This contest period's winners were Amy B., Kimberley M. and Wendy H., who each received a copy of THE PLOT by Jean Hanff Korelitz and THAT SUMMER by Jennifer Weiner.
Janice
Anxious People by Frederic Bachman
I enjoyed this book thoroughly and could not stop laughing. It had plenty of things revealed to the reader at various times which helped to keep it intriguing and entertaining.
Katrina
Three Single Wives by Gina LaManna
The writing was excellent and was suspenseful but the ending fell flat for me. Otherwise, I would have given this novel 5 stars. There was not a big twist at the end as I was hoping there to be, and in my opinion it did not deliver as well as it could have.
Alyssa
The Ones We're Meant to Find by Joan He
I adored this beautifully crafted sci-fi dystopia YA with the love between two sisters at its heart.
Jan
The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa
This gentle book has so much to offer. A housekeeper takes care of a man who was brain damaged and can only manage 80 minutes a day. He lives the same 80 minutes every day, introduces himself to her every day, asks the same questions every day. She is a gentle woman and kindly answers his questions. One day she accidentally mentions that she has to leave to take care of her son. The old professor became enraged at the thought the kid would have to be home alone after school. He insists that she have the kid come there after school. And their years of education begin. The prof wants to teach them everything. He is a prize-winning math expert, having developed many theories. The all come to love each other - the book is full of respect!
Susan
Sooley by John Grisham
Liked the book but did not love it.
Jan
Cold Shot to the Heart by Wallace Stroby
A fast-paced mystery with a female protagonist. Crissa is a scammer - she never did an honest day's work in her life. She has friends and connections who set her up for various robberies and other scams. Her love is in prison in Texas and she has a daughter, whom she persuaded a relative to take as her own. The author tries to make us feel sorry for Crissa for giving up the child. It does not work. Crissa goes from one scam to another, lives well in New York City and partners with people she trusts. One scam does not go well. One of her partners panicked and killed a man, who was a son-in-law of a mob boss. Crissa works frantically to get her contacts to protect her, tell the mob boss she is innocent. A fast-paced, action-filled book.
Marilyn
Born a Crime by Trevor Noah
Interesting view into what created this young comedian.
Robin
The Newcomer by Mary Kay Andrews
As always, I can’t kick summer off without a heathy dose of MKA...my drug of choice (books always make me feel better!) Also, Jennifer Weiner is another of my favs, and THE PLOT is on my TBR wish list!
Diane
Who is Maud Dixon? by Alexandra Andrews
ROLLERCOASTER! Loved the slow-burn character set-up and every twisted twist and turn. There’s so much to love and loathe about these people. It’s always a lot of fun to think you know where you’re being lead. And then feel as if you’ve been pushed off a cliff metaphorically along with a character. Fabulous settings depicted with terrific cinematic detail - always a plus. Already craving another adventure from this author. But until then, please do meet Maud Dixon. And watch your back!
Debra
Family Reunion by Nancy Thayer
I love how three generations' outlooks can be so different. Ms. Thayer brings to life what is most important in her book.
Andrew
Synchronicity by Michaelbrent Collings
This is a technological thrill ride written with an intellectual hand that resulted in the best book I have read in a long time. No joke, no exaggeration, this book is a home run! You have Book, Kane, Jade, and Axel... all brought together by The Machine. I usually give a small summary of books in my review, but I know I can't do this work justice so I will just say READ IT!! I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. MbC writes with literary artistry and implements formatting that take his books to another level, he draws you in with intrigue and leads you through a crazy story of control and power and what some will do to protect it while others aim to exploit it.
Fran
The Girl in the White Gloves by Kerri Maher
Enjoyable novel based on the iconic Grace Kelly.
Rose
Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas
This is the back story of Maverick (Mav) Carter, the patriarch of the family in THE HATE U GIVE. Mav is a drug dealer and is starting his senior year of high school. He is dating Lisa, but when they broke up he connected with another girl and now finds he has a son. Mav starts taking responsibility for his son and does what he needs to do to clean up his life. Neighbors look out for him and help him move forward. I loved THUG so I had high expectations for this book, but it just didn't have the same appeal for me.
Roxana
The Way It Should Be by Christina Suzann Nelson
THE WAY IT SHOULD BE is a beautiful and heartbreaking story about estranged twins Zara and Eve who have taken very different paths in life. Zara is a newlywed who has just moved into her dream home on a small farm with her wonderful husband Chad when she receives a letter that her niece and nephew are in child protective services. Zara did not even know she had a niece and nephew and now she is faced with the challenge of falling into the roll of a mother figure to her sister's traumatized children. Eve has been a heroin addict for years and was almost killed by her boyfriend when her kids were taken from her. She is taken in by Tiff, a woman who provides food and small necessities to the homeless and addicts in her area.
Jayme
The Devil and the Dark Water by Stuart Turton
This was an exciting mystery set on the high seas with a demon, a detective and a couple of mercenaries thrown in for fun. The ending was a bit disappointing, but the story kept me engaged.
Jayme
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
I found the main topic of "passing" and colorism to be thought-provoking and that Bennet did a very good job highlighting a topic that I was unfamiliar with. The plot line with the twin sisters was captivating and held my interest throughout most of the book. I did feel that the ending was rushed. Overall, I did enjoy the book mainly because Bennett's writing is so beautiful. I will read whatever she writes.
Laurie
The Kitchen Front by Jennifer Ryan
Excellent World War II novel featuring a cooking competition and the four women who enter for a chance to better their lives. Includes their recipes!
Karen
The Orphan Collector by Ellen Marie Wiseman
Excellent read about the 1918 Flu epidemic in Philadelphia. Told thru the eyes of a remarkable 13- year-old whose parents die and whose twin baby brothers were snatched when she needs to leave them alone in the apartment to forage for food.
Nonie
The Last Flight by Julie Clark
I very much like this thriller, which kept me on the seat of my chair. I was surprised by the ending.
Jeanne
On Ocean Boulevard by Mary Alice Monroe
ON OCEAN BOULEVARD by Mary Alice Monroe was an absolutely wonderful summer beach read. The characters were charming, realistic and likable. I learned a lot about the history an culture of Charleston, SC. What enchanted me the most was the history of sea turtles. This is a story of illness, struggle, love and most of all family and friends who become family. In my opinion, it was very well written and I rated it a five.
Jeanne
Lost in Paris by Elizabeth Thompson
LOST IN PARIS by Elizabeth Thompson is a captivating, fascinating story about a mother and daughter’s sometimes complicated, turbulent relationship involving an inheritance, second chances, the bond of love between a mother and her daughter who discover the magic of Paris together. Readers will be enchanted as they find themselves transported between modern-day Paris and Paris in the 1920s. Thank you to the author and Gallery Books for sending me a book which I thoroughly enjoyed and loved.
Barbara ann
Neverworld Wake by Marisha Pessl
Starts slowly but becomes intense. Sci-fi.
Gerry
Whispering Shadows by Jan-Philipp Sendker
This is a mystery set in China that illustrates the residual mistrust that pervades Chinese society as a result of the Cultural Revolution. The main character, Paul, is an American citizen who has lived in China for some thirty years. A chance meeting with another America couple draws him into a mystery when they ask his help in finding their adult son, who has suddenly gone missing. As Paul and his longtime friend Zhang, a police investigator, begin to look into the young man's disappearance, they encounter pressure to back off and begin to understand that powerful figures do not want the truth to come out.
Gerry
So Far From the Bamboo Grove by Yoko Kawashima Watkins
This fictionalized autobiography tells the story of the author's flight with her mother and sister near the end of WWII, from their home in North Korea, first to South Korea, and from there to their ancestral homeland of Japan. Yoko Kawashima was the younger daughter of a Japanese government figure working in Manchuria, just beyond the border from North Korea. When fighting broke out between the Japanese and the Korean Communist Army, the family fled, enduring a grueling and perilous journey to safety. This book has been challenged by some who protest its portrayal of the Korean soldiers who badly mistreated Japanese residents because they viewed them as occupiers and enemies, deserving of vengeance.
Gerry
Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata
A fascinating glimpse into the life of a young woman who is likely on the autism spectrum, and whose life has been marked by her sense that she's different, unable to comprehend social expectations and complex interactions. She clearly interprets language quite literally, is highly attuned to sensory perceptions, is most comfortable following explicit instructions and repetitive patterns of behavior, and discovers that the best way to "fit in" is to use her innate ability to mimic the speech patterns and behaviors of those around her. As an epilogue of sorts, the novel also includes a short essay by the author in the form of a letter from a convenience store worker to the store itself, detailing the "romance" between the two. Very engaging!
Gerry
A Promised Land by Barack Obama
This first book of Obama's planned two-book memoir took his readers from his early life and initial entry into politics through his first term as President, and reviewed events of which I was aware but not always in the detail his narration provided. Obama's memoir impressed me with the genuine kindness and generosity of spirit that shone through in his description of the many, many people with whom he worked closely over the years. He never failed to give credit to others for both effort and achievement, and to moderate any criticism by taking responsibility for having made the final decisions regardless of outcomes. I look forward to volume two.
