This contest period's winners were Janet C., Kimberley M. and Kimberly V., who each received a copy of THE MEASURE by Nikki Erlick and RIZZOLI & ISLES: LISTEN TO ME by Tess Gerritsen.
Sandra K.
The Winter Wives by Linden MacIntyre
THE WINTER WIVES by Linden MacIntyre is a psychological drama, weaving threads of crime, disability and dementia together in a tale of unrequited love and delusion. Another great Canadian writer.
Michelle
The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd
Great book, lots of twists and turns! I’ve never heard of a phantom settlement before, so I learned some interesting facts about maps!
Michelle
The Golden Couple by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
Great thriller! Didn’t see some of the surprises coming! Would recommend!
Rose
The Stillwater Girls by Minka Kent
This is described as a psychological thriller, and while it has some elements of a thriller, I didn't really consider it to be one. The premise is that Nicolette and her husband Brant want a child, but due to Nic's emergency hysterectomy 10 years earlier, they will have to consider alternatives. Meanwhile, there are two girls who have been living off the grid for about 15 years. When a strange man comes to their cabin, they plan an escape, eventually ending at Nic's home. Nic also is concerned that Brant is having an affair. The story wrapped up a little too neatly, but I did enjoy the book. The twist is definitely hard to believe, but since I am not a psychiatrist, I can't say if it is possible to forget something this life-changing.
Rose
Crimson Moonlight by Ashley Cobb Post
This book was a very quick read. It is the mid 1990s and Sophia has just returned home from a year in France to Charleston, SC. She is attending a holiday ball with a family friend, but locks eyes with a handsome man across the room. She meets Joshua and there is instant attraction. Sophia is from a wealthy white family and Joshua is biracial (black mom/white dad). Sophia makes a stupid remark and perhaps has doomed the relationship, but Joshua forgives her. The two have to navigate family and friends reactions to their mixed race relationship. The book is relatively clean in terms of language, but there are some steamy love scenes between the unmarried couple. Needs more character development.
Sean
Imaginary Friend by Stephen Chbosky
Stephen Chbosky tells the ambitious story of Christopher and his imaginary friend. It's a solid horror book that reads very similarly to a lot of Stephen King's work. It's a lengthy book but his writing style makes it easy to plow through it. I liked the book but the more I think about it, the more issues I have with it. Without spoiling anything, I think there were a lot of structural issues. Ages, actions, timelines, etc. not lining up. Also, the stakes were huge but also pointless. The twists I saw coming, not right away, but they didn't floor me as others have. The book was also very repetitive and could have eliminated 200 pages without missing a beat. Once again, this was not a bad book by any means but it bothered me overall.
Sandra K.
The Collector’s Daughter by Gill Paul
As soon as I saw this book I was really intrigued. It has everything I love - a great story about a strong woman in history, about whom not much has previously been told, a 1920s setting and the finding of Tutankhamun’s tomb.
Susan
The Good Left Undone by Adriana Trigiani
I love Adriana Trigiani's books. She really knows how to entertain you with her stories and characters. Once again, love and family is the highlight of this book. This is a beautiful story.
Cheri
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
Tova is at a crossroads. She’s seventy and a recent widow. She does love her job cleaning at the aquarium, but her house is too large for her. She will miss the area, especially her friends and the octopus, Marcellus. But Tova’s life is about to change. New people will show up and old heartaches will be confronted. All because of an unusual octopus, Marcellus. I adored this book. It has the right amount of whimsy to counteract the hard topics. I laughed and cried. I went back and forth between the book and audiobook and highly recommend the audiobook. It’s amazing.
Peg.
White Plague by James Abel
This suspenseful arctic-based mystery introduces us to Joe Rush, a Marine bio-terrorist expert. The issues are contemporary and the characters compelling as Joe struggles to stay a step ahead of what appears to be a new virulent plague.
Michele
Love in Plain Sight by Kathleen Fuller
Great book. Ezra does a great job earning Katherine's trust. Simon's abuse had turning Katherine into a shell of herself. Ezra shows Katherine what a real man should do to show his love.
Susan
The Thorn Birds by Coleen McCullough
This was a story filled with love and family and complications - it is without doubt one of my top 10 books ever.
Lisa
The Cult In My Garage by Duncan Birmingham
Readers know these characters - we are these characters - in THE CULT IN MY GARAGE. In this collection of short stories, seemingly ordinary people get caught up in circumstances that are just outside of ordinary. These stories are unique, disturbing, thought-provoking, and timeless.
Nina
The Eighth Sister by Robert Dugoni
Good mystery with great character development.
Simonne
The Measure of a Man by Sidney Poitier
Mr. Poitier wrote this reflection some 15 years before he passed away. It is an interesting and entertaining reflection on his upbringing on Cat Island in the Bahamas to being an international star.
He looks at his moral fiber and how it developed through the different phases of his life.
nonie
Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan
A World War II story about the war in Italy. Besides being informative about that period of history, the writing was well done. The description of the mountains and Italian small towns were so well described you felt like you were there.
Karen
The Burgess Boys by Elizabeth Strout
Okay. Well-written story about sibling relationships. The story itself is not very compelling or interesting.
Teresa
French Braid by Anne Tyler
Another quirky Anne Tyler Baltimore family, but yet fresh and new. From that first Act 1 chapter on the train through the story of this family that doesn’t know how to go on vacation, we come to know Tyler’s oddball characters as they bumble and fumble from one time to another. Very engaging, fun to read, yet not silly.
Jennifer
Mycroft and Sherlock: The Empty Birdcage by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Anna Waterhouse
I really enjoyed reading this mystery and want to go back and read the other two that Mr. Abdul-Jabbar wrote about Mycroft before Sherlock really became Sherlock.
Jeanne
Bloomsbury Girls by Natalie Jenner
BLOOMSBURY GIRLS by Natalie Jenner captivated me from page one with this delightful, whimsical, charming novel about three strong, determined, ambitious young women, Evie, Vivian and Grace set in 1950's London. Customers were fascinated, charmed and could spend hours browsing the shelves of this enchanting bookstore. I loved everything about this well-written story that made me smile, laugh and chuckle to myself. The author is to be commended for her attention to detail and research. Once I began reading, I couldn’t put it down and rated it a high five.
Francisca
The Nursing Home Murder by Ngaio Marsh
Book Three in the Roderick Alleyn mystery series by renowned New Zealand writer Ngaio Marsh. As is typical of Marsh’s writing there is little exposition or description and a lot of dialogue and repetition. There are plenty of suspects and more than few red herrings. Marsh’s work has endured for nearly a century, but I am not much of a fan. This is the third of her books I’ve read and I think I'm done.
Tessa
To Be Continued by Charmaine Gordon
This was a pretty entertaining coming-of-middle-age book. Oh, I did have some issues with the main character, but she eventually got her act together, found a new therapist, a new best friend, a new guy, and a new career. It was a fun, fast read.
Laurie
Yerba Buena by Nina Lacour
A tactile, intimate, tender, intimate love story.
