This contest period's winners were Dianne M., Kelly G. and Richard B., who each received a copy of THE HOUSE OF EVE by Sadeqa Johnson and MAAME by Jessica George.
Lisa
Night Shift by Robin Cook
I thought this was a good book. It did keep my interest, even though it lets you know who is doing the killing before the end of the novel. Would recommend to others.
Beth
The Forest of Vanishing Stars by Kristin Harmel
The beginning of THE FOREST OF VANISHING STARS seems like a fairy tale. Yona has lived deep in a forest, away from society, since she was two years old, when she was stolen from her German parents in the 1920s. The almost magical woman who took Yona brought her up to be well-read and well-prepared with survival skills. She seemed to know ahead of time that Yona would one day need those skills to lead a group of desperate Jews in hiding from the Germans in the 1940s. Even the book's tone sounded to me like Kristin Harmel was telling the story to a youngster. So I thought when I read this fairy-tale-like beginning that I would not like the rest of it. But the majority of the book is based on truth. This is an excellent book.
Tessa
E is for Evidence by Sue Grafton
Book Five in the “alphabet” series has PI Kinsey Milhone dreading a not very merry Christmas; she’s accused of insurance fraud and finds herself out on her own trying to clear her name. What I love about the series is the time frame – no cell phones or computers. Kinsey has to rely on her wits and good old-fashioned leg work to ferret out the information she needs. There are a lot of characters, most of whom are suspects, and enough twists and turns to keep this reader guessing right up to the reveal.
Rose
You Can Run (Laurel Snow, #1) by Rebecca Zanetti
I love finding a new series to read. Laurel Snow is a brilliant FBI agent/profiler (although she doesn't like the identifier). When she is called to her hometown of Genesis Valley, WA to solve a series of murders, she finds out some interesting things about herself, namely a half-sister she never knew about, Dr. Abigail Caine. Additionally, Huck Rivers, a handsome fish and wildlife officer, is partnered with her on the murder cases, and Laurel is very attracted to him. Laurel's uncle is suspected in these murders, but Laurel doesn't believe it. However, she has to keep her personal feelings buried so she can do her job. As Laurel discovers more about her own life, she comes into a dangerous situation with the killer. Good new series!
Rose
You Can Hide by Rebecca Zanetti
I started reading this prior to reading Book 1, so I had to stop and read Book 1, as this book does refer to many things that occurred in Book 1. I highly suggest reading in order. Laurel Snow and Huck Rivers are back, trying to solve the murders of several women who are found dead, naked and arranged in the snow. Their hands have been removed, and black dahlias are also key. Again, Abigail Caine plays a big part in this suspense novel. Abigail tells Laurel that she is in danger, and Laurel needs to protect her. However, Laurel still doesn't trust Abigail. Laurel and Huck's relationship continues, and the tension between them is palpable. Both of their lives are put in danger as they chase another serial killer. Excited to continue!
Kristy
A Man Called Ove by Fredrick Backman
Great read; highly recommend.
Jill
The Measure by Nikki Erlick
I love debut authors and this book did not disappoint. I loved it from the first page to the last. The concept of this book is ingenious; everyone in the world, age 22 and above, receives a box that will inform them how long they will live, by the length of their string. These boxes throw people’s lives into disarray. They do not know where the boxes have come from. Book clubs will enjoy the lively discussions about what one would do if this were to happen to us. Look forward to future books by Nikki Erlick.
Rose
Secret Lives by Mark De Castrique
Enjoyable crime novel about a near-octogenarian, Ethel Crestwater, and her distant cousin who is a student and their efforts to solve a mystery. Ethel is a former FBI Special Agent, and now runs a rooming house. When a Secret Service agent is found dead, Ethel recruits Jesse to help her find out who killed him, and what caused his death. They uncover a ring of thieves who planned to steal $20 million in cryptocoin, but their plans were disrupted. Ethel is always one step ahead and is on the right side of the law. An enjoyable and quick read, with a delightful main character.
Jane
The Authenticity Project by Clare Pooley
Delightful. Intriguing plot. Great character development.
Jane
Silver Alert by Lee Smith
Thank you to LibraryThing, the author and the publisher for this ARC. A fast, fun read which I really enjoyed. I read Fast Girls by her which I really didn't enjoy, to be honest. This goes to show me that authors can change their writing habits and write more interesting and fast-moving books with a total different plot and subject.
Teresa
Suspect by Scott Turow
My first Turow book won’t be my last. I actually missed the main character when I’d finished reading. He does a surprising job of writing a female main character who narrates the story in the first person. Pinky has always been different from everyone she knows (she’s 33 and wears a spike in her nose, albeit an easily removable one), and she seems to revel in it. She’s a PI, having worked her way through (and failed at) a few other job choices, and she seems to have found her niche. She gets caught up in a big-time crime ring while investigating a scandal surrounding sexual harassment by a female police chief, encountering romance along the way. A complicated but interesting story ensues.
Carly
We Are All Good At Smiling by Amber McBride
Original, beautifully-written book of verse. Cannot recommend it enough.
sherry
The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles
Started good, middle a little wordy but was anxious to get to the end, with excitement.
Michelle
Spare by Prince Harry
So much could be dissected about this very detailed and well-written memoir, but my biggest takeaway is about how deeply the death of his mother impacted him - compounded by his cold father and the lack of support he received. On top of all of that, it was eye-opening to hear what it was like to try and live inside the fishbowl bubble of the royal lifestyle. The constant chase and lies of the paparazzi was enough to make one feel claustrophobic and helpless. His hatred for the “paps” could be felt, and understandably so. Good for him for telling his story in his own words, for standing up to the paparazzi, for going against the grain and standing up for himself and for his wife and family. I think his mother would be very proud of him.
Susan
Walking Through Fire by Vaneetha Rendall Risner
A true store that I had difficulty setting the book down. It was a 5-star read for me.
Jackie
Righteous Prey by John Sandford
Another quick-moving Lucas Davenport/Virgil Flowers adventure. I look forward to all Sandford’s novels, l really enjoy his style and these characters.
Joan
Horse by Geraldine Brooks
Geraldine Brooks at her best, bringing us the story of a race horse, his groom, his owners, all swept up during the Civil War period. Flash forward to the 50s, a gallery owner, and 2019, when a painting of the horse is found in a pile of trash.
Rosa
Fellowship Point by Alice Elliott Dark
Agnes Lee is the author of the celebrated children's book series WHEN NAN. Now in her eighties, she is focused on two projects: to write one final book for her Franklin Square series (written under a pseudonym and no one knows that she is the author), and to find a way to preserve her beloved Fellowship Point (the Maine peninsula on which her family settled many years age). The story is told in two time periods, in the 1960s and in the 2000s. I loved all the characters in this book for their depth. There are so many relationships to reflect on - the friendship between Agnes and Polly, the relationship between Agnes and the book editor Maud, the dynamics in the Lee family, the marriage of Polly and her husband Dick, and so much more.
