This contest period's winners were Jayme G., Stefanie B. and Violet G., who each received a copy of HOMECOMING by Kate Morton and THE SOULMATE by Sally Hepworth.
Liz
Palisades Park by Alan Brennert
A wonderfully descriptive story about Palisades Amusement Park and the people who made the park a success. The author does a fantastic job with his descriptions and well as including important parts of world history into the story. Those of us from Northern NJ will never forget the park and the many hours spent there during the summer.
Sandra K.
The Strangler Vine by M. J. Carter
Anyone interested in the India of the 1830s will like this book. The description of the country is lush and enlightening as is the role of the East India Company.
Sean
Cleopatra's Dagger by Carole Lawrence
Carole Lawrence brings late 1880s New York to life in this fun murder mystery. While protagonist Elizabeth is maybe too good to be believed, she was a smart and likeable character. Her zest for adventure and righteousness was commendable. The mystery was good but the antagonist was a little hokey. I really enjoyed the cast of characters from all walks of life. Overall, Lawrence does a great job telling an entertaining mystery while creating a character in New York itself.
Kim
When the Apricots Bloom by Gina Wilkinson
Through fiction, the author describes her experiences living in Iraq as a journalist during the Hussein rule. We follow three fictitious women as they attempt to raise families and live under the rule of the regime. It is suspenseful and dramatic.
Joan
The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson
Amazing story!! I learned so much!
BARBARA
The Last Rose of Shanghai by Weina Dai Randel
This is World War II from a very different perspective. A young man and his sister are sent to Shanghai as the war began to be safe. Rose, a young Chinese woman, runs a Club in Shanghai, much to her family's chagrin. Their paths cross. And suddenly Shanghai is no longer safe. A wonderful read.
Nataline
The London Seance Society by Sarah Penner
A real page-turner full of surprises! Just as good as her last book, THE LOST APOTHECARY. Loved it!
Angie
Icebreaker by Hannah Grace
I wanted a hokey romance, what I got was a college party smut book. I do like all the characters which is why I'm giving it 2 stars instead of 1.
Susan
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
I know this is a very popular book - but it was just not for me.
sherry
Ticking Clock by Ira Rosen
Slow read which tells the story of Ira Rosen and his years with the TV show 60 Minutes.
Peg
Old God's Time by Sebastian Barry
Wonderful but grim story of an Irish man's reckoning with a disturbing personal history.
Michelle
The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel
Probably a 3.5 for me. Very different. The story begins uniquely and it all ties back together in a clever manner which I appreciated. The different storylines and time jumps were a tiny bit confusing to me at times though. This was a book that made you think, how the characters were connected, and what their significance was. The author made you work for it. Something felt lacking for me in the end though and I cannot put my finger on what that was. Emily St. John Mandel is a different writer. I'll be interested to see how SEA OF TRANQUILITY compares.
Michelle
Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr
Wow. Just wow. Anthony Doerr is a genius. How he concocted such a story to begin with is incredible. And the fact that he executed it so well and wrote it so beautifully with such heart and intelligence is astounding. The beginning was definitely a bit of a hurdle to get over. You have to just go with it, holding on, feeling unsteady at first, not even knowing what you’re reading. But then, you slowly find your footing and get pulled into the story. And the next thing you know, you’re flying though the pages, bewildered by the connections, and you just have to know how it turns out. So smart! So moving. This may very well be one of my fav books of 2023!
Cheryl
How To Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix
When their parents die in a car crash siblings Louise and Mark have to not only deal with the cleaning out and sale of their childhood home but have to deal with their relationship. Add to that the suspicion that the house or its possessions are haunted.
Francisca
The Unconsoled by Kazuo Ishiguro
This is a story about Ryder, an internationally renowned pianist, who arrives in an unnamed European city to give a concert he has no memory of agreeing to give. Ishiguro is a brilliant writer, but this was a really challenging work. It is the stuff of dreams, or perhaps nightmares. People come and go, and Ryder (not to mention the reader) is left trying to puzzle out what is happening.
