The importance of local libraries

Today I'm going to address a topic of discussion that's very important to me: local libraries. Ever since I was little, I looked forward to going to the library with my mom and picking out books and movies to check out. I didn't have cable growing up so my main source of fun was cracking open a book or popping in a VHS to watch. As an adult I still go to my local library (the same one when I was little!) every couple of weeks or so. Even for non-readers, your local library is still a great source to utilize. I'm complied a list of the five ways local libraries are important to the community.

Books, music, DVDs for low-income families

I live in a small, rural area that has a high (more than 50%) rate of poverty. My family didn't have a lot of money growing up, so I definitely went to the library whenever I could. It's not only books that families can borrow, but also CDs and DVDs.

Programs that foster and promote reading to local youths

All the libraries in my area have a summer reading program for children; I'm sure the libraries in big cities have this as well. These programs help promote literature to local youth, and there are often similar programs for adults. Instead of children staying inside watching TV all day, families can opt to go to their local library and help develop their child's reading habit.

Internet/printing access for those without it

I know it seems like everyone has internet, whether it be a computer, phone, or tablet/iPad. Yet, there's still a portion of the population that doesn't, such as those who have been laid off and need to look for work or those who need to print out an essay for school. Additional services libraries provide are copying and sending/receiving fax messages.

Large print books/Audiobooks for those with little or no eyesight

For those with poor and/or no eyesight, libraries also provide large print novels, books on CD and audiobooks. Advances in technology have led to audiobooks being available on a patron's personal reading device, such as iPad or Kindle, through a variety programs - ie Overdrive, Libby.

Genealogical & local research

The last item on my list is genealogical research. Libraries can be a great source for those trying to research their family trees. Local newspapers are often available on microfilm at libraries. I've used microfilm myself several times for my job at a newspaper, and I've also taken calls at work from people asking how they can get a copy of a really old issue for whatever reason, whether it be a major event from that period or an obituary.

WWW Wednesday (5/29/19)

In this weekly meme, I will answer three questions:

What are you currently reading?

What did you recently finish?

What do you think you'll read next?

This meme is held by samannelizabeth.wordpress.com. Just answer the three questions below and leave a link to your post in the comments for others to look at. No blog? No problem! Just leave a comment with your responses. Please, take some time to visit the other participants and see what others are reading.

What are you currently reading?

First, the unthinkable: a security breach at a secret US government facility unleashes the monstrous product of a chilling military experiment. Then, the unspeakable: a night of chaos and carnage gives way to sunrise on a nation, and ultimately a world, forever altered. All that remains for stunned survivors is a long fight ahead and a future ruled by fear -- of darkness, of death, of a fate far worse.

As civilization swiftly crumbles into a primal landscape of predators and prey, two people flee in search of sanctuary. FBI agent Brad Wolgast is a good man haunted by what he's done in the line of duty. Six-year-old orphan Amy Harper Bellafonte is a refugee from the doomed scientific project that has triggered apocalypse. Wolgast is determined to protest her from the horror set loose by her captors, but for Amy, escaping the bloody fallout is only the beginning of a much longer odyssey -- spanning miles and decades -- toward the time and place where she must finish what should have never begun. The Passage on Goodreads.

What did you recently finish?

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi - It's a decent book but not a great read. I both liked it and disliked it. Click here for my full review. Children of Blood and Bone on Goodreads. My rating: ★★★

White Oleander by Janet Fitch - White Oleander is very well-written but I found the characters to be a full of themselves. Others who enjoy books character-driven novels about mother/daughter relationships may enjoy this read, but it wasn't for me. White Oleander on Goodreads. My rating: ★★★

What do you think you'll read next?

I'm not entirely sure what I'll read next. Work has been absolutely chaotic so I've haven't had as much time or energy to read. I've included some books I'm considering reading above.

Ten Top Tuesday / Favorite Books Released in the Last Ten Years

Top Ten Tuesday is a book blog meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week's topic is favorite books released in the last ten years, with one book each year.

2009 - Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

The second in the Hunger Games series, Catching Fire follows Katniss as she leads a rebellion against the Capital. These books were widely popular when I started college in 2009. Surprisingly, the movies were good as well, though I didn't end up watching the very last one. I think everyone's heard of the Hunger Games, so I'm not going to get into much detail about it.