Cheryl
The Messy Lives of Book People by Phaedra Patrick
Liv Green is an office/house cleaner. One of her clients happens to be her favorite author, Essie Starling. Essie's books are the foundation of Liv's fantasies. The reclusive author asks Liv more and more what she thinks about her main character and plot lines. The deadline for what is to be the last of the many book series is rapidly approaching. And Essie does a flit. Can Liv fill her shoes? Does she want to? Phaedra Patrick is my "go-to" pallet cleanser after reading thrillers/mysteries. Her books are interesting and charming. They are just what I need.
Cheryl
The Sisters We Were by Wendy Willis Baldwin
Ruby and Pearl Crenshaw are sisters from Austin, Texas who were raised in a loving middle-class family. Ruby, the older of the sisters, is athletic and well-liked. Pearl is the chubby younger sister who dreads riding her bicycle to school. The hill is her nemesis and the neighborhood kids tease her. Tragedy strikes the Crenshaw family when their loving father dies. Their mother, Birdie, remarries and the family dynamics take a turn. Ruby wins a track scholarship and moves to Dallas, vowing never to return to Austin. Pearl eats her way to morbid obesity. The sisters turn to each other for help after years apart. Can their relationship be saved?
Lori
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
Good read about the friendship between characters from childhood through adulthood. Might have enjoyed more if I had ever played video games but still good.
Francisca
A History of Loneliness by John Boyne
What marvelous writing! Catholic priest Odran Yates narrates his journey and reveals his personal history of loneliness. Boyne gives us characters who are conflicted and run the gamut of human behavior and emotion. Some are angry and lash out, other are cowed and submissive. Some are understanding and compassionate, others defensive and determined to hide. There are times when I just wanted to slap Odran, and others when I long to comfort and console him. This is a book I will be thinking about for a long time.
Barbara
Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez
This book will stay with me for awhile. So heartbreaking learning about the forced sterlization of poor, mostly Black, young women in 1973 (doesn't seem that long ago). Dual time line with 2016 to see what happened with all the characters.
Laurie
The Sweet Spot by Amy Poeppel
If you’re in the mood for a family drama "on steroids" don’t miss THE SWEET SPOT by excellent author, Amy Poeppel. This new creative novel is set in various areas of Manhattan, each of which is familiar to me so that’s especially fun for this voracious reader. I laughed and cried along with the vividly drawn colorful imaginative characters! Don’t miss it. Brava!
Barbara
The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman
What a fun read! The group of individuals in "The Thursday Murder Club" are genuine and funny. Four friends who will always stand up and aside each other. The mystery will have you guessing many different scenarios. Good luck in solving! I didn't read the first book in the series but will definitely go back to it, and then move on to the third book.
Sherrie
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy
The most lovely story, illustrations and structure. I adored this book.
Linda
Sunflowers Beneath the Snow by Teri M. Brown
A historical fiction book about a Ukrainian family during the war. Our book club was lucky enough to have the author visit and discuss this book. We all recommend it.
Jeanne
The Lindbergh Nanny by Mariah Fredericks
THE LINDBERGH NANNY by Mariah Fredericks is historical fiction at its best. The author expertly meshes fact and fiction into a riveting and entertaining story centered around the kidnapping of the famous Lindbergh baby. The kidnapping of baby Charlie Lindbergh rocked America to its core. Ms. Fredericks is to be commended on the excellent research, writing, outstanding dialogue and character development. Her attention to detail made the book all the more intriguing. The Nanny, Betty Gow, becomes the main suspect is determined to prove her innocence and the story is told from her viewpoint. I found this to be an intense, gripping, heartbreaking story that brought tears to my eyes a few times.
Lisa
The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot by Marianne Cronin
On the surface, one would think that this book would require many boxes of tissues. Although there are sad moments, the majority of the book is a beautiful story about multi-generational friendships with humor mixed in. I loved the main characters and couldn't put it down. A very touching story that will stay with you long after you have finished the book.
Stephanie
The Sweet Spot by Amy Poeppel
Funny, madcap and heartwarming! I loved this novel - the characters were quirky and loveable (well, most of them!), their escapades so amusing and their ups and downs as they create their own “found” family so entertaining and sweet. I laughed so much and was enchanted. Such a feel-good read!!!
Sharon
The Lindbergh Nanny by Mariah Fredericks
This book left lots of questions, but no question about it - I could not like Charles Lindbergh. I felt his wife's family was self-centered, selfish, and unconcerned about their grandson to leave him with just the nanny with no support (even money for clothes) alone in Maine.
Lorraine
Jackie and Me by Louis Bayard
Surprisingly new angle of Jackie, charmingly written. The narrator is “Lem,” the long time friend of JFK. Prose is seductive, hard to put down.
Sheree
Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan
I loved the book. She touches upon so many different things. Racism, transgenders, bee keeping, etc. I chose to read this book because your book group readers chose this as a number one pick and I can see why. There is so much to discuss in this book! I am so glad I read it ! Being an older reader I didn't find the names of the characters old-fashioned at all!
Sue
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
An amazing adaptation of Dicken’s DAVID COPPERFIELD, it is a impressive expose of Appalachian poverty, the opioid crisis, failure of the foster care system and resilience.
Vicky
The House of Wolves by James Patterson and Mike Lupica
Another great read by Patterson! It's a little bit different from my latest book reads from him but another book that was hard to put down. A family fighting for control of the family businesses after the dad "drowns". A football team and a newspaper. What's eerie is that there is an incident in the beginning of the book that mirrors the football player from the Buffalo Bills! The book release and the player's incident happened 7 days apart!!!
Michele
The Courtship Plan by Kathleen Fuller
When you fill you are a misfit but want a husband and family, you seek out help. Help came in the form a book that helps you form a plan for a husband. But not all plans work and sometimes it's better to not have a plan and just be yourself.
Sheila
We Know You Remember by Tove Alsterdal
This is a wonderful Swedish detective novel. Entertaining with all the twists and turns as well as learning about the country. It has been awarded the Swedish Crime Novel of the Year. I can't wait to read her next one.
Sheila
Black Cake by Charmaine Wilerson
I found this book interesting. However, the name changes were very confusing. The same but different characters (!) caused the book to be very choppy. Not the full emersion experience I like in a book. I may be overly critical since I was reading this for book club discussion.
Cathy
We Are the Light by Matthew Quick
Set in a small town following a recent tragedy, this beautiful novel focuses on the capacity of the human spirit and our ability to help and love one another. Quick creates so many wonderful characters who each bring their own personality and unique special gifts to help bring some normality and peace to this broken town.WE ARE THE LIGHT is an epistolary novel and it reminds us that guardian angels and love exist at all times -- we just need to be more aware, or willing, to see them. This book is a beautifully written and stays with you for a long time.
Laura
Redwall by Brian Jacques
Old book written for middle school kids, but I thoroughly enjoyed as an adult. Great descriptive lines: "It was the start of the Summer of the Late Rose." Read like THE GAME OF THRONES but only with woodland animals. Also has the adventure of Harry Potter. A great choice for books groups.
