Know My Name: A Memoir by Chanel Miller

Ever heard of Brock Turner? The Stanford University rapist? Wonder what happened to his victim, Chanel Miller? If so, pick up this book because it's her story. Chanel takes you through the traumatic events from before the rape, the rape, after the rape and the disappointing aftermath and weak verdict handed down by the, Judge.

Chanel gives a voice to victims before and after her. She gets her own justice by telling her story. I was moved by her emotions and while this book is well written, I often found myself rushing over passages and pages because it become wordy and long winded. The last 50 pages or so took power away from her story, she attempted to become a part of the #metoo movement and while it's an important one, it caused a distraction from the overall feel of the book.

Imaginary Friend by Stephen Chbosky

Imaginary Friends is a hefty 720 pages! The writing it similar to Stephen Kings and Joe Hill. I was mesmerized from page one! This book is very different from,  "The Perks of being a Wallflower" as it's a horror novel that has a very typical good vs. evil theme.

Christoper is our main character and is only 7 years old but he acts way beyond his physical age. His mom has moved them to small town, Mill Grove, Pennsylvania however shortly after they arrive, Christopher disappears into Mission Street Woods for SIX days! He has no recollection of what  happened during this time there but his time in the woods has changed who he is. He becomes incredibly intelligent seemingly overnight. What happened in the woods during those six days (that he has no memory of) will change his life and the life of all those around him.

This is a MUST read for horror fans, for the first time in years, I got chills and felt haunted. It's
solid, creepy and descriptive.

Is There Still Sex in the City? by Candace Bushnell

Candace Bushnell's, memoir, "Is There Still Sex in the City?" is a candid look into Bushnell's life after divorce a what it's like navigating dating as an older woman in the city and using modern technology as a dating aid.

 The conversations with her friends and the ease in which Bushnell tells her story makes you feel like you're having a conversation with a friend. It is intimate, easy to read and can easily been finished in one sitting.

Make your Home Among Strangers, Jennine Capo Crucet

Lizet is the daughter of immigrants (Cuban), the first person in her family to graduate High School and has now been accepted to Rawling's University in New York. Her family and boyfriend are not please with her decision to leave them, to leave Miami and go to New York. Despite their lack of support, Lizet heads off to NY.

She finds that University life is much more difficult than anticipated, she's struggling to acclimate to her new life. Her grades are bad, she's failing and has just been accused of plagiarism. She makes a last minute impromptu to decision and one that she can't really afford to go back to Miami for Thanksgiving. She hopes that she will be able to have a conversation with her family about what's going on in her life but an usual event takes place that cause a major distraction with her mother.

Ariel Hernandez a young boy is found floating on a raft from Cuba. His mother was seeking asylum and tragically died. His immigration status becomes a major issue, overshadowing Lizet's arrive as her family, her mother in particular becomes a major participant in seeking asylum for Ariel despite this father being in  Cuba and wanting him to return.

Lizet's life is in turmoil and she is faced with some decisions to make and find herself. Make your Home Among Stranger is an interesting enough read but has some slow moving moments, when you push through it, it makes the read worth it.

The Girl Who Smiled Beads: A Story of War and What Comes After by Clemantine Wamariya and Elizabeth We

Clemantine's story about the Rwanda genocide is an important one.  One that should be told and shared over and over. It's about fighting to live, fighting for the next day and the day after that.

This book is her experience in fleeing the Rwanda War, finding her way to  America. She spent six long years traveling though seven African counties before reaching safety.

This books is touching and emotional but it lacks flow and ease. It's very jarring and the time line jumps all over the place. This can work when done correctly but in this case it distracts from a very important story.

I wouldn't recommend this book as an introduction of what happened in Rwanda as it lacks background information but if you want a read on self determination and survival this book is for you!

The Dead Zone by Stephen King

The Dead Zone is a brilliant read that keeps you flipping the pages. It's a fun read from start to finish.

After an accident, John Smith is given the "second sight." It is both a cursing and a blessing. It brings forth good fortunes and dooms. After a night of wins on this way home  he is in a car accident that results in a coma. Upon waking from his 4 year coma he is "gifted" with full fledged clairvoyance.

He goes on a journey that takes him from one disaster to another. He feels darkness in people and is pulled into the deepest, more frighting darkness when he comes across, presidential candidate Greg Stillson. A simple handshake gives him insight into the evil that lays in this man. Greg Stillson is apocalyptic and lures people in with this outrageous personality (cough ... cough.. much like Trump).
Greg Stillson is the biggest bad, the biggest evil and the bogeyman. John Smith has to stop it but will he succeed?

This novel is incredibly interesting. It was published in 1979 and is frighting and almost prophetic. Greg  Stillson is  Trump. This book gave me goosebumps and is probably one of my favorite reads.

