This contest period's winners were Alicia H., Gay M. and Sarah M., who each received a copy of CLOUD CUCKOO LAND by Anthony Doerr and THE LINCOLN HIGHWAY by Amor Towles.
Karen
Mary Coin by Marisa Silver
I wasn’t excited to read this book for my book club. I wouldn’t have picked it. Once I started reading it, I couldn’t put it down. I recommend this book.
Sandra K.
Winterkill by Ragnar Jonasson
This mystery set in Iceland is the last book in a series called Dark Iceland. It is an especially good series and the landscape and climate of Iceland plays a large part in the story. Very enjoyable.
Padmini
The Good Lie by A. R. Torre
This is a dark thriller. Gwen Moore is a psychiatrist who specializes in criminal psychology. All her clients have homicidal tendencies. She is asked by a defense attorney to do a psychological profile of his client. His client is accused of being the Bloody Heart Killer. This serial killer has been terrorizing the city of Los Angeles. All of his victims were handsome teenagers who he has kidnapped and tortured. He sexually assaults these teenagers for weeks and then cuts a heart in their chest and dumps their bodies after removing their genitals. Gwen is conflicted because she thinks her client is guilty of something but is not sure if he is the serial killer.
Kathrin
All the Little Hopes by Leah Weiss
I was totally taken by this author’s first novel IF THE CREEK DON'T RISE. This novel, her second, also completely ensnared me. The main characters, Lucy Brown and Allie Bert Tucker, who are both coming of age under difficult circumstances, bring you so totally into their hearts, minds, and challenges; you won’t stop reading. The descriptions of the setting in North Carolina definitely remind me to add it to a future travel itinerary.
Rose
The Damage by Caitlin Wahrer
A family is rocked to its core when twenty-year-old Nick Hall wakes up bloody and in a motel room in 2015. The police get a statement from him, and identify the suspect who sexually assaulted Nick. However, Tony, Nick’s much older, and very close, brother and Tony‘s wife, Julia, are shaken by this incident, and it wreaks havoc with their lives. Detective John Rice is assigned to the case. After arresting Ray Walker, and while awaiting his trial, some things happen which Rice questioned. Now in 2019, John Rice is dying, and contacts Julia to review the case.
The novel starts with Julia visiting the detective, and then switches back and forth between 2015-2016 and 2019 to layout what actually happened. This is a well-crafted novel.
Tiffany
The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson
Excited to read a new series!
Mary Ann
The People We Keep by Allison Larkin
Outstanding. I read it in two days.
Michelle
The Man Who Died Twice (Thursday Murder Club #2 ) by Richard Osman
The Fab Four are back in this hilarious (and often poignant) mystery where the octogenarians solve another crime in small town England and beyond. We get to know more about each of these endearing characters in this second installment, and I absolutely love the British wit cleverly contained within the writing. Brilliant!
Teresa
The Yellow Wife by Sadeqa Johnson
Prepare yourself to read this. It’s a tough read because of the violent treatment of the enslaved characters. The story follows a young woman who is beaten down and rises up mentally again and again in her life as a slave.
Nancy
Lean Fall Stand by Jon McGregor
What a propulsive start to a book! I read straight through the first section, riveted and on the edge of my seat. The main characters are caught in a sudden storm on Antarctica, separated, each struggling for their life. It is horrifying. One man is trapped on floating ice, another tries to rescue him. And Doc is injured, disoriented, having suffered a stroke. After his rescue, Doc is unable to explain what has happened, suffering from aphasia. There are no info dumps of information we could Goggle, no lectures about disability. Everything is presented through the characters and the action. We are not given a happy ending or a tragic one. Doc learns new ways to communicate to compensate for what he has lost. He rises, and inspires.
ROSA
Star of the North by D. B. John
This novel left me spellbound and wondering how much of it is reality in present-day North Korea. Jenna and her twin sister Susie are half Korean-half African-American. When they were 18, Susie (or Soo-min) disappeared while she was a student in South Korea. Everyone believes that she drowned. This book weaves together the stories of several characters: Jenna and Susie; Cho, a high-ranking official in the North Korean regime; Mrs. Moon, a North Korean citizen who is just trying to survive. It all took my breath away. This was epic.
Sally-Jo
The Cruelest Month by Louise Penny
I enjoy Louise Penny series with Chief Inspector Gamache. The characters are quirky but loveable. Her books are page-turners with twists and turns along the way, keeping you guessing who is the murderer.
Sheree
Never Saw Me Coming by Vera Kurian
I enjoyed reading this book. It kept me wondering who was doing all the killing. It really didn't develop the real killer as much and added it in the end. It could have developed that character more.
Sue-Marie
The Madness of Crowds by Louise Penny
What makes a life valuable? Is there any justification for ending someone's life?
Cynthia
The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich
This is an excellent and well written book. One learns much about the attempt in the 1950s to “emancipate” the native American population by moving them off of the reservations and relocating them to cities, as well as completely cutting off any funding for them. This would allow the land, again, to be taken over by non-native Americans. The book provides an interesting look at reservation life in the 50s, as well as a grass roots attempt to protest the proposed “emancipation” legislation. There is drama and humor, along with a well-developed storyline and a variety of colorful characters.
Susan
Fire in the Night by Christopher Swann
One of the best books I have read in a long time. Fast pace very enjoyable.
Linda
The Light of Days by Judy Batalion
A rare glimpse into the lives of female resistance fighters during World War II. Stories of amazing heroism and tragedy.
Cynthia
The Night She Disappeared by Lisa Jewell
Tallulah would never leave her child. But some know she’s young and maybe needs a break. Very riveting and multiple points of views. Some seem more concerned than others. Really loved this story and the strange hints along the way.
Tessa
At Bertram's Hotel by Agatha Christie
Christie excels at creating complicated plots with many suspects and red herrings to keep the reader guessing. She has plenty of surprises in store with this one as well. I had, unfortunately for me, seen the PBS Masterpiece mystery series episode, so knew where it was heading, but I still found it fascinating to watch how Christie wove the elements together.
Alice
Bewilderment by Richard Powers
I enjoyed the book (an ARC) but thought it was a little hard to imagine what was happening. I was anxious to read it because I will be seeing him in person at a library event this fall.
Cecilia
Vanderbilt: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty by Anderson Cooper
Anderson Cooper makes the Vanderbilt story a terrific read. Nothing boring about this book.
Linda
The Therapist by B. A. Paris
I read this book in one day! It's a page-turner and I could not put it down. I finished late at night which was a mistake because then I could not sleep…the whole book was just swimming before me all night.
Karen
Lightning Strike by William Kent Krueger
An outstanding book written by one of the best contemporary writers. Hated to see it end, but the ending was perfect.
Chris
Falling by T. J. Newman
This is quite the fast-paced read because you have to help the good guys get out of a mess! The descriptions are perfect; I saw everything. I even thought I smelled the second can of gas thrown into the passenger area of the plane. The first was grabbed too quickly to bother me! A new author, a wild ride and a sweet ending.
Laurie
Defending Britta Stein by Ronald H. Balson
Fictional history at its best! An incredible thrilling tale of bravery, combined with a modern-day courtroom drama. The rendition of Denmark wartime heroics is brilliant. Bravo Ronald H. Balson for an outstanding new book!
MH
A Cup of Silver Linings by Karen Hawkins
If you can suspend your disbelief that teas can work magic and books can really speak to people, this book had a good plot about a grandmother getting to know her granddaughter and her dead daughter from whom she was estranged. I thought the book left at least one loose end, but think this is a series about the small town (see the teaser at the end), but I was glad my book club chose it.
Christina
Too Good to Be True by Carola Lovering
I finished the book, so that means I liked it. There were a few thrilling cliffhangers to keep one's interest. The characters were well-developed and multi-faceted. There were three primary personalities throughout, each with good and bad characteristics. I don't know if the author intended it, but the male archetype--weak in character, but lovable and loyal--is an eerily accurate description of far too many men in our society today.