Ella
The Lady and the Mountain Man by Misty M. Beller
Misty M. Beller is a wonderful writer that we don’t hear enough about. THE LADY AND THE MOUNTAIN MAN is a story that will grab you from the beginning. It is a story about Leah and Gideon living during the 1800s and the harsh living conditions. It is a mail order bride story that will make you want the read the next book in the series.
Barbara
Finlay Donovan is Killing It by Elle Cosimano
Started a little slow but then a page-turner. Her life is dissheveled and when she is mistakenly taken for a contract killer, and that's when the story gets good. Looking forward to the others in the series.
Susan
Late Bloomers by Deepa Varadarajan
Great! characters, each distinct and well-developed. Very relatable and engrossing story of an Indian family in Texas. Funny, poignant, quotable lines. It's hard to believe this is the author's first book. I hope she writes more!
Rosa
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
I was intrigued when I learned that this book was chosen to be Barnes & Nobles' 2022 Book of the Year. I would not have picked this up based on the cover. So goes the saying, don't judge a book by its cover. I was thoroughly mistaken by my presumption. The protagonist Elizabeth Zott is a smart, independent, no-nonsense chemist who falls in love with fellow chemist Calvin Evans. It is the 1960s and women have a place in the home, not in a chemistry lab. The story is smart, witty, original, and should be read by men and women of all ages. I look forward to the TV adaptation.
Alice
Mistress of the Ritz by Melanie Benjamin
Wonderful read. Great for book clubs!
Gerry
Missing by Charlie Gallagher
This was a fast-moving, action-packed mystery with many unexpected twists and turns. Character development was limited, but it was still a very entertaining, if sometimes brutal, story. 3-1/2 stars rounded up for an especially good narrator.
Gerry
Pope Joan by Donna Woolfolk Cross
A truly fascinating story of a girl who strove from childhood to escape the restrictions placed on her by the misogynistic society of ninth century Europe. Historical records are contradictory, but there is real evidence that Joan actually did exist, was educated in an abbey school otherwise reserved for boys, successfully hid her gender and served as a monk in another abbey where she was greatly respected as a learned Brother and eventually made her way to Rome, succeeding Leo IV as pope and serving in that exalted position for some two years before her death. Joan's story is a window into a harsh world in the middle ages when secular and religious power were completely intertwined.
Gerry
The Fire and the Ore by Olivia Hawker
2-1/2 stars. This historical novel based on the author's great, great grandmother, started off strong, describing the grueling trip across the country by a group of Mormon converts traveling to Utah. Recruited in England, these families traveled over a thousand miles on foot, carrying their possessions in two-wheeled handcarts at the order of the bishop overseeing this group, because money to purchase wagons promised by the Mormon leaders was not available. The focus of the story was on three women who came together as sister-wives of one man, apparently as his reward for service to the church and its leader, Brigham Young. But the story lagged in the last third, and soon I was just wanting it to be over.
Gerry
Signal Fires by Dani Shapiro
This was a intriguingly constructed novel, with lyrical writing and images. Deep character development was sacrificed, however, to the decision to move the narrative back and forth in time, and to tell the story in each chapter from a different character's perspective. It's a memorable reflection about families, about secrets, about the impact of actions and our decisions not to act, and about the unexpected influences each of us may have on others with whom we cross paths. This is the first book I've read by Dani Shapiro, but I doubt that it will be my last.
Gerry
The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks-Dalton
One of the better (and more accessible) dystopian novels I've read, THE LIGHT PIRATE is set in Florida at a time in the not-so-distant future when that state is being inundated with more frequent and more violent storms, from which recovery is more and more difficult. Kirby Lowe is a linesman, living with his pregnant wife and his two sons from a previous marriage when Hurricane Wanda strikes. Kirby must go searching for his two boys, who went outside to "explore" against their stepmother's instructions to them,and Freda goes into labor. The daughter she bears is the central character for most of this novel, which explores the gradual degradation of civilization as nature gradually reclaims lands previously inhabited and abused by humans.