Susan
The Foundling by Ann Leary
Based on a home for febrile minded women which really existed in the 1920s. A page-turner. The characters were well developed as was the plot. This will be a great discussion book for book groups.
Sharon
Bloomsbury Girls by Natalie Jenner
Wonderful story set in post WWII with delightful, relatable characters, especially the women. Love the setting (a bookstore primarily), the energy and the back-story as well.
Alexandra
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
A charming summer read about an intelligent woman who struggles to live her life and raise her daughter on her own terms. It’s not easy, being a single woman in the late ‘50s
Amy
The Last House on the Street by Diane Chamberlain
I enjoyed the alternating time periods in this one.
Kathy
The Lock Artist by Steve Hamilton
This book will keep you guessing until the very end. Mute since the age of 8 due to a childhood tragedy, Michael discovers at the age of 18 he possesses a skill he never would have expected. Whether it's a locked door with no key, a padlock with no combination or an 800# safe, he can open them all.
Jerrie
Fatal Forensic Investigation by Darlene L. Turner
A great weekend read. We have Scarlet, forensic and artist, whom is attacked by the Coastline Strangler and loses her memory. Then we have Jace Allen, the lead constable enters. He is from her past; can he help in returning her memory? I really liked this book and and it will not be my last.
Jean
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
Very riveting.
Terry
Girls of Flight City by Lorraine Heath
A light romance centered on a small Texas town during WWII where women pilots face both discrimination and respect as they instruct cadets for the Royal Air Force.
Marsha
Find Me by Alafair Burke
Too many people lying in this book right to the last pages. Hope has amnesia for fifteen years after Lindsay rescues her from a car accident. Now things from the past come out that don't add up and it's hard to know if Hope is a victim or a predator.
Lorraine
Ghost of the Hardy Boys by Leslie McFarlane
Entertaining and enlightening memoir by the ghostwriter of the original, first 21 volumes, of The Hardy Boys series. You’re hooked by the artful, clever cover art including spine by Godine, publisher in Boston. They’re a fantastic indie publisher that deserves more attention. This memoir gives the story of early 20th century journalism and the man behind the “sales genius” of hundreds of juvenile series including Nancy Drew, Bobbsey Twins, Tom Swift, and more.
Becky
Washington's Lady by Nancy Moser
I enjoyed this historical novel which gives insight about Martha Washington. It was interesting to know the joys and problems of that period in our history.
Meggan
The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn
Having tired of WW II novels with a focus on battle strategies and political ideology, I was awed by the strong female lead in this book. Her response to German invasion of her homeland is mirrored in current news reports from Ukraine. History does repeat...over and over and over.
Linda
The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn
The title refers to a Soviet female sniper who is credited with 309 Nazi kills during WWII. Lyudmila is courageous and skilled. This historical novel is entertaining and educational.
Toni
Until We Meet by Camille Di Maio
This was an amazing book of historical fiction. It takes place in New York City in 1943, during WWII. It centers around three women, Margaret, Gladys and Dottie, friends who all work at the Brooklyn Naval Yard. Besides that they come together to start knitting socks and writing letters for Margaret's brother, who is also Dottie's husband. Problems arise for these friends as we get to know them. This book is filled with love, heartbreak, hope, respect, friendship, family, character, gratitude, grace and humility. We learn about the horrors of war, but we also learn about how people came together to take care of each other. At the heart of this novel is a burgeoning love story and it's beautiful.
Karen
The Gown by Jennifer Robson
A perfect accompaniment to Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee this summer. The fictionalized story of the women behind the scenes who created "Princess" Elizabeth's wedding dress is a book I couldn't put down. The author's style brings the reader into the story from the first page. It is an amazing story based on actual historical figures and focusing on the women who were never or rarely interviewed about their creativity and skill in crafting a beautiful work of art.
Laurel
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
Hilarious account of 1960s science world, where women are not supposed to be.
Sharron
The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles
Great read! Well researched. Puts real events from 1968 into the story (except my wedding)! Billy, the younger brother, is very optimistic and focused. A lesson for us all.
Kim
The Last House on the Street by Diane Chamberlain
I finished this book in just a few days. The book was historical fiction set in 1965, with a concurrent story set in 2010. The 1965 story was about the SCOPE students who worked in the south to encourage Black people to register for the vote. I appreciated learning about this. The ending of the 1965 story was predictable, but I was not as sad reading it as I expected to be, possibly because I felt like I knew what was coming. Ellie was the central character in the story, and I liked her very much. I wasn't too invested in the 2010 story, but it was necessary story to get to the end of the 1965 story. If you like historical fiction and you like Diane Chamberlain you'll want to read this!
Rebecca
The Boardwalk Bookshop by Susan Mallory
Enjoyable summer beach read. Women's character portrayal well done. Sit in the sand and watch where these women go.
Marilyn
Girl Waits With Gun by Amy Stewart
Stewart's seminal historic fiction book tells the story of Constance Copp and her sisters who are fending for themselves in a rather isolated area. It takes place in the early 1900s when women are of fairly low status, but these women are making it their own way. Meanwhile they have to fight for damages to their buggy and end up in court. Constance is determined to follow through, of course. Her determination leads her to a career as a detective. For her efforts, this true character becomes one of the earliest female detectives. It is a story of her perseverance.
Donna
Elsewhere by Richard Russo
This is Russo's memoir but it's mostly about his mother who suffered from OCD before a diagnosis was found. I really loved some of his novels so thought this would be an interesting read. Glad I read it.
Carol
One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle
This was a fun read, descriptive and engaging.
Beth
The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb
I listened to this book. I figured out who took the violin about halfway through the book, but nonetheless loved the book. It tells the story of a young Black man who loves to play the violin and all the prejudice he encounters and lack of support from his family. Despite this, he rises very high in his profession. He has a couple of people who support him along the way that help him persevere. It really puts in sharp relief the hurdles people of color face in this world. I gave it 4 stars as I wasn't enthralled with the narration. The author reads his own author's note at the end - and he has beautiful deep voice - I wish he had read the book.
Rosa
The Room on Rue Amelie by Kristin Harmel
I had just read THE BOOK OF LOST NAMES by the same author and felt compelled to go back and read this earlier novel. Also set in WWII occupied France, this is the story of Ruby Benoit, an American who lives in Paris after marrying a Frenchman before the war. She befriends her young neighbor, Charlotte. Together the two join the resistance against the Nazis, helping to return Allied fighter pilots back to the front. This is a love story and a story of faith, hope, and bravery. I could not put it down.
Elizabeth
Counterfeit by Kirstin Chen
Is it real or a fake? With Winnie you couldn't tell, but beware it IS a fake. If you are in the mood for something different and also in the mood for a book that will make you wonder if the purse you have is real or fake, you will enjoy this book. The ending has a big surprise, but it was just an okay read for me.
Elizabeth
The Navigator's Daughter by Nancy Cole Silverman
Women's fiction fans, mystery fans, and those fans of WWII who want to learn of what happened in Hungary will enjoy this book.
