DRB Reviews...Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

I desperately needed a break from thrillers so I bought Remarkably Bright Creatures as an ebook for my kindle. It sounded like a refreshing change for my night time reading. (I read hard copy books by day and my kindle at night.) I fell in love with this story so much, that my kindle reading became my day time book of choice. I literally carried my kindle with me everywhere I went to squeeze in any spare time I had to read this book.

By far, my FAVOURITE BOOK OF THE YEAR!  I don't say this lightly. I read a lot and there are very few books I dislike. Van Pelt nailed this out of the park. Her characters felt so real, broken and perfectly human. My heart is so warm and fuzzy after reading this story a swear it grew a few sizes bigger. (Which is saying a lot, because any one who knows me already is aware my heart is way too big for my body!)

I am an animal lover as well; all animals are close to my heart. I adored the respect for animal life in this story, and how the story highlighted the importance of human and animal relationships.  We can build such meaningful bonds with the creatures we share the earth with. What captured me the most about this story, was how we can grow and gain from loss and grief; we can heal and find glorious happiness again.

Van Pelt, what a beautiful story. I am so grateful to have escaped into Remarkably Bright Creatures. My only complaint? Now that the book is finished, I don't know what to do with myself. I clasped my kindle against my heart and held it there for a minute when I finished...breathless. And yes, I had a few tears in my eyes and a smile on my face.

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DRB Reviews...Zodiac by Robert Graysmith

Zodiac is my letter Z for my 2025 Alphabet Reading Challenge. It is an incredible book; full of precise detailed facts and research. It is no wonder it is a National Bestseller. But, I had to stop reading half way through. It is a deeply comprehensive book. My copy is a pocket book version and the print is small. (No excuses, I simply had a hard time getting through it.) I really want to complete my Alphabet Challenge this year, and I thought stopping "half way through" is cheating. So, I decided to "finish" the book by watching the documentary on Netflix. (Note: This post isn't a true fictional movie based on a fictional book, but I do love documentaries and non-fiction books too, and deserves a spotlight on DRB Reviews. The category was close enough;)

I became obsessed with true crime novels as a teenager but somehow Zodiac was never on my reading list. I don't read a lot of true crime now, but I do love Cold Case documentaries. Did you know that we still do not know who the Zodiac killer is? There have been numerous suspects and theories, but there is still a lack of evidence to definitely prove who the killer was. This is unbelievable to me that someone could commit these terrible acts and not get caught. 

Technology astounds me and is improving at rapid rates everyday. I believe we will have definitive proof of the killer one day. I love the re-enactments of the story line, the real-life videos and recordings and the eye-witness accounts and interviews; these all make the story come to life in a way a book simply can't. 

In comparison, both the documentary and the book could stand alone but the documentary VS the non-fiction book in this case are a team, and make the experience more enriching and fulfilling.

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DRB Reviews...The Woman in Black by Susan Hill

I don't watch a lot of television, but when I sit down to watch a movie, I always search first for 'movies based on books'. I find these movies to be rich in story telling and always prove to be good.  I have been reading a lot of books lately that were adapted into movies and decided I should add these as a NEW item to DRB Reviews!

Firstly, I think The Woman in Black is one of the most deliciously scary gothic novels ever written. It is terrifyingly spooky, yet simple. I read it in one sitting late at night, which was a poor decision as I went to bed in gripping fear. lol Hill did not disappoint. I bought a used copy of The Woman in Black at a thrift store for $2. So completely worth it!

Since I am on vacation, I decided to take some time and watch the movie. I chose to watch the movie version released in 2012 starring Daniel Radcliffe. I loved the setting of this film, it was perfectly dark. I thought Daniel Radcliffe was a perfect match to play Arthur Kipps, the main character; he was portrayed exactly as I imagined him. Daniel represented Arthur's character with a sweetness and humility that I enjoyed. What I didn't enjoy was the ending, it was completely different than the beginning of the book. This is important because the beginning of the book  gave a comfort that hugged me tight in the darkest parts of the book. The movie really captured the modern psychotic, and it was almost too scary. I detested the ending of the movie. 

Truth be told, the book is the winner over the movie in this review.
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DRB Reviews...The Woman in Suite 11 by Ruth Ware

My favourite author has pulled through once again with her latest thriller! I was unsure at first, that this book would score big as a stand alone. This is because each of Ware's books are so unique, and "The Woman in Suite 11" was a sequel to  "The Woman in Cabin 10"; I wasn't sure if it could hit home in the same way as her other novels, but it definitely did.

Firstly, thank you Ware for making this paperback with trimmed edges. I outright detest deckle edges; and most new releases are published this way for a more rustic, authentic look. I much prefer the clean lines of trimmed edges. Putting the frivolous aside, "The Woman in Suite 11" was a great read. It was wonderful to learn "What happened to Carrie?" and to be with the main characters again from "The Woman in Cabin 10".

I fell in love with Lo as a mom; Ware built an incredible bond between Lo and her sons, and their relationship oozed out onto the pages; it was so heart-warming. My only wish was that the "action" of the thriller began earlier in the novel, it seemed to hit closer to the end, and then all crashed forward quickly.

I was so excited to have the opportunity to hear Ware speak live in Toronto at her author talk and bought myself a ticket to attend the event; but sadly at the last minute, I decided I could not go due to a surgery that left me healing at home rather than at the theatre. 

Even though I am grateful for the sequel, I am once again ready for a new and different thriller penned by Ware. "It Girl" is my absolute most favourite of Ware's, and I can't wait for her next new release. I can proudly say I own a copy of every one of her books in my personal library.  Can't wait to watch the movie adaptation of "The Woman in Cabin 10" which will be coming out on Netflix later this year.

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DRB Reviews…She’s Not Sorry by Mary Kubica
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I finally finished my first Mary Kubica novel. I bought this ebook for my kindle while waiting at the airport on my last vacation. Our vacation was so wonderful I never had the time to read it!

Kubica shocked me. I really did not expect so many twists in the story line. I read every night before sleep and was really enjoying it; but then like out of nowhere I got caught off guard with the first twist. Once that hit me, I couldn’t put it down and my kindle “night time” read became my daytime read. I just had to keep reading, had to get to the end. 

I have read several thrillers in a row now that have chilled me to the bone; and this one is included. I am perfectly scared now, almost deliciously so. I think I need a break from psychological thrillers lol. Moving on to something lighter.

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Dawn Rodger Books Reviews...Don't Let Him In by Lisa Jewell

I took a pause on my alphabet challenge to dive into the new summer releases that have been rolling in to my mailbox.  I used my Christmas Indigo gift card to pre-order books by several of my favourite authors; and luckily the releases are lined up with my summer vacation.

Jewell nailed this one. Not only is "Don't Let Him In" an incredible thriller, this one is so based in truth it is scary.  I have lived this truth. Many woman have had the experience of living with psychopaths, sociopaths or bigamists.  This story was so real, it reminded me of the story of Ted Bundy.  It also reminded me very much of my very own novel called "Scattered Garbage." 

In the acknowledgements, Jewell thanks "the utterly TERRIBLE MEN in this world for helping to bring [her main character] Simon Smith to life." She continues to acknowledge that "He could easily exist in this world. He does exist in this world." and I completely agree with her.  It was refreshing to read a book that was so based in truth; it made the story line all that more convincing and alluring. 

Be aware of these men; the love-bombers and gaslighters. They promise the world and make you feel like a queen. But it is all so fake. My best advice is "don't let him in." If you loved "Don't Let Him In" my suggestion is to read "Scattered Garbage" next, the story lines are similar and it is also based in truth.
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