Gerry
Maureen by Rachel Joyce
Maureen is the third book in a trilogy, but the first that I’ve read. The spare, very direct narration reminded me of the writing of Emma Strout and Frederik Backman, both of whose novels I’ve enjoyed. Now I can look forward to more from Rachel Joyce as well. Maureen is on a journey, in this novel, to visit a garden she’s told is dedicated to her dead son. But really her journey is a return of sorts, a return to the world of the living after grieving her son for thirty years. The novel is short and written in a comfortable style that I read in one sitting. Maureen evolved from a cold and critical woman who held herself apart from others, to slowly recognizing her need for connections and relationships.
Gerry
Dust Child by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai
3-1/2 stars rounded up. DUST CHILD was not as compelling as this author’s previous novel, THE MOUNTAINS SING, though it’s still a very worthwhile read. The early chapters of DUST CHILD are very much reminiscent of the plot of the musical Miss Saigon, and seem quite sympathetic to the plight of the American soldiers who find themselves in a strange land fighting a war that is nothing like they expected. The story became more engrossing to me as it delved more deeply into the lives of the Vietnamese people and their experiences of the war and its aftermath.
At the heart of the story are the Amerasian children of U.S. servicemen, many of whom suffered great discrimination and deprivation because of the circumstances of their birth.
Gerry
The Wind Knows My Name by Isabel Allende
Allende's writing seems to have changed in her two most recent books, VIOLETTA and THE WIND KNOWS MY NAME, to a more journalistic style that's a bit less engaging than her earlier novels, but no less worth reading. This newest novel opens in Vienna shortly after the Anschluss, when pogroms against Jewish citizens are beginning. After his father is taken away, presumably to a concentration camp, six-year-old Samuel is placed by his mother on a Kindertransport train taking Jewish children to safety in England. Soon the story shifts to modern-day America where again children are being separated from their parents, this time by immigration agents at the border between Texas and Mexico. The ending is very satisfying.
Gerry
The Night Travelers by Armando Lucas Correa
THE NIGHT TRAVELERS spans four generations, two wars, and three countries; it's an inspirational family saga that introduces strong women who face tremendous challenges and find the strength to protect those they love, regardless of the cost. Moving from Germany to Cuba, to New York, and back to Germany, it's a beautifully told story of love, sacrifice, and loss. Very well written, and to me, even more engaging than his previous novel, THE GERMAN GIRL, THE NIGHT TRAVELER is a magnificent exploration of love, loss, war, and its aftermath, with wonderful characters and a background of important historical events. Highly recommended.
Gerry
Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah
THE WINTER GARDEN tells two family stories. The first, in the present-day, involves a family breaking apart after the death of the father. The second, some sixty years earlier, tells of the horrors of the siege of Leningrad during WWII. The author weaves these two stories together in a fairy tale shared between mother and daughters that gradually evolves into a true life story of love and great loss that changes all of their lives. This memorable and well-told story evokes strong emotions and reminds readers that the pain or war is a burden suffered by people on both sides; there truly are no winners.
Gerry
Sleeping Murder by Agatha Christie
My first Miss Marple mystery was fun to read. And my guess turned out to be wrong.
Gerry
Fossil Men: The Quest for the Oldest Skeleton and the Origins of Humankind by Kermit Pattison
True to its title, this book tells the story of the paleoanthropologists whose decades of dedication and painstaking field work led to the discovery of the oldest human ancestor: the 4.4 million-year-old Ardipithicus ramidus. Nicknamed “Ardi” this fossilized partial skeleton upended the current thinking about human evolution, with new explanations of how and why humans began walking upright on two legs, how our nimble hands developed, and how we are and are not related to the modern chimpanzees who had for so long been regarded as a prototype of our mutual ancestors.
