#quarantinereads

[mindful-distractions]

Vicariously living the life of a bored, true crime-obsessed, southern housewife

[elaina-mayfield]

“A rougher element lurked. A man who grew up on La Gloria Way in the mid seventies remembers the day the ice cream man who worked around Cordova Meadows Elementary School disappeared. Turns out the guy with the long hair, big beard, and mirrored aviator glasses who had been selling the kids Popsicles was selling LSD and cocaine to a different set of clientele, and he was hauled away by the cops. Stories of growing up in Sacramento in the seventies are often bait-and-switches like this, a tangle of sweet and scary, small-town postcards with foreboding on the back.

- Michelle McNamara (“Sacramento, 1976-1977”, I’ll Be Gone In The Dark)

[theyungrose]

Be Good (Roman Reigns x OC)

Chapter 1

The Master Suite of our Coconut Grove abode was silent of chatter or playful banter as I tied a headscarf around my hair in the mirror of my vanity. On the opposite side of the large room, he locked his gold chain around his neck and straightened his white tee over his jeans. I’d bought him that chain as... well just because. To do something nice? To add to his drip? I wasn’t really sure the reason behind the things we did for each other anymore. 

Like living in a house together, but never sparing each other more than two words that held any substance. 

“That’s a beautiful scarf peach.”

I turn around to him and smile, running my hands over both sides of the silk material. 

“Thanks... I’ve worn it a couple times before, I guess I just now picked the right outfit.” 

He smiles and nods then walks over to grab his shoes out of the closet. I do the same out of mine, settled finally on my handy dandy air forces. When I glance at myself in the mirror, I can only stand to look at myself for a short second. After it passes I grab a jacket from off a hanger, in case the office is cooler than I expect, and I make my way downstairs. 

Roman’s waiting for me leaned against the door, his arms folded as he watches me come downstairs. Once I’m close enough to his grasp he holds the sides of my face and presses a soft kiss to my forehead. We leave our home walking side by side until we reach his car. 

The palm trees I used to find so infatuating upon my first arrival here seem to whiz by normally now. The sun shines bright and covers my face like a blanket. I reach forward below the radio to grab my shades, and I catch Roman’s short and dry chuckle from the driver’s side. 

“What? That sun’s mad bright.” 

“No, it’s not that. I’m looking at your ring.” 

I glance at my hand once my shades are on and smile, I was indeed an icy girl, and this 15-carat butterfly ring I sported on my ring finger was a staple I nearly never left the house without. It was my top hat or fedora. 

“She’s really shining under all this sun.”

“I remember when I bought that for you...I’m shocked you still wear that old thing.” 

He says this all without a glance in my direction. At that, I can only give a tight smile and nod, still staring at the beautiful piece. But never had it felt so... meaningless. 