Alexandra
The Maidens by Alex Michaelides
We felt the story was pretty far-fetched and none of the characters were likable or relatable.
However, our group managed to have a good discussion about the gullibility of young university students and the influence a professor can have on them.
Jeanine
It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover
I rarely read romance novels, but glad I opted for this one due to the relationships’ depth and nuance. Plus, Hoover’s authentic personal experience with the complex, often contradictory emotions resonates throughout.
Rebecca
Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Drugs, sex, rock and roll...I'm too old for this stuff...can't relate.
Larry
Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Not my cup of tea. Four kids abandoned by their father, mom raises (alcoholic, dies in tub), how do the four turn out?
Rachel
Iron Lake by William Kent Krueger
After reading THIS TENDER LAND and ORDINARY GRACE and loving them, I thought I should check out Krueger's Cork O'Connor series. I was not disappointed and will be adding this series to my rotation.
Melinda
Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Really great story. Enjoyed it a lot!
Cindi
Men Are From Mars Women Are From Venus by John Gray, Ph.D
An oldie but a goody! It was fun rereading this book. Interesting to see if any societal changes
happened since the first time I read it.
Jeffrey
The Go-Between by L. P. Hartley
I saw the film adaptation of this book years ago, attracted by the fact that Harold Pinter wrote the screenplay, but until very recently, I hadn't read the book in spite of having read several reviews by the likes of Colm Toibin, Francine Prose, and Michiko Kakutani that this book approached the caliber of masterpiece. For the first 50 pages or so, I couldn't for the life of me see how these reviewers could have been so wrong. But then the narrative got into gear, and I was completely hooked. I realized that the long setup had made the book far richer than the movie, where, essentially, Pinter cut to the chase (unusual for him). I became totally involved with the characters, and at the end I was suitably bowled over. Recommended.
Mary
The Other Daughter by Shalini Bohland
Interesting read! I was intrigued by the ending! It was not what I expected.
Mary
People Like Them by Samira Sadira
The book was okay. Just not my favorite. I will realize it was loosely based on a true story and maybe that makes it harder to write where you know the outcome from the beginning.
Sharon
Survive the Night by Riley Sager
Had me on the edge of my seat the whole time!
Sharon
The Bookshop at Water's End by Patti Callahan Henry
A story of second chances and finding a place to call home.
Linda
The Body Lies by Jo Baker
Excellent, about the "woman in danger; creepy stalker" with the plus of being about college writing programs.
Sharon
These Toxic Things by Rachel Howzell Hall
A strange shop that sells anything you can think of is the center of this story. But how were some of these items acquired and why would anyone want to kill the shop's owner? Kept me guessing!
Linda
The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz
Great! Another book about college writing programs, this one at an American college. Would you have done what the author/hero did? A real page-turner.
Lisa
GodPretty in the Tobacco Field by Kim Michele Richardson
Kim Michele Richardson always provides an interesting view of Appalachian life, something that I know very little about. In this story, she wove in events of the time, which was quite interesting. I probably enjoyed THE BOOK WOMAN OF TROUBLESOME CREEK more, but would still recommend this book.
Linda
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
Eleanor is a very damaged misfit whom I really wanted to triumph. The story is a funny/sad combo, which I love.
Donna
The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba by Chanel Cleeton
I love learning about other places and how people adapt, and this one of a girl from Cuba is as good as her other book that I read, THE LAST TRAIN TO KEY WEST.
Stephanie
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
A wonderful book full of quirky characters that bond over an unusual experience. I loved the upbeat storyline and the relationships that the were formed.
Donna
Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty
Moriarty does a great job with each of her characters. I felt like I really knew these people when I had finished the book. It's about family, relationships and tennis. Very enjoyable.
Wendy
A Fatal Grace by Louise Penny
I am new to Louise Penny and started with Book 1. I am enjoying Gamache's mysteries and can see a lot of reading coming up!
Terry
Billy Summers by Stephen King
The king of fiction has done it again. Billy Summers is a hit man who only kills bad guys. He’s the best of the best. Now he wants out of the business but he has one more job to do before that can happen. And things always go as planned for him. Or do they? Excellent story even thought it’s not a horror story.
Anara
The Cape Doctor by E. J. Levy
In the early 1800s, it was difficult for a girl to make her way in the world, and even more so if she were Irish Catholic and penniless. But young Margaret is exceptionally smart and determined. She agrees to a perilous secret: to disguise herself as a boy to attend medical school in Edinburgh. Based on the life of a real person, Levy constructs this well written novel to explore “What makes a man, a life?” amid questions of what constitutes gender and how one might overcome the limitations placed by society.
Andrew
Remember by Lisa Genova
This book was awesome! A great look at what we remember and why while diving deep into the science of it all. I will absolutely be reading this book again. My first read left me with an array of annotations and highlights that are worth another look or three! Great read. Highly recommended.
Kimberley
The Exiles by Christina Baker Kline
This historical fiction takes an in-depth journey into the harsh reality of the transport of convicts to 19th Century Australia. The author breathes life into actual true names and events. Following three women and their legacy, this is a must-read. The author has combined the ‘transport’ to Australia with the horrible abuses suffered by the Aborigines of Australia.
Francisca
Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese
5 stars and a ❤. This is an epic story of twin boys, born of an Indian nun and a British surgeon in an Ethiopian hospital, but raised by two other Indian physicians and the staff of Missing Hospital. Verghesse is a masterful storyteller, who wields his pen with surgical precision. The landscape and characters come to life on the page, letting the reader experience the sights, sounds, smells, tastes and textures of Ethiopia and the hospitals both there and in New York where Marion finishes his training.
Elisa
In Every Mirror She’s Black by Lola Akinmade Akerstrom
One of the most shocking endings I have ever read! An interesting look at being a Black woman trying to make her way in Sweden. Three women whose stories intersect.
Linda
Short Nights of the Shadow Catcher by Timothy Egan
Timothy Egan is a wonderful author. His nonfiction books bring all the stories to life and I just couldn't put them down. Everyone in my book club has enjoyed his books and we always have good discussions.
Barbara
Reunion Beach by Elin Hilderbrand, Adriana Trigiani, et al.
What a beautiful tribute to Dorothea Benton Frank! Short stories and essays by wonderful authors.
Karen
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
This book seems to be a love it or hate it. I enjoyed his style of humor until it went on and on and on. If you have read any of his books, you know there will be an uplifting ending. I did not get attached to any character. I kept reading and reading for something unexpected to happen. An easy light read for a rainy afternoon.
Lori
Early Morning Riser by Katherine Heiny
Loved it. The description of the characters was so on point - I felt I have met them. The point the novel makes is that our imperfect lives are all we have so we may as well cope and love the imperfect people around us, a message we all need to hear. This author may be the next Anne Tyler. Such an enjoyable read
Aimee
The Seven Day Switch by Kelly Harms
While a lighter read, this book generated good internal thought for me. I was able to spend two years being a stay at home mom, but worked all the other years of my kids' lives. I can see both sides of the stories, and felt all the things Celeste and Wendy did. Great book for discussion, as long as people are compassionate to others' feelings.
Gwen
Truth, Lies, and Second Dates by Maryjanice Davidson
A quick, fun romance/mystery with lots of tropes (that make fun of itself). A not-planned impulse library grab, and an intriguing story as a bonus.
Alicia
Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney
Very suspensful! Twists at every turn.
LORI V
The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins
A solid psychological thriller. Lots of skeletons in everyone’s closets. Everyone has an ulterior motive for their actions.
sherri
Farewell Summer by Ray Bradbury
A sequel to DANDELION WINE. Not nearly as good; he lost the magic.
Abdul
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
I recently finished this book and it was everything I expected and more. It is now the best book I've ever read. I've been wanting to read CLOUD CUCKOO LAND as soon as I heard it existed because of how much I loved ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE. I would love to read and review it.