Equally interesting as the science is the politics of paleoanthropology, the impact of geopolitics, and the infighting spurred by each new discovery.
Gerry
Fellowship Point by Alice Elliott Dark
Beautiful writing, well-developed and interesting characters, and a plot line that takes the reader back and forth from present day to mid-twentieth century. At its center are two women in their 80s, lifelong friends who grew up together in Philadelphia and summered together in Maine. Agnes is a writer who never married, and who takes pride in her independence and self-determination. Polly is a more traditional wife and mother who always put the comfort and needs of others first. Both women have secrets, as well as regrets, which are revealed slowly, often in journal entries and letters. Tension builds over the fate of the family compound in Maine, as conservationists vie with developers to determine its future.
Gerry
The Storyteller of Casablanca by Fiona Valpy
3-1/2 stars. This historical novel is narrated by two individuals living in the same house some 70 years apart. In 2010, Zoe and her husband have moved to Casablanca for his job, and also for a fresh start after some unspecified difficulties in their marriage. In the 1940s, young teen Josie lives in that same house with her family after they fled France following the invasions by Germany. The two stories connect when Zoe finds Josie's diary and a small box of trinkets hidden under a floorboard in an attic bedroom. I found Josie's story to be more appealing, and especially liked her eager, curious voice as she described her adventures in Casablanca. Zoe's story was more puzzling, until facts from her past were revealed at the end.
Gerry
The Five Wishes of Mr. Murray McBride by Joe Siple
This was a sweet, sentimental story about a 100-year-old man, a widower with nothing to look forward to except his own death. Until he met a ten-year-old boy who was dying, and wanted so much to live. A bit too syrupy sweet for me with a number of highly improbable events.
Gerry
I Will Find You by Harlan Coben
Harlan Coben’s new thriller features a man convicted of the murder of his three-year-old son. He’s always contended he was innocent, and after five long years in prison, is suddenly confronted with evidence that could lead to his exoneration. Thus begins a chase that involves an escape from prison, confrontations with witnesses who may or may not have told the truth at his trial, and the discovery of surprising motives and behind-the-scenes manipulations by police, by criminals, and by others who reach their goals with no accountability. Quite a ride!
Gerry
Babel by R. F. Kuang
This historical fantasy was a bit long (21+ hours in audio), but mostly quite engaging. Set in 19th century England, at the Oxford University Institute of Translation (aka Babel), it makes an argument against western imperialism, especially that of the British Empire, which imposed its rules and values on nations it considered inferior, taking freely of their resources and using those to further enrich itself and impoverish its subjects all the while claiming benevolence in bringing civilization to those it considered heathens and barbarians. A group of students at Babel are determined to change this status and to share the wealth and knowledge of Babel more equitably throughout the world. Will they finally need to resort to violence?
Gerry
The Christie Affair by Nina de Gramont
What a disappointment! This silly book turned out to be not so much about the disappearance of Agatha Christie for some 11 days in December, 1926, as about a completely fanciful episode involving Archie Christie's mistress, identified in this novel as Nan O'Dea. The narration, in the voice of Nan O'Dea, often had her speaking directly to the reader, narrating events she could hardly have known about, but as she says in the last chapter, "Agatha's story, I can end that however I like." My personal bias is that historical fiction should actually be grounded in well-researched history, not the groundless fabrication of a writer. This novel doesn't meet that criterion, or even come close, and reading it feels like a complete waste of my time.
Gerry
The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle by Matt Cain
A sweet story of an older man who's lived most of his life hiding his true self finally coming to terms with his identity and learning to connect with others. Also a sad portrayal of the harassment suffered by so many gay people.
Beth
Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez
Book 2, following PART OF YOUR WORLD. We are reintroduced to Dr. Briana Ortiz, who is juggling work and helping her brother who needs a kidney transplant. We also meet Dr. Jacob Maddox, a peer with his own issues. The two connect and their relationship blossoms. However, this isn’t your regular rom-com. Serious physical and mental health conditions are deftly intertwined, so it can get deep at times. Jimenez addresses these exceptionally well, and has a post book note worth reading for insight.
