Book Review: Lying About Last Summer by Sue Wallman

TitleLying About Last Summer
Author: Sue Wallman
Published: 5th May 2016
Publisher: Scholastic




I have been so impressed recently with the amount of thrillers that have come out this year, but Lying About Last Summer is my first YA thriller and it definitely met the mark.

Lying about Last Summer centres around Skye and her dealing with her grief from losing her sister a year ago. To help her handle this grief she has gone to a summer camp for bereaving teenagers, people that she can relate to, but all may not be as it seems. When Skye starts receiving messages from her 'dead sister', Skye knows it's time to confront her past and starts to realise that not everyone at the camp can be trusted.

The synopsis for Lying about Last Summer instantly had me intrigues- so called messages from Skye's dead sister Luisa from a private chat group and the mystery surrounding Luisa's death and why Skye has such guilt.

Although a tiny bit slow in places, the second half was literally unputdownable, all sense of time disappeared as I just had to finish this. It suddenly became so addictive as the mystery started to unravel and a twist thrown in that I'm glad to say I didn't see coming, you think you've reached the end, but oh no, Sue has more in store for you.

This was a really well written thriller and Sue manages to create a brilliant atmosphere throughout the book. I constantly felt like I was looking over my shoulder like Skye was and everything felt dark and mysterious. Sue also portrays Skye's grief with such keen detail and gives it such emotional depth. The intricacy of each of the characters also made this the thriller what it was, you really don't know who to trust and I enjoyed trying to figure out who had a hidden agenda.

Lying about Last Summer was a gripping, addictive read that was very well executed with a brilliant twist at the end.





      

May in Review


What I Learned

Time flies when you are having fun... I find 2016 just flying by and I am not accomplishing as much as I would like. It is like you have all these goals and no time... I read other blogs and I am jealous of their time management. It is just not something I seem to be able to get a grasp of... And, even with a cleaning schedule, I know my house could be cleaner. It is just a never ending list of things that should be done and not enough time to do it in...

The Books

148. Peter Panzerfaust - Volume 2: Hooked by Kurtis J. Wiebe
149. The Twyning  by Terence Blacker
150. Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Lainin Taylor (audiobook)
151. The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
152. Bone Gap by Laura Ruby
153. Peter Panzerfaust - Volume 3: Cry of the Wolf by Kurtis J. Wiebe
154. Peter Panzerfaust - Volume 4: The Hunt by Kurtis J. Wiebe
155. Wonder Woman - Volume 1: Blood by Brian Azzarello
156. Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton
157. A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab
158. The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett (reread)
159. Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo (audiobook)
160. Hammered by Kevin Hearne
161. The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater
162. Rat Queens - Volume 3: Demons by Kurtis J. Wiebe
163. Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater
164. The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater
165. The Tithe - Volume 1 by Matt Hawkins
166. Mr. Splitfoot by Samantha Hunt
167. Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige (audiobook)

The Source

Borrowed: 4
Scribd: 1
Audible: 3
Bought: 10
Humble Bundle: 1
E-Book: 1

Series Talk

Peter Panzerfaust Series 4/4 - FINISHED!
Daughter of Smoke and Bone 1/3
The Raven Cycle - 4/4 FINISHED!
Wonder Woman - 1/4 (or so)
Rebel of the Sands - 1/1 Caught up!
Shades of Magic 2/2 Caught up!
Geisha Trilogy 1/3
The Iron Druid Chronicles 3/8
Dorothy Must Die 1/3

Other Talk

I listened to 3 audiobooks this month:
Daughter of Smoke and Bone
Shadow and Bone
Dorothy Must Die

Books Added to the TBR

Bone Gap (read)
Falling Kingdoms
The Raven Boys (read)
Half Bad
Stitching Snow
The Shepherd's Crown
Rat Queens - Volume 3 (read)
The Wrath and the Dawn (gift)
The Raven King (read)
Dreams of Gods & Monsters
Blue Lily, Lily Blue (read)
The Dream Thieves (read)
Days of Blood & Starlight

Week in Review - Week 23


Random Thoughts

A new month, so new graphic! I am such a big fan of how easy Canva is to use. I always used to have to ask people to make me things, but now I can make simple ones myself! Plus, I make use of my own pictures... You will get to see this particular one for the month of June. I had a quieter reading week mainly because my current read is on the longer side and I didn't get as much time to settle in with it as I would have liked. I also have been trying to read short stories and essays because they are easy to dip into and I have many collections on my TBR. I did finish two audiobooks this week, though, which is rare for me!

