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I realized I need a book project to keep me reading the books on my shelves… so I’m turning to the ABCs again. This time, it’s authors. The only rule is the book can start with either the author’s first or last name, and I’m trying to prioritize BOTM books to meet my goal of reading twelve this year. Let’s see how I do!
My first choice was THE PUSH by Ashley Audrain (two As and a BOTM!). This was a mesmerizing psychological thriller about a woman, Blythe, who has always feared motherhood, based on her own childhood. After giving birth to Violet, she becomes convinced there’s something wrong with her. Violet doesn't act like other kids. Her husband Fox says it's all in her head. When their second child, Sam, is born, Blythe has a wonderful connection with him--motherhood is finally everything she's wanted. But then it all changes in a devastating moment, and Blythe must face the awful truth she's been fearing.
THE PUSH offers a very honest and brutal look at motherhood. It definitely kept me flipping the pages! It starts off with a bang, then dragged a bit for me in the middle. It's certainly serious and sad, and, at times, a mystery as well. THE PUSH will keep you thinking long after you've turned that last page. 3.5 stars.
My first choice was THE PUSH by Ashley Audrain (two As and a BOTM!). This was a mesmerizing psychological thriller about a woman, Blythe, who has always feared motherhood, based on her own childhood. After giving birth to Violet, she becomes convinced there’s something wrong with her. Violet doesn't act like other kids. Her husband Fox says it's all in her head. When their second child, Sam, is born, Blythe has a wonderful connection with him--motherhood is finally everything she's wanted. But then it all changes in a devastating moment, and Blythe must face the awful truth she's been fearing.
THE PUSH offers a very honest and brutal look at motherhood. It definitely kept me flipping the pages! It starts off with a bang, then dragged a bit for me in the middle. It's certainly serious and sad, and, at times, a mystery as well. THE PUSH will keep you thinking long after you've turned that last page. 3.5 stars.
The Spires
7.0
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Book
A troubled woman becomes consumed by a past she’s desperate to forget in this unsettling...
The Family on Smith Street
7.0
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Book
A happy family. A picture-perfect street. A secret someone would kill for. My husband James and I...
Blindspot
Book
An ambitious district attorney. An enemy she can’t see. A daughter at risk. From the author of...
Domestic Murder Psychological Thriller
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated The Elizas in Books
Apr 12, 2018
Fun book-within-a-book psychological thriller
Eliza Fontaine heads to Palm Springs and finds herself at the bottom of the hotel pool. Eliza can't swim, and her family assumes this was yet another one of Eliza's failed suicide attempts, as she has a history of winding up at the bottom of swimming pools. But Eliza swears this time was different; yes, she was drinking that evening, but she's sure someone pushed her, even if she can't remember exactly how she wound up at the pool or even the hotel bar. The sole witness is the man who rescued her, so Eliza tracks him down. But as they attempt to figure out what happened, Eliza only grows more confused. She's about to get her first novel published, and it seems as if events from the novel are intertwining with her life. She thought her novel was fiction, but now she's bewildered, feeling followed, and wondering if she's finally losing her mind for good.
This was an odd little book and not at all what I was expecting. That's not necessarily a bad thing, though, and the more I think about it, the more I should have realized that Sara Shepard is quite masterful at playing with our minds. This is actually almost two books in one: we get the novel itself; as well excerpts from The Dots, Eliza's debut novel, which is set to be published a few weeks after she's found in the pool. As we get deeper and deeper into The Dots, we're left to wonder how much its protagonist, Dot, is like Eliza--where does Eliza end and Dot begin?
It's really quite an ingenious setup and it's quite fun. I actually really liked the excerpts more at times. The novel revolves around the confusing question of identity, as Eliza struggles to figure out who she is and what she remembers about her life and past. My only struggle was that Eliza does a lot of thinking (aka talking or narrating) and I lost interest at some points when she talked on a bit. Still, most of the time, this was a pretty suspenseful book; it's certainly "trippy" and often confusing, as you work to puzzle out things alongside Eliza. I definitely didn't have everything figured out immediately, though I worked most things out as I went along.
Overall, this is a quick read (I read the entire thing during during two consecutive plane rides), and the book-within-a-book setup is fun and adds to the suspense. This isn't a read for those who love intricate, deeply plotted thrillers, but it's enjoyable and compelling and perfect for YA fans looking for a psychological thriller. 3.5 stars.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review; more at https://justacatandabookatherside.blogspot.com/.
This was an odd little book and not at all what I was expecting. That's not necessarily a bad thing, though, and the more I think about it, the more I should have realized that Sara Shepard is quite masterful at playing with our minds. This is actually almost two books in one: we get the novel itself; as well excerpts from The Dots, Eliza's debut novel, which is set to be published a few weeks after she's found in the pool. As we get deeper and deeper into The Dots, we're left to wonder how much its protagonist, Dot, is like Eliza--where does Eliza end and Dot begin?
