This contest period's winners were Bethany S., Donna S. and Linda H., who each received a copy of THE ORDER by Daniel Silva and THE COLOR OF AIR by Gail Tsukiyama.
Patti
The Dutch House by Ann Patchett
Very good read! Story of a brother and sister. They can't seem to overcome their past. It deals with lose, poverty and how they count on each other. They go back to face and confront the past.
Tessa
The Woman In the Window by A. J. Finn
This psychological thriller (with a capital ‘P’ !) takes its inspiration from the classic films of Alfred Hitchcock. A trained psychologist, Anna Fox is now an agoraphobe, trapped by her own mind in a 19th century Harlem brownstone. When she witnesses (or thinks she does) a murder during one of her binge-drinking episodes no one believes her tale. A real roller-coaster ride of a thriller. I was engaged and entertained from beginning to end.
Katharine
The Guest Book by Sarah Blake
Great book. Interesting character and challenging issues to ponder.
John
A Peculiar Peril by Jeff VanderMeer
This is the peculiar and perilous tale of an orphan learning to work in the real estate field!
Sheldon
The Last Trial by Scott Turow
Another fine legal thriller from a fine writer. A top-notch lawyer at the end of his career battles the defense of his close friend accused of marketing a miracle drug that also kills some its users.
Margaret
Every Note Played by Lisa Genova
Lisa Genova has a Ph.D. in neuroscience and uses that knowledge to write books that entertain and educate us about neurological diseases and disorders. This novel tackles ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. It's a devastating, debilitating disease that gradually takes away all muscle control in the body. I knew next to nothing about ALS but now I understand just how ravaging this disease can be. It not only destroys the victims but affects all those who are near & dear to them because of the extensive care needed. This novel is heart-wrenching and just plain sad, but Ms. Genova's storytelling is very skillful and you find yourself wanting to find out more as the disease progresses. Novel has interesting characters and perfect pacing.
Joy
The Guest List by Lucy Foley
It’s the wedding of the year but not everyone will survive. It’s on a remote island off the coast of Ireland. It’s everything you’d expect for a wedding of a power couple. But not everything is as it seems.
Nancy
The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate
I liked Lisa Wingate's previous book, BEFORE WE WERE YOURS, but I LOVED this one. It has two storylines -- one post-Civil War when former slaves reached out to find their lost family members, and the other in the 1980s about a young teacher in a poor Louisiana town trying to teach her students that their lives really do matter. The book is sad, hopeful, timely in terms of what's happening in our country now, and a great choice for book club discussions.
Maureen
The Guest List by Lucy Foley
First book by this author. A great page-turner. Loved the whole story. I will definitely be reading more by her. Recommended for book clubs.
Jan
Bubble in the Sun by Christopher Knowlton
This easy to read book is history about the movers and shakers in Florida during the 20th Century. Knowlton has researched the people with grand schemes and those with the money to fund them. He also included people with grand schemes who died broke. It is a tell-all book about the affairs of the rich and famous. It started with Flagler who brought the railroad to the Florida east coast (and named his rail line that: FEC). The development of Palm Beach and the Miami area came later as wealthy people bought up swamp land, drained it and sold it for huge profits. The best thing about this book is the history of Marjory Stoneman Douglas who publicized the beauty and value of the Everglades.
Joyce
Circe by Madeline Miller
Being completely ignorant of Greek mythology, I found it extremely interesting. Strong woman characters -- interesting take on being mortal.
Lois
Love and Ruin by Paula McLain
Terrific book about Ernest Hemingway and his third wife.
Nina
A Hundred Suns by Karin Tanabe
For those of you that enjoy historical novels, this is right up your alley. Tanabe explores Indochina in the 1930s with all its political unrest. Great character development makes it a page-turner.
Pamela
Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah
Our third selection by this author and as always, loved by all.
Shelley
America for Beginners by Leah Franqui
Interesting story. More of a beach read.
Laurie
The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry
Excellent, beautifully written. I am a lover of lace, have lots of my grandmother’s doilies, learned much about its production and loveliness! Main character, Towner, crawled into my heart. A delightful, mysterious read!
Tessa B C
Al Capone Shines My Shoes by Gennifer Choldenko
Book Two in this entertaining middle-school series, set on Alcatraz Island during the Great Depression. I was completely charmed by the first book, and certainly interested in this second outing. The relationships between the kids seem real to me. Moose deals with many of the things most 12-year-olds have to face, including bullying, peer pressure, and adults who don’t understand him. But he’s also burdened by a unique relationship with one particular inmate: Al Capone.
Sharon
The Antidote for Everything by Kimmery Martin
Dr. Georgia Brown's best friend, Dr. Jonah Tsudaka, is accused of stealing drugs from the clinic where they both work, but Georgia knows he did not do it. Soon it becomes evident that he is being targeted because he is gay and Georgia worries that he will succumb to depression as he has before. When Georgia comes up with a plan to save her friend, she has no idea that it could go so wrong.
Julie
I Know Who You Are by Alice Feeney
Twisty psychological thriller. I put Alice Feeney right up there with Ruth Ware in my list of must-read authors.
Sandy
The Red Lotus by Chris Bohjalian
I always love his books but this one was especially good. The ending was a surprise, which I always like.
Jayme
Optic Nerve by Maria Gainza
Narrated by a privileged Argentinian woman who looks at moments and people in her life by referencing and comparing them to works of art and artists that have moved her in some way. This book takes a deep "look" at what impacts us in our little lives. I would have finished it earlier, but I kept Googling the art and artists that are mentioned. May I suggest you do that too - it gives the reading of the story depth and insight. Highly recommend.