Gerry
The Eternal Audience of One by Rémy Ngamije
3.5 stars for this debut novel from an author with an amazing voice! I absolutely loved this author's writing, and enjoyed getting to know his main characters, especially Seraphin, a young Rawandan man whose family had fled to Namibia who was enrolled in university in Cape Town, South Africa, studying law. The novel takes place over the course of Seraphin's last year of law school, as he struggles with decisions about his future while attempting to wrest the maximum pleasure from his final year as a (relatively) care-free student. I did find the story less than compelling at times, hence the lowered rating; perhaps that's a reflection of my age and the distance from my own student days. I'll look for more from this author in the future.
Gerry
Black Widows by Cate Quinn
Three wives living out in the desert in a plural marriage that violates the rules of their Mormon faith suddenly find themselves widowed, and also suspects in the murder of their husband. None fully trusts the other two, yet all want to protect their sister-wives. Quinn has developed an interesting story told in alternating chapters by each of the wives as they seek to identify the murderer of their husband. As an interesting supplement to the story, Quinn has also written a research history to accompany the book, available at www.sourcebooks.com/catequinn.
Gerry
Dreamers of the Day by Mary Doria Russell
I found this book fascinating from beginning to end. Set in Egypt and the Middle East in the early years after World War I, it is narrated by Agnes Shanklin, a 40-year old unmarried teacher who leaves her life in Ohio behind after losing all of her family to the 1919 Spanish Flu epidemic. Traveling to Egypt, she finds herself among major geopolitical figures of the day: Winston Churchill, T. E. Lawrence, Gertrude Bell, and others with whom she can observe and discuss the world-changing decisions that formed the current nations of the Middle East. Lawrence in particular emerges as an engaging and very interesting character, about whom I plan to read more.
Gerry
Virgil Wander by Leif Enger
Enger's writing is somehow so comforting and relaxing, even when his story is a sad one. His characters are definitely quirky, but in a very endearing way, for the most part. I listened to this one in audio format, and the narrator, MacLeod Andrews, was absolutely perfect! The main character, Virgil Wander, runs a tiny movie theater in a small town in Minnesota; he drives his car off the road at the beginning of the book, and the rest of the story takes place as he slowly regains his memory and his mobility. It's the story of a dying Midwestern mining town, and the efforts of the residents to bring it -- and themselves -- back to life.
Gerry
The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz
Jake Bonner is a writer, once a promising young novelist, but now reduced to teaching at a third-rate MFA program, and unable to make progress on another book. When one of his students describes a story he's planning to write, and crows that it's a guaranteed blockbuster, Jake finds himself in reluctant agreement, and can't help but feel a twinge of jealousy and resentment that this arrogant young man does, in fact, appear to be the next rising star even as Jake's own star is falling fast. But years go by, and the expected blockbuster novel never materializes. When he discovers that the student is dead, Jake can't resist the opportunity to take his idea and develop it into a novel. Great twists and an unexpected ending to a compelling read!
Gerry
Ground Zero by Alan Gratz
This YA novel tells two parallel stories in alternating chapters. The first is the story of Brandon, a nine-year old boy who accompanied his father to work at the World Trade Center on 9/11/2001. The second is the story of Reshmina, an eleven-year old Afghan girl living in the midst of war between the Taliban and the combined U.S.-Afghan forces. The connection between the two becomes clear only near the end of the book, in circumstances that are particularly timely now, during the week that President Biden has announced the withdrawal of all U.S. troops from Afghanistan. Gratz has written an engaging story that will help YA readers understand the post-9/11 world.
Michele
We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker
Heartbreaking story with a lot of drama and an unexpected ending - highly recommend.
Allison
The Kindred Spirits Supper Club by Amy E. Reichert
Sabrina is a relatable leading lady who struggles with anxiety, and insecurities about her future. Reichert addresses mental health very respectfully, and naturally, not using stereotypes which is great to see. Sabrina is forced home to the Wisconsin Dells when she loses her job. Bad enough, but she has escaped the Dells because of another little thing. All the women in her family can see ghosts in their town and help them fulfill their unfinished business so they can cross over to the other side. Sabrina’s not looking for a relationship in the Dells. But, enter Ray. Ray is an attractive local restauranteur who has his only family ties to the area, and his own unfinished business to attend to.
Alexandra
Ghosted by Rosie Walsh
A great book with wonderful characters. Kept us wanting to read more to understand why everything happened and it certainly turned out to be a surprise. Definitely not what was expected. A fantastic book!
MH
The Queen’s Gambit by Walter Tevis
Although I know the rudiments of chess, the plays detailed in the book were much too advanced for me. I wished for a little more character development and did not enjoy all the drinking and drugs. There were times, especially during the tournaments, where I lost contact with who the other players were. I also watched an episode on Netflix, but don’t think I’ll finish them.
Patricia
Rebecca by Dephne du Maurier
It was about time I read this classic and it did not disappoint me in the least. It kept me reading after "lights out" and often I would wake up with lights on, glasses on, and book open. Intriguing plot and interesting psychological twists. You begin to doubt the narrator's sanity. I definitely will read more of du Maurier's works.
Michelle
Hidden Valley Road by Robert Kolker
HIDDEN VALLEY ROAD is an impressive and important piece of literary journalism. Kolker is a literary journalism master, using a style that feels to the reader like fiction. The level of detail was just right, enough to keep the reader moving along, yet weaving in the essential historical and medical data. He uses compassion to detail each of the family members’ experiences. The insight into their relationships was perhaps the most impressive to me. If only this were a piece of fiction, for my heart goes out to the Galvin family, and all the families that have to deal with such a devastating disease. I learned a lot and hope research continues to help eradicate schizophrenia.
Teresa
Eternal by Lisa Scottoline
It’s interesting to read about WWII from the Italian perspective. Just as Kristin Hannah’s THE NIGHTINGALE gave me a different point of view about the French in the war, showing me yet another country where that war had such an unbelievable impact.
Linda
The Last Green Valley by Mark Sullivan
This was a wonderful book, so well written I couldn’t stop reading it. Mr. Sullivan kept me so involved in the Martel family.
PJ
The Lonely City: Adventures in the Art of Being Alone by Olivia Laing
I will first state that I am not generally a nonfiction reader. This being said, I gave the book five stars. It had me hooked from the first chapter. I spent a lot of time looking at art, watching videos and movies and reading more about the people mentioned in the book. I learned a lot I didn't know about NYC during the 60s, 70s and early 80s. The book is about loneliness but it's so much more than that. It's about people and the human condition. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to learn more about people you may not know but will want to know more about as you go along through the book.
Carol
Just My Luck by Adele Parks
If you've always wanted to win the lottery then this is the book for you. Take a peak at the sudden wealth, £18 million, of the Greenwood Family, Lexi and Jake, and their two teenage children when their numbers come up. Is this the opportunity of their lifetime or the "be careful what you wish for" event?
Patty
The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
THE LOST APOTHECARY contains mystery, murder, suspense, guilt, and historical adventure and enough twists and turns to keep readers guessing. This dual timeline tale takes place in 1790s and present-day London, and it centers around a mysterious hidden apothecary shop and its effect on the lives of two troubled women. It’s a story of intrigue and women's secrets. As I mentioned, lots
twists and turns as the protagonist uncovers a mystery and her own identity. I enjoyed this book very much.
Judith
Camino Winds by John Grisham
This departure from Grisham's usual fare was a disappointment. I have read and enjoyed several of Grisham's older titles and was looking forward to this one involving a crime taking place on an island during a hurricane. One way I rate a book is by how much I find myself caring about the characters and what happens to them, and this book failed that test. I wouldn't recommend it.
Sheree
The Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley
An excellent book. It was so well written and was suspenseful. I would highly recommend it.
Myrna
The Dutch House by Ann Patchett
The reader has no idea about what is going to happen. There are "I can't believe this is happening"
moments!
Rosa
Life and Other Inconveniences by Kristan Higgins
This was a fun read! Having just read GOOD LUCK WITH THAT, I looked forward to reading this book, and it did not disappoint. Kristan Higgins is skilled at creating stories that are timely, interesting, and about characters that I care about. Emma London has had a challenging life - getting pregnant at age 18 and choosing to raise her daughter on her own. Emma's grandmother is the celebrated designer Genevieve London, who raised her but rejected her when Emma got pregnant. Now, eighteen years after she kicked Emma out, Genevieve contacts her because she is dying and needs her help. I devoured this book and was deeply satisfied at the end. It was a great escape.
Lisa
Hidden Valley Road: Inside the Mind of an American Family by Robert Kolker
Fascinating book about schizophrenia. Not only do you learn about the history of treatment, but Kolker also gives you an inside look at what it is like to be part of a family that is plagued by mental illness. Can't wait for the Bookaccino Live talk with the author!