2010 - Room by Emma Donoghue

Room is a GENIUS novel. It's told from the perspective of five-year-old Jack who, along with his young mother, is held hostage in a small room. Definitely worth to read! Check out my full review here.

2011 - 11/22/63 by Stephen King

If you could go back in time and change ONE event in history, what would it be? Would you kill Hilter before his ascent? Stop 9/11? 11/22/63 is about a high school teacher named Jake who is told by a local diner owner about a secret portal that back to the same location and date in time. He enlists Jake's help with his obsession - John F. Kennedy's assassination. 11/22/63 is a fantastic novel. It's 700+ pages but I flew through it in only a couple of days.

2012 - The Diviners by Libby Bray

A mix of historical fiction, horror and paranormal, The Diviners is an enthralling novel that follows Evie O'Neill in 1920s New York who has a secret: her supernatural power. The atmosphere surrounding the novel is so vivid, yet also dark and creepy. Everything about the novel is great!

2013 - Burial Rites by Hannah Kent

It was really hard to decide on this one. There were so many great novels published in 2013; The 5th Wave and Night Film were also contenders. Burial Rites, however, is one of my favorite novels. It's is a fictionalized account of the final days of the last woman to be beheaded in 1890s Iceland. It's harsh, bleak but stunningly beautiful.

2014 - The Young Elites by Marie Lu

The Young Elites is the first novel of a great fantasy series. Adelina is the a survivor of a blood fever that left her, and other survivors, horribly disfigured and others are rumored to be gifted mysterious powers. I loved Adelina as a protagonist because she also has a dark side; most heroes in fantasies have all the great qualities we look for - they're brave, courageous, witty and intelligent. Adelina has something dark lurching inside her, and it's memorizing to watch her development.

2015 - What We Saw by Aaron Hartzler

Inspired by real events, Kate thinks she knows what happened at a big party thrown by a classmate. But a photo of Stacey appears online the next morning and Kate suspects she doesn't have all the details. Her town then erupts into a tailspin when Stacey files charges against their classmates, and Kate pieces together what really went down that night. What We Saw is about finding the courage to do what's right, even if you might face major backlash against it.

2016 - Sleeping Giants Sylvain Neuvel

Sleeping Giants is one of the best sci-fi novels I've read. A young girl named Rose is riding her bike when she falls into a deep hole and finds herself sitting in the palm of a giant metal hand. Seventeen years later, the story behind this bizarre artifact remains unsolved and Rose is a highly trained physicist leading a team to crack the hand's code. The book is really gripping, action-packed and awesome.

2017 - Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor

In Strange the Dreamer, an orphan named Lazlo Strange has dreamed his whole life of the mythic lost city of Weep and is constantly met with ridicule. Suddenly, an opportunity presents itself in the form of a hero called the Godslayer and a band of warriors. I loved this book, which really surprised me because I thought I'd just find it OK. The writing is beautiful and lyrical. And the cover is gorgeous with a capital G!

2018 - Verity by Colleen Hoover

Verity is the sexy, disturbing tale of struggling writer Lowen Ashleigh, who agrees to sign on as a co-author of an already established successful book series. The book is great and very addicting. Check out my full review here.

2019 - The Priory of the Orange Tree

After a millennial of peace, the Nameless One returns and the lives of three strangers intertwine as they struggle to save the world. The Priory of the Orange Tree is like the typical fantasy novel with a large character list and intricate world, so I don't want to spend a bunch of time explaining all of it. It's a great book, so I encourage you to check it out if you enjoy fantasy! Check out my full review here.

Do you agree with any of my choices? What does you list look like? Let me know in the comments. :)

Children of Blood and Bone / Tomi Adeyemi

Children of Blood and Bone

By Tomi Adeyemi
Published: Henry Holt, 2018
Pages: 544
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Amazon, Goodreads

"Don't worry," I whisper as he takes his last breath. "I will make a far better queen."

About the book

They killed my mother.

They took our magic.
They tried to bury us.

Now we rise.

Zélie Adebola remembers when the soil of Orïsha hummed with magic. Burners ignited flames, Tiders beckoned waves, and Zélie’s Reaper mother summoned forth souls.

