Take a photo of a barcode or cover
micasreads's reviews
1003 reviews
Long Island by Colm Tóibín
3.0
Author: Colm Toibin
Started: April 30, 2024
Finished: May 1, 2024
Format: Digital
Genre: Literary Fiction
Eilis Lacey is no Eilis Fiorello and living on a plot of land with Tony, their children, and within a whispers distance of most of Tony's family. One day, Eilis opens the door to a man who tells her that Tony has impregnanted his wife and that he will be placing the child on their doorstep. After much thought, Eilis returns to Ireland for her mother's 80th birthday. There, she runs into her past and possibly her future.
I loved Brooklyn with all my heart and dislike this book just as much. This follow-up takes the Tony and Eilis romance apart. Tony has become the man who cheats, and Eilis still feels very much alone when surrounded by people. This book ends at a pivotal scene, based in Ireland, that will either make or break multiple character's hearts. This also makes me believe that this will end up being a trilogy. Toibin has also made the majority of Tony's famly annoying and unlikable, particularly his mother, and I don't understand why. This follow-up broke my heart in so many ways.
Started: April 30, 2024
Finished: May 1, 2024
Format: Digital
Genre: Literary Fiction
Eilis Lacey is no Eilis Fiorello and living on a plot of land with Tony, their children, and within a whispers distance of most of Tony's family. One day, Eilis opens the door to a man who tells her that Tony has impregnanted his wife and that he will be placing the child on their doorstep. After much thought, Eilis returns to Ireland for her mother's 80th birthday. There, she runs into her past and possibly her future.
I loved Brooklyn with all my heart and dislike this book just as much. This follow-up takes the Tony and Eilis romance apart. Tony has become the man who cheats, and Eilis still feels very much alone when surrounded by people. This book ends at a pivotal scene, based in Ireland, that will either make or break multiple character's hearts. This also makes me believe that this will end up being a trilogy. Toibin has also made the majority of Tony's famly annoying and unlikable, particularly his mother, and I don't understand why. This follow-up broke my heart in so many ways.
All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby
4.0
Author: S.A. Cosby
Started: April 26, 2024
Finished: April 29, 2024
Format: Digital & Audio
Genre: Thriller
Titus Crown is the first Black sheriff in a small, usually quiet, Virginia town. On the anniversary of his taking the Sheriff position, a school teacher is shot by a former student. When Titus begins to investigate, he discovers the horrible truth of the student/teacher relationship and they horrible things they have done along with another man. Titus must find the man to stop the bloodshed.
I've heard so much about this author and thought this would be a good book to start with.
I learned two things: Cosby is good for a slow burn thriller, and I get through his books faster on audio. This was also the first time that I started a book on my Kindle and finished it via audio. That being said, this was a really well-done story that offered a lot of unexpected backstory and a great mystery. While I felt the "aha" moment was a little obvious; the story that went with it was unexpected. I enjoyed this novel and can't wait to read more from S.A. Cosby.
Started: April 26, 2024
Finished: April 29, 2024
Format: Digital & Audio
Genre: Thriller
Titus Crown is the first Black sheriff in a small, usually quiet, Virginia town. On the anniversary of his taking the Sheriff position, a school teacher is shot by a former student. When Titus begins to investigate, he discovers the horrible truth of the student/teacher relationship and they horrible things they have done along with another man. Titus must find the man to stop the bloodshed.
I've heard so much about this author and thought this would be a good book to start with.
I learned two things: Cosby is good for a slow burn thriller, and I get through his books faster on audio. This was also the first time that I started a book on my Kindle and finished it via audio. That being said, this was a really well-done story that offered a lot of unexpected backstory and a great mystery. While I felt the "aha" moment was a little obvious; the story that went with it was unexpected. I enjoyed this novel and can't wait to read more from S.A. Cosby.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Murder
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual violence, Violence, Religious bigotry
Read Between the Lines by Rachel Lacey
3.0
Author: Rachel Lacey
Narrator: Abby Craden
Started: April 23, 2024
Finished: April 24, 2024
Format: Audio
Genre: Sapphic Romance
Rosie's whole life has happened between the walls of the Manhttan bookstore she inherited from her mother. She also loves her flirtacious messages with her favorite author, Brie. When Rosie is evicted from her bookstore by the beautiful Jane, she has conflicted feeling when she is attracted to her and they begin dating. They must work through their issues to see if they can survive.
