Not a run-of-the-mill thriller, this novel concerns a high school English teacher, Vera Lundy, who is fascinated by serial killers and a talented but quirky student in one of her classes, Jensen Willard. When another student turns up dead, and Jensen goes missing, Vera‘s life is turned upside down. Readable, suspenseful, and surprising.

So, this book...I guess I can see why everyone thinks it‘s so good. Louise is the nanny to Myriam and Paul‘s two young children in Paris. She plays games, cooks amazing meals, keeps the apartment spotless, but there is also something...off ...about her. Not in the same way as if this had been written as a North American thriller, though. (If that makes sense.) This slim novel is going for something more and it was just okay for me.

Thanks to @FantasyChick forthe tag. Sorry I am a day late replying.

1. Some days....nothing.
2. Cleaning the cat litter. But I love my kitty.
3. People ...even though I probably took them for granted. I miss them now.
4. Waitress.
5. My mom always told me when I had to make a difficult decision to weigh the pros and cons.

Tagging some newbies to my Litsy space: @TheCuriousHousecat , @I_Like_Big_Books , @Aseleener

So, it‘s May 15, but feels more like Feb 15. Brrrr.🥶
I finished A Gentleman in Moscow. 🤨
I am hoping my new book won‘t put me to sleep.😴
Only 16 class days before exams start. 🥳

Happy Mother‘s Day! Card was handpainted my daughter, Mallory, who is currently attending art school.
Who is your favourite literary mom?

Agh. I am struggling with this book. Have to finish by Tuesday and I keep falling asleep. I am on page 102. 🙄

#sorrynotsorry
I did not need to visit the bookstore today; however, 15% of my purchase supports my school‘s safe grad. So, like, what‘s a girl to do?

Despite being prolific and a terrific writer, (no one can twist an ending - believably, not in a wtf?! way - like Cook). Why is he not more mainstream? Why are his books almost impossible to find? I‘ve had to do some serious sleuthing to collect these ones.

Do you have a favourite writer who, in your opinion, doesn‘t get the love they deserve?

Although this thriller was a little long-winded, I am a big fan of Kelly and this is my third outing with her. Spanning 15 years, the novel tells the story of Laura and Kit and the event, at an eclipse festival in Cornwall, that changes their lives forever. Well-written and clever, and definitely a page turner once you hit the the half way point.

This debut is a must-read. Equal parts heartbreak and heart-warming. When senior Adam discovers freshman Julian at his school, their reunion is awkward at first. Something is clearly up with Julian and it‘s Adam‘s persistent kindness that cracks Julian‘s life open. I loved this book and these characters.

#sorrynotsorry Bookoutlet book haul.
Missing from photo the bottom book 'Nick Drake: Remembered for Awhile' & the top book (tagged).
Am I the only one who can. not. resist. buying. books?

Run-of the-mill YA romance featuring a smokin‘ hot bad boy and bound-for-college good girl who meet and fall madly in love faster than you can say Miami heat....I skim read it and don‘t believe I missed any nuance or character development.

Check out my Easter Book Hunt on my blog theludicreader.com with thanks to The Savvy Reader.
Have a Happy Easter.

A lovely, evocative and moving tale about overcoming grief.

@AmyG was the winner of the print to celebrate my Litfluence milestone. Shoot me an email with your mailing address, Amy, and I will stick the print in the mail.
ludicreader@rogers.com

I am celebrating passing 5000 Litfluence points with a giveaway. This is a print of a watercolour done by my 19-year-old son which I will mail anywhere. All you have to do for a chance to win is to comment with the name of the book that rocked your world most recently. I will choose a winner randomly on Monday April 15th at 7pm. Feel free to share #ludicreader5000

I finished this late last night, way past my bedtime, so I guess that makes the rating on the positive side of so-so. It was very reminiscent of Stephen King. Like, IT-lite. A group of childhood friends, then and now, a dismembered girl, creepy chalk drawings.

If you haven‘t signed up for one of @BookishMarginalia ‘s swaps....there‘s still a little time. Get on it.

This was the book that I was really loving and I just finished it. It‘s about 15-year-old Matt, who is in love with Tabby, his childhood best friend. It gave me all the feels. It‘s funny and it‘s heartbreaking...and I cried. Can‘t wait to book talk it.

