Audiobook Review: The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult

The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Published: 2013

So apparently I have read this book before, but I don't remember it at all. I love Jodi Picoult's books and I love how they touch on subjects that are hard for us to hear about. The Storyteller is no different. Set in New Hampshire, it tell the story of Sage Singer. Sage is a Baker for Our Daily Bread and works at night so she doesn't have to be seen by many people. You see, Sage has a scar on her face from an accident and she can't see herself past the scar.

Sage is also in a grief group and has been since she lost her mother 3 years earlier. There is where she meets Joseph Weber. Joseph doesn't say much during the group, but when he shows up at the bakery just before Sage is about to start her shift, they strike up a friendship. Then Joseph asks Sage to do something that she can't imagine. When he tells her why, her feelings are mixed about what she should do. Joseph was an SS Officer for the Reich during WWII and Sage's family is Jewish. Joseph is a beloved member of the community so trying to match that person with someone who would have done so much evil in the world is hard for Sage to grasp.

Sage's grandmother had been at Auschwitz and she had never told her story to anyone, but when Sage has this decision to make, her grandmother is forthcoming with her times in Germany and how she survived. Will Sage be able to honor Joseph's request after hearing her grandmother's story, or will she leave Joseph for the authorities to take care of?

I loved this story and I don't recall any parts of it, so I'm kind of glad this is a re-read for me. This story made me want to cry several times. Most of us know the story of the Holocaust, but to hear a first hand account(even if it is fiction) really makes you feel most invested. This book makes you think, what would I do if I was in Sage's position? Would I go through with what Joseph wanted me to do? There are so many things to consider with this situation. Should she tell her grandmother that she sits next to an ex-Nazi officer during grief group? Does her grandmother know Joseph already and not realize who he really is?

If you haven't read this book you should. If you haven't read any of Jodi Picoult's books you should. She is one of my favorite authors and here is another book of hers that did not disappoint.

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Review: Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell

Then She Was Gone  by Lisa Jewell

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Published: April 2018

Ten years ago, Ellie Mack went missing. The police think she is just another teenage runaway, but her mother, Laurel, doesn't believe that for a second. Ellie's disappearance destroyed the family and now that her remains have been found, Laurel will finally have some closure. When she meets Floyd, it's like she's getting a second chance at life. But when she meets his daughter, Poppy, life comes to an alarming halt. Poppy looks so much like Ellie, but why? Of course people look like other people all the time, but there is just something about this child that keeps Ellie at the forefront. When Laurel discovers a connection between Floyd and her family, she embarks on a journey to find out exactly what happened to her daughter and who did it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.

After the first few chapters of this book, I figured out a few things about this story that I think most readers will discover as well. But the thing that made this book so hard to put down was how it was all going to come together, it's an incredible journey.

Losing a child is the most painful experience. When Laurel loses Ellis, her whole world is turned upside down and she can no longer function as she once did. She stops cooking for her family, her relationships become strained and eventually she and her husband divorce. Once they find the body of her daughter, the pain becomes a little less since she now has some closure. But why does this young girl look so much like her dead daughter. Did Floyd have something to do with Ellie's disappearance and death? Her family doesn't get a good vibe from this man, but Laurel feels as if she needs to stay with him until the whole truth is revealed.

I really enjoyed this story and I think that everyone who reads it will enjoy it. Very hard to put down.



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Winning Wednesday--Bookish Giveaways!!

Bookish Giveaways to get you over the HUMP!!

It's All About the Books!!

 Enter for a chance to win a prize from one of 17 amazing Romance Authors. One grand prize winner will receive a Kindle Fire 7.

Giveaway ends 6/30/18 Midnight EST! Winners will be randomly selected and announced on July 1st in ME + YOU Summer Romance Reader Group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/MePlusYouSummer/

 Enter to win a Massive Giveaway.  There are several prizes being awarded.

GRAND PRIZE(ONE WINNER):

• Kindle Fire 10 HD 32 GB
• $500 Amazon GC
• Entire Meredith Wild Collection excluding RL (Bridge Series, Hacker Series, MA)
• Paperback copies of Morgan Dane Series By Melinda Leigh (Say You’re Sorry, Her Last Goodbye, Bones Don’t Lie)
• Team Wild Swag (Travel Tumbler, Nail File, Boyfriend mug, Cell Phone sticker wallet, Meredith Wild blanket, Meredith Wild pen)
• Red Ledger Notebook and Pen
• Red Ledger Mug

CHAMPION FAN (ONE WINNER):

Kindle Fire 10 HD 32 GB

$200 Amazon GC

Entire Meredith Wild Collection excluding RL (Bridge Series, Hacker Series, MA)

The Widow By Fiona Barton (Paperback)

Team Wild Swag (Nail File, Cell Phone sticker wallet, Meredith Wild pen)

Red Ledger Mug

LEADER FAN (ONE WINNER):

• Kindle Fire 10 HD 32 GB
• $100 Amazon GC
• The Bridge Series by Meredith Wild
• Hardwired by Meredith Wild
• Misadventures of a Virgin by Meredith Wild
• Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
• Team Wild Swag (Nail File, Cell Phone sticker wallet, Meredith Wild pen)
• Red Ledger Mug

SUPER FAN (20 WINNERS):

Will receive $30 in Amazon giftcards

It doesn't indicate the rules of eligibility or when it ends!!

