Time for Show Us Your Books with Jana Says and Life According to Steph.
Today, I’m going to share three mini reviews of books that I’ve read in the past month. I’m also making these all Styled Book Reviews, where I share fashion and other products that suit a character, the book as a whole, or even goes along with the cover! Everything in the widgets is an affiliate link; click or purchase and I get a small percent (no extra cost to you).
Show Us Your Books: Three Book Picks + Gifts to Go With #ontheblog #bookbloggers Share on X
The Gentlemen’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee
Review by Lauren
source: personal copy; all opinions are my own
Read the Summary on Goodreads
I’ve wanted to read this book for a long time, and I finally found the time to do so and boy did I love it! It’s every much as enjoyable as I thought it would be, and as other reviews made me believe it would be. This book follows Monty who is going on a year-long Grand Tour of Europe with his sister, Felicity, and best friend, Percy. Monty has been in a lot of trouble – getting drunk, being expelled from school, and bedding girls and boys. I loved Monty though. He’s not as aware of other people’s circumstances as he could be, but he learns as the book goes on. He’s in love with Percy, but he doesn’t get how Percy’s life is very much different from his own – they are both part of affluent families but Percy is biracial and that will always hold him back in the eyes of some.
This book is full of fantastic history, amazingly well-written characters, and enjoyable humor! You’ll learn, you’ll laugh, and you’ll feel. I cannot wait for the companion novel, this time following Felicity! 5/5 stars for sure!
Styled: Since Monty and company are on their Ground Tour of Europe, I thought I’d share some items perfect for travel.
Into the Black Nowhere by Meg Gardiner
Review by Lauren
source: copy from e-library; all opinions are my own
Read the Summary on Goodreads
I put Into the Black Nowhere on hold through my local e-library and I was ecstatic when I was finally sent the email saying I had the book. This is the second book in the Unsub series (the first is called Unsub) and the main character, Caitlin Hendrix, is now an FBI Profiler. I won’t say much else about that since I don’t want to spoil the first book. I will say that this was a fascinating book and I’m so excited there there will be a third. The first book leaves with a bit of a plot point that needs to be addressed, but it’s not focused on too much in this book. I think that will come back around in the third novel. Regardless, Into the Black Nowhere is a really good book about a Ted Bundy type of serial killer that Caitlin and her team are hunting down before he continues to kills. The identity is revealed about halfway through the book, but that doesn’t lessen the suspense and enjoyment. Read this series! I give this one 4/5 stars.
Styled: Going with the cover, I decided to style this book with All Things Red!
The Alienist by Caleb Carr
Review by Lauren
source: e-library; all opinions are my own
Read the Summary on Goodreads
I’d never heard of The Alienist until the limited TV series was about to air. I knew I wanted to watch the show, so I started taping the episodes. Finally, I decided that since I hadn’t watched the show yet, I would go ahead and read the book and I’m really glad I did. I’ll have to come back and share my thoughts on the series once I’ve watched all of it, but I can say that the book is just fascinating. The book takes place in New York, 1896, and it follows a group of characters on the hunt for a serial killer – not that that term was known then. The book is called The Alienist because one of the main characters is Dr. Laszlo Kreizler, a psychologist or “alienist” as they were often called at the time.
I recommend reading the summary to get more specific details about the book, but basically, I do recommend. It’s a quick read full of suspense. It keeps you reading, wanting to know just who is this monster who is killing young boys around New York, but also why he feels compelled to do this in the first place. That’s something that fascinates Dr. Kriezler – he wants to know the “why” and not just the “who.” I give this one 4/5 stars!
Styled: This one was a bit more difficult to Style, but I decided to go with a New York theme since the book largely takes place in the state.
I only heard about The Gentlemen’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee and I remember hearing great things so I know I should try. The others are new to me though
This is such a fun idea to share some styles and items with each book you review!! Some books really lend themselves well to that idea 🙂
These are always such fun and I love how creative some people get where they have whole outfits to go with them!
Styling books sounds like a fun idea! I might have to try it for an upcoming review or two!
I love finding a good series!
Oh wow I love seeing these!
Super fun post! The books all sound good and I love the styles you chose for each – especially all the red, there are a few bags in that list that caught my eye!