Jayme
Followers by Megan Angelo
What started out as a very interesting story showcasing the control and impact that social media and our internet world has on our lives and privacy crashed and burned about two-thirds in. The story just went on and on as if the author didn't know where to take it or how to end it, so it sadly never ended, and I had to read it.
Betty
Always the Last to Know by Kristin Higgins
This is a feel good read. This was just what I needed to escape from the real news of the day. This is set in Connecticut and involves family relationships which revolve around the mother who navigates a 50-year marriage with some secrets which emerge after a bike wreck.
Lisa
White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo
A very timely and eye-opening book with many lessons that, hopefully, will assist me in understanding the black experience. Appreciated that it wasn't overly preachy. A must-read for everyone.
Judith
Sold on a Monday by Kristina McMorris
This book had been on my "to read" list for quite awhile. Frankly, I was a bit disappointed in it. I was expecting it to be more about the children offered for sale by a desperate depression era family -- their experiences, feelings, the effect on their futures, etc. But the storyline centered more on the news reporter and his eventual girlfriend who create a feature story about the children and then work together to deal with the consequences. Though also a bestseller, this book didn't match the quality of ORPHAN TRAIN in my opinion.
Jayne
The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
From the moment I opened the book until the last page, I was engaged in this novel set in Alaska. Having traveled to Alaska I found the descriptions very well done and the novel is beautifully written. I would highly recommend this title for book clubs or anyone wanting a book to remember!
Susan
Redhead by the Side of the Road by Anne Tyler
This wasn't my favorite book by Anne. The characters weren't as interesting as other books by her.
shelly
Christmas in Bayberry by Jennifer Faye
Christmas is always a magical time of year with surprises, and this book is the start of one very special Christmas. Wesley Adams is wondering if he will be picked for the assistant vice president of the firm he has been working at. He has sacrificed most his life to make this dream come true as he wants to put down roots, not like his dad did to him and his mother when he was growing up. He is told he has to go to Bayberry, Vermont to see if the Bayberry Candle factory can stay in the business or must be sold. At first, he is upset about returning to the one the place he and his mother really felt was home, but then when he bumps into Kate Taylor, the girl he wanted to invite to the Candelight Dance when he lived their things take a turn.
Pamela
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
This psychological thriller grabbed my attention from the very first page and kept me on the edge of my seat and guessing how the murder happened until the shocking reveal near the end. I loved this book and would recommend it to anyone who likes whodunits, mysteries, and thrillers.
Marsha
Whistlin' Dixie in a Nor'easter by Lisa Patton
An older book borrowed from my neighbor's stay-at-home stash. Fun read about a Southern belle who follows her husband's ill-planned goal to buy and run a Vermont B&B. Poor Leelee has not been educated about Vermont weather and life. When her husband deserts her and the two daughters after a few months, she discovers her true strength and Southern grit.
Padmini
The Safe Place by Anna Downes
This is a very good summertime thriller. A young woman in London who lives paycheck to paycheck is given an opportunity to be a housekeeper in southern France. She is given a car and a guesthouse to live in. The house is inhabited by a wealthy woman and her sickly daughter. The woman has some secrets that the protagonist, Emily, uncovers. This is a book for people who enjoy mysteries and thrillers. Once you start reading the book you will not want to put it down.
Gretchen
28 Summers by Elin Hilderbrand
Another wonderful story from this terrific author. Perfect for curling up on the beach or patio and read. Having spent time on Nantucket it made me feel that I was back there.
Dorothy
The Authenticity Project by Clare Pooley
Julian, a 79-year-old artist, writes about his loneliness in a journal and leaves the journal in a cafe. Monica picks up the journal and unable to return it, reads Julian's entry. She adds her own and leaves the book in the wine bar across the street from the cafe. The book travels with other recipients. THE AUTHENTICITY PROJECT is a remarkable journey with likeable characters.
Pat
What You Wish For by Katherine Center
Interesting premise of when a beloved principal dies and his replacement is a complete 180 degrees different and the staff is completely bewildered.
Judson
Disco for the Departed by Colin Cotterill
Another great entry in this series featuring reluctant doctor turned coroner, Siri Paiboun, in 1970's Laos.
Nancy
The Dry Grass of August by Anna Jean Mayhew
One of the best books that I have read in a very long time. Well written and kept my interest from beginning to end. One of those books that you get so involved with the characters you do not want to finish reading it!
Donna
Last Boat Out of Shanghai by Helen Zia
This novel takes you through the decisions and struggles of four young Chinese individuals who fled from China over a period of 20-plus years during multiple uprisings and revolutions. This story is overwhelming with history that was unknown to me. I was taking notes for my book club meeting and around a quarter of the way through the book I felt I was writing a book and discontinued my note writing. This is a touching story of the challenges of fleeing your country and loved ones for the unknown.
Margo
Hazards of the Trade by Phyllis L. Humby
Great inspiring true stories of working in the sales industry. Some of these stories are unbelievable. Great book.
Gretchen
Dragonfly by Lelia Meacham
A different WWII historical fiction. Five young people are recruited to be spies in Paris during the occupation of the Germans. Can't give anything away. It will keep you interested to see what happens to each and if they are successful.
Debbie
Diana's Altar by Barbara Cleverly
In the past, I enjoyed the Joseph Sandilands series. The last novel of this series presents a sad disappointment. The novel features the daring and intrigue of the past novels, but the language does not evenly flow. The banter into the workings of Scotland Yard and M15 proved tedious and boring and the descent into the works of ancient writers lengthens the boredom. The erotic habits of the wealthy and the eventual effect of this debauchery continue the dribble. Veterinarians have just found a medicine to euthanize animals and one of the characters uses this medicine. The big scare is the splitting of the atom and the consequences of this means of mass destruction. Hitler and his regime silently steal into the scene.