Sheree
Black Candle Women by Diane Marie Brown
I love stories about strong women and family drama. This book had it all. It was a book I couldn't put down. And it made me wish I had sisters!
Gerry
The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese
Verghese has produced another masterpiece. Set in the state of Kerala in southern India, and based in part on stories told to him by his own mother, THE COVENANT OF WATER is a story of a family that over the course of some 70 years experiences joy and pain, success and hardship, sickness, death, and sometimes, near-miraculous recovery. It's a family with secrets, some more widely shared than others, and some held closely among very few. It's filled with wonderful characters, all flawed and imperfect, but each in his or her own way, striving to live the best life they can. The writing is absolutely beautiful throughout. I recommend this book highly and without reservation.
Gerry
The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson
4-1/2 stars. Portions of the story were inspired by events in the author's family. THE HOUSE OF EVE centers on two young Black women in very different circumstances, and explores issues of colorism within the Black community as well as racism in the larger society of the 1950s. Ruby is a high school student in North Philadelphia (the author's hometown), hoping to make a better life for herself and win a full scholarship to Cheyney University, the first Historically Black college in the US. Eleanor is a college student from a small town in Ohio who becomes aware of colorism and social stratification in Black society while attending Howard University. Their paths cross unexpectedly when Ruby becomes pregnant and is sent to a "maternity home".
Gerry
Far From the Tree by Robin Benway
3-1/2 stars for this YA novel. While I definitely enjoyed it, I found the emotionality a bit overwhelming. It also felt as though the author tried to address too many social issues (race, sexual preference, adoption, teen pregnancy, and more) in one book, and that the teen characters reflected an unrealistic and inconsistent mix of mature wisdom and youthful impulsivity and self-centeredness. FAR FROM THE TREE is a very touching story of three teenagers who discover they're half-siblings, all born to the same mother by different fathers. The oldest, Joaquín, has spent virtually his entire life in foster care, while his younger half-sisters, Grace and Maya, have been adopted by two different families. Undivulged secrets cause complications.
Gerry
Memphis by Tara M. Stringfellow
3-1/2 stars, rounded up, for this novel about three generations of strong Black women. I wanted to love it (and many of my friends and fellow readers did), but found myself continually disconcerted by the too-frequent shifts back and forth in time. There’s also something cryptic about Stringfellow’s writing, too much hinted at but left unsaid, that was unsatisfying to me. Maybe her style reflects her being a poet first, before she was a novelist. This debut novel was definitely worth reading, especially for the history, and I did like it enough to give her next novel a try when there is one.
Gerry
Freewater by Amina Luqman-Dawson
This excellent novel for middle grade children centers the island of resistance formed by formerly enslaved Black people in swampland in the South. Based on evidence of communities of “maroons” that formed in the 18th and 19th centuries, FREEWATER is a story of persistence, determination, family loyalty, and self-sufficiency. It’s also an inspiring coming-of-age story in which a diverse group of children band together and overcome their fears and inexperience to save others. I loved that this story centers the strength and resilience of the former slaves rather than focusing solely on their victimization by White slaveholders.
Michele
One More Time for Joy by Amy Lillard
Joy is carrying the weight of her family on her shoulders. Johnny B, her son, is wheelchair bound. Her next son is sullen, angry at the loss of his father and the accident that took away his brothers legs. Leah is trying to be just like her mom and happy go lucky. Only they aren't fooling everyone. Uriah sees the stress and sadness in Joy's eyes, can he help bring happiness back to her family and his? But wait, his daughters don't want that, or do they? Great book!