Sarah
Flesh & Blood by N. West Moss
I thoroughly enjoyed FLESH AND BLOOD by N. West Moss and consider it an outstanding memoir! The book held my interest, and the short concise chapters kept the narrative moving. The author is a beautiful and poetic writer. She honestly shares her emotions and feelings about infertility and the daunting health challenges that she bravely endured. I loved the stories about her mother and grandmother, both remarkable women! Although much of the content is serious, the author has a sense of humor, and some sections are quite funny! I would recommend this book to anyone interested in women’s issues and to anyone who loves a good memoir.
Elizabeth
The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray
This extraordinary woman was a good choice to highlight in historical fiction. Her life was remarkable. But I only give the book 3 stars because the writing felt shallow. Her relationship with Berenson also seemed so out of character from the way she conducted the rest of her life. I wonder if this jerk was really so important to her.
Nancy
The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict White and Victoria Christopher Murray
This is an historic novel about Belle deCosta Greene, J. P. Morgan's personal librarian. She was a Black woman who passed as white and became one of the most powerful working women of the late 1800s and early 1900s. She, along with Morgan compiled one of the world's leading collections of art, books and manuscripts. I knew of the Morgan Library and Museum in Manhattan but had no idea of the woman behind much of its collection, and the secret she had to keep or risk losing her position in the library and society.
Rose
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Monique Grant, writer at Vivant Magazine, is tapped by movie star Evelyn Hugo to write about Evelyn. Her editor sees this as a coup for the mag, but can't understand why Evelyn chose Monique vs. a more established writer. Evelyn is firm -- it's Monique or no one. When Monique meets Evelyn, and Evelyn begins her story, Monique realizes that this is more than an article, and Evelyn wants Monique to write her biography. Evelyn tells her life story, her drive to overcome poor beginnings and to become a wealthy and famous actress. She also tells Monique the story of her marriages-all of them, as well as her friendships with Hollywood elite, including Oscar winner Celia St. James. Finally, she tells Monique the reason she chose her. Loved this!
Beth
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
I find it is almost a 'book about nothing' like a Seinfeld episode and wonder if someone else had written would it be such a hit.
Helen
The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray
The fascinating true story of JP Morgan’s personal librarian Belle da Costa Greene, a Black woman who lives as a white person. She creates the most renowned collection of rare books and manuscripts in the world at the Pierpoint Morgan Library in NYC. This book tells the story of this extraordinary woman and her talent for curating the collection, all the while living a secret life as a Black woman who has to hide her identity in order to survive in the white man's world.
John
A Calling for Charlie Barnes by Joshua Ferris
A man lives a life of wacky fun and comes through totally unscathed.
Cindy
The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
A perfect blend of the tender sadness of aging and laugh-out-loud humor! I listened to this book on Audible and loved the mystery and the characters, all told in a crisp, charming British accent. Congrats to Richard Osman, named the Best British Author of the Year. I’ve already pre-ordered his next book!
Cindy
The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels by India Holt
An ingenious romp of an adventure featuring lady pirates with knives tucked in all manners of places as they sip tea and discuss literary classics. The Lady Scoundrels are a perfect antidote with a cuppa and biscuit to add a little joy to life during Covid!
Thomas
Cul-de-Sac by Joy Fielding
Excellent book to read. Really good.
Myrna
All the Children Are Home by Patry Francis
I enjoy books that examine family dynamics, whether intact or dysfunctional. This novel tells the story of a couple who find it in their hearts to take in foster children. The author doesn't claim to make them the perfect family, by any means, but as we learn more about their backstory so grows our compassion for them. The children, two of whom are siblings, are so vividly depicted that one can well imagine the family dynamics that they help to create. A very moving story that may bring the reader to tears, or close to it.
Lana
Harp of Burma by Michio Takeyama
I read this as part of the Kansas Humanities Council TALK (Talk About Literature, Kansas) series on world faiths at a nearby public library. I definitely would not have picked this book up on my own, but am glad that I read it. It is a short book and short introduction to Buddhism, a religion I know little about. The writer's style was simple and easily understood, which appealed to me in the context of young men at war. Although simple, the messages conveyed throughout the book about commitment, loyalty, kindness, morality, etc. were deep, but eloquently expressed.
Tessa
Devil's Food Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke
2.5 stars. Book # 14 in the Hannah Swenson cozy mystery series and she STILL hasn’t made up her mind on which suitor – dentist Norman or lawman Mike – to accept. Looks like the boys may be making the decision for her. Yes, there’s a murder, and yes, Hannah MUST investigate. But she also bakes a lot of goodies. The recipes are probably what I like best about the series.
Amy
The House of Ashes by Stuart Neville
Stuart Neville's Irish Noir novel hits all the right notes. It has mysticism, mystery, misogeny. The two interweaving stories of Mary and Sara are mesmerizing. I found myself rooting for both, and caring deeply about the outcome.
Laura
The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave
Rated it a 3.5 really. I enjoyed the story and it moved along swiftly but thought the ending was unsatisfying. I listened to an author's interview with her and she said that she is writing a sequel to it so that explains the lack of a better ending.
Deborah
When the Stars Go Dark by Paula McLain
A thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat. I couldn’t put it down. I know this is a change of genre for the author and she managed it masterfully.
Sandi
The Barbizon: The Hotel That Set Women Free by Paulina Bren
Great informational book on the Barbizon Hotel and also New York city from the 1920s through the 1950s. Additional information about the magazine Mademoiselle and about Sylvia Plath and Joan Didion. Wonderful pictures included. A taste of being a single woman in the early 20th century and following your dreams. From Molly Brown, who lived thru the sinking of the Titanic, to Phylicia Rashad, current day actress - you learn about all the women who planted their dreams in New York City and stayed at the Barbizon Hotel.
Suzanne
We Are the Brennans by Tracey Lange
Loved it and the Brennan family. Because each chapter was narrated by a different member of the family, it was interesting and flowed easily. Nevermind that the family made terrible decisions and was totally dysfunctional.
Suzanne
The Show Girl by Nicola Harrison
Disappointing. The story didn't go into the Ziegfeld Follies as much as I would have liked and was more of a love story than historical fiction. Every time there was a storyline that was interesting, it ended. Pretty predictable ending.
Suzanne
The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi
Well-written and interesting story. I felt like I learned about the 1950s in India and about henna artistry.
Laura
Nature's Best Hope by Douglas W. Tallamy
Eye opening. We are destroying our planet in so many ways. I will now think twice before planting something in my yard. I am also dedicated to removing 50% of my "lawn".
Rose
Creep by Jennifer Hillier
CREEP is the perfect title for this psychological thriller. It opens with Dr. Sheila Tao telling her TA that their affair is over. She is getting married to a wonderful man, Morris. Ethan is livid, and although he has a girlfriend, Abby, that he adores, he craves Sheila, and the things they do together. Ethan cannot let go of his obsession for Sheila, and takes steps to control her and expose her addiction to ruin her reputation. This all leads to a chilling ending. Quite an impressive debut novel.
Rose
Arranged by Catherine McKenzie
When I think of Catherine McKenzie, I think of psychological thrillers, but her early books were romance novels. ARRANGED is the story of Anne Blythe who becomes tired of being with the wrong men. So, after her best friend, Sarah, becomes engaged, Anne decides to try a new method of meeting a man. When she meets with the Blythe agency, she finds out that she is not signing up for a dating service, but rather for an arranged marriage. Anne heads to Mexico, meets and marries Jack, and thinks things might work out, until it all comes crashing down, and Anne questions whether she is made for marriage after all. This was a unique approach to romance. Enjoyable read.
Joyce
Four Seasons in Rome: on twins, insomnia, and the biggest funeral in the history of the world by Anthony Doerr
Insightful observations of the Eternal City by one of my very favorite authors. I love a travel memoir and this one fit the bill!
Becky
The Maid by Nita Prose
This is an intriguing book. The main character and narrator is Molly, a maid at an exclusive hotel. Molly is a perfectionist and a bit strange to others. She lives with her Gran and sees everything in black and white until...a murder takes place at the hotel and Molly finds the body. Friendship, truth, justice, our perception of those somewhat different, all play a part in the resolution of who killed Mr. Black. Once begun, it is difficult to put this book down. Molly is a character you sympathize with and yet don’t quite understand, just as she doesn’t quite understand the world. She is fascinating just as the book is fascinating. Book groups will love discussing this book.