It's really quite an ingenious setup and it's quite fun. I actually really liked the excerpts more at times. The novel revolves around the confusing question of identity, as Eliza struggles to figure out who she is and what she remembers about her life and past. My only struggle was that Eliza does a lot of thinking (aka talking or narrating) and I lost interest at some points when she talked on a bit. Still, most of the time, this was a pretty suspenseful book; it's certainly "trippy" and often confusing, as you work to puzzle out things alongside Eliza. I definitely didn't have everything figured out immediately, though I worked most things out as I went along.
Overall, this is a quick read (I read the entire thing during during two consecutive plane rides), and the book-within-a-book setup is fun and adds to the suspense. This isn't a read for those who love intricate, deeply plotted thrillers, but it's enjoyable and compelling and perfect for YA fans looking for a psychological thriller. 3.5 stars.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review; more at https://justacatandabookatherside.blogspot.com/.
Lucy Buglass (45 KP) rated Hereditary (2018) in Movies
Jun 20, 2019
Nature vs Nurture
As the classic saying goes… if you haven’t heard of Hereditary by now you’ve probably been living under a rock. It’s everywhere at the moment; on buses and billboards, plastered over film blogs and magazines, you name it, it’s there. It’s this season’s hottest horror film, with critics even branding it the “scariest thing they’ve ever seen”. Critical reception has been largely positive, which made me a little nervous before I went to see it for myself. When a film is this hyped up in mainstream media, it’s even more devastating if you end up disliking it.
For me, Hereditary really does live up to the hype. It’s a truly unique, harrowing film that goes beyond predictable, boring jump-scares in order to thrill its audience. The horror here is much better than that, but still packs a monumental punch. Something I really liked about this film is how it portrayed the genuine horrors of things like grief and a broken family, that real life audiences can identify with. There are scenes within this film that will probably stay with me for the rest of my life, due to how jarring and brilliantly acted they were.
Every member of Hereditary’s family is portrayed brilliantly, I was blown away by the quality of the acting and just how invested I was in each of the character’s lives and feelings. They’re the stereotypical middle-class family; mother, father, son, daughter, except here they have a much darker secret buried within. Toni Collette certainly shines as the family’s matriarch; it’s been a while since I’ve been haunted by a performance before, she truly is amazing in this film and I can’t wait to see what she does next.
Hereditary is filled with many disturbing images and an overall sense of dread throughout the entire film. The cinematography really knows how to make you feel uncomfortable and on edge, yet completely transfixed on the screen. It truly is reminiscent of films such as Rosemary’s Baby and Carrie, proving that horror stories are still able to thrive, and aren’t reduced to constant jumpy moments and excessive violence. I loved the psychological horror of the narrative, and how I’m still thinking about it even a week after watching the film. It’s the kind of film that gets under your skin and makes you think.
Ari Aster’s debut feature film goes beyond simply portraying the supernatural as terrifying, and instead taps into real life horror and all the traumatic, isolating and disturbing feelings that come with it. It’s a horror film that many can identify with, deep down, dealing with some very real psychological experiences and fears. I seriously recommend this, but I also recommend bracing yourself for a wild ride. It’s not for the faint of heart.
https://lucygoestohollywood.com/2018/07/04/nature-vs-nurture-a-review-of-hereditary/
For me, Hereditary really does live up to the hype. It’s a truly unique, harrowing film that goes beyond predictable, boring jump-scares in order to thrill its audience. The horror here is much better than that, but still packs a monumental punch. Something I really liked about this film is how it portrayed the genuine horrors of things like grief and a broken family, that real life audiences can identify with. There are scenes within this film that will probably stay with me for the rest of my life, due to how jarring and brilliantly acted they were.
Every member of Hereditary’s family is portrayed brilliantly, I was blown away by the quality of the acting and just how invested I was in each of the character’s lives and feelings. They’re the stereotypical middle-class family; mother, father, son, daughter, except here they have a much darker secret buried within. Toni Collette certainly shines as the family’s matriarch; it’s been a while since I’ve been haunted by a performance before, she truly is amazing in this film and I can’t wait to see what she does next.
Hereditary is filled with many disturbing images and an overall sense of dread throughout the entire film. The cinematography really knows how to make you feel uncomfortable and on edge, yet completely transfixed on the screen. It truly is reminiscent of films such as Rosemary’s Baby and Carrie, proving that horror stories are still able to thrive, and aren’t reduced to constant jumpy moments and excessive violence. I loved the psychological horror of the narrative, and how I’m still thinking about it even a week after watching the film. It’s the kind of film that gets under your skin and makes you think.
