It was a rainy Monday for us, spent mostly inside, which always makes me feel a little lazy and tired. So when the forecast called for a clear Tuesday, my mom, sister, and I decided to make some plans to head down to Balboa Island to check out a little coffee shop, and walk around. I always love how crisp the air feels the morning after a rainstorm and it was nice to get out after an entire day spent outside… it makes me realize how much I take the sunlight for granted…
And now, after a homemade pizza dinner, it’s time to wind down on the couch with a good book. I just started reading “Rock, Paper, Scissors…” a recommendation from my mom. My book reading journey started off slow this year, but rapidly picked up towards the end of January, so I thought I would compile a list of the books I read the first quarter of 2022. It was recommended to me by someone on instagram, and I thought it was a great idea (and easier than saving it for the end of the year). I hope it helps if you’re looking for a good book to get lost in…
Have a great day!
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THE DEATH OF MRS. WESTAWAY
So I purchased this book before the end of 2021, but would pick it up, get distracted for a few days, and the cycle would repeat. I think, since it was the holiday season, I was more in the mood to watch feel good, seasonal movies/television, than dive into a psychological thriller….
It ended up being the first book I finished in 2022, and in true Ruth Ware fashion it didn’t disappoint (the only book I’ve read of hers that I wasn’t a fan of was “Turn Of The Key”). It had the mystery, suspense, and twists that I look for in 95% of my books….
THE FAMILY UPSTAIRS
Alright, I think this one is my favorite of the year so far. Lisa Jewell writes the best books that aren’t creepy, but are full of “what happens next??” and makes you want to stay up way past your bedtime to get closer and closer to the end…
This particular book involves family dynamics, a cult, murder(s), and a sort of coming of age aspect to it. And while the ending ties up nicely, it still leaves you questioning what could possibly happen next…
APPLES NEVER FALL
I have mixed feelings on this book… it took me a long time to really get into it… there was a lot of tennis talk… but in the end it was still a good book (I’ve read others from her, and this one wasn’t her best…). I wouldn’t classify this one as a psychological thriller, more of a “what happened to her…” type book… with a psychological component to it. And while it took me a long time to get into it… I do still recommend it….
I eventually liked how all the characters developed… and I can’t really say anything more without giving anything away…..
THE NIGHT SHE DISAPPEARED
Another one from Lisa Jewell (my goal might be to get through all her books this year). I read this on the plane both to, and from, Hawaii (the first time I’ve been able to read on a plane, with the girls, in 6 years…). So good.
Sometimes I think her books are so intriguing because they’re unlikely storylines… but then I remember that the news never fails to surprise me with stories like hers. This one isn’t any different…. and again, I appreciate that they’re mysterious versus. creepy (i.e. they won’t keep you up at night…).
ONE ITALIAN SUMMER
This book is a different genre all together, and was really good. This is the second book I’ve read from Rebecca Serle (the first was “In Five Years”) and both of her books use death as a catalyst for sort of finding one’s self….
It takes place along the Almafi Coast, and is an easy read…. highly recommend!
