Book Review: The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn

Title: The Woman in the Window

By: A.J. Finn

Genre: Thriller

Pages: 455

Release Date: January 2nd, 2018

Publisher: William Morrow

Rating: ★★★★☆

Summary from Goodreads:

Anna Fox lives alone, a recluse in her New York City home, unable to venture outside. She spends her day drinking wine (maybe too much), watching old movies, recalling happier times . . . and spying on her neighbors.

Then the Russells move into the house across the way: a father, a mother and their teenage son. The perfect family. But when Anna, gazing out her window one night, sees something she shouldn’t, her world begins to crumble and its shocking secrets are laid bare.

What is real? What is imagined? Who is in danger? Who is in control? In this diabolically gripping thriller, no one—and nothing—is what it seems.

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Review:

A.J. Finn is an incredible writer who can weave a creepy tale with ease. This book was no different.

I love Finn. Their stories draw me and and make me want to read the whole book in one sitting. Often times I do. This book had a dark factor from the beginning and at times I wondered if the main character Anna is really insane or is she actually seeing strange happenings in her neighborhood.

This was a great read. I can't wait to pick up something else by Finn.

September 2022 Wrap Up

Welcome to October. Fall is usually one of my favorite times of year, but right now its still 80 degrees in the PNW and the heat doesn't seem to be leaving any time soon.

Read 8 books in September, so lets recap.

Nocturne

Alyssa Wees

In this haunting, lyrical fantasy set in 1930s Chicago, a talented ballerina finds herself torn between her dreams and her desires when she's pursued by a secretive patron who may be more than he seems.

Growing up in Chicago’s Little Sicily in the years following the Great War, Grace Dragotta has always wanted to be a ballerina, ever since she first peered through the windows of the Near North Ballet Company. So when Grace is orphaned, she chooses the ballet as her home, imagining herself forever ensconced in a transcendent world of light and beauty so different from her poor, immigrant upbringing.

Years later, with the Great Depression in full swing, Grace has become the company's new prima ballerina—though achieving her long-held dream is not the triumph she once envisioned. Time and familiarity have tarnished that shining vision, and her new position means the loss of her best friend in the world. Then she attracts the attention of the enigmatic Master La Rosa as her personal patron, and realizes the world is not as small or constricted as she had come to fear.

Who is her mysterious patron, and what does he want from her? As Grace begins to unlock the Master's secrets, she discovers that there is beauty in darkness as well as light, finds that true friendship cannot be broken by time or distance, and realizes there may be another way entirely to achieve the transcendence she has always sought.

104/100 2022 Reading Challenge (DONE!)

44/196 in my Star Wars Legends challenge

55/341 Gilmore Girls challenge

54/100 in my 100 books before you die challenge

Another great month. Even though I didn't read as much as I usually do, due to the stress of school starting up again with my boys, things have finally calmed back down and I'm hoping to finish at least 10 books in October.

Weekly Menu #475 And The Book Of The Week

Hello Monday!

I think the weather is trying to cool off, but then again, no one knows. It just seems to have a mind of its own this time of year, but the 80 degree October 1st was nice. Now I'm crossing my fingers for a rain free Halloween.

Read a few books last week, finally. Things are starting to calm down. This weeks read will be Little Thieves by Margaret Owen. Found this book on Instagram and the cover is to die for. Can't wait to dive in and see if the story holds up to the glorious art. We shall find out.

Lets get to this weeks menu. Enjoy!

WEEKLY MENU

Monday

Turkey Meatball Gyros

Kids - Pitta Pizza

Tuesday

Oriental Chicken Salad

Kids - Chicken Nugget Salad

Wednesday

Sundried Tomato Pasta and Chicken

Kids - Mac and Cheese

Thursday

Orange Chicken

Kids - Chicken and Rice

Friday

Spaghetti Night

Kids - Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti

Saturday

Avocado Ricotta Toast

Kids - Grilled Cheese

Sunday

Family Dinner

Ultimate Sandwich Board

Sunday Confessions #167

Although it was a lighter week on the blog, it was another beautiful week here in the PNW. I can't believe September is over and we still have weather in the 80's. It should be raining and cooler. Either way, I'm happy for a little more sunshine.

Lets recap the week

Sunday Confessions #166

Weekly Menu #474 And The Book Of The Week

Book Review: The Ask and the Answer by Patrick Ness

Book Review: Nocturne by Alyssa Wees

Weekly Menu #475 And The Book Of The Week

September 2022 Wrap Up

Book Review: The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn

Book Review: The Sisters of Saint Nicola of the Almost Perpetual Motion vs Lurch by Garth Nix

Sunday Confessions #168

Labyrinth of Evil
(Star Wars Legends)
by James Luceno

The war that erupted in Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones is nearing its boiling point, as the dauntless Separatist forces continue their assault on the teetering Republic-and the diabolical triumvirate of Count Dooku, General Grievous, and their Master, Darth Sidious, fine-tune their strategy for conquest. In Episode III Revenge of the Sith the fates of key players on both sides of the conflict will be sealed. But first, crucial events that pave the way to that time of reckoning unfold in a labyrinth of evil. . . .

