Review: Skipping Christmas

Skipping Christmas by John Grisham
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I love watching the movie; I try to watch it at least once per year. I decided to read the book to back fill some of the background and to understand some references. The book served it's purpose for that, but honestly, the movie was a lot better.

I read this book as part of the PopSugar Reading Challenge 2022 - A book that can be read in one sitting.

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Review: Unspeakable Things

Unspeakable Things by Jess Lourey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'm not sure how to explain what reading this book was like. It was a pager turner in a fashion, but not because I was on the edge of my seat; it was simply that I needed to know how it ended. Most of my favorite page turners are page turners because I not only needed to know what happened, but because I was fully immersed in the story. It is a feeling of connection. You are in the action with the characters. I did not feel that way reading this book. All I wanted to know is how it ended.

I read this book as part of the PopSugar Reading Challenge 2022 - A book that features a party.

I read this book as part of the Amazon Epic Summer Reading Challenge - Topshelf - Unlock this achievement when you complete one of our Editor's Picks for Amazon Original Stories. There's something for everyone and Kindle Unlimited subscribers borrow for free.

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Review: Once Upon a Broken Heart

Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love Stephanie Barber's books because they are fast reads and I always want to keep turning the page.

This is a book can be read without having read the Caraval series, but I still recommend reading the Caraval series before jumping into this series. You will get background on some characters mentioned in this book as well as one of the of the main characters. I almost wish I had reread the Caraval series before starting this one.

I cannot wait until the next book comes out. Already have the hard cover and Kindle versions preordered!

I read this book as part of the PopSugar Reading Challenge 2022 - A duology (1).

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Review: City on Fire

City on Fire by Don Winslow
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I am always a sucker for books set in my home state. They are rare because, well, it's Rhode Island. This story had a somewhat slow start, but about halfway through I finally got hooked in. I ended up reading the last 65% in a single sitting.

It's an interesting mob story.

Waiting (not so patiently) for the second book.

I read this book as part of the POPSUGAR Reading Challenge 2022 - A book set in the 80's.

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Review: Shutter

Shutter by Ramona Emerson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received an ARC Kindle edition of this book through a Goodreads Giveaway.

Trigger Warning: The first chapter (which gets you hooked) contains graphic descriptions of a crime scene, descriptions of murder, cartels, and drugs.

This was an excellent book. I love reading about the indigenous people. This book has some Sixth Sense vibes. The POV switches from present to past for the majority of the book. A quick read.

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Review: Payback's a Witch

Payback's a Witch by Lana Harper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a really fun read. I had to put it down for real life reasons, but in total it is a fast read. It'll keep you on your toes.


I read this book as part of the PopSugar Reading Challenge 2022 - A book about witches.

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Amazon Kindle Reading Challenge - Epic Summer Challenge

Amazon has started the Epic Summer Challenge. It started July 1, 2022 and runs through September 30, 2022.

Some prompts are the same as the Spring Challenge, but here they are for the Summer Challenge:

Days Read:

✔ Bronze Reader - Unlock this achievement when you read for any 15 days during the Epic Summer Challenge. Reading days don't have to be consecutive to count. Earned July 17, 2022

✔ Silver Reader - Unlock this achievement when you read for any 40 days during the Spring Challenge. Reading days don't have to be consecutive to count. Earned August 10, 2022

✔ Gold Reader - Unlock this achievement when you read for any 75 days during the Spring Challenge. Reading days don't have to be consecutive to count. September 14, 2022

Books Read:

✔ Bookish - Unlock this achievement when you complete a Kindle books during the Epic Summer Challenge. Earned July 11, 2022

✔ Bookworm - Unlock this achievement when you complete two Kindle books during the Epic Summer Challenge. Earned July 18, 2022

✔ Bibliophile - Unlock this achievement when you complete three Kindle books during the Epic Summer Challenge. Earned August 2, 2022

Streaks: This is a new category for Summer. These were previously under the Days Read category.

✔ Head Start - I'm not quite sure what the prompt was for this, but I earned it already. Earned July 2, 2022

✔✔✔✔✔✔✔✔✔ Perfect Week - Unlock this achievement when you read each day for a full week Sunday through Saturday. Tip: You can level up this achievement if you read multiple perfect weeks during the Spring Challenge. Earned July 17, 2022, July 24, 2022, July 31, 2022, August 6, 2022

✔ Perfect Month - Unlock this achievement when you read each day for a full month. Tip: You can level up this achievement if you read multiple perfect months during the Spring Challenge. Earned September 1, 2022

Mystery:

Mystery - Hint: The best way to escape the summer heat. Reveals 7/6

✔ Around the Campfire - Unlock this achievement when you complete one of our Summer Reading Kindle book picks. Earned July 18, 2022

 

Mystery - Hint: A Prime time to read. Reveals 7/11

✔ Prime Day - Unlock this achievement when you read on July 12 or July 13. Earned July 13, 2022

 

Mystery - Hint: Book lovers approved! Reveals 7/20

✔ Topshelf - Unlock this achievement when you complete one of our Editor's Picks for Amazon Original Stories. There's something for everyone and Kindle Unlimited subscribers borrow for free. Earned August 8, 2022

 

Mystery - Hint: Never miss a new release. Reveals 8/10

✔ I'm a Fan - Unlock this achievement when you follow an author between now and September 30 when the Epic Summer Challenge ends. Earned August 10, 2022

Mystery - Hint: Get hooked in a hurry. Reveals 8/31

✔ Quick Bites - Unlock this achievement when you complete a Kindle Vella episode in the Kindle app between now and September 30. Only reading done in the Kindle app counts towards this achievement. Find your next Kindle Vella read. September 13, 2022

Mystery - Hint: Finish Strong. Reveals 9/14

✔ Epic Ending - Unlock this achievement when you ready any three days between September 17 and September 23. Earned September 19, 2022