Enter for your chance to win the Ultimate Crafter's Prize. Prize Includes:

Cricut Explore One™ and starter bundle, plus copies of these must-have crafting books (courtesy of Clarkson Potter) Brought to you by Borrow Read Repeat

Open to US Residents Only--Ends June 8th

 Enter for your chance to be a part of the Royal Wedding.  You can win a limited edition tea set along with a copy of Royals: Wed to the Prince by Robyn Donald, Leanne Banks, and Raye Morgan.  Brought to you by Harper Collins UK.

Open to UK Residents Only--Ends May 31st


Enter for your chance to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card to celebrate the release of Alive Again by Emma Tharp

No information given about eligibility and when it ends

LET'S GO TO THE MOVIES!!

I don't know about you guys, but I'm really excited to see the new movie Book Club with Jane Fonda, Diane Keaton, Candice Bergen and Mary Steenburgen.

Enter  for your chance to win a Book Club Prize Pack.  Brought to you by Landmark Theaters. Two winners will receive:

•  A Fire HD 10 Tablet
• Set of 4 Wineglasses
• One T-shirt
• One Booklight
• A Totebag
• Puffer Jacket

Open to US Residents Only(except Florida)--Ends June 15th

Enter for your chance to win 10 $50 Gift Cards to Barnes & Noble for your book club(or you can be greedy and keep the whole $500 for yourself).

Brought to you by Book Riot.

Open to US Residents Only--Ends May 31st

Book Riot Giveaway Page -- Click here

Giveaways from Goodreads

**These giveaways are not sponsored by What 'Cha Readin'?. Please see each giveaway for official rules.**

Audio Book Review: The Fix by David Baldacci

The Fix by David Baldacci
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Published: 2017
Series: Amos Decker #3

It's a typical day for Amos Decker. He is on his way to the Hoover Building in downtown Washington, DC when a man pulls out a gun and shoots a woman right in front of FBI Headquarters. Then he turns the gun on himself. What the hell just happened and most importantly for Decker to find out, why? This is Decker's second case working for the FBI and they've moved him and Jamison from Quantico up to the Washington Field Office. Why would someone choose to shoot another person in front of the FBI building? Why would a successful businessman with a family do such a thing? What did the woman he kill do? Will Decker and his team be able to answer these questions before it's too late?

Walter Dabney seems like your average businessman. He lives in a nice house, with his wife. His grown children are all out of the house doing their own things making a lives for themselves. There are so many secrets though that this family is hiding and slowly they all begin to unravel. After Dabney shoots Ann Berkshire in broad daylight and then himself, other people start to turn up dead. Are all of these deaths connected and what is the connection? When Harper Brown from the DIA (Defense Intelligence Agency) turns up claiming there is spy work involved, it makes Decker even more eager to solve this case. But there are secrets behinds every corner and getting different government agencies to cooperate is not the easiest task.

Government secrets, spies from decades ago, messages passed through dolls and Harry Potter books, how will it all end?

I really enjoyed this book. I love the character of Amos Decker. I like how he has no cut cards, and shoots straight from the hip. He may get up and walk out of a room without explanation. He has a unique personality with his ability to never forget and see things in color. I look forward to the next Decker adventure.

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Order a copy of this book for yourself by clicking the book cover below:

Review: Never Be Alone by Paige Dearth

Never Be Alone by Paige Dearth
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Published: March 2018

Joon is eight years old when her parents are killed and she is put into the foster care system. For 4 years, she is with the same family, but the way they treat her is worse than you would an enemy. When Joon has her chance, she runs away an tried to make a life for herself on the streets. She sees more in her short life than many people experience in an entire lifetime. Will Joon be able to survive on the streets or will she succumb to the pressures of drugs and prostitution?

Thank you to NetGalley and Fiction With Meaning for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This is a book that every person should read. We have all seen a homeless person and I'm sure many of us judge them without knowing their situation and how they got to where they are. For some, maybe living on the street is better than their other choices.

In this story, I could see myself as Joon, going through life trying to survive, but I don't think I could have done all she did. This book will make you cry, it is absolutely heart wrenching. You want to jump in and try to save Joon. According to the Author's Notes(yes I read those), this book was taken from her own experience with homelessness.

Again, this is a book everyone should read. It will make you look at the world and the people in it very differently. We are all human and we all are just trying to make it through life with the cards we were dealt. Some of us were given a great hand, and others the worse, but it's what we do with it that makes all the difference.



View all my reviews

Order a copy of this book for yourself and all your friends, by clicking the book cover below:

Winning Wednesday--Bookish Giveaways!!

BOOKISH GIVEAWAYS TO GET YOU OVER THE HUMP!!

Happy Wednesday everyone!!  I hope your week has been good so far.  I have quite a few giveaways this week, some for books others for trips.  

OUR FIRST GIVEAWAY IS FOR AUTHORS!!