“Yeah. I am too.” 

~~~~

“So what’s new guys? Come to any revelations I should know about?” 

Of all the people that were totally invested in this relationship, there was no one more pressed and concerned about it working than our therapist. We called her Annalise, and we paid her way too much money for the little results she was yielding. I couldn’t blame her though. No use trying to feed water to a dead buffalo. 

Roman only glanced at me for a second before speaking. 

“Well, it’s taken some time and thought... but I think we both have reached a conclusion that we can both agree to honor.” 

Annalise smiled brightly and leaned forward on her elbows as if she was about to be told the secret to life itself. 

“And what would that be lovebirds?” 

A silent pause in the room, I guess for some sort of emphasis. 

“We’re going to see other people.” 

Aaliyah

Roman

[angstynasty]

[mftgirl8192]

Book Recommendations

Since most of us are spending a lot more time at home these days, what better way to pass the time than with a good book amIright???? I think I’m right. Here are a few books that I’ve read recently/am currently reading that I would definitely suggest taking a crack at.

The first (set) of books is actually any and all of Natasha Preston’s books. I believe they’re classified as Young Adult fiction, but these books are sooooooooo good. I just can’t put them down. They’re essentially all thrillers, centered around some kind of horrible event or events. They’re SO good. Just pick up one and you’ll never look back.

The next book I recommend is a classic, The Shining by Stephen King. It’s slow to start but once you get into it, you’re in it. I don’t really think I need to say more about this book because it speaks for itself, but if you’ve seen the movie and want the real deal, in-depth story, read this book. Also watch the movie if you have the time. Win win.

If you love crime and psychology as much as I do, then you MUST read Mindhunter by John E. Douglas and Mark Olshaker (and DEFINITELY watch the show on Netflix!!!) This book is just everything you’d want to read if you’re obsessed with serial killers and the art of criminology/forensic psychology/psychology in general. The authors detail cases and provide stories of crimes and killings and how the killers were brought to justice. It’s amazing. And it’s true! Check it out, it was definitely a page turner for me.

On the topic of psychology, if you’re interested in the mind/body connection and the impact of trauma on the body, The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van Der Kolk is the book for you! It’s just a must read for anyone working in or interested in mental health. 

My last recommendation is a bit of a cheat, because I haven’t fully finished the book YET. But with the TV show on Hulu now, I think it’s a great time to read Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng. Just read it. I will too.

Enjoy!

[mypineappledreams]

Book 7 of 2020: The Harappa Files by Sarnath Banerjee . . . The Hydra (swipe 👉🏽) Throwback to PG aunties and rules. . . #bookchallenge2020 #quarantinereads #bookstagram #sarnathbanerjee #satire #posthumour #indianbureaucracy #graphicnovel #ghrrr https://www.instagram.com/p/CDnpl8Elgb-/?igshid=d0obgtoaau02

[rorysreads]

Finished April 10th, 2020 *****

Reread of my second favorite Jane Austen book (first Persuasion) and I will never stop loving it. Elinor is my home girl. I feel like everyone gets what they deserve which fills me with all the joy. Would gladly recommend and will always be down to read again.

[livinginabookstore]

I’ve been on a huuuge mystery / thriller kick since March and countless people have been talking about Lisa Jewell and her books so, naturally I caved and picked up these two from my local Barnes. I had also just placed my BOTM order for the month too and used up all my add-ons so it really wasn’t in my wallet’s best interest to be buying more books .. but 🤷🏻‍♀️ I’ve made a huge dent in my TBR stack lately so we’ll call it even. #lisajewell #thefamilyupstairs #thenshewasgone #bookstagram #readersofig #tbr #barnesandnoble #quarantinereads #bookofthemonth #botm

[kimmccreight]

Because every day in lockdown is way, way too long—may I present: A GOOD MARRIAGE, the Happy Hour Edition. We’re going to get through this, though, one day at a time. Soon it will be a distant memory. Until then, be kind to yourself (whatever shape that may take), grab a good drink and a VERY distracting book. #agoodmarriage #kimberlymccreight #books #quarantinelife #quarantinereads #author #bookstagram #book (at Park Slope) https://www.instagram.com/p/CALrkMWAeb5/?igshid=1jl41s7n3cobc

[thecatandthekindle]

Review: The Last Girl (also released as The Mary Shelley Club) by Goldy Moldavsky

I received a free ecopy of this book in return for an honest review. Many thanks to Egmont Publishing and to NetGalley for the opportunity.