Sandra
The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot by Marianne Cronin
This is a book of life...and death. An old woman and a young girl meet in a hospital for terminal patients and immediately are drawn to each other. They decide to tell their stories in words and pictures that add up to their 100 years...one is 83 and the other is 17 years old. A wonderful book and one I won't forget for a long time.
Judith
The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Dare
WOW! I loved this book's raw emotion, energy and detail, offering every aspect of life's horrors through the joy in the voice of a Nigerian teenager. Abi Dare describes the daily life, utter poverty and desperation of villagers through Adunni's thoughts, hopes, and experiences. She is forced to abandon her childhood home, fleeing an abusive marriage situation straight into a terrible work environment. Adunni finds her louding voice and works toward her dreams through her positive perseverance and sometimes unintentional humor, The Book of Nigerian Facts and a trusty dictionary, and the power of friendship.
Michelle
Damnation Spring by Ash Davidson
A slow start for me but I slowly got sucked in and couldn’t stop thinking about the characters. The ending is a heartbreaker though, and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it.
Sue
The House in the Cerulean Sea by T. J. Klune
Great book about unusual relationships.
Deby
Group by Christie Tate
Really made me evaluate things in my own life and I greatly appreciated that right at this moment.
Rana
The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah
While some readers might call THE FOUR WINDS depressing, I found it to be a beautiful story about survival under the most extreme circumstances and also about the complicated bonds between family members we are born connected to and those that we choose or choose us. The characters are multi-dimensional and allow for a range of emotions. It is easy to compare this book other depression era books (i.e. THE GRAPES OF WRATH), but I felt it offer much more of a women and mother's perspective about how far we are willing to go to protect our children.
Cheryl
The Darling Dahlias and the Voodoo Lily by Susan Wittig Albert
Good cozy mystery series set during the Depression in rural Alabama.
shelly
An Amish Schoolroom by Amy Clipston, Kathleen Fuller and Shelley Shepard Gray
This delightful combination of three teachers involving starting out in new schools is a lovely read.
Three authors, Amy Clipston, Kathleen Fuller, and Shelley Shepard Gray each contribute a story.
Jan
A Burning by Megha Majumdar
Tears through much of the book. Reality. A very poor girl, struggling to complete school. Her friend, a man posing as a woman, "my chest is a man's chest and my breasts are made of rags," and a man who becomes a crooked political operative. The poor girl could be anywhere or anyone but she is in India in this story. She is kind, knows little attention or affection from her parents, and is trying to teach her friend Lovely, the man who tries to be a woman, some English. Her family has been evicted, her father can no longer work - she just wants to help the world. She is on her way to visit Lovely, carrying a bag of English books for her. She sees a terrorist attack and writes about it on Facebook. She is arrested - thinks others will help.
Elizabeth
Anatomy of a Scandal by Sarah Vaughan
ANATOMY OF A SCANDAL really is what its title says it is: an anatomy, or analysis, of a scandal. The story is told from the viewpoints of the various people who are involved in the scandal, directly or indirectly, although the actual scandal is not dealt with until about page 200. You might say, then, up until that point is setup that goes too long. You would be only partially correct. If this is to be an anatomy of a scandal, analyses of these people are necessary.
Tessa
The Seven or Eight Deaths of Stella Fortuna by Juliet Grames
3.5 stars. In her debut novel, Grames explores the lives of two sisters and the rift between them. Spanning a century we follow Stella Fortuna from her birth in a small Italian village at the beginning of the 20th century, through her family’s immigration to America, to the birth of successive generations, until she is an old woman mostly confined to bed and still “at war” with her younger sister, Tina, who lives just across the street. I love family sagas and this one is epic. I really enjoyed this book but hated the title and device of “seven or eight deaths” – it just seemed so contrived.
Marcia
A Most Clever Girl by Stephanie Marie Thornton
It was a very interesting book. I didn't know anything about real life Russian or American spies. I didn't care for this book as much as the previous two books that Stephanie wrote. I'm not sure if it was because the character was lonely most of her life and wasn't happy most of her life or if the subject of communism wasn't for me.
Rose
Forgotten by Catherine McKenzie
Emma Tupper is grieving her mother’s death. When her mother’s final gift to her is a trip to Africa, Emma takes the trip, putting her life and career as a litigation lawyer on hold. While in Africa, Emma gets sick, and her month long trip turns into 6 months. When she gets home, she finds that her apartment has been rented to a photographer named Dominic, her things gone, her boyfriend has moved on and her cases have been reassigned. Now that her life has been upended, Emma has to reconsider her life choices. While rebuilding her caseload, she is assigned to an insurance case involving a missing Manet painting. Part investigation, part romance, part finding yourself, this is a cute story. There were too many holes to give more stars.
Liz
Carved in Stone by Elizabeth Camden
Gwen Kellerman is an heiress. She tries to ignore her wealth by living a quiet, peaceful life. Patrick O’Neill is a lawyer who champions the poor and needy. The two are thrown together when Patrick accepts a a job with the Blackstone family (Gwen’s maiden name). Sparks ignite between the two as the try to find a way to be together while being true to their pasts.
Anita
Trail of Broken Wings by Sejal Badani
This is a wonderful, well-written book about three sisters of Indian heritage and the secrets they have kept hidden from everyone who knows them. Though the subject matter is disturbing, it was still a great read. Ms. Badani is a great author, and I look forward to reading more of her books.
Kathy
The Happiest Man on Earth: The Beautiful Life of an Auschwitz Survivor by Eddie Jaku
An incredible memoir of Eddie Jaku, Auschwitz survivor, and his wisdom and philosophy about life. He truly believes the best revenge for all the war-time atrocities he survived is to live a full and happy life filled with love and family. Very inspiring!
Minna
Hello Darkness, My Old Friend by Sanford D. Greenberg
An autobiography about a man who overcame blindness.
Alice
The Daughter of Sherlock Holmes by Leonard Goldberg
Perfect for fans of Sherlock Holmes...new take on his abilities.
Laura
The Reading List by Sarah Nisha Adams
I really think you need to have read all the books referenced. I've read most of them but felt left out by those I had not. The relationships were hard. The reality of pain, searching and recovery was evident and heartfelt.
diane
The Ride of Her Life by Elizabeth Letts
Interesting true story of a woman in her sixties who rode a horse from Maine to California in the 1950s. Good discussion book about the strength of women and their determination. Also the goodness of people as many helped her on her journey.
Debbie
The Reluctant King by K'wan
I am sadly disturbed by many “new” books that insist on using foul language. I realize that this language is the vernacular of certain areas, but this vocabulary creates ill feelings for me. THE RELUCTANT KING by K’wan provides foul language and explicit sexually. The story centralizes on family loyalty and following a specific family agenda, but vocabulary and actions destroy the novel. The characters have no dimension and fall flat. The settings bring no picture to your mind, except of distaste. The book wasted my time.
Jan
The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates
This book gets a 3 rating for the beautiful writing. It deserves a 2 for content. I knew most of what was written - the awful conditions of slaves, the terrible situation of slavery, the domination of the "white master," the many babies born to slave women who were raped by their masters, etc. So I did not learn much. I did not even learn much about the Underground Railroad. The brief romantic parts never ended in joy because Hi was always going back underground to help people escape. One interesting part was the rescue of Hi's foster mother, the one who took care of him after his mother was sold away from the homeplace. He found Thena's daughter and took Thena to her daughter to care for her in her old feeble time. Not much for me.
Jan
The Guide by Peter Heller
I expected more of Peter Heller. He makes this a mystery of sorts and he fails. The descriptions are lovely, especially when Jack is alone in the night or in the woods - but the story falls far short of what he can do. The book inserts a famous singer for Jack to guide in fishing. They seem to fall in love but we really only get longing looks and a few kisses. The big mystery is what is happening next door in a forbidden area to guides and guests. There are screams in the night, the manager tries to fire Jack several times, demands that he bring his rifle to be stored in a locked room in the main house. Read the first 2/3 of the book for the lovely writing - then fill in the blanks with any mystery you wish. The ending is just a mishmash.
