I can’t believe I never read this before. It’s a very cute story, but so insightful. All adults should read or reread this as there’s a lot to take from it.

Grab a bottle of water or two before starting this book!

When we’ve lost the strength to save ourselves, we somehow find the strength to save each other.

The drought in Southern California, otherwise known as the Tap-Out, has been going on for a while. Everyone is used to the rules – don’t take long showers, don’t water your lawn, don’t fill up your pool, etc. – then one day the taps run dry.

Alyssa and her family are living through the tap out. When Alyssa’s parents head to the beach to find water, but don’t return it’s up to her to do whatever it takes to save herself and her brother, Garrett. She enlists the help of her neighbor, Kelton, who lives in a survivalist family so he has water. He also has a crush on Alyssa so wants to help her. When they go to look for her parents, they meet Jacqui who saves their lives so they decide to try to save hers in return.

When the neighborhood families turn against Kelton and his parents, the four children escape and are on their own. They learn that sometimes you can’t do the right thing when it comes to saving yourself and the people you love.

I honestly did not know what to think of this book when I decided to read it for a challenge. “Cli-fi” is not my normal genre and not something that I thought I would like. I was wrong! This book was excellent in my opinion. Neal Shusterman did a fantastic job of making you feel like this could happen which is scary especially because it really could. I listened to the audio version of Dry and really loved how it was told from the different characters perspectives. There are some other characters thrown in who don’t have primary roles, but they help to move the story along. I definitely recommend this even if you don’t think it’s a genre you would like.

Oh, and this book definitely makes you thirsty!

Whenever, whatever. I'm hear forver.

Abi awakens to a phone call from the hospital saying there’s been an accident and her teenage daughter, Olivia is there. Olivia fell from a bridge and is on life support, but the doctor says that she is already brain damaged. They can’t take her off life support though because she’s pregnant. Abi was not aware of this and will do whatever it takes to figure out who the father is and what happened the night Olivia fell.

This book was not only a mystery about what happened to Olivia, but also a story about family and the strength of a mother daughter bond. Reading I thought one thing was happening, and it turned out I was very wrong which was great because I didn’t see the ending coming.

The only reason I’m giving this 4 stars instead of 5 is because I thought the beginning was a little slow, but about 40% into it, the pace picked up and I didn’t want to put the book down. I definitely recommend this.

As a big fan of Veronica Mars, I was super excited when I heard that Rob Thomas was writing Veronica Mars books and then to find out that Kristen Bell actually narrated this one I had to listen to it. It totally brought me back to Neptune and the cast of characters I fell in love with. The plot line had some twists and turns just like the show and the writing was exactly what I was expecting. Although I heard Kristen Bell does not narrate the second book I do plan to read it.

Pumpkinheads written by Rainbow Rowell and illustrated by Faith Erin Hicks is a cute graphic novel set on Halloween in a pumpkin patch. It tells the story of two teenagers who work together at a pumpkin patch and the adventure they go on their last night working there. Definitely a fun, Halloween read!

I really wanted to love this book. I had heard so much about it, but it just wasn't for me. The story of Louise having an affair with her boss and befriending his wife had all the makings of a great psychological thriller. I honestly loved the beginning part of the book even though I hear other people thought it was very slow, but then, the book took an odd turn in my opinion. The story of the night terrors leading to lucid dreams was not what I was expecting at all. There could have been another way for Adele to know what was happening with David and Louise without having to go to a place that was so far-fetched, and don't get me started on the body swapping. That was way too much for me. Yes, the ending was a big shock that I didn't see coming, but it wasn't enough to save this book.

I also want to mention how the ending was so sad for Adam, Louise's son. That poor kid.

“You Will Know Me” is the first novel by Megan Abbott that I have read. It tells the story of parents, Katie and Eric, their daughter, Devon who is a star gymnast with Olympic potential, and a hit and run accident that will nearly shatter their lives.

I listened to the audiobook of “You Will Know Me” and although it kept my interest there was something about it that I didn’t love. It’s hard to put my finger on exactly what that is though. The characters were well developed, and I understood the pressure the main characters were all under to get Devon to the Olympics. Maybe it was just that I didn’t relate to or really like any of the characters aside from Drew, Katie and Eric’s son who seems to be forgotten or overlooked all his life.

I also really didn’t like the ending, but no spoilers here. I do plan to give Megan Abbott books a chance though. Maybe this one just wasn’t for me.

Miracle Creek is the debut novel by Angie Kim that is a literary courtroom drama about a Korean immigrant family and a young, single mother who is accused of murdering her autistic son. This book is first a courtroom drama and second a murder mystery that also examines topics such as immigration, parenthood, grief, disability, and caregiving. It’s really hard to describe this story without giving too much detail, but I will say I enjoyed the courtroom drama and trying to figure out who actually murdered the two characters that died in a horrific “accident”.

This book was a lot to process. There are some very serious subject matters discussed including child abuse, immigration, and sexual assault. It definitely is a book that makes you think and doesn’t give anything away until the end.

I liked how it was told from multiple perspectives of the victims and other people involved. The author developed the characters well and made you want the best for all of them. I did not see the ending coming, but once I read it, it made perfect sense to me. I had a hard time rating this though because everyone loved it in the reviews I read, but I found it a bit dry and draining at times. Maybe that was how it was supposed to make you feel though. I would recommend this if you like courtroom dramas and mysteries.

Thank you NetGalley and Farrar, Straus and Giroux for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review.