 

Enter for your chance to win Pro Book Marketing from BookBaby  This is a $499 value and you can choose which marketing strategy you want to use. 

Open to US and Canada Residents (except Quebec)--Ends May 31st

LET'S GO TO THE MOVIES!!

I don't know about you guys, but I'm really excited to see the new movie Book Club with Jane Fonda, Diane Keaton, Candice Bergen and Mary Steenburgen.

Enter  for your chance to win a Book Club Prize Pack.  Brought to you by Landmark Theaters. Two winners will receive:

•  A Fire HD 10 Tablet
• Set of 4 Wineglasses
• One T-shirt
• One Booklight
• A Totebag
• Puffer Jacket

Open to US Residents Only(except Florida)--Ends June 15th

ARE YOU READY FOR THE BEACH?

Enter for you chance to win a Beach Weekend for 2 to Asbury Park, NJ.  Brought to you by New York Magazine. Prize includes:

• 3 Night Accomodations at The Asbury Hotel
• Eat, Drink, Bowl and Dine at the legendary Asbury Lanes
• Dinner for 2 at Modine

Open to US Residents only--It says it ended already May 14th, but I just received the email today and was able to enter. 

Enter for your chance to win a Prize Pack inspired by Susan Wiggs new book, Between You & Me.   Prize Pack includes:

• Handmade Wooden Wall Clock
• Vintage embroidered Amish style sampler
• Amish style quilted throw pillow
• Copy of The Princess Bride on DVD
• Deep dish pie pan
• One signed Advanced Reader's Edition of Between You and Me 

This giveaway is on Facebook, so you will have to be signed up/in to enter.  

Open to US Residents Only--Ends May 22nd

Enter to win a Massive Giveaway.  There are several prizes being awarded.

GRAND PRIZE(ONE WINNER):

• Kindle Fire 10 HD 32 GB
• $500 Amazon GC
• Entire Meredith Wild Collection excluding RL (Bridge Series, Hacker Series, MA)
• Paperback copies of Morgan Dane Series By Melinda Leigh (Say You’re Sorry, Her Last Goodbye, Bones Don’t Lie)
• Team Wild Swag (Travel Tumbler, Nail File, Boyfriend mug, Cell Phone sticker wallet, Meredith Wild blanket, Meredith Wild pen)
• Red Ledger Notebook and Pen
• Red Ledger Mug

CHAMPION FAN (ONE WINNER):

Kindle Fire 10 HD 32 GB

$200 Amazon GC

Entire Meredith Wild Collection excluding RL (Bridge Series, Hacker Series, MA)

The Widow By Fiona Barton (Paperback)

Team Wild Swag (Nail File, Cell Phone sticker wallet, Meredith Wild pen)

Red Ledger Mug

LEADER FAN (ONE WINNER):

• Kindle Fire 10 HD 32 GB
• $100 Amazon GC
• The Bridge Series by Meredith Wild
• Hardwired by Meredith Wild
• Misadventures of a Virgin by Meredith Wild
• Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
• Team Wild Swag (Nail File, Cell Phone sticker wallet, Meredith Wild pen)
• Red Ledger Mug

SUPER FAN (20 WINNERS):

Will receive $30 in Amazon giftcards

It doesn't indicate the rules of eligibility or when it ends!!

Enter for your chance to win the Ultimate Crafter's Prize. Prize Includes:

Cricut Explore One™ and starter bundle, plus copies of these must-have crafting books (courtesy of Clarkson Potter) Brought to you by Borrow Read Repeat

Open to US Residents Only--Ends June 8th

FOR THE YOUNG READERS

  Enter for your chance to win these kids books from Penguin kids for your home library.  You have to write a comment on their post on Facebook to win. 

Open to US Residents Only--Ends May 22nd








Enter for your chance to be a part of the Royal Wedding.  You can win a limited edition tea set along with a copy of Royals: Wed to the Prince by Robyn Donald, Leanne Banks, and Raye Morgan.  Brought to you by Harper Collins UK.

Open to UK Residents Only--Ends May 31st

THIS ONE IS FOR EDUCATORS ONLY

Enter for your chance to win $500 in Bulk Books. Brought to you by Bulk Bookstore

Here’s how the giveaway works:

1) The preK-12 Educators Book Giveaway is to show our appreciation for teachers, librarians, and schools around the country.  As a result, winners must have a school mailing address and be presently employed at that school or school district.

2) Only one entry per person per month will be accepted. 

3) Winners will be selected at random from all eligible entries every month. Winners will be notified via email with instructions on claiming the prize. The first to respond to the winner email will receive the $500 promotion code to select and order their free books at BulkBookstore.com

4) Minimum order is 25 copies per book title. Standard ground shipping is FREE

Open to US Residents Only--Enter monthly ends the last day of each month. 

Enter for your chance to win 10 $50 Gift Cards to Barnes & Noble for your book club(or you can be greedy and keep the whole $500 for yourself).

Brought to you by Book Riot.

Open to US Residents Only--Ends May 31st

Book Riot Giveaway Page -- Click here

Giveaways from Goodreads

**These giveaways are not sponsored by What 'Cha Readin'?. Please see each giveaway for official rules.**