Michele
The Newcomer by Mary Kay Andrews
I felt this was a little different book for Mary Kay to write. Usually the mystery is not what I feel is her genre. It did not keep me wanting more but did have a good story. A little slow maybe at times. I felt that I couldn't read more than three chapters at a time. I love her books usually, so a touch of disappointment on this one.
Annmarie
Eliza Starts a Rumor by Jane L. Rosen
This book is light and fun and while it may not be considered literary fiction, it has a solid plot arc, good character development and features current day, real life issues. And it is a page-turner!
Katherine
The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah
Interesting read about the tenacity of one woman to make a success of her land.
Wendy
The Kaiser's Web by Steve Berry
A "can't put it down" book. His character, Cotton Malone, is at his best trying to find out who is sabotaging the Chancellor of Germany's campaign. The ending will surprise you!
Linda
We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker
The lives of Duchess, the "outlaw," and her little brother, Robin are so heartbreaking that I was moved to tears over a fictitious plot! But they are so brave and resilient. This suspenseful novel has twists and turns that eventually lead to Walk, a police chief who's involved in the kid's care, solving murders and discovering some well-kept secrets.
Ann Marie
The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd
Beautiful book about female power and giving Jesus a human quality by having a wife.
Ann Marie
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
I loved this book. I will read anything that is about culture!
Ann Marie
Rabbits by Terry Miles
I read this book because I wanted to read something different, outside my genre so to speak. I loved that the book had Baaker Meinholf Phenomenon in it and connecting clues. For a gamer book, this book definitely caught my interest.
Tracy
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
I like the relationship between Alex and Poppy. They balance each other in their own ways but also love each other as friends, and possibly more. I love the back and forth banter between the two.
Elizabeth
The Golden Cage by Camilla Lackberg
Good mystery but I figured it out before the end.
Linda
Olive Again by Elizabeth Strout
OLIVE KITTERIDGE is still one of my all-time favorite books and so well deserving of the awards it has won. But I had heard that this book was a bit over the top with sexual matters, and I found that to be true, and thus the reason it is 4 not a 5 star book. I am not sure what these sexual parts are supposed to add to the book, but they sure are a negative for me. But I loved being with Olive again in her glorious outspoken ways that just ring so true. Even if we don't talk like Olive, we do think like her. We follow Olive from her single days after Henry, her husband has died until age 82. I enjoyed many of the other characters, especially ones from her previous novels, such as Amy and Isabelle. Elizabeth Strout is a masterful writer.
Linda
Landslide by Susan Conley
Devoured in a day. Gorgeous writing that has you living every word.
Kay
The Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamali
You start the novel in 2013 with a teaser of re-finding a past love. Returning to 1953 Iran when the romance flourished with marriage in sight but all was lost in a moment when there was an uprising in a major Tehran public square. They were to meet but he didn't show up. She never found out why until meeting again years later. It kept my attention all the way to the end.
Sherri
Pedal Pushers Coast-to-Coast (A Cross-country Bike Tour Fueled by Kindness) by Marianne Worth Rudd
Thoroughly enjoyed the adventure of this older woman and her husband biking from Portland, OR (Pacific Coast) to the Atlantic (Plymouth Rock) - a lifetime dream fulfilled - and her observations about life, the scenery, biking, delays, and relationships with a special attention given to the kindness of friends, family and strangers along the way. I especially appreciated the writing style and the single line observations that were insightful and made you wonder along with the author about all of the above. Inspirational and highly recommended.
Julia
Lost Roses by Martha Hall Kelly
A prequel to LILAC GIRLS, this novel is about Caroline Ferriday 's mother, Caroline Woolsey Ferriday, and takes place during the first World War. If you enjoy this author, you'll become immersed in this story. I highly recommend it.
Donna
The Power Couple by Alex Berenson
Really enjoyed this story about a couple who take their children to Paris to celebrate their anniversary and the daughter is kidnapped. It kept me interested to the very end with twists and turns that I wasn't expecting. This could be a really good movie.
Patricia
The Kitchen Front by Jennifer Ryan
Loved it! I was rooting for each of the four main characters. And what a great way to learn about the kitchen issues during the WWII rationing.
Elizabeth
The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
I listened to the audiobook. While I enjoyed two of the readers, the actress portraying Nella had an eerie voice that was very strange. I do think that was intended, but it detracted from the story. I also thought the modern storyline was very predictable.
Deb
The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd
To appreciate the storyline, I think one needs to have more then a entry level of the Bible. Monk's use of words, phrases is beyond her usual use. I borrowed the book from our local library and was so immersed in the book I am considering buying the book.
Patricia
The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah
Fantastic story!
Patricia
Hour of the Witch by Chris Bohjalian
Great story of Puritan woman accused of devil worship.
Rose
Falling by T. J. Newman
FALLING is a tense and terrifying thriller about an impossible choice. Bill Hoffman, a pilot, is captain of a flight from LA to NY. He receives a message from his wife's phone that his family has been kidnapped, and Bill must crash the plane or his family will die. Bill is determined not to choose, but to both try and save his family and all the passengers. The writing keeps the tension high. Interspersed with present day are memories of the various characters and things that were important times in their lives. I was engaged from the very first page. I enjoyed this novel and look forward to reading more from this author.
Janet
Eternal by Lisa Scottoline
I thought I was tired of WWII stories but ETERNAL proved me wrong. A page-turner from beginning to the end.
Dee
The Last Bus to Wisdom by Ivan Doig
A wonderful story of growing up, family, friendship, and life in America in 1951 with an amazing 11-year-old narrator who spins stories as naturally as breathing.
Elizabeth
Alex and Me by Irene Pepperberg
I put off reading ALEX AND ME because I heard it was a tearjerker. It isn’t. And I am glad I finally read it. This book is nonfiction about a scientist, Irene Pepperberg, trying to determine the intelligence of parrots, Alex in particular. She worked with other parrots as well, but her longest relationship was with Alex, and Alex's demonstrated intelligence outshone the others. Over Alex’s 30 years, Pepperberg continually faced a scientific community that denied her claims. For the last few years of Alex‘s life, though, they were beginning to accept that a parrot with a bird brain the size of a walnut could do at least what a chimp could, i.e., communicate.
Dianne
The Winter of Our Discontent by John Steinbeck
Classic read portraying the cultural issue of 1960. Ethan faces a moral crisis and takes a break from his own high standards.
Linda
The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave
Suspense all through the book but the ending was terrible which caused me to rate it 3 stars. Hannah Hall opens the door and the teen shoves a note at her and says her husband told her to give it to his wife. The note contains two words "Protect Her". What does this mean and where is her husband Owen Michaels? His daughter Bailey shows her a duffel bag that he left in her locker containing bundles of money. Where did this come from and what is going on? Hannah and Bailey bond together to find Owen and she is shocked when she finally learns the truth.
Linda
The Children's Blizzard by Melanie Benjamin
January 12, 1888 started out a relatively warm day as compared to previous days, but a storm cloud descended close to the time school was letting out. The blizzard came on fast and people and animals were caught unawares and many froze to death. The book tells about two sisters who were teachers and how each handled their students during the storm. Gerda blithely waved and told them to hurry home as she left in a sleigh while Raina had her students tie themselves together and head to the nearest home. All of Gerda’s students died and she was hated and reviled while Raina’s students survived and she was hailed a heroine.
Linda
Tin God by Stacy Green
In Biblical times, idol worshippers made their idols of tin. A tin god is a false god. Holden Wilcher is known as the saint of Jackson, MS, but others see his true self and not the benevolent front he presents. They call him the tin god of Jackson. He got Jaymee Ballard pregnant at seventeen and forced her to give her baby up for adoption. Her friend Lana was checking into Wilcher and told Jaymee he had a black market adoption business but Lana was murdered. Her husband is a reporter who has been investigating her murder, and he and Jaymee work together to uncover the scheme and find the murderer.
Helen
Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Sutanto
A laugh-out-loud book. Follow a crazy wedding weekend with Meddelin Chan and her zany mom and her aunties. The plot involves a murder, burglaries and true love!
Jean
Terminal by Robin Cook
Robin Cook tells fascinating stories but is not much of a writer. I constantly found myself editing to make his words more readable. There was also way too much technical medical jargon and an ending I found less than believable.
Judith
The Koala of Death by Betty Webb
A great series featuring a feisty, intelligent zookeeper. There's always a mystery but it is filled with facts about animals as well as life as an animal keeper.
Judith
Dear Committee Members by Julie Shumacher
I LOVED this book! Told in letters, a college professor sends to various committees at the request of his students and sometimes for his own reasons. As the book progresses, you see him go from an articulate, respectful advocate to an overwhelmed and frustrated academic. It is hysterical and
rings so true - read it!
Francisca
This Time Together by Carol Burnett
Subtitle: Laughter and Reflection. In this memoir, Carol Burnett chronicles her show business career, from her early roles in New York to headlining her incredibly popular variety show and beyond. I love Carol Burnett. She is truly an American treasure. I can’t remember the last time I read a book that had me both howling out loud in uncontrollable laughter (my husband came from the other side of the house to see what was going on), and crying to the point where I had to put it aside for a moment because I literally could not see the words on the page for my tears. That speaks, I think, to the genuine person Burnett is, and to her generosity of spirit to lay it all out there.