This was a cute sapphic romance where the women involved have to overcome huge hiurdles to be together. They were a sweet couple but the beginning of the book was extra heavy with the "You've Got Mail" references and behavior, which was irritating and off-putting. While the end of the story was well done, the beginning just left an odd taste in my mouth.
Narrator: Abby Craden
Started: April 23, 2024
Finished: April 24, 2024
Format: Audio
Genre: Sapphic Romance
Rosie's whole life has happened between the walls of the Manhttan bookstore she inherited from her mother. She also loves her flirtacious messages with her favorite author, Brie. When Rosie is evicted from her bookstore by the beautiful Jane, she has conflicted feeling when she is attracted to her and they begin dating. They must work through their issues to see if they can survive.
This was a cute sapphic romance where the women involved have to overcome huge hiurdles to be together. They were a sweet couple but the beginning of the book was extra heavy with the "You've Got Mail" references and behavior, which was irritating and off-putting. While the end of the story was well done, the beginning just left an odd taste in my mouth.
Penpal by Dathan Auerbach
2.0
Author: Dathan Auerbach
Started: April 21, 2024
Finished: April 22, 2024
Format: Digital
Genre: Horror
A young man attempts to make sense of the beginning of his life through memories and his mother filling in th gaps. He comes to learn that events of his past weave a heartbreaking tapestry that would end in the death of someone he loved.
I was expecting an overwhelminglcreepy story, but what I got was an adult Goosebumps type story until the end. The end of the story was heartbreaking, but other than that, it was a lot of confusion and going back and forth to the first days of kindergarten. It should be noted that this was originally a Reddit Creepypasta that was funded through Kickstart to become a full novel, so that may explain some of the gaps in the story and the odd flow of time. This was not a very enjoyable read.
Started: April 21, 2024
Finished: April 22, 2024
Format: Digital
Genre: Horror
A young man attempts to make sense of the beginning of his life through memories and his mother filling in th gaps. He comes to learn that events of his past weave a heartbreaking tapestry that would end in the death of someone he loved.
I was expecting an overwhelminglcreepy story, but what I got was an adult Goosebumps type story until the end. The end of the story was heartbreaking, but other than that, it was a lot of confusion and going back and forth to the first days of kindergarten. It should be noted that this was originally a Reddit Creepypasta that was funded through Kickstart to become a full novel, so that may explain some of the gaps in the story and the odd flow of time. This was not a very enjoyable read.
Sociopath by Patric Gagne
5.0
Author & Narrator: Patric Gagnes
Started: April 16, 2024
Finished: April 18, 2024
Format: Audio
Genre: Memoir
Patric Gagne has always known she was different. She didn't really like people, nor did she have the ability to show emotion as others did. Patric is a sociopath learning to handle her behaviors. As she groes up and begins to understand herself better, she realizes how under studied sociopathy is, and she earns her Ph D. to help change that.
This is a very brave book. Patric Gagne puts it all on the page and leaves nothing out. She is very open and honest about everything she does, even when it makes the reader uncomfortable. There is one scene within the book that made me wonder about finishing this book, but it is very quick, and there is never another...Patric makes sure of that because even she knew it was wrong. This book was eye-opening and intriguing. Gagne narrates her own story, which truly brings something extra to the story. This is an unusual memoir well worth the read.
Started: April 16, 2024
Finished: April 18, 2024
Format: Audio
Genre: Memoir
Patric Gagne has always known she was different. She didn't really like people, nor did she have the ability to show emotion as others did. Patric is a sociopath learning to handle her behaviors. As she groes up and begins to understand herself better, she realizes how under studied sociopathy is, and she earns her Ph D. to help change that.