I haven’t heard of any of these but have now put them on my list! Thanks for the suggestions!
Aww I love this!
I am excited to check out The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice & Virtue
A Styled Book Review sounds fun! I have wanted to watch and read The Alienist! I would want to read it first (like you!), though!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
I want to read the Alientist too! and then decide if I want to watch the show.
I’m glad you enjoyed TGGtVaV. it was so fun! Can’t wait for Felicity’s book.
Tell Me Something Tuesday
oh i didn’t realise The Alienist was a book! i’ve seen the ads for the show, and it looked interesting so i’ll have to give the book a go first.
Nice pairings. I loved Monty and his adventures too. Looking forward to the next book about Felicity.
I am enjoying The Alienist (the TV show) right now. But I have not read the book. I’m going to wait until it’s over. Normally I prefer books over the TV/movie version and knew that I just wouldn’t have time to read it before the show started. It’s weird and twisty and I’m guessing the book is even more so.
Oh yeah, the book is great! I’m glad to hear you like the show though. I hope to start that soon.
I like seeing people style books but I don’t think I’d be good at it!
I downloaded a book over a month ago and still haven’t read a single word from it. Ugh. I need to get on that.
I don’t know why, but something about the cover of the first book puts me off, but after reading your review, I need to reconsider. I am always up for supsense. So I will have to consider the other two.
I’ve had The Gentleman’s Guide on my TBR just before it even released. And I was so excited for it that I pre-ordered it. And yet I still have’t read it. Ack! I keep sitting it aside for other things but reading your review has definitely renewed my interest. Thanks for putting it back on my radar! 🙂
I’d heard that The Alienist was based off of a book, but wasn’t interested until I started seeing the previews for it. It’s a long one (for me, anyway), but sounds intriguing. I love how you styled these books too, that’s so creative!
I’m so glad you enjoyed The Gentleman’s Guide and Into the Black Nowhere. I can’t wait for the next books in each of those series. I loved your styled reviews too. So much fun!
I’ve been meaning to read The Gentlemen’s Guide to Vice and Virtue! It’s just waiting in the Great Beyond with all the other books I want to read and haven’t, lol.
Do You Dog-ear?
Into the Black Nowhere sounds like my kind of book. I love the idea of styling books! So fun!
I love how creative everyone got with these!! I like the NY theme you went with! :] I haven’t read any of these but I’ve heard good things about The Alienist!
I’m intrigued by The Alienist 🙂
The Alienist sounds very interesting! I love the idea of styling your book reviews!
I haven’t heard of these! I’ll have to check them out 😀
So cool! I love the reviews with the stylized picks. I haven’t read any of these books, but I really think I’d like both the first and second one too.
I’ve just requested to join Lauren! What a great idea! The Gentlemen’s Guide to Vice and Virtue is one that I always hear great things about, especially from readers on Twitter but had no idea how entertaining it was. I love historical Europe and he sounds like such a scoundrel. An hooray for a bisexual male character! Love these Lauren, really enjoyed them <3
Yes, you should definitely read Gentleman’s Guide! I hope you enjoy it. And thanks for joining the group!!
I love the idea of pairing books with travel items. This is a fun prompt!
I really want to read The Gentleman’s Guide. Glad it was 5 stars for you!
Into the Black sounds interesting. I’m going to have to find Unsub and start there. Thanks
I love that you chose three totally different books to review and style–all three sound really interesting! The Alienist especially sounds like a good one!
I read The Alienist about 20 years ago. It was good. A bit disturbing. But good 🙂
These look good! All three have interesting sounding plot lines, so I’m in. Thanks for sharing!
I enjoyed your creative post. I like the idea of connecting the book with other products related to it. I added the Gentleman’s Guide. I have really been enjoying YA this year. Pam 🙂
Oh that’s a fun way to do it 🙂
Ohh these all sound very intriguing, thanks for sharing with the #BloggersBests
I want to read A Gentleman’s Guide.. I have heard great things! 🙂 I just got a copy of the Alienist in a LFL! 🙂 Can’t wait to read it, so glad you liked it! 🙂 XO – Alexandra
Simply Alexandra: My Favorite Things
Ooh I can’t wait to hear what you think of The Alienist. I really need to start watching the series.