Melinda
Better Luck Next Time by Julia Claiborne Johnson
Really, really, good book.
Jayme
Midnight at the Blackbird Café by Heather Webber
This was a sweet story filled with southern charm, magic, and happy endings.
Sue Em
Mother May I by Joshilyn Jackson
Joshilyn Jackson's talent rivets me every time. My heart was in my throat and pounding as I tried to figure out how this twisty thrill ride could possibly end. Needless to say, I failed miserably, but I relished every page anyway. Bree's hard won comfortable life is upended when her infant son is kidnapped, and the witch who took him says the price for his return is for Bree to do everything she is told, and do it exactly. Plan to read until you finish, it's that good.
John
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
This is chick lit about a couple who go on vacation together.
shelly
21st Birthday by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
The girls are back with a new case to solve. Cindy is contacted by Tara Burke's mother, Kathleen Wyatt, to say that she thinks her granddaughter, Lorrie, sixteen months and her twenty-year-old Tara are missing. Cindy had contact with Mrs. Wyatt before and trying to calm her down, unfortunately, she keeps saying that Lucas is abusive and had a violent temper, and has done something with both of them. Cindy decides to contact her friend sergeant Lindsay Boxer to look into this matter. Rich, Lindsay's partner, decided that even though the case was given to missing persons she will look into it. As we know from the series, Claire the ME will be involved and eventually Yuki, SFPD'S ADA will become involved.
Anne
What Could Be Saved by Liese O’Halloran Schwarz
I really liked this book, recommended it to my book club and it’s our June book. I like the family dynamics and the slow way that the story is revealed by switching from current day back to the time Philip disappeared. I also found the description of the American family’s life in Thailand fascinating.
Leslie
Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason
Full of warmth and humor and love alongside the dark moments. Loved it.
Leslie
Finding Freedom by Erin French
Don't usually love memoirs but I didn't want to put this down! Erin is so honest and forthcoming, and if you love food you will love this book.
Marybeth
Hollywood Park by Mikel Jollett
Such a heartfelt, raw, emotional, amazing memoir! I enjoyed every minute.
Kimberly
Girl A by Abigail Dean
After finishing this book I don't understand all the hype surrounding it. When Girl A's mother dies, she is forced to return home to meet with her siblings and settle the estate. In the course of these events, we come to understand what happened to her and her siblings years ago. I was worried about gruesome descriptions so I was prepared for the worst. It turns out I needn't have worried since I didn't read anything worse than I have read before. It was an okay story but I was expecting much more. If you are in the mood for a dark story centering around mentally ill characters and the lasting repercussions of child abuse, then look no further.
Katherine
The Speed of Light by Elissa Grossell Dickey
Love, love, love THE SPEED OF LIGHT by Elissa Grossell Dickey! This own voices depiction of a young woman coming to terms with a new multiple sclerosis diagnosis beautifully demonstrates the challenges and uncertainty involved in a new chronic illness diagnosis (medically, socially, at work, etc), as well as the fact that chronic illness in no way prevents the living of a big, gorgeous, full life. I hope everyone reads this novel! THE SPEED OF LIGHT is fast-paced, heart-wrenching and ultimately hopeful. Make sure to read the Author's Note! I'm looking forward to whatever this author writes next - can't believe this is a debut!
Rose
The Book Charmer by Karen Hawkins
This is a charming book about a small town and its residents. Grace, a former foster child, and Sarah, the town librarian, are the main characters. Books speak to Sarah, and they tell her that Grace can help save the town which is in financial difficulty. A story of love, loss, family, including themes of dementia, small town living, and a little magic. Enjoyable!
Jan
The Sun Does Shine by Anthony Ray Hinton
A wonderful book about a horrible situation. Ray Hinton was imprisoned for a crime he did not commit. He was on death row for 30 years - his best friend stood by him and he finally got the help of Bryan Stevenson of the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI). Stevenson founded EJI and works tirelessly to free people who are unjustly imprisoned. Hinton's case went all the way to the Supreme Court. The reasons you should read this book are many. First, to more fully understand that justice is not equal or fair in the U.S. Secondly, you will learn about Bryan Stevenson and the EJI. Finally, the reason to read this book is that Hinton is not bitter. He understands and accepts what happened. He retains his joy. What a blessing.
Jan
The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
This is not my type of book. The entire book is a contest -- it is not like a murder mystery - the people in the book get various clues that direct them to various places and in the end they understand what it is about (I think). The premise is that a poor young girl, living in her car, has inherited the entire estate of a very wealthy old man. He has four grandsons, a daughter and various other people who get small amounts of money. But, the girl and the four brothers have to understand and follow the clues. I almost put it down several times. I did not care who got the money. The characters were cardboard - the story was dull, the clues arcane. The writer is a good writer so I gave it 2 stars.
Deby
We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker
Slow moving but rich.
Amy
21st Birthday by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
I love this series and the books never disappoint. Was tempted to skip ahead to see how it ended.
Theresa
The Last Night in London by Karen White
I’ve read many books by Karen White and enjoyed them all. THE LAST NIGHT IN LONDON was her best so far - I couldn’t put it down. I was immersed in the love story as it moved seamlessly from the World War II era of Precious, Eva, Graham and Alex and the present-day world of Colin and Maddie. I was mesmerized as the mystery unraveled while Maddie slowly came to terms with her grief and fears. It was a beautiful story on so many levels. If you haven’t read it yet you’ve got a real enjoyable read in store. Thank you, Karen White, for a World War II story with a new, inspiring and very moving perspective.
Emily
Katherine Paar by Alison Weir
The last in the series about the six wives of Henry the Eighth, it is a riveting read. Weir’s research is thorough, the characterization is brilliant, and the writing is compelling. I loved every page.
Karen
The Last Garden in England by Julia Kelly
I really enjoyed this book. It is very descriptive.
Jan
Book Towns by Alex Johnson
What a beautiful book! I have been to a couple of these towns and this book only makes me want to travel to them again. Alas, I am old and handicapped so I will not visit many of them. But I may try to persuade my city manager or county manager to make this a book town. If you have ever traveled to a book town, you know that you leave town with an extra bundle of books - books you have been looking for for ages, books that you never knew the author wrote or was written about, books that look too good to pass by because you know you will read them someday. I well remember the tiny book store on the Eastern Shore of Virginia/Maryland where I saw a paperback edition of BLEAK HOUSE. I still have it. Thank you to Goodreads for the book.
Sue
Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica
So good! Hooked me right in and I stayed up way too late! Finished it today. I did not expect the ending at all. 5 of 5 stars and highly recommend!
Malia
Faye, Faraway by Helen Fisher
This book caught my attention quickly and made me laugh at some of the weirdness. However, its intimate look at mother-daughter relationships was tender and sweet. Plus, it kept me guessing until the end, which blew my mind. I can't stop thinking about it! I am a sucker for time travel books and this one was just amazing.
Malia
Oona Out of Order by Margarita Montimore
I absolutely loved the concept in this book, which is that Oona lives each year of year of her life out of order. She's 18 for a year, then she's 50 for a year, then she's 33 for a year, and so on. I loved this idea, and the twists and turns of the novel really captivated me. My only complaint is that I didn't want it to end!
Malia
Northern Spy by Flynn Berry
The dry humor in this book had me dying, like how being an informer and a mom at the same time is really difficult. How do you inform on terrorists and also handle bedtime and pumping? The novel had some holes, but it was a very entertaining and fast read, and for that I recommend it!
Malia
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
This book was long, lonely and full of scientific lingo, but it was also such a beautiful and hopeful story. I absolutely loved the character's journey and where he ended up. I hope it becomes a movie!
Malioa
The Lost Village by Camilla Sten
Spooky and hard to put down. It reminded me of THE SANATORIUM, but with a much better ending! The perception of mental illness as a theme was both relevant and thought-provoking. However, it's hard to believe that so much was left untouched in the village for 60 years.
Malia
The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave
Quick page-turner that reminded me of NORTHERN SPY, except we never got Owen's POV. Both thrillers focused on family relationships, loyalty and trust set amid a serious threat.
Helen
The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
A fascinating read of two stories one set in eighteenth century London, a secret apothecary and present time London. The two main characters, both women and their story of lost loves, betrayal and friendship are entwined in a suspenseful mystery - a great book club read!
Ozz
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
Maybe his best yet! Exciting page-turner with the signature Weir nerdiness. Lots of twists and it goes in a (wonderful) direction I wasn't expecting, so I'd say best to go into this one blind - just like our protagonist!
Leah
Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner
The perfect escapist read with heart. I love the complex, real characters that Weiner creates. She seems to love her characters so I do too.
Jean
Surviving Savannah by Patti Callahan
This is a fantastic read...I do not recall a book that has 'sucked-me-in' as much as this one.
It is set in two timelines - the riverboat Pulaski and its passengers and the present day curator of a Pulaski display at the history center. I have recommended this book to all my friends.
