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MyNamesParadise

MyNamesParadise

Joined May 2016

Twitter & Instagram: MyNamesParadise https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/4054438-eden
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Talking to Strangers by Fiona Barton
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Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty
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Gone Tonight by Sarah Pekkanen
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Dune by Frank Herbert
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MyNamesParadise
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Pickpick

I listened to this for book club. It‘s an important story, but I don‘t think I was the intended audience for this. It‘s important to listen to stories about alcoholism & drug abuse across BIPOC communities & see how the traditional methods for recovery may not be the same for them as it is for white people. Jessica‘s story hopped around some & was a little tricky to follow chronologically. I‘d read this to open your eyes on the topic if so desired

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MyNamesParadise
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Pickpick

This was the best 1 yet! There were multiple threads throughout this 1 & 1 of them being very thrilling which I enjoyed & was a nice change of pace! I found myself waiting to get to those parts! It was interesting to see the investigation into the death of the hermit by the 2nd in command & how he situated himself into village life while investigating. There‘s a bonus interview with the author at the end of this audiobook! I‘m eager 4 the next 1!

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MyNamesParadise
The Briar Club | Kate Quinn
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Pickpick

This is the 1st Kate Quinn book I‘ve read & I really enjoyed it! The really long chapters took a bit to get used to but it was nice to spend so long with each of the characters. I definitely didn‘t see the end coming! I‘m eager to read more of her books now!

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MyNamesParadise
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Pickpick

5th in the series & so far this is the 1 I have enjoyed the most! I‘m eager to continue the series. I liked that there was more focus on the investigation earlier on. Even though it was the longest 1 yet, it didn‘t feel that way while listening! If you liked the previous in the series, you will definitely enjoy this 1!

Eggs I have loved these Armand Gamache books🩷 (edited) 3w
19 likes1 comment
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MyNamesParadise
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Pickpick

Wow! A powerful memoir! I watched coverage of the case back when it happened & I didn‘t know what finally led to her release & this book cleared that up for me. I thought it was excellently paced & tells the events of each step of the judiciary process she went through in her own voice for the audiobook! I‘d have also been interested in hearing what her life after Italy & her imprisonment was like.

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MyNamesParadise
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Pickpick

This made for a good listen! It was nice to learn more about Peter and his family. I thought it was a way to switch it up from always being in 3 Pines. It was a lot of new characters to keep up with which can be challenging when listening to it. I didn‘t really have much of a reaction to the whodunit aspect. I enjoyed the dysfunctional family dynamics in the Morrows. As always Gamache solves the case with grace and intelligence. Eager for number 5

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MyNamesParadise
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Pickpick

Finished this for book club! This is an interesting variety on the true crime podcast storyline seen in mysteries/thrillers! It was interesting to learn things as Lucy was trying to remember them herself. There were some interesting twists. I‘ll be eager to discuss the ending at book club & I did some reading about it online. I‘d love to hear what others thought of the ending. You can post in the comments with the spoiler warning.

heyitsMacall I have a hold on this book from the library and I‘m 119th but started at 272 😂😂😂 one day I‘ll read it! 1mo
MyNamesParadise @heyitsMacall oh wow! Well you‘ve come a long way so far! Yeah I‘m that far back on some audiobook holds on Libby. 1mo
22 likes1 stack add2 comments
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MyNamesParadise
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Pickpick

As usual a brilliant Detective Annalisa Vega novel from Schaffhausen! I enjoy her books so much! The perfect mix of character development and mystery/suspense. This is the 4th one & there will be a 5th! Is there such a thing as a good sociopath? That‘s what this book will make you wonder! If you‘ve enjoyed the other books in the series, you will enjoy this one!

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MyNamesParadise
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Pickpick

This wasn‘t as good as his latest Long Time Gone, but still a solid 4 stars! I thought revisiting a murder case that hadn‘t been worked on since right before 9/11 was an interesting premise! There are twists throughout it! I enjoyed the short chapters. I was definitely surprised by one twist later on in the story. If you‘ve read his other books, I‘m sure you will like this one too!

