If I Disappear (Review)

 

3.5

This book has such a beautiful cover. It drew me in immediately.  I was on the hold list for a while on Overdrive, but it finally became available to me. I read it pretty fast.

 What could be better than murder, disappearances and podcasts? This is a twisted tale of a missing podcaster and her biggest fan sets out to find her. 

I did enjoy a bulk of the book. There are a few slower parts, but not too many. I do recommend as a read for 2021.

Review for 'The Lost Village' by Camilla Sten

 

Thank you to Netgalley and Minotaur books for this ebook review copy. Thus book had ben on my to-read shelf for a while. I saw the title and cover and knew I had to read it. Patiently awaiting its release.  I hadn't used Netgalley in a while, but figured I'd get back into it. I'm glad I have. 

This was very fast paced. As soon as I got it loaded onto my Kobo i started reading. I got halfway done in one day. (Im sure i would of got further, but did take a break). This book pulled me in from the start. Thus was very well written, and i highly recommend. A top new release of 2021. On my list.

 A group visit this abandoned village for a documentary film. It gets weird quick. Ghostly visions and abandoned buildings. The book goes back and forth between the past and present day. 

If you like creepy haunting stories this is the book for you. 5 Stars on a 5/5 star scale

It's been a while.

I know it's been a while since i've used this as a review site. I really want to try and get back into it. I mostly post my reviews to Goodreads but i'm going to try to post here too. I think they can be linked, so that will help. I got back on Netgalley, and even joined a new site...well new to me site called Edelweiss+. A librarian told me about it, so i joined it's for reviewers too. so fingers crossed. I've already posted a review on Netgalley,and am almost done with another one to post. 

I recently got a KoboLibraH20 that helps especially with review copies. I love that it can do multiple formats. It even has overdrive built in so it makes borrowing library books a breeze. Anyways, that's all for my little update. I will add a few of my post recent reads and or reviews in my next post. 

Hey Peculiars

Hey everyone!

Now after a move, and I'm mostly settled in. I can hope to get back into my book reviews.. I don't have a review for you just yet though. First I want to say at Quirk Books they've reached a special mark. 5 Peculiar Years

#5PeculiarYears

This will celebrate 5 years of 'Miss Peregrines Home for Peculiar Children. Also it's celebrating the upcoming movie due out in September! I'm super excited for it. I hope you all are too. They are hosting a contest on their website. http://www.quirkbooks.com/5PeculiarYears I'm going to be submitting an entry later this week....at least I hope to remember to after work. :).


Please tell me what you think of the books, and will you be going to see the movie 'Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children'?

I also have thought of starting a booktube along with this blog, but I don't know how many active readers I actually have, and if people will actually watch me on YouTube. I also don't really have a HUGE library due to lack of space...yes I just moved and got a whole extra room which I can make my library, but I still am trying to keep it looking nice and neat. I just need your thoughts, and input.


Well I think that's all for now. I've been working a lot, but any suggestions on my next read? I have a review I will try to get posted up soon for ' My Best Friends Exorcism' another book published by Quirk.

Thank you to all my readers for staying with me,
Stay Peculiar,
Alexandra

Review for 'The Cube' a film by Scott McMahon

First, I know it's not a book, and this is a book review blog. But I'm branching out,and reviewing a new friends film. It'd be neat if eventually I can review products,electronics and stuff too, but I'm happy with books, and films now. I actually haven't gotten many books sent to me lately. I know hands have changed a lot at Quirk. :(...but........onto the review for 'The Cube'





How did I find The Cube?

I first noticed 'The Cube' as I was browsing IMDB. The synopsis immediately grabbed me. Checking out the message boards there was not a lot of chatter about it, or anything. I still looked around and could not find the film. I watched the trailer on youtube, and looked at the comments. I left my own, and the director Scott McMahon replied. We chatted a bit,and it is under a very limited release. He kindly sent me a copy in exchange for a review.

