As I'm half way through my goodreads challenge for 2019 and half way through the year I thought I would update you all the books I've read so far this year. Maybe it will give you some inspiration for summer reading in the garden.
Shari Lapena's A Stranger in the House
Last year I read 'The Couple Next Door' so I had high hopes for 'A Stranger in the House'. Set around a woman who wakes up after a car accident having lost her memory and the police suspecting she was linked to a murder that took place in the same area. I found the plot fast paced and well thought out - even when I thought it might be a little predictable things still changed but in a believable way. I finished the last chunk of the book in one sitting because the end was so gripping I couldn't put it down. You never fully knew how things were going to work out until the very end.
Last year I read 'The Couple Next Door' so I had high hopes for 'A Stranger in the House'. Set around a woman who wakes up after a car accident having lost her memory and the police suspecting she was linked to a murder that took place in the same area. I found the plot fast paced and well thought out - even when I thought it might be a little predictable things still changed but in a believable way. I finished the last chunk of the book in one sitting because the end was so gripping I couldn't put it down. You never fully knew how things were going to work out until the very end.
Rating: four stars
Gordon Ramsay's Humble Pie
This is the first autobiography I've read because it was passed on to me because I am such a fan of 'Kitchen Nightmares' and 'Hells Kitchen'. Talking about his difficult childhood - his father's alcoholism and violence, his brother's heroin addiction, his failed first career as a footballer and his kitchen life. I really enjoyed this book and it was really interesting to read about where Gordon Ramsay grew up. I had no idea how tough his childhood was and it just makes me respect him even more. The books chapters are all interesting and take you through his journey with plenty of interesting anecdotes.
Rating: four stars
Kevin Kwan's Crazy Rich Asians
You might have already seen the film adaptation of 'Crazy Rich Asians' but, as always, the book is so much better. When the son of a super-rich Asian family bring his new American Asian girlfriend back to Singapore for a wedding all heel breaks loose. All about families, family politics and Asian culture I didn't really consider reading this book before reading a review on Charlotte's blog but I quickly became obsessed with the lives of these super rich families. I'm already excited to read the second book in the series.
If you've watched the film and not read the book you're really missing out on large parts of the story.
Rating: five stars
C.S. Duffy's Dark of Night
The story begins when Ruari is going to tell Lorna how he feels about her but instead find the police at her house searching for clues about her murderer. The book follows Ruari's search around Glasgow for Lorna's killer and getting himself into increasingly dangerous positions. I enjoyed this first episode and there were definitely some twists along the way. I don't quite understand why the series is split into such small books and it was frustrating it ended on such a cliff hanger... I've not got round to reading the second instalment yet but I do want to know how it ends.
Rating: four stars
J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Re-reading 'The Half-Blood Prince' again and I still cry at the end...
Rating: five stars
This book was passed on from my boyfriends Mum. 8-year-old Daisy Mason disappeared from her parents' summer party. No one in the quiet suburban street saw anything - or at least that's what they're saying. While it's a classic thriller I enjoyed this book, it was fast paces and had a really interesting twist at the end. I didn't see that coming!
Rating: four stars
Karin Slaughter's The Good Daughter
Another book from my boyfriends mum and another book I raced through the second half. When Charlotte is caught up in a school shooting it brings back painful memories of her own mum's death. Carefully weaving through the present day story with what happened when Charlotte was a child it shows just why Charlotte has found the experience so traumatising. I really enjoyed the story line and it kept me guessing until the very end. I'd recommend it if you enjoy a thriller.
Rating: four stars
Adam Kay's This is Going to Hurt
I read this book after all the hype had died down but I thought it deserved all the praise it got. I enjoyed it so much that I wrote a review for it last month. I found it fascinating but mostly would recommend it to anyone who criticises the NHS! My copy came from the library but because my boyfriends mum liked the sound of it I bought her a copy which she is currently racing through.
Rating: five stars
Catherine Alliott's Wish You Were Here
I adding this book to my list years ago and I'm very glad I finally read it. When an extended family go on a summer holiday in France there complicated relationships are put under more strain. Flora's ex-boyfriend is there with her sister in law and her husband is mesmerised by the glamorous opera singer who had invited them to stay. The ending was expected and unexpected at the same time which is always good.
Rating: four stars
Check out my last post - The Rest of the Books I Read in 2018
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Would love to know what you think about the post! I read every single one but if you have a question tweet me @gisforgingers. P.s. Comments make my day...