Beth
The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich
I mostly listened to this book, which was read by the author. It's based on the true story of her grandfather who was a leader in his tribe and lead a delegation to Washington in the 50s to stop passage of a bill that would have terminated Indian tribes and robbed them of their little remaining land. The book had beautiful descriptions and taught me a lot about Native Americans and their ways of life.
Kelly
Lucy By the Sea by Elizabeth Strout
I really enjoyed the chance to look back on the beginning of the lockdown for the pandemic. I truly loved the characters, Lucy and William. When I finished this I went back and read her earlier work, MY NAME IS LUCY BARTON. I have her other book, OH, WILLIAM! on hold at the library. I have found a new author I really like.
Jolene
Spare by Prince Harry
Loved, loved it!! Interesting his take growing up in the royal family. Finished this amazing book in two days. I was absolutely hooked from the first page. Praise for him telling his story and getting out from the institution of the royal family. So happy for him and his family!!
Dianne
Dial A For Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto
Charming romp with a dead body and stolen jewels, set at an exquisite hotel on an island off California. Great read for Valentine's Day.
Sherri
Fairy Tale by Stephen King
A wonderful book, scary in a different way from King's usual horror. Great fun!
Susan
A Wish for Winter by Viola Shipman
This book was a perfect winter read. I have lived in Michigan my whole life, and the way the author describes our weather especially in Petoskey where this takes place is spot-on. Susan runs a
family bookstore with her grandparents. Her mom and dad were killed in a car accident when she was a child. She is searching for the love of her life like her parents and grandparents did. Read it and find out if she did.
Linda
The Cloisters by Katy Hays
There is tension throughout the story as ambitious coworkers compete for the accolades of medieval art academia. The Cloisters in NYC is the perfect Gothic setting, which involves researching the origin of tarot cards and the occult. I had a strong urge to keep reading in order to finally learn the ending - very unexpected!
Susan
Horse by Geraldine Brooks
Waited to read this as it is my book group book of the month. It is a wonderful story told by a gifted writer. My husband will read it next. I love a book we can share and discuss together. Do get this book and read it - you won't be sorry.
Ann Marie
Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six by Lisa Unger
At first my book club did not want to read this. It sounds like the plot of many books. It did take time. I especially liked this book because of the different points of view and the mystery.
Anne Marie
A Twist of the Knife by Anthony Hororwitz
I've read or watched so many of his stories and they never cease to amaze me. His imagination and creativity are off the chart. I've read others in this series and will read the rest. Anthony puts himself in the story in more ways than one and yet still weaves a mystery that is compelling. I can't wait to see what else he comes out with!
Janet
Us Against You by Fredrick Backman
Great sequel. Looking forward to the third one.
Pam
The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks-Dalton
The seas are rising and the world as Wanda knows it is changing, but she will adapt and change and grow as well. Told in four parts -- power, water, light, and time -- THE LIGHT PIRATE is a beautiful, magical, powerful, and totally original novel.
Pam
The House of Wolves by James Patterson and Mike Lupica
High octane suspense as a female high school teacher and football coach is left in control of her wealthy and powerful father's newspaper empire and football franchise to the fury of her three brothers. This was a fun page-turner, with a smart, strong female protagonist, even if the plot required substantial suspension of disbelief. Audiobook narrator Ellen Archer was superb in portraying the many characters and maintaining tight pacing and suspense.
Pam
The Villa by Rachel Hawkins
3.5 stars. It took me almost half the book to really get into the story, and it was hard to connect with many of the characters, but it certainly was twisty. For me, even with the expert audio narration of Julia Whelan, it just wasn't a very satisfying read.
Susan
Sam by Allegra Goodman
I was disappointed in the characterization of Sam. The voice was accurate as she matured, but I felt no emotional connection to her. Her longing for her father was a major trauma in her life.
Lucy
Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Thoroughly enjoyed this book about a 70s rock star and the band she joins. However, I wish I had read the interview with the author at the end of the book before reading the book as it made me appreciate the book a lot more and the amount of work that went into compiling the story and the reference to Jefferson Airplane and Gracie Slick. This is the first book of TJR's I've read and now it won't be the last.
Rose
Buried in a Good Book by Tamara Berry
Cute cozy mystery. Successful mystery writer Tess Harrow takes her teen daughter, Gertie, to Tess's grandfather's cabin in the woods to spend the summer after divorce from Gertie's dad, Quentin. Naturally, Gertie isn't too excited about spending a summer without wi-fi, but on their arrival there is an explosion and fish guts and human body parts start raining down on them.
Enter handsome Sheriff Boyd. Tess can't help but compare Boyd to her character, Det. Gabriel Gonzales, and constantly tells Boyd how Gonzales would have handled the situation. Tess finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation and also stumbles on a smuggling ring. Funny and smart, this is the start of a new cozy mystery series.
Donna
So Help Me God by Mike Pence
No matter which way you lean politically, this is a very interesting book from the perspective of the Vice President's job. Very well written and I enjoyed it very much.
Rose
Foster by Claire Keegan
Claire Keegan packs a lot into a short novella. In this book, a young girl is sent to live with a family member because her mom is having another child. At the Kinsella's home, she is lovingly cared for, fed, and nurtured in many ways. The Kinsellas treat her as if she is their own. She finds out one day that they lost their son in a tragic accident. Now, they are pouring their love on this child, more love than she received at her own home, especially from her dad. Beautiful and heartwrenching, I love to read Keegan's work.
Richard N B
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King
I’ve been singing this book’s praises to people over the last decade, remarking how King’s book “on writing” has made me a better reader by giving me a better understanding of the craft. And, I thought his narration on the audiobook was perfect. Who better to tell this very personal story.
Betty Jo
Signal Fires by Dani Shapiro
Family dynamics and neighborhood relationships was the formula for this book. I loved it. A perfect winter read. As the families across the street grow up and move away, the issues that tied them together remain. How that transforms their lives is done by a great writer.
Laura
Beartown by Fredrik Bachman
Being a former hockey mom, this book hit close to home from the perspective of hockey politics, overzealous parents and the kinds of kids that make up a team. It's pretty darn accurate. The other side of the coin is the accusation and what it does to the town from so many different points of view. Excellent read.
Bonnie
I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
McCurdy had a tough life and a horrible mother, but still not sure why this was a "best seller".
Rita
The Christmas Murder Game by Alexandra Benedict
Lily Armitage's mother died twenty-one Christmases ago at Endgame House. Lily was then raised by her Aunt Liliana who loved her more than she loved her own children. Because of this, her cousins made no secret how they felt about Lily being their mother's favorite child. They became estranged once they grew up and moved on to their separate lives. Lily never returned to Endgame House after her mother's death, but a letter from Aunt Liliana asking her to return for the annual Christmas game made her wonder whether she should go there this year. She decides to return to Endgame House and her relatives with a promise that Lily will find out exactly how her mother died. The book has lots of twist and turns that keep you second guessing.
Janet
A World of Curiosities by Louise Penny
Some of the reviews were mixed on Penny’s newest novel but I enjoyed it! Another Armand Gramache mystery that takes place in Three Pines, Canada. I enjoyed the back story of how Armand and Jean-Guy met. I’ve only read two of the books in this series but it’s not necessary to have read all of them.