Graphic Novel Year

Nothing this week... Really been slacking on this!

Currently Reading


Audiobook

I am not sure... I finished my last one last night and haven't decided where I am going next...

Weekly Reading

Mr. Splitfoot ~ I had been seeing this one around and had wanted to check it out! The e-book went on sale, so I snagged a copy. I honestly had no idea what it was even about upon starting it. I think from the title I was aiming for fantasy, but you never know, right? It was one of those books where mostly everything doesn't get explained until the end, but you have your opinions. And, the ride to the end is enjoyable! Definitely worth all the buzz I have been seeing around it. Recommended!

Dorothy Must Die (reread) ~ I read this last year right as I was getting back into reading following my broken ankle. I read it on Scribd because I wasn't doing audiobooks last year, but they didn't have the sequels. I bought the sequels a bit earlier this year, though, so I decided to reread this to use the audio that I had bought. It was really good on audio, but I think too soon for a reread. I still enjoyed it, though, and am looking forward to seeing where the story goes next! Recommended!


Sleeping Giants ~ I have been seeing this around and REALLY wanted to get a copy, but the hardcover and e-book are so pricey in Canada. But, I heard good things about the audio and decided that it was finally time to reactivate Audible. It was a full cast performance and it was really really well done. I loved it and there is a release date for the sequel all ready. It will definitely be one of my pre-orders for 2017! If you are worried about the style not working on audio, it definitely does and I loved it! Strongly recommended!

New Additions

Nothing this week... (You know, I only count paper copies in this section. I should probably include Audible and e-books, but never have...)

Weekly Posts

Week in Review - Week 22
30 Days of Books - Day 7
30 Days of Books - Day 8
30 Days of Books - Day 9
30 Days of Books - Day 10
30 Days of Books - Day 11
30 Days of Books - Day 12

Weekly Pictures













30 Days of Books ~ Day 12


Day 12 ~ A book you used to love but don't anymore


It pains me to admit that I do not love this series the same way that I used to... When I was younger I used to reread this all the time. As an adult, my one more recent reread didn't work as well... I obviously pick up on things that I never did when I was younger. But, all of her books will remain on my shelves because it is Madeleine L'Engle and I love her even if it is in a different way than when I read her originally. 

Blog Tour: Erica's Elephant by Sylvia Bishop

Title: Erica's Elephant
Author: Sylvia Bishop
Published: 2nd June 2016
Publisher: Scholastic
Happy Friday all. Today I am delighted to be on the blog tour for the adorable Erica's Elephant by Sylvia Bishop sharing my review.






Erica's Elephant was one of the most charming and adorable stories I have ever come across. I read the first page to get an idea of what it was like and the next thing I had read it in one sitting. This is the story (as the title suggests) of Erica and her Elephant. Erica lives on her own while her Uncle travels around the world. On the morning of her tenth birthday she finds a very confused elephant on her doorstep, she feels sorry for him and invites him inside and unlikely but beautiful friendship evolves.

Erica's Elephant was one of those books that despite being a children's book, managed to be so on point with the way the world works, and that when you actually look at it at a different angle, you realise that sometimes the world can be a pretty silly place with its rules and regulations.

The elephant really is the star of this story though with his simply adorable mannerisms and his relationship with Erica. I wanted to be friends with Erica and her Elephant as their friendship is really something else. It also takes a look at how you can't always judge people by their appearances and not to make snap decisions about a person until you know all the details.

I want ALL children (and adults) to read this book, despite a slight melancholy undertone, Erica's Elephant is very uplifting and it managed to touch a little place in my heart. I think people of all ages will take a little something away from this adorable story. 

Adorable, charming and uplifting, one of my favourite books this year. Sylvia Bishop is one to watch!


        


Erica's Elephant is out now





30 Days of Books ~ Day 10


Day 10 ~ Favourite Classic


I don't really read enough classics to comment on favourites... But, I am going to go with Rebecca. I am not so sure it is old enough to be a classic, but it was the only thing that popped to mind. If you want some older stuff, though, there is The Woman in White and lots of Charles Dickens. Oh, and Dracula. I enjoy a lot of classics. I really should be wider read with them.

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