Anita
The Brothers of Auschwitz by Malka Adler
This was the most difficult book I have ever read. It was heartbreaking and gut wrenching. It is the true story of twp brothers who survived in Auschwitz concentration camp during WWII. It made me cry throughout. However, I believe it is important for all people to read and realize how lucky they are and not complain about small, insignificant issues in their lives. I believe it should be required reading for all high school children.
Sandy
The Winter People by Jennifer McMahon
A very unusual book, to say the least. This author has a vivid imagination and now I want to read all the rest of her books!!!
Laura
Squeeze Me by Carl Hiaasen
Fun to pick on the former POTUS. Story a bit hard to follow at times.
Laura
Three Single Wives by Gina LaManna
Enjoyed. Not my usual type of book. Kept my interest and I did not know who did the murder. Surprise ending, but somewhat predictable. Foreshadowing should have told me.
Sean
Cold Waters by Debbie Herbert
COLD WATERS is an entertaining yet flawed novel. Violet, the main character, is intriguing and readers feel for her even though she is less than innocent. Sadly, that's where the good characters tend to stop. Everyone else is more of a plastic version of someone real. I didn't like the way the author portrayed anxiety meds as that's not how anything actually works. Also, the book takes place in Alabama, however, there is no reason readers can tell that. A small southern town could and should be a character unto itself. Not so much here. Overall, there are things to enjoy but not enough.
Linda
Dream Girl by Laura Lippman
Gerry Andersen is an accomplished writer with a best selling book "Dream Girl." He has had a home accident, and he is immobile and on bedrest in his Baltimore apartment. Gerry has two caregivers that provide around the clock care providing him with food and meds, lots of meds. He receives unusual phone calls and a letter from unknown women saying they know a secret about him. There are many flashbacks told in a non-linear way as we learn about Gerry's life. This book reads as if Lippman is tired of writing, and the book needed reworking from the prose to the plot to the characters. I did not like the ending and I am confused about many of the plot points. I received a free copy of this book from Goodreads.
Linda
The Red Book by James Patterson and David Ellis
Detective Billy Harney has a new partner, Carla Griffin, but his sister Patty tells him not to trust her. Billy is persona non grata around the squad room after exposing corruption in the police force that took down many, including his own father who was chief of detectives. When a gang shooting occurs, Billy and Carla are sent to work it. One of the victims is a young girl who Billy thinks is involved in trafficking. Carla is a snitch and tells Captain Dennis Porter, Internal Affairs. He pays Carla off and has a plan to take out Billy. Porter is being paid off by the Ukranian traffickers. Billy calls in a team of trusted officers and has his own plan to take down the traffickers.
Linda
The Vineyard at Painted Moon by Susan Mallery
Mackenzie Dienes married Rhys Barcellona right out of college and became a talented winemaker at his family's vineyard Bel Apres. The vineyard was ruled with an iron thumb by Barbara Barcellona, Rhys' mother. Mackenzie's talents made their wine well known and she was treated like one of the family. But when Rhys said he wanted a divorce, she learned she was just an employee, not a family member. She left and went into partnership with Bruno Provencio and Barbara turned rabid. Mackenzie found that the woman who treated her like a daughter now hated her. She has to get on with her new life.
Linda
Bone Rattle by Marc Cameron
Arliss Cutter is vacationing in Juneau when he is sent to serve as protection for the judge and jurors in a drug case. When the prosecutor is killed, the judge declares a mistrial and Cutter and his partner Lola Teariki join the search for the killer. A news reporter tells Cutter that she is unable to contact her source and thinks the woman was supposed to have met the prosecutor. Now the killer is probably gunning for the girl. The search takes Arliss and Lola into old mining caves that are not always secure. Thanks to Goodreads for the ARC of this novel.
Linda
The Girl and the Unlucky 13 by A. J. Rivers
Emma is still working on the Arrow Lake Campground murders when she is asked to help in locating missing teen Ashley Stevenson. She was 13 when she went camping with her two 15-year-old friends. They thought she had gone home but she disappeared. The older girls finally admitted they got Ashley drunk and left her at the ER in a neighboring town. Security cameras show the girl leaving, but where did she go?
Linda
The Scoundrel in Her Bed by Lorraine Heath
This is the love story between Finn Trewlove and Lady Lavinia Kent. She was 15 and an aristocrat and he was 21 and a bastard. Two years later, they planned to elope but they were betrayed. Finn came for her and was met by her father and two constables and sent to prison for five years. She waited and waited and thought he had betrayed her. She gave birth to their child and her mother took the baby away and sent Lavinia to a madhouse. Years later, Finn and Vivi meet again and both are devastated when they learn the truth about that night. They are both leery of the future and wonder if they can put the past behind them but love finds a way.
Rose
The Red Book by James Patterson and David Ellis
Billy Harney exposed a ring of corrupt cops, including his father. He is now returning to the force and is assigned to an elite task force, along with a new partner, Carla. However, there is still corruption in the department. Billy and Carla are assigned to investigate a drive-by shooting that killed a toddler. They believe it is about rival gangs fighting over drug turf. Upon deeper investigation, they uncover a child trafficking ring. As Billy continues to investigate, he questions the circumstances of his wife's death which was ruled a suicide. This book is full of tension, lots of violence, but is well-written and a page-turner. My biggest complaint is the insensitive and offensive comments about Billy's sibling's girlfriend.
Lana
The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton
Even though I graduated from high school three years after this book was published, I had not read it until now, 50 years later. I believe one has to read within the context and time period being written about, author's intent if known, cultural significance, etc. Taking myself back to high school as I listened to the audiobook, I realized how powerful and meaningful the book was to young adult literature when it was published. I think about the fact that a 16-year-old girl wrote it and I am blown away. I have admit that part of my affection for the book is the nostalgia it generated, but overlooking that, it is still a groundbreaking and excellent book.
Kimberley
The Huntress by Kate Quinn
This historical novel brings together four main characters in their pursuit of die Jaegerin. It is alarming to learn that these war criminals were able to immigrate to the West and then assimilate into American society. Years of trials and pursuits tired governments and embarrassed Germany so interest softened. However, the hunters kept working. The author also shared the details of the Soviet female combat pilots as well as the harshness of life under Stalin. This was a page-turner from the beginning.
Tessa
Caddie Woodlawn's Family by Carole Ryrie Brink
3.5 stars. This sequel to the popular CADDIE WOODLAWN book was originally titled “Magical Melons.” Set in the late 1800s, in Western Wisconsin, the books chronicle life in the Woodlawn family, primarily from the perspective of Caddie, who is almost 13 in this episode. She and her five siblings have great fun in and around their farm and the land surrounding it. Like the LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE series, these books provide a reasonable look at life in those pioneer days, though stories involving the native Indian population make me cringe.
Elizabeth
Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica
Missing women and a missing child. How could this happen in a small, quiet town? A do-not-miss read!!
Betty
The Woman with the Blue Star by Pam Jenoff
The story is very emotional and gives witness to the extraordinary strength of the human will to survive. It will leave readers with a great deal to think about.
Shawn
Bridgerton - The Duke and I by Julia Quinn
I really enjoyed this book and I can't wait to read the rest in the series.
Rose
Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell
A fictional account of what the author imagined happening to Shakespeare’s son, Hamnet, who died in 1596 at age 11, possibly from the Black Plague. The author weaves an interesting tale of Shakespeare and his wife, how they came to fall in love, and their children. Shakespeare’s wife, Agnes, is skilled in herbal treatments, and knowing people's thoughts and fortunes. She is not home when her daughter, Judith, Hamnet’s twin, becomes ill. When Judith does not respond to treatment, Hamlet decides to take her place in death. Agnes becomes inconsolable at the loss of her son. Meanwhile, Shakespeare leaves Stratford to expand his abusive father‘s glove business in London. While there, he writes and performs his plays, becoming wealthy.
Becky
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
The sun is being eaten by an alien infestation. Mankind will cease to exist in 50 years. So… Project Hail Mary. Send a crew of scientists to a star that has beaten back the infestation and see how they did it. This being a seat of your pants thriller, things go wrong – quickly. The crew is affected; one can’t even remember his name, let alone what he is supposed to be doing. Then he meets an another survivor. Great story. Believable situations. An intriguing alien society. Good writing. Weir even makes the science understandable. Well worth your time if you like sci-fi, or thrillers, or just a good story with a great ending.
Rose
Rockledge by John M. Vermillion
ROCKLEDGE is the first novel in the Cade Chase series. Recently retired from the U.S. Army, General Cade Chase is unsure what his future holds. His friends, Leigh and Kelly Winn, invite him to spend time with them in the town of Rockledge, VA. Located in southwest Virginia, in the heart of Appalachia, the town is poor. Upon arrival in Rockledge, Cade meets Dale Carter. Dale has several houses and invites Cade to stay in one in exchange for providing some security for the property. It seems that a group called the Freedom Movement is camping in the woods near the property, and Dale wants to be sure they aren't trouble. Cade finds out interesting information about the movement, why they are there, and what their goal is.