Sean
Winterbirth by Brian Ruckley
There is way too much overly verbose nonsense without much happening. Read the first quarter and still wasn't invested and barely knew who the characters were. Not for me.
Judson
The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead
This 2020 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction winner should be on every Millenial's reading list. Whitehead has done a fantastic job of weaving a novel out of a dark part of Florida's history.
Chris
Thereby Hangs a Tail by Spencer Quinn
This is the second in the Chet & Bernie series. It involves a missing show dog and owner. The books are about Bernie, a private investigator and Chet, his sidekick. Chet is an almost-police dog and he narrates the books. I enjoy the telling of the story from a dog's point of view. The characters are likeable and although mostly light in tone, the stories do have some serious, suspenseful parts too. I am only two books into the series and I look forward to reading more.
Richard N B
The President Is Missing by James Patterson and Bill Clinton
3.5 stars. This is a fast-paced thriller, with a believable (if somewhat over-the-top) scenario. There were several times when I thought I knew where it was headed but was surprised by a twist in the plot. The basic plot line is something we should all be concerned about and I found myself wondering about our reliance on technology. The last 50 pages were particularly nail-biting.
Sheree
My Life in France by Julia Child and Alex Prud'homme
It was such an interesting book! Now I want to read her cookbooks and watch her old cooking shows. Such an interesting woman!
Barbara
Sea Wife by Amity Gaige
I had a very hard time putting this novel down. It’s about a young couple who struggle with their marriage, buy a sailboat and take their two young children to sail around the Caribbean Sea. The story deals with their marriage, family life and adventure. I also learned quite a bit about sailing!
Linda
Stop at Nothing by Michael Ledwidge
What a great book and deserving of more than 5 stars! It keeps your attention all the way through. When Michael Gannon saw a plane crash into the sea, he headed to the spot and looked for survivors. He found six dead bodies and bags containing bundles of $100 bills along with a sack of uncut diamonds. Thinking they were drug dealers, he took the money and diamonds. Navy Lieutenant Ruby Everett was called to the scene but was not allowed to look at the plane. This was unusual and roused her suspicions. Both ran into the insolent and arrogant Robert Reyland, Deputy Assistant Director of the FBI, who learned that no one is above the law, not even himself.
Linda
The Last Odyssey by James Rollins
Dr. Elena Cargill is a noted archaeologist who is called from a dig in Egypt to a glacier in Greenland to look at an ancient wooden ship found lodged inside the glacier. Due to ice melt, climatologist Douglas MacNab and geologist Conrad Nelson were able to explore up a channel and found the ship. While observing the contents of clay jars and the strange cargo, they were attacked by black-clad figures and Elena was kidnapped. Painter Crowe, director of Sigma Force, was called and sent in Gray Pierce and his team to find Elena. Unknown to them, they were up against members of the Apocalypti who wants to open the gates of Hell and burn the earth to usher in a new world order. Lots of history in this book.
Linda
Unsub by Meg Gardiner
After twenty years, an unknown suspect in horrific murders strikes again. Detective Caitlin Hendrix is assigned to the team investigating the latest murder by The Prophet. Her father Detective Mack Hendrix was the lead investigator twenty years ago and it almost destroyed him. He was so involved in the case that he could not leave it at the office and it cost him his family and almost his sanity. He warns Caitlin away from the case but she is determined to find the killer and end his rampage.
Linda
Into the Black Nowhere by Meg Gardiner
Women are being killed close to the I-35 corridor outside Austin and the FBI has been called in. Victims are all blonde and in their twenties or early thirties. FBI agents Caitlin Hendrix and Brianne Rainey are to develop a profile and work with local authorities. Caitlin gets a tip from Lia Fox, a woman living in Phoenix who thinks it might be her old college boyfriend. He is blind and is ruled out as the killer. At his house, Caitlin sees a photo of Lia and other college students. In the photo, there is a man behind Lia who seems to be inching closer to her. Gage tells her that is his old roommate Kyle Detrick. When Caitlin and Brianne meet with Detrick, Caitlin's instincts tell her this man is dangerous and not to be taken lightly.
Linda
The 20th Victim by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
Sergeant Lindsay Boxer and her partner Rich Conklin have their hands full investigating murders of drug dealers. Murders appear to be synchronized with murders in other cities, also of drug dealers. Although the public cheers the killers of drug dealers on, they have to be stopped before innocent people are killed. Lindsay learns that the killers meet via an online game called Moving Targets and get points for scoring kills. Some of the kills are by snipers and they learn that a former SEAL might be involved. An officer is killed when he goes to check on a building with the name Moving Targets on the door. Now it’s getting serious.
Jan
Blanche Cleans Up by Barbara Neely
This is the third Blanche book from a talented writer. Neely writes a complex mystery around her main character, Blanche White. Blanche is satisfied in life to be a cook/house cleaner for rich white folks. There are always shady characters and Blanche is smart; she listens to other people who work at the place and she listens to the man and woman of the house and the children, too. Blanche is a single mother - she had not planned to be. Her only sister died and left two children and Blanche took them in. In this book, Blanche thinks the children may be in danger because of information or items she does not have, but bad guys think she does have them. An easy read. A quick read. A great mystery.
Betty
Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachael Hollis
Very frank but with humor. Her work can save you from going to a therapist. I had never heard of her fiction work. A good self-help book, an easy and simple straightforward book to understand.