Susan
Empire of Pain by Patrick Radden Keefe
Extremely interesting and discouraging book. I enjoyed reading about the history of the Sackler family. I didn’t like reading about how their drugs were approved by the FDA. The process did not seem to follow the standard procedures. The Sackler family seemed to think they were above the law and they didn’t seem to care about other people. They used people for their benefit.
Katharine
The Guest Book by Sarah Blake
This book is not getting the press it deserves. It is an interesting narrative with three generations of complex characters and relationships, historical backdrops and some unexpected moments in the story. I highly recommend it.
Pam
The Code Breaker by Walter Isaacson
This is the story of Jennifer Doudna’s work in the development of CRISPR technology. She won the Nobel Prize for chemistry in 2019. There is a lot of information in this book that is very helpful in understanding the development of gene editing and how it relates to the COVID vaccines/ tests. Don’t be put off by the size of the book as the chapters are very short.
S
The Car Share by Zoe Brisby
25-year-old Alex and 90-something-year-old Max meet via an online car sharing service. Alex is hoping to escape depression after a romantic rejection by traveling to Brussels. Max has escaped the nursing home heading there for an appointment to be euthanized. Despite this unhappy sounding premise, this novel is a comedy and I found myself laughing out loud several times as the two of them head for their destination! If you loved the movie "Harold and Maude" this road trip adventure is perfect fit for you! The tone becomes a bit more serious as you near the satisfying ending, but overall it was a great read. I'd rate it 4-1/2 stars.
Clare
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
I picked up PROJECT HAIL MARY because it is not a book I would normally select. I thought, "Why not?" It is not a great piece of storytelling, hooking the reader in quickly. There's a ton of science involved -- earth's sun is cooling, school science teacher ends up in space trying to solve this problem, save earth and the planet of the alien life form he meets at the star that is his destination -- but never fear, you can flow with that as the problem gets solved and not have to understand all about the physics of space travel! I loved the sections of linguistic exchange between protagonist and alien and these bring in comedy to lighten the tension. A fun read!
Sally
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
I loved the premise of the “midnight library”; it was fascinating. However, you soon get used to what is going to happen in the book, which is the reason I gave it four stars.
sherry
The Exiles by Christina Baker Kline
Loved this book. It was a hit with my book club.
sherry
The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel
Wow. Good book, a topic I was not aware of when there is so much information on the Holocaust. Well written, fast, good read. Very good book.
Teresa
We Are the Brennans by Tracey Lange
An Irish American family living in a New York suburb tends to keep secrets. The story revolves around what happened one night to Sunday, the only daughter.
Susan
The House in the Cerulean Sea by T. J. Klune
A very creative author!!!
Jeanne
Unholy Murder by Lynda LaPlante
UNHOLY MURDER by Lynda LaPlante is the first book I’ve read by this author and I was immediately drawn in and captivated by this storyline from page one to the very end. It was a chilling, intense read that was full of twists and turns and surprises, especially when I finally learned who the killer was. Without giving away any spoilers, in my opinion, the author did a great job in her character development, especially Detective Jane Tennison. A special thank you to the publisher for sending me this book.
Jayme
Family Reunion by Nancy Thayer
Another book about privileged wealthy people living on Nantucket Island and their silly problems. "Mommy won't sell her house on the bluffs and split the 15 million, so I can't buy a condo in Boston." Even their big problems just seemed trite. To be fair, I knew going in that it would be a beach read and Thayer's descriptions of Nantucket did make me want to book a flight. I just don't want to run into these people when I get there - except for maybe Cal. It's always a bonus if your minister is also eye-candy!
Jayme
The Unlikely Thru-Hiker by Derick Lugo
For some reason I am drawn to books about hiking long distances, and this book written by a novice hiker hiking the Appalachian Trail is not one to miss. Lugo’s memoir of his experience is funny, thoughtful, and realistic. If you are going to hike for the first time why not make it the Appalachian Trial – go big or go home. I think Lugo has inspired me to go for a walk, hike, jaunt… see you on the trails.
Wendellyn
Mary Jane by Jessica Anya Blau
If you grew up in the seventies, this book will remind you of the pop culture you lived through. It’s an entertaining coming-of-age story.
Amy
The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller
I liked this one and at times I couldn’t put it down to find out what happened next. I’m still thinking about the ending and trying to reinterpret the last pages. Events in the book related to rape and sexual abuse of children were difficult to read.
Kim
Ancient Remedies by Dr. Josh Axe
In a time when we all realize we need to be living a healthier lifestyle, this book/reference is a great resource. He talks about addressing health needs in a more natural way. He talks about cures from several different types of ancient medicine. He gives very detailed information about different herbs, supplements and how best to use them. The first half of the book is more for reading. The second half is more reference for different ailments.
Judy
West With Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge
This is a book that I want to put in everyone’s hands! An adventure story, coming-of-age story, and a wonderful story of animals' relationship with people.
pat
The Escape Room by Megan Goldin
Prepare to read this book non-stop to discover what happened to Sara!
Susan
I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes
Amazing book. Written over 7 years ago, this novel could have been written yesterday, the issues are so contemporary -- pandemics, Afghanistan, war, terrorism, religious and political extremism, the exportation of America's manufacturing capabilities and resulting consequences, and much more. Fast-paced plot interspersed with detailed background information giving the story real depth. Good character development. Novel is filled with interesting personalities and humor.
Richard N B
Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas
In this prequel to THE HATE U GIVE, Thomas gives us the young Maverick Carter, a 17-year-old gang member struggling to find his path to manhood. I can really see how this young man, hardly out of childhood, is being influenced – by his peers, by his parents, by other adults in his neighborhood and school, and by the expectations of society. Thomas writes about a realistic urban environment for many families, with brutal honesty and empathy. She does not shy away from the serious social issues facing these families, nor does she offer platitudes or pat answers on how to address these issues.
Laurie
The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni
I’ve read this awesome coming-of-age novel twice and love it even more. Extraordinary characters, lifetime friendships/relationships with friends and family. A do-not-miss book written by #1 storyteller, Robert Dugoni. Bravo, 5 big stars!
Gay
Yours Cheerfully by A. J. Pearce
Just a lovely read taking one to another time and place. Sequel to DEAR MRS. BIRD which I also loved. Another look into WWII from everyday life and perspective of that time.
Jeffrey
Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro
Ishiguro is a fascinating writer. Each of his books seem to be completely different from each other, but the sensibility that created them remains a kind of constant. His world is never easy to grasp. It’s like our own but different in fundamental and disturbing ways. Yet there’s always a human heart beating under the strangeness. This is especially true of KLARA AND THE SUN, and it’s an especially interesting thing to say about a book whose protagonist is a robot.
Muriel
Mrs. Morris and the Vampire by Traci Wilton
When I started this cozy mystery, which I won recently, I wasn’t sure what to think of it. My usual genre is historical fiction, but I had decided I wanted to try some cozies. This one, however, contained vampires, witches, and, a ghost- definitely not my usual read. Main character Charlene Morris, who operates a bed and breakfast and lives with a ghost, is a likable character known for solving mysteries. Early on a “vampire” is killed the the mystery begins of who and why. I found I was enjoying the story and the new characters I was meeting as the story unfolded. It turned out to be a quick, fun book to read.
Lorraine
The Magican by Colm Toibin
I love the sound of Colm Toibin’s voice. This is his second autobiographical fiction about a major literary figure, Thomas Mann, who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1929, mostly for a book he wrote at 25, BUDDENBROOKS. For one of the greatest German writers, he is hardly known, very complex with very complicated family relationships. Insightful and illuminating, history is seen through a new lens in terms of how history changed the man particularly when Hitler came to power.
Donna
Billy Summers by Stephen King
Many years ago I read a Stephen King book that scared me to death and I haven't read any more of his books until I heard such good things about this new book, I decided to try it. This man can write!
