That Night Review and $250+ Raincoastbooks Giveaway (ends 6/22)

I’m always on the lookout for new great authors, because honestly I read too much. I can go through the entire 12 volume series of a romance novel writer in a 2 month period. Okay, so I don’t usually read crime thrillers… they’re not my preferred genre (that would be SF, Fantasy, Romance, and Cookbooks, obviously).

Nevertheless, when I was offered a copy of Chevy Stevens’ latest book, “That Night” as part of the BLUNTmoms book club, I gave it my best college try. And just 6 hours later, I  had completed reading this 380+ page book and needed to recharge my Kobo e-reader. It was just that good. A really fast read, but an engaging one, obviously.  It’s about Toni and Ryan, two kids just out of high school, that end up getting arrested for the murder of Toni’s sister and spending 15 years behind bars. Toni says they’re innocent, but nobody believes her. It’s a true Who-dun-It novel, with a good B plot line that involves some of the complicated and sad social commentary on reintegration of ex-cons into society. 

So help me, I really don’t know what to say about this book that won’t spoil anything. JUST GET IT, read it, love it.

I have to admit, I like the colour that authors bring to their work when they write about the places they live… Science fiction author Robert Sawyer is one of my new favourites because he’s local to the GTA, and his near-future work always fits into the metropolis of the present. It’s kind of cool to read about a place you know; I can’t say I know Vancouver all that well, but all my blogging friends out BC-way were excited to read this book for the same reason. And it helps bring the locale and the people to life in really subtle ways.

My friend Brooke Takhar over at MissTeenUSSR (you may remember her from guest posting earlier in March), is all about OITNB and bit into this one with a fury… you can read her review of the same book at the link above. And no, I still haven’t watched Orange is the New Black, but people are gabbing my ear off about it, so it’s on my to-do list.

Raincoast books was generous enough to throw in a giveaway along with asking us to review That Night. They asked us what some of our summer “must-reads” were (including one even picked by Chevy Stevens herself!), and so here’s a list! Please feel free to participate and get some summer reading material, a $250 value !  

Here’s why we chose some of the must-reads:

This is Ridiculous, This is Amazing: Parenthood in 71 Lists picked by Brooke of Miss Teen USSR (http://missteenussr.com/)- “I adore Jason Good. A book of lists means I can dart in and out to read it, which is perfect for my life as a working Mom. And finally, supporting a blogger-turned-published-writer just feels right.”

How to Be a Good Wife picked by Brooke of Brooklyn Berry Designs (http://brooklynberrydesigns.com)- ” I love the theme of learning to trust your gut instinct.. its what I loved most about Before I Go To Sleep as well.”

Plant Food picked by Anne of Food Retro (https://foodretro.com)- “Eating more meals prepared with fresh seasonal produce is high on my list! I always somehow just end up eating an ordinary salad, which gets pretty boring after a while.”

Can’t and Won’t picked by Cordelia of Multilingual Mama (http://www.multilingualmama.com)- “As an avid reader and writer, I’ve often neglected the short story. I am told Lydia Davis’ writing is extraordinary so she seems like the perfect choice to dip my feet into this genre.”

 Let Me Go picked by Chevy Stevens (http://chevystevens.com/)- “I read Chelsea Cain before my first book was published and loved her characters Archie Sheridan and Gretchen Lowell. I’ve been a big fan ever since.”

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Raincoast books provided me with a copy of the book, however opinions expressed are my own.