Xepherus Reads

  Hello, Fellow Book Worms and Book Dragons!     I look back on the books that I have read and realize I have three excellent books that I would recommend to everyone. Though my year was mainly in research books, I did manage to get a few novels in.   Here are my Top 3 favorite books read in 2021 (not all books were released in 2021) Any reviews will be linked in the names: 3)  Before She Disappeared by Lisa Gardner-  take a recovering alcoholic with a penchant for finding missing people and you have the beginnings of a fantastic series. Gardner returns with a deviation from her D.D. Warren series to introduce Frankie Elkin. Elkin is doing her part to help find missing people as she travels with her meager possessions city to city. I found the mystery excellent and the protagonist to be genuine and likable. She had her faults and always admitted to them. The story of the missing girl was heart-breaking. Hillary Huber narrated the audiobook with an intensity...

  Hello, Fellow Book Worms and Book Dragons!    It's January 2021 and the ghost of 2020 has left me with the question: What were the most disappointing books that I read last year?   It is hard because I actually liked the majority of the books I read. I did not hate any of them, but two were very disappointing.  Just a reminder, if you liked these books, I am happy for you. This is my opinion and it should never cause you to skip something you wish to enjoy.    Off we go! 2) Fortune and Glory by Janet Evanovich - a direct sequel to Twisted Twenty-Six , this novel offered little new content. It seemed to tell the same story over again from the previous novel. And it added in elements of the series that have been done many times. The introduction of adventurer Gabriela Rose barely touched upon who the character was. Thankfully there was a short excerpt from her first adventure coming later this year to get me excited for this newest heroine. While I was...

Hello, Fellow Book Worms and Book Dragons!     For 2020 I did very well writing down my goals. It made me excited to go forward with 2020 and see just how well I could do this year. Many of you asked me how I was and expressed concern that I was absent from blogging for part of 2020. Health-wise I was good. But I did have a few deaths that hit me hard. I appreciate all the kind words from all of you. Thank you.       Let's see how I did!   2020 Bookish Reading Goals Results: T ake my reading challenge and dedicate a shelf to books chosen  for easy access:  I have to admit that this did not happen. I continued to pile books to be read by my bed and chose them that way. Listen to as many audiobooks as I can:  I did use audiobooks a lot during 2020 It made quarantine days fly by. And I discovered some fun reads that were presented by some talented audiobook narrators .  Take a break  when a reading slump hits:  I had mor...

  Hello, Fellow Book Worms and Book Dragons!    January 2021 has arrived and with it a mystery: Where did some of my reviews go? It's a simple answer, really. I had a bad case of writer's block. Thankfully the writer's block and reading did not happen at the same time.   Since I am writing again, I figured I would do some short reviews to catch up with all of my readers on some of the books that missed a formal reaction. Enjoy! Eleven on Top by Janet Evanovich- **** / I don't gag on my coffee, but with the hilarious dialogue in this Stephanie Plum novel, I was surprised I did not have coffee coming out of my nose. Evanovich introduces Mama Macaroni, the matriarch owner of the cleaners that Stephanie has the unfortunate experience of working at. This character had me laughing so hard. Lula is a delight. And a crazy man from Stephanie's past gives this a page-turning four stars that had me smiling from ear to ear. Finger-Lickin' Fifteen by Janet Evanovich- ****/ A...

  Hello, Fellow Book Worms and Book Dragons!   I love doing these year-end surveys found on  the Per petual Page Turner's  blog. It is a fun way to take stock of your reading year. 2020 READING STATS Number of Books You Read: 52 Number of Re-Reads: 4 Genre You Read the Most From: Thriller Best in Books- 1. Best Book You Read In 2020? The Outsider by StephenKing was my favorite. The mix of crime thriller and horror had me excited to see what each chapter would bring. One of King’s best. Holly Gibney from the Mr. Mercedes series returns to help Detective Ralph Anderson track down a psychotic killer that can be anyone it wishes. With a distinct three-act set-up, this book is very cinematic in its delivery. All culminating in a showdown finale that is straight out of your nightmares. 2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going to Love More But Did Not ? Malorie by Josh Malerman was a huge disappointment for me. The beginning was solid and...