On The Same Page discussion

Some people are addicted to soda, some to coffee, some to chocolates. I'm seriously addicted to Book of the Month Club (BOTM). I wait on pins and needles at the beginning of the month to see what book options I have to pick from and how many I can get. Because you can NEVER have enough books, right??!! So, this list is my backlog of BOTM books I need to read and get off my shelves so I can get more books. 📚

My 12:
1. Madwoman
✔️2. The Wedding People - 1/24
✔️3. Listen for the Lie - 7/4
✔️4. The Night We Lost Him - 9/5
5. Pictures of You
6. Middle of the Night
✔️7. Just for the Summer - 6/6
✔️8. The Fury - 5/25
✔️9. A Thousand Times Before - 8/14
10. Butcher & Blackbird
✔️11. Is She Really Going Out with Him? - 2/15
✔️12. Only If You're Lucky - 3/20

Plus 4:
✔️1. Anita de Monte Laughs Last - 6/9
✔️2. Blue Sisters - 1/10
3. The Three Lives of Cate Kay
4. What Happened to the McCrays?

I think I'm doing a horror type of BOTM; so this is great. I definitely have many of these authors, but only one of the books.

Good luck and happy reading!

You ladies and your book of the month club! It's so tempting to join. But I still add more books to my physical book shelves than I read every year...and don't get me started on my audiobook problem! I can't wait to see what you think about all of these great books!

A nice variety of genres and books I haven't read. I'll have to see how you rate them and which ones you love.

I am also a guilty and fickle BOTM-er. I both read and hoard them. Of your list, I really loved Just for the Summer (Abby Jimenez's best IMO), Listen for the Lie, The Wedding People and Blue Sisters.

Only if You're Lucky and The Fury have been hanging around my house longer than I'd care to admit!

Good luck with your list!

**franctically writing down possible buddy reads**

I already have us down for The Wedding People, but I am also interested in Butcher & Blackbird (which I own) , as well as Pictures of You & Middle of the Night- which i dont own but will get .
LMK ;)

There are worse addictions than books. Enjoy your 2025 reading.

Alondra wrote: "I think I'm doing a horror type of BOTM; so this is great. I definitely have many of these authors, but only one of the books.

Good luck and happy reading!"

Thanks Alondra! 😍 I have seen several horror book boxes out there.

Lea wrote: "You ladies and your book of the month club! It's so tempting to join. But I still add more books to my physical book shelves than I read every year...and don't get me started on my audiobook proble..."

Thanks Lea! 😊 One of these days Aliisa and I will bring you over to the dark side. Muhahahaha!!!

Bonnie wrote: "A nice variety of genres and books I haven't read. I'll have to see how you rate them and which ones you love."

Thanks Bonnie! 😊

Amalia wrote: "I am also a guilty and fickle BOTM-er. I both read and hoard them. Of your list, I really loved Just for the Summer (Abby Jimenez's best IMO), Listen for the Lie, The Wedding People and Blue Sister..."

Thanks Amalia! 😊 So my habit has gotten really bad since they've expanded the box size to let you get up to 5 books in a month. I use my books as gifts for friends, family and my son's teachers. So they eventually find a good home. But I'm getting them faster than i can read them. Lol

Alissa wrote: "**franctically writing down possible buddy reads**

I already have us down for The Wedding People, but I am also interested in Butcher & Blackbird (which I own) , ..."

Done, done and done!! Girl you know once i finish my 75 lists we'll regroup and make a schedule for all the books between us. Hehe

Bill wrote: "There are worse addictions than books. Enjoy your 2025 reading."

Thanks Bill! 😊

Lindsey wrote: "Alissa wrote: "**franctically writing down possible buddy reads**

I already have us down for The Wedding People, but I am also interested in Butcher & Blackbird (..."


thats... not a bad idea .lol Thats what Lea and i do ,.

We need a book assistant

Only one book from my tbr. Good luck with your list.

Jackie wrote: "Only one book from my tbr. Good luck with your list."

Thanks Jackie! 😊

Lindsey~Great List of BOTM. I don’t do that because I have about 10 Books from Various Places a Month. Then get ARC since must read the newest book the author wrote, even if her last book is sitting on my floor still waiting TBR.

