Friday Favorites: Books Outside Your Usual Genre

 

Hello, fellow bookworms!

Today’s post is a tag that was created by Something of the Book and she has a whole list of Friday Favorites to follow. They are awesome and it is a fun way to find new books with a twist and see how others have answered it!

I am one to always pick up Fantasy. It is my go-to genre and one that I don’t ever see myself not ever reading. There are times that I do venture out of my comfort and am surprised by the books I read. So here is my list of books that are outside of my usual genre!

1.) Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco Series

I have been obsessed with this series since I finished the first book. I am so excited for the third book but so sad this series is coming to an end!

2.) Wild Blue Wonder by Carlie Sorosiak

Here’s the thing, I tend to not like Contemporary. It’s a love/hate type of relationship. I did absolutely love this one and you should definitely check it out!

3.) Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson Series

If you didn’t see this one coming then you must not have me on Instagram, haha. I love this contemporary/mystery and can’t wait for the third book!

4.) Little Monsters by Kara Thomas

I read this one recently and absolutely loved it! Creepy at times but so good!

5.) The Cheerleaders by Kara Thomas

Yes, another one by the same author! I have been getting into thrillers and hers are just wonderful and really help to get me out of my reading slumps.

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The Vanishing Stair: Book Review

Title: The Vanishing Star (Truly Devious #2)
Author: Maureen Johnson
Genre: Ya Mystery/Contemporary

Synopsis: “The Truly Devious case—an unsolved kidnapping and triple murder that rocked Ellingham Academy in 1936—has consumed Stevie for years. It’s the very reason she came to the academy. But then her classmate was murdered, and her parents quickly pull her out of school. For her safety, they say. She must move past this obsession with crime.

Stevie’s willing to do anything to get back to Ellingham, be back with her friends, and solve the Truly Devious case. Even if it means making a deal with the despicable Senator Edward King. And when Stevie finally returns, she also returns to David: the guy she kissed, and the guy who lied about his identity—Edward King’s son.

But larger issues are at play. Where did the murderer hide? What’s the meaning of the riddle Albert Ellingham left behind? And what, exactly, is at stake in the Truly Devious affair? The Ellingham case isn’t just a piece of history—it’s a live wire into the present.” (Goodreads)

My Review:

If you read my review for the first book in this series, you will have noticed that this one was rated one star higher. This one totally deserves that extra star and I will tell you why!

This book doesn’t start off right where the first left off. It talks about events that happened after that but not reactions from the characters that were a apart of that moment. I was a little confused by this approach in the beginning but in the chapter following it made it more clear as to the events that happened after that epic cliffhanger.

One reason this book rated higher is because I was finally able to connect better with the characters. Truly Devious introduced the characters to me but The Vanishing Stair took their emotions/actions and ran with them! I felt connected during a certain scene with Stevie and David. It was a quite intense scene at that. The other characters are still present and a couple new ones are introduced as well.

As for the plot, the mystery is still ongoing! You think it will be resolved and then you get to the end which has a bigger cliffhanger than the first and realize that the third book doesn’t come out until January 2020! Yes, I am bitter, haha. The mystery has really evolved and new clues and even bodies have come forth. Honestly, the plot keeps me so entwined that I had a hard time putting it down to sleep or even for a couple minutes. It is just that good!

I definitely recommend this series for fans of YA mystery. Even if you aren’t, I still recommend it. It is not a genre I pick up but I am hooked!

WWW Wednesday (5/22/19)

Hello, My Lovely Bookworms!

This meme was formerly hosted by MizB at A Daily Rhythm and is now hosted by Sam at Taking on a World of Words.

It consists of answering these three questions:

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you’ll read next?

Currently Reading:
I don’t have a current read at the moment since I am still deciding on what to read next. I think I am going to start The Vanishing Stair because I really enjoyed the first book and am curious to see what happens next!

 

 

Recently Finished:
I recently finished Truly Devious. YA Mystery/Contemporary isn’t a sub-genre that I dive into but honestly, it has been getting me out of my reading slump. I couldn’t put this book down!

 

 

Reading Next:
I am very behind in my reads and so I have a lot to choose from which makes it hard! I think I will read Gods of Jade and Shadow because it is arc that is coming out soon!