Margie
This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub
What makes this book different from other time travel novels is that the protagonist, Alice, tells her father and her best friend that she is from the future, and both believe her! At age 40, Alice is unmarried and has a job she enjoys but doesn't reflect her earlier artistic aspirations. Her beloved father, a science fiction novelist, lies in the hospital in the final stages of a terminal illness, unable to communicate. When Alice wakes up the day after her birthday celebration, she finds herself at age 16, in her childhood bed, but with a 40-year-old's memories and perspective. Is this an opportunity for her to change things that happened in her past? I found Alice's journey fascinating, if somewhat confusing, and rooted for her.
Barbara
Nightwork by Nora Roberts
An absorbing read but a departure for Roberts, with a male protagonist. The reader is torn between caring a great deal about this man, because of his hardships growing up, and disliking him, because he is a thief. However, his thievery is redeemable (sort of) because he does have his own rules by which he carries out his thefts. No guns, no brutality, no greed, as such. Also, the reader can like the other characters with whom he associates (except for that one really evil guy). A love story, a tale of determination, a heartstrings pulling motivation, and ultimately, a rooting for success kept this reader involved.
Sandra K.
The Swedish Girl by Alex Gray
Another excellent Lorimer story from Alex Gray. As always I love the Glasgow references and following the settings of the story.
Mindy
The Dinner Party by Brenda Janowitz
A fun story centering on a mother trying to impress her daughter’s boyfriend’s parents while not being impressed by her other daughter’s boyfriend and his mother. Add in the brother who has news of his own and it makes for an interesting dinner. Everything wraps up nicely in the end, so this was a good book to read.
Rose
22 Seconds by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
The Women's Murder Club is back! I love these gritty novels where Lindsay Boxer and her gal pals take down criminals. While Claire, Yuki, and Cindy are all featured, Lindsay takes top billing. In the latest novel, CA is cracking down on gun control, and the criminals don't want to give up their guns - or their illegal trafficking of weapons and drugs. Joe, Lindsay's husband, is contracted by the FBI to work on the gun case, too. Both Lindsay and Joe are put in harm's way on more than one occasion. When former cops get killed, with "you talk, you die" found on their bodies, Lindsay realizes that someone wants people quieted. Everything wraps up nicely.
The Women's Murder Club is a great series; I always feel like I know the characters.
Jane
The Girls of Pearl Harbor by Soraya M. Lane
Rounding up to 3.5 stars. This is the first book I've read by her and I will be reading her others, too. This was not an easy read since it's set in Pearl Harbor in 1941. Grace and April were sisters and Poppy was their friend who were all nurses heading to Hawaii even before the war. They met Eva who was a nurse on a ship and they all became friends. Tragedy happens to one of them but life goes on. The atrocities of the war were everywhere and the makeshift hospital was unbelievable with the soldiers with their war wounds. It was pretty graphic but I got through it. Things happen along the way and April and Grace go to the front and it even gets worse.
However, there are happy moments.
Sheree
The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
This was a library book club pick and it wasn't a favorite. I loved the idea of senior citizens in a retirement home trying to solve murders, but it was just an okay read. Not one I would recommend.
Dianne
Before She Was Helen by Caroline B. Cooney
Delightful mystery set in a 55-plus community. Are people who they present to the community? What secrets are people keeping? After reading this you will never look at a 55+ community the same way.
c a r o l
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
Exceptional.
Janet
Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton
Loved this book. Can't wait to read the sequels.
Debbie
The Maidens by Alex Michaelides
Alex Michaelides presents an interesting and suspenseful novel with THE MAIDENS. The main character, Mariana Andros, ranges from intelligent to oblivious. Michaelides includes many lines from Alfred Lord Tennyson and also delves into tidbits of Tennyson’s life and loves. The cast of characters runs amok and so many red herrings concerning who kills these young and beautiful girls. Mariana plummets into grief on the drowning death of her husband, Sebastian. Mariana’s niece, Zoe, convinces Mariana to travel to Cambridge University to help solve the brutal murder of a young girl. Mariana remembers Cambridge from her years as a student and her meeting with Sebastian. Michaelides dares the reader with numerous clues.
Debbie
Crimson Lake by Candice Fox
CRIMSON LAKE set in Australia gives an ex-policeman who ended in prison for a crime he did not commit. Ted Conkaffey must now piece his life together. His new life far away from any city starts with rescuing a goose and her babies from the crocodiles. Any man who would save animals cannot be a murderer. Before too long, Ted hooks up with Amanda Pharrell, who runs an investigation office. Their first job is to locate novelist, Jake Scully, who has disappeared. Amanda, like Ted, went to prison for the murder of a schoolmate. What a quirky individual resides in Amanda, who does not drive a car, nor will she ride in a car. Candice Fox drops many interesting and strange characters into the story.
Carol
The Sweet Taste of Muscadines by Pamela Terry
I hate when a good story ends!
Susan
Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson
When Benny and Bryon's mother passes away, she leaves the a letter telling secrets about her life.
Will sharing these secrets make them closer than they were since Benny had abandoned the family 8 years ago?
Deby
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
Sci fi isn't my favorite, but I loved this book!
Tessa
Paris by the Book by Liam Callanan
The author is from my hometown. The beginning of the book is set in Milwaukee, and then the action moves to a city I love - Paris, France. Plus, it’s a book about books. So, I expected to love this book. But…I never really connected with these characters. It’s a splendid premise, has some great atmospheric scenes highlighting Paris, and includes MANY book references. Still, it didn’t live up to my expectations.
Sherri
Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman
Another odd, otherworldly but fascinating work from Neil Gaiman. He not only thinks outside of the box, he doesn't even know where the box is. Very imaginative and so easy to get sucked in!
Myrna
The Forest of Vanishing Stars by Kristin Harmel
I really enjoyed it.
Michelle
Book Lovers by Emily Henry
Hysterical book! Beautiful rom com. Loved it!
Sonia
The Whispered Word by Ellery Adams
Recommended for cozy mystery readers who enjoy seeing a lot of book recommendations thrown in and getting to know a group of interesting ladies as well.
Evelyn
The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi
Very interesting story. Lots of culutral information about India.
Regina
Burning Questions by Margaret Atwood
She is brilliant! No one writes like her. No one articulates like her.
kaleigh
Binding 13 by Chloe Walsh
I have never read a book this good or this long. It didn't matter that it was 900 pages, I finished it in two days. I couldn't put the book down no matter how hard I tried. Overall, the relationship between Jonny and Shannon was unmatched and I'm so excited for more books in the series to come out.
Donna
Spitfire by M. L. Huie
The book is set in post World War II Paris and London. Livy Nash spent the war fighting in the resistance. It gave her purpose and the love of her life — until betrayal left her with a hardened heart. She is recruited by Ian Fleming to join an espionage unit to fight "the next war". He sends Livy to Paris on a mission to track down a traitor and her world changes. The plot features double-crosses, intrigue, action-packed scenes and humor.
helen
Book Lovers by Emily Henry
A perfect beach read for the summer. Love and Romance. Enjoy!!!
helen
That Summer by Jennifer Weiner
A story with the central theme of today's #metoo movement. Well written, however, the plot and topic took me by surprise; not a typical Jennifer Weiner read. A disturbing story, but the twists and friendship that evolves between the two Diana's comes to a successful conclusion.