This is a very brave book. Patric Gagne puts it all on the page and leaves nothing out. She is very open and honest about everything she does, even when it makes the reader uncomfortable. There is one scene within the book that made me wonder about finishing this book, but it is very quick, and there is never another...Patric makes sure of that because even she knew it was wrong. This book was eye-opening and intriguing. Gagne narrates her own story, which truly brings something extra to the story. This is an unusual memoir well worth the read.
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal cruelty
The Stranger in Her House by John Marrs
4.0
Author: John Marrs
Started: April 17, 2024
Finished: April 18, 2024
Format: Digital
Genre: Thriller
Connie has returned home to take care of her mother, Gwen, who is suffering from dementia. When Paul, a volunteer handyman, begins to take a larger and more personal part in Gwen's life until one day, Connie finds herself locked out of her mother's life entirely. When Gwen ends up dead, all secrets come out...including Connie's.
This was a great thriller with so many twists. Marrs writes wonderful unreliable narrator with a very dastardly villain. When the heart of the main storyline occured and there was still a good 35% left in the book, I knew that I was in for a roller coaster ride and boy was I right. This is the thriller that will take you high and then drop you off a cliff.
Started: April 17, 2024
Finished: April 18, 2024
Format: Digital
Genre: Thriller
Connie has returned home to take care of her mother, Gwen, who is suffering from dementia. When Paul, a volunteer handyman, begins to take a larger and more personal part in Gwen's life until one day, Connie finds herself locked out of her mother's life entirely. When Gwen ends up dead, all secrets come out...including Connie's.
This was a great thriller with so many twists. Marrs writes wonderful unreliable narrator with a very dastardly villain. When the heart of the main storyline occured and there was still a good 35% left in the book, I knew that I was in for a roller coaster ride and boy was I right. This is the thriller that will take you high and then drop you off a cliff.
Fallen Grace by Sadeqa Johnson
3.0
Author: Sadeqa Johnson
Started: April 15, 2024
Finished: Apri 15, 2024
Format: Digital
Genre: Historical Fiction
Bubbles Jones escapes from a home for wayward girls with her baby girl and a housemate. As she and the other escapee find ways to earn money, she begins singing in a nearby nightclub where she encounters a family secret. With this secret secured away, she shows up at her father's church with her daughter to return to her flock.
This is another short story in the Amazon Blaze Collection. This story starts on the night of Bubbbles' escape with very little backstory given. We know she was placed there by her pastor father and that she was impregnanted by the school custodian but nothing more. I felt this story would have been better suited as a long form novel. I feel Bubbles' storyline has so much more to offer as well as what, if anything, she does with her family secret knowledge.
Started: April 15, 2024
Finished: Apri 15, 2024
Format: Digital
Genre: Historical Fiction
Bubbles Jones escapes from a home for wayward girls with her baby girl and a housemate. As she and the other escapee find ways to earn money, she begins singing in a nearby nightclub where she encounters a family secret. With this secret secured away, she shows up at her father's church with her daughter to return to her flock.
This is another short story in the Amazon Blaze Collection. This story starts on the night of Bubbbles' escape with very little backstory given. We know she was placed there by her pastor father and that she was impregnanted by the school custodian but nothing more. I felt this story would have been better suited as a long form novel. I feel Bubbles' storyline has so much more to offer as well as what, if anything, she does with her family secret knowledge.
College Girl, Missing: The True Story of How a Young Woman Disappeared in Plain Sight by Shawn Cohen
4.0
Author: Shawn Cohen
Started: April 11, 2024
Finished: April 12, 2024
Format: Digital
Genre: True Crime
Lauren Spierer was your typical college student going out with friends on a weekend and enjoying life. On the night in question, Lauren ends up extremely intoxicated and walking home with a boy she doesn't know well. That is the last night Lauren is ever seen. According to the boy and his housemates, she walked out of the house and was never seen again. Thirteen yeas later, Lauren is still missing.
