Page Count: 326

Reverence by: Raena Rood

Synopsis:

Reverence takes place in a dystopian society where a deadly virus has devastated the world. The survivors live within the walls of Vita Nova, a city that has created strict rules and programs to control its population. Kira Liebert works as a volunteer advocate, helping people who choose to sacrifice themselves for the good of the city. When she becomes involved with a man named Will Foster, she begins to question what she has been taught about the world outside the walls and the society she lives in.

Review:

This book was unfortunately another one that wasn’t a favorite for me. I love dystopian books, so I had high hopes for this one, but that’s on me for not looking up more about the book beforehand. My dislike for this one was mostly due to it becoming overly religious. While that usually never bothers me, this felt heavily pushed throughout the story. I went in expecting a dystopian book and was met with Christianity being a major component of the plot.

 

Page Count: 194

The Dinner Party by: Frieda McFadden

Synopsis:
The Dinner Party is an interactive thriller where you get to decide what the main character does throughout the story. What starts as a seemingly normal dinner party quickly takes a darker turn, and the choices you make determine how the story unfolds and where it ultimately ends.

Review:
This book was interesting. It was the first choose-your-own-adventure book I’ve read, and probably my last. Honestly, it’s my least favorite book I’ve read by her. I felt that no matter what direction I chose, it always led to the same outcome.

 

Page Count: 400

Sunrise on the Reaping by: Suzanne Collins

Synopsis:
Sunrise on the Reaping takes place during the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell, and follows a young Haymitch Abernathy as he is reaped for the Games. As Haymitch is thrown into the brutal world of the Capitol’s entertainment, he is forced to navigate alliances, loss, and the cruelty of the Games. 

Review:
To be honest, I read this book solely because it was about Haymitch. He’s always been one of my favorite characters in The Hunger Games world. After reading this book, I understand more about why Haymitch is the way he is. I would be an alcoholic too, given what happened to him.

What happened to Beetee and Ambert really pissed me off. He did not deserve that. That’s the thing with the Capitol, though: death is entertainment. I loved that the book also gave me a look into other characters, such as Wiress, Mags, and Effie.

 

Page Count:368

Verity by: Colleen Hoover

Synopsis:

Lowen Ashleigh is a struggling writer who is given the opportunity of a lifetime when she is hired to finish a bestselling book series after its author, Verity Crawford, is left unable to continue writing. Lowen moves into Verity’s home to sort through her notes and research, where she discovers a disturbing, unfinished manuscript that reveals shocking secrets about Verity and her family. As Lowen continues reading, she begins to question just how much of what she has discovered is actually true.

Review:

It really bugs me to admit how much I enjoyed this book. I could not stop reading it. At one point, I was cooking and reading at the same time. I had to know what was in the manuscript! The ending makes you question what parts were real and what parts weren’t. Personally, I think Verity is, in fact, crazy and that the manuscript was more of a confession in a way.

 

Page Count: 309

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by: J.K. Rowling

Synopsis:
Harry Potter has spent his childhood living with his unpleasant aunt, uncle, and cousin, believing he is an ordinary boy. On his eleventh birthday, Harry discovers that he is actually a wizard and has been accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. There, he makes new friends, learns about his past, and discovers that there may be more going on at Hogwarts than meets the eye.

Review:
I have to admit, this was my first time reading it or rather listening to it, as I chose the audiobook. Which, in my opinion, was the way to go. One person narrated the entire thing, and it was so good that I felt immersed in it at times. It was also nice to compare the book to the movie as I went along. In my eyes, Harry Potter is just a classic, so no complaints!

 

Page Count : 60

The Invisible Parade by: Leigh Bardugo

Synopsis:

When a young girl discovers a mysterious parade that appears only to those who have experienced loss, she is drawn into a strange and haunting world where grief, memory, and love come together. Through beautiful illustrations and a bittersweet story, the book explores the ways we remember the people we’ve lost.

Review:

The art style for this book was the top reason I read it. It was beautiful and reminded me of the game Little Nightmares in a way. The story itself was kind of heavy and sad for a children’s book. Think of Coco, but sad. However, my dog, whom I read it to, didn’t seem to mind!

  

    Page Count: 368

The Boyfriend by: Frieda Mcfadden

Sydney Shaw is tired of the dating scene in New York, but everything changes when she meets Tom, a charming doctor who seems almost too good to be true. Just as Sydney thinks she may have finally found the perfect boyfriend, a string of murders begins to raise questions about whether Tom is really who he says he is. With a killer targeting women through the dating scene, Sydney starts wondering if the man she’s falling for could be the one she needs to fear.

This book did NOT go in the direction I thought it would. I don’t know why I expected anything different from this author; her books always seem to do that! I couldn’t put this book down once I started it, and my guess of who the killer was changed throughout the book. For the longest time, I thought it was Randy. He had keys for access and just gave off a creepy vibe. 10/10 recommend!