Claire
Seven Crowns by E. V. Everest
I loved this book! I went through it in three days, which is super rare for me considering I'm a slow reader! It was the perfect blend of sci-fi and fantasy, with lovable characters and a very well-built world! It starts with Ana, a diner waitress and down-on-her-luck foster kid, finding out she is actually royalty from another world and making her escape from Earth to reclaim her family's place in other-wordly politics. The plot then builds in tension until Ana and the children of the other political figures of this foreign planet are locked in a hunger-games-like challenge to prove who has a right to the political power of this new world. Great read from start to finish - I've already purchased the sequel!
Elizabeth
Local Gone Missing by Fiona Barton
Where could Charlie be, what is Charlie's real name, and what is his past? Did he disappear on purpose because of the massive debt he had accumulated?
Suzanne
A Gracious Neighbor by Chris Cander
Interesting concept but I really struggled with the main character, Martha. Her bizarre obsessions and actions just didn't come off as believable. Easy beach read with few characters but just okay for me.
Suzanne
What Happened to the Bennetts by Lisa Scottoline
Way too long of a story. Started off interesting but then just became too unbelievable. So many subplots and twists that didn't make sense. I love most of Lisa Scottoline's books but I just couldn't wait for it to be over.
Suzanne
Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune
Entertaining, light storyline with well-developed characters about life and death. Ended up loving the curmudgeon, Wallace, by the end.
Jennie
The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo
Multi-generational family saga done right! A family with four sisters and big secrets. I loved it! It’s long - 600 pages - but it was a page-turner for me. I don’t typically enjoy “modern” family dramas, but this one was a wonderful exception.
Jennie
Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder
I have been telling everyone I talk to about this book. It’s wild! Mom of a toddler thinks she is turning into a dog. And she is! Maybe. Yes, seriously, that’s the premise! It’s a brilliant take on modern motherhood. Hard to put down because the pace of the writing is fast and furious. Original, unique - I really loved it. Hope Rachel Yoder wins some prizes for her debut novel.
Kimberly
This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub
I loved this book. It evoked all kinds of emotions and was a very fast read. I greatly enjoyed the 90s nostalgia. It brought back many fond memories.
Sherrie
Bloomsbury Girls by Natalie Jenner
I love this book and this story. So well written, it is delightful and sweet with lots of girl power! A wonderful book that makes you feel good and tell your friends about it!
Rose
Iona Iverson's Rules for Commuting by Clare Pooley
Wonderful story about a middle-aged woman who rides the train and observes those around her. She works as an advice columnist for a local publication, and they want someone younger. On the train, there is a group of regular commuters. By chance, they meet each other and become involved. This story is a sweet, endearing book about the power of friendship and love. I recommend it for anyone who wants to be lifted up by the kindness of others. There is some sadness, as well as important issues about depression, job loss, ageism, divorce, bullying, but also hope and humor.
Rose
Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez
Powerful! This book is loosely based on the forced sterilization of poor Black women in the south, court case Relf vs. Weinberger. In this novel, Civil is a doctor looking back on the time when she was a nurse working for a clinic, and meeting Erika and India who were young girls getting a birth control drug. When she discovers their living conditions, and the danger of the drug, she tries to intervene. This book is extremely important, and sadly, forced sterilization is still prevalent today, including immigrants crossing the southern border being involuntarily sterilized. I thought the author brought a unique voice to this novel in telling the story of the desperate living situations, and how these children and families were misled.
Beth
Defending Britta Stein by Ronald Balson
If you like historical fiction because you learn from it, then DEFENDING BRITTA STEIN is for you. The story within a story is more facts than fiction, even down to the names of the major players in Denmark’s dealings with the Nazis. Go to the back of the book before you even begin it, and read Ronald Balson’s "Acknowledgments" for his explanation. This story is, apparently, the sixth in a series about fictional lawyer Catherine Lockhart, although I have not read the other five. Now I will.
Sandra K.
My Lovely Wife in the Psych Ward by Mark Lukach
This is an incredible story and I was very interested to see what would happen next with Giulia’s condition. It’s amazing what some people have to go through.
Sean
The Rooster Bar by John Grisham
John Grisham is an author I have always enjoyed... but not here. His southern legal thrillers have captivated me in the past. Here, while based in a legal setting, the heart was definitely missing, along with a good plot and likeable characters. Three characters crushed by a terrible system they knew about and voluntarily signed for, complain and scheme, only to become part of the system. I didn't think a large portion was believable, especially the dialogue and outcome. Overall, my least favorite Grisham novel.
Rose
Good Husbands by Cate Ray
Three women, an art gallery worker, a housewife, and a receptionist, all receive a letter that their husbands created a terrible act years earlier. These women don't know each other, but one of the wives reaches out to each of them to determine if the author of the letter is telling the truth, which will upset their lives and everything they thought they knew. As they investigate, they find that the writer was an artist, and both she and her mother are dead. The women bond together trying to learn the truth. There is a tragedy and also a surprise at the end. This was an interesting book, and I can see how learning about this act would destroy your life. But what was more surprising was the real plot revealed at the end.
Melanie
The Guncle by Steven Rowley
Enjoyed the characters and their relationships.
Libby
Wicked by Gregory Maguire
A sweeping and epic new world inspired by THE WIZARD OF OZ reimagined with the “villain” now cast as hero and main character. Everything is new again but familiar too somehow. Eagerly reading the sequel as we speak. A must-read.
Sandra K.
Cut You Down by Sam Wiebe
Wonderful Vancouver Noir with a PI who is interestingly capable of change. I look forward to the next installment.
Kathy
The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles
Enjoyed this book very much, as did the members of our bookclub. Interesting history lesson about the American Library in Paris. Good storyline and characters. The time-shift between the WWII years in Paris and the 1980s in Montana was easy to follow. I also enjoyed Carol's discussion with the author.
Dvora
The Art of Hearing Heartbeats by Jan-Phillipe Sendker
Beautifully written. Like a fairy tale with a modern twist. The characters are well presented. Easy reading.
Diaa
Heal Your Way Forward by Myisha T. Hill
Myisha's work is written with the same compassion and care she shows for her online community of co-conspirators - folks who are committed to furthering their anti-racism journey. I love how this book is easy to read, includes practical experiential activities for the reader as well as relatable examples from her own life. This book is a must-read for all Americas.
Marsha
Run, Rose, Run by James Patterson and Dolly Parton
This was fun to read. I could see Dolly's hand in many lines. Annielee, (Rose) runs from an abusive past and runs toward a country music career. There's enough mystery to keep the action going.