Jennifer
The Half of It by Juliette Fay
I received an ARC of Juliette’s latest book and thoroughly enjoyed it. The main character and I are the same age, so the music, movies, and other pop culture references of the 80s was so much fun. The story involved a man and woman who had a brief romance in high school that ended very badly. They run into each other 40 years later and find themselves needing to deal with some issues from the past that very much impacted the adults they became.
Rose
The Foundling by Ann Leary
In 1927, Mary Engle is impressed by Dr. Agnes Vogel, a psychiatrist. When Mary is hired to work for Dr. Vogel at the Nettleton State Village for Feebleminded Women of Childbearing Age, Mary is so excited! However, as Mary recognizes one of the inmates, Lillian, as her former friend from the orphanage where she was raised, Mary starts to question what is actually happening at the institution. Are the women really mentally disabled, or are they put there because their husbands find them to be outspoken? Mary has to choose between her employer and her friend, and it is truly scary! Inspired by a true story, this is a frightening example of how people were treated when they didn't fit the norms of society. Continue exposing this!
Rose
Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers
In December 1957, a train crash kills 90 people and injures many more, and therefore, pushes a story off of page one of the local newspaper. This is a story that Jean Swinney has been working on for months, starting with a letter received from Gretchen Tilbury. Gretchen writes to the paper claiming that her daughter is the result of a virgin birth. She states that she has never even been kissed, but yet, has a daughter who will soon be 10. Jean visits the family hoping to prove or disprove the story. But, Jean becomes involved with the family. She and Gretchen become friends, and she also cares for Margaret, the child. However, Jean falls in love with Howard, husband, a kind man who accepted Margaret as his daughter. Heartbreaking.
Tessa
High Tide in Tucson by Barbara Kingsolver
Kingsolver was already a successful novelist when this collection of essays was published. She relates her thoughts on family, home, politics, nature, social issues and personal responsibility with humor, compassion, wit and integrity. Her training as a scientist is evident, as is her talent as a poet.
Kimberly
The Age of Vice by Deepti Kapoor
Loved this book! I was leery due to the length and the fact that it was just the first installment of the series but I needn't have worried. I flew through the pages and cannot wait for more. A fantastic read.
Sandy
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
A little slow in the beginning but by the third chapter I was hooked!!
Rose
You Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hogle
Naomi Westfield is held over heels for her fiancé, Nicholas Rose, until she isn't. Boredom sets in, and anger that her future mother-in-law commands attention from her son. Plus, her MIL is controlling every bit of their upcoming wedding and Naomi feels overwhelmed. So, Naomi decides to make life miserable for Nicholas, hoping that he will be the one to bow out of the wedding and get stuck with the bills. But, what she doesn't count on is Nicholas doing things for her that she doesn't expect. When they fight, there is more passion than either has experienced in a while. They come to rediscover their love for each other, and for what they, not others, want. Cute and different rom-com.
Rose
The Marlow Murder Club by Robert Thorogood
Murder mystery set in England. Judith Potts, 77-year-old woman who lives alone and swims naked in the Thames, also constructs crosswords for the Times. She witnesses a murder, contacts the police, but they don't believe her. Then, when the body appears, they start to listen to her, but are still skeptical. So, Judith starts to investigate on her own. She meets Suzie and Becks, who both help her uncover clues. This unlikely trio solves the mystery of why several people have been killed, but the real shocker is the ending of the story! Reminded me of THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB series.
Deby
The Reunion by Kayla Olson
A fun little book to read between all of the heavy books I've been reading lately.
Julie
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
Loved the indomitable heroine and how she didn't let people get her or her child down during the "pre-liberation" days.
Jennifer
The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
Very great book! Loved it and finished it in 24 hours!
Sharon
The Villa by Rachel Hawkins
Moving between the near present and 1974, the author weaves a story of friendship--sometimes strained--of the desire to create, to become famous, to have it all by flawed, selfish, difficult, kind, hopeful, sorry, misguided not-so-ordinary people. Emily and Chess were BFFs in their youth but the relationship has become strained. Emily's been ill and has been unable to complete another of her best-selling book series, she and her husband are divorcing and he wants a perpetual cut of the money that comes from her work. Chess is a famous guru of the "get-it-all-together" genre who invites Emily to join her in Italy at the villa where a brutal murder took place in the midst of drugs, sex and deceit.
Claire
Cookin' the Books by Amy Patricia Meade
This was a great first book in a series, starring a caterer who accidentally stumbles into a mystery trying to prove that it wasn't her food that killed her first client. It has a fun cast of small town characters, enough twists and turns to keep you on your toes, and some great meal ideas that will make you incredibly hungry while reading. I had a few logistical complaints - mostly around the catering business and its menu items - but I think overall for a first in a new series this book did a great job setting up for what is next to come.
Rita
The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See
This story is of a young girl named Li-yan. Throughout the book you will learn about tea picking and preparing the tea for selling. However, the main part of the story is about Li-yan and her relationship with her family and friends along with trying to maintain the Akha rituals, beliefs and taboos. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and was drawn into the richly-filled story.
Becky
Iron Curtain by Vesna Goldsworthy
IRON CURTAIN is a delight to read. It has humor, pathos, tension, fear, love, loyalty, tragedy, responsibility, faithfulness and patriotism. Milena and Jason, as well as all the supporting characters, are well drawn, and accurate. The descriptions of the two countries reflect the notions of how each country sees itself and the other. The book covers the differences between perception and reality, especially as it relates to how communist countries view the west and vice versa. My daughter lived for several years in a former Soviet Republic. I completely understand Milena’s decisions. The notion of freedom has varying degrees of reality: freedom from want, from decision making, to choose, to make mistakes.
Elizabeth
Code Name Sapphire by Pam Jenoff
Ms. Jenoff keeps you close to and empathizing with the characters through everything and suffering along with them. Another Pam Jenoff masterpiece. Don't miss this one!!
Liz
The Identicals by Elin Hilderbrand
Harper and Tabitha are identical twins with very different personalities. Growing up they were inseparable, but when their parents divorce they are forced to chose which girl will live with which parent. Thus begins an estrangement that spans several years. When Billy, the father passes on, the girls are forced to see one another again, but things do not go well until an intervention brings family secrets and lies to the surface.
Rose
All the Dangerous Things by Stacy Willingham
Isabelle Drake's son Mason was taken from his crib one year ago. Now, Isabelle can't sleep, her marriage to Ben is over, and Isabelle travels giving talks about the kidnapping hoping for a break in the case. As Isabelle faces what happens, she remembers what happened to her younger sister, Margaret, when they were children. She also recalls how she would sleepwalk and how it scared Margaret. Now, Isabelle wonders, did she do it again? A podcaster approaches Isabelle asking her to discuss the case with him, so that they can try to find Mason. But, she starts to wonder about his interest in the case, which seems excessive. This novel addresses motherhood and the pressure to be a great mom. I think the conclusion may surprise you.
