My Favourites

Here are some of my favourite books through the years:

• Before I Go To Sleep by S.J Watson

Christine wakes up every morning not knowing who she is, who she is married to and doesn’t remember what happened in the past. She begins to write down her previous days so she can learn what really happened to her.

I went into this book with little to no expectations. Back in 2014, my friend let me borrow about 10 books and this was the very last one I read. The cover wasn’t super appealing and the blurb wasn’t drawing me in.Then I started reading it and I was hooked! And oh man, that ending! I was blown away. I loved how the novel was written mostly in diary entries and I really felt for the main character. I would highly recommend this book!

 

 

• The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

This was another one of the 10 books that I borrowed from my friend (she has great book tastes!). I was intrigued by the concept (Germany during World War II) and even though it took me a bit to get used to Death as a narrator, I quickly fell in love with the writing style.

The novel follows Liesel, a young foster girl who is living in Nazi Germany. She has moved in with her new foster family and is trying to fit into her new school. She loves books (just like us!) and steals books when she can (maybe not like us).

I’ve recommended the book to a few people and everyone has loved it! The movie was very well done too (totally shed a few tears!).

 

• In the Blood by Lisa Unger

I can’t remember at all where I learned of Lisa Unger and In the Blood, but it’s one of my favourite twisty mysteries.

The story had 2 perspectives, the main character’s Lana modern day perspective and an unknown mother’s diary. Lana likes to lie and can easily blend the truth with her lies. She starts to babysit a 11 year old boy and she has her work cut out for her. Shortly after she started her babysitting gig, her friend, disappears and quickly the lies start flowing.

There was lots of mysteries surrounding the book and I was surprised by them when it was all revealed! The ending just exploded with twists and I loved every second of it.

 

• Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter

Ah, what can I say about Pretty Girls? I feel bad that I loved this book so much because it is so graphic and disturbing. This book is not for everyone, but if you are a fan of graphic, disturbing reads then this is the book for you! It’s about two sisters who are still in grief about their other sister disappearing 20 years ago and that don’t talk to each other. An event happens and they are focused to connect and talk about events that happened 20 years ago. Again this is not a feel good book about sisters reconnecting!

I’m still working through Karin Slaughter’s other novels, but I would also recommend the Grant County series and then the Will Trent series.

 

• Dead Simple (Roy Grace #1) by Peter James

This book should not be read by those who have a fear of being buried alive! If reading about this topic doesn’t freak the heck out of you, then get ready for this novel!

Michael Harrison has been quite the jokester, but his friends haven’t been too impressed by his jokes, especially on their bachelor nights. Of course on Michael’s own bachelor night, it’s only fair that his friends get even, so they lock Michael in a coffin expecting to return a few hours later. Unfortunately there is a car accident and all those who know where Michael is, are killed in a car accident. Now the rush is on to find Michael before his wedding day.

I was totally surprised by this book and I loved it. Things just kept coming that I didn’t see at all! I’m hoping to read more of this series, but this book can easily be read as a stand alone!

 

• The Sister by Louise Jensen

I was blown away by The Sister. It is a debut novel, but doesn’t read like a debut at all!

Grace and Charlie have been best friends since Grace first arrived to their small town when she was 9 years old. Grace is torn apart when Charlie dies and decides to help Charlie’s memory by searching for Charlie’s father. On this search, Grace discovers Anna, who is Charlie’s half sister. After meeting Anna, Grace’s life seems to unravel even more that she thought possible. Can Grace find the answers she desperately needs before everything comes apart?

This was a book that I had to just keep reading one more chapter. There was cliffhangers at the end of each chapter, so of course you just have to keep reading! The ending was super suspenseful that had me on the edge of my seat.

 

• Lisa Gardner

I’m cheating a bit with the next 2 since I’m choosing authors, but you can’t go wrong with these authors!

First up is Lisa Gardner. I am so in love with her Quincy and Rainie /FBI Profiler series. Each book in the series is so unique and doesn’t follow a certain format that series tend to do. The characters are flawed, but it makes you fall in love with them even more. I really enjoy each lead and sub characters in each novel.

Start with The Perfect Husband and just enjoy the ride!

 

• Liane Moriarty

 Last up is Liane Moriarty. It’s clearly a popular choice with the recent award winning TV mini-series, Big Little Lies. Each one of her novels is a stand alone and can be read in any order. I would recommend reading in order of publication year as Moriarty is like fine wine, her books get better and better!

You have been warned, you may lose sleep reading her books. I can never read just one chapter! My top 3 books of hers are The Husband’s Secret, Big Little Lies and What Alice Forgot.