"The Stranger" by Harlan Coben is a Page Turner!

The Stranger by Harlan Coben is a unique concept for a thriller.  A stranger comes up to you and tells you a secret about one of your loved ones that you did not know, and it's a bombshell.  Not only that, but he has evidence that he gives you to back it up!  That is the main story line in this book about Adam and his wife, Corinne.  Adam confronts her and she takes off telling him she will be back in a few days.  The other sub plots in the book are also really good with a surprise ending for me.  Don't let this book get past you--it is very good!  I LOVED IT!
(Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

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"The Giver" by Lois Lowry Makes One Grateful

I heard quite a bit about The Giver by Lois Lowry on Booktube so that’s why I decided to read it. It’s quite an interesting YA read that shows what can happen to a society where the government removes the freedom of making personal choices. It’s hard to imagine a world with no colors, music, emotions or love in it but that is the world Jonas lives in. Sameness is the highest value. He is perfectly okay with it until he gets some memories from the past that show what emotions feel like and experiences new things.

The themes in this book are the importance of love and humanity. It also shows the need of balancing security with freedom which is a current issue in America today. I enjoyed this book but was a bit stunned at how it ended--it seemed so abrupt. I would not want to live in the type of community Jonas lived in.
(Karen's review, 4 stars)

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"The Infinite Sea" by Rick Yancey

The Infinite Sea by Rick Yancey is the second book in The 5th Wave series. It continues with more of the Evan Walker mystery, adding Grace who grew up with Evan and Megan, a toddler with an implanted bomb. Cassie, Sammy, Zombie, Poundcake, Ringer, Dumbo and Teacup are back to hiding and trying to survive. Friction arises and they fight among themselves, Ringer goes to scout and Teacup follows her. They both get captured and then the story centers on Ringer and Razor.

This book drags along with everyone on the run. There’s some fighting and a great escape, but for the most part, I was bored with it and just wanted it to end, which it really didn’t because there is still one more book in the series. A lot of this made no sense to me and I hate how it jumps back and forth between characters narrating without letting me know who is talking at the beginning. I just got tired of reading this but will try to finish the series. This is mostly a depressing book.
(Karen's review, 3 stars)


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"What Comes Next and How to Like It" by Abigail Thomas (Memoir)

What Comes Next and How to Like It by Abigail Thomas is a collection of outlooks by the author.  Some I enjoyed, especially the ones about her dogs (she has a lot); some not so much. Most of the book is about her friend, Chuck.  I liked this book somewhat.  I would say it is worth reading to be sure.
(Gerard's review, 4 stars)

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

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J. K. Rowling is a fun read! This is the first book of a long series that I finally decided to read because so many people liked it. This is about a boy named Harry Potter who is a wizard, but didn’t realize it. When both his parents died, he went to live with his aunt and uncle who were strictly ordinary humans. Harry gets accepted into Hogwarts when he is 10 years old, a private school for wizardry and witchcraft. This is why I put off reading this series for so long. but decided to read it for myself before condemning it. This is an enjoyable read dealing with bullying, adventure, friendship and courage with a surprise ending.

I still don’t think I would want my child reading it because it does glamorize the world of witchcraft. As a Christian, to be honest, I struggle with whether I should be reading this series. There is no doubt that it is entertaining and amusing. I actually laughed out loud at parts and like the funny names of the characters. When the professor became a cat at the beginning of the story, I was hooked! The school supply list cracked me up and I especially enjoyed the part when Harry was learning to fly on the broomstick. I thought the invisible cloak would be a cool thing to have and liked the idea of the owls as mail carriers! The sorting ceremony with the talking hat reminded me of the old cartoon, Tom Terrific, and the part in Divergent where the teens choose what faction they want. For me, the characters and all the amusing things is what kept me reading more so than the plot.
 (Karen's review, 5 stars)


Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!