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MyNamesParadise
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Pickpick

This was the best of them so far! It got intense w: Gamache & the fallout of the Arno (spelling? I listen to the audio) case. I find this series overall slow paced compared to the thrillers/mysteries I usually read, but I really enjoy as the pieces come together & Gamache solves the case. I don‘t really find myself caring about the residents of 3 Pines I hope that doesn‘t make me sound terrible! I‘m much more interested in the police parts/mystery

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MyNamesParadise
It Starts with Us | Colleen Hoover
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Pickpick

Oh how I loved this book!! It was so nice to see Lily and Atlas together and happy! Ryle was just so angry in this book! If you wanted a follow up to what happens when Lily and Atlas bump into each other at the end of It Ends With Us, this is definitely it! I‘d be curious to see if they end up making this into a movie too!

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MyNamesParadise
Long Time Gone | Charlie Donlea
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Pickpick

What a great, suspenseful story! I listened to the last half of the book just yesterday alone! You know a book is good when you‘re looking for excuses to do things around the house so you can listen! It was also the 1st time a book was so gripping I just sat down & did nothing else but listen! There was a lot of time and POV switching but I wasn‘t confused at all. I will definitely be reading more of Donlea‘s books! I highly recommend!

16 likes1 stack add
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MyNamesParadise
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Pickpick

This was so good! I experienced a lot of anxiety reading it bc I was so worried about Daphne! There are twists and turns along the way but not a major twist like in the 1st book. If you liked the 1st one you will definitely love this one & getting to see the characters again. I recommend reading the prequel The First Shot bc a character featured there is a major character in this one! I‘m eager to hear everyone‘s thoughts on this one!

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MyNamesParadise
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Pickpick

I definitely enjoyed this 1 more than the 1st one! It was a great listen! I know there are a lot of characters & the switching POVs still confuse me at times. I feel I don‘t have a good grasp of all of the detectives featured. I‘d assume I‘d keep listening & it would be easier but I‘m unsure. I‘m going to keep listening to them though!

22 likes1 stack add
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MyNamesParadise
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Mehso-so

I read this 4 book club & I have mixed feelings. Some parts were really engaging & other parts dragged. I‘d give it 3.5 stars. I thought it could‘ve been shorter. Definitely an interesting premise! A woman must keep moving (literally) so a curse won‘t kill her! I could tell that this was a 1st novel. I‘ll be eager to see what people at book club have to say about it! If you‘ve read it, please share your thoughts in the comments!

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MyNamesParadise
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Pickpick

This was a quick listen! The narrator did a great job! It has the typical twists & turns you come to expect from McFadden. I didn‘t really know what to expect until right before the epilogue. Monica offers to be a surrogate for Abby Adler & her husband but what are her true intentions? I‘d recommend if you have liked McFadden‘s other thrillers!

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MyNamesParadise
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Pickpick

Another great thriller from Freida McFadden! It was a great listen with lots of twists & turns! I definitely didn‘t see the end one coming! I liked how the narrator changed her tone & inflection of voice between the two POVs so that you knew which character it was. Another thriller set among a bunch of moms in suburbia & it was entertaining. If you‘ve liked her other books, you will like this one! & the end is a total shock!

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MyNamesParadise
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Pickpick

This was a page turner! Another hit from Alex Finlay! I got through this in a day! I love how the different POVs come together. I‘ve seen the author speak several times & he says he writes to entertain mainly but this book also showed (albeit severe) consequences of things done when you‘re young and dumb. It would make people think twice if they‘re cruel to someone. I definitely recommend this one! A quick suspenseful read w/some deeper meaning!

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MyNamesParadise
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Pickpick

This book was really good! I really liked the cast of characters & my favorite was 10-yr-old Henry! Henry was me as a child! When Ethan was 10 his bff Billy was taken from Ethan‘s backyard in the middle of the night. 30 years later Ethan is back at his childhood home & odd happenings occur. Is Billy somehow back? And what about the mysterious institute that‘s close to home? This was well paced & I was satisfied with the ending! Again I love Henry!