Liz
The Woman in the Window by A. J. Finn
Dr. Anna Fox, a child psychologist, is suffering from agoraphobia after a tragic accident involving her family. She spends most of her days over-medicating, drinking wine and spying on her neighbors. She witnesses something she shouldn’t have and her world begins to unravel even more. The first three quarters of this book were very difficult to get through, with way too many references to old movies and choppy writing. However, the ending was good, but still it very well written.
Becky
Savannah Blues by Mary Kay Andrews
Okay, yes, it is chick lit. But, it is GOOD chick lit. Andrews is my favorite author for when I am mad at the world (don’t ask) and I need a picker-upper. She gives me a good story with interesting characters, some local touches, a lot of romance, a bit of “southern” and good writing with a few laughs on the way to getting the bad guy and having a happy ending.
Francisca
Ike and Kay by James MacManus
In his work of historical fiction, MacManus explores the relationship between General Dwight D. Eisenhower and his assigned driver during WWII, Kay Sommersby. Rumor, innuendo and gossip have surrounded their affair for decades. It was interesting to see how the relationship unfolded and to get a glimpse of what they may have meant to one another, especially during the stress of wartime. MacManus gets at least one detail VERY wrong, and it makes me wonder what else he flubbed. Oh well, it’s historical FICTION, and it held my attention.
Elizabeth
The Captives by Debra Jo Immergut
THE CAPTIVES is written unlike any book I’ve read before, and I‘m happy that I did. At first I thought it might bore me because it seemed to contain more rambling than action. But I came to realize what you should know beforehand: although there isn’t much action in this book, what action there is is important and is dependent on the rambling thoughts of both the psychologist and Miranda. Pay attention. The rambling should give you a clue. This is about a psychologist at a women's minimum-security prison and one of his patients, a woman he had a crush on in high school, who the psychologist becomes obsessed with saving. He puts all ethics aside.
Carole
To Tell You the Truth by Gilly Macmillan
Fabulous book! It is described as a book with an unreliable narrator and that it is. You question Lucy throughout the book, but she's a sympathetic character so you root for her and tend to believe her. One piece of her story does not receive resolution but it is okay in the end. Tons of great characters and a joy to read. I blasted through it and definitely recommend it.
Lesa
Savannah Blues by Mary Kay Andrews
A fun romp in Savannah with an antiques dealer who scours the city looking for treasures while living in the carriage house behind her home that she once shared with her ex-husband who is now living with his girlfriend. A murder takes place and all hell breaks loose. Fun read with that southern flare.
Alyssa
The Lightness by Emily Temple
THE LIGHTNESS is about a girl named Olivia who goes to a kind of Buddhist retreat program for teenagers and meets the enigma that is Serena, who believes completely in levitation. Serena brings her and two others along on her ambitious path toward enlightenment. Something happens, however, as Olivia foreshadows from the beginning... I thought the book was pretty incredible, wasn't disappointed by how things played out.
Gerry
Disappearing Earth by Julia Phillips
3-1/2 stars. Parts of this book, notably the beginning and the end, were worthy of five stars. But it dragged badly in the middle, and the only thing that kept me reading was my desire to see how it ended. Each chapter in the first 3/4 of the book moved ahead in time by one month, and introduced new characters, the connections among whom were often unclear until later in the book and remained tenuous even then. Aside from the missing girls plot, the most fascinating part of the book was the introduction it provided to land and indigenous peoples of Kamchatka, a peninsula in the far eastern part of Russia.
Gerry
Invisible Man, Got the Whole World Watching: A Young Black Man's Education by Mychal Denzel Smith
This memoir/reflection of a young black man on growing up in present-day America was impressive for the quality of the writing and for the clear-minded and honest introspection that allowed Smith to examine closely the influences, both positive and negative, that helped him develop from boy to man. I look forward to reading more of his work in the future. Highly recommended!
Gerry
Europe: A History by Norman Davies
Feeling very accomplished, after just over five months, to have finished reading this massive history of Europe, which opens in the mists of pre-history and closes at the dawn of the European Union in 1993. My goal was to gain a perspective on the broad outlines of European history, and Davies' book accomplished that quite well. I often found myself turning to Google for a more detailed explanation of specific terms or events, and annotating the text with that information. I will keep this book in my collection as a valued reference.
Gerry
The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel
I'm disappointed to find that this novel just didn't work for me. While parts of it, notably the section about the Ponzi scheme, were interesting, in the end the plot, with so many disparate characters, just didn't hold together. The characters themselves, primarily wealth people greedy for more who mostly got their just deserts in the end, were more caricatures than realistic, and there wasn't one that I really cared about.
Gerry
Congo: The Epic History of a People by David Van Reybrouck
This was an emotionally challenging book to read, a tale of brutality, oppression, and greed in the second largest country in Africa. Van Reybrouck traces the history of this land and its peoples from prehistory to the twentieth century. Despite vast mineral wealth and other natural resources, the Democratic Republic of the Congo remains one of the poorest nations on the planet. Its people have suffered the ravages of war – starvation, torture, rape, and murder -- for most of the last century, as their nation’s wealth was plundered by both invaders and indigenous “leaders”. Tribal conflicts were incited and fostered by early imperial policies, and rivalries grew on the principle that “the enemy of my enemy is my friend." Such a sad story.
Gerry
Burial Rites by Hannah Kent
This was an amazing read, and all the more so because it is the author's first novel. The writing is exquisite, with poetic imagery and insight that bring the setting and the characters vividly to life. Based on true events, BURIAL RITES imagines the last year in the life of Agnes Magnúsdóttir, who was convicted, along with two others, of the murders of two men; in 1828 she was the last person executed in Iceland. The novel incorporates letters and other documents from the nineteenth century, weaving fact and speculation together seamlessly into a compelling narrative, and one I recommend very highly.
