Summer Book Club

When I think of summer, I think of beautiful sunny weather, sitting by a body of water, reading books I can’t seem to put down. My favorite time to read is at dusk when the cicadas are noisy, the air is cooling, and the books are enticing. This summers book list a good one, all the reads are at least a 4 out of 5 stars and books I highly recommend reading. Here are a few books that I couldn’t put down this summer.

 

The Broken Girls

by Simone St. James

5 out of 5 stars

Of the many books I’ve read, it’s hard to think of one that could beat The Broken Girls by Simone St. James in sheer entertainment value. Many books are referred to as “page-turners”; few actually succeed at pulling me in and keeping me glued to every single page. The Broken Girls falls into the category of books that really did live up to their “page-turner” classification. Told in alternate timelines (which I love), this chilling and unputdownable novel of psychological – and otherworldly – suspense delivered an imaginative and gripping mystery with a ghostly twist.

Summary:

Vermont, 1950. There’s a place for the girls whom no one wants–the troublemakers, the illegitimate, the too smart for their own good. It’s called Idlewild Hall. And in the small town where it’s located, there are rumors that the boarding school is haunted. Four roommates bond over their whispered fears, their budding friendship blossoming–until one of them mysteriously disappears. . . . 

Vermont, 2014. As much as she’s tried, journalist Fiona Sheridan cannot stop revisiting the events surrounding her older sister’s death. Twenty years ago, her body was found lying in the overgrown fields near the ruins of Idlewild Hall. And though her sister’s boyfriend was tried and convicted of murder, Fiona can’t shake the suspicion that something was never right about the case.

When Fiona discovers that Idlewild Hall is being restored by an anonymous benefactor, she decides to write a story about it. But a shocking discovery during the renovations will link the loss of her sister to secrets that were meant to stay hidden in the past–and a voice that won’t be silenced. . . 

Where the Crawdads Sing

by Delia Owens5 out of 5 stars

Where the Crawdads Sing is magnificent, empowering and will hold a place in the heart’s of each and every reader.  It is a story about love, loss, heartbreak, and isolation. For those who can relate to the experiences and strengths of Delia Owens heroine will have an opportunity to live through this captivating tale to look within and recollect memories with an inspirational lens.  It’s a beautiful thing when the magic of a great novel acts as a mirror to the heart, mind and soul.  As an advent reader, this story is incredibly special, so much so I read it back to back; it simply puts a spell on you.  

Summary:

For years, rumors of the “Marsh Girl” have haunted Barkley Cove, a quiet town on the North Carolina coast. So in late 1969, when handsome Chase Andrews is found dead, the locals immediately suspect Kya Clark, the so-called Marsh Girl. But Kya is not what they say. Sensitive and intelligent, she has survived for years alone in the marsh that she calls home, finding friends in the gulls and lessons in the sand. Then the time comes when she yearns to be touched and loved. When two young men from town become intrigued by her wild beauty, Kya opens herself to a new life–until the unthinkable happens.

Perfect for fans of Barbara Kingsolver and Karen Russell, Where the Crawdads Sing is at once an exquisite ode to the natural world, a heartbreaking coming-of-age story, and a surprising tale of possible murder. Owens reminds us that we are forever shaped by the children we once were, and that we are all subject to the beautiful and violent secrets that nature keeps.

The End of Temperance Dare

by Wendy Webb 4 out of 5 stars

Reading The Broken Girls got me hooked on ghost stories which is why I chose this book. And I have to say I am hooked. The only reason I did not give this book a 5/5 is the end took a turn I wasn’t a fan of, but nevertheless, this was also quite the page-turner, one of those books you set aside time in your busy schedule to read. The story is fast past, scary at times, and one I will not soon forget. I am excited to read more from this author.

Summary:

Haunting and atmospheric, The End of Temperance Dare is another thrilling page-turner from the author reviewers are calling the Queen of the Northern Gothic.

When Eleanor Harper becomes the director of a renowned artists’ retreat, she knows nothing of Cliffside Manor’s dark past as a tuberculosis sanatorium, a “waiting room for death.” After years of covering murder and violence as a crime reporter, Eleanor hopes that being around artists and writers in this new job will be a peaceful retreat for her as much as for them.

But from her first fog-filled moments on the manor’s grounds, Eleanor is seized by a sense of impending doom and realizes there’s more to the institution than its reputation of being a haven for creativity. After the arrival of the new fellows―including the intriguing, handsome photographer Richard Banks―she begins to suspect that her predecessor chose the group with a dangerous purpose in mind. As the chilling mysteries of Cliffside Manor unravel and the eerie sins of the past are exposed, Eleanor must fight to save the fellows—and herself—from sinister forces.

 

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