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MyNamesParadise
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this!! A world where vampires exist but they‘re not your stereotypical vampires. The book does a good job of establishing the rules & facts about them. I enjoyed Barbara as the detective in this story. There was mystery & suspense until the end. The only other book I‘ve read by the author is The Chalk Man which I also really enjoyed! This made for a great listen! I‘ll be eager to get to more of their books!

24 likes1 stack add
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MyNamesParadise
((Small Town Horror)) | Ronald Malfi
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Pickpick

The 1st I‘ve read of this local author & I liked it! Definitely heavy on the horror descriptions at times but still a compelling read. It‘s for my mystery/thriller book club. Reminiscent of other stories where someone is summoned back to their hometown. There‘s past & present storylines & loved all the descriptions of Maryland. I‘m unsure if I‘d read more by this author just because of all the horror even though yes I realize that‘s the genre 😜

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MyNamesParadise
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Pickpick

Oh how I loved this book! I read it 4 book club. There‘re 3 POVs: a young woman who inadvertently kills a woman in a drunk driving accident & is sent to prison; the woman leading the prison book club; & the widower of the woman that was killed. They all converge in an independent bookstore in Portland, Maine & it goes from there. One thing I didn‘t like was a cliche plot line; otherwise this book is perfection! I highly recommend it!

20 likes2 stack adds
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MyNamesParadise
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Pickpick

I listened 2 the 1st book in the Gamache series & perhaps bc of that I had problems following at times. It changed perspectives so many times it was hard to keep track. I think I‘ve been reading/listening to just thrillers that it was challenging to listen to a slower paced mystery. I liked the reveal at the end & more of the pieces came together. I will give the 2nd in the series a chance. Most likely on audio.

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MyNamesParadise
It Ends With Us | Colleen Hoover
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Pickpick

At 1st I didn‘t see what all the hype was about but then really liked it! I could see where some may have issues w/ the book. I read it bc Blake Lively is going to be in the movie that comes out in August & I love her & wanted to see what the hype was about. Now I can‘t wait to start the sequel! Trigger warning: domestic violence

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MyNamesParadise
Ward D | Freida McFadden
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Pickpick

This was a good, suspenseful Freida McFadden thriller with its twists and turns! Amy is a medical student who will be in a psychiatric ward for one night. What happens will thrill and shock you! This audiobook was a great listen & it went by quickly! I hope you enjoy it!

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MyNamesParadise
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Pickpick

I loved this book! A great serial killer detective story in the frigid snowy winter of Alaska. I enjoyed getting to know Detective DeHavilland Beans & parts of his life as well as the ongoing case of bodies of missing baristas piling up. I hope the author writes more featuring Beans! I loved the handling of a character that has autism. If you like stories set in Alaska and/or serial killer cases and/or character driven stories you‘ll love this one

15 likes1 stack add
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MyNamesParadise
Do Not Disturb: A Novel | Freida McFadden
Pickpick

I really enjoyed this one! You‘ll like it if you‘ve read her before. I didn‘t see the twist at the end coming. It was kind of funny with the homages to the Bates Motel & all the Psycho references. It made for a great listen and I liked how the book was told in parts by different narrators. This would make for a fun movie/mini series.

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MyNamesParadise
The Wife Upstairs: A Novel | Freida McFadden
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Pickpick

This was the 1st book I listened to via the Libby app! A friend finally convinced me to try it & I can‘t believe it took me this long! Overall, this is a pick, but there are stretches where it drags. I liked the back and forth of is the husband a bad guy or not and is the wife crazy or not. I did predict part of the twist at the end so maybe I‘m getting better at reading McFadden thrillers! You‘ll enjoy it if you‘ve read her before.

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MyNamesParadise
One Perfect Couple | Ruth Ware
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Mehso-so

Ware‘s books are really hit or miss for me. If you‘re looking into this book thinking it‘s a page turning thriller, that it is not. I liked the main character and that‘s why I kept reading, hoping something more exciting would happen. I‘m not really a fan of locked room mysteries or “stuck on a deserted island” mysteries & there have been a lot of those lately. The reality show bit made it interesting. Overall 3/5 stars.

