It’s book day! A big thank you to Show Us Your Books hosts Jana & Steph!
Crooked House by Agatha Christie
★★★/5; Mystery 
Christie herself shares that she enjoyed writing this book. I wish I’d have loved it more because I know she loved it. I will say I had no idea who the guilty person was and, unlike some of the Poirots I’ve read, there were clues that point to the guilty person. I loved that I didn’t know. The story was slow and parts of it felt a little repetitive. The cases against the alleged murder and the possibility of other members of the family were made over and over with very little new information. Also, Christie writes her lovers in a very dut-dut-dut way: they meet- they get to talking- they’re head over heels in love from this moment forward. All her guys are so blinded by love and the women are either pretty and delicate or ugly and wicked. I don’t love that. And Then There Were None is still my favorite Christie novel. Crooked House is a movie so I plan to watch that soon.
Read it? No, not unless you’re a diehard Christie fan.
Saga, Vol 1. by Brian Vaughan
★★★★/5; Sci-fi Graphic Novel 
I don’t really know what to say about this book… I’ve read less than 5 graphic novels- ever. And, while I enjoy fantasy, I don’t read a lot of sci-fi. PLUS, this book had quite the graphic violence, sexual abuse triggers, and… well… overall weirdness. But I’m hooked. I’m completely sucked in by the storyline and the characters and the…. overall weirdness. I really like Marko and Alana. I need to know more of their story. I’m half rooting for The Will (in the child liberation thing) but also not (in the assassin thing). And obviously I need to know what happens to Hazel.
Read it? Yeah, give it a shot.
Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend
★★★★★/5; Middle Grade Fantasy 
I think I saw this book on Kristen’s SUYB post. It kind of reminded me of Harry Potter and a little bit of The Hunger Games and a small bit like some kind of X-Men story… but it was its own creation. I loved Morrigan & Jupiter & Hawthorne & the whole Hotel Deucalion staff. The middle grade part didn’t bother me at all. Honestly, there were some parts even I found scary. I definitely see the comparison to HP. There’s a strong sense of good vs. evil and Morrigan struggles with seeing the good within herself. The people who grow to love her as family are truly the best parts. I liked all the good guys and I’m really excited to check out the next book!
Read it? If you’re into fantasy and slightly younger books, yes.
An update on Erin’s 10.0 Book Challenge
| 5 points | Freebie: The Lost World by Michael Crichton*
| 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: A Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde**
| 25 points | Six words in the title: The Girl Who Knew Too Much by Amanda Quick
| 30 points | A cardinal direction in the title: Winter at West Sands Guest House by Maggie Conway*
| 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
Your turn. What did you read this month?
Life as Louise 
Aww, I really liked Crooked House. Admittedly part of that is nostalgia – it was one of my first Agatha Christie’s when I was about 11. Fun fact: my first ever Agatha Christie book was The Clocks aged 10 and I had to look up the word “illegitimate” in the dictionary because I had never heard it.
I adored Nevermoor and I really want to read book 2. It’s definitely scary in parts though, not one for sensitive children!
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I really wish I’d liked it more. And Then There Were None is still my absolute favorite. I love that little fact. Too funny what we inadvertently learn from books!! Ha!
Nevermoor was adorable. I just got the second one from the library!
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Sadly, I have yet to read Agatha Christie! I think I do want to read And Then There Were None though!!
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I would HIGHLY recommend And Then There Were None! It’s my favorite of hers!
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I’m totally buying the Nevermoor book since I have it from the library. Loved it that much… & buying the 2nd book in the series too – these are going right next to my HP books!
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They were adorable! I just love all the good guys! I just borrowed the second one from the library! Hoping to tackle it this weekend!!
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Your review of the graphic novel cracked me up! The cover itself intrigued me!
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It’s such a weird one! Honestly… I just didn’t know what to say. Haha. That said, the next two in the series are in my car waiting for me because I just borrowed them from the library. I’m very curious to see where the story goes!
