WWW WEDNESDAYS is a weekly meme hosted by Sam @ Taking On A World Of Words and is all about answering the three questions below.
- WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY READING?
I’m currently reading another psychological thriller ARC and Bookouture read: Be My Killer by Richard Parker. And as things are going, I’ll probably be finishing it later today because I’m flying through this story! I’m also just about to pick up my copy of One Of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus; another ARC I requested after a recommendation and a title I’m really looking forward to.
- WHAT DID YOU RECENTLY FINISH READING?
(Doing this part slightly different this week since I already had written short ramblings/reviews of four of these titles for my Bout Of Books wrap up anyway… I like the look of it though; should I keep it this way in my next WWW???)
1. Roses Of May by Dot Hutchison (3,5/5 stars) REVIEW
While not as strong or twisted as the first book, I still very much enjoyed Roses Of May. Especially the final part had a very fast pace and the writing style is very enjoyable to read. The serial killer and plot itself are both intriguing and the chapters with the killer’s thoughts added another level of suspense. I also might or might not have squealed when I saw my name mentioned in the story (doesn’t happen often, trust me!). The plot twists are interesting as well, although I did find out the killer’s identity early on. Without doubt still recommended though!
2. Liar by K.L. Slater (4,5/5 stars) REVIEW
Liar turned out to be another excellent psychological thriller read full of surprises. I found myself literally flying through the pages as I kept wondering about the chapter the story started with… Because Liar both started and ended with a bang. This is unreliable narrating at its best, and I loved every single minute of the ride. More than recommended for fans of the genre!
3. Aurabel by Laura Dockrill (1,5/5 stars) REVIEW
I really wanted to enjoy this one and I still love the cover, but unfortunately I just couldn’t. I felt like it was as if I were reading in a foreign language I could only barely understand for most of the ride and I had a REALLY hard time finishing this one. In fact, I would probably have DNFed it if it wouldn’t have been an ARC. A little note: after some investigation, I found out this is actually a sequel and it becomes clear as you are reading Aurabel that a lot of both background AND essential information is missing if you don’t read the first book. That said, I don’t think this story has convinced me enough to actually try and read the first book. Unfortunately it ended up being a quite painful experience reading Aurabel.
4. Manipulated Lives by H.A. Leuschel (4/5 stars)
I have been wanting to pick up this collection of short stories about different characters dealing with the consequences of manipulators for a long time now, especially since I’ve seen various glowing reviews in the past. And I’m definitely glad I finally picked it up, because I really enjoyed reading them. Every story deals with a different angle and the stories are truly fascinating. My favorite story would be between the second and the third story; my least favorite probably either number four or five, but this doesn’t mean they were still good. If psychology fascinated you or you enjoy realistic fiction in general, Manipulated Lives is definitely a great read.
5. Stardust by Neil Gaiman (3,5/5 stars)
It’s basically a miracle I could even see the cover of this one with all the dust it has collected for years… I’m glad I finally picked it up! Stardust is one of those exceptions where I have actually seen the movie first, something I prefer not happening because it alters the reading experience. It’s probably what happened here as well, because I kept thinking of the movie as I were reading Stardust… And I think this is one of the rare cases where I actually enjoyed the movie better than the book. It’s an entertaining and well written fantasy read, but it reads a bit slow and not as good as my Neil Gaiman favorites.
- WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU’LL READ NEXT?
After my recent Bookouture thriller request binge (five in one week and I’m not even sorry!), I urgently need to read more NG ARCs to keep my ratio above 80% (yes, somehow I never actually dived below that mark; don’t ask me how that miracle happened xD)… First up is another thriller and sequel I’ve been looking forward to: Secrets Of The Dead by Carol Wyer. I also need to read Feel Me Fall by James Morris; I’ve read two of his previous stories in the past and enjoyed both, so I’m looking forward to it. The fantasy ARC Heartborn by Terry Maggert is also on my list… And I want to read And I Darken by Kiersten White ASAP so I can dive into my sequel ARC with time to spare. I can’t wait to finally read this series!
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I am curious about your experience with Be My Killer. It does sound like its going well so far. I think that’s the first Bookouture book that didn’t work for me. Looking forward to your review and I can’t wait to read Liar. Happy reading 🙂
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I’m about halfway done and I’m actually really enjoying it so far. I love the social media/serial killer angle. I’m curious about the rest of the book now hearing you didn’t really like it… What aspect didn’t work for you? And Liar is such a great read; I hope you will enjoy it! Happy reading. 🙂
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I saw Aurabel on GoodReads (probably through your updates) and had a look at both it and the prequel and neither sounded great at all. But not having all that background info must have been really hard!
Hope you enjoy And I Darken! I’ve heard it’s really intense!
Here’s my WWW.
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I guess I should probably investigate titles better before I request/buy them in the future, because when I went back to check on the Goodreads blurb I started to see the signs that should have warned me this story wouldn’t be for me… Oh well, lesson learned I guess. 😉 I’ve heard so many great things about And I Darken! I’m definitely looking forward to finally read the series. Happy reading!
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Liar!!! Ah, you are killing me! I’m starting it next week as I’m late on schedule! I’m so happy you liked Manipulated Lives, I don’t read lots of short stories but those ones really had a unique voice and I enjoyed them a lot. Oh and Be My Killer…You’re not helping me fight the urge to get it!!!
