Paperbacks vs E-books
As a longtime reader, I can honestly say I absolute LOVE books. I love browsing at the bookstore or the library, I love getting emails showing the new books coming out each season, and I especially love getting a new book, opening the cover, and smelling the fresh scent of print on paper. Although Iâve never been a huge fan of hard copies (they are usually too big/heavy for me to carry around in my purse), I certainly donât turn them away if theyâre ones Iâm interested in reading. Lately, however, Iâve been reading more and more books on my iPad (using the Kindle app) and I have to say, there are definitely some advantages. For one, I can read into the night as late as I want and I donât have to keep the bedside light on or mess with those little book lights (they are usually never bright enough for me and I have to adjust them to follow the page). I can also have multiple books queued up in the app for when Iâm traveling, or even if I want to bring something to read to an appointment where I might have to wait (think BMV or hairdresser).  On the other hand, when itâs late at night and Iâve stayed up waaaay too late reading, I promise you that a paperback (possibly even a hardcover) is a much softer thud on your face than the metal ipad. I think the last time I fell asleep reading my ipad, I almost broke my glasses! Anyway, below are the two new release paperbacks I just finished, along with a little something spooky for the fall season â enjoy!
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The Guilty Couple by C. L. Taylor
Olivia has spent the last five years in prison after being convicted of attempting to kill her husband. During that time, the three things on her mind were how she was going to reunite with her daughter (now 12 years-old), how she would clear her name, and maybe, just maybe, a little on how to get back at her husband for framing her. Although the man she was having an affair with before she was sent to prison has long ghosted her, Olivia still has her very close friends who have stood by her side through this whole ordeal---and now sheâs going to count on them even more. I liked this book; it moved quickly, relatable characters, and definitely some suspense. Unfortunately, as I reflect on the book, I see there were a number of holes---places in the story that I wouldâve liked a little more detail. And even worse, I was left with some of my questions just unanswered, so that made the payoff a littleâŚwellâŚa little less. It was still an interesting book and Iâd likely read more by this author, but itâs going to be a middle-of-the-road type of review this time.
3 Stars
Special Note:Â Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to read this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
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When She Disappeared by Steph Mullin & Nicole Mabry
When Margo was a senior in high school, her best friend, the very popular Jessie, went missing. Now, some 15yrs later, Margo has returned to her hometown to help her dad after surgery and the timing couldnât be better (or worse?), because Jessieâs body has just been found at the bottom of the swimming hole where the HS seniors have always hung out. Now that everyone knows Jessie was killed (and didnât just run off like many thought), the true-crime documentary series, Into Thin Air, is reviewing the case, and Margo is doing her part to help out. But as the story progresses, secrets from Jessieâs inner circle are uncovered, and Margo realizes she wasnât as close to Jessie as she mightâve thought. I zipped through this book; easy to read, relatable characters, and a suspenseful pace. Iâm not sure how much I liked the ending---in retrospect, Iâm liking it more----and I think itâs definitely worth the read!
4 Stars
Special Note:Â Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to read this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
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The House On The Lake by Holly Hill Mangin
Eve wakes up, unsure of where she is or how she got there, but the more she talks to the innkeepers, the more she realizes she must be on the retreat she was planning to research before seeing if her twin sister wanted to join her for a week. When Eveâs twin, Lyn, shows up and canât recall how she got there either, instead of being surprised or overly concerned, Eve just assumes Lyn knows more than sheâs saying so she tries not to worry too much about how she got to this very strange house, and instead focuses on the fact that sheâs been given free rein to âsnoopâ wherever she wants on the property. Thereâs a lot more to the storyline, and although it started off a little on the âspookyâ side, I definitely donât consider this to be a horror book. A mystery? Yes, sure. Itâs a short read (took me about 4 hours?) and even though I still donât think everything was explained away perfectly, I donât think this means it was an unsuccessful story.  To the contrary: Iâm glad I read it and hope it finds an audience who will appreciate some of Eveâs âinterpretations.â
4 Stars
Special Note:Â Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
