first Show Us Your Books link-up of 2019!
In the past I’ve made big changes to my reading reviews at the start of the year. I’m making some minor adjustments for 2019, but I’m going to stick with my typically breakdown. I’ll share the title & author (the title is linked to GoodReads), my rating, the genre, and my thoughts on the book. Lastly, I’ll tell you if I think it’s worth the read (and to whom it might appeal).
Linking up with the spectacular Jana & Steph. A mere two books this time.
The Witch of Willow Hall by Hester Fox
★★★/5; Historical Fiction, Paranormal 
This was a solid three star book for me. When I was reading it I was interested, but then I’d set it down for long periods of time and felt no motivation to pick it back up. I actually returned it to the library (because there was a wait list) and re-borrowed it with no sense of urgency. I liked Lydia, although I grew tiresome of her self-depreciation. Also, I HATED how those close to her treated her- except Ada and Snip. They were lovely minor characters. Joe, too. And John Barrett… SWOON. Seriously. This wasn’t a saucy romance novel but I sure wished it were. Hahaha. It definitely had romance and love, but the focus was on Lydia and what she wanted.
This was the author’s debut novel and I’ll be interested in future things from her!
Read it? If you like the flow of historical fiction, yes.
Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty
★★★★/4; Contemporary Fiction 
This was my first ever Moriarty book so I can’t compare it to her other novels. I actually liked this book quite a bit. It kept me interested while I was reading, it made me think about it while I wasn’t, and the characters were real, flawed, and likable. I think that every reader could relate to one (or more) of the characters and his/her insecurities. I thought it was a little genius. I know I found myself nodding along every now and then. Tony, Zoe, and Ben were my favorite guests. Frances drove me a little nuts, but I think she was supposed to. The health resort director was a total loon. Quite honestly, her delusional arrogance reminded me of a certain 45th president. All in all, I liked this story and I’ll probably check out more of Liane’s books. Side question- do Australians say “hey” the same way Canadians say “eh”?
Read it? Sure.
I enjoyed both books and I wish I had more for ya. This SYUB came kinda early in the month and the holidays killed my reading vibe sooooo… just two. Erin’s 10.0 Book Challenge started this month so here’s where I’m at:
| 5 points | Freebie: Archenemies by Marissa Meyer
| 10 points | A book that was made into a movie: Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton
| 10 points | Set in Europe: The Alice Network by Kate Quinn
| 15 points | A Newberry Award winner: The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
| 20 points | A friend or family member’s favorite: Song of the Sparrow by Lisa Ann Sandell
| 20 points | Published over 100 years ago: The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
| 25 points | Six words in the title: The Girl Who Knew Too Much by Amanda Quick
| 30 points | A compass or cardinal direction in the title: The North Water by Ian McGuire
| 30 points | Published in a different language: A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
| 35 points | Begins with the letter “N”: Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty
Tell me what you’ve been reading lately.
Life as Louise 
I need to jump on the Liane Moriaty bandwagon. Everyone seems to love her books. I read one years ago and enjoyed it so I should just get on and read some more.
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I haven’t been avoiding her books but one never crossed my path until now so… I’ll probably look into more 🙂
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I hope you read more Liane Moriarty Nd enjoy them too. I like her books a lot.
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I think I plan to! Maybe one that a little more typical of her 🙂 Everyone says Nine Perfect Strangers was an odd one.
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I’ve never read anything by Liane, but I am curious about Nine Perfect Strangers. This Show Us Your Books really did come up quick, so I’m missing it this month. Sigh. I still need to hop around and see what everyone else is reading though!
-Lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.net
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Yeah… with holidays I just didn’t get much reading done. Hoping to fix that this month 🙂
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Its been hit or miss for LIane for me. I loved loved Big Little Lies but DNF Truly Madly Guilty. I do want to read Nine Perfect Strangers though!
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It seems like her books are hits or misses. People who loved some of her books don’t necessarily love all of them.
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I am also doing Erin’s challenge! So far I’ve knocked out one book (the book in a language other than your own) but I’m looking forward to the others on my list!
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I’m moving to that one next! (A Man Called Ove.) I love doing her challenges. It helps me branch out and remember to pick up books (instead of the TV remote, lol).
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I think I’m in shock that’s your first Moriarty book!!!!!
I’ve got this one on hold at the library – need to check it out!
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I don’t read a ton of contemporary stuff so she’s just never been on my radar. I’m planning to try another one by her soon, though!! I had 63 people on hold for that book in front of me! I have NO idea how I got it so quickly!
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I’m glad that you like Nine Perfect Strangers! I’m still like half way down on the holds list for it from my library, so I still have some waiting to do. And the holidays killed my reading too, but I’m hoping that it’ll be different in the new year! Way to go on getting a book done for Erin’s Challenge too!
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There were SIXTY-THREE people on hold for the book- and I swear they were all in front of me. I don’t know how the heck I ended up with it so fast! I was so surprised.
You’d think the holidays would be relaxing with lots of down(reading)time. Nope- not at all. LOL
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Nine Perfect Strangers is on my list, though I haven’t read any of her others yet, either!
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I guess it’s very different from her other stuff…? Either way, I enjoyed it!
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Other Moriarity books are so much better! Nine Perfect Strangers was fine, but it wasn’t like her other books, so it was like I judged it on a different scale.
Try The Husband’s Secret or Big Little Lies.
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Sounds good! I’ll read one of those next! Thank you!!
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I don’t know what to do about Nine Perfect Strangers. I haven’t LOVED her books but this one seems a little different. Sigh. Decisions are hard.
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Everyone has told me that Nine Perfect Strangers is super different from her normal stuff… So we’re in different boats here. LOL. I guess I’ll pick up a more “traditional” Moriarty book and you pick up Stranger 😉 Haha!
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lol @ masha or whatever her name was being similar to the president. hilarious and so true. i am so glad you liked that one! i loved Frances but i totally get what you mean.
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Right?? Every time she talked about how smart or great she was I was like, “Girl, you could be president some day. LOL”
Frances was ok… but I’m not chatty and I KNOW she’d have made me feel exhausted and uncomfortable if I was stuck at a healing house with her. Hahahaha.
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I’m swapping books with a friend today and she is giving me Nine Perfect Strangers. I was on the fence about it after Big Little Lies but now I am excited to read it! I just finished Becoming which I think you would love!
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I hope you enjoy Nine Perfect Strangers. Everyone tells me it’s nothing like her other books…
I want to read Becoming SO badly!!
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So me and Moriarty are not buds. I tried a couple of books and seriously hated them, even though I finished them because I thought it has to get better. She is beloved by so many! But not me! I am glad, however, that you enjoyed her latest! 😀 I didn’t read anything in December. I was hoping to read something after I came back from Minnesota but didn’t. Oh well.
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I guess Nine Perfect Strangers is very different from her other ones…? But you like what you like and I definitely respect that! 🙂 I plan to try a more Moriarty-ish book sometime soon. December was a slow, slow month for me. I read Stranger in January and the Witch of Willow Hall was something I started in OCTOBER. Lol. December was a dud for me, too.
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Nine Perfect Strangers is on my TBR list – cannot wait to start reading it! I really enjoyed Three Wishes last year.
I have read two books by Nicola Moriarty (Those other women and The fifth letter) and couldn’t put either down – they were brilliant!
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I’m going to have to read a few more of her books. People seem to like her other ones better so now I’m super intrigued.
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