I remember this case being on the news. Lauren was extremely intoxicated and probably high when she went to the house of fellow students and was never seen again. Upon the start of the investigation, all of the people of interest lawyered up and refused to talk to the police. Each of them had everchanging stories. Cohen did a good job of going through the timeline and trying to find the truth. "Missing white woman syndrome" is briefly touched on when the author notes that a young African American woman went missing around the same time and her story received nowhere near the coverage. This was a well-told true crime story that I truly got into.
Started: April 11, 2024
Finished: April 12, 2024
Format: Digital
Genre: True Crime
Lauren Spierer was your typical college student going out with friends on a weekend and enjoying life. On the night in question, Lauren ends up extremely intoxicated and walking home with a boy she doesn't know well. That is the last night Lauren is ever seen. According to the boy and his housemates, she walked out of the house and was never seen again. Thirteen yeas later, Lauren is still missing.
I remember this case being on the news. Lauren was extremely intoxicated and probably high when she went to the house of fellow students and was never seen again. Upon the start of the investigation, all of the people of interest lawyered up and refused to talk to the police. Each of them had everchanging stories. Cohen did a good job of going through the timeline and trying to find the truth. "Missing white woman syndrome" is briefly touched on when the author notes that a young African American woman went missing around the same time and her story received nowhere near the coverage. This was a well-told true crime story that I truly got into.
She's Not Sorry by Mary Kubica
4.0
Author: Mary Kubica
Narrator: Andi Arndt
Started: April 10, 2024
Finished: April 11, 2024
Format: Audio
Genre: Thriller
Meaghan is an ICU nurse taking care of a young woman who jumped from a bridge. As she gets to know the family and the patient's past, she realizes this woman was troubled. Along with this, Meaghan is dealing with a teen daughter and the fact that there is a serial killer roaming the area. Meaghan is also harboring her own secret that will change everything.
In typical Mary Kubica fashion, this was full of unexpected twists and turns. The story features an unreliable narrator who has a huge secret on her own. There were a good few characters with tons of their own drama. The narrator did a great job bringing all the characters to life and make them all sound different. This was a great thriller that I really enjoyed.
Narrator: Andi Arndt
Started: April 10, 2024
Finished: April 11, 2024
Format: Audio
Genre: Thriller
Meaghan is an ICU nurse taking care of a young woman who jumped from a bridge. As she gets to know the family and the patient's past, she realizes this woman was troubled. Along with this, Meaghan is dealing with a teen daughter and the fact that there is a serial killer roaming the area. Meaghan is also harboring her own secret that will change everything.
In typical Mary Kubica fashion, this was full of unexpected twists and turns. The story features an unreliable narrator who has a huge secret on her own. There were a good few characters with tons of their own drama. The narrator did a great job bringing all the characters to life and make them all sound different. This was a great thriller that I really enjoyed.
Amelia's Shadow by Marie Benedict
5.0
Author: Marie Benedict
Stared: April 8, 2024
Finished: April 8, 2024
Format: Digital
Genre: Historical Fiction
Ruth Nichols considers herself a direct rival to Amelia Earhart...until Earhart saves her after an accident. Together, they establish a group of female pilots called the Ninety-Nine, hoping to promote women pilots and create a camaraderie among them. When the two women concoct a plan to get Amelia away from the husband who won't divorce her, their lives are forever changed.
This was a quick, well told story of female friendship and empowerment. It also gives a possible reason behind Earhart's mysterious disappearance - albeit a fictional one. If you need a quick read and like reading about strong female friendships than you should definitely pick this one up.
Stared: April 8, 2024
Finished: April 8, 2024
Format: Digital
Genre: Historical Fiction
Ruth Nichols considers herself a direct rival to Amelia Earhart...until Earhart saves her after an accident. Together, they establish a group of female pilots called the Ninety-Nine, hoping to promote women pilots and create a camaraderie among them. When the two women concoct a plan to get Amelia away from the husband who won't divorce her, their lives are forever changed.
This was a quick, well told story of female friendship and empowerment. It also gives a possible reason behind Earhart's mysterious disappearance - albeit a fictional one. If you need a quick read and like reading about strong female friendships than you should definitely pick this one up.