I have been a voracious reader ever since the Popples' went to Summer Camp. 😉 If you don't know what a Popple is you probably weren't born in the 80's. I'm pretty sure I still have some in my mom's basement... right next to my new kids on the block tapes. I may have been a toddler but I appreciated 'Step by step.' (PS if you know what my blog title's from then you're awesome)
Since it's Summer, one of my favorite things to do is sit outside, take in some sun, and read wonderful books. I wanted to go over some of my favorites and I'd love to hear yours. I personally love most things, but thrillers, supernatural and mystery are probably my favorites. This past Sunday I got to spend the day at the most wonderful Library, the Kansas City Public Library in our downtown area. I almost forget how wonderful libraries really are. You can go there and check out these books that can take you anywhere or teach you something. I've compiled a few of my favorites.
Here are just a few depending on your taste:
1. Fantasy- George R.R Martin's- A Game of Thrones
Everyone knows this show is brilliant. But so are the books behind the series. George R.R. Martin completely paints the world and his characters for you in a slight variations from the show. In this Epic Fantasy Kingdoms battle for the Throne and no one is safe.
2. Fiction- 11/22/63- by Stephen King
This was another show brought to the small screen. Hulu actually turned this wonderful book into a series you can check out on this Mystery Thriller. If you could go back in time and change one epic moment in history would you? In this novel A time traveler attempts to prevent the assassination of President John F Kennedy.
3. Young Adult- Vampire Academy series by Richelle Meade
The title of this book is cheesy and they made a cheesy (But entertaining) movie out of the first one. The story and characters though, are brilliant. I've probably reread this entire series about 3 times and I will read it again. Rose Hathaway is a sassy, spirited girl who takes on the world's fiercest vampires, forbidden romance and her school's ruthless social scene. Like I said, it sounds cheesy but it is everything I wish Twilight would have been.
4. Fiction/Horror- Intensity by Dean Doontz
This novel is not for the faint of heart. It is definitely a mature book as some scenes can be graphic. However this is, no pun intended, the most intense book I have ever read. I kept trying to stop reading but couldn't as I was afraid to leave the character in such a bad situation. If you can get past the first few chapters as they are a little grisly, it is well worth the read. A young woman attempts to survive a when a murderous sociopath enters the house...
5. Mystery- The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith (J.K Rowling)
This is an old fashioned Thriller is not for children. I'm sure that is why J.K Rowling used a different pen name. It is however a really good book. It has well fleshed out interesting characters and plot twists. Sometimes it's a little slow but worth the journey for me. After losing his leg to a land mine in Afghanistan, Cormoran Strike is barely scraping by as a private investigator. Strike is down to one client, and creditors are calling. Then John Bristow walks through his door with an amazing story: His sister, thelegendary supermodel Lula Landry, known to her friends as the Cuckoo, famously fell to her death a few months earlier...
6. Fiction- Before we were yours by Lisa Wingate
This was an emotional book for me, as it tells the stories of Two families, generations apart, who are forever changed by a heartbreaking injustice... Avery Stafford seems to have it all. A loving daughter to her father, a US senator, with her own ambitious career as a lawyer and a handsome fianc waiting for her in Baltimore. But when Avery returns to Aiken to help her father weather a health crisis and a political attack, a chance encounter with May Crandall, an elderly woman she's never met before, leaves Avery deeply shaken. Avery's decision to learn more about May's life will take her on a journey through a hidden history of stolen children and illegal adoption. A journey that will reveal a secret that could lead to devastation... or redemption. 'This heartbreaking story is also heart-mending-a powerful tale of family, of sisters, of secrets kept and secrets shared.
7. *Husband Recommendation* Fantasty- The way of Kings (The Stormlight Archive, Book 1)
My husband loves this series and if you are into epic fantasy novels you might really enjoy this one.
The story rotates between the points of view of Kaladin, Shallan Davar, Szeth-son-son-Vallano, Dalinar Kholin, and several other minor characters, who lead seemingly unconnected lives. Szeth, a Shin man cast out by his people and condemned to obey his constantly changing masters, is sent to murder the king of one of the world's most powerful nations, Alethkar. As the story progresses, he continuously changes hands, doing his best to hide the fact that he possesses an Honorblade, a mythical blade used by the Heralds that can cut through any material. He also possesses an ability to bind things together for a certain amount of time (“Surgebinding”), once possessed by the Knights Radiant and thought lost, making him incredibly difficult to defeat in battle.
I hope this inspires you to check out some new books whether it's these or something else.