But everything changed the night magic disappeared. Under the orders of a ruthless king, maji were killed, leaving Zélie without a mother and her people without hope.

Now Zélie has one chance to bring back magic and strike against the monarchy. With the help of a rogue princess, Zélie must outwit and outrun the crown prince, who is hell-bent on eradicating magic for good.

Danger lurks in Orïsha, where snow leoponaires prowl and vengeful spirits wait in the waters. Yet the greatest danger may be Zélie herself as she struggles to control her powers and her growing feelings for an enemy.

Review

I both like Children of Blood and Bone and dislike it.

The story is set in Africa, and there's not much fantasy with an African setting. All the characters are African. White appears to always be the default, so it was refreshing have a different reading experience.

The world the author crafted is rich and interesting; diviners, who are bestowed with magic by the 12 gods, are all slaughtered and their connection with magic torn, leaving all diviner children without powers. These children then grow up as lower class and several are sold into "stocks" AKA used as free slavery.

I felt like the author created parallels between racism in our society and the systematic hatred diviners face to get readers thinking about how racial conflict is still very much alive today.

YET, the writing was just OK to me. It's not bad; I was able to tear through it pretty quickly. This is normally the kind of book I can get through in a day or two but I've been so swamped and stressed with work that I haven't been able to read as much.

Zelie and Inan's relationship felt forced and annoyed me. One might they hate each other and then they're lovers then they hate each other again. It seemed like the author was pushing something that just didn't click.

There were a few other moments that I found to be ridiculous. I won't go into much detail (spoilers), but I felt like some obviously stupid decisions were made.

Overall, the book is a typical, over-hyped YA fantasy read that can be skipped.

RATING (out of five puppies)

WWW Wednesday (5/22/18)

In this weekly meme, I will answer three questions: 

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish?
What do you think you'll read next? 

This meme is held by http://samannelizabeth.wordpress.com. Just answer the three questions below and leave a link to your post in the comments for others to look at. No blog? No problem! Just leave a comment with your responses. Please, take some time to visit the other participants and see what others are reading.

What are you currently reading?

They killed my mother.

They took our magic.
They tried to bury us.

Now we rise.

Zélie Adebola remembers when the soil of Orïsha hummed with magic. Burners ignited flames, Tiders beckoned waves, and Zélie’s Reaper mother summoned forth souls.

But everything changed the night magic disappeared. Under the orders of a ruthless king, maji were killed, leaving Zélie without a mother and her people without hope.

Now Zélie has one chance to bring back magic and strike against the monarchy. With the help of a rogue princess, Zélie must outwit and outrun the crown prince, who is hell-bent on eradicating magic for good.

Danger lurks in Orïsha, where snow leoponaires prowl and vengeful spirits wait in the waters. Yet the greatest danger may be Zélie herself as she struggles to control her powers and her growing feelings for an enemy.

Children of Blood and Bone on Goodreads

What did you recently finish?

The Woman in the Window by AJ FInn - A gripping, psychological thriller about a recluse who believes her neighbor has been murdered but no one believes her. Click here for my full review. The Woman in the Window on Goodreads. My rating: ★★★★★  

Dig by AS King - DNF at about 130 pages in... this book is weird as hell. It has a ton of good reviews online, but I just didn't have the patience to wait it out. Dig on Goodreads. My rating: ★

Beartown by Fredrik Backman - An incredible novel about a small, dying town in the middle of a forest and a hockey star accused of a terrible crime. Would recommend to anyone, especially those who enjoy character-driven novels. Click here for my full review. Beartown on Goodreads. My rating: ★★★★★ 

What do you think you'll read next?

I'm not sure what I'll read next, but pictured above is what I'm considering.

Top Ten Tuesday / Books I won't let anyone touch

Top Ten Tuesday is a book blog meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week's topic is Books  I won't let anyone touch. Without further to do, let's get to it!

Lobster is the Best Medicine by Liz Climo

This is the cutest book! It's a collection of comics about friendship. One of my closest friends gave me this when I told her I was going to start a book blog. She was, and has never been, anything other than very supportive of me in every way. This is definitely something I'll keep close to my heart. Lobster is the Best Medicine on Goodreads.

Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling 

An obvious choice! I grew up reading Harry Potter and wishing I was in that world. I also remember letting a friend borrow the book and they wrote in it! Ever since then I've hated lending books to people. Harry Potter was a favorite childhood series and, as such, I will never let go. J.K. Rowling's author profile on Goodreads.

A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi

This is a fantastic novel, and the copy I own is signed! That's mainly why it's on this list but it's a really good read if you haven't picked it up yet. A Very Large Expanse of Sea on Goodreads.

Looking for Alaska by John Green

A young adult novel centered around the boring, safe world of Pudge, who is sent off to a boarding school where he meets the sexy, wild, screwed-up Alaska Young. I read this I believe in my last year of junior high and it really hit me hard. It's been one of my favorites ever since. Looking for Alaska on Goodreads.

Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer 

OK, I know, I know! Vampires are not supposed to GLITTER. But the Twilight series is sentimental to me because I went through a difficult time during the latter part of high school and the series was a good distraction. I stayed up late reading the books instead of anxiously pacing back and forth across my bedroom, freaking out over the bad experience I couldn't control. Stephenie Meyer's author profile on Goodreads.

'Salem's Lot by Stephen King

'Salem's Lot is probably my all-time favorite horror novel. It's terrifying! I've read many horror stories and 'Salem's Lot is one of the few that actually made me feel scared. It gave me nightmares. It's well-written and super creepy. If you want something that'll make you pee your pants because you're so scared, read this book. 'Salem's Lot on Goodreads.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

The Book Thief is one of those rare novels that you just know is going to be considered a classic in 40 years. It's beautifully written and deeply emotional; it'll tear your heart out and rip it to pieces. When I think about great novels, this is one the books that stands out, which is why it's on my list. The Book Thief on Goodreads.

Anything written by George Orwell

George Orwell is one of my favorite authors, so of course anything written by him will never leave my bookshelves.

Rebecca by Daphne du Marier

It seems like I talk incessantly about this book all the time. It's in my top three favorite novels, so I'll definitely never let anyone borrow it! It's dark and suspenseful and I love it. Rebecca on Goodreads.

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

The last on my list is another classic that you may have been forced to read in school - The Grapes of Wrath. This book is everything, seriously, it epitomizes corporate greed and how strangers come together to help one another. I was balling at the end. I recommend picking this up if you haven't read it yet. The Grapes of Wrath on Goodreads.

Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in five American adults experience a mental illness. However, it's still taboo.

In school I once heard a teacher give the following comparison to highlight this issue: If a typical American were to walk by a park and see me sitting down on a bench, rocking back and forth frantically and having a full-on conversation with myself, I would most likely be ignored or purposely avoided. Yet, if that same person is walking by and I fall and break my leg, that person would most likely rush to help me. That example has always stuck with me. Why should mental illness be any different than physical illness?

I really want to help break that taboo, to let others know that it's okay to say you're hurting on the inside and need help. I've had anxiety and depression for practically my whole life for reasons I'm not yet comfortable sharing. (And I'm still REALLY struggling with it and learning that it's okay to share this). But I do want to share books I've read that have either helped me or that have made me feel understood.

Anything written by Brene Brown

Brene Brown is a research professor who has spent two decades studying courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy. A friend who also suffers from anxiety recommended Brown's books to me. I read Rising Strong and it really inspired me. She's a fantastic writer who's down to Earth and can explain terms in layman's sense. Brene Brown's author profile on Goodreads.

Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson

Jenny Lawson is a blogger, journalist, and writer who suffers from anxiety, depression, avoidant personality disorder, rheumatoid arthritis, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Furiously Happy is a hilarious account of Lawson's experience with anxiety and depression. Furiously Happy on Goodreads.

The Memory of Light by Francisco X. Stork

The Memory of Light is a young adult novel centered around Vicky Cruz, a girl who has just attempted suicide. It follows her progress and recovery from depression. I absolutely loved this book and it affected me SO MUCH. The writing is beautiful, almost lyrical. The story is raw and honest. Click here for my full review. The Memory of Light on Goodreads.

