The Widow by Fiona Barton

The Widow by Fiona Barton Hardcover, 336 pages Published February 2016, NAL
Source: publisher for review, NetGalley
"For fans of Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train, an electrifying thriller that will take you into the dark spaces that exist between a husband and a wife."
Jean Taylor is constantly hounded by the media trying to get her story about what happened to baby Bella, a missing child that all suspect was taken by her husband.  With his death by bus, she decides to finally talk to one of the persistent reporters.
Did her husband take the little girl? Was she involved somehow? Just how much did Jean know when this all happened?
Fiona Barton does an amazing job at telling this story. The time jumps from present day back to the day of the abduction and everywhere in between. You get glimpses into these people's lives that start to inform the reader of what may have happened. But it isn't until the very end where the truth is learned. A very well written thriller. It was hard to put down. 
About the Author

Fiona Barton trains and works with journalists all over the world. Previously, she was a senior writer at the Daily Mail, news editor at the Daily Telegraph, and chief reporter at the Mail on Sunday, where she won Reporter of the Year at the British Press Awards. Born in Cambridge, England, she currently lives in southwest France.
Happy Reading! _________________________________________

Current Read: Knitlandia by Clara Parkes

"Knitting aficionado and notable artisan Clara Parkes delves into her storied travels with this inspiring and witty memoir on a creative life enriched by her adventures around the world. "

I may not be knitting, but I am reading about knitting. Close enough.

Knitlandia: A Knitter Sees the World By Clara Parkes

Happy Reading! _________________________________________

The Martian by Andy Weir

The Martian by Andy Weir

An unfortunate and unforeseen event causes Mark Watney to be left behind on Mars. He has to figure out a way to survive for as long as possible with the limited supplies left behind. Will he be able to make it until the next Mars mission is launched?

This book had me laughing, which I didn't expect considering it is about a man being left on Mars to fend for himself until (if possible) he can be rescued. Watney's humor and positive attitude while trapped on Mars and enduring very harsh conditions really kept the story interesting and the science and math palpable. Well, I liked those parts, too.

Really enjoyed this one. Now I have to wait for the hubby to read so we can watch the movie.

Happy Reading! _________________________________________

2016 Reading Challenges

It has been awhile since I have thrown myself into a Reading Challenge. This year seems like a good time to do one, or two. Some bloggers have offered up many for me to choose from. I have chosen two. One to help diminish my TBR Pile and to travel the world.

My Goal: I will not purchase any books until I have read at least 10 books from my own shelf. Books that I don't think will get reread will be donated to the library.

1. The Martian by Andrew Weir

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My Goal: 10 countries visited in 1 year.

1.The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins (England)
2. Dead Mountain by Donnie Eichar (Russia)
3.The Drowning by Camilla Lackberg (Sweden)
4. The Storm Sister by Lucinda Riley (Norway)
5. Homage to Catalonia by George Orwell (Spain)

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Will start with And The Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini. This is a read-along hosted by Becca of I'm Lost in Books.

It's a book I have had on my shelf for quite awhile and it will take me to Afghanistan so it works for both challenges. Yay!

Happy Reading! _________________________________________

It's You by Jane Porter

It's You by Jane Porter

336 pages, paperback

Published June 2015, Berkeley

Source: Netgalley

After the suicide of her fiancé, Ali leaves New Mexico for a long visit with her father in Napa. In the three weeks she is there she makes new friends and learns about the amazing life of one of her father's neighbors in the retirement community he lives in. 

Edie's story, of her life in Germany during WWII and her love for a German who lost his life with the resistance that attempted to assassinate Hitler, intrigues Ali despite Edie's frosty personality. Her losses somehow resonate with Ali. So much so, that she decides to travel to Berlin to see the places where Edie lived and loved.

It took me awhile to understand how these two stories worked together. They seemed very different. But near the end, Ali and Edie discuss how the loss of a loved one doesn't mean you stop living. There can be love again with another. In this case, perhaps Edie's nephew?

A good read, for the most part. I may have skimmed over Ali's week in Berlin. It read more like a travel book and not much happens until the very last day she is there. 

Happy Reading! _________________________________________

I need something to knit

I have not knit one thing since before Christmas. I packed up my knitting into a bin before having guests over through the holidays and I have yet to pull it back out. I am not lacking in supplies. I have plenty of yarn- just need a pattern. Something that calls to me and needs to be made. Any ideas?
A portable and quick project would be best. No blankets. No Sweaters. 
Socks? Hat? Some fingerless mitts?
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Books Read in 2015

Happy New Year!

I know, I am very late with this. But better late than never, right?

Here are the books I read in 2015.

January

1. Greens 24/7 by Jessica Nadel*

2. The Magician's Lie by Greer Macallister*

3. My Father's Wives by Mike Greenberg*

4. The Secret History by Donna Tartt <

February

5. Inferno by Dan Brown

6. The Winter Boy by Sally Weiner Grotta*

March

7. Seed by Lisa Heathfield*

8. The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

9. Roboapocalypse by Daniel H. Wilson~

10. The Serpent of Venice by Christopher Moore*

11. Pet Sematary by Stephen King

12. The Witch of Painted Sorrows by M.J. Rose*

April

13. The Preacher by Camilla Lackberg

14. Threshold by G.M. Ford*

May

15. To Catch a Falling Star by Anna Belfrage*

16. Imaginary Things by Andrea Lochen*

June

17. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

18. The Appetites of Girls by Pamela Moses*

19. Misery by Stephen King

July

20. The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett <

21. The Stranger by Camilla Lackberg

22. Maybe in Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid*

23. Dark Places by Gillian Flynn

24. Doctor Who: Pest Control by Peter Anghelides

August

September

25. The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson <

October

26. The Quick by Lauren Owen=

27. Salem's Lot by Stephen King

28. Definitely Dead by Charlaine Harris

29. The Taco Cleanse by Wes Allison, Stephanie Bogdanich, Molly P. Frisinger, Jessica Morris *

30. All Together Dead by Charlaine Harris

November

31. The Hidden Child by Camilla Lackberg=

32. The Seven Sisters by Lucinda Riley*

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

34. Spider Bones by Kathy Reichs

35. The Player of Games by Iain M. Banks <

December

36. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling

37. Curio by Evangeline Denmark*

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* ARC/NetGalley

^ LT Early Reviewers Program

# GoodReads First Reads Program

~ Giveaway Win

+ publisher/author sent for review (not ARC)

= Mooched/Borrowed

   Purchased
< Read For Book Group

Happy Reading! _________________________________________

Dead Mountain by Donnie Eichar

Dead Mountain: The Untold True Story of the Dyatlov Pass Incident by Donnie Eichar

Very well presented description of events leading up to the hikers' disappearance, the initial search and investigation into their deaths and the author's own investigation. This story was intriguing and the author's conclusion about what happened is believable. This story was amazing and seemed straight out of an X Files episode. 

As usual, I am always amazed at people who find trekking into the mountains in treacherous conditions fun. It is not something I would want to do. I just don't understand the appeal.

Really enjoyed this and can't wait for book group to discuss. 

Happy Reading! _________________________________________

15k completed!

I have a pretty new medal. ;)

First race of 2016

15k this Sunday. Going on a long walk through Golden Gate Park with a friend. We have no time goals, just getting out there and seeing how far we make it. Will probably do some run/walk intervals. 

What are you all doing this weekend?