His development of the characters just pulled me in and I really enjoyed this book about a hit man trying to make himself a better person.
Sharon
The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray
I love historical books that open up eras and people I did not know about--or know much about--and this book certainly does that with smooth flowing narrative and insightful words about those people who, in order to get good jobs or training, had to "pass" as white. Excellent insights into white privilege.
Christy
Jefferson's Daughters by Catherine Kerrison
This is a DAR book club selection.
Pam
Billy Summers by Stephen King
Another great story from master storyteller, King. The characters are developed well, the pace is perfect, and the action is balanced well with reflection and emotion. It was almost a 5 star read, but the unnecessary interjection of Trump hate brought it down a notch for me.
Sheree
Detour to Heaven: One Man's True Journey by Dale Reppert
It was an okay book, fast read. I would not recommend it but I read it for my book group with the author coming to our meeting.
Lisa
A Song for the Dark Times by Ian Rankin
How have I missed out on reading Ian Rankin in the past? This is my first time reading one of his books that my husband recommended. Great writing and characters that kept you glued to the pages. So why only 4 stars? There were three subplots and I couldn't have done with one less.
Linda
Saving Grace by Lee Smith
SAVING GRACE is Southern Lit that brings to light the disturbing religious practice (to me, anyway) of snake handling, etc. by Grace's fundamentalist preacher father. I was engrossed by the family dynamics and how Grace eventually "found" her true self.
Joanne
The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah
Enjoyable read. Writing was somewhat flat when I think of Hannah’s other books.
Debra
The Winemaker's Wife by Kristin Harmel
A book I couldn’t put down. Relationships in France during the German occupation and current day.
How the two stories come together. Well written.
Jayme
The Last Green Valley by Mark Sullivan
I'm very conflicted about this historical fiction book based on true events. The history behind the story of the "Black Sea Germans" and their march through the Ukraine to escape Stalin and the Red Army heading to what they thought was "safety" with Hitler at the end of WWII was fascinating. My problem has to do with how religious this book is - literally every 4th page was an affirmation about how God will get them through the hard times. Their belief made a horrible situation bearable, but I didn't need to be reminded about it constantly. It felt like I was reading two books - the history and the testimony. I think knowing going in that this book is heavy on religion/belief you will be able to better embrace it, or brace yourself.
Jayme
Golden Girl by Elin Hilderbrand
It is what it is - a book to be read poolside, or on the beaches of OBX, Nantucket, the Keys - take your pick, just don't take this book to seriously. The cover is gorgeous though.
Deborah
The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris
I found that the structure of the book made it hard to follow at times. Characters were introduced with no lead up or explanation. The plot was very well executed.
Betty
The Last Garden in England by Julia Kelly
The book does a great job of linking three time periods -- 1870s, 1940s and present day.
Nancy
Don't Ask Me Where I'm From by Jennifer DeLeon
This book is intended -- I think -- for teenagers, but it's a great book for adults, as well. We're covering it for this month's book club, and there is a lot to talk about, especially in light of the BLM and other identity movements. The story is about Liliana, a Boston, first-generation LatinX high schooler who has the opportunity to transfer from her inner-city Boston high school to a privileged school in the white suburbs. How she identifies -- or doesn't -- with white students with three-stall garages when her family doesn't even have a car, with prejudice and with the unknown struggles of young people who seemingly have everything is a story worth discussion, along with issues of immigration, deportation and need.
Rose
The Vanishing Year by Kate Moretti
Zoe Whittaker has it all: a husband who adores her (Henry), a beautiful house, and plenty of wealth, but she has a secret past. She is in witness protection due to testifying against drug dealers in the past. Zoe was adopted as a child, and wants to find her birth mother now that her adoptive mom, Evelyn, has died. Henry disagrees with her decision, feeling that she is always seeking more, and wants him to be enough for her. When things start to go wrong, a near death car crash and her home being vandalized, Zoe begins to think her past is coming back to haunt her. She is increasingly wary of her husband’s attempts to control her actions, and wonders if he might be having an affair. Enjoyable! Can’t wait to read more from Moretti.
Rose
Mrs. March by Virginia Feito
Mrs. March is slowly slipping into madness. When her husband George March, an author, published his latest book, her break with reality becomes more intense. She believes the book was written about her. Since the book is about ‘a whore’, she is devastated. George denies it, but she doesn’t believe him. As a young girl, Mrs. March invented imaginary people. Now as an adult, she imagines things that aren’t there. As she loses her grip on reality, she becomes dangerous, leading to a catastrophe. Very strange novel, in my opinion.
Sandra
Big Sky by Kate Atkinson
A truly wonderful book for those who like their mysteries with many twists and turns. All of this author’s books are great reads.
Elizabeth
The Gown by Jennifer Robson
Interesting premise but I would have liked more substance about post WWII London - but then I shouldn’t read a book called THE GOWN!
Emily
The Pianist From Syria by Aeham Ahmad
This memoir is about a Syrian man who is able to find comfort and strength while soothing others with his musical gift. This is a riveting and inspirational read.
Laura
Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie
This is the first time I’ve gone back to reread a Miss Marple in ages. They are a delight. Easy and fun. A man who is generally unliked in the village ends up murdered in the vicar’s house. Of course it wasn’t who I thought it was; thankfully, Miss Marple figured it out.
Simonne
The Last Green Valley by Mark Sullivan
What a saga! Based on the true story of Adeline and Emil Martel, their two sons and extended family fleeing WWII Russia under the “protection” of the Nazi’s and ultimately getting to the U.S. and claiming freedom. The unbelievable journey and many hardships are portrayed in a way that you can feel their pain.
Candace
The Scorpion's Tale by Lincoln Child and Douglas Preston
Second book in the Nora Kelly book. It was a enjoyable mystery with a good premise. Nora Kelly is a good character though Corrie Swanson needs some more fleshing out. I get that she's a new FBI agent, but it seems like she was a stronger character in the past. She is smart and growing.
Rose
The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See
This book was an incredible story of friendship, regret, grudges, and forgiveness. It takes place over 70 years. Young-sook and Mi-ja become friends in their small village where they are divers called Haenyeo. As they marry and have children, and the Korean Peninsula goes from a Japanese colony to two divided countries, their lives are forever changed. Now 2008, Mi-ja’s grandchild and her family come to Korea to find Young-sook. Young-sook reminisces about her life, and the friendship with Mi-ja. She is forced to face her feelings. Beautifully written, heartbreaking at times. I listened to the audiobook first, then went back and read the print edition, while simultaneously listening to the audio. This greatly enhanced my experience.
MH
A Slow Fire Burning by Paula Hawkins
This book involves several narrators, one of whom is never identified. This was confusing at times. There were the usual multitude of suspects, all with complicated back stories. I found the ending rather rushed, and one part wrapped up in a short newspaper article with no explanation. Also, one character, madly in love with another, seemed to carry on casually after the other was arrested. However, I read the book in one day and will pass it on.
Jean
Tales of Falling and Flying by Ben Loory
These clever short stories are written in a spare style with limited description. Too much description bores me, so Loory's writing works well for me. He combines unlikely things and makes them seem like they belong together.
Linda
Midnight Secrets by Ella Grace
Savannah Wilde returns to Midnight, Alabama to clean out the family home in preparation for selling it. As she enters, memories assail her. After her parents died, her grandfather raised Savannah and her two sisters and she misses him so much. She soon runs into Zach Tanner, her one and only love who is now chief of police. Ten years ago, he was supposed to come and see her before he left for boot camp but she never heard from him. She’s hurt and angry but his kisses soon change her feelings. She tells him about reading her grandfather’s old letters and learns he questioned whether his son killed his wife. He did not believe it and Savannah has determined to investigate. But the killer is out there and doesn’t want the case reopened.