Gerry
Stamped by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi
Jason Reynolds has "remixed" Ibram X. Kendi's STAMPED FROM THE BEGINNING: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America for a young audience, probably middle to high school students. I listened to the audiobook, read by the author, and found it very engaging and completely accessible. Reynolds emphasized at the beginning that his was not a "history book" but a book about the present: it's about where we are now as a society and how we got there. He uses categories [Segregationists, Assimilationists, Anti-Racists] explained more thoroughly by Kendi to talk about different viewpoints on race and racism. In a fast-paced trip through the last half-millennium, he describes the events, policies, and justifications leading to our present.
Gerry
Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai
This is a short YA audiobook based on the author's experiences as a young girl, fleeing Vietnam with her mother and three brothers following the fall of Saigon. Ha, the little girl narrating her story, is ten years old. In dated journal-like free verse entries, Ha describes her life over the course of one year, beginning with Tet, the New Year celebration in Vietnam, to her journey on a boat out of Vietnam, and on to begin her new life in Alabama, where she struggles to master English, to cope with bullies in school, and to regain her sense of personal value and efficacy.
Gerry
The Mountains Sing by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai
4-1/2 stars. This is the third book I've read recently that was set in Vietnam, and though I enjoyed all of them, this is the best of the three. Based on the author's experiences and family history, it describes the lives of three generations of a North Vietnamese family over the course of much of the twentieth century, when Vietnam was repeatedly torn by war, famine, and other hardships. The story moves back and forth in time, from the grandmother's childhood in the 1930s, through the Great Famine of 1945, the Land Reform movement of 1954-56, and the Vietnam War of 1955-75. It was heartbreaking to read about the suffering these people endured over so many years, but encouraging to see the kindness of their forgiving and hopeful spirit.
Gerry
The Second Home by Christina Clancy
The novel centers on three adult siblings (two biological sisters and their adopted brother) and the impact of events that occurred during one summer at the family's summer home on Cape Cod. The details of Michael's adoption seemed a bit unrealistic to me, but once I put that aside, I found the story engaging and worthwhile. Each of the three has his/her own recollections and issues regarding the summer in question, and it continued to impact them as adults, especially after the deaths of their parents force them to make decisions about the future of the "second home". My three-star rating means I liked this novel enough to consider future offerings from this author, even if I didn't love this debut.
Gerry
Lab Girl by Hope Jahren
While I know some others who loved this book, I have to say it was just not for me. The mix of the author's personal history with information about plants and trees in alternating chapters made the book seem fragmented and disjointed, especially because there was generally little connection between the two parts.
Gerry
One Small Sacrifice by Hilary Davidson
I took a break from the various challenges I'm completing this year to read this first novel in a new and interesting mystery/police procedural series. Alex Traynor was suspected in the death of a young woman a year earlier, and now his fiancée is missing. Detective Sheryn Sterling, who was unable to make her case against Traynor in the earlier case, is sure this time that she can bring him to justice. Author Davidson introduced well-developed characters, and spooled out her story carefully, leaving clues along the way without either giving away the ending too soon or ending with an out-of-nowhere twist. Her second novel in this series was just released in May, and I've added it to my list.
Gerry
Wanderers by Chuck Wendig
3.5 stars, maybe even 3.75. This very timely dystopian novel was headed for four stars, but bogged down for a bit near the end. At just over 30 hours, it was a long audiobook, but well narrated, and definitely worth reading. It opens with an intriguing image of a young girl apparently sleepwalking, but completely unresponsive. Soon, she is joined by others in the same fugue state. Nothing stops them, not the pleas of their relatives and friends, not attempts to capture them, not barricades erected in their path. What's the cause of this condition? Where are these wanderers going? The resolution to these and many other questions are ultimately revealed in a satisfying ending.
Lori
Miss Cecily's Recipes for Exceptional Ladies by Vicky Zimmerman
This was a lovely "chick-lit" book perfect for summer reading, especially during a quarantine! I thought the characters were great, and I loved the way everyone in the main character's life reacted to her dysfunctional relationship with her boyfriend. I enjoyed how the cookbook within the book provided life advice by way of menus. I highly recommend this book.
Lori
A Million Reasons Why by Jessica Strawser
This book is very different from ALMOST MISSED YOU, which I loved, but equally suspenseful and enjoyable. It is very thought-provoking, making the reader consider ethical issues. I find the subject of DNA testing and potentially surprising results intriguing. This book included some of the things I liked about Jodi Picoult's book MY SISTER'S KEEPER and Dani Shapiro's book, INHERITANCE. I thought the author did a great job bringing the characters and their relationships to life. I'm not sure how realistic the ending of the book is, but it didn't detract from my enjoyment. I think this book would make a great choice for book discussion groups; there's a lot that would be discussion-worthy.
Jan
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
This book wins my vote for book of the year. Bennett is a great writer and builds intensity for all of her characters. Two women, identical twins, who are black but who have very light skin, leave home to make their way in New Orleans. Neither finished high school but Stella had taken typewriting and applied for a job in an office. She got the job and started passing for white. No one ever questioned her. Her sister, Desiree, never considered passing for white. One day, Desiree came home and found all of Stella's possessions gone, as was Stella. They never saw each other or spoke to each other again for 20+ years. Desiree's daughter was very black, Stella's daughter was white. Eventually the two daughters meet and that is the story.