Kathleen
His Fatal Legacy by Heather Atkinson
The story is set in Edinburgh in the late nineteenth century, has a very Gothic, chilling atmosphere, and a thoroughly enjoyable read, I read THE MISSING GIRLS OF ALARDYCE HOUSE, but missed the second book HIS CURSED HEIR. I did find that that was okay; I really did not miss much of the story. It is good to read them in order, but I think that they can also be standalone. Heather Atkinson is very good at bringing the past stories into the current book. This is a historical fiction at its best. I look forward to reading the next in the series!
Linda
The Beautiful Mystery by Louise Penny
I didn't enjoy this Armand Gamache mystery as much as others in the series because it was rather plodding and not suspenseful enough for me. The setting is probably to blame - a remote, private abbey where an obscure order of monks are silent except for singing their glorious chants. But then a monk is found murdered. The ending is a heartbreaker.
Joan
I Keep Trying to Catch His Eye by Ivan Maisel
A beautiful, heartfelt account by a father dealing with his son’s death by suicide. This is a must for all of us who will grieve at one time or another. Kudos to the author for bringing out into the open a topic that many of us would rather not deal with.
Maureen
Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
I had high hopes for this. Started reading the book and then switched to audio. While listening was better, this book was not for me. I just didn’t enjoy it, sadly.
Dianne
The Splendid and the Vile by Erik Larson
Churchill must save England during the Blitz while dealing with family issues. Well researched and documented.
Elizabeth
Still Life by Sarah Winman
One of the best books I’ve read in years. It is beautifully written about wonderful, warm characters.
Beth
Horse by Geraldine Brooks
I love this author and loved the book. It’s a fictionalized account of a real racehorse that lived from the 1850s to the 1870s that was one of the fastest horses in U.S. history and his enslaved groom. The story also follows a present-day art historian who rescues a portrait of the horse from a curb where it’s being thrown out and a woman who reconstructs the horse’s bones. It’s a fascinating look at 19th century horse racing, it’s intersection with slavery and the Civil War and present-day sleuthing to learn about this horse and portraits of it and its groom.
Muriel
The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot by Marianne Cronin
Seventeen-year-old Lenni is feisty and tenderhearted at the same time. She is dying, has been hospitalized for a long time, and has many questions for Father Arthur, the hospital chaplain. The friendship between these two and elderly Margot form the core of the book. Detail about Margot’s 83 years on earth and Lenni’s 17 are divulged as the two friends complete 100 paintings depict their combined 100 years of life. Ms. Cronin has woven a wonderful story around some well-developed and likable characters. Not only will the characters stay with me but also the following quote: “ Though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light. I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night.” For me, this was special book.
Linda
The Man I Never Met by Elle Cook
This was one of the best books I've ever read! Hannah receives a wrong phone call but the man calls back. Davey called about a job interview but got a wrong number and Hannah said to let her know how the job went. This began telephone conversations that went to text and then video calls. She was to meet him at the London airport when he arrived but he never showed. It was days before she learned he wasn't coming. He had been diagnosed with cancer and is to begin chemo. Davey tells her to forget about him and not to call him anymore. She is hurt and follows his wishes but never forgets about him. Although they have never actually met in person, she has fallen in love with him and wonders if they will ever meet. Fate has a plan for them.
Linda
Love Next Door by Helena Hunting
Dillion Stitch goes to check on her late neighbor’s house and finds Van Firestone without a stitch on. The house belonged to his Grammy Bee and was left to him. Dillion loved Bee as if she were her own grandmother and is the executor of the estate. Once they get over the initial shock, they work together to clean the house up and find money and bond notes hidden all over the house. Friendship turns into romance especially when Dillion learns that the kiss she received from a boy when she was a teen was given by Van. Neither forgot that kiss. Van gets a call from his old boss who wants him back and he wants Dillion to go to Chicago with him. She loves him but her heart is in the small town by the lake. He’s not giving up on them.
