Six For Sunday – Taking On The TBR Pile: My TBR 5 Star Predictions

Good morning! It’s another Sunday which can only mean one thing, it’s time for a new Six For Sunday prompt from the lovely Steph! This week is all about books sitting on our TBRs that we think will be five star reads!

Six for Sunday is a weekly meme hosted by the lovely Steph at ALITTLEBUTALOT. You can find a list of prompts for April, May and June here

My TBR 5 Star Predictions

Now naturally I hope that I’m going to enjoy all the books that are sitting on my mountain of a TBR so I’m focusing on books that I currently own rather than my wider Goodreads Want To Read Shelf. Even so it was tough to pick just six books but I’ve gone for ones I have particularly high expectations for.

The Sentence Is Death – Anthony Horowitz

Death, deception, and a detective with quite a lot to hide stalk the pages of Anthony Horowitz’s brilliant murder mystery, the second in the bestselling series starring Private Investigator Daniel Hawthorne.

“You shouldn’t be here. It’s too late . . . “

These, heard over the phone, were the last recorded words of successful celebrity-divorce lawyer Richard Pryce, found bludgeoned to death in his bachelor pad with a bottle of wine—a 1982 Chateau Lafite worth £3,000, to be precise.

Odd, considering he didn’t drink. Why this bottle? And why those words? And why was a three-digit number painted on the wall by the killer? And, most importantly, which of the man’s many, many enemies did the deed?

Baffled, the police are forced to bring in Private Investigator Daniel Hawthorne and his sidekick, the author Anthony, who’s really getting rather good at this murder investigation business.

But as Hawthorne takes on the case with characteristic relish, it becomes clear that he, too, has secrets to hide. As our reluctant narrator becomes ever more embroiled in the case, he realizes that these secrets must be exposed—even at the risk of death . .

I read The Word Is Murder the first book in the Daniel Hawthorn series when it was first released and have had The Sentence Is Death pretty much since release day but haven’t actually read it yet. I really enjoyed the concept of the book though, and loved the fact the author was a character in his own story. I thought it was an unusual twist that actually really worked, so I have high hopes for the follow up

My The Word Is Murder review

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Becoming – Michelle Obama

An intimate, powerful, and inspiring memoir by the former First Lady of the United States.

In a life filled with meaning and accomplishment, Michelle Obama has emerged as one of the most iconic and compelling women of our era. As First Lady of the United States of America—the first African-American to serve in that role—she helped create the most welcoming and inclusive White House in history, while also establishing herself as a powerful advocate for women and girls in the U.S. and around the world, dramatically changing the ways that families pursue healthier and more active lives, and standing with her husband as he led America through some of its most harrowing moments. Along the way, she showed us a few dance moves, crushed Carpool Karaoke, and raised two down-to-earth daughters under an unforgiving media glare.

In her memoir, a work of deep reflection and mesmerizing storytelling, Michelle Obama invites readers into her world, chronicling the experiences that have shaped her—from her childhood on the South Side of Chicago to her years as an executive balancing the demands of motherhood and work, to her time spent at the world’s most famous address. With unerring honesty and lively wit, she describes her triumphs and her disappointments, both public and private, telling her full story as she has lived it—in her own words and on her own terms. Warm, wise, and revelatory, Becoming is the deeply personal reckoning of a woman of soul and substance who has steadily defied expectations—and whose story inspires us to do the same. 

Naturally I don’t know the former First Lady personally but whenever I’ve seen her in the media she’s come across really well so I’m really intrigued to read her story in her own words. I’ve heard great things about the book too so that’s only upped my expectations.

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State Of Sorrow – Melinda Salisbury

Sorrow – for that is all she brings us.

A people laid low by grief and darkness.
A cut-throat race for power and victory.
A girl with everything and nothing to lose…

By day, Sorrow governs the Court of Tears, covering for her grief-maddened father, who has turned their once celebrated land into a living monument for the brother who died before she was born.

By night, she seeks solace in the arms of the boy she’s loved since childhood. But one ghost won’t stop haunting her, and when enemies old and new close ranks against her, Sorrow must decide how far she’s willing to go to win…

I have many many books by Melinda Salisbury on my TBR, as in all of them. A good friend said this duolgy had strong The West Wing vibes and I ADORED that show so I am all in for this book and the follow up!

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Sanctuary – V. V. James

Four women with a secret.
The death that will unravel their lives.

The small town of Sanctuary is rocked by the death of its star quarterback. Daniel’s death looked like an accident, but everyone knows his ex-girlfriend Harper is the daughter of a witch – and she was there when he died.

Then the rumours start. When Harper insists Dan was guilty of a terrible act, the town turns on her. So was his death an accident, revenge – or something even darker?

As accusations fly and secrets are revealed, paranoia grips the town, culminating in a trial that the whole world is watching..

I loved Dark Gifts, the YA trilogy that was published as Vic James. So the idea of Vic’s witchy adult debut filled me with joy. Again my bookish friends who have already read this one adored it so very high expectations!

Read my Gilded Cage review here

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The Pieces Of Ourselves – Maggie Harcourt

Flora doesn’t do people, not since the Incident that led to her leaving school midway through her GCSEs.

The Incident that led to her being diagnosed with bipolar II.

The Incident that left her in pieces.

Until Hal arrives. He’s researching a story about a missing World War I soldier, and he wants Flora’s help. Flora used to love history before the Incident, but spending so much time with Hal is her worst nightmare. Yet as they begin to piece together the life of the missing soldier, a life of lost love, secrets and lies, Flora finds a piece of herself falling for Hal.

I’ve read a couple of Maggie’s books and found them absolutely delightful! I bought The Last Summer Of Us when Usborne started their wonderful eBook sale, and my pre-order of The Pieces Of Ourselves arrived recently. I read the teaser chapter in the Usborne YALC sampler and it was wonderful so I have no doubt I will enjoy this one as well!

Check out my reviews of Unconventional and Theatrical

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Havenfall – Sara Holland

A safe haven between four realms. The girl sworn to protect it — at any cost.

Hidden deep in the mountains of Colorado lies the Inn at Havenfall, a sanctuary that connects ancient worlds — each with their own magic — together. For generations, the inn has protected all who seek refuge within its walls, and any who disrupt the peace can never return.

For Maddie Morrow, summers at the inn are more than a chance to experience this magic first-hand. Havenfall is an escape from reality, where her mother sits on death row accused of murdering Maddie’s brother. It’s where Maddie fell in love with handsome Fiorden soldier Brekken. And it’s where one day she hopes to inherit the role of Innkeeper from her beloved uncle.

But this summer, the impossible happens–a dead body is found, shattering everything the inn stands for. With Brekken missing, her uncle gravely injured, and a dangerous creature on the loose, Maddie suddenly finds herself responsible for the safety of everyone in Havenfall. She’ll do anything to uncover the truth, even if it means working together with an alluring new staffer Taya, who seems to know more than she’s letting on. As dark secrets are revealed about the inn itself, one thing becomes clear to Maddie–no one can be trusted, and no one is safe…

Both books in Sara’s Everless duology easily made the list on my favourite books of that year, I absolutely loved Sempera and the characters she created. Havenfall is another I managed to read a sampler chapter of and the concept sounds wonderful. I have no doubt that with Sara’s wonderful ability to build worlds this will be equally wonderful!

Be sure to check out my Everless and Evermore reviews

They were my #SixforSunday! If you’ve taken part leave a link to your post below and I’ll be sure to check it out! Also don’t for get to join Steph’s Six for Sunday twitter chat tonight at 6pm (UK time)