#book reviewers

Review of Jade Chang’s The Wangs Vs. The World

10 Word Review: Wealthy family loses everything during the financial crisis, hilarity ensues!

Spoiler Free Review: I really enjoyed this book! It was funny and touching, though it does take a bit to warm up to some of the characters! I think it’s also a fantastic representation of how the U.S. got into the financial crisis, and includes one of the best explanations I’ve seen yet. It’s simple, to the point, and well illustrated!

I thought that this was an interesting twist on the classic immigrant story. The ending was completely fitting and I did grow to really care for the characters. I’d definitely recommend it!

Review of Brene Brown’s Daring Greatly -

10 Word Review: Analysis of how vulnerability and shame affect our daily lives.

Spoiler Free Review: I’ve had a bunch of people recommend this book to me, and I am so glad that I’ve finally read it! It made me think about vulnerability and shame in a completely different way. It really is remarkable how those two things truly do affect my everyday life. It also made me come to several realizations about myself and how I want to live my life. I’m sure this book means something different to everyone who reads it, so I’ll just say that you should definitely give it a chance!

Review of Lisa Taddeo’s Three Women

10 Word Review: Insightful glimpse into the sex lives of three different women.

Spoiler Free Review: I read this book as part of a book club that I’m in, and it’s one I probably never would have picked up on my own, but I’m glad I did! It really led to some fascinating and deep conversations with some wonderful women.

While the book’s central focus is around the sex lives of three women, it’s really about what it means and looks like to be a woman in today’s society. The challenges that are faced and how these women are overcoming them or not overcoming them in some cases. It does feel a little intrusive to get such an intimate and raw portrait of their lives, but that’s what makes the book so interesting and I think important. These women who participated in this book were able to be so open and vulnerable with their story, and I found that to be extremely brave! I’d definitely recommend reading this one in a group and you won’t be disappointed!

Review of Taylor Adams’ No Exit -

10 Word Review: Woman stuck in blizzard at rest stop with four strangers!

Spoiler Free Review: This book was a non-stop thrill ride! It may be one of my new favorite thrillers ever. Just when you think you have a grasp on what’s going to happen, you realize you literally have no clue! There were so many WTF moments, but it never veers into the ridiculous, which can always ruin a good thriller for me. It’s also what I call a cinematic book, where it could literally be turned into a movie as is and is incredibly well paced. If you’re looking for a book you can read in a day and are looking to be highly entertained, definitely check it out!

Review of Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot’s Christmas -

10 Word Review: Dysfunctional family’s patriarch is murdered in a locked room scenario!

Spoiler Free Review: I’m a huge fan of Agatha Christie and her Hercule Poirot novels, and this one is no exception! It’s a fantastically well plotted locked room mystery that had me guessing the whole time, and left me shocked and satisfied by the end! The cast of characters are all wonderfully odd and of course all have their own agenda. If you’re looking for a good old fashioned mystery, then you really can’t go wrong with this one!

Review of Jeffery Deaver’s The Bone Collector -

10 Word Review: Serial killer copying murders committed in 1800s New York City.

Spoiler Free Review: This is one of my favorite movies, but I had never read the book before! I absolutely loved it! It had me on the edge of my seat the whole time, even though I had a general idea of what was going to happen. The relationship between Lincoln and Amelia definitely has me wanting to continue on in this series, but I also loved how they didn’t hold back on the forensic details. I also always love a historical connection, and historical NYC is one of my favorites! If you’re looking to read an intelligent, fast paced thriller that will immediately grab your attention, look no further!

10 Word Review: Serial killer is murdering families, Will Graham investigates, Hannibal helps.

Spoiler Free Review: I really loved this first book in the Hannibal Lecter series, even though he’s not in it all that much. It’s still a great thriller with excellent pacing and a firm grasp of forensics in the 1980s. I have seen both movie adaptations of this book, so I knew the general plot and how it was all going to end, but the book still drew me in completely! Harris does a great job of making you both feel bad for the killer, but still want him to get his comeuppance! Of course, you’re also introduced to Hannibal Lecter, one of the best literary criminals of all time! Needless to say, I cannot recommend this book enough if you’re a fan of mysteries and thrillers!