Tessa
The Lost Girls of Paris by Pam Jenoff
Another WWII story featuring women working as spies through the underground resistance and facing untold dangers. I am frankly tired of the back-and-forth timelines used by so many writers these days. Still, the story, which is partly based on true events, moved quickly and held my attention.
Angie
Sex and Vanity by Kevin Kwan
SEX AND VANITY delivers more of what Kevin Kwan has become known for after writing the CRAZY RICH ASIANS series - lavish descriptions of luxury, unabashed brand name dropping, and cheeky footnotes - but that’s not all it offers. A fun, fast-paced romantic comedy and a retelling of A ROOM WITH A VIEW, SEX AND VANITY deftly explores a biracial white and Chinese American main character's struggle with racism and familiar expectations.
Kierra
Murky Waters Rising by Vanity Smith
You need a TALL glass of wine for this one! This novel is the perfect mixture of erotica, suspense, friendship, laughter and murder. This would make a great television series! Vanity Smith’s creative direction to curate the scenes in the book through every characters' perspectives made you feel like you were in the characters thoughts. Page-turner from cover to cover!
Trezeline
The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi
A very good book. A lot of interesting information about Indian culture.
Donna
The First to Lie by Hank Phillippi Ryan
Lie is what people do to get what they want. This terrific book not only has a lie, but multi-layered lies that include broken lives seeking revenge which evolves into murder. When you think you have it figured out, there's a twist that you never see coming. You won't want to put this book down.
Connie
The Key to Everything by Valerie Fraser Luesse
THE KEY TO EVERYTHING is a beautifully-written story about grief, young love, and the love that comes once in a lifetime. Author Valerie Fraser Luesse has written a stunning story and I recommend this book to all who enjoy inspirational novels filled with love, hope, and family. THE KEY TO EVERYTHING is one I won't soon forget.
Connie
The Green Dress by Liz Tolsma
Author Liz Tolsma has written a chilling tale of a serial killer of the worst kind: a wife and mother who killed her husband, several children, and other family members, apparently to benefit from their life insurance policies. I like that Tolsma uses fact and fiction to give us this tantalizing glimpse of the sick mind behind such unthinkable acts. THE GREEN DRESS is an intriguing combination of fact and fiction and a wonderful addition to the True Colors True Crime series.
Thomas
Home Before Dark by Riley Sager
Excellent book to read. It was really a very good read.
Jan
Crash by David Hagberg and Lawrence Light
This is a mystery book about an effort to crash the world economy by high-flying economic "experts" and evil wall street barons. The mystery is no big deal - a special computer virus and a lowly employee who notices some weird trades. The Russian mafia is involved; one of the powerful men is a true sexual pervert and the employee who spotted the virus is grabbed by the Russians. The real point of this book is a lesson in world economics. There is a world economy; a dip by one side causes a bounce in another place, etc. And the true value of the book is the four page afterward by Lawrence Light. It is clearly written, easy to understand, and current. Light is an award winning economic writer.
Richard N B
Riders of the Purple Sage by Zane Grey
I hardly know what to write about this classic of the Western genre. It’s full of adventure, violence, strong men and women, tenderness, brutality and an abiding sense of justice. And, of course, there is the landscape, which Grey paints so vividly it is practically a character. I found myself laughing at the ridiculousness of some of the "love" scenes with Grey’s melodramatic, “bodice-heaving” dialogue.
Denise
The Lost Man by Jane Harper
I didn’t think I would like this book but once I got into it, I devoured it! I couldn’t wait to see what happened! My kind of book!
Donna
The Indigo Girl by Natasha Boyd
I love historical fiction. Story of an exceptional sixteen-year-old girl who is in charge of the family’s
plantations.
Katharine
The Song of the Jade Lily by Kirsty Manning
Beautifully descriptive writing. The story has two timelines but the primary story takes place in Shanghai and tells of Jews immigrating there during WWII. This was history I was unfamiliar with. The ending had a bit of an unexpected twist. I'm surprised and disappointed that the book has not received more press in the U.S.
Bethany
The Guest Book by Sarah Blake
Very well written. The themes of racism, privilege, class and personal history are woven into a well-told story.
Laurie
A Good Neighborhood by Therese Anne Fowler
Coming-of-age family saga redemptive story of modern America suburbia - book review clubs will have many issues to talk about including race, young love and death. Read it!
Susan
By Invitation Only by Dorothea Benton Frank
A lovely Lowcountry story about family.
Pat
The Long Call by Ann Cleeves
We follow Scottish police detective Matthew Venn from his estranged father’s funeral Into the intricacies of the case of the discovery of local man found killed at the beach. His subsequent investigation leads to a local center for care and artistic classes. His team works the case diligently before another resident goes missing.
Allison
The Beauty of Humanity Movement by Camilla Gibb
Interesting story.
Judith
The Traitor's Wife by Allison Pataki
A very interesting take on the lives that surrounded Benedict Arnold. After much success as a warrior for the Revolution, he meets and marries Peggy, a spoiled and ambitious Philadelphia woman. Told by her maid, Clara, this historical fiction paints a picture of early events in our country.
Simonne
My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell
Fascinating debut novel that reads like a memoir. A male teacher seduces his student and has a lasting hold on her. Vanessa fails to see how she was manipulated and holds the teacher blameless despite years going by and both moving on.
Sally-Jo
The Perfect Child by Lucinda Berry
Well written but very sad story on the affect of child abuse. It was tough to read how the adopted family was hurt. It was sometimes hard to have empathy for the victims. The Child Protection Services is not able to handle adequately the devastation that takes place in these cases.
