Blogmas #1: December TBR List and Goals (October and November Recap)

BlogmasontheBibliovert1

Todays the first day of Blogmas!

I am so excited that December is finally here! If you’re wondering what #blogmas is all about, check out my earlier post (here).

Recap of October and November

My last update, I had a goal that stated:

PROGRESS OVER PERFECTION There will be hiccups along the way, just keep moving forward.

Well, I hit some hiccups along the way… October and November were a crazy mess! I am not one to beat around the bush or be subtle so I to just come out and keep it real. For one, I wasn’t feeling well. For those that don’t know, I struggle with chronic pain and illnesses. The winter here in Minnesota really does a number on me. The cold weather adds insult to injury. On top of that my body decided it would be a good time to get a severe infection and need to have an emergency surgery the DAY BEFORE THANKSGIVING! So, on top of my regular struggles, I am now healing from that surgery. BUT, I’m the mend. Needless to say, I am hoping and praying December will be a bit easier.

Life is like a roller coaster. It has its ups and downs,

but it’s your choice to scream or enjoy the ride.

Reading Recap

Books Read in October

Her Last Move by John Marrs

The Spy Who Was Left Behind by Michael Pullara

The Perfect Liar by Thomas Christopher Greene

The Case of the Golden State Killer by Michael Morfor and Michael Ferguson

Painless by Marty Thornley

Books Read in November

Gazelle In The Shadows by Michelle Peach

An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen

Pigeon – Blood Red by Ed Duncan(review coming soon)

Girl Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis (review coming soon)

Decembers TBR List

I always have so many more books on my list for reading in a month than I know I can get through…but I guess that’s half the fun! There are SO many good books!

She Lies in Wait by Gytha Lodge

The Strange Curse of Breda by Steven Arnett

The Perfect Girlfriend by Karen Hamilton

Beautiful Bad by Annie Ward

Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty

Unsheltered by Barbara Kingsolver

*I really would like to get to The Outsider by Stephen King but it will have to wait January.

Goals for The Bibliovert in December

The meaning of bibliovert

Blogmas: I have 24 planned posts for December and 2 book reviews that I need to prepare. So this will be a good challenge for me. At the time of prepping this particular post, I actually only have 2 posts completed and scheduled. I am feeling the crunch. Procrastination at it’s finest! (Are you a procrastinator? I try so hard not to be, but it always just seems to work out that way. Maybe that will be a goal for January… less procrastination)
Spend more time on The Bibliovert Instagram account
Relax, listen to music, enjoy the holiday season and be present.
*Reminder* Persistence over Perfection

HERE’S TO EACH OF YOU CRUSHING IT IN DECEMBER!

LAST, BUT NOT LEAST, I WANT TO SEND A BIG THANK YOU TO THE OTHER BLOGGERS AND READERS THAT HAVE STOPPED BY MY LITTLE CORNER OF THE INTERNET. THE MESSAGES, THE LIKES, AND SHARES HERE ON THE BLOG AND MY SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS HAVE MEANT THE WORLD TO ME.

Thank You! ❤

Book Review: An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen

Author: Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen

Hardcover: 384 pages

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press (January 8, 2019)

ISBN: 9781250133731

Genre: General Fiction (Adult), Mystery & Thrillers

Pre-Order it here: An Anonymous Girl

Source: I received an eARC of this novel via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Blurb

The next novel of psychological suspense and obsession from the authors of the blockbuster bestseller The Wife Between Us

Seeking women ages 18–32 to participate in a study on ethics and morality. Generous compensation. Anonymity guaranteed.

When Jessica Farris signs up for a psychology study conducted by the mysterious Dr. Shields, she thinks all she’ll have to do is answer a few questions, collect her money, and leave.

Question #1: Could you tell a lie without feeling guilt?

But as the questions grow more and more intense and invasive and the sessions become outings where Jess is told what to wear and how to act, she begins to feel as though Dr. Shields may know what she’s thinking…and what she’s hiding.