Linda
Midnight Lies by Ella Grace
Samantha Wilde is with the Atlanta Police Department and goes to Quinn Braddock when she learns he’s been accused of his ex-wife’s murder. Although she has doubts that Quinn sees in her eyes, she goes to bat for him and finds witnesses who testify that another man entered his ex-wife’s house before Quinn arrived. Sam quits the police force and goes to her hometown of Midnight, Alabama to open a security business with her sisters. Quinn buys a house and plans to stay, too. Another woman is murdered and Quinn is accused but he was with Sam. Who hates him so much that they are willing to murder women to frame him? He is determined that Sam will not be the next victim.
Linda
Bridge of Gold by Kimberley Woodhouse
Luke Moreau emigrated from France and found his way to California where he got a job as diver for the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge. He was engaged to Margo Hunley and they planned a future together. On one of his dives, he found a gold nugget. This led to danger when another man decided the gold was his. Luke and Margo left California and settled in Michigan where they raised their family. At the present time, Kayla Richardson has been hired to work with Steven Michaels to recover artifacts from the sunken ship “Lucky Martha”. They found a skeleton wrapped in chains as well as other human bones. Articles from lockers used by divers working on the bridge were provided to Kayla to look over. Who was the skeleton?
Linda
Matchpoint by Elise Sax
Gladys (Gladie) Burger lives with her grandmother, who is a matchmaker. Gladie is trying her hand at it but is not too successful since her one client is being investigated for the death of her boss. Gladie was at the dentist office when the gas knocked her out. When she came to, the dentist was dead. Spencer Bolton is chief of police and a womanizer. He warns her to quit investigating as it is his job but she wants to find who killed the dentist. He is determined to keep her safe. He might be known as a playboy but the woman he wants is Gladie.
Linda
Something to Prove by Kimberly Lang
Helena Wheeler returns to Magnolia Beach to care for her grandmother. Known as Hell-on-Wheels as a teen, she has mixed feelings about returning to her hometown and knows that many will not let her forget all the trouble she caused. Ryan Tanner had been the class president in high school and did not run around with the group Helena associated with. Now Ryan is the mayor of Magnolia Beach and also a house remodeler. Helena has to make changes in her grandmother’s house and she wants to hire Ryan. They tried to stay out of each other’s way but became friends with benefits. When it was time for Helena to return to Atlanta, he realized he was in love with her.
Pat
Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey
I was really looking forward to this because I love seeing him act…but was disappointed. I appreciated his honesty about home life, but his language and some “foul” living left me disappointed. Could have been written in a better manner, in my opinion, and still gotten idea across. It just wasn’t “alright x 3” with me.
Pat
Keep You Close by Karen Cleveland
Karen never fails…writes a great story and seems to always leave a little cliffhanger. She writes intriguing books.
Pat
You Can Run by Karen Cleveland
This one really gave me chills…as a mother, I can’t imagine my child being taken and threats made. Character kept her advanced training in mind, where I would have fallen apart. Great writing.
Jan
Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead
Not much here. Writing is lovely but plot, character development, action -- Whitehead forgot them. This is a rambling bunch of letters about a Harlem a long time ago. For a real story try DEADCON KING KONG or WALLACE STROBY - both write about a long-ago Harlem and both have a story, a plot. Delightful characters. There is not much here.
Elizabeth
(Re)Born in the USA: An Englishman’s Love Letter To His Chosen Home by Roger Bennett
Sports podcaster Roger Bennett’s Liverpool youth took place in the 1980s, and in many ways this book feels like a long-lost ‘80s teen movie. Ambitious themes of cultural and religious alienation, romantic longing, and inspirational messages uncomfortably coexist alongside scatological humor, horrifying behavior by authority figures, cringeworthy male bonding, and overshared sexual shenanigans. A 3.5 feels like the true rating, but the book’s weird pacing and my weak stomach have me bumping this down.
Rosemary
A Place Like Home by Rosamunde Pilcher
A delightful collection of fifteen short stories by Rosamund Pilcher, author of THE SHELL SEEKERS. Following her death in 2019, several unpublished stories were found and added with several previously published stories to form this book which is offered as a tribute to her optimistic storytelling. Each story reminds us that life and love, while often ironic, is in the end well worth the effort. This book will leave the reader with a smile on your face and a good feeling in your heart!
Lois
The Truth According to Us by Annie Barrows
A funny and enjoyable book of a young woman sent to a city called Macedonia to write its history.
The people she meets and her falling in love make this story a can't-put-it-down. Annie Barrows' descriptions are terrific and there is so much to share at a book club meeting.
Nancy
Morningside Heights by Joshua Henkin
This book took me a while to get into, but then it was very good. Pru falls in love with her college professor. They have a daughter, Sarah, and Spence has a son from a first marriage. All goes well for 30 years. Spence starts having problems concentrating. Pru knows something is wrong, but not what. Their daughter is away at school, so she must handle this alone. This about a family in stress and how they handle it.
Nora
The Hummingbird's Daughter by Luis Alberto Urrea
The author spent many years researching this distant relative of his and used magical realism in telling her story. Almost 500 pages went by very quickly as I read about this fascinating woman. The author was able to find many articles written about her and also other books, so a lot of her life can be authenticated! Mr. Urrea wove a tale that kept me reading as fast as I could.
Nora
Picture Perfect by Jodi Picoult
The author weaves another fascinating tale of a love affair gone wrong. I took turns feeling sorry for the heroine and wanting to slap her for allowing herself to be so caught up in the life of her husband that she lost sight of the real world.
Cheryl
The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalie Harris
An interesting book as I thought this would give me an insight to working as the only Black girl in a predominantly white environment. Zakiya does convey this well. Then, in the book, another Black girl is hired and the work place changes for her entirely. Apparently, there is a syndrome called “the other Black girl”, OBG. The second Black girl joins a company and totally make the first Black employee uncomfortable and replaceable. An interesting premise.
Becky
The Santa Suit by Mary Kay Andrews
THE SANTA SUIT is a very sweet story about a house that hasn’t been lived in for years, the suit of clothes worn by the former resident as he for many years portrayed Santa and the disillusioned young woman who is attempting to bring the house, and herself, back to life.
Andrews is a master of creating real characters and believable situations in well-plotted books. THE SANTA SUIT is a prime example of her expertise. This is a feel-good tale that won’t tax your brain but will renew your belief in the goodness of people and the charms of small town life. Well worth an afternoon, or two, of sitting, sipping sweet tea, and getting into a good story.
Francisca
The Weight of Heaven by Thrity Umrigar
Reeling from the loss of their son, Frank and Ellie Benton accept an opportunity to relocate to India to run a factory. But they cannot escape their grief, and Frank’s obsession with the son of a local couple drives a wedge between both couples. This is the third book by Umrigar that I have read, and the third time I’ve rated her work 5-stars. It is an intense and heartbreakingly real story. The tragedy of this couple’s story is inevitable, though nonetheless shocking.
Sherri
The Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon
Another fun romp in the Outlander series.
Thomas
The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth
An excellent book to read. It was really good.
Jayne
Seven Days in June by Tia Williams
Our book club had a lively discussion about this book. Some members were put off by the foul language, but most felt it was necessary to tell the story. We discussed medical conditions that are unseen, trust, relationships, addiction, and much more.
Shirley
The Madness of Crowds by Loouise Penny
Great murder mystery which Louise Penny integrated with some activities and a death many years ago. The narrator was great and just brought the characters alive.
Laura
The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix
What an odd and fabulous book. Throw all your notions of reality to the wind and enjoy this read. After living over 400 years you can really learn how to influence people.
Lillian
Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney
Great. I was worried she could not deliver again, but it’s a well-written book. I do wonder if she changed the ending because of the pandemic.
Donna
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
THE MIDNIGHT LIBRARY by Matt Haig has an interesting premise. What would your life be like if you made different choices? A different athletic interest, college major, or response to a date could have changed the trajectory of your life. Nora Seed has the opportunity to see how other choices would have changed her life. Although I liked the premise, I was disappointed in the book. The writing is rather bland and the characters are not that interesting.