Francisca
Balzac and the Little Chineses Seamstress by Dai Sijie
During China's Cultural Revolution, three young men are sent to a mountain village for re-education. One of them has a secret horde of books. The other two are captivated by the books and by the little seamstress, daughter of the district’s tailor. Sijie gives us descriptions of the harshness of the terrain and of their forced labor. The scenes in the coal mine were particularly harrowing. But there are many humorous scenes, as well. I have read this little gem of a novel several times. It is luminously written. For me, it answers the question, "Why do you read so much?"
Barbara
The Match by Harlan Coben
Enjoyed this sequel, although the characters' storylines got confusing at times.
Anne
The Mutual Friend by Carter Bays
Just brilliant. But as I write this review, I’m struggling to put into words what this book is about and how I felt about it. I went into it blind and wholly unprepared, and I feel like it would be helpful for readers to know a couple of things about this book ahead of time. First of all, the narration for this book is weird at first and unlike anything I’ve ever read before. It threw me off initially because it’s not totally clear who the narrator is, and the book kind of ping pongs perspectives between various characters. That said, stick with it! All will make sense if you keep going. But if you go in thinking this is a ho-hum book like others you have read (admittedly, that’s what I thought), you will be surprised.
Michelle
The Younger Wife by Sally Hepworth
Great, easy read! Definite page-turner, would recommend!
Claire
Into the Fracking Fields by Steven William Simon
This turned out to be oddly engaging and even a little poetic considering the rough and gritty topics of poverty and environmental destruction. This book is set in a future where the EPA is disbanded and private corporations start experimenting with dangerous alternate energy sources, which ends up rendering a large portion of middle America uninhabitable - evacuated and blocked off to the public, known to younger generations only as The Fields. This book stars three young teenagers who have spent their childhood in a poor town on the edge of The Fields listening to rumors and gossip about what goes on behind the walls that keep them safe. Out of boredom and curiosity, they decide to go on an adventure behind the walls...
Thomas
The Club by Ellery Lloyd
Very good book.
Kim
An Extravagant Death by Charles Finch
This mystery follows the renowned British sleuth as he travels on assignment to New York and Boston only to find himself in high society Newport investigating a murder. It’s interesting to read the British viewpoint of high society East Coast America post Civil War. The investigation becomes a life-threatening adventure for our main character. It’s a fast-paced read and interesting as well.
Alina
The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba by Chanel Cleeton
Another excellent book that, as is typical of Chanel Cleeton's writing, combines very well-researched Cuban historical events with romance among the protagonists. I was born in Cuba and found it fascinating to learn more about the period of Cuban history depicted in the book; namely, the Cuban-Spanish conflicts and the subsequent Spanish-American War.
Susan
All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot
I enjoyed the book. It is very refreshing. It doesn’t seem like much is happening until you think back over the book and see how much J. Herriot has matured as a vet and grown as a man. Parts of the book are funny and other parts pull at your heartstrings! An enjoyable book - a good summer read.
Rebecca
The Summer Place by Jennifer Weiner
Good summer read…entwined characters.
Tiffany
Sarum by Edward Rutherfurd
Really good.
Natalie
You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi
This was surprisingly propulsive read - I couldn’t put it down, racing to see what choice Feyi would make and how she would handle her feelings. The writing is stunningly beautiful and the commentary on grief is profound. Just loved this romance with depth.
Mary Ann
Meant to Be by Emily Griffin
Loved it. Read it in two days.
Cindy
Why Fish Don’t Exist by Lulu Miller
A remarkable true story tracing both the life of David Starr Jordan, a taxonomist who discovered 20% of the world’s fish, and the author Lulu Miller. A beautifully-rendered biography with a twists at the end that you won’t see coming. His collections are lost multiple time and is perseverance, as a human being as well as a scientist, keeps his story moving to its unexpected conclusion.
Sheila
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
Interesting premise and grabs you immediately. Another winner from the author of THE MARTIAN.
Jayme
Trust by Hernan Diaz
A layered story within a story within a story. Who do you "Trust" with the truth, or maybe everyone has versions and aspects of the truth and their truth can’t be trusted. Brilliant.
Cynthia
When the Moon Has No More Silver by Connie LaPallo
This is the second in a three-part series about the women of Jamestown. I loved both books so far. The characters become real, their problems, their few joys and their heartbreaks are real. I thought I knew about Jamestown and Henricus (have been to both) but this takes you right into their world. It is not a new series but worth the read if you like history.
Jayme
Shouting at the Rain by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
I really adored this book. The humor, honesty and little nuggets of wisdom were inspiring and heart-felt. It should be required reading for every middle schooler and their struggling adult people.
Darlene
This is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel
Good.
Sue
By Her Own Design by Piper Huguley
This book was just released and I couldn't wait to read it. At first I thought I would be disappointed but as I read further I loved it. It was thought-provoking and I learned so much and have a better appreciation for what Black people went through trying to establish a career. It reminded me that life isn't always easy, even when things are going well.
Laurie
The Book of Form and Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki
Winner of 2022 Women’s Fiction. Family drama on steroids! The sad, heartbreaking characters will crawl deep into your heart as they experience loss, climate change, mental issues, our attachment to possessing physical things and beyond! Another creative book by Ruth Ozeki!
Michelle
The Younger Wife by Sally Hepworth
Great book, as all her books are! Lots of foreshadowing, twists and turns, hard to put down. Would recommend!
Dona
Dear Evan Hansen by Val Emmich
The book is based on the Broadway play. Excellent story about how trying to help a family through their grief can often backfire when the truth is not told. Teen suicide and the staggering affects it has on everyone is at the core of this story.
MH
Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson
The book told the story of Covey, a woman on the run who changed identity several times. I enjoyed the main plot, but thought the book rambled and was repetitious. The book would have been enhanced by a recipe for black cake at the end.
Jill
How to Fake it in Hollywood by Ava Wilder
A different type of rom com, pretty steamy in some parts and tender in others. Deals well with subjects of addiction, depression, and redemption. Fast-paced and engaging until the end. Story of two Hollywood actors, one a starlet looking for her next big break and the other is a legend in need of a comeback. What was fake and contrived becomes real. Gives hope for second chances. I enjoyed it.
Tessa
The Children's Train by Viola Ardone
3.5 stars. This is a story based on true events, set in post-WWII Italy, when children from impoverished families in the south were sent north to wealthier communities/families who could care for them. How can a mother reconcile her decision to send her child to safety with the result of a child who is returned so different from the one she sent away? How can a child forgive his mother for her inability to provide more? I’m sure my book club with have much to discuss.
Susan
If We Were Villians by M. L. Rio
Fans of Shakespeare will love this murder mystery taking place at a performing arts conservatory.
Sally-Jo
Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty
Unique story of miscommunication and misunderstanding within a family with complex personalities. Liane had me guessing up to the end. I enjoyed this book a lot. I would highly recommend it.
Suzanne
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
This book was the best I’ve read in a long time. I cried laughed I loved it. The story was so great and the characters so good, both the great the good and the bad. Very seldom am I sorry when a story ends. The tittle may be off-putting to some but just read it. So good!