I love a good horror story so of course I jumped at the chance to combine that love with my passion for Young Adult Fiction. The title “The Last Girl” wasn’t a title that immediately reeled me in, but the description of Scream meets Gossip Girl was intriguing. When I saw that the US version was released as “The Mary Shelley Club” I knew I’d made a good choice.

Rachel was attacked in her own home a year ago, by two masked men. She fought back against one, the other ran. Since then, she and her mum have moved to New York and Rachel has enrolled at Manchester Prep School where her mum is a teacher. Rachel feels like she doesn’t fit in among the rich kids that surround her, until she discovers the Mary Shelley Club. The club members are horror film fanatics but are also responsible for a series of pranks that they call ‘fear tests’ against people who upset them. Slowly the ‘fear tests’ begin to awaken her repressed memories of the attack and her fears about the second, never-unmasked, attacker. At the same time, the tests begin to spiral out of control.

I loved how many horror films were mentioned in this book, some of my favourites among them. I would not be surprised if someone somewhere makes a list of all them for a Mary Shelley Club marathon. The discussions about horror story tropes are not unique to this book, I enjoyed them anyway.

Though the start of the book seemed a little clichéd, once the action got going, I became totally caught up in the story and the pages just flew by. I’m not going to lie, I saw the twists coming (it’s rare that a twist takes me by surprise), but actually that helped to ratchet up the tension for me.

One YA trope that the book succumbed to was criminally neglectful parenting. Rachel’s mum is sensitive and caring but doesn’t seem worried by her recently attacked daughter roaming New York at night. Without this, though, there wouldn’t be much of a story, so I will give this one a pass.

Rachel herself is a likeable character, remarkably outgoing for someone whose life has been threatened and then turned upside down by moving home and school. I felt for her feelings of being an outsider and wished good things for her.

This is a very visual book. I could see all through how this would play out on film. I would love it if this book was picked up for a film. I would have my popcorn ready quicker than you could say “I want to join the Mary Shelley Club!”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Last Girl/The Mary Shelley Club is due out 15th April 2021.

[rynthetyn]

Finally finished my quilted Plague Doctor mask. . . . #sewing #quilting #QuarantineCrafts #maskup #PlagueDoctor #quiltersofinstagram https://www.instagram.com/p/CDDguKshqOs/?igshid=9kcqq9qzbgpq

[herwitchinesss]

y’all this book is *so good *. definitely lives up to its description & I am so glad Grady Hendrix wrote it! #booklr #bookstagram #books #audiobookstagram #audiobook #audiobooks #audible #reading #diynails #femme #quarantinereads #amreading https://www.instagram.com/p/B-sTSAOg98-/?igshid=hypcmjmb487j

[wholeheartedlykatie]

Gotta love a book so big that being on page 445 means you’re only 37% of the way through 🤘🏻 . . . . . . . . . . . . . #bookstagram #igbooks #booksofinstagram #bookphotography #fantasylit #astormofswords #georgerrmartin #got #gameofthrones #asongoficeandfire #mayreads #quarantinereads #booksandwine #bookish #booksbooksbooks #bibliophile #alwaysreading https://www.instagram.com/p/B_xxiD9gqEz/?igshid=18lwo7py9tw28

[thisliterarylife]

[sbelikeswords]

When it comes to power and influence on Earth, you're pretty much the top dog, but you just can't get a break in the love department.   The normal methods - dating apps, bars, mutual friend intros - aren't going to cut it. So what do you do? Naturally, you go to one of the humans who sold their soul to you in exchange for success as a Hollywood agent, and you demand he get you on a matchmaking reality TV show. Oh, did I mention you're Satan? Read The Bachelor, the latest #shortstory by author S.B. Edwards, in the spring 2020 issue of @booksmugglersden . Follow @sbelikeswords for more off the wall short fiction . . . . . #bookphotography #readersofinstagram #reader #instaread #readinglife #igreads #ilovereading #readingtime #books #bookstagram #bookphotography #igreads #igbooks #ilovereading #readingtime #ilovebooks #bookblogger #readmorebooks #bookobsessed #writerscommunityofinstagram #writingofinstagram #quarantinereads #shortstory #fiction https://www.instagram.com/p/CAs6wV5HEbY/?igshid=61pm6ls75oee

[agegapromanceblog]

Read more while having online classes

Read more while having online classes

Hello! Are you having trouble finding time and motivation to read more while you’re having online classes? Do you want to know some tips so you can at least keep up with your Goodreads challenge? In this post I’ll share some of my tips for you to read more while having online classes. This serves especially when you’re overwhelmed with essays and exams, but you still want to read your favorite…