Kim
Tree of Redemption by Jim Davidson
This story of friendship and loss quickly becomes a murder mystery. The reader follows Chris, a former pro baseball player and entrepreneur travels to Laredo for the funeral of his friend only to discover that all is not as it appears. Chris is drawn into the unsavory world of Mexican border towns and corruption. It is a story of family, devotion and bravery. This is a great one!
Jessica
The It Girl by Ruth Ware
A psychological thriller that was unputadownable. I enjoyed the plot since it took me back to my college days. I loved the writing from chapter to chapter going from past to present. I also enjoyed how the author made the reader's mind keep jumping from person to person, while giving an extra twist regarding the ending.
Rose
Horse by Geraldine Brooks
Set in three time periods (1850-60s, 1950s, and 2019) this is an epic story about a horse, its groom, a painter, and its lineage and provenance. In 2019, Theo, a grad student, is offered an old painting of a horse and its groom from the woman across the street, he accepts it out of courtesy. Theo feels that he can write an article about it. Meanwhile, Jess, is studying the skeletal remains of a horse, and the two become involved. In the 1850s, Jarret is an enslaved groom who loves a thoroughbred horse. Its owners call the horse Lexington. Scott, a painter, captures the horse on canvas, along with Jarret. In the 1950s, art critic Martha Jackson, sees the painting and recognizes its value. The story connects all in a heartbreaking story.
Rose
The Swimmers by Julie Otsuka
A group of swimmers uses the community pool to swim laps. They know each other as members of the pool community, but don't socialize. One day, a crack appears on the bottom of the pool, and after an attempt to repair the crack fails, the pool is closed. Now the swimmers feel displaced. One swimmer, Alice, is now disoriented, and is losing her memory. Incorrectly diagnosed with Alzheimer's, she is moved to a home. Her daughter narrates the story, and talks about what her mother does and doesn't remember, the relationship with her mother, and the memories her mother is losing. It is a sad story of how dementia robs people of their memory and its toll on the family. Short book, but very poignant.
Tessa
Fox & I by Catherine Raven
Subtitle: An Uncommon Friendship. Alone in the world and self-isolating in a cabin on a remote piece of land in Montana, Raven “befriended” a fox. I loved this memoir of finding friendship in an unexpected way, and of the healing power of connecting to nature and to another being.
Rose
Nightcrawling by Leila Mottley
NIGHTCRAWLING is not a book I would typically read, and after starting it, I almost stopped, However, I am glad that I read the entire book. It is a book where Kiara and her brother are living in East Oakland, and trying to make ends meet. Both are high school dropouts, and they have no adult supervision. When Marcus is arrested for drugs, after begging Kiara to let him pursue his dream of being a rapper, Kiara turns to nightcrawling to help with money. Next Kiara is pulled into a corrupt police group who trade sex for her protection. She is only 17 and is being used by the cops. This part is based on actual events in Oakland, CA. Meanwhile, Kiara is caring for Trevor, a young boy abandoned by his mother. Truly bleak and sad story.
Linda
A Merry Little Meet Cute by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone
I thought the book was going to be a funny romantic story. Boy was I wrong! It was disgusting. A Christmas movie is being filmed and the female star is a porn star who loves to make porn. The male star is a former member of a boy band and known as the bad boy in the band who was always screwing around with young girls. He subscribes to the star's porn site and knows who she is when he first sees her. His fantasy is coming true when he finally has sex with Bee (or Bianca von Honey). The book could have been a lot better if it had been written as a rom-com without the "dirty sex" portrayed by the porn actors.
Linda
The Sweetest Fix by Tessa Bailey
Reese Stratton comes to New York with a dream of becoming a Broadway dancer but she misses her audition with Bernard Bexley. She learns he has a son and she plans to meet him and get him to help her with an audition with his father. But once she meets Leo, she realizes she can't use him like that. When no jobs pan out, she decides to go home. Reese realizes her dream of becoming a dancer was just that--a dream that doesn't belong in the real world. Then she gets a call that changes everything!
Linda
When Sparks Fly by Helena Hunting
What a great book deserving of more than 5 stars! Avery Spark and Declan McCormick have been best friends since college and now are roommates. When Avery is in an automobile accident, Declan takes care of her. He blames himself since he was not available to drive her to a meeting. Their relationship turns from friendship into something more serious, but what? Declan was brought up in a home of battling parents where he was always in the middle and he’s sworn off marriage. But when a misunderstanding causes a rift in their relationship, he realizes he has lost the one constant in his life and wants her back.
Linda
Starry-Eyed Love by Helena Hunting
London Spark is having drinks with her sisters when a man sitting nearby flirts with her and asks if she would have dinner with him. She turns him down. Three months later, she learns he is Jackson Holt, the CEO of a media firm. He is still interested but now they are in a professional relationship. She hears gossip that he was in a relationship with one of his assistants and tells him not to call her. Both London and Jackson are miserable being apart. He tells her there was no relationship, just friendship, but London has been burned once and doesn't know what to believe.
Linda
Make a Wish by Helena Hunting
Harley Spark is the youngest Spark sister and worked as a nanny to Peyton, baby daughter of Gavin Rhodes. His wife died in childbirth and Gavin is still grieving when he is taken aback by the almost-kiss by his nanny. She is too young and he is not ready for any entanglements so he and Peyton move back to Boulder to be near his in-laws. Harley thinks he moved due to her inappropriate action. Now it’s seven years later and she runs into Gavin and Peyton at a birthday party. They start seeing each other romantically but all is not rosy. Between Gavin’s guilt and his mother-in-law’s disapproval, can they make a go of it?
Linda
WHAM!, George Michael and Me by Andrew Ridgeley
Andrew Ridgeley had no idea when he volunteered to help the new kid fit in at their school that this friendship would help him fulfill his lifelong dream. Georgios Panayiotos was shy and studious with a strict father who wanted his son to succeed in school and go on to college. Changing his name to George Michael, the shy student became a songwriter and the duo formed a band known as WHAM! that became famous. The band’s farewell concert was held on June 28, 1986. George Michael went on as a solo act until his death on December 25, 2016. He had been Andrew’s best friend since they met when both were 13.
Rita
The Girls in the Stilt House by Kelly Mustian
This story tells you about a young poor White girl named Ada Morgan and Matilda Patterson, a young poor Black girl who meet under unusual circumstances. Ada had run away with Jesse, a young man who promised her an adventure she'll never forget. Ada loves the idea and she would also be free of her abusive father. No longer able to stay with Jesse; she returns home to her father's stilt house in the swamps in hopes he will allow her to stay. Meanwhile, Matilda is looking for a place to hide and decides that the stilt house might be just the place to stay since it appears to be abandoned. The stilt house is where Ada and Matilda's lives coincide and change forever. Vivid descriptions that take you along the journey.