Linda
Kiss My Cupcake by Helena Hunting
Blaire Calloway is fulfilling her dream of being a baker with her own shop. She serves cupcakes with different varieties of icing as well as mixed drinks. Her quiet morning is shattered when loud banging is coming from next door. The Knight Cap is being remodeled and the owner is installing an axe throwing room. Blaire goes to complain and is met by a good-looking man. Ronan Knight likes to tease her and get her riled up and doesn’t want to admit it but he’s attracted to the curvy woman who has just stepped into his bar. They have a love-hate relationship as each tries to outdo the other but their competitiveness ends when they face loss of business due to a chain restaurant opening across the street. They work together to develop a plan.
Linda
On a Night Like This by Lindsey Kelk
Hired as assistant to singer Juliette, Fran Cooper accompanies her to Italy where she is to perform at the famous Crystal Ball. Fran is left behind while Juliette and the yacht sail away. She is to be picked up the next day and returned to the yacht, but tonight is the ball and she decides to go. There are several designer gowns sent to the hotel for Juliette to choose from and Fran wears one and sneaks into the ball. Her eyes connect with the handsome man who ran into her at the market and caused her to miss the yacht leaving. Now their eyes meet again and he escorts her around the ball. She has to leave the next morning and wonders if she will see him again. She doesn't have long to wait for the answer.
Linda
The House Guest by Hank Phillippi Ryan
Excellent with lots of surprise twists at the end! Alyssa Macallen gave up her life and friends for her husband Bill and even changed her name from Alice to Alyssa because he liked it better. But Bill was a conniving thief and the FBI had been looking at him but needed proof of his illegal dealings. Bree Lorrance was the bank employee who noticed the irregularity in Macallen's bank and called it to the FBI's attention. She is working with Desmond Russo (Dez), FBI agent, as an informant to get the goods on Macallen. To do so, she befriends Alyssa to find out what she knows about Macallen's fundraising activities.
Sue-Marie
Someone Else's Shoes by Jojo Moyes
I liked the intertwining stories of female friendship - Sam as she helps Andrea navigate cancer treatments, Andrea as she helps Sam navigate life, Jasmine as she provides a safe haven for Nisha, and all of them as they scheme to get back Nisha's shoes.
PJ
The Confidante: The Untold Story of the Woman Who Helped Win WWII and Shape Modern America by Christopher C. Gorham
What an amazing woman Anna Rosenberg was and how her efforts during multiple wars have and are affecting Americans lives then and even today. She truly cared about our citizens and service men and women and was instrumental behind the scenes helping to make lives better. I was really impressed with how hands-on she was with everything she was involved with. I can't say enough good things about the research that went into this book with references to everything. The writing of it all was spot-on.
Rita
Miss Julia Stands Her Ground by Ann B. Ross
Miss Julia is a force of nature that you don't want to mess with. Miss Julia is a recent widow and is now dealing with her deceased husband's mistress, Hazel Marie and her son, Lloyd. In addition, the arrival of Uncle Vernon Puckett brings nothing but trouble to everyone's life. Sweet and easy going cozy story that is filled with conversations between the characters that will bring to giggles and sometimes misty eyes.
Betty Jo
Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano
After watching the Apple TV Series, Dear Edward, I wanted to dive into Napolitano's second novel. This is an engaging story of four sisters who compare themselves to LITTLE WOMEN. Set during the 1980s and 1990s in Chicago, the storyline mirrored some of my personal timeline, which I really enjoyed. William Waters, the basketball player, was a character I empathized with throughout the novel.
Jennifer
Paintings in the Musee d'Orsay by Serge Lemoine
A beautiful (and very heavy!) art book. This kept me busy for hours. One of those books that has you telling yourself you'll put it down after this chapter, when you know that's not going to happen. Perfect amount of text to accompany the paintings.
Richard N B
The Coyotes of Carthage by Steven Wright
Andre Ross has one more shot to salvage his career as a hotshot political consultant. Sent to a backwater community in South Carolina, he’s tasked with passing an initiative that no one has even considered. I found this riveting and informative. I could not help but think of our current political climate and the way the populace is manipulated by the message.
