Much like If I Stay (which I LOVED along with it's sequel - Where She Went), this novel really delves into the subject of life and death. Definitely a heavy read, as the main character Cody is mourning the loss of her friend who committed suicide. The pace was quick, as it read like a mystery while Cody learned that she didn't know everything about her best friend. But, as much as I love Gayle Forman's books (see also the Just One Day books) it felt a bit flat.

I guess I now have an inkling of how people that disliked Gone Girl felt. Maybe there was too much buildup to this book - which is where the similarities to Gone Girl end, in my opinion. It's a mystery, but not strikingly unique in the way I think Gone Girl was with Flynn's use of the narrator's perspective. Basically, Girl on the Train is about a very sad and troubled character who was drunk and can't remember a crime. We wait MANY PAGES for her to work through her memories and continued drinking. Once she finally remembers, the mystery is revealed! What a crappy and totally un-creative way to string a reader along! It did move fast, and I was somewhat surprised by the ending - but mostly because I thought it would be more of a twist and it was not.

Being on vacation, and having read too many depressing books in a row, I finally read an Elin Hilderbrand book! This was a really sweet story and I turned the pages just as furiously as Girl on the Train - but with more enthusiasm. Granted, it was rather predictable, but I was really invested in seeing each lovely character figure out his/her destiny. Also, the attention to every detail of life on Nantucket made the book come alive and I REALLY want to go there now.

This was roller coaster of a book! The story begins with the mystery of a Jane Doe that comes into the main character's emergency room and eventually ICU. Figuring out who 'Jane' is and what happened to her is the overarching story. But along the way, as we find out more about her and doctor Charlotte's story, we find so many more things to question. A very cool multi-layered plot with a hefty dose of fascinating medical drama.

The narrator in this novel was so lifeless and wooden. I could not be moved at all to care about her, and the story is terribly disjointed (at least it started off that way). If you're looking for a compelling story with characters that leap off the page, and with profound commentary on race - read Everything I Never Told You.

I really wanted to enjoy this fantasy novel that was recommended by a friend. Alas, I felt like I was reading a not so great fantasy version of Ocean's 11...

This was lacking the magic of Life After Life, and it plodded along for more than half the (nearly 500 page) book. Things jump back and forth in time quite a bit, which I suppose is to be expected with a companion book of Life After Life. But, it was in more of a haphazard way, not at all like Ursula's story. Once I started reading about Teddy as a grandfather, which was so dear and compelling, I became sucked in to his story and felt bereft at the end. I kind of saw it coming, but it still took my breath away and I'm glad I read it.

What's the deal with all these detached, depressed, introspective and yet completely vacuous female main characters? I really didn't understand the point of this book about a very mentally ill American housewife living with her Swiss husband and their children abroad in Switzerland. So much awful in this book, but I kept reading, hoping I'd get some more clarity into Anna's psyche. Nope. The fancy wordplay and poetic prose does not elevate it in my estimation, either.

Oh, how I loved this! I haven't read one of Dessen's novels in two years, and I think I've got to go back and read MORE. This was a heartfelt story of a girl who is dealing with the damage her older brother brought upon her family, by seriously injuring another in a drunk driving accident. It's touching, bittersweet, and at times, fraught with tension - I stayed up hours past my bedtime to finish it. It's much heavier fare than some of her other novels, but still full of real, relatable characters and so much heart. I just wanted to hug this book.

This was a fun chick-lit read. I enjoy hearing about the royal family, but have never gone out of my way to learn more about them. This fictionalized story based on Will and Kate had me doing some internet reading and investigation on the pair! There is a character based on all the major players in the royal family, even though the names are changed and the 'commoner' princess is an American. I found myself deeply contemplating the life that Kate signed up for with Will and how he must navigate such an extraordinary life. (And I must admit, I also did some wikipedia research to see how their romance matched up with their alter egos of Nick and Bex.)