Linda
The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller
I felt I knew Eleanor/Elle very well, like a best friend...so the ending was a total shock!
Bob
The Hobo's Wish by Connie Lounsbury
5 stars. A great book.
Dorothy
Hour of the Witch by Chris Bohjalian
This was a book club choice. I usually don't read about witches etc. as it's not my favorite. However, I do like Chris Bohjalian's writing and I really enjoyed the book. I hated to put it down because I couldn't wait to see "who did it"!
Becky
The Favor by Nora Murphy
It started with coercion, control, and isolation. What pushed the wives to the limit? How are both husbands masquerading as something else? A good debut! Be sure to read the author’s note!
Sheri
Three Sisters by Heather Morris
I was totally wrapped up in this horrific story. It’s so well written, I felt like I was a part of their lives. I thought the last part of the book dragged a bit unnecessarily compared to the rest of the story, so I had to give it only 4 stars.
Angie
The Last Widow by Karin Slaughter
Non-stop, action-packed suspense with touches of laugh-out-loud humor.
Angie
The Saints of Swallow Hill by Donna Everhart
This cast of characters is unforgettable, the setting and history unique. This book has all the feels: love, grit, compassion, courage, and more. This was just my second Donna Everhart novel to read. I have some catching up to do.
Angie
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
Late to the party, but enjoyed it more than I thought I would. Was afraid all the hype might leave me deflated when it didn't measure up. So I was pleasantly surprised. Now to find more of her books.
Amy
The Kindest Lie by Nancy Johnson
I liked this book. It took some time to catch my attention. When the setting changed and the main character went back to her childhood town was when I really took more interest in the book. I think the characters in this part of the story were more well developed.
Cynthia
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
Christian novel set in California gold rush period. Story of a woman who had been sold into prostitution as a child and the shame she carried, which created a barrier for her ability to accept God's love and forgiveness.
Michele
The Tobacco Wives by Adele Myers
Great book! The rise and fall of a town and company that prided itself on its product and most of all its advertising. The secrets you learn when you keep the wives in the latest fashions.
Norma
One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle
This was a very unique and "sunny" story set in Positano with scrumptious descriptions of the beautiful Amalfi coast with its hundreds of steps, ever-changing sunsets, delicious foods, and of course glasses of wine. "Positano" from the ancient words "posa posa" meaning "stop here" proves what a special place it is. The setting is based on the actual Hotel Poseidon. It was enjoyable to read such a unique and pleasurable story.
Marylyn
Little Faith by Nickolas Butler
My book club's choice for June discussion. A new favorite author for me. Character novel although there is a plot. A story of love, faithfulness even through trials. I've already read his SHOTGUN LOVESONGS, and just this morning my mail carrier delivered his GODSPEED, which I will start today.
Amy
Something Wilder by Christina Lauren
Perfect summer read. A bit of romance, a bit of suspense and humor.
Pam
Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
I just finished THE SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO by this same author. I love that a few of the same characters are mentioned! I read until 2:00 a.m. to finish it.
Kathy
West With Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge
My whole group loved this book.
Linda
The Lioness by Chris Bohjalian
A safari gone bad, this adventure/thriller had too many vicious people and animal attacks. But I kept turning pages anyway to find out the ending.
Kathryn
Mustique Island by Sarah McCoy
This is a setting I knew nothing about, so had to get my map. A good story, good characters who work through some issues. Historical fiction is great when woven around real people and places that you can look up and actually see online. This is a real billionaires' paradise for sure! I enjoyed my little mini-vacation from the mainland.
Sherrie
The Catch by Alison Fairbrother
THE CATCH is a lovely story of a young adult, Ellie, who finds herself in somewhat difficult situations. As she muddles through them, work, boyfriend, job, friends, especially her dad. Ellie travels and desperately searches for her recently deceased dad and the meaning of his will. This is a sweet story of a young girl who grows as she learns.
Judith
The Good Left Undone by Adriana Trigiani
A family story alternating between present day and WWII. The connections between family and friends torn apart by the war and coming together in different ways later makes for a great story of love, strength, bravery and loyalty through the generations.
Connie
In the Wild Light by Jeff Zentner
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is listed as a Young Adult book but I really enjoyed reading about two best friends who have had hard lives and have the opportunity to attend a prestigious academy on scholarship. The trials and tribulations they face, making new friends and dealing with hardships at home, it makes for an enjoyable read. Would recommend!
Sheree
Finding Me by Viola Davis
Her life was just not that interesting to me. She is a very talented actress. She didn't have any words of wisdom either.
Sandra K.
The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn
A sparkling gem of a story about a fabulous and fascinating woman. Mila Pavlichenko’s journey from history student and mother to sniper and national hero is beautifully rendered by Kate Quinn in this utterly absorbing novel.
Lisa
Born a Crime by Trevor Noah
What fascinating story about an unusual life! I learned so much about the South African way of life. Trevor Noah uses the same story telling style and wit that he employs on his talk show. This is a must-read!
Jill
The Last Story of Mina Lee by Nancy Jooyoun Kim
This is an immigrant story - a story about an immigrant mom adjusting to America, her love affair with another undocumented immigrant, and that of her daughter who searches for the reason behind her mother's sudden death. The conflicting feelings that many immigrants to America (and for that matter, anywhere in the world) face are drawn in full force in the story. The daughter, a first generation American, has her own problems with her mom and this story tells of her coming to terms with her mother's death and the reality of her immigration story. Very much a book about mothers and daughters, along with the immigration story, and it delivers. The book is sensuous in its descriptions of food, place, and people. Very good!
Aimee
The Other Man by Farhad Dadyburjor
This was an Amazon selection for Pride month. I really enjoyed the story of Ved trying to navigate how to be true to himself while being the son he believes his parents want.
Dorinne
The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles
As 18-year-old Emmett Watson and his 8-year-old brother, Billy, leave their home in Nebraska after the death of their father and the local banker’s foreclosure on their farm property, their intention is to drive on the Lincoln Highway (U.S 30 to the rest of us) to California in search of their mother who left them some years ago. Their journey turns into a convoluted trip, however, with the unexpected appearance of two acquaintances of Emmett’s from the Kansas work farm for juveniles from which he had just been released. The two, Duchess and Wooly, keep things mixed up with diversions to New York to retrieve Wooly’s inheritance, and with Duchess’s absconding with Emmett’s Studebaker, putting Emmett and Billy on a freight train.
Becky
The Exiles by Christina Baker Kline
Three characters stories told in parallel timelines, all prisoners of a kind. This book caught me from the first page. I can’t believe one of the twists and was waiting to see how it all turned out.
Sherri
Anansi Brothers by Neil Gaiman
Fun and otherworldly!
Elizabeth
The Testaments by Margaret Atwood
Satisfying sequel to THE HANDMAID'S TALE, though given the state of our country, a disquieting read.
