Hosted by Lipsyy Lost & Found my Wednesday post gives you a taste of what I am reading this week. A similar meme is run by Taking on a World of Words
I’ve just started reading While You Were Sleeping by Kathryn Croft which is one of those psychological thrillers that promises to make compelling reading.
You can read an excerpt and the synopsis in yesterday’s post
I have just finished Manipulated Lives by H.A. Leuschel which is a collection of five novellas examining the lives of those touched by manipulators extraordinaire!
Five stories – Five Lives. Have you ever felt confused or at a loss for words in front of a spouse, colleague or parent, to the extent that you have felt inadequate or, worse, a failure? Do you ever wonder why someone close to you seems to endure humiliation without resistance? Manipulators are everywhere. At first these devious and calculating people can be hard to spot, because that is their way. They are often masters of disguise: witty, disarming, even charming in public – tricks to snare their prey – but then they revert to their true self of being controlling and angry in private. Their main aim: to dominate and use others to satisfy their needs, with a complete lack of compassion and empathy for their victim. In this collection of short novellas you meet people like you and me, intent on living happy lives, yet each of them, in one way or another, is caught up and damaged by a manipulative individual. First you meet a manipulator himself, trying to make sense of his irreversible incarceration. Next, there is Tess, whose past is haunted by a wrong decision, then young, successful and well balanced Sophie, who is drawn into the life of a little boy and his troubled father. Next, there is teenage Holly, who is intent on making a better life for herself and finally Lisa, who has to face a parent’s biggest regret. All stories highlight to what extent abusive manipulation can distort lives and threaten our very feeling of self-worth. Amazon
Next up is Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult. It’s a while since I’ve read anything by this author and the subject matter of this one has me greatly intrigued.
Blurb
When a new-born baby dies after a routine hospital procedure, there is no doubt about who will be held responsible: the nurse who had been banned from looking after him by his father.
What the nurse, her lawyer and the father of the child cannot know is how this death will irrevocably change all of their lives, in ways both expected and not.
Small Great Things is about prejudice and power; it is about that which divides and unites us.
It is about opening your eyes. Amazon
So that’s my week sorted – What are you reading this week? Do share your links and thoughts in the comments box below.
While you were sleeping sounds intriguing *__*
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I’ve only just started it and so far it’s good….
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Am I one of the few people on the planet that has never read Jodi Picoult??
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I haven’t either, I have friends who swear by her though. This one sounds good, if not depressing!
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I read a whole load of them when her books became popular in the UK but did get tired of the depressing storylines but I’m ready for another one now!!
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I know that this was originally sent out as an ARC without the author’s name on the book – maybe trying to challenge a different kind of prejudice?
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I also got While You Were Sleeping though I am yet to read it. It sounds great. I also like the sound of Jodi’s new book. Enjoy all your books this week.
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I’m really enjoying it and although I usually enjoy these books by imagining what I would do, I sincerely doubt (hope) that I never end up in this situation! Thanks for visiting and commenting 🙂
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You’ve got some interesting reading going on this week, Cleo! And I do like the sound of the Picoult. One of these times, I’d like to spotlight one of her books…
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My favourite of all her books is Plain Truth which is set in the Amish community, it was the first one I read and not at all what I was expecting.
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I’ve never read Jodi Picault either, so looking forward to hearing your review. I don’t know why, maybe it’s the girly marketing associated with them? As for the Manipulated Lives, I’ve known a couple of these people (a bit too close for my liking) and I wonder why I allowed them to push my buttons – is it fiction or non?
As for me, I’ve just finished reading A Suitable Lie by Michael Malone (speaking of manipulative creatures…). I am currently completely submerged in the engrossing The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry, and I will probably read a book by Austrian author Clemens J. Setz next (for German Literature Month).
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I think you could be right about the marketing and if I remember rightly a huge number of her books were published around the same time in the UK and seemed to dominate the bookshelves. I picked one up for a holiday read and loved it and my poor teenage daughter whose suitcase with all her carefully chosen books got lost and she borrowed it and was hooked – it was probably one of the first proper ‘adult’ books that she read – so we then had nearly every one!!
Manipulated Lives is fiction but the author has either done her research or been very unlucky, and yes, I know some of the characters too.
I want to read A Suitable Lie but I really can’t add anything else to my pile – I’m going to have to buy (another) bookcase as at the moment the overflow is on the dining table. You are doing well as The Essex Serpent is another that I’ve been eying up!
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Ha! You should see my night-table – I barely have room for a pack of tissues on it, there are so many books…
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I moved the books off mine and they are now in front of the drawers – it’s my exercise moving them every day haha
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I’ve heard great things about the new Picoult novel! I hope to read it soon too! And I keep seeing While You Were Sleeping! I hope you enjoy it!
Happy Reading 😀
https://aliasfaithrivens.wordpress.com/2016/11/02/www-wednesday-11-02-16/
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I’m really looking forward to the Picoult as it is a while since I’ve read one. Thank you so much for visiting and taking the time to comment 🙂
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I loved Small Great Things…and I’m eager to get my hands on While You Were Sleeping. Great reads all…and thanks for sharing. Here’s MY WWW POST
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Good to hear that you rated Small Great Things, I’m really looking forward to this one.
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I’ve heard Small Great Things is a really good book – I look forward to seeing what you think of that one!
Here’s my WWW Wednesday
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Thank you Clare – I will let you know soon, I hope 😉
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I’ve been seeing a few reviews of the Jodi Picault recently, all positive. I’ve always avoided her because I thought she was a ‘chick-lit’ writer but the reviews have made me realise I’ve been wrong about that. Maybe you’ll push me over the edge into trying her for myself…
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Ooh I spy a challenge coming up! I can confirm none of the books I’ve read could remotely be called ‘chick-lit’ and I think at the time she was discovered this side of the pond was at the time when ‘chick-lit’ was the in thing so the covers reflected what they thought would appeal to that audience.
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Ah, that explains it! That woud have been back in the days before I was reading so many reviews so the book covers would have had more impact. I shall await your review eagerly – my TBR’s bound to have dropped enough by then to make room for just one more… 😉
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Haha
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I’ve yet to read a Jodi Picoult book. Must change that 😀 http://www.curious-daisy.com/www-wednesdays/www-wednesday-november-2-2016/
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My favourite is Plain Truth which is set in the Amish community, I read it over 10 years ago and it still haunts me to this day.
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I’m definitely interested in While You Were Sleeping as I’ve been on a psychological thriller kick lately, and that looks like a good one!
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I haven’t read a Jodi Picoult novel in awhile, but I do enjoy her work.
-Lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com
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Great picks as usual! I almost requested While You Were Sleeping but I have no slot available for an ARC so I’ll just get the ebook as soon as my schedule clears up. The story sounds very promising. I can’t wait to read what you have to say about Manipulated Lives! I found it to be an interesting take on the different faces manipulation disguises itself. Your post reminded me I have my first Jodie Picoult book waiting to be read!
Happy reading 🙂
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I think I know one of those master manipulators! The description reminds me of a relative. Happy reading!
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