Capturing Trade Federation Viceroy-and Separatist Councilmember-Nute Gunray is the mission that brings Jedi Knights Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker, with a squad of clones in tow, to Neimoidia. But the treacherous ally of the Sith proves as slippery as ever, evading his Jedi pursuers even as they narrowly avoid deadly disaster. Still, their daring efforts yield an unexpected prize: a unique holotransceiver that bears intelligence capable of leading the Republic forces to their ultimate quarry, the ever-elusive Darth Sidious.

Swiftly taking up the chase, Anakin and Obi-Wan follow clues from the droid factories of Charros IV to the far-flung worlds of the Outer Rim . . . every step bringing them closer to pinpointing the location of the Sith Lord-whom they suspect has been manipulating every aspect of the Separatist rebellion. Yet somehow, in the escalating galaxy-wide chess game of strikes, counterstrikes, ambushes, sabotage, and retaliations, Sidious stays constantly one move ahead.

Then the trail takes a shocking turn. For Sidious and his minions have set in motion a ruthlessly orchestrated campaign to divide and overwhelm the Jedi forces-and bring the Republic to its knees.

Just finished the second season of fright club. I love this show. Jack Osbourn and the Ghost Brothers are hilarious, but the one thing negative I have to say about this show is, I've scene some of the clips already. There just isn't that many new intriguing paranormal videos out there right now.

A few weeks ago I shared my youngest sons ambitious baking project of this lava cake recipe. I'm not much of a baker, but my serious child's interest has increased over the last month. This was our first attempt at a lava cake, and although it wasn't as sturdy as we would have wanted, they tasted delicious.

If you want a fun project to bake with your 9 year olds... I dare you to try this lava cake recipe by Gimme Delicious.

Maybe one of these days I will be able to upload the video of our lava cakes to my Instagram account. For some reason, the app doesn't like my clip

102/100 2022 Reading Challenge (DONE!)

43/196 in my Star Wars Legends challenge

55/341 Gilmore Girls challenge

54/100 in my 100 books before you die challenge

I'm hoping to bake some more with my youngest. If anyone has simple baking recipes suitable for kids, please share them in the comments below.

As always, happy reading.

Book Review: Nocturne by Alyssa Wees

Title: Nocturne

By: Alyssa Wees

Genre: Historical Fantasy

Pages: 240

Release Date: February 21st, 2023

Publisher: Del Rey

Rating: ★★★★★

Summary from Goodreads:

Add on Goodreads

Review:

I don't give out five stars lightly, but this book has earned it. A wonderful read that is a mix of Beauty and the Beast and Black Swan.

I'm a retired ballerina, and I loved reading about Grace. She had the drive of a dancer, and the will to match. Alyssa Wees knows how to write a wonderful dance scene that I could invasion with ease. To say I was enthralled in the story, is an understatement.

There were so many twists and turns in this story with the introduction of Master La Rosa. His story is torturous, but filled with hope. I wanted the best for him, but with the amazing story telling, I wasn't sure who to trust until the end. La Rosa was a great character, portrayed in a mysterious light. Loved it.

If I could go back and read this book again and feel the same excitement as the first time, I would in a heartbeat. This was a great read and I can't wait to see what else Wees brings to the table.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

Book Review: The Ask and the Answer by Patrick Ness

Title: The Ask and the Answer

By: Patrick Ness

Genre: SciFi

Pages: 553

Release Date: May 4th, 2009

Publisher: Candlewick

Rating: ★★★☆☆

Summary from Goodreads:

We were in the square, in the square where I'd run, holding her, carrying her, telling her to stay alive, stay alive till we got safe, till we got to Haven so I could save her - But there weren't no safety, no safety at all, there was just him and his men...

Fleeing before a relentless army, Todd has carried a desperately wounded Viola right into the hands of their worst enemy, Mayor Prentiss. Immediately separated from Viola and imprisoned, Todd is forced to learn the ways of the Mayor's new order. But what secrets are hiding just outside of town? And where is Viola? Is she even still alive? And who are the mysterious Answer? And then, one day, the bombs begin to explode...

"The Ask and the Answer" is a tense, shocking and deeply moving novel of resistance under the most extreme pressure. This is the second title in the "Chaos Walking" trilogy.

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Review:

I have to admit, this was not my favorite Patrick Ness story.

I found this story to be a very long 500 pages with little action. Although the ending was intriguing, I don't know if I really want to finish the trilogy as this book moved so slowly and the story was one aggravating situation after the next. It left me feeling really angry and unsatisfied.

Patrick Ness has some amazing books, but I wouldn't put this one in his top three.

Weekly Menu #474 And The Book Of The Week

Hello Sunday!

September is ending already and I'm surprised the weather is still mild here in the PNW. While I say that thought, the rest of the world is on fire. My heart breaks.

This weeks read is The Children of Men by P.D. James. I've seen this movie, and didn't know it was a book until now. Lets see how accurate the movie really was.

Lets get to this weeks menu. Enjoy!