What Happened to the McCrays was Incredible. That I got since NG wasn’t listing fast enough, so I begged the Publisher and she sent it in the Mail to Me :-)

The Fury thought was really great. Loved The Night We Lost Him. Bought Blue Sisters and Listen for the Lie. Those both have heard are good.

I have to put my list together, but thinking similar Idea. I must get some Books off my Floor, so Yes, can Buy More Books to Put There.

Happy Reading! Happy New Year 🎊 2025 📚

Kristine wrote: "Lindsey~Great List of BOTM. I don’t do that because I have about 10 Books from Various Places a Month. Then get ARC since must read the newest book the author wrote, even if her last book is sittin..."

Thanks Kristine! 😊

1st book finished - Blue Sisters . 4 stars.

A beautiful and heartwarming story about the bonds of sisterhood and heartwrenching journey they all take through the grieving process.

It's kind of hard to say more about it without giving away too much of the plot. Each of these sisters have their own demons to face as they battle how to move on after the loss of their sister. I think the author does a great job of showing the various stages of grief and how they can dominate your life.

Congrats on finishing your first book Lindsey.

Michelle wrote: "Congrats on finishing your first book Lindsey."

Thanks Michelle! 😊

Kudos on knocking out the first book! Woot!

Congrats on finishing your first book. Glad it was a good one!

Alondra wrote: "Kudos on knocking out the first book! Woot!"

Thanks Alondra! 😊

Patricia wrote: "Congrats on finishing your first book. Glad it was a good one!"

Thanks Patricia! 😊

2nd book finished -The Wedding People . 5 stars! 💙💙💙💙💙

I just loved this book! I honestly didn't know exactly what it was about, and I think that's a good thing. I got to ride the roller-coaster with Phoebe! I loved all of the characters, even the mean sister-in-law, lol. What a fun story of a woman trying to find her way again when everything in her world comes crashing down. Just be unapologetically yourself!

Lindsey wrote: "2nd book finished -The Wedding People . 5 stars! 💙💙💙💙💙

I just loved this book! I honestly didn't know exactly what it was about, and I thin..."

I’m seeing great reviews everywhere on this one. Looks like I better move it to the top of the TBR.

Michelle wrote: "Lindsey wrote: "2nd book finished -The Wedding People . 5 stars! 💙💙💙💙💙

I just loved this book! I honestly didn't know exactly what it was a..."

I really enjoyed it. If you can moveit up on your list, i would. 😊

3rd book finished - Is She Really Going Out with Him? . 4 stars 💖💖💖💖

What the perfect book to read for Valentine’s Day! It's sweet, touching, heartwarming, charming, romantic. I loved all.of the characters. And what a fun idea - having your kids pick dates for you.

I really enjoyed her other book This Time Next Year, and this book makes me want to read all of her other books.

Lindsey wrote: "3rd book finished - Is She Really Going Out with Him? . 4 stars 💖💖💖💖

What the perfect book to read for Valentine’s Day! It's..."

Glad you liked this one so much! I liked This Time Next Year as well & also The Good Part, so looking forward to this one. You're off to a great start with this challenge!

Patricia wrote: "Lindsey wrote: "3rd book finished - Is She Really Going Out with Him? . 4 stars 💖💖💖💖

What the perfect book to read for Valen..."

Thanks Patricia! 😊

4th book finished - Only If You're Lucky . 4 stars

So talk about a story of keep your friends close and yiur enemies closer! You really can't figure out who your true friends are. This was a dark and twisty, quick read thriller. Throughout the story little clues are dropped here and there to help he reader figure out what happened. I did not see that ending happening quite like it did. I've read all of Stacy Willingham's books and have become a fan of hers. Good book!

Lindsey wrote: "2nd book finished -The Wedding People . 5 stars! 💙💙💙💙💙

I just loved this book! I honestly didn't know exactly what it was about, and I thin..."

So happy to read a great review! It makes me want to read it even more. But I need to wait till the second half of the year when my book club reads it.

Lillie wrote: "Lindsey wrote: "2nd book finished -The Wedding People . 5 stars! 💙💙💙💙💙

I just loved this book! I honestly didn't know exactly what it was a..."

This is a great book club book!!! I hope y'all enjoy it as much as I did. 😊

Kudos on your overall progress, Lindsey! You are on point!

5th book finished - The Fury . 4 stars

Well that was a crazy roller coaster ride!! Just when you think you know who gets killed, who the killer is and why - guess again!! Twisty!