Julie
The Last Flight by Julie Clark
I loved the premise of this story, but I think because there was so much hype about this book prepublication that it was a bit disappointing. I did enjoy it and would read more from this author.
Julie
The House on Fripp Island by Rebecca Kauffman
Good vacation read, lags a bit in the middle, but has a stunning ending. I did want to know what happened to Keats and Roxie, but we never find out.
Rosemary
The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak
Narrated by Death, this tells the story of a young German girl beginning in 1939 Nazi Germany. Her younger brother dies, her mother leaves her with strangers and she's completely illiterate, but she steals a book found in the snow near her brother's grave. As she grows and learns she continues to reach for books and knowledge. An interesting and different viewpoint of Germany and its citizens during WWII. I would recommend it strongly.
Nicolette
The Wise Man’s Fear by Patrick Rothfuss
I absolutely love the Kingkiller Chronicles and this second installment did not disappoint. Such a imaginative world with quality writing that makes you feel like you’re right in the middle of it.
Nicolette
Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan
WOW. Lately I’ve been on a kick of reading WWII novels. BENEATH A SCARLET SKY is now at the top of my favorites list! And then to find out it’s based on real people and events just blows my mind. I can’t imagine what it would be like to sit down and talk with someone whose had such horrific experiences. But I find comfort in hearing about such a deep love that seems to balance the scales. An important topic for people to learn about and a thoroughly enjoyable read.
Betty
Thin Air by Ann Cleeves
The next to last book in the Shetland series. Spot-on detective story with interesting characters and fascinating location.
Judson
The Toff on Board by John Creasey
The Toff finds himself on a ship bound for America with a murderer on board. Enjoyable book, first one I've read by this author.
Michelle
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
A very interesting premise for a book. I liked the point Bennett made by this story. However, I had been hoping for more. Much like other recent popular fiction novels, I feel like this was another on-the-surface story that left me wanting more. More descriptive writing, deeper relationships and feelings explored, or at least a fully satisfying ending. I think most will enjoy this read and I’ve become a pickier reader!
Donna
His & Hers by Alice Feeney
I've read quite a few psychological thrillers that have surprised me. This one left me in shock. A group of girls were friends in high school. Anna's 16th birthday celebration went badly. Twenty years later, someone is killing each of the girls. This is a book about friendship, betrayal, lies, revenge and murder.
Michelle
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
This surely should be required reading for all. Such important perspective, especially in 2020. I rarely EVER mark up a book, never wanting to “hurt” the pages. For BETWEEN THE WORLD AND ME, it would be a travesty NOT to highlight the searing words, to not go back and re-read and reflect. My book is highlighted and flagged throughout. I humbly bow down to Coates in gratitude for this important piece of literature.
Janet
Heart of Junk by Luke Geddes
I really liked the idea of the story but unfortunately it was very dark. I wanted a happy ending for all the characters!
Dianne
Salt River by Randy Wayne White
Another entertaining Doc Ford mystery/suspense. As everyone in Florida lives under the the threat of COVID 19, joining our favorite marine biologist and his friends in another adventure is just what you need to read on the beach or in your backyard. Tomlison's multiple children from earlier sperm bank donation days add intrigue.
Brenda
The Third Daughter by Talia Carner
It feels strange to tell people what a great book this is because the subject matter is so heartbreaking, but if you're interested in true, little known historical events you will love THE THIRD DAUGHTER. Talia Carner's vivid and descriptive writing plunges the reader into the fear and desperation felt by Batya and her family as they attempt to flee to some semblance of safety, and lulls us into the same sense of false hope that they eagerly reach for. Batya's life becomes the stuff of nightmares, but through it all she draws on an inner strength anchored in the love of her family in order to survive. Devastating and ultimately uplifting, THE THIRD DAUGHTER is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.
Joanne
The Next Accident by Lisa Gardner
This book is the #3 in the Quincy/Rainie series. Full of twists and turns and you’re never sure what you’ll find on the next page. Since it’s part of a series, you really need to read the series in order to understand character progression. Highly recommend.
Sandra
Victoria by Daisy Goodwin
This book covers the teenage years of Queen Victoria up to her engagement to Prince Albert. It was a pleasant read but a bit on the light side.
Francisca
Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes
I’d read snippets from this work over the years but never experienced the whole thing. I’m sorry I waited so long to do so. It is a marvelous satirical comedy of a man deranged by reading too many books of chivalry, and his faithful servant, as they wander the Spanish countryside in search of damsels to rescue, knights errant, battles to fight, and good deeds to perform. Widely acknowledged as the first modern-day novel.
Marilyn
To the Bright Edge of the World by Eowyn Ivey
An engaging account of adventure, a love affair and a family member wishing to preserve history.
Debbie
Barracoon: The Story of the Last "Black Cargo" by Zora Neale Hurston
The story of Barracoon should have been interesting, but with all the hype with introduction and editor’s note and the foreword by Alice Walker and the preface and introduction by the author, I was exhausted and totally disheartened with the story. I struggled to stay on task with the unfolding story. Yes, I wanted to learn about the degradation of fellow humans but maybe I was not in the correct frame of mind with all the civil unrest during this summer.
Debbie
The Secret Wisdom of the Earth by Christopher Scotton
THE SECRET WISDOM OF THE EARTH portrays a story of a boy’s journey into manhood in a rural Kentucky town. So many tragic events dominate the story, but the reader does not learn Paul Harvey’s “the rest of the story” until halfway into the novel. Christopher Scotton weaves classic novels into his story: THE CALL OF THE WILD, TREASURE ISLAND, THE LORD OF THE FLIES, ROBINSON CRUSOE. What a treat to be transplanted into these old stories. Pops, Kevin’s maternal grandfather, resembles Atticus Finch in TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. Pops stands for justice and humility and he is highly respected. A tragic accident plunges Kevin and his mother into a self-made prison and the two must return to Kentucky and Pops for redemption.
