Tuesday, January 8, 2019

Recently Read - Vol. 33 (Dec. '18)


Happy 2019 to you!  Hoping this finds you having a great start to the new year.

The list of books I've read since the last Show Us Your Books link up day is short once again.  But, despite being low in quantity, these books were high in quality and I found them super enjoyable!  Here we go...

One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus
My Rating: 4/5

Think:  Breakfast Club meets murder mystery.

I was very impressed with this YA book because it didn't necessarily read like YA. The writing was very concise and the storyline was well developed.  It was one of those "whodunnit" books that kept my mind going in every direction imaginable until one clue, one clue that could've been easily overlooked, made me zero in my suspect (and as it turned out, I was right!). 

Final Verdict:  Recommend



Dumplin' by Julie Murphy
My Rating 4/5

Think:  An overweight teenager enters a Texas beauty pageant.

I really, really liked this book, so much so that this is my second time reading it. Having always been a stout girl myself, I connected with Willowdean (who is called Dumplin' by her mother). I thoroughly enjoyed the rural, small town setting. Even though the story takes place in Texas, there were so many southern cultural references that the story could have taken place in my own hometown in rural West Virginia. I found the book to be funny with several laugh out loud moments as well as moments when I wanted to smack someone (I even wanted to smack Willowdean a couple of times). Most importantly, I enjoyed the journey I took with Willowdean as she learned to truly embrace herself.

Final Verdict:  Recommend


Well, there you have it, the two books I read (mostly) in December.  Have you read either or these?  What are your thoughts?


Currently reading:  Puddin' by Julie Murphy
Next up:  ???

Have a great day and happy reading!




Linking up with Steph and Jana



24 comments:

  1. I am pretty sure that enjoyed Puddin' more than Dumplin' although it seems everyone loves them both so much

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    1. Someone else said the same thing (enjoying Puddin' more than Dumplin'). I'll let you know my verdict next month! :)

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  2. Loved One Of Us Is Lying, and it had me guessing until the very end! What was the one clue that gave it away for you?

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    1. DISCLAIMER! There's information in what I'm going to say that could potentially be a spoiler alert! (It was when the sister, who hacked into Simon's accounts, uncovered that he had made several comments on websites regarding school shootings or something like that.)

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  3. I swear I've meant to read One of Us is Lying for about a year now.

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  4. I just finished up Dumplin' in December too and I loved it! I can't wait to watch the movie and I want to read Puddin' too!

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    1. The movie is super cute! It wasn't as thorough as the book, but still good in its own right.

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  5. I was super impressed with one of us is lying also. It made it to my 2018 faves

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    1. I'd defintely give the author of One of Us is Lying another go! Someone mentioned that she had a new book either out already or coming soon.

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  6. I really liked both of those! Puddin' was a great follow-up to Dumplin', I actually think I liked it more also!

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  7. yay Dumplin! i really liked it and recently watched the movie, made me want to re-read Dumplin because i think it was better than the movie (duh). one of us is lying was so good - she has another coming out i can't wait to get my hands on.

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    1. I watched the movie and that's what prompted me to re-read the book before starting Puddin'. The movie was cute in its own right, they just typically pale in comparison to the books they were based on. I'd be willing to give Karen McManus another go!

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  8. I loved both of these books, and I loved Puddin', too!

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  9. I loved One Of Us Is Lying too-- definitely one of my favorite YA books I've read in a long, long time!

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  10. Loved One of Us is Lying, liked Puddin'! I want to read Karen McManus's next book, I think it's out now. Or soon.

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    1. Someone else mentioned McManus' new book. I'd definitely be willing to give her another shot.

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  11. I share your feelings on both of these books and I need to read Puddin sometime! AND I need to make time to watch Dumplin on netflix!!!

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    1. I thoroughly enjoyed Puddin'! I'll talk more about it in February. ;)

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  12. I just might have to read Dumplin! Sounds too funny! I'm holding off on watching it on Netflix as long as I can!

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    1. Dumplin' is great and (believe it or not) I think the sequel, Puddin', might be better!

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