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MyNamesParadise
Annie Bot | Sierra Greer
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Pickpick

I read this book club!! It was a little slow at first but then it picked up with more plot and themes developed of ownership and autonomy and what it means to be human. And yes there is sex! I think everyone should read this book. It gives a somewhat alarming look at what our future can be with AI and robots. It‘s a short, quick read overall.

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MyNamesParadise
The Housemaid | Freida McFadden
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Pickpick

This book definitely has a similar plot to a very popular book, but won‘t say to avoid spoilers. Although aspects of it were different. It was fast-paced & intense. A couple of things I felt were convenient at the end, but otherwise a very good read! I‘m eager to read the next book in this series!

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MyNamesParadise
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Pickpick

Definitely an interesting look into Amber‘s past. It makes for an entertaining read! None of what happened in this prequel is mentioned in The Last Mrs. Parrish, so it makes me think the authors made it up after TLMP was published? I‘d still read it though as it does fit into Amber‘s character. I‘m eager for The Next Mrs. Parrish!

17 likes1 stack add
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MyNamesParadise
The Last Mrs. Parrish | Liv Constantine
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Pickpick

Oh my goodness! This book! Just totally insane and I loved it! Definitely some twists and turns and eager for the sequel coming out next month! This was the mystery/thriller book club selection for June that I‘m in! If you love thrillers with twists this is for you! I would give trigger warnings, but I feel like they would spoil some of the twists so I‘m torn! But this one‘s been out long enough, you can find what happens in it!

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MyNamesParadise
The Inmate: A Novel | Freida McFadden
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Pickpick

Finished this last night!! So good!! Another 5 star read from Freida McFadden! I love her thrillers!! There were twists along the way & you don‘t know what‘s fully coming until the end. If you love psychological thrillers and have read previous books of hers then you should love this one!

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MyNamesParadise
Darling Girls: A Novel | Sally Hepworth
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Pickpick

Finished this on Monday! Another 5 star read from Sally Hepworth! If you love domestic suspense then this is for you! You really get to know the main characters of Jessica, Norah, and Alicia & how the abuse they endured as children in foster care (in Australia) shaped who they are but there‘s always the ability to change. Great twists & a quick read! I‘m going to go back and read her previous books (at some point!)

Sace I skipped this BOTM last month, but I may have to make it an add on for June. Sounds good. 5mo
MyNamesParadise @Sace well I know I definitely enjoyed it! I flew through it! I hope you like it when you get it!! 5mo
22 likes2 comments
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MyNamesParadise
Murder Road | Simone St. James
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Pickpick

I read this for book club & I loved it! I‘m a huge fan of the author‘s work bc you know about the supernatural elements ahead of time which makes the story even more enjoyable. Some of it was predictable to me, but that didn‘t take away from the story. The short chapters really build the suspense. I‘m excited for the discussion for this one!

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MyNamesParadise
Becoming Madam Secretary | Stephanie Dray
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Pickpick

I read this 4 book club. I didn‘t think I was going 2 like it @ 1st bc I‘m not the biggest historical fiction reader & I thought it would be technically written, but I love it! It was written in a way that was very accessible, even if you‘d never heard of Frances Perkins, which I barely had. It‘s amazing what she accomplished in her life & we should all be grateful for what she fought for. Even if you don‘t like historical fiction, read this one!

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MyNamesParadise
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Pickpick

This was such a quick, gripping read! Another of McFadden‘s that I‘ve loved! It‘s shorter than some of her other ones but there‘s still twists & turns & I didn‘t see the huge twist coming at all. If you love thrillers & McFadden‘s other books, you‘ll love this one too!

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MyNamesParadise
What Storm, What Thunder | Myriam J. A. Chancy
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Pickpick

I read this for work. It‘s the One Maryland One Book selection for 2024. It‘s a fictional account of the aftermath of the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck Haiti in 2010. Told through multiple character‘s POV‘s it really works to create a whole picture of the aftermath & how it affects ordinary people. It‘s beautifully written! So many long paragraphs proved a challenge for my adhd brain but it‘s such a powerful read. You need to read this one!