Donna
The Exiles by Christina Baker Kline
THE EXILES by Christina Baker Kline has two storylines. First, it is about how women who were found guilty of crimes in England were sent to prison in Australia to serve their time. Second, it is the story of how horribly indigenous people were treated by the British. Their land was taken away and their culture was deemed primitive and wrong. This book is heartbreaking but it educates readers about the appalling treatment of the female prisoners and the indigenous people.
Vicki
Falling by T. J. Newman
A fast-paced book I finished in a few hours. The plot will keep the pages turning and a new respect will be found for flight attendants! Don't read this on a plane.
Angie
The Vanished Days by Susanna Kearsley
I've learned that when I pick up one of Susanna Kearsley's books, I should expect an immersive experience, and this book certainly met those expectations in its depictions of 17th/18th century Scotland. Besides the settings, the characters were well developed too, as was the story. The story moved me and at times brought me to tears. It also kept me in suspense with its twists and turns through a game of cat and mouse. I also appreciated the author's extensive notes at the end. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical fiction or who just wants to be transported to another time and place.
Jan
The Song is You by Megan Abbott
This is one of Abbott's early books. It is full of stereotyped people - the tough guy who covers everything for the bosses, anything and everything, the beautiful girl who will do ANYTHING to get in movies. The book is full of names you know - the POV is a man who does cover-ups, writes PR before he even knows what happened, works to get the ear of anyone with power. The only problem - a woman died ... or disappeared after a night of rough action with two of the big powerful guys at his firm. He searches for her. Gives up. Sees a dead girl that looks like her. This is murder noir - Abbott tries to imitate the tough old guys of the past. The ending has a big surprise. Good airport or plane reading. Not much thought.
Suzanne
Six Years by Harlan Coben
Like most Harlan Coben novels, the ending has a surprise at the end. Our main character is a collage professor teaching political science. The love of his life married another man after she broke with him. That was six years ago; he promised to never contact her again and things now change.
Julie
Cry Baby by Mark Billingham
I read this "prequel" to the Tom Thorne series, which seems to be highly regarded. I thought this prequel was pretty good and it interested me enough to continue with the series.
Sean
Patient Zero by Jonathan Maberry
Jonathan Maberry pens an interesting take on the zombie genre. The book reads more like a military thriller than a horror book but it works. While I usually don't enjoy super cop books, Joe Ledger, the main character here was likable. The action was intense and there was a definite horror element. I liked how the villains' plans played out and enjoyed the global threat. I certainly wished there were less fanatical Islamists. Overall, the book had me hooked and I'm interested in reading more.
Beth
The Stranger Behind You by Carol Goodman
THE STRANGER BEHIND YOU is a clever story within a story. But I would call the main story a mystery, not a thriller. Jean is a journalist who has written a newspaper article exposing a high-profile man as a sexual predator. The night she comes home from a party celebrating the article's publication, she is attacked in her home, leaving her with a serious head injury. Yet she refuses to contact the police or go to the hospital. Soon thereafter, Jean is offered a book deal, enabling her to move to a safe apartment. But the wife of the man she exposed also moves there and comes after her and her “lies.”
Rose
We Were Never Here by Andrea Bartz
Emily and Kristen are best friends. Emily lives in Wisconsin, Kristen lives in Australia. Each year, they take a trip to exotic places. Emily is still thinking about a tragedy that happened on their previous trip to Cambodia. This year, they are in Chile. On their last night, another tragedy occurs. Now, Emily can't get it out of her head, but Kristen doesn't seem to be affected by it.
When Kristen moves back to WI without warning, Emily starts examining their friendship more closely. You may think you have this all figured out, until Emily and her boyfriend are on a trip at the end of the book. Then, you will have to wonder: what did you just read?
Rose
The Lost Village by Camilla Sten
THE LOST VILLAGE is a documentary project about the mining town of Silvertjärn, Sweden. Alice grew up hearing stories about the village where her grandmother grew up. While her grandmother Margareta moved away, the rest of the village seemingly disappeared in 1959. The only people remaining were a dead woman and a baby. Alice wants to investigate what happened. However, when Alice and her crew, Tone, Emmy, Robert, and Max, arrive in the village, strange and dangerous things begin happening. Altenating between now and then timelines, we hear from Elsa (Alice’s great grandmother) and Aina, Margareta’s sister. Elsa tells how things began to change when the mine, the town's main employer, closed, and when Pastor Mattias came to town. Creepy!
Patricia
Kill All Your Darlings by David Bell
I was so excited for David Bell's new book! But sadly, I was left disappointed. First off, I feel like the "surprise" wasn't one. I guessed who the bad people were pretty early on. And I just felt like the story was all over the place. It was like he couldn't decide what he wanted to the book to be, so he sprinkled in a bunch of different topics. And there was very little character development. By the end, I found I didn't truly care what happened to anyone because I wasn't invested in any of the characters.
Thomas
Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty
Really a great read. Very good book.
Thomas
Wish by Nicholas Sparks
Really a very good book.
Thomas
The Return by Nicholas Sparks
A very good book. Really enjoyed reading it.
Anita
Moriarity by Anthony Horowitz
Frederick Chase, a Pinkerton Agent and Inspector Jones from Scotland Yard team up to try to stop Professor Moriarity's successor, Clarence Devereeux from commiting any criminal acts. Professor Moriarity and Sherlock Holmes have died at Reichenbach Falls in Switzerland. There are several surprises in this very interesting mystery.
Christine
The Institute by Stephen King
This is an engrossing thriller that doesn't disappoint. It is not a horror story, but it is a Stephen King story, so there is a bit of unpleasantness. It is about evil people who kidnap telekinetic and telepathic children as part of an experiment. Some parts are heartbreaking, but it is a very good, satisfying novel.
Richard N B
City of Secrets by Stewart O'Nan
Set in 1945 Jerusalem, the novel follows Brand, a survivor of the Holocaust, as he tries to make a new life working with the resistance. O’Nan has the ability to put you into the mind of his characters – to understand their hopes, ambitions, and fears. But this was perhaps too intense for me at this time. I appreciated it more than I enjoyed it.
Chelsea
Any Way the Wind Blows by Rainbow Rowell
This is Book #3 of the Simon Snow trilogy. Such a fantastic series -- thanks Rainbow!!!
Becky
Speaking in Bones by Kathy Reichs
Dr. Temperance Brennan is a forensic anthropologist, which means they study bones to determine how people lived, but in her case mostly how they died. When an odd woman shows up in her office with a tale of old bones, missing people, and murder, the doctor is intrigued. The bones in question are already in her lab. What will the bones say? Reichs uses all her professional knowledge to create a terrifying tale of murder, warped faith, family secrets and more. Along with bones, Tempe is also dealing her relationship with Canadian policeman Ryan. If you are new to Dr. Brennan, (this is the 17th novel in the series), you may need to do some catching up to fully understand some of the plot details.
Rose
The Paris Apartment by Kelly Bowen
Aurelia (Lia) inherits an apartment filled with art from her grandmother Estelle. She fears her grandmother was a German collaborator during WWII. She hires Gabriel Seymour, an art appraiser, to help her determine if any of the art was stolen. Gabriel recognizes a picture of his great-aunt, Sophie, thought dead from a bombing in Warsaw. In fact, Sophie survived and became a spy. Their investigation leads Aurelia and Gabriel to discover interesting facts about their ancestors, who were actually heroes. This is a story highlighting the very important role that the women and the resistance movement played in defeating the enemy. It is told in dual timelines and provides an interesting story to describe the risks that so many took to help.
RaeAnn
The Two Lives of Lydia Bird by Josie Silver
I just thought this was incredibly sad, sweet and truly a lovely story. Lydia loses her fiance to a car accident and is left to muddle through her life without him. She has a great support system: her mom, her sister, her work mates and her husband's best friend. I was just so surprised at how much I really loved this book.
Elizabeth
The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz
Although I figured out the ending early on, the plotline isn't the only reason to read this book. It is a story of the mental anguish a writer suffers after "stealing" another author's story and claims it as his own. Two stories in one, the book tells the story of the protagonist's book plot as well as what's happening in his own life.