Dorothy
Big Lies in a Small Town by Diane Chamberlain
This book just grabs you and keeps you so interested that you hate to put it down. Excellent writing and excellent book!
Stephen
The Bounty by Janet Evanovich and Steve Hamilton
A great quest across the face of Europe in search for Nazi Gold. The story keeps you wanting to find the next clue in the puzzle.
Laurie
The Nature of Fragile Things by Susan Meissner
An excellent coming-of-age fictional history family drama (my favorite genre!) highlighting the 1906 San Francisco earthquake...another interesting book by awesome author, Susan Meissner - Brava!
Carol
How Hard Can it Be? by Allison Pearson
Very witty. Pearson delivers some wonderful dialog. Brava!
Jayme
Perestroika in Paris by Jane Smiley
A horse, a dog, a raven, a pair of mallards, and a couple of rats walk into a bar... No they don't. They hang around the Champs du Mars in Paris and show us mere humans what friendship, love and loyalty is all about in this delightful and whimsical story.
Paula
Win by Harlan Coben
Intriguing story. Although Win has appeared in prior books of Harlen Coban, this one dives deeply into his true personality.
Wendellyn
Our Darkest Night by Jennifer Robson
There are so many WWII fiction books these days, but this one is a standout with a strong woman character.
Marilyn
Born a Crime by Trevor Noah
Amazing story about a childhood during and after apartheid and overcoming terrible odds; a story about a now successful comedian.
Lindy
Stillhouse Lake Series by Rachel Caine
Books 1 & 2 were excellent. Gwen Proctor get in your head, her struggle becomes engrossing. Books 3 & 4 were good, but drawn out. How she becomes a detective is hard to believe.
Muriel
West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge
This book was based on a true incident of two giraffes being transported 400 miles across the country to the San Diego Zoo in 1938 at a time when few people had seen giraffes in person. The young driver Woody, Old Man ( the keeper entrusted to get the giraffes safely to the zoo), and the animals faced various dangers along the way and received lots of attention. A secret from Woody’s past is revealed in small increments as the journey progresses adding interest to the story. This is an interesting story which animal lovers would especially enjoy.
Michele
Widowish by Melissa Gould
A quick read about the author's loss of her beloved husband and how her and her teenage daughter grieve and learn to move forward - real and honest writing of this difficult topic.
Sheree
Dining In by Alison Roman
I was hoping for some healthy, fast, easy week day meals to make but the only thing I found interesting was the desert section. I do love to read cook books and always pick up on or two helpful hints but not a lot of recipes to make quickly during the week. I will keep trying.
Judith
The Last Flight by Julie Clark
The well-paced action and short chapters had me turning pages long after bedtime. The narrative alternated between the two main characters and back and forth in time, which can be confusing in some books, but this author handled the method well. I was surprised to care as much as I did about the drug-dealing Eva and the rich wife Claire, neither of which had much in common with my own life experience. The only criticism I had about the hard cover edition was the small print, which made reading in bed late a bit of a challenge for tired eyes that wanted to read "just one more chapter".
Gina
The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins
This is a page-turner of suspense and strategy. It is loosely based on JANE EYRE but in a modern
setting of McMansions, lies, and deceit. Mr. Rochester is "Eddie". Jane is no innocent. Enjoy some twists and turns which keep the plot humming. Felt like the author was playing chess game of intrigue.
Elizabeth
Fresh Water for Flowers by Valerie Perrin
Beautifully-written book by Valerie Perrin and translated from the French by Hildegarde Serle. The story begins as a retrospective by the protagonist, Violette Touissaint, who is leading a satisfying life as a cemetery keeper and thinks of her current life as a present from heaven. Her life has not always been so, as she states she had been "very unhappy, destroyed even," in a life that was worse than being dead like her entombed neighbors of the cemetery. The story moves back and forth through differing timelines and interweaves the stories of other characters, both the living and the deceased. Part contemporary fiction, tragedy, mystery, and romance, this is an unusual, powerful, and emotional story not soon forgotten by the reader.
Mary Ann
Good Company by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney
I couldn't put this book down; read it late into the night.
MH
Whereabouts: A Novel by Jhumpa Lahiri
The book seems to be a collection of thoughts. Although it is well written, it has little plot and the characters have no names. I have loved her other books, but was very disappointed in this one. Instead of “a novel,” the book should have had “random thoughts” as the subtitle.
Laura
The Red Notebook by Antoine Laurain
I enjoyed this short novel, which is a Duchess of Cornwall Reading Room choice. It was an easy read and while somewhat predictable, it was a nice journey to get there. A man finds a women’s purse in the trash and while he is searching for her, comes to know her through a notebook he found in said purse.
NANCY
This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger
Great, epic story with well-developed characters.
Rose
Passing Through Perfect by Bette Lee Crosby
1946 Alabama is racially divided. Benjamin Church returns from the war to help his dad, Otis, in the farm. One night, he meets Delia at a dance and falls deeply in love. However, Delia’s father, a pastor, wants Delia to attend college and not marry a poor farmer. Delia and Benjamin get married and have a son, Isaac. A series of tragedies and heartbreak follow their lives. Benjamin experiences racism by whites on many occasions. Ultimately, this is a story of triumph, and of people who accept you for who you are vs. the color of your skin.
Lois
Portnoy’s Complaint by Philip Roth
Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about growing up in a second generation New York Jewish family…and some things you may not have wanted to know, are brilliantly depicted in this long, but not too long, novel. Alexander Portnoy’s verbal fireworks describing his sweet and sour relationship with his parents and his close relationship with his penis alerts the reader to the possibility of seeing his words on paper, although Roth denies the connection. There are those who see anti-Semitism in these pages while others see love. I am choosing love; his vivid words alert the reader to the possibilities.
Jeffrey
The Mirror and the Light by Hilary Mantel
This is the third and final volume of the Thomas Cromwell trilogy, and a massive and dazzling conclusion it is! While it certainly helps to have read WOLF HALL and BRING UP THE BODIES, this book works just fine as a stand-alone story. A stage version of the novel is planned for the West End in the fall, and that will probably eventually make it to Broadway (as did WOLF HALL, parts 1 & 2). But I found that having read the books made the experience of the plays that much richer. She's a brilliant writer with a style all her own, and I can't recommend this book and the two previous ones highly enough.
Linda
Hour of the Witch by Chris Bohjalian
In 1662 the Puritans of Boston were superstitious and repressed with very strict moral standards. The protagonist, Mary, was abused by her husband and petitioned for a divorce. Who knew that was even possible? The repercussions are suspenseful and unexpected. A combo historical/thriller novel.
Simonne
Bury Your Dead by Louise Penny
#6 in the Inspector Armand Gamache/three pines series and in my opinion, the best so far. (She is up to #17). This went back and solved a previously unresolved case and introduced a new one with lots of character insight. Great multi-layered read.
Kay
The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
Interweaving the 1791 storyline with the present-day made for an interesting storyline of a mystery to be solved.
Kay
Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe by Heather Webber
Anna Kate Callow returns to the town of Wicklow after the death of her grandmother, Zee. To inherit the Blackbird Cafe Anna Kate must run the cafe for two months. She had vowed to never return to Wicklow but finds herself drawn into the community which accepts and ties her to the future of the town. It's a feel good novel.
shelly
Murder with Orange Pekoe Tea by Karen Rose Smith
Daisy is always busy being involved with the community in addition to the Tea Shop and her family. The latest get-together in the town is a fundraiser for a homeless shelter. Things are going great until a group of angry protesters arrives. Thank goodness nobody was hurt but it was caught on television and certain people seemed more involved than others. Hiram is representing the people who own the fertility clinic in a class-action suit. Someone did not leave the temperature settings correctly and destroyed eggs and embryos for many young couples. Jonas and Daisy seem to be getting more serious and possibly ready to move on in their relationship. Daisy is proud of how her daughter Viv, and how she and her husband are raising their kids.
Elizabeth
Let Your Mind Run by Deena Kastor and Michelle Hamilton
I liked this book and Deanna’s story of how she used her mind to reach her goals. I admired her grit and perseverance and fierce determination. I think it motivated me to be a better runner, too. That being said, this is a niche book that is not likely to appeal to non-runners. It also irked me that she kept referring to her women competitors as "girls".
Rose
The Body in Question by Jill Ciment
Super quick read about a jury trial about a twin girl accused of killing her toddler brother. During the trial, the jurors are sequestered. Two of the jurors, a 52-year old married photographer and a 41-year old anatomy professor, have an affair. The photographer felt that she wanted one more adventurous fling. Her husband is 30+ years older and she is starting to feel their age difference.
I personally would have wanted to hear more about the trial, but this novel was more about the relationship between the photographer and the doctor, and the photographer and her husband. It is about the choices we make, and their consequences.
Jessica
Girl A by Abigail Dean
I enjoyed it, found the chapters a bit long which seemed to drag it out a bit. Guessed the twist from the start.