Linda
A Very Merry Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams
Country music star Colton Wheeler and immigration attorney Gretchen Winthrop are an unlikely pair but are attracted to one another and spend the night together after Braden Mack’s wedding. Gretchen runs out the next morning telling Colton it was a mistake and refuses to take his calls. It’s a year later when Gretchen is sent to talk to Colton about becoming the face associated with the Winthrop family’s new brand of whiskey. At first, he says no but then says he will do it if she goes to dinner with him. It’s back and forth between them and Colton sees how mixed up she is due to the indifference she received from her family growing up. He sets out to show her how a real family celebrates Christmas.
Jane
One Cinderella Night by Linore Rose Burkard
Emma Benson experiences the best night of her life and then panics and runs. She cannot put Peter in position Ricky wants her, too. Ricky only became her boyfriend to get close to her to collect a debt. Her family's lives all in danger if she doesn't comply. She is set up to meet Peter and he her. Much better than Cinderella because danger, faith, wealth, and other instances described, so easy to picture scenes. I highly recommend.
Becky
Unraveling by Peggy Orenstein
Who, in the twenty-first century thinks: “I think I’ll knit a sweater. Now, where can I find a sheep to shear?” Peggy Orenstein, the author of UNRAVELING, that’s who. Through hysterically funny and irritating details, she tells how, in the throes of the Covid 19 pandemic, she relates the saga of “the world’s ugliest sweater”, from shearing the sheep to spinning the yarn to finally knitting the sweater and all the steps in between. Along the way, we also learn a bit about her life, dreams, politics and family. Having, during my life as Home Ec teacher and Pioneer Life docent, done all of the crafts Orenstein details in her sweater making quest, I was able to appreciate her travails.
Gina
Lessons by Ian McEwan
Amazing prose, a character you hold your breath for, wisdom you recognize, so well done. My book club agreed one of his best novels ever. A must-read.
Katharine
House of Sticks by Ly Tran
This is an amazing coming-of-age memoir about a Vietnamese girl growing up in New York City. It's a window into the challenges immigrants, especially immigrant children encounter adapting to a new culture while still respecting the traditions and values of their parents who hold fast to the culture of the country from which they left.
Barbara
Night Shift by Robin Cook
I've been reading books by Robin Cook since his very first, COMA, and have enjoyed them all. He introduces medical experiences that are current and up-to-date in his books.
Rose
The Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff
I really didn't care for this book. It is set in India and it is about a group of women who want to dispose of their husbands. They come to Geeta who is suspected of killing her husband, since he disappeared five years earlier. I wasn't crazy about the language, the subject, or any of the characters. Just not for me.
Karan
All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir
Interesting characters with such pain and anguish in their lives. Tackles uncomfortable topics of child abuse, domestic violence, immigration, and racism. A beautifully-crafted book of betrayal and hope.
Monica
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
I've always enjoyed Barbara Kingsolver's books, and this one may be my favorite. It is a beautifully-written tale of the heartbreaking journey of a boy caught up in surviving the hand life has dealt him. This is an excellent book!
Ann Marie
The Fervor by Alma Katsu
I loved this book. Haunting and sad, but Alma Katsu is a wonderful author and so good at describing culture, characters, survival and terror.
Jane
A Castle in Brooklyn by Shirley Russak Wachtel
Another good historical book. I've read so many of them lately that they tend to blur together but this one stood out because it was about Jacob and Zalman who ended up building their "Castle in Brooklyn" where Jacob and his wife Esther lived for years. Zalman lived with them for a while after being coerced from where he was living on a farm in Minnesota. It was his house as well since he thought up the blueprints and they built it together. The almost ending was sort of a mishmash to me with all the tenants after Esther moves to FL, but in the end it all comes together sort of I guess.
Janet
The Collector’s Daughter by Gill Paul
Very good historical fiction in the opening of Tutankhamun’s tomb. Story is told from the point of view of Lord Carnavon’s daughter, Lady Evelyn Herbert who was the first to enter the burial chambers in 1922. Evelyn is recovering from a series of stress in the 1970s when an Egyptian scholar contacts her. The story goes back and forth from the 1920s to the 1970s.
Sally-Jo
Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan
Loved this book. One of Jodi's best. Eye-opening about transgender people.
Anita
Missing Daughter by Rick Mofina
This was a great mystery. Maddie, the daughter of Ryan and Karen Lane, goes missing from her bedroom one night. She is only 12 and no one can figure out if she escaped and ran off or if she was kidnapped. This was a real page-turner, with many twists and turns. I could hardly put it down.
Paula
The Boys from Bilioxi by John Grisham
I’m usually a big Grisham fan, but this book just wasn’t doing it for me. I was halfway through the story and still waiting for something big. That’s too long for me. If just seemed to drag on a little too long to find out what was happening with the characters he was developing.
Debbie
Five Little Pigs by Agatha Christie
Another Agatha Christie mystery based on a nursery rhyme, what fun! I love how Christie narrows the suspects down to five and then labels each character based on the nursery rhyme. Christie brilliantly describes each of the five characters and gives a reason why the poisoner could be any these individuals. The artist, Amyas Crale, dies from drinking a poison slipped into his beer and his wife, Caroline, goes to prison for this crime and she dies in prison. Sixteen years later, the daughter, Carla Lemarchant, asks Poirot to investigate the poisoning and to clear her mother’s conviction. Christie knows how to develop a story and to make characters with real personalities. Every person harbors a secret, but Poirot uncovers these quirks.
MH
The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post by Allison Pataki
For the first 50 pages, I didn’t realize I was reading about the Post cereal heiress. I knew practically nothing about her. Her extravagant lifestyle, her 4 marriages, her children, including actress Dina Merrill, pale in comparison to her charity work and generosity. I found her trip to Russia as an ambassador’s wife and her purchases of tsarist treasures especially interesting. I plan to see these on display next time I’m in DC.
Dawn
Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls
I really enjoyed this “true-life novel” that has been on my TBR shelf for a long while, ever since I read THE GLASS CASTLE with my book club a few years ago. Written about the author’s grandmother, Lily Casey Smith, the adventures reminded me of an adult version of LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE books, which is a definite compliment! Lily is a sassy, bold, no-nonsense woman, whose bravery and sense of self got her through life’s many struggles with pluck and humor.
Linda
Fresh Water for Flowers by Valerie Perrin
There was something so beautiful about this book. It is truly a story about life, its joys and sorrows. It’s a book about life that ironically centers around death. Violette is a cemetery keeper, taking care of the souls that have passed as well as offering comfort to their loved ones. Her backstory is so captivating and will stay with you long after the last page is read.
Michele
Someone Else's Shoes by Jojo Moyes
This was not my favorite Jojo book by far. Easy read, you knew what the next page would say. I feel like it was a book countless others have written.
Sheree
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
Once again I took your readers advise on the best books of 2022 and they did not steer me wrong. What a refreshing book. There were many sad things - death, rape, women not getting fair treatment in the 60s - but it was a page-turner and I didn't want to put it down. Loved the book and will be recommending it to my friends!
Laura
The Measure by Nikki Erlick
THE MEASURE created a very emotional/honest conversation at our monthly book club. The biggest question of course is, "Would you open your box?" Attitude, history and outlook on life all played a role in the decision to open it. Excellent book club book. We laughed a lot and we cried together.