Deby
Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan
I love historical fiction, but this one seemed a little far-fetched for me.
Susan
The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate
After the Civil War former slaves tried to find members of their families through newspaper ads.
This book tells the story of Hannie in the 1800s looking for hers and how a teacher in Louisiana
try' through her classroom to bring these stories to life.
Elizabeth
The Law of Similars by Chris Bohjalian
Five stars again for Chris Bohjalian. I have read nearly all his books, and most are five-star, some four. This one, THE LAW OF SIMILARS, is a book he wrote nearly 20 years ago. Leland is a deputy state prosecutor. He is also a widower with a four-year-old daughter. For what appears to me to be psychological reasons, he develops a sore throat that just won’t go away. This leads him to Carissa, a homeopath. In short order (ridiculously short order, in my opinion), Leland falls in love with Carissa (or maybe mistakes sexual attraction for love). He is so overwhelmed by this love (attraction) that he ignores all ethics of his profession when she is investigated for the murder of one of her other patients.
Lesa
The Keepers of the House by Shirley Ann Grau
1965 Pulitzer Prize winner.
Richard N B
Jade Dragon Mountain by Elsa Hart
This historical mystery is set in the town of Dayan, on the Chinese/Tibetan border, in 1708. I really enjoyed the history in this book. I had been previously unaware of the role of the Jesuits. I felt that I was a real sense of the time and place from Hart’s descriptions and plot. Li Du is a marvelous detective, and also a skilled politician. I was completely engaged and interested from beginning to end and did NOT guess the perpetrator(s) before they were revealed.
Donna
You Can't Catch Me by Catherine McKenzie
Jessica Williams has had a hard life. Her parents joined a cult where she lived for twelve years. When she was nearing eighteen years of age, she escapes from the cult. A grifter with the same name and birth date manages to secure her identity and takes all of her money. Jessica is a journalist and in her research, she discovers there are others with her same name and birthdate. She develops an elaborate plan for revenge. This is her story.
Trezeline
Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger
A wonderful book. Easy to read and inspirational.
Lindy
Higher Call by Adam Makos and Larry Alexander
Wonderful look into the lives of enemies, both of whom had integrity and character traits that overshadowed the need for basic survival tendencies. Will restore your faith in humanity. Historically encouraging for aviation fans.
Jan
American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins
Some critics have labeled this book as refugee porn. It is not. It is a dramatic novel based on years of research about refugees struggling to get to the United States - a land that was once welcoming and eager to help others. The educated wife of a newspaper reporter is forced to flee her home with her 8 year old son when the rest of her extended family is murdered by a cartel. She and her son hide in the bathroom and escape execution. She realized that she had to flee - with only the money she could get at the moment and the few clothes available to her. She had no passport and no birth certificate for her son. There was money in the bank but she realized that the head of the cartel would kill her if he found out where she was. Excellent.
Gail
Big Lies in a Small Town by Diane Chamberlain
Once again Diane Chamberlain combines two storylines interweaving the past,1940, with the present day in an intriguing story of the lives of two women artists in the small town of Edenton, North Carolina. Anna Dale is commissioned to paint a mural on the post office wall and Morgan Christopher is commissioned to restore the painting that was never hung. The story interweaves between their lives with a mystery that begs to be uncovered and results in a satisfying ending of poetic justice for the two women.
Tessa
Would Like to Meet by Rachel Winters
As a reader, I’ve been there, done that, and seen the movie multiple times. It’s a cute rom-com of a novel, but totally predictable. Now…who will be cast in the movie?
Betty Jo
We Were the Mulvaneys by Joyce Carol Oates
Wow, had this on my shelf during this pandemic, and was such a treat to read. Joyce Carol Oates is one of my favorite authors in this country, and now I can see why this book received so my hype. A "normal" family which turns south after a tragic event, which changes the lives of their children and their lovely family life which had been lovingly created by mom Corinne.
Laura
American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins
Loved this book. Such a gripping book and told so well. It pulls you in from the first page and stays with you long after the last one.
Donna
Broken Man Broke by Marcus Lopes
Scott and Troy meet on the first day of college and a deep brotherly bond develops. This bond drifts from friendship to love, though the timing is off for each of them as the years pass by. A relationship leaves Scott broken and seeking friendship though he's needing love and Troy has found love. The struggle is emotional and real. Scott's parents are special and teaching lessons throughout the story.
Trezeline
The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Dare
Very good and interesting book.
Heather
American Gods by Neil Gaiman
I really loved reading this interesting take on all the gods from mythology and folklore.
Helen
The Heirloom Garden by Viola Shipman
A poignant story of two women who have survived heartache and are healed by the beauty of the gardens. A wonderful escape read during these turbulent times.
Donna
My Mother's Son by David Hirshberg
A work of fiction which reads like a very believable memoir. A young boy tells the detailed story of his Jewish family living in Boston in the 50s. He learns how his family came from Germany and their life history. This is a story of life, the hopes and reality.
Lori
Love Your Life by Sophie Kinsella
I was happy to get the chance to read an advance copy of LOVE YOUR LIFE. I always enjoy Sophie's books, and I thought it would make fun quarantine reading. This one was entertaining, but was a little more far-fetched than usual. There was a fun cast of characters, but the main character was somewhat juvenile, but maybe I'm too old to relate to her. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the escapism and think a lot of readers will enjoy reading this.