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

The Bell Jar is an emotionally intense novel centered around a young woman who is talented, popular, successful but slowly going insane. It's a partly autobiographical account of Plath's experience with depression. I don't really know what else to say except if you're feeling depressed and/or suicidal, read this book. The Bell Jar on Goodreads.

Are there any books that have helped you help or overcome a mental illness? Leave a comment if so!

NOTE: I just finished writing this post and I feel like I'm forgetting an important book that's really help me. If I remember it, I'll add it to this post.

Click here to check out the source for the statistic I quote and to learn more about mental illness. The National Suicide Prevention Hotline is 1-800-273-8255.

Beartown by Fredrik Backman

Beartown

By Fredrik Backman

Published: Atria Books, 2016

Pages: 433

Genre: Contemporary

Amazon, Goodreads

"Never trust people who don't have something in their lives that they love beyond all reason."

About the book

People say Beartown is finished. A tiny community nestled deep in the forest, it is slowly losing ground to the ever-encroaching trees. But down by the lake stands an old ice rink, build generations ago by the workingmen who founded this town. And that ice rink is the reason people in Beartown believe tomorrow will be better than today. Their junior ice hockey team is about to compete in the national semifinals, and they actually have a shot at winning. All the hopes and dreams of this place now rest on the shoulders of a handful of teenage boys.

A victory would send star player Kevin on to a brilliant professional future in the NHL. It would mean everything to Amat, a scrawny fifteen-year-old treated like an outcast everywhere but on the ice. And it would justify the choice that Peter, the team's general manager, and his wife, Kira, made to return to his hometown and raise their children in this beautiful but isolated place. 

Being responsible for the hopes of an entire town is a heavy burden, and the semifinal match is the catalyst for a violent act that will leave a young girl traumatized and a town in turmoil. Hers is a story no one wants to believe, since doing so would mean the end of the year. Accusations are made, and, like ripples on a pond, they travel through all of Beartown, leaving no one unaffected. 

Review

Beartown is a small, hockey obsessed town located in the middle of a forest. In a way, I can connect to Beartown; I live in a small town located in the middle of corn fields, and the high school football team is a major focal point in the community. I've seen firsthand how a teensy town in the middle of nowhere that no one has ever heard of can band together and accomplish something great - that's the story of Beartown.

A star hockey player, who is counted on to win finals and thus help a dying community thrive, is accused of rape and the entire town goes ape shit. I feel like there's many stories following this plot; a small town shaken by a principal player getting accused of rape. Beartown approaches this differently, though, with multiple viewpoints and glimpses into the future.

The writing is brilliant, exhibit A:

People sometimes say that sorrow is mental but longing is physical. One is a wound, the other an amputated limb, a withered petal compared to a snapped stem. Anything that grows closely enough to what it loves will eventually share the same roots. We can talk about loss, we can treat it and give it time, but biology still forces us to live according to certain rules: plants that are split down the middle don't heal, they die.

And I want to point out this simile, which invoked a very interesting image into my head; I actually stopped to read this multiple times:

The president is sitting at his desk eating a sandwich the way a German shepherd would try to eat a balloon filled with mayonnaise.

Beartown is very character-driven, I felt each of the characters deep into my soul. Even the characters I hated I still understood their feelings and behaviors. 

I don't have much else to say except this novel is great and worth reading!

MY RATING

Favorite romance reads from a non-romance reader

For those just getting to know me, I'm a horror/thriller/mystery reader. Romance has never been my thing, whether romantic comedy movies or romance novels. There are times I do enjoy a good romance read, so I thought it'd be interesting to share my top five favorite romance reads from a non-romance reader. My list includes a mix of young adult, new adult, and classic genres. What are your favorite romance reads? Let me know in the comments!

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Synopsis: Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta when she learns she is being shipped off the boarding school in Paris. Anna is less than thrilled, that is, until she meets Etienne St. Clair. He's smart, charming, beautiful - but has a serious girlfriend. In the City of Light, however, wishes have a way of coming true.

My take: Anna and the French Kiss first sounds like the typical young adult romance read, which it basically is, but it's CUTE and awkward and adorable. This is the perfect book if you're in the mood for a cute, light-hearted, romantic read.