Happy reading! xx
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You know you want it!! 😉 😉 Every time I try to resist a bookouture thriller I last less than a day haha. Did you see the title they uploaded today? I’m trying not to hit the request button until I’ve at least finished Be My Killer, but it’s HARD. I hope you will enjoy Liar! And I’m definitely glad I finally picked up Manipulated Lives. Happy reading! ❤
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I gave in… 😂😂😂
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Haha you won’t regret it!! 😉
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So many great books!! I’m so jealous that you got an ARC of One of Us Is Lying. I want to read that one so badly! I requested it on NetGalley a while ago, but the publisher still hasn’t approved or declined it. 😛 Hope you like it. I have And I Darken and I really want to read it soon so I can read the sequel when it comes out. Fingers crossed I have time to get to it.
Here’s my WWW if you’re interested and haven’t seen it already: https://kourtnireads.wordpress.com/2017/05/17/www-wednesday-51717/
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I think I requested both One Of Us Is Lying copies available on NG and somehow one actually came through haha. I hope they will end up approving your request! And the And I Darken series sounds so good; fingers crossed we’ll be able to find time for it. Happy reading!
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So many great books! And I Darken was one of my favorite reads last year! I hope you enjoy it! I still have to pick up the sequel!
Here’s my post for this week. Happy reading!
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That’s great news! I’m definitely looking forward to finally start the series. Happy reading!
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Interesting books. I just checked Liar and now I’m intrigued! I also have And I Darken for a while now but keep on pushing it back my TBR. Maybe I’ll find time soon to finally pick it up. 🙂
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I can definitely recommend Liar! And I’ve heard a lot of great things about And I Darken; the sequel coming out soon is defiintely a great excuse to finally pick it up. Happy reading!
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I agree about Stardust, I think the movie surpassed the book entertaining-wise! That movie just cracks me up lol.
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Good to hear I wasn’t the only one! I definitely want to watch it again now.
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I am looking forward to seeing what you think about One of Us Is Lying! I have And I Darken on my TBR. I need to get my hands on a copy!
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I can’t wait to finally dive into it! I’ve been looking forward to read One Of Us Is Lying ever since I read your review. Happy reading!
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Wow, you read so many recently…you’re putting me to shame LOL! Be my Killer sounds like a great read! Hope you enjoy it til the end 🙂
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I can’t wait to continue reading Be My Killer; with the pace I’m flying through the pages I will probably finish it tonight haha. I hope you will enjoy your books this week and happy reading!
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I just started One of Us Is Lying last night but I only made it five pages before I fell asleep due to the late hour. I have a feeling this is going to be a quick read. It’s funny you said what you did about Stardust. I’m a huge Gaiman fan and I read the book before I saw the movie, but it was one of those rare circumstances where I liked the movie more. To this day I’m not exactly sure why.
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I’ll be looking forward to your thoughts on One Of Us Is Lying! And it’s good to hear I wasn’t the only one liking the movie more… It might have been because the story ‘flows’ better in the movie or maybe because I liked the dynamics between Tristran and Yvaine better, but like you I can’t put my finger on it exactly.
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And then there was Robert Di Niro doing the Can-Can!😂
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Oh YES I could never forget that scene!! Hahaha
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It was priceless!😂
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That scene alone makes me want to rewatch the movie ASAP!
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And this is shy I have it on DVD!
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I wish I had as well!
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Dang! Yvonne, you’ve got to get this somehow. Maybe Amazon?
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Renting it will be faster… Fingers crossed they have it in the original version and not dubbed in Spanish. 😉
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I really want to start reading One of Us is Lying very soon, it sounds like a great read. Be My Killer sounds really intriguing too, I’m tempted to request that one on NG. Hope you enjoy all the books you have coming up this week 🙂
Here’s my WWW: https://rathertoofondofbooks.com/2017/05/17/www-wednesday-17-may-what-are-you-reading-today/
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So far Be My Killer is definitely worth requesting! And I hope you will enjoy One Of Us Is Lying. Happy reading!
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I’ve seen the Stardust film too and I loved it! I haven’t read the book yet, but I’ve heard mixed things about it. I can’t wait to see your review about it!
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The book is entertaining as well, but I personally prefer the movie… I felt it was just more entertaining.
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I might check out the book anyway since I can’t resist anything done by Neil Gaiman!
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I have so many books planned to read in June but I’m hoping to slip And I Darken onto my TBR! Hope that you enjoy it. And the more I see One of Us is Lying, the more I really want to read this one!
Happy Reading 🙂
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I’m still not that far into One Of Us Is Lying, but it has a lot of potential so far. I hope you will find time for And I Darken as well! I’ve heard many many great things about it. Happy reading!
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Oh I’m so glad that I’m not the only one out there who enjoyed the movie of Stardust better than the book! There have been other times when I saw the movie before reading the book and usually I still like the book better but not this time for some reason.
Congrats on getting through so many books during Bout of Books last week!
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Yeah, it seems like the mayority has enjoyed the movie better than the book so far… It doesn’t happen often, but Stardust is definitely an exception.
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I’m so bummed you didn’t like Stardust as much as I wanted you to lol BUT I also read the book, THEN watched the movie, so my reading experience could have been altered as well I think.
I hope you enjoy And I Darken! It is a slower paced historical retelling, but there is lots of political intrigue and a bad ass female lead. Can’t wait to see what you think!
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I certainly wish I could have ‘unwatched’ the movie to read the book first… I kept waiting for certain things to happen and ended up being disappointed when they didn’t; it was still an entertaining read though.
And I can’t wait to finally read And I Darken! It definitely sounds like a great read.
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