I set a very low goal of 15 books this year because a) I’m trying to be realistic and b) I need that little high of accomplishment when I finish #15. Currently I’ve read 4.
Linking up with Jana and Steph today for Show Us Your Books!
The Wife Stalker by Liv Constantine* | Domestic Thriller | ★★★/5
I don’t read many thrillers, but my book club picked this one. I didn’t hate it and I didn’t figure it out- I’d say I got 25% solved before the big reveal. I adored the kids. I was confused about the good guys and bad guys (in a good thriller-y way). At times the writing was a little stranger and the timelines felt flubbed, but I was invested and it passed the time just fine. *the author is actually a pen name for two sisters
The Twelve Dates of Christmas by Jenny Bayliss | Romance | ★★★/5
I put this book on hold at the library in late November but it didn’t come to me until last month. (I hate reading Christmas books after Christmas.) This was a not-so-steamy, Hallmark-cute, very predictable romance. I would say it passed the time just fine and would’ve been v adorable to read a week before the holidays. Kate was kind of dramatic in her big decision making, but romance-heroines often are… It was cute; I’d recommend it as a holiday read.
I didn’t make any progress with my book challenge so I’m not going to bother copying and pasting it, lol.
What did you read this month?
Life as Louise 
4 books is more than one per month. I don’t like reading Christmas themed books after Christmas either.
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I’m HOPING to average more than one book per month, lol. We’ll see.
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I was so confused through the book The Wife Stalker too… like, why are they telling kids their mom is dead? I knew something was up immediately with that. I’m so bummed I didnt get to join in my first time with the Book club – Thanks Covid – SIGH… but cant wait to join you all this go around!
I lowered my book goal too – I figure if I get a book in a month – I’m doing better than most 🙂
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I can’t wait to see you at book club this month! I didn’t know you were a part of it!
Yeah… a few things felt so off to me. And, like…. the one character was a therapist. How was she not just like, “All of you need therapy!” ??!
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I’m a maybe on the Liv Constantine book. I liked The Last Mrs. Parrish so I’ll probably try this at some point?
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It most definitely wasn’t horrible and I got through it in two days which is really saying something for me! So it’s not a waste of time by any means.
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I loved The 12 Dates of Christmas but I read it during the holidays, which certainly helped. You know my thoughts on The Wife Stalker, ha!
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I think I’d have felt much differently about 12 Dates if I’d have read it in Nov. or Dec.
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My friend and I like to swap boxes of books in the mail. In our latest box, she sent me 12 Dates of Christmas and I sent her In a Holidaze — both to be read next Christmas season! I am holding onto it until then because I don’t think I could get into it right now (although I do have my Christmas tree up but that’s a different topic of conversation). I think I might be reading too many books? Is that possible? I’ve read 15 books so far this year and I wonder if I should pull back and use that time to do things like getting the house together (still not fully organized)… but it’s my stress relief and sometimes the only thing I have energy for.
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Ok. I think that’s an AMAZING thing to do with a friend. (How do you have the coolest friends & traditions?!)
I think it’d be a very lovely, cozy book to read during the holidays. Not during the slog months AFTER the holidays, lol.
If books make you happy and reduce your stress then READ ON, friend! ❤
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i am with you on the accomplishment… i’m loving short books these days because it feels good to check it off. and any amount of books is better than none, unless you don’t want to read and then none is good too lol.
i will be skipping that wife stalker one, bummer.
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Yes, for sure. I love reading and books… but I’m not into them right now. I love it when I finally DO pick them up, but it takes a little prodding on my part.
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Where did this Wife Stalker book come from? It is EVERYWHERE this month.
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Ha- there’s a blogger book club that just started and it was the pick for the month. I would wager the people you’re seeing review it are a part of that. LOL
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I’ve heard pretty similar things about The Wife Stalker, which is a bummer. Yay for reading 4 books – you’re off to a good start for your reading goals.
Lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.net
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I mean… I cruised through it so it DID hold my interest. But it’s not my favorite thriller. I’m also kind of jaded this year. It seems like everything is a meh/3 stars for some reason.
Thanks!
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I read 12 Dates of Christmas right at Christmas and really enjoyed it. It was less cheesy than some other holiday reads I read. I didn’t get to talk much during book club this past month about Wife Stalker, as I was there but umm I was working haha. We were slammed at work but I didn’t want to miss what others thought because I wasn’t a huge fan.
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I think I’d have enjoyed 12 Dates more if a) I’d read it before Christmas and b) I wasn’t in the fussy book mood I’m in. Lol
Hahaha- well it was good to see your face! Overall it was ok, I guess. Just not the best thriller I’ve ever read. Lol
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Seems like EVERYONE read The Wife Stalker. Was this a BOTM pick?
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It was a pick for a book club a lot of us are a part of. Don’t let the hype fool you- it was still meh. LOL
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The Twelve Dates of Christmas sounds so fun. Hoping I remember to read it when I get in a holiday mood again 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
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It was definitely cute. I wish I’d have read it around the holidays to put me in the spirit 🙂
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The 12 Dates of Christmas was a good read!
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I’m glad you liked it! I think I’m just fickle this year with books. Sigh.
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