Joanna Stich

Ever since I was a young girl, I loved to read. My mam loves reading and so does my older sister and now so do my two baby nieces. It runs in the family.

Letting my imagination run wild in the world of fiction allows me to tune out some of the daily stress’ and dream of a “what if” life. 

If you read my recent newsletter (for which, you can sign up, at the bottom of this article) you’d have read about my intention to change the content I share on here, to also include books. 

Literature is something I am passionate about and am excited to share my favorite reads with you all. 

Today, I’d like to share three books that have left my jaw on the floor. For a list of my recommended summer reads, click here. 

Photo credit: alexmichaelides.com

The Silent Patient

If you spend your time on TikTok or booktok I should say, you will see this book making rounds in all the trending videos. 

This isn’t the reason why it made my top 3 list. I have read this book before booktok was even a thing and without a doubt, hands down, this is the most jaw dropping book I have ever read. The thing is – you don’t even expect there to be a twist (it’s not that sort of storyline) but when it hits you in the face, you feel…. cheated? stupid? How did I not see this coming?

You want to re-read the book just to see if there were any clues that this was going to happen. 

The best part, I won’t tell you what it’s about. It’s that good. Go & read it and you can thank me later.

The Guest List

The Guest List by Lucy Foley is a story taking place on a small, remote island off the coast of Ireland. 

The island is a home to a large manor which is a wedding venue; the only reason why anyone visits the island is because they’re either getting married or are attending/working the wedding there. 

It’s situated in Ireland, so you already picture dark, moody, wet and rainy. And it’s all that and more. The surrounding sea is angry and cold, waves are crashing off the rocks. Cell reception is iffy at best of times.  

The wedding that’s about to take place between young, career driven girl and a celebrity-like, cocky Will brings onto the island number of guests – family, friends and a killer. 

There are number of twists and unexpected events, multiple characters have their stories unknowingly intertwined which sucks you, the reader in, even more. 

There is a sense of unease reading about dark pasts of the guests, frat-style groomsmen, failed entrepreneurs, siblings with disturbing secrets.

Pay attention to every detail in this book, as you never know what might be a clue. 

Still Missing

This book should come with a number of trigger warnings, such as abduction, abuse, sexual abuse, lack of family support.

This is a story of a realtor who has been kidnapped directly from an Open House and held captive for over 1 year in a remote cabin in the woods. 

The story is shown as a series of psychologist sessions with the victim, post abduction. It goes back & forth between past & present and discusses the realities of having to go back to “normal life” once the dust settles. But can you really do that?

Lack of supportive family does not allow Annie (the realtor) to heal and recover. 

This story is dark and surprise, surprise – has a plot twist that will leave you gobsmacked. 

I am also chuffed to mention that Chevy is a Canadian author, raised on Vancouver Island. It makes me happy when I can support & recommend local artists. 

Feel free to leave your thoughts in comments below – if you’ve read any of the books I mentioned, would you agree with my opinion? What are some other great, unexpected reads you would suggest?

I am always on the hunt for a new great thriller or mystery or generally a good book. My want to read on GoodReads currently is at 170+ books. If you’d like to check out my profile and see what I am reading right now, take a peek here. Let’s be friends! 

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