Book Review: The Elizas

The Elizas by Sara Shephard (aka the author of the Pretty Little Liars series)

On Friday, I chose to read a book instead of work. And, The Elizas by Sara Shephard was the perfect book to help me escape from reality and dive into the pages of this who-done-it thriller. Basically, this is an unreliable narrator, big money, beach read trash. And, every now and then, that is exactly what you need!

This book revolves around Eliza, who wakes up in a hospital after she supposedly tried to commit suicide by plunging into a pool when she can’t swim. The problem: she has done this multiple times before, but this time, she insists that she was pushed.

Making the story even more of a mystery is that the book alternates between Eliza’s life and the chapters of the novel she is getting ready to publish. As the story moves, it becomes apparent that Eliza and her main character have some startling similarities.

Add in a family that seems to make situations work, Eliza’s love of all things dark and strange, and hero who drives a Batmobile, and you have yourself a novel that is silly, completely unrealistic, but very interesting. Even with all the crazy in the novel, I still wanted to know what was going on.

Even better, while I thought I had it all figured out and that the author had left some big holes – I was wrong. Sara Shephard fills in all the appropriate gaps, but still leaves room for questions. For those looking for a fun, summer thriller and are fans of the show Pretty Little Liars, this is the perfect choice for you. 

Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with this review copy! All opinions are my own. This book releases this Tuesday, so go ahead and pre-order or put your library hold requests in today. 

20 Ways I Have Shown My Undying Love for Libraries

Did you know this week is National Library Week? Whoohoo! Let's give it up for the libraries!

Let's pause for a moment and reflect on the beautiful and perfect combination of Misty Copeland + Library Love.

Anyone who knows me or follows me knows I am a hardcore library fan. Why? Because they are awesome. Duh. But, because libraries are homes to my favorite items on earth (books) and safe places for people from every walk of life to get FREE access to knowledge.

If you think I am exaggerating about my undying love for libraries, I am here to prove you wrong. And, you might realize you are a fan of libraries in a big way too.

YOU MIGHT BE A FAN OF LIBRARIES IF...

1. You get a new library card before you get a new driver's license when moving to a new state.

2. You memorize your library card number but still do not have your children's SSNs memorized.

3. Your library card is falling apart but the idea of getting a new one makes you want to curl up in a corner and cry because you know you'll lose your number.

PS. My shirt says, "This is How We Roll." 

4. Your baby's entire social calendar revolved around the library's storytimes, which you had memorized. And, you visited multiple branches to hit up as many storytimes as possible.

From one of our many (MANY) trips to library storytime

5. You hold an M.Ed Library Media.

6. Your one and only brother is currently in graduate school to earn his MLS.

7. You volunteer at the library or donate to the library.

Taking books to the homebound

8. You have memorized the number of items you can check out at any time and the loan limits and the fees.

9. The most fun job interview you ever had was for a library job where you got to talk about books the entire time.

10. You have your own Little Free Library. 

My favorite Mother's Day gift ever

11. You used your college library as a place for researching, studying, and/or sleeping.

12. You know the library holds system better than you know the grocery store.

13. You felt giddy the first time your kid checked out a library book.

My kids love libraries too

14. You own library gear.

15. You regularly add library events to your calendar.

16. You have attended more library events than you can count.

17. As an adult, you still do the library's summer reading challenge. 

18. You help your friends use the library's online resources like it is your job.

If there ever comes a day when my library account shows zero, call the police. Something is wrong.

19. Your dream piece of furniture is a card catalog. 

20. You, too, believe "that Paradise will be a kind of library.” - Jorge Luis Borges

Surely, I am not the only one who has done these things?! 

But, seriously, if it has been a while since you have visited your local library, I encourage you to make the change today. My local library system is amazing and I brag on it all the time. Spartanburg County Public Libraries offers way more than books - they've even added a Makerspace where library patrons can monogram to their heart's delight or do some 3D printing.