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MyNamesParadise
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Pickpick

Finished this at the end of March for April‘s mystery/thriller book club meeting. The reason that it‘s a pick for me is the ending which was great. But it did seem tedious at times while reading. It seemed repetitive & there was so much description. This was the 1st of the author‘s that I‘ve read even though I have her other 2 books bc the premises seemed so interesting. If you‘re reading this just stick with it & the end is the payoff.

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MyNamesParadise
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Pickpick

I finished this in mid March. This is the 3rd book in the Frankie Elkin series & while enjoyable & still a good read it seemed long to me. I enjoy Frankie as a character & her experiences but the case itself was so specific & out there that my attention waned at times. If you‘ve read the other books in the series then you should read this one too! & this one could also be read as a standalone.

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MyNamesParadise
The Coworker | Freida McFadden
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Pickpick

I finished this in mid March & I really enjoyed it! It may have been a little wrong & one of the twists was predictable for me, but still plenty of twists & surprises! Another of McFadden‘s that I highly recommend!

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MyNamesParadise
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Pickpick

I had to read this work & what a read it was! It‘s Dr. Redwood‘s personal account of working in philanthropy & the racism she endured both structurally and personally working in the sector. If you‘re in philanthropy or the nonprofit sectors, I definitely recommend reading this book! As a white woman, it was eye opening for me to see the levels of racism at play here.

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MyNamesParadise
The Locked Door | Freida McFadden
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Pickpick

I read this back in early March. I really liked this one! This was my 2nd of McFadden‘s books I‘ve read & I love them! I didn‘t see the twist coming on this one! If you want a quick paced thriller with big twists then I definitely recommend this book!

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MyNamesParadise
The Fury | Alex Michaelides
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Mehso-so

I read this for book club back in early March. After discussing it there I made my review lower. There really weren‘t enough characters for a locked room mystery. And there was discussion of the twist being that there is no twist and how it plays out the way you think it would. While I loved The Silent Patient, it seems like Michaelides‘ books are on a downhill trajectory from there. I‘d get this one from the library if you want to read this one.

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MyNamesParadise
Big Swiss: A Novel | Jen Beagin
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Pickpick

Just finished this one! Read it for book club. It‘s not something I would‘ve read on my own. It was a little slow to start but eventually picks up. Greta is an interesting character. Overall I liked it but it‘s definitely quirky & may not be for some people. I‘m eager to see what people at book club have to say about it!

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MyNamesParadise
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Pickpick

Finished this one last week after seeing the author talk at my local independent bookstore! It‘s set in the Warsaw ghetto in WWII. I‘ll read anything about the Holocaust &this story doesn‘t focus on the horrors of it, while they are there. It focuses on one man‘s ability to survive it. It‘s a beautiful story set in a tragic setting. The good and the bad are shown here. I recommend this one even if you don‘t normally read books about the Holocaust.

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MyNamesParadise
The Other Mothers | Katherine Faulkner
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Pickpick

This was an enjoyable enough of a read and fast paced. Read this one for the new mystery/thriller book club at my local independent bookstore. As we discussed it there were mentioning of a lot of things that maybe didn‘t make this book so great, but it‘s serves the purpose of a mystery/thriller if you‘re looking for a fix. There was debate over the ending & eager to hear what others thought about it. I havent read the author‘s other book but I may

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MyNamesParadise
Yellowface | R F Kuang
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Pickpick

My 1st book of 2024! Finished it last month for a new book group I joined at my local independent bookstore. This was the 1st thing by the author that I‘ve read. I really enjoyed this one. It‘s amazing how June frames herself to the reader and she really believes that she‘s the victim. Thought an aspect of the ending was a little contrived but it made for great discussion! I recommend this one! Def interesting 2 learn about the publishing industry

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MyNamesParadise
Never Lie | Freida McFadden
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Mehso-so

My last book of 2023! This was my 1st Freida McFadden book. I enjoyed the pacing. The reason that it‘s a so-so for me is that the big twist just didn‘t make sense. & for a long time you‘re led to believe one thing and it turns out to not be the case. I read online & a lot of ppl had the same reaction that I did. I also read that her other books are better and that I should still read those. I own a few more of her books so I hope they‘re good!