Kathy
The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom
I picked this book to read to participate in a book club! It was a detailed book set in the 1860s about two main characters, one a woman slave and the other an indentured servant. This book contained many twists and turns. It contained many difficult and cruel acts and showed how the characters persevered. I found my self waiting for something redemptive to happen. The ending of the book shows the characters lives turning around. I did enjoy the descriptions of the landscapes and the homes that could bring you right into the period.
Teresa
The Summer Place by Jennifer Weiner
What a summer read. Weiner’s descriptions make the reader feel like she’s back at the Cape. And the characters - so many convoluted links, twists, and turns among the members of this family. A grandmother invites her family back to her beloved home on Cape Cod for a family wedding, but oh my, this family is full of secrets. Those secrets turn out to be so entangled in one another, it’s - well, read the book and find out.
Michelle
Weather Girl by Rachel Lynn Solomon
Super cute rom-com! I loved how it addressed the issue of mental health, which is such a common problem these days. Plus a happy ending!
Dale
The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb
Slow going and very predictable. With all the hype I was not impressed
Dianne
Razorblade Tears by S. A. Cosby
Die hard violence as two fathers seek revenge for the death of their sons.
Cindee
Gwendy's Final Task by Stephen King and Richard Chizmar
King does not disappoint after all these years of writing. I enjoyed his weaving of current-day politics and even the pandemic into this continued story of Gwendy (now as a senator) and the magic box. Great from beginning to end.
Debbie
Cards on the Table by Agatha Christie
I wish I understood bridge because so many clues landed on the bridge table with the dummy hands. At the beginning of the story, we learn that the killer of Mr. Shaitana rests with one of the four bridge players. Poirot, Colonel Race, Superintendent Battle, and Mrs. Oliver race to determine the killer using their greatest detective skills. Mr. Shaitana, a devilish man, knows a secret concerning each of the four likely killers: Dr. Roberts, Mrs. Lorrimer, Anne Meredith, and Major Despard. A few of the suspects admit to the killing, but why? Poirot must piece each clue and finally arrive at the correct answer. Two more people die before the killer is discovered. Again, too much bridge for the novice bridge player.
Linda
All the Frequent Troubles of Our Days by Rebecca Donner
The story of resistance fighter Mildred Harnack is set within the story of everyday life in Germany before and during WWII. Emphasis is on story which makes this book flow even with the facts. Some parallels to the current situation in our country makes this a chilling reminder of how fragile democracy can be.
Janet
Dead Girl Running by Christina Dodd
A lot of characters to keep track of, yet it works.
Rose
Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr
What a fabulous book!!! The writing is amazing and the story is wonderful. Although the book is long, it didn't feel that way as you become engrossed in this magical story. Antonius Diogenes writes a story of Aethon, beginning with a prologue in which Aethon dedicates the tale to his niece. It is a story of Aethon who dreams of transformations and searching for adventure. Meanwhile, in Constantinople, an orphan Anna and her sister, Marie, are working embroidering, when Anna finds a tutor to teach her to read. Also, in a woodcutter's village, Omeir, a young man born with a cleft palate/lip has a magical way with animals. He is forced to assist in a siege of Constantinople. Plus more! Fantastic!!!
Rose
We Are Not Like Them by Christine Pride and Jo Piazza
I found this book to be an interesting look at a friendship that is tested and strained when a young Black unarmed teen is shot by a police officer. The friends, Riley, a successful Black woman and reporter, and Jen, a White pregnant housewife married to a cop, have been friends since childhood. Now, when Jen's husband is one of the cops involved in the shooting, they wonder if their friendship can withstand the stress. This book does a good job of showing what each of the women are thinking and what those thoughts are grounded in. It shows that we are all coming from a different place as we try to understand the intricacies of friendship and race.
I enjoyed the book and felt the pain of each woman. Will read next book by this pair!
Rose
Twenty Years Later by Charlie Donlea
In 2001, a young NY State investigator, Walt Jenkins, is assigned to the murder of a successful novelist. His lover, Victoria Ford, is accused of the murder. Then 9/11 happens, and Victoria is in the towers on the morning of 9/11, meeting with her lawyer. Now 2021, 20 years later, and a DNA lab matches a bone fragment found in the wreckage to Victoria's DNA. This makes the news, and provides a perfect excuse for Avery Mason, an investigative journalist, and host of American Events, to head to NY and provide cover for another purpose. Avery has a past that involves a corrupt father and a tragedy involving her brother. As Avery and Walt review the case, more questions arise-questioning whether Vic is actually innocent. Good twists!!
Beth
The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth
THE GOOD SISTER was a pleasant surprise and my first Sally Hepworth novel, the reason for my surprise. The book met my number-one requirement of a good book: it must be one I don't want to put down, even to eat or sleep. Rose and Fern are twin sisters. Fern has issues with sensory perception. She also takes everything said to her literally. Perhaps she has a high-functioning form of autism, although the book never says so. But, apparently, Rose has always taken it upon herself, even when they were children, to watch out for and protect Fern. We know this from a journal Rose is keeping now that they are adults. In alternating chapters we see Fern's and Rose's lives from Fern's perspective, and we learn who is the good sister.
Lana
Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell
HAMNET is an achingly beautiful novel of the courtship and early married years of William Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway. The main focus is the illness and death of the Shakespeare’s 11-year-old son, Hamnet. Historical records document Hamnet’s death, but not the cause. O’Farrell’s writing is such that the reader feels that her description of his illness and death are absolute truth. The evocations of grief at the loss of a child are soulful and heart-wrenching and some of the most beautiful writing I have ever read. HAMNET was truly deserving of the United Kingdom’s 2020 Women’s Prize for Fiction and the USA’s 2020 National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction.
Kristy
Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult
From ‘Wish You Were Here’ by Jodi Picoult: “It’s amazing how easily someone can leave your life. It’s standing on a beach and stepping back to see the hole of your footprint subsumed by the sand and the sea as if it were never there. Grief, it turns out, is a lot like a one-sided video conversation on an iPad. It’s the call with no response, the echo of affection, the shadow cast by love.” By far this was the most difficult book I have ever or will ever read, but I’m not sorry I kept reading…stopping often to catch my breath, wipe my tears, think of other things... Thank you, Jodi Picoult, for the glimmer of hope that she was already in ‘a new stitch in time’ where there are beautiful beaches and people who love and value her.
Adrien
The Sentence by Louise Erdrich
Absolutely loved THE SENTENCE. It was the first novel I have read by Louise Erdrich. I'm hoping it will be the first of many. Her writing is fantastic.
Barbara
The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post by Allison Pataki
I was blown away by all that Marjorie Post did in her life. All the innovations to the food industry that are still around today. Her life was fascinating. A great read.
Sue
It All Comes Down to This by Therese Anne Fowler
Loved the ending. Thought the pace of the story was slow getting there. Much preferred A GOOD NEIGHBORHOOD.
