Roni Recommends: Suspense with a Dash of Horror & A Twisty Ending

The other day I wrote a post called You Might Like My Book Recommendations If... that was all about reader personality and book recommendations. In that post, I told you which five main things I personally look for in a book how my recommendations are going to skew in that direction. Well, this recommendation actually falls a little bit outside of that sweet spot because The Last Time I Lied only hits 3 of my usual 5 things I'm looking for, BUT it did the other three so well that I ended up not minding that this was a plot-driven book instead of character-driven.

So why did I pick up this book in the first place when I know that thriller/suspense novels are usually not as much in my wheelhouse as a reader? Well, first, it was a Book of the Month club pick and they usually don't let me down with choosing books. (By the way, if you're looking to expand you're reading horizons, I highly recommend joining BOTM. The cost of the hardback is cheaper than you can get it on Amazon, and you can skip months and not get charged if none of the five picks appeals to you. Plus, they offer a good variety each month. Note: the link is an affiliate link but I pay for my subscription and have not been asked to promote it.) But secondly, I picked up this book because I'm a sucker for horror movies and though this book is not horror, Riley Sager's thing is to turn horror movie type premises into thriller/suspense novels. So when I saw this summary (below) and realized it was the classic scary summer camp set up, I was totally in.

In the latest thriller from the bestselling author of Final Girls, a young woman returns to her childhood summer camp to uncover the truth about a tragedy that happened there fifteen years ago.

Two Truths and a Lie. The girls played it all the time in their cabin at Camp Nightingale. Vivian, Natalie, Allison, and first-time camper Emma Davis, the youngest of the group. But the games ended the night Emma sleepily watched the others sneak out of the cabin into the darkness. The last she--or anyone--saw of them was Vivian closing the cabin door behind her, hushing Emma with a finger pressed to her lips.

Now a rising star in the New York art scene, Emma turns her past into paintings--massive canvases filled with dark leaves and gnarled branches that cover ghostly shapes in white dresses. When the paintings catch the attention of Francesca Harris-White, the wealthy owner of Camp Nightingale, she implores Emma to return to the newly reopened camp as a painting instructor. Seeing an opportunity to find out what really happened to her friends all those years ago, Emma agrees.

Familiar faces, unchanged cabins, and the same dark lake haunt Nightingale, even though the camp is opening its doors for the first time since the disappearances. Emma is even assigned to the same cabin she slept in as a teenager, but soon discovers a security camera--the only one on the property--pointed directly at its door. Then cryptic clues that Vivian left behind about the camp's twisted origins begin surfacing. As she digs deeper, Emma finds herself sorting through lies from the past while facing mysterious threats in the present. And the closer she gets to the truth about Camp Nightingale and what really happened to those girls, the more she realizes that closure could come at a deadly price.

Cool premise, right? And I have to say that the setting descriptions were so fantastic that I felt like I was in the forest or on the lake or huddling in a cabin late at night. The descriptions made it an immersive reading experience. This story is also a dual timeline (a technique I love, as those of you who've read my books know) and it follows the story of what happened fifteen years ago and what's happening now when Emma returns as a counselor. The shifting timelines really help build the mystery and plant so many red herrings and possible suspects that I ended up suspecting like five different people and still didn't figure it out lol. So if you love a book filled with clues and misdirection, this will hit those buttons. As I mentioned above, the main character (the only POV we get) wasn't as layered as I usually prefer, but she was sympathetic and I didn't mind spending time in her head. I also had trouble keeping track of some of the other characters at the camp and had to check back for names a few times, but really that was my only issue.

And then the ending, y'all... I had some fears going into this book that the twist would be of a certain type that is super popular right now (and one that I've grown really tired of), but I am happy to report that it is not the case! The ending of this book was SO satisfying and totally got me to send this GIF to my friends:

Shocked GIF from Shocked GIFs

I love, love, love when a book tricks me and when I don't figure out the ending early. So this immediately made me want to pick up Sager's other book (which I already own) Final Girls. So though this is a little outside my normal recommendations, I think those of you who like a great creepy thriller with a good mystery should pick this one up. 