6th book finished - Just for the Summer . 5 stars. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Abby Jimenez is fast becoming a favorite author of mine. I just love her books! And this book was the perfect beach read to kick off summer!

7th book finished - Anita de Monte Laughs Last . Between 2 and 3 stars. ☹️

Ugh, I'm not really sure how to rate this book. I'm in between a 2 and 3 star rating. The premise of this book sounded really good and I thought I'd like it. I can't exactly put my finger on what didn't sit right with me - could be part writing style I wasn't a huge fan of, part of the book being overly dramatic, focused so much on race at every turn if the page versus on the life of this artist being erased. Maybe a mix of all of it. This book just wasn't for me.

Lindsey wrote: "2nd book finished -The Wedding People . 5 stars! 💙💙💙💙💙

I just loved this book! I honestly didn't know exactly what it was about, and I thin..."

So good to hear this, my book club will read it soon. I'm still waiting for my library copy...

Ioana wrote: "Lindsey wrote: "2nd book finished -The Wedding People . 5 stars! 💙💙💙💙💙

I just loved this book! I honestly didn't know exactly what it was a..."

Can't wait to hear how you and your book club like this book. 😊 It's a good one!!

8th book finished- Listen for the Lie . 5 stars 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

Riddle me this Batman - Who killed Savvy? If you think you know, guess again! This book was so addicting! I'm already a suckered for true crime podcasts and now put this in a 'who dun it' book for me and I'm in love. This was twisty, sneaky and always kept me guessing. Definitely a book you should add to your list if you haven't already. The buzz around this book is real!

Kudos on your progress for this list, Lindsey.

Just checking in!

Alondra wrote: "Kudos on your progress for this list, Lindsey.

Just checking in!"

Thanks! I am going to complete this list. Sooo close!

Lindsey wrote: "Alondra wrote: "Kudos on your progress for this list, Lindsey.

Just checking in!"

Thanks! I am going to complete this list. Sooo close!"

You're welcome!

Blue Sisters keeps popping up for the giveaways. Hopefully, I can win a copy. 🤔

Alondra wrote: "Lindsey wrote: "Alondra wrote: "Kudos on your progress for this list, Lindsey.

Just checking in!"

Thanks! I am going to complete this list. Sooo close!"

You're welcome!

Blue Sisters keeps poppi..."

It's an interesting book, i hope you win a copy.

9th book finished - A Thousand Times Before . 3 stars

There is so much to unpack in this book. I really was hoping to love it more than I actually did. I wanted to read this book because a good part of it was set in Gujarat, where my in-laws and my husband's family is from. Also, the concept of the story was very intriguing to me. We are all ultimately shaped by our ancestors in some way. To be able to access those memories and stories at any time is powerful. What I would give to know all of the stories of my great-grandmother and how that led to the woman my grandmother became which then led to the woman my mother is and now there's me.

My father-in-law grew up when India gained it's independence from Great Britian and then alot of the aftermath that happens in this book. He is from a very small village in Gujarat. While I know this book is fiction, I do plan to sit with him and see how his experiences and memories match (or are different) from the versions in this book.

Here is what didn't quite work for me - this is supposed to be a multi-generational book. And while it does go thru three generations, it primarily focuses on Alma. I feel we could have gotten more depth by learning more of the other generations. This book assumes the reader already knows all of the history of Hindustan, India's independence and some of the political party rebellion and fallout after Gandhi. I know alot of this history because it's my family. But if you didn't already know this history, I can see where it could be confusing. And given my husband's family is Indian, I understood alot of the language, food and customs that readers unfamiliar with the Indian culture may not have known.

I will say this was a good debut novel. And while it didn't hit all the right notes with me for a 5-star review, it hit enough for me to say give it a chance.

10th book finished - The Night We Lost Him . 3 stars

I really wanted to love this book more than I did. I absolutely devoured The Last Thing He Told Me and was soo excited for this book. It's not bad, it was just okay. This one had a much slower pace than I expect for a thriller. I didn't feel this huge build up that leads to a major twist in the story you didn't see coming. In fact, I felt this was more about the family drama than the mystery around her father's death. You could see the ending coming from a mile away. I will still read Laura Dave's books, because I do like her writing. This book just fell flat for me.