Book slump post part two: buy more books.

I have been experiencing a horrible reading slump lately. I have started all five of these books in the past three or so weeks, but I am only really enjoying one. Guess which one? (Tagged book does not count.)

This book, you guys. Mateo and Rufus have both received the Death-Cast call telling them they have one day left to live. They are teenagers, and obviously don‘t want to die, but no one cheats death. This book is amazing and heartbreaking and a wonderful reminder of how precious and finite life is.

Finishing up this month's book club selection with my trusty sidekick.

As if I was walking out of the bookstore without this book today! I wish there was one that looked at books from the 1970s, but still....nostalgia!

Because if I go into the book store, I am not coming out empty handed. It's a thing.

I don‘t know about you, but I am SICK of winter. First day of our March Break and we‘re expecting up to 30 cm of snow. Books in top photo are headed for the second hand store/charity shop. I am over the books and this weather. OVER, I tell you.

Over the past month I have spent $675 for my classroom library. $500 of it was Grant money from my school. Nothing I like more than buying books and nothing better than spending someone else's money.

Not finding this as riveting as I thought it might be...but I have to finish it for my book club meeting tomorrow night.

I totally gave up on this one and sent it to my book graveyard.
https://theludicreader.com/book-graveyard/

Third day this week of no school! It‘s actually raining, but on top of all the ice...it‘s not a good thing...and it‘s supposed to rain all day/night and then drop to below freezing. Can‘t remember this happening...ever. But hey, I am getting lots of reading done. I am motoring through the tagged book.

Day two of no school, as the roads are still, apparently, a mess. I can‘t find a picture to adequately convey what I mean, so check out this video. It‘s crazy.
https://youtu.be/ElFYEBTEM8o
Another day of reading. #bummer

Adorable black and white cartoons that any book lover will appreciate. I laughed out loud a couple times.

Well, today is the first day of exam week...but there‘s no school because we had a crazy storm yesterday that has left everything covered in ice. Guess I will just have to stay in my pjs and finish this book. #bummer

The tagged book is for me. The rest are headed to my classroom. #bookhaul2019 #sorrynotsorry

Nothing to say, really...just my cat on my son‘s book on the dining room table.

My first book of 2019...a melancholy story about ghosts, secrets and family. Beautifully written and thoughtful. I really enjoyed it.

Happy New Year, everyone. I hope 2019 is a year of peace, happiness, health, and good books!

When 17-year-old Ruth Carver is kidnapped by a former ranch hand she uses the singlemindedness she employed as a champion horse rider to escape. They don't call her Ruthless for nothing. This YA book was so good. I flew through it because I couldn't put it down

One last book binge for my classroom library.
#sorrynotsorry

I actually really enjoyed reading Lowe‘s account of his early childhood in Ohio, and then his move to Malibu where he began to pursue his career in earnest. And then...I got a little fan-girlie.

So, first I started The Distant Echo. Got to page 49: not feeling it.
Then I started So Cold The River. Got to page 126: meh.
Last night I started One Day in December: I think it might just be fluffy enough to get me through the next few crazy days at school.

#sorrynotsorry
Three for my class library including my third copy of The Hate U Give because kids are clamouring to read it, even kids I don‘t teach. I now have two more copies than my school library. One Day in December is for me.

The pic cuts off the books on the very top, but this is my tbr shelf. You know all my #sorrynotsorry posts? Well this is the result. #Rencher10k
@Rachel.Rencher is looking to reach 10 thousand litfluence. Help a litten out.

One of my brothers is going to love this for Christmas.

Although I was never a Rob Lowe fan girl, I do find him charming and this memoir proves there is some depth behind those amazing blue eyes.

I had no trouble zipping through this book about a monk who leaves the monastery to follow a writer to NYC, but I didn‘t find the characters believable or likeable. #snowdayread

I should really learn to stay out of the bookstore. #classroomlibrary

Argh. On page 42 and I hate it. Has anyone read it? Does it get better? It's this month's book club pick. 😑

Fat chance.

A little rainy day book buying. Not that I need an excuse. Two for my classroom library (King & Roe), one for my bookclub (George), one because I have really been wanting to read it (Tallent - anyone read it?), and one impulse purchase (Haslett). Oh, who am I kidding - they are ALL impulse purchases. I don‘t NEED any of them.