Linda
Still Life by Sarah Winman
This historical novel is a treasure. It's a refreshing story of good, kind (mostly), quirky characters who are there for each other through celebrations and tragedies. The locations are London, Tuscany and Florence, Italy starting in 1944 WWII. I want to travel to Florence more than ever after reading about its art and beauty. No quotation marks made me focus more on the dialog, which is exquisite. I reacted emotionally to the book - both laughing and a little teary. So good!
Ivy
All the Days Past, All the Days To Come by Mildred D. Taylor
A moving, heartfelt story about one family's journey from Mississippi to the north and the unsurmountable challenges they faced, told by Cassie, a young woman who found her way in spite of the odds against her during segregation.
Beth
Lost Roses by Martha Hall Kelly
I liked this book better than its predecessor, LILAC GIRLS, perhaps because I didn't know as much about the Russian Revolution and the White Russians.
Marilyn
Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr
All my book club members had a very difficult time with this book. We found it difficult to follow and kept hoping for some continuity. We listened to a podcast with the author and found that gave us no additional understanding. Needless to say, we were disappointed. We had read ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE by the same author and thoroughly enjoyed that story, but we were glad to put this most recent title to one side.
Connie
The Family Remains by Lisa Jewell
The book jumps around as far as dates, but it is a good story and I always made time to read it because I wanted to find out what happened. Would recommend.
Jenifer
Künstlers in Paradise by Cathleen Shine
I read an ARC that I received in a Goodreads giveaway. 2.5 stars bumped up to 3 stars because the author's writing did draw me in, but the story itself couldn't keep me fully interested throughout the entire book. The two main characters - Mamie, the elderly Jewish immigrant grandmother and Julian, her spoiled grandson who has been overly indulged by his parents - made for a good story. Sadly, I felt like there was a lot of repetition and a lot of obscure characters (albeit famous) constantly being introduced which was confusing. Some I had heard of, but the numerous composers, musicians and playwrights were lost to me, and I spent a lot of time looking them up to find out why they were important to the story, making me lose my interest.
Alyson
Angels of the Resistance by Noelle Salazar
WWII story featuring how two sisters helped the cause and got away with sneaking around to help the underground movement. It's a fast-paced read about strong family ties and the power and trust of friendship.
Barbara
Miss Koop Investigates by Amy Stewart
I’ve totally enjoyed this historical fiction series. I’m looking forward to more as the sisters establish their own detective agency.
Susan
Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan
This is a great book, especially for a book club. As usual, the author throws in a surprise in the middle of the book. This one caught me off guard. I loved the characters and the story. If you are a fan of Jodi Picoult, this book is a must-read.
Rose
The Winners by Fredrik Backman
THE WINNERS is a wonderful finale to the BEARTOWN trilogy. Fredrik Backman writes with such compassion and heart; I absolutely love his writing and the way he tells his stories. In this case, Ramona has died, and Maya and Benji return to Beartown to attend the funeral. They both must come to terms with Kevin and his actions, while also working through what hockey means to them and to the town. This small town has a history of violence with a neighboring town, and the young men don't always act appropriately. As a result, the need for revenge takes a tragic turn. The resilience and the reaction to the tragedy defines the town for the future. I loved every word.
Jeanne
The Lies I Told by Mary Burton
THE LIES I TOLD by Mary Burton is a story centered around Marisa and Clare who were 16-year-old twins when Clare was murdered. The murder was never solved and became a cold case when, 14 years later, Marisa insisted that Detective Richards reopen the case. The author did a good job in character development of the people who were in their inner circle during their teenage years. Marissa is a photographer and begins to examine photos taken at a teenage party to determine who Clare interacted with. However, one thing that didn’t make sense to me was when a suspect was brought in for interrogation and questioning: Marisa was the one doing the questioning, which resulted in a confession, instead of the police. I rated this a four.
Susan
The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller
Magnificent book! While the characters may not be wholly likeable, they are, however, so very human. Lots of warts and bumps (except for Peter). Told extremely well.
Francisca
The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah
As she did in THE NIGHTINGALE, Hannah uses female characters to tell a bit of the history of a time and place. In this work, the time frame is 1920s to mid-1930s, and the place is America, specifically the Great Plains and California. I loved the three central women in the book: Elsa, her daughter Loreda, and her mother-in-law Rosa. Very reminiscent of Steinbeck’s masterpiece, THE GRAPES OF WRATH.
Rita
The Kitchen God's Wife by Amy Tan
The story follows the lives of Pearl's mother, Jiang Weili, now Winnie and her friend, Hulan, now Helen in China. Pearl has a hard time understanding her mother and why she is the way she is towards everything. The story covers the culture of the Chinese people and the war. It's story about the love of a mother for her daughter and the daughter's understanding of her mother's love for her.
Sherri
Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut
Bizarre, stupid, interesting, fascinating. A bitter social commentary that still resonates today. Our culture has not improved much since the early 1970s when this book was released.
Rose
Just the Nicest Couple by Mary Kubica
Quick psychological thriller, told from the perspective of one husband and one wife - two separate couples. Lily and Christian Scott are expecting their first child after several miscarriages. Jake and Nina Hayes have just had a fight and Jake hasn't come home. When Lily tells Christian that she saw Jake in the woods and hit him with a rock, he helps Lily hide some evidence. But, Nina is increasingly concerned about her missing husband. Not until the last few chapters did I have a suspicion as to what was really happening! Plenty of red herrings to push you in alternate directions. Well done!
Teresa
Ladies' Night by Mary Kay Andrews
A cute story that reminds me of a Hallmark movie, this book is a nice light read for those times when you’ve been reading heavy-duty books that bring you down. A marriage goes wrong when the husband turns out to be a cheater and a jerk. The wife, a cool, calm, and collected Type A, loses her temper and does something revengeful that’s over the top. The misogynist divorce judge “sentences” her to a divorce recovery group, where she meets an interesting bunch. Working together, the women become friends and more.
Rita
Stay by Catherine Ryan Hyde
Wonderful book about a relationships with brother Lucas and Roy Painter along with friend Zoe Dinsmore and Connor. The story begins when Lucas decides to start running around in the woods near his home. Lucas tries to get Connor to join him but Connor decided to stay close to home. While Lucas is out running; he discovers two huge dogs that decide to join him on his run. When Lucas follows the dogs home; he discovers something that changes all of their lives. I found the book uplifting and the conversations thought-provoking.
Liz
Beyond Paradise (Paradise #1) by Barbara Nolan
Cheryl has had a hard life, especially being raised in an abusive home. She hooks up with Nicky, and that relationship becomes toxic right up until the horrible outcome. By chance she meets Jonny, a bad boy himself, but with a good heart. They fall madly in love with each other, but can they overcome their pasts and make a future together? This is a quick and easy read, no surprises and a bit steamy in spots.