THIS REVIEW CONTAINS POSSIBLE SPOILERS

I really liked The Cube, it did leave me guessing. I'm actually still pondering it and it's been two days since viewing. ( as i write this that is.) A couple with financial issues receives a red cube on their porch one day,nothing else just a cube. They decide the throw the cube away, but then another shows up, and another and another. The woman Yvette starts notices strange things starting to happen,she blames the cube. More strange things start to happen. I was just as confused and curious as our main characters. I was on the edge of my seat when Yvette for really upset and carved STOP into the cube. After that cube had been thrown out, the next one said NO. It was pretty intense.
The couple decides to move, after all fails to find out who's been placing the cubes on their porch, even with cameras set up. After the couple moves I saw things getting better for a while, but that didn't really last long.

In the end, I was thinking quite a bit. There were 2 quotes at the beginning of the film that I thought back to. I may be wrong, but I think the couple was suppose to represent Adam and Eve and the cube being the forbidden fruit. But that's just my take on it with first viewing. I'm still pondering it, with next viewing, I think I'll show my mom and see what she thinks. Or maybe the ending was supposed to be left up to interpretation?

The film was filmed in Oregon, I've never been there myself, but I'd love to visit someday. The scenery was absolutely beautiful. The acting was that of a B movie, but I think for this film it works. It makes it more real life. Yes I just compared real life to a B movie, because life isn't scripted, i think it helps make the characters more real at times.
This movie had a very limited budget, but don't let that stop you from seeing it. The film is only available through Vimeo. Please support Scott,and Arrowinn Productions.

Thank you again Scott for letting me view your film. I'll be excited to see what you have out next. :)

Those Girls by Chevy Stevens (Review)

Those Girls by Chevy Stevens
5/5 Stars

I won this in a contest from St. Matins, thank you for providing me with an ARC. I was very happy,and surprised to see this in my mailbox. It made my day.

First I need to say I am a HUGE Chevy Stevens fan. The first book of hers I read was 'Never Knowing' I read that in about one night and was instantly hooked. I've since read all her books. Her newest book 'Those Girls' was just as an edge of your seat thriller as her first novel 'Still Missing' Three sisters Jess,Courtney and Dani are in fear of their father,after another bad night they finally get away. You may think things are going good,but they don't stay nice for long. Their truck breaks down,and some guys offer to help. Let me ask you, would you accept help from two guys alone? They did,and things didn't stay nice for long. I honestly can't say much more because you have to read it for yourself.
Eighteen years later, the girls are now living good lives, and are safe from everything that happened in their childhood....well until everything comes crashing back to them.

I really really enjoyed this. I would of finished it sooner,but I had to work. I was very shocked at this novel. Just now I have to wait a whole year for another wonderful novel from Chevy. I must say Chevy's books are filled with very graphic details, this one is very graphic at times. If you don't like disturbing content then tread lightly. She doesn't sugar coat anything. Despite that it's a very quick read,and most of the characters are likable. I was rooting for the girls the whole time too,but at times I wanted to yell at them wishing they hadn't made some of the choices they did. Read 'Those Girls' and you wont be disappointed.

Mystery Writers of America Cookbook by Kate White (Along with many other author's contribution.) review

Mystery Writers of America Cookbook by Kate White

4/5




This is a review for Quirk Books as part of their blogger team. Thank you guys.

First I was going to add a video along with this of me semi-preparing one of the recipes, and a review of it..but I recorded it on my tablet, and well I'm not to good with videos. The file was too big for all the editing software I tried. (I admit I didn't try very hard with editing the video,but it's not the most important thing. I can still put in my word about it. :) ) I did only cook one thing from the book right now, I'll make more later.
OK, I made Karen Haper's Zucchini Bread. I chose this because it was cheap,easy,and well I like zucchini. I did really enjoy it. As I was making it I kept thinking I was doing something wrong, and prayed it would turn out correctly. When I pulled it out of the oven I was glad it came out. The only issue I had was it stuck to the bottom of the pan a little. I did grease it like I was supposed to, but like I said I'm just not the baker type really.
I also made quite a mess making it. Book is already soiled...oops. well it's a cookbook that's going to happen.

 I flipped through the book, and was really impressed. I was trying not to drool over some of the pictures of the stuff I would eat. Some stuff I know I wont make, just either I won't eat it, or well I also don't have anyone to cook for in general.
This book is really well laid out into categories,and many well known authors have put in their favorite recipes. Pick this up if you're hungry. preferably for food. Feed your hungry for murder and mystery with food inspired by your favorite authors,and feed your hungry for murder and mystery with a book from your favorite mystery author.