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Dress by Pink City Trees Pink City Trees Website. Picture taken at the Kansas City Public Library Central |
Since it's Summer, one of my favorite things to do is sit outside, take in some sun, and read wonderful books. I wanted to go over some of my favorites and I'd love to hear yours. I personally love most things, but thrillers, supernatural and mystery are probably my favorites. This past Sunday I got to spend the day at the most wonderful Library, the Kansas City Public Library in our downtown area. I almost forget how wonderful libraries really are. You can go there and check out these books that can take you anywhere or teach you something. I've compiled a few of my favorites.
Here are just a few depending on your taste:
1. Fantasy- George R.R Martin's- A Game of Thrones
Everyone knows this show is brilliant. But so are the books behind the series. George R.R. Martin completely paints the world and his characters for you in a slight variations from the show. In this Epic Fantasy Kingdoms battle for the Throne and no one is safe.
![]() |
This was another show brought to the small screen. Hulu actually turned this wonderful book into a series you can check out on this Mystery Thriller. If you could go back in time and change one epic moment in history would you? In this novel A time traveler attempts to prevent the assassination of President John F Kennedy.
![]() |
Picture from Amazon.com |
3. Young Adult- Vampire Academy series by Richelle Meade
The title of this book is cheesy and they made a cheesy (But entertaining) movie out of the first one. The story and characters though, are brilliant. I've probably reread this entire series about 3 times and I will read it again. Rose Hathaway is a sassy, spirited girl who takes on the world's fiercest vampires, forbidden romance and her school's ruthless social scene. Like I said, it sounds cheesy but it is everything I wish Twilight would have been.
![]() |
Picture from Amazon.com |
4. Fiction/Horror- Intensity by Dean Doontz
This novel is not for the faint of heart. It is definitely a mature book as some scenes can be graphic. However this is, no pun intended, the most intense book I have ever read. I kept trying to stop reading but couldn't as I was afraid to leave the character in such a bad situation. If you can get past the first few chapters as they are a little grisly, it is well worth the read. A young woman attempts to survive a when a murderous sociopath enters the house...
![]() |
Picture from Amazon.com |
5. Mystery- The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith (J.K Rowling)
This is an old fashioned Thriller is not for children. I'm sure that is why J.K Rowling used a different pen name. It is however a really good book. It has well fleshed out interesting characters and plot twists. Sometimes it's a little slow but worth the journey for me. After losing his leg to a land mine in Afghanistan, Cormoran Strike is barely scraping by as a private investigator. Strike is down to one client, and creditors are calling. Then John Bristow walks through his door with an amazing story: His sister, thelegendary supermodel Lula Landry, known to her friends as the Cuckoo, famously fell to her death a few months earlier...
![]() |
Picture from Amazon.com |
6. Fiction- Before we were yours by Lisa Wingate
This was an emotional book for me, as it tells the stories of Two families, generations apart, who are forever changed by a heartbreaking injustice... Avery Stafford seems to have it all. A loving daughter to her father, a US senator, with her own ambitious career as a lawyer and a handsome fianc waiting for her in Baltimore. But when Avery returns to Aiken to help her father weather a health crisis and a political attack, a chance encounter with May Crandall, an elderly woman she's never met before, leaves Avery deeply shaken. Avery's decision to learn more about May's life will take her on a journey through a hidden history of stolen children and illegal adoption. A journey that will reveal a secret that could lead to devastation... or redemption. 'This heartbreaking story is also heart-mending-a powerful tale of family, of sisters, of secrets kept and secrets shared.
![]() |
Picture from Amazon.com |
7. *Husband Recommendation* Fantasty- The way of Kings (The Stormlight Archive, Book 1)
My husband loves this series and if you are into epic fantasy novels you might really enjoy this one.
The story rotates between the points of view of Kaladin, Shallan Davar, Szeth-son-son-Vallano, Dalinar Kholin, and several other minor characters, who lead seemingly unconnected lives. Szeth, a Shin man cast out by his people and condemned to obey his constantly changing masters, is sent to murder the king of one of the world's most powerful nations, Alethkar. As the story progresses, he continuously changes hands, doing his best to hide the fact that he possesses an Honorblade, a mythical blade used by the Heralds that can cut through any material. He also possesses an ability to bind things together for a certain amount of time (“Surgebinding”), once possessed by the Knights Radiant and thought lost, making him incredibly difficult to defeat in battle.
I hope this inspires you to check out some new books whether it's these or something else.
![]() |
Two Piece Set from American Eagle |
:D Definitely an eclectic list.
ReplyDeleteyou know me. My stuff is all over the place. I tried to think of different categories. ;)
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