Ari Aster’s debut feature film goes beyond simply portraying the supernatural as terrifying, and instead taps into real life horror and all the traumatic, isolating and disturbing feelings that come with it. It’s a horror film that many can identify with, deep down, dealing with some very real psychological experiences and fears. I seriously recommend this, but I also recommend bracing yourself for a wild ride. It’s not for the faint of heart.
https://lucygoestohollywood.com/2018/07/04/nature-vs-nurture-a-review-of-hereditary/
Tomas Cudzis and the Struggle for Justice and Truth: Quadrilogy
Book
Tomas’s sense of inferiority since his childhood has forced him to transform himself physically,...
thriller psychological thriller dark thriller
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated The Sinner - Season 1 in TV
Nov 24, 2017 (Updated Nov 25, 2017)
Not as good as expected
I finished watching this series a couple of weeks ago and to be honest I have mixed feelings about it. It surrounds the story of an average housewife, played by Jessica Biel, who one day mysteriously snaps while on the beach with her husband and young son, and ends up stabbing a man to death. While investigating the case, Detective Harry Ambrose (Bill Pullman) becomes increasingly obsessed with finding out why exactly she carried out such an unprovoked attack, probing further into her psyche and revealing very dark and tormented secrets.
The premise is engaging, and the first few episodes quickly begin uncovering bits of her past. But by the fourth episode, there seems to be a lull, as if the director may have exposed too much in the first three chapters, and it begins to dip in terms of interesting content.
By the end, it is explosive, with very little build-up - and to be fair it may have gone slightly too far, appearing hyperbolic to the extreme. The problem was that when it became unappealing in the middle of the series, it was difficult to stay completely captivated until the end. Pullman's character was quite lecherous, as if the only reason he cared was because he found Biel's docile persona attractive.
Would I watch it again? Probably not - there are far better psychological crime shows such @True Detective - Season 1, that seem more carefully and thoughtfully produced.
The premise is engaging, and the first few episodes quickly begin uncovering bits of her past. But by the fourth episode, there seems to be a lull, as if the director may have exposed too much in the first three chapters, and it begins to dip in terms of interesting content.
By the end, it is explosive, with very little build-up - and to be fair it may have gone slightly too far, appearing hyperbolic to the extreme. The problem was that when it became unappealing in the middle of the series, it was difficult to stay completely captivated until the end. Pullman's character was quite lecherous, as if the only reason he cared was because he found Biel's docile persona attractive.
Would I watch it again? Probably not - there are far better psychological crime shows such @True Detective - Season 1, that seem more carefully and thoughtfully produced.
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated Seven: The Number for Happiness, Love, and Success in Books
Apr 27, 2018
Seven by Jacqueline Leo
Rating: 3/5
Seven is an intriguing book about the phenomenon of the number seven, the appeal we feel for it, the psychology behind the appeal, and so on. Unlike some non-fiction, Seven is very readable and interesting, and is written in a way that doesn’t make it funny or witty, but doesn’t make it dry either. There is the perfect balance of information and interest to make it quite enjoyable.
Seven is filled with interesting stories, ranging from Tiger Woods’ religion to Josh Waitzkin’s martial arts experience to robot’s facial expressions. Seven has many lists of sevens that make a lot of sense—seven reasons why people still smoke, seven strategies for a successful start-up in a company, comparing the seven media items in 1956 to the thirty-five (at least) in 2008, and so on.
Seven is a thought provoking book that will hopefully give its readers insight into the psychological attraction to numbers, and also some valuable advice for day to day life.
Recommendation: Ages 12+. I would recommend reading a chapter here and there on a lonely boring rainy day (hey, it worked for me!) with a cup of hot tea at your side. Leave plenty of time for musing and meditation while you read this one, and be prepared to entertained by this read!
**Thank you to Anna from Hachette for providing my review copy!**
Rating: 3/5
Seven is an intriguing book about the phenomenon of the number seven, the appeal we feel for it, the psychology behind the appeal, and so on. Unlike some non-fiction, Seven is very readable and interesting, and is written in a way that doesn’t make it funny or witty, but doesn’t make it dry either. There is the perfect balance of information and interest to make it quite enjoyable.
Seven is filled with interesting stories, ranging from Tiger Woods’ religion to Josh Waitzkin’s martial arts experience to robot’s facial expressions. Seven has many lists of sevens that make a lot of sense—seven reasons why people still smoke, seven strategies for a successful start-up in a company, comparing the seven media items in 1956 to the thirty-five (at least) in 2008, and so on.
Seven is a thought provoking book that will hopefully give its readers insight into the psychological attraction to numbers, and also some valuable advice for day to day life.
Recommendation: Ages 12+. I would recommend reading a chapter here and there on a lonely boring rainy day (hey, it worked for me!) with a cup of hot tea at your side. Leave plenty of time for musing and meditation while you read this one, and be prepared to entertained by this read!
**Thank you to Anna from Hachette for providing my review copy!**