Dear Edward Novel by Ann Napolitano

Expected publication: January 2020

Twelve-year-old Edward Adler is the soul survivor of a plane crash. His brother, parents and 183 passengers perished in a plane crash from Newark to Los Angels.  Edward's story is told in past and present day but essentially deals with the aftermath of the plane crash. 

After a lengthily stay in the hospital, Edward goes to live with his Aunt and Uncle. He has to readjust to life, being a soul survivor and navigate around his injuries. Edward quickly bonds with and develops and intense and heart warming friendship with his neighbor Shay.  She helps him heal and find solace in his life. She helps him adjust to major changes in his life such as attending a public school (he was home schooled before) and to come to terms with and find a level of peace association with being the sole survivor.  This is incredibly pivotal as it helps him deal with an unexpected discovery. 

Napolitano writes an incredibly moving story and the way she captures the moments on the doomed flight put's you in the plane seat. The background stories on various passengers adds to the story 

Pretty Revenge by Emily Liebert

Pretty Revenge is a story about revenge and how far someone will go to find their own justice.

Kerri is our revenge seeker and Jordana is her target. Kerri is out to get Jordana and get vengeance for a past transgression. Kerri changes her looks and manages to get a job working as Jordana's assistant in the wedding industry.

Kerri slowly and methodically works her way into the business and gaining Jordana's trust. While, Jordana is away, Kerri's plan starts to unravel. Her acts of revenges are trite and silly yet it helps to accomplish her end game.

Pretty Revenge isn't a major thriller. It's cliche and silly at times, very Lifetime Movie network but it was an fun, quick and entertaining.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Readers, I have to be honest here. I judged this book by it's cover. I have avoid reading it for years, simply because the cover didn't appeal to me and to be honest neither did the write up. I finally took the book plunge as I've heard over and over again what an excellent read it is. I begrudgingly picked it up and found myself immersed in the story immediately.

The writing is superb and real. I often had to remind myself that I was reading a book of fiction and not an actual memoir or biography.

Evelyn is a character within a character. She is spunky, motivated, glamorous and flawed. She is a fighter. We experience and follow Evelyn's life from an early age. Her story unfolds and her secrets spill to an inexperienced writer that she has personally selected to tell her story.

Evenly has been married seven times and each marriage influenced her to a degree but sadly she was never head over heels in love with any of  her husbands. They were either a stepping stones, a contract or a convince for her. Her last marriage is my favorite and most emotional one one, as she was connected to him on a much deeper level than any of her other husbands.

This book tackles a variety of subjects, some are rather dark but they are true to life. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is like digging deep into the private life of your favorite Hollywood actor. You get the gritty, dirty, private details very little people know about. You'll love and hate Evelyn and the choices she makes, Reid has written an  entertaining piece full of rich details. This is one book you MUST read.

Dominicana by Angie Cruz (Author)

Ana Cancion is only fifteen years old and lives in the Dominican.  Juan Ruiz is twice her age and proposes to her. Her family forces her  to accept his proposal. With the proposal comes major changes.  She leaves the country she imagined growing old in and immigrates to America.

On a cold, winter day in 1965 she arrived in New York City. She doesn't love or know her new husband. He brings her into their apartment and promptly leaves her to fend for herself. He returns and leaves for days, even weeks at a time. Her life is miserable and she is lonely. He is abusive and unfaithful.

 She makes a plan to escape but it's foiled when she meets Juan's brother, Cesar. He convinces her to stay and for a brief moment her life has happiness. Cesar allows her to take classes to learn English and shows her the beauties of NYC, while Juan temporarily returns to the  Dominican. Ana is finally free and happy but then Cesar returns to NYC...

Ana's voice draws you in from page one to the the very last. The character growth is incredible and she evolves from this timid, innocent young girl to a brave, independent woman. The characters are real, honesty and full of faults. The story tells itself and flows off the pages with ease. Be prepared to get nothing done once you start reading this book because it's impossible to walk away from.

The Birthday Girl by Melissa de la Cruz

 Ellie is turning forty and in typical Ellie fashion she is hosting a huge celebration party at her newly purchased home in Palm Springs. Ellie has invited everyone she knows and has everything is planned to the smallest detail however .... Things go array at the last minute, the flowers are wilting, something peculiar is up with her husband, her best friend can't make it and her step-daughter has returned home unexpectedly from college, her business is up in the air and  let's not forget that someone from her past has decided to drop in and join the celebration.

This thriller is told in alternating chapters flipping back between the ages of 16 and 40. The contrasts between 16 year old and 40 year old Ellie are vastly different in terms of life styles and character. 40 year old Ellie isn't nearly as interesting as 16 year old Ellie. The story and plot gets darker as the story unfolds and and the twist and turns are done in a manner that doesn't reveal the story until the author is ready to tell it.

This is a fun, easy read that will be sure to entertain.


* I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.