Rose
The Last Thing to Burn by Will Dean
A very quick, but emotionally draining read, about a woman kept prisoner by a man for seven years. Thanh Dao, a Vietnamese woman, has been kept against her will by Lenn. He calls her Jane, after his mother and first wife. "Jane" wants to escape, but is waiting until her sister, Kim-Ly can pay off her own debts, plus her foot is badly deformed and she has trouble walking. When she becomes pregnant, "Jane" is desperate to protect her baby at all costs. This book is painful to read, but an important read. It details the danger of people trafficked and enslaved. It is frightening, but I rooted for "Jane" to overcome her situation. The writing makes you feel the anguish and desperation "Jane" feels.
Rose
Best Behavior by Wendy Francis
With her twins graduating from college, NICU nurse Meredith Parker is starting to feel unneeded. She and her second husband, Joel, head to Bolton for the commencement activities. Dawn and Cody, the graduates, are trying to navigate ending their school years and entering the "real world". Dawn is a bit jealous of her brother, his brains and his athleticism. When she suspects he is into drugs, she becomes worried. Their dad, Roger, and his new wife, Lily, throw the kids a graduation party, and there is a bit of drama at the party. This is a tale of how parents cope with marriage, divorce, relationships, children and the inevitable empty-nest. It was an okay story.
Kay
The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley
This story kept me on the edge of my seat, pulling me through to finish the book. And wow! The ending was unexpected!
Leslie
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Sherry Van Pelt
Loved this book -- so heartwarming, funny and a joy to read!
Karen
Hello, Molly by Molly Shannon
I learned so much about Molly. I couldn’t believe how her life started out. She is an amazing woman.
Beth
Lightning Strike by William Kent Krueger
Not my favorite of his but a good read all the same.
Beth
Fly Girl by Ann Hood
I was loaned an ARC of this book by a friend and I am grateful for that and for publishers who make these advance reader copies available. I really enjoyed this book. I was hooked in the prologue. I knew exactly what Ann meant when she said she started as an airline attendant in the golden age of flying when every passenger was treated as if they were in First Class. And when she said she stopped when most passengers felt like they were riding a Greyhound bus not a jumbo jet. Throughout the book, she had some classic and meaningful descriptions. She shared several quotes and various nostalgia about the sexist advertising, behaviors and realities of the industry, but she still loved her role and flying. Her love was evident and I enjoyed.
Donna
Nightwork by Nora Roberts
Great new character from Nora Roberts - a thief with scruples! An enjoyable read. Hoping she continues this as a new series.
Donna
Run, Rose, Run by James Patterson and Dolly Parton
An engaging read (actually want to hear the songs written for the book and I'm not a country music fan). You can see Dolly's input and Patterson's pacing, and both work seamlessly to deliver a fast-paced, interesting and fun read.
Deby
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
Not my usual genre to read, but I genuinely liked this book and recommend it to others!
Julia
Summer of '69 by Elin Hilderbrand
This novel follows four siblings as they navigate their lives during the tumultuous days of 1969.
Liz
A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams
A good beach read. Good start and finish, but a bit slow in the middle. It is 1938 and Lily Dane returns to Seaview, Rhodesia Island where she has spent almost all of her summers along with the other well to do families. A storm is brewing not only between Lily, Budgie (Lily’s Former best friend) and Nick (Budgie’s husband and Lily’s former fiance), but also a hundred year hurricane that is about to hit their seaside community. Some parts were predictable with a good beginning and ending, but a bit slow in the middle.
Marsha
Death of the Black Widow by James Patterson and J. D. Barker
This book had too much evil for me. A killer who changes everything about herself and then goes to the next victim. She is not a human and the hero has to sacrifice himself to destroy her.
Kelly
In Five Years by Rebecca Serle
One of the best books I have read in years. I went through every emotion reading it. Just as the cover says, I finished it in one sitting. Truly incredible story!
Sandra K.
The Line Between by Tosca Lee
A thrilling, suspenseful, twisted ride through an impending apocalypse with a good side-helping of cult activity.
Rose
The Wrong Victim by Allison Brennan
This is Book 3 of the Quinn and Costa series. In this novel, a bomb explodes on a boat killing nine people. The FBI team is called to investigate. The investigation initially focuses on an environmental group, but things become more complicated as there are more deaths. I haven’t read the first two books, but other than background, I don’t think it mattered. However, I do think there was some repetition in the book which could have been edited. I think I would enjoy reading the first two books, and following the series.
Cindy
Love & Saffron by Kim Fay
This is a charming book of friendship. It tries to recreate 84 CHARING CROSS ROAD but just doesn’t quite offer enough of a fresh take.
Claire
The Botanist's Game by E. V. Everest
This book, second in the series, begins with protagonist Ana making a dangerous deal: in exchange for not exposing that she has lied about her gift, she agrees to marry General Rockwell's son. And that's not even the most dangerous or intense bargain made in this book. As the chapters go on, Ana finds it harder and harder to maintain her secret lack of magical talent and her fake engagement with a boy she has really grown to care for, all while receiving strange visions of a little girl named Terra whose life tangles with Ana's in a very touching way at the end of the novel. I love the characters of Ana and Samuel, and where the book leaves them is such a great place in their character arcs and it has me on the edge of my seat!
shelly
The Newcomer by Mary Kay Andrews
When Letty Carnahan's sister is murdered she knows she has to take her daughter Maya and get on the run. She is sure Evan Wingfield killed her sister and does not want him to get custody or see her. Letty finds an article about a motel in a small town in Florida and wonders why her sister saved it? While escaping from New York, Letty and Maya find the Murmuring Surf Motel. Certainly from the looks of it, not the type of place she would expect her sister to stay in.
Letty winds up working in the motel and slowly uncovers some secrets she did know about her sister's past. Most are shocking and once again she realizes that Tanya held many secrets and lies. A nice read for summer, but a little too long to solve the mystery and move on.
Tessa
The Borrower by Rebecca Makkai
I remember seeing the author when she was on the book tour for this novel. I was intrigued by the premise: a young librarian working in the children’s section befriends a 10-year-old boy who seems to have some family issues, and then finds him “sleeping” in the library when he’s run away from home. But this book failed to deliver on every page. The librarian was irresponsible, the kid was a pain, the parents were absent, and the “supporting” cast wasn’t given much chance to actually support.
Laurie
The Palace Papers by Tina Brown
I admit that I have always been fascinated by the Royal Family. When I picked up the book I was hoping it would not be a gossip fest. I was not disappointed. It gave me so many insights into the family members and I came away with different opinions than I began with. I misjudged so many of the members and have a brand new outlook on so many of them.
Suzy
A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail by Bill Bryson
This was my first Bill Bryson book, and I'm now reading my third. It is a lovely tale of Mr. Bryson's attempt to walk the Appalachian Trail with a funny and quirky friend. (The movie is pretty good too!) Gifted at writing about nature and animals, Mr. Bryson is not quite as kind when writing about other people at times, so I took away one star (overweight people, others he considers inept or stupid) for unkindness. The book is moving and makes you laugh out loud at the odd events that happen to the two hikers during their months on the trail. It actually made me vow to walk at least part of it! VERY moving are the stories about what climate and other changes are doing to the flora and fauna along the 1,000+ miles.