What have you read lately that you loved?

2017 Read & Watch Challenge: January's Word & Recommendations

Happy New Year, everyone! 

It's time for the start of the 2017 Read & Watch Challenge. Yay! If you missed the initial post that explained how this works, check it out here. (There's also a free checklist and reading journal you can download.) But the basic premise is that each month there will be a theme word. You can choose how to interpret the theme word, but the challenge is to read a book and watch a movie/TV show each month that match the theme.

Also, each month, I'll be posting recommendations here if you're having trouble deciding what to pick. I'll offer my own recommendations and what I plan to read/watch for the challenge BUT I'll also be featuring tastemakers (authors, bloggers, editors) who offer recommendations AND a Reader of the Month who will offer her choices. So lots of reasons to stop by! :)

So, this month's word is BEGIN. I think this one is perfect for January and I hope you'll have fun with it.

Possible interpretations of the theme (but interpret how you like):

• Begin a series
• A story about beginnings
• A book or movie that has the word BEGIN in the title
• A non-fiction book about a habit you want to start
• A YA story because teens are beginning their adult lives
• A prequel
• A story about the beginning of an era

TASTEMAKER OF THE MONTH: Julie Cross

Author Juile Cross

This month's tastemaker is my friend and NYT Bestselling YA/NA author, Julie Cross. She's got some great suggestions for us. But be sure to also check out her latest book, Chasing Truth, which also fits the theme of BEGIN. Kirkus reviews calls it, "An enjoyably twisty, romantic, and thoughtful prep-school mystery." 

Now, on to Julie's picks!

Novel: Sex and Violence by Carrie Mesrobian

Julie's Thoughts: Open your mind a bit and let this very real, very BEGIN story inside you and I promise you will feel all kinds of things. After Seventeen year old, Evan is severely assaulted by the ex-boyfriend of a girl he hooks up, his father pulls him out of boarding school and the two escape to a family cabin in Minnesota. Evan must begin to mend--inside and out--begin to trust, and begin to love himself while learning to let others in. Lovers of romance, there is a love story here, but be aware, it doesn’t follow the traditional patterns however if you come prepared for a real and emotional journey, you’ll find that love story right alongside the hero.

Recommended for lovers of realistic teen stories, male narrator's, family drama, small-town quirks, friendships, and characters who make dozens of mistakes but grow tremendously throughout the story.

 

TV Show: Veronica Mars

Julie's Thoughts: I watched this entire series just last winter (free via my Amazon Prime membership) so don’t feel intimidated by the “Marshmellows” who were devoted to the series since it’s birth. Unlike the hero in my YA book recommendation, Veronica doesn’t have the luxery of moving to a new place despite the BEGIN she is forced embrace. Her best friend was murdered, her father was booted from his job as town sheriff, her mother has run off to God knows where, and Veronica has gone from popular cheerleader to daughter of the town outcast. She may be stuck in Neptune until graduation, but that doesn’t mean Veronica has to sit quietly and accept her new fate. She’s fierce, witty, hilarious, and very loyal to her father. The two of them have a great relationship and run a damn good P.I. business too. Veronica’s drive and constant curiosity will make you want to get up and BEGIN something of your own. After you binge watch all three seasons plus the follow-up movie, which is also fantastic.

 

READER OF THE MONTH: Dawn Alexander

Next up, we have recommendations from my friend, fellow writer, and avid suspense reader, Dawn Alexander. Dawn likes things with a mystery and a bad guy/gal, so she'll have some different picks for us. Also, be sure to check out her blog! :) 

On to Dawn's picks...

Novels:

One for the Money by Janet Evanovich

The first of the Stephanie Plum series, an all time favorite.

Naked in Death by JD Robb

First of the In Death series, also an all time favorite.