Elizabeth
When No One is Watching by Alyssa Cole
The title of WHEN NO ONE IS WATCHING promises more than the book delivers. It contains too much foul language and bitterness and way too much whining. I resented the time I spent on it.
Dottie
Eternal by Lisa Scottoline
It is very good.
Mindy
Camino Island by John Grisham
I really enjoyed this book. It had many references to books and authors. I liked the bookstore and island location. It was different from other Grisham books. It seemed like a nice book to read as a start to my “summer reading”.
Jill
Out of Darkness, Shining Light by Petina Gappah
An adventure story and insightful exploration of colonialism in Africa. The story is of how a group of David Livingstone's servants and slave carried his body from the African interior to the Zanzibar coast so he could be buried in his native England. The main narrators are his sharp-tongued slave and cook and his pious scribe. It explores colonialism in the British slave trade with the West and that within Africa itself. Thought-provoking and rousing adventure story makes for a great read! For historical fiction and lovers of adventure tales.
Patty
The Last Garden in England by Julia Kelly
THE LAST GARDEN IN ENGLAND is a historical fiction novel that has three timelines: the present day, the early 1900s, and the 1940s. All three of these timelines include these female characters. Set in Scotland at a historic garden at Highbury House over these three timelines, first it must be designed, and later on, it must be restored. During WWII Highbury House was also used as a hospital. There is also romance in each of these timelines. The themes include love, loss, hope, secrets and friendships. I enjoyed reading this book very much - it's an engaging story, has characters to care about and a connection to the past.
Dianne
Water Witches by Chris Bohjalian
This novel is 20 years old and was recently rereleased. A drought in Vermont has everyone on edge. A town hero dies in a fire. A sky resort plans to build new trails through pristine forest that may be home to a family of catamounts. Oh, and our main characters are dowsers and a lobbyist for the ski resort company. The environmental parts of the story are as relevant today as they were 20 years ago.
Laura
The Storyteller's Secret by Sejal Badani
GREAT story! I loved the way the three generations are woven together by past beliefs and current heartache. I could feel the dusty, hot and degrading feel of India. How much the world has changed in three generations for women of any nationality. I highly recommend reading this one.
Rose
Surviving Chaos: How I Found Peace at A Beach Bar by Harold Phifer
Harold Phifer is at a beach bar in Thailand when an older gentleman, Dylan, approaches him. After chatting for a few minutes, Dylan asks Harold to tell him his life story, in exchange for Dylan paying for drinks. Harold begins with a horror that happened in Afghanistan, but then goes back years to the beginning of his life. Harold tells his life story in a series of vignettes, from a young child, to grade school, high school, college, marriage, divorce, children, and a career.
Sadly, Harold endured his share of heartaches, growing up in a dysfunctional family, with a mother who was considered crazy, a vengeful aunt, an alcoholic brother, and an absent father. As years go by, more tragedies strike the family.
Elizabeth
You Will Remember Me by Hannah Mary McKinnon
Jack wakes up on a deserted beach in Maryland and has no idea of who he is, where he is, or how he got there. If you are a fan of thrillers, biting your fingernails, solving mysteries, and page-turning suspense, YOU WILL REMEMBER ME should not be missed.
Richard N B
Night Boat to Tangier by Kevin Barry
Longlisted for the Booker Prize 2019, I had high hopes for this work. But the dark, bleak tenor of the prose, the underworld inhabited by these characters, their despair and inability to lift themselves out of the mess they’ve made of their lives - just not my cup of tea, especially not at this stage of my life and given the current events. I finished only because it’s a selection for one of my F2F book groups.
Alyson
The Cave Dwellers by Christina McDowell
Fun romp through families in Washington, D.C. with misbehaving kids of privilege and how they got around the rules.
Jan
The Hill We Climb by Amanda Gorman
What a beautiful book! I though it would have several poems. Instead this book contains only the inaugural poem that Gorman read at the inauguration of Joe Biden on January 28, 2021. It is a beautiful poem and many of us missed parts of it - we were thinking about what she said and missed the next part. This is a thoughtful and meaningful poem and we all should read it and take it to heart. The poem is encouraging, urging us to do better, do more, "rebuild, reconcile, recover" and she ends the poem with a very positive note - we can attain this world, if only "we're brave enough to see it, to be it."
Rose
The Weight of Lies by Emily Carpenter
Forty years ago, Frances Ashley wrote a horror novel, Kitten, that became a cult classic. However, her daughter, Meg, and Frances have a fractured relationship due to the popularity of the book, and Frances‘s behavior. When Meg is offered an opportunity to write a memoir about her relationship with her mother, she heads to Bonny Island to research the story behind the book. Meg doesn’t realize the dangers awaiting her in the island. This is a creepy novel about a murder mystery/whodunit. I liked the atmospheric feel of this novel and the mystery interspersed with the fictional novel. I look forward to reading more from this author.
Margaret
The Children's Blizzard by Melanie Benjamin
It's a spring-like day, 1/12/1888, Dakota Territory. There has been a long, cold spell & this day is welcomed by school children wearing lighter clothes. Little was known about weather forecasting but a brutal storm was headed their way. Two young teachers, Raina & Gerda, have to make important decisions about the children when the storm hits. They teach in different areas but all will experience hardships with pain & fear. This novel is dark & sometimes troubling. Author does a great job of portraying the innocence of the children, relationships between teachers & children, and side stories involving households, parents, & various personalities. I never lost my interest since it all seemed so real to me. Didn't want to put this book down!
Kay
The Survivors by Jane Harper
This murder mystery in the here and now is finally revealed after untangling what happened 13 years prior. A mystery to the end!
Linda
Every Last Secret by A. R. Torre
Cat Winthorpe is the undisputed leader of the women in the exclusive neighborhood where she lives with her handsome husband William. Neena and Matthew Ryder move into the foreclosed house next door. Neena gets a job with William's company but that's not all she wants. She is a greedy woman who wants to move up in society. Neena envies Cat's life and now she wants William. But she hasn't counted on Cat and no one is taking her man!
Linda
Missing and Endangered by J. A. Jance
Sheriff Joanna Brady has her hands full. One of her officers has been shot while serving a warrant when a man comes out of the house shooting and the officer had to return fire. One of the man's shots struck the officer. The man's wife is the one who had been violent in the past so why the turnaround today? Joanna's investigators find something unusual in the wife's purse. It appears as if the woman was planning on killing her husband but he got the gun away from her. The woman not only planned to kill him but had plans for his insurance money that she would get upon his death.
Linda
A Gambling Man by David Baldacci
Aloysius Archer is headed to his new job with PI Willie Dash. They are hired by Douglas Kemper, a wealthy man who is running for mayor but someone is spreading vicious rumors about him. Murders occur and it appears that someone is setting the man up. The police are crooked and work for the wealthiest man in town, Sawyer Armstrong, who is Kemper's father-in-law. Kemper is taken to jail and Archer puts a detective friend to watch over the man but the detective is injured and Kemper is gone. Where has Armstrong taken him? Why did he set him up?
Linda
The Sanatorium by Sarah Pearse
When Elin Warner first sees the minimalist hotel next to forbidding mountaintops, she has a sense of unease and feels as if she's being watched. On official leave from her job as detective, she and Will Riley came to celebrate her brother's engagement. When several people disappear, she feels as if the owner Lucas Caron and his sister Cecile are hiding something. A blizzard comes and the road is closed so there is no way to get off the mountain. Her brother's fiance disappears. Everyone starts looking suspiciously at one another. Is the killer one of them?
Julia
Eternal by Lisa Scottoline
This is a novel about the occupation of Rome by the Nazis and how it affects three friends and their families. One friend and his family is Jewish. I have not read any of Lisa's work and was very engrossed in this historical novel.
Sandy
The Cypress House by Michael Koryta
Different kind of book than I usually read, but I found it very entertaining and read it in three days. I loved the ending, which is what usually makes me give a book 5 stars.
Sandy
Among the Wicked by Linda Castillo
Takes place in Amish country and the main character, Kate, makes the whole story entertaining. I believe I have read other books by this author with Kate in them. You will like it.
Jan
Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro
Like so many others, I missed the point of this book. I just do not know why it was written. I know why I read it - book club discussion. Klara is an IF (Imaginary Friend), a human like figure with a brain and a lot of knowledge. The intention is for her to be a friend to a young person. And she is. The young friend almost dies, and the mother has an evil idea to substitute Klara in her place if she dies. Klara has a special relationship with the Sun and gets strength from the Sun. Everything works out and in the end, Klara is fading away. What is the point? This gets 2 stars because the writing is beautiful - there is a lovely relationship with nature throughout the book.
Brenda
Murder With Peacocks by Donna Andrews
I love a good cozy mystery as well as the next guy, but this one fell a little flat for me. I believe it's my preference and not necessarily the author's fault. I prefer a cozy mystery that spends a fair amount of time on the mystery itself and doesn't have so many other plots within. This novel just had a few too many characters for me to keep track of - especially with three weddings taking place.