Anna and the French Kiss on Goodreads

Losing It by Cora Carmack

Synopsis: Bliss Edwards is the only virgin among her friends and decides the best way to deal with the problem is losing it as quick as possible - a one-night stand. Her plan turns out to be more complicated than she originally thought when she freaks out and leaves a gorgeous guy naked and alone in her bed with a half-baked excuse. Bliss arrives for her last semester of college but recognizes her new theater professor - she'd left him naked in her bed eight hours earlier.

My take: It's not always Shakespeare, guys. Losing It, though similar to a super cheesy romantic comedy, is fun and entertaining.

Losing It on Goodreads

Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Maquez

Synopsis: In their youth, Florentino Ariza and Fermina Daza fell passionately in love. When Fermina eventually marries a wealthy doctor, Florentino is heartbroken but still a romantic. As he rises in his business career while dabbling in 622 affairs, he still reserves his heart for Fermina. Fermina's husband finally dies, and Florentino attends the funeral. Fifty years later, Florentino once again declares his love for Fermina.

My take: Love in the Time of Cholera shows that love can last through decades. I couldn't stop thinking about the ending weeks - literally WEEKS - after finishing the book. It really packs an unexpected punch.

Love in the Time of Cholera on Goodreads

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

Synopsis: The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, messy, affection. And every day from her rooftop perch, Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them... until one summer evening, Jase Garrett climbs up next to her and changes everything. As the two fall for each other, Jase's family embraces Samantha, even as she keeps the secret from her mother. Something unthinkable happens, and the bottom drops out of Samantha's world.

My take: I borrowed the e-book from my local library on a whim, and unexpectedly ended up loving this story. My Life Next Door is another cute cute, summer read. It's not a book that'll magically blow you away but I really enjoyed it.

My Life Next Door on Goodreads

Rebecca by Daphne du Marier

Synopsis: The story begins in Monte Carlo where the nameless narrator is swept off her feet by dashing widower Maxim de Winter and his sudden proposal of marriage. Arriving at his massive country estate, she realizes how large a shadow his late wife will cast over their lives - presenting her with a lingering evil that threatens to destroy their marriage from beyond the grave.

My take: Rebecca is one of my favorite novels. It's an oldie but a goodie. It's a gothic, romantic suspense featuring lyrical writing and a creepy, dark atmosphere. Need I say more? I think not.

Rebecca on Goodreads

The Woman in the Window / AJ Finn

The Woman in the Window

By A.J. Finn
Published: William Morrow, 2018
Pages: 455
Genre: Thriller
Amazon, Goodreads

I can feel the outside trying to get in - isn't that how Lizzie put it? It's swelling against the door, bulging its muscles, battering the wood; I hear its breath, its nostrils streaming, its teeth grinding. It will trample me; it will tear me; it will devour me.

About the book

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

Then the Russells move into the home across the way; a father, a mother, 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 it's shocking secrets are laid bare.

Review

The Woman in the Window is the psychological thriller I've been waiting for. After a series of just OK reads, this book kept me up last night with its intriguing storyline, gripping writing, fantastic characters.

Anna, the protagonist, is a psychologist suffering from agoraphobia following a yet-to-be-revealed traumatic experience. What's interesting about Anna is that proves to be an unreliable narrator throughout the story. Anna at first seems to live an experience one way, then the reader discovers that that's not really happened at all. I really enjoyed following Anna's perspective since she is a mental health professional; she understands the how and why of her condition but she still feels helpless.

The book is full of twists and turns that I didn't see coming. I felt drawn in to the story by Anna's (and everyone else's) uncertainty regarding her sanity. There are times, though not as extreme, that I've felt like Anna; I get super vivid dreams due to anti-depressants I take and at times I feel like the dreams actually happened and I get super anxious and wonder what's real and what's fantasy. Does anyone else get this way or is it just me?!

All the characters were great; the Russells, Anna's neighbors that she watches, were very mysterious and slightly creepy. Anna's obsession grows and grows until the climax at the end - which I won't spoil!

I loved the author's writing style. It reminded me of Gillian Flynn (Gone Girl, Sharp Objects). The author sets up an ominous atmosphere by using haunting similes throughout the novel (example: the quote up at top).

The Woman in the Window is one I recommend for those inching for a good psychological thriller.

RATING (out of five puppies)