Things We Wish Were True by Marybeth Mayhew Whalen

For a little bit of a twist on a theme. It's a women's fiction about the beginning of summer as well as the beginning of everyone's secrets unraveling. 

A is for Alibi by Sue Grafton

My choice for my challenge is. I'm cheating a little here. It is the beginning of a series. A is the beginning of the alphabet AND it's the beginning of my Follow the Clues reading Challenge. 

Movies:

Rogue One

It's the beginning of the Star Wars Trilogy I grew up with. Not the prequels.

Hope Floats

The beginning of a new life.

Stand By Me

The beginning of adulthood.

 

 

Roni's Recommendations 

Books:

Because January is all about beginnings, I find myself reaching for a lot of non-fiction, self-improvement type books. So if you’re looking for a fresh start, here are a few options:

The Happiness Project or Better Than Before by Gretchen Rubin

These are great books to reboot at the beginning of the year if you're looking to start new habits or to find some joy this year. I find myself picking these up for rereads in January.

Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert

This is all about beginning a full, rich creative life without all the “artistic suffering”.

Organizing Solutions for People with ADHD by Susan Pinsky

Not just for those with ADHD. Super helpful organizing solutions that really resonated with me and I still use years after reading the book. So if one of your goals this year is to get yourself organized, this is a great place to begin.

Shameless Self-Promotion:

You know what would also make excellent choices for BEGIN? Beginning one of my series. :) Here are my two series starters:

Crash Into You

First in the Loving on the Edge series (kinky Texas men, BDSM, angst, romance)

 

 

Off the Clock

First in the Pleasure Principle series (smart and sexy therapists and doctors, Grey's Anatomy of mental heath meets erotic romance)

 

 

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TV Show:

My So-Called Life

This one is an easy one to start because there is only one season—one perfect, ended-too-soon season--and you can get it streaming. This is about the beginning of high school, adulthood, and contains ALL THE ANGST and super hot Jared Leto. If you grew up in the 90s, you’ve probably already seen it, but there’s a reason that it was picked as one of the top 100 shows of all time by the authors of TV (The Book.)

Movie:

When Harry Met Sally

This is the perfect movie for New Year’s but is also about the beginning of a very long relationship. Plus, you get to see Carrie Fisher in a great role (she plays Meg Ryan’s sassy best friend.)

What I'll be Reading/Watching

Books:

The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon

A YA about the start of a relationship that only lasts one day (at least that’s what I think it’s about.) This was a Book of the Month Club pick, so I’m looking forward to it.

One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid

The is about beginning love again after a woman loses her true love in a helicopter disappearance. But after she finds a new love years later, her husband is found. Hello, conflict.

 

TV:

OJ: Made in America

I’ve already started this one after hearing so many rave reviews about it. It goes with the BEGIN theme because it’s not just about how OJ ended up but where he started, bringing in the history of America and the influences that shaped him and what was to come. My husband and I watched The People vs. OJ, which was fantastic, and I didn’t think we needed to watch something else on the same topic, but so far this is a different angle on it and compelling.

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So that's what I've got for you this month. Any of these suggestions spark your interest? I'd love to hear what you'll be reading and watching for this month's challenge! Leave a comment or use hashtag #readwatch17 to join the conversation on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, etc. :) 

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Thank you to our monthly tastemaker!

At Holden Prep, the rich and powerful rule the school—and they’ll do just about anything to keep their dirty little secrets hidden.

When former con artist Eleanor Ames’ homecoming date commits suicide, she’s positive there’s something more going on. The more questions she asks, though, the more she crosses paths with Miles Beckett. He’s sexy, mysterious, arrogant…and he’s asking all the same questions.

Eleanor might not trust him—she doesn’t even like him—but they can’t keep their hands off of each other. Fighting the infuriating attraction is almost as hard as ignoring the fact that Miles isn’t telling her the truth…and that there’s a good chance he thinks she’s the killer. Grab a copy!