Debbie
Gift of Diamonds by Roberta Seret
Roberta Seret portrays the perils of Romanians during the reign of Nicolae Ceausescu. This trilogy follows the lives of four teenage girlfriends during this reign of terror. Book 1 of this trilogy follows Mica from life in Romania to her fleeing the country with her father’s diamonds. The characters enhance the story with their vivid description. The short history of diamonds contained valuable information and just the right amount of explanation. Many authors have described the problems of Romania and Serbia and the subject matter seems trite, at times. Seret writes well of the issues and heartache, but her writing lacks emotion.
Debbie
Poirot Investigates by Agatha Christie
POIROT INVESTIGATES contains short stories narrated by Hastings describing some of Poirot’s minor cases. How delightful! Poirot even admits that he handled the outcome incorrectly. Was Agatha Christie biased against the Chinese and the Jews? She employs some harsh adjectives for each group. Money stands as the motive in many crimes. As a good detective she always follows the idea of money or love or revenge. Christie delights in throwing a little espionage into her story. This collection was published in 1924, after WWI and long before the threat of WWII. One story involves a nephew and his wife who kill the nephew’s rich uncle, and nothing ties them to the murder. But justice is served when the couple is killed in an airplane crash.
Suzanne
The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi
Beautifully written. Learned a lot about Indian traditions and the art of henna. It is always a treat learning when I read. I enjoyed that there was a small dictionary outlining the different Indian words used. I felt it made the book feel more authentic.
Elizabeth
The Photographer by Mary Dixie Carter
Well written, a unique storyline, but not a favorite. It dragged, and I did not like the main character at all - a manipulator.
Rose
The Echo Wife by Sarah Gailey
Wow, this was unique!! Evelyn Caldwell is a distinguished scientist who has successfully completed cloning specimens. While she has professional success, her marriage has fallen apart. Her husband, Nathan, has left Evelyn for another woman, Martine. But Martine isn’t just any woman, she is Evelyn’s clone, just more perfect for Nathan than Evelyn. When Nathan ends up dead, Martine calls Evelyn, desperate for help. What follows is creepy and unsettling.
Very enjoyable and creepy, while creating ethical questions about science and human genetics, especially the ethics around cloning. The ending will surprise you, as will the story behind the creation of Martine. I look forward to reading more books from this author.
Suzanne
Guilty Wives by James Patterson and David Ellis
Four wives, one very wealthy, fly to Monte Carlo to enjoy four days without husbands and responsibilities. What happens in less than 48 hours could ruin their lives forever. We find out
laws in Monte Carlo are not the same as America. Would definitely recommend this book.
Trez
Neighbors by Danielle Steel
Very good and interesting story.
Jan
While Justice Sleeps by Stacey Abrams
This book is a dump. Abrams has written many romance novels under a pseudonym, and she has proven she can write. However, she needed to hire a professional editor for this novel. It is long, it drags, it has extraneous information, it has too many people of which to keep track, and too many law enforcement people of which to keep track. The average person does not know the difference between the FBI, the CIA and the President's personal staff. The idea was good - have legal aide to a Supreme Court Justice step in to have his power of attorney while he is unconscious. But the whole story was just convoluted. Save your time and money. She can do better.
Sue
Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan
This was the most incredible story about a WWII hero who lived in Italy (and I believe he is still alive), and as a very young man, helped Jewish families escape over the mountains by helping them hike over many miles. This story has been read by almost all my friends, and after reading countless nonfiction and historically accurate novels, is one of the most incredible stories EVER. Many twists and turns, and the hero is now in his 90s and still lives in Italy.
Laura
When the Apricots Bloom by Gina Wilkinson
Couldn't put it down. I read through dinner and into the night. I loved the interaction of young friends into their adulthood. How each went their own ways, apart, and then back together. How lies intertwine with lives.
Tessa
An Irish Country Village by Patrick Taylor
Book Two in the popular Irish Country Doctor series, relating the trials and tribulations of young Dr. Barry Laverty as he begins his practice as a country GP in the mid-1960s in Ballybucklebo, a fictitious community in Northern Ireland full of eccentric and memorable residents. Taylor has a gift for making his characters so alive they fairly jump off the page. I also love the descriptions he gives of the landscape; makes me feels that I’ve actually been to Northern Ireland. Will definitely keep reading this series.
Richard N B
Summer of the Monkeys by Wilson Rawls
At the end of the 19th century, Jay Berry Lee lives with his parents and twin sister on a farm in the Cherokee Nation area of Oklahoma. A troop of escaped circus monkeys provide a summer’s entertainment as well as the opportunity to earn a large monetary reward - if only he can capture them! Fun adventure and a charming boy-and-his-dog tale. Great for reading with the kids or grandkids.
Madeleine
The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz
As soon as I received the book I drove right in. I knew I would enjoy it but I didn’t think I would have enjoyed it THIS much. I already am a huge fan of books that have to do with books, bookstores, booklovers, etc., but this story took it to a whole new level. The story revolves around a college professor/failed novelist who has a student with a VERY good idea for a book, possibly one of the BEST ideas to come across his desk in a long, long time. As a reader you are taken on a thrilling journey of the twist and turns of the publishing world, ownership and copyright. What does it mean to be successful? The suspense around the “theft” of a story idea had me up into the wee hours of the morning. BUY THIS BOOK! You will NOT regret it.
kelly
Every Vow You Break by Peter Swanson
I adore Peter Swanson and usually his works are fast-paced and thrilling reads. This one lacked the depth of his prior work. It was hard to care about the characters and get invested in the storyline.
Betty
Pecan Pie for Breakfast by Susan Schild
Light, fun, quick reading. This was just the book for me right now. I was able to escape for a little while into a small Southern town with delightful residents.
Maryanne
Mercy Falls by William Kent Krueger
Well done with a lot of twists and turns and great character development. Not crazy about the ending which left everything up in the air.
Liz
Damnation Spring by Ash Davidson
The Gundersens, Rich, Colleen and Chubb are a logging family in the Pacific Northwest. Without telling Colleen, Rich purchases 24-7 Ridge, using all of the families life savings. He plans on becoming wealthy logging the redwoods. For decades the logging company Rich works for has been using herbicides which Rich believed were harmless, only to find out later just how harmful they truly are. The story tells of the horrors that were caused by the herbicides and the danger involved when Colleen tries to expose the company. The story itself was very interesting, but I did not enjoy the writing style, it did not seem to flow smoothly.
Sophie
The Forest of Vanishing Stars by Kristin Harmel
I first discovered the talented Kristin Harmel last spring during a "Friends and Fiction" web episode (on Facebook). I read her last three books and found them to be really captivating. THE FOREST OF VANISHING STARS is fascinating since it evokes how the land provides food and shelter for people. A few years ago, I read WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING, which I absolutely loved. Some parts of THE FOREST OF VANISHING STARS remind me of it. The main character, Yona, was raised in the woods and was taught everything that could keep her alive. It is an emotionally powerful story that is very well written.
Jan
The Lager Queen of Minnesota by J. Ryan Stradal
This is J. Ryan Stradal's second book, and it is better than the first. He is pretty good, and the fun thing is that he knows the Midwest, writes about the Midwest and brings to mind so much for me. I lived there for decades and rarely appreciated it. He does. There is a story in this book --- two sisters who were never pals, compared themselves and always thought the other was nicer, better, prettier than the other. Then when one gets the family farm, they are broken forever. This story weaves the two sisters' descendants together, and it is a sweet story. It is also a story of struggle. Book groups will love this book.
Becky
Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe by Heather Webber
Anna Kate has returned after many years and her grandmother’s death to the café her grandmother and mother owned. The locals believe the blackbirds come out of the forest every night at midnight and sing songs. Those who have eaten the “special pie” from the café dream messages from their dead loved ones. When Anna Kate inherits the café, the townspeople are worried the messages will stop, and many birders come to see and hear the blackbirds and their unusual behavior. Fully formed characters and an interesting premise make this mystical romantic novel a step above the usual. Women’s groups especially will like this charming Southern romance/family novel.
Becky
A Fall of Marigolds by Susan Meissner
A dual story that uses the tragedies of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire and 9/11 to link Clara, a nurse on Ellis Island, and Taryn, a Manhattan widow. A beautiful scarf with a colorful print of marigolds link the two women and their personal stories. Susan Meissner’s careful research and deft storytelling make this a compelling read. Both women are damaged by loss and unable to find their way out of grief. Both bear terrible guilt and carry secrets that need to be told --- or kept hidden --- to protect others. This story could have been maudlin or depressing, but in Meissner’s hands, the tale is one of hope and love. Her impeccable research, lively characters and unfolding plot make this a read well worth your time.
Robin
Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan
Author Jenny Colgan has such a delightful way of creating characters you want to get to know, then placing them in settings you want to visit, and topping it off with a story plot you’d like to be in. LITTLE BEACH STREET BAKERY is no exception. I fell in love with the characters, and I could easily imagine myself living on the tiny island where much of the story took place. Colgan has never written a book that has disappointed me. She is, hands down, one of the best writers of romance.