Rose
Last Dance on the Starlight Pier by Sarah Bird
This is a Depression-era story. Evie Grace Devlin desperately wants to be a nurse. Her mother has tried to thwart her at every turn, still upset that Evie has left her and stopped supporting her. Evie moves to Galveston where she meets an unlikely friend, Sofie. Evie was a vaudeville star as a child, but when her mother pushed her to do something risque, it soured Evie on dance. Yet, when her dream of being a nurse fails, to make money, she starts dancing in dance marathons. There she meets Zave, a man she loves, but believes she let him down. This story highlights a desperate time in America, prohibition, questionable medical procedures, homosexuality, and how friends can rescue you. when you need them most. I enjoyed this story.
Rose
The Senator's Wife by Liv Constantine
3.5 stars rounded up to 4. Liv Constantine is always good for a psychological thriller. I was excited to get to read this one early! Sloane is married to Senator Robert Chase and they life is happy. Extreme wealth, lots of properties, with a foundation they run. Their friends, Senator Whit and Peg Montgomery, have a contentious marriage, with Peg accusing Whit of infidelity. When both Robert and Peg are killed, Whit and Sloane find comfort in each other. However, Sloane has lupus and must have hip replacement surgery, so they hire beautiful Athena as a health care aid. As Sloane becomes increasingly sicker and isolated, you wonder what secret Athena is keeping. This was a good premise but I wasn't surprised at all by the reveal at the end.
Debbie
Second Time Around by Melody Carlson
Yes, individuals need a second chance. I have read Melody Carlson several times in the past and another book seemed to parallel the story in SECOND TIME AROUND. The other book, THE SWEET LIFE by Suzanne Woods Fisher displayed a woman faced with a new start on life. In THE SWEET LIFE, Fisher portrayed a woman faced with turning an old ice cream shop into a lucrative business. Carlson shows Mallory Farrell transforming an old tourist shop into a fashionable interior design shop. Both stories focus on the difficulties of modifying an old, ugly building into a work of art. Both stories concentrate on new relationships formed when striving to overcome obstacles, and both stories dwell on the power of love and forgiveness.
Kim
The Mother-in-Law by Sally Hepworth
This Australian novel delves into family dynamics and the love between parents and children. The story is shared by the mother-in-law and her daughter-in-law in dual time lines. The tension and usual banter soon becomes suspenseful and mysterious. The reader is quickly drawn into their story and doesn’t see what comes next.
Tessa
Buy a Whisker by Sofie Ryan
Book Two in the Second Chance Cat Mystery series, featuring Sarah Grayson, proprietor of Second Chance, a consignment shop in North Harbor, Maine, and her rescue cat, Elvis. It’s a pretty typical cozy mystery. There are enough suspects and red herrings to keep the reader engaged and guessing, and an interesting regular cast of colorful, quirky characters.
Deby
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
I think I would have felt more of a connection to this novel if I was a gamer. But I didn't fully understand the anecdotes that were related to video games so I just never fully connected to the characters.
Rose
Code Name Blue Wren by Jim Popkin
Fascinating story of Ana Montes who worked for the US Defense Intelligence Agency as an analyst on Cuba. However, Ana had a second job as a spy for Fidel Castro. Her deception was fueled by various people that she met along in college and other friendships, as well as disquiet over the way Reagan handled things internationally. Fortunately, someone noticed that Ana left a meeting after a particular event, and began to question her loyalty. Strangely enough, bringing her to justice was more difficult than you would think. Various events stalled investigation, and other people questioned whether or not she was really a spy. Incompetence at different levels of our security infrastructure concern me. She not only betrayed country, but family.
Rose
The Precious Jules by Shawn Nocher
Hillary Jules loves her children deeply but Ella needs special care. Following birth trouble, Ella is now mentally disabled. There are difficulties with her behavior. Her twin sister, Belle, feels something missing without Ella. There are 4 other children, Jack, George, Finney, and Tess. Ella was sent to a state hospital for care when she was 8, and put under the care of Lynetta. Now, Ella is 39, and Hillary wants to bring her home. The Jules family gathers together as Ella comes to spend one night there. Lynetta wants to keep Ella. The family wants to talk their mom out of keeping Ella. Then, an accident happens, and many things come to a head. They talk, each admitting something to the other. A family story about difficult decisions.
Saundra
Savannah Sisters by Lulie Roberts
Louisa lives in the city, has a fiance and appears to have a perfect life. Her grandparents died and she went back home to Savannah to settle the estate and seek some answers. Who were her parents and why did they leave her with her grandparents when she was 1? What she learns are things she never expected. Very good read.
Sean
Snapshot by Lis Wiehl
An intriguing mystery turned into an overly-written, cliché-filled romp through the south. Author Lis Wiehl used parts of her and father's real lives to tell the story of Lisa Waldren and her father who try to get a man off death row for killing a civil rights leader in 1965. The timing of this never meshed and the mustache-twirling villain was ridiculous and then defeated so easily. The big reveal was awful. Overall, a completely unsatisfying read.
Kay
American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins
I thought this book was excellent from start to finish. It is the harrowing story behind the trip some migrants make to reach El Norte from Mexico under unbelievable circumstances. It is a sad story and at times I had to put the book down because I became very emotional thinking about people living through circumstances like this. It is a must-read book.
Shelly
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Evelyn Hugo was a Hollywood star with a dream and a vision. Evelyn was born to be famous, her body helped her achieve that. Her face was beautiful and appeared in newspapers and magazines throughout the world. At 79 she is ready to tell the truth about her glamorous, and shocking life. She was married seven times and each one of her husbands is a story in itself.
What surprises everyone, including the magazine editor, Frankie, is that Monique Grant, unknown reporter for Vivant is specifically requested by Evelyn Hugo for this assignment. Monique is excited as more then a photo shoot or an article on the the fact that she is going to auction 12 dresses at Christie's for charity.
Liz
Loving Each Day by John-Roger
This is a collection of quotes from John-Roger’s many years of speaking. It offers a thought each day for the reader to contemplate. Hopefully, the end result is to become more loving and peaceful with a better understanding of your true self.
Rose
Kaikeyi by Vaishnavi Patel
What an impressive story! KAIKEYI is a retelling of the Indian epic Ramayana. I knew nothing of this story before reading this book. Kaikeyi is the only girl in a family of boys. She was born first, a twin, yet because she is female, she is not heir to the throne. Her mother is banished by her father, and Kaikeyi trains to be a warrior with her twin. Their closeness is a strong bond, which lasts their entire lives. Kaikeyi sees a thread which binds her to people, and she can tell their connection to others, too. She keeps this power secret. She is later married to a raja, who already has two wives, but no children. She asks him to swear that if she marries him, her son will be raja. This oath later determines her fate. Great debut!
Francisca
Family Reunion by Nancy Thayer
Nancy Thayer specializes in family dramas set on Nantucket. As usual, there is at least one troubled marriage, a grandchild who relates more to grandma than to the parents, a possible new romance (or two), and at least one pet too cute for words. And in this case, there is also a major decision regarding whether to keep the home that’s been in the family for generations or sell out to developers willing to pay millions of dollars for prime oceanfront land. It’s a quick read full of mostly likable characters in recognizable situations. A perfect choice for a vacation read.