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YASSSSSSSSS SAGA!!!!!!!! i need everyone to read it so we can all talk about it. and yay nevermoor! i have the second from the library and i need to get to it soon.
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Well I have books 2 & 3 for Saga and book 2 for Nevermoor in my car so we can discuss it all very soon 😉 Hahaha!
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Now that Ive gotten my feet wet with fantasy which I never used to read, I really want to read Nevermoor
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If you start dipping your toes further into fantasy, I’d also suggest The Lunar Chronicles. SO GOOD. But Nevermoor is a great, fairly quick read, too!!
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So I checked Nevermoor from the library month (for the second time, mind you) and once again I did not get a chance to read it. Between a wonky reading mojo and hold books becoming available, it got set aside (mostly because I can easily get it whenever I want). Sigh. It sounds so good though. Plus, Kristen said it had a talking cat, which you know, means that I am duty bound to love it forever. Generally, I am not a graphics novel kind of person but all this love for Saga has me curious. Need to check it out.
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Nevermoor is super cute. It’s fantasy and the perfect little escape. Don’t give up on it yet 😉 I loved the talking cat! Fen is the best! Saga is such a strange bird but I’ve got #2 and 3 from the library so I’m clearly committed. Haha.
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I have Nevermoor on my kindle from the library and I can’t wait to read it 🙂
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It’s so cute! You’ll love it! The perfect fantasy escape!
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I looooved Nevermoor and I am currently listening to the second in the series (so far, so good too!!!) I can’t wait for it to become more popular.
I echo your thoughts on Saga and loved it way more than I expected to. I need to continue soon.
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I’m glad to hear you’re liking the second one! So far I haven’t heard anyone say anything about it but I just borrowed it from the library and I plan to dive in this weekend!
Saga is so so strange. But I am hooked for now!
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The cover of Nevermoor reminds me of The Umbrella Academy.
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I agree! It’s not as dark and much more kid friendly, though. Haha!
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I have never read an Agatha Christie book which is odd considering my love of thrillers
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I feel like Christie writes PG thrillers. Lol. And Then There Were None is my absolute favorite. I would recommend that one every time to a new AC reader!
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I looove reading your book recommendations. 🙂 And I’ve never read anything by Agatha Christie because I’m a big chicken but I’ve been watching True Detective so I’m basically super tough now and can handle suspense/mysteries. Hahaha 😉
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Thanks, friend! Christie writes very PG thrillers in my opinion. Nothing like Stephen King or contemporary stuff. I would 100% recommend And Then There Were None. It’s a little suspenseful but so dang good!
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I still need to read an Agatha Christie book! I do like a thriller/mystery from time to time! You know….in between all my romance and chick lit lol.
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Hahahaha. I think Christie is queen of PG thrillers. Nothing too scary. And start with And Then There Were None. It’s the best in my opinion!
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I really want to read more Agatha Christie. I have only read her famous book, And Then There Were None. I think I read it in middle school or high school? I remember loving it!
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I love love love that book! I’m trying to work my way through the Hercule Poirot series!
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I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVED Nevermoor! It certainly had shades of other inspirations, but it was brought together so well. I can’t wait to read the next one in the series!
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I agree completely! I just borrowed book #2 from the library!
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So fun! I Looooooooooove Saga! I’m so glad that everyone is FINALLY READING IT! LOL. I want to read nevermoor eventually! I think everyone is loving it too! XO – Alexandra
Simply Alexandra: My Favorite Things
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I think you’d like Nevermoor! It’s a nice little fantasy escape with adorable quirky characters!
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And Then There Were None is the most perfect murder-mystery ever written. Crooked House is on my list to watch. I liked The ABC Murders on prime, as well as the other one {the name escapes me right now}.
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I agree completely about And Then There Were None! I can’t wait to watch Crooked House!
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