Question #2: Have you ever deeply hurt someone you care about?

As Jess’s paranoia grows, it becomes clear that she can no longer trust what in her life is real, and what is one of Dr. Shields’ manipulative experiments. Caught in a web of deceit and jealousy, Jess quickly learns that some obsessions can be deadly.

Question #3: Should a punishment always fit the crime?

From the authors of the blockbuster bestseller The Wife Between Us comes an electrifying new novel about doubt, passion, and just how much you can trust someone.

Praise for The Wife Between Us:

“A fiendishly smart cat-and-mouse thriller” —New York Times Book Review

“[A] seamless thriller that will keep readers on their toes to the very end…Readers will enjoy the dizzying back-and-forth as they attempt to figure out just who to root for and as the suspense ratchets up to one hell of a conclusion.” —Booklist

My Thoughts

I was so excited when I was granted this book through NetGalley! I had read their previous collaboration, The Wife Between Us, and loved it. So, to say I was thrilled to read this book is an understatement.

From the first to the last page I was drawn into the story. Truth be told, when I was 90% of the way through this book I took a day break from it because for one, I wanted to reflect and see if I could figure out the ending (which I couldn’t ), and two, I just didn’t want it to end.

I LOVED IT!

There are so many twists and turns in An Anonymous Girl, that it is the perfect read for anyone that loves mysteries and thrillers. Pre-Order it now. You will not be disappointed!

Another Great book by Sarah Pekkanen and Greer Hendricks!

Quote

“Sometimes a test is so small and quiet you don’t even notice it’s a test.”

“Sometimes a relationship that appears caring and supportive carries hidden dangers.”

“Sometimes a therapist who coaxes out all of your secrets is holding the biggest one in the room.”

Rating

5-stars

About the Author

GREER HENDRICKS is the coauthor of the New York Times bestseller The Wife Between Us and the forthcoming An Anonymous Girl (January 8, 2019). Prior to becoming a novelist, she spent two decades as an editor at Simon & Schuster. She obtained her master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University, and her writing has appeared in The New York Times, Allure, and Publisher’s Weekly. She lives in Manhattan with her husband and two children.

Website | GoodReads | Twitter

SARAH PEKKANEN is also the co-author of the New York Times bestseller THE WIFE BETWEEN US and the upcoming AN ANONYMOUS GIRL, both cowritten with Greer Hendricks.

AN ANONYMOUS GIRL has been optioned for a television series by eOne, with Sarah and Greer executive producing. THE WIFE BETWEEN US has been optioned for film by Amblin Entertainment, with Sarah and Greer screenwriting the adaptation.

Her prior solo novels are: THE EVER AFTER, THE PERFECT NEIGHBORS, THINGS YOU WON’T SAY, CATCHING AIR, THE BEST OF US, THE OPPOSITE OF ME, SKIPPING A BEAT, and THESE GIRLS.

Sarah’s linked free short estories, published by Simon&Schuster exclusively for ereaders, are titled “All is Bright,” and “Love, Accidentally.”

Sarah is the mother of three young boys, which explains why she writes part of her novels at Chuck E. Cheese. Sarah penned her first book, Miscellaneous Tales and Poems, at the age of 10. When publishers failed to jump upon this literary masterpiece (hey, all the poems rhymed!) Sarah followed up by sending them a sternly-worded letter on Raggedy Ann stationery. Sarah still has that letter, and carries it to New York every time she has meetings with her publisher, as a reminder that dreams do come true.

Website | GoodReads | Twitter

October Is Here | Goals and TBRs

Hello October

Where has the year gone? The days just seem to fly by and before you know it we are in October! Someone needs to invent a contraption to slow time down. My goodness!

What fun plans do you have for October?

Goals for this month:

Focus on a minimum of 2 blog posts a week.
Continue to grow my social media accounts (increase by 6%)
Read more and clean up my NetGalley shelf
*REMEMBER* PROGRESS OVER PERFECTION (There will be hiccups along the way, just keep moving forward)