Melissa
Never Coming Home by Hannah Mary McKinnon
Lucas Forester has been planning his wife’s death from the moment he decided that she was the one for him. It’s all about the money for him and he is not ashamed to admit it to himself over and over. He acts like he is distraught for his missing wife but inside he is congratulating himself. Then the envelopes start coming and someone is telling him that they know…this can’t be possible of course because Lucas is always one step ahead…isn’t he? A very enjoyable, deviously written thriller.
Melissa
What Have We Done by Alex Finlay
Three friends from The Savior House, a group home for teens with no parents, each went their separate ways once the home was shut down. Now, twenty five years later they will come together again to try and find out why someone is trying to kill them, knowing it has something to do with the tragedy from their days at the Savior House. I found this to be an interesting, fast-paced, action-packed thriller that kept me entertained from beginning to end.
Rita
Foster by Claire Keegan
In rural Ireland lives a family trying to make ends meet. The mother is pregnant again with another child and the father is a drinker and not much of a provider. Since they can barely feed the younger children, they decide to send their daughter to relatives who the girl has never met. Her father takes her to the childless relatives where he barely stays long enough to have a cup of tea. The relatives then realize that the child's father hasn't even brought with her a stitch of clothing. The girl is shy, stunned and unsure of what to do. Will the girl find herself in a place of horror or of love??
Violet
The Other Side of Night by Adam Hamdy
I read this because I thought it was a mystery which it was, but it also had another storyline, which really makes you think.
Julie
The Power of the Dog by Don Winslow
This was a wild ride into the war on drugs back the 80s and 90s. This is the first in a trilogy and I can’t wait to read the other two books.
Claire
Chaos & Flame by Tessa Gratton
The romance really didn't work for me in this book, which is too bad because it's the only thing that's happening for a lot of the book. It wasn't so much the insta-love itself, but the way it flattened the relationship between the two leads, Talon and Darling. It's supposedly an enemies-to-lovers situation, but the transition was too fast and too complete to be interesting to me. There was little complexity to their feelings and relationship, and the fact that they were former (and maybe even still) enemies didn't do much to inform them.
Claire
Skid Kids by Michael Franz
Several times there were big reveals that should have had an emotional impact on the characters right before a chapter break and the next chapter would pick up like nothing had happened. Why have the reveal if you don't want to do anything with it or even have the characters react to it? I think this might have contributed to the characters feeling flat, since they didn't get to have strong, defining reactions to anything. Despite the stakes being literally life and death for everyone, they felt low. The tension was not there when the characters were killing guards, sneaking in and out of the Wastelands, seeing things they shouldn't see, etc., all the time without much show of how this might put them in danger.
Chris
The War That Ended Peace by Margaret MacMillan
It shows the fragility of peace in the modern world!!
Elizabeth
The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn
Very interesting. It nice to read about places that we are hearing about in the news.
Claudia
Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan
Excellent book with several poignant themes - second chances, family love, transgendered people.
Susan
All the Broken Places by John Boyne
Excellent writing with unexpected twists.
Leslie
Hang the Moon by Jeannette Walls
Loved this historical fiction from the brilliant Jeannette Walls!
Ann Marie
The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
I really loved this book on audio. I felt chilled to the bone reading it in more ways than one.
Rita
My Last Name by Eric Schumacher
Memories she remembers in the twilight of her life, that is what this fiction ebook has to offer. Charlotte Marie is her given name but she goes by Lottie. Lottie currently resides in a care facility due to her age and memory lapses. This isn't a depressing story but a loving and sweet walk through Lottie's memories. I found this book to be a reminder of how important it is to listen and learn about our ancestor's past and how little they needed to be happy.
Rita
The Swimmers by Julie Otsuka
Alice loves to swim. She shows up with other swimmers to follow the rules of the pool, but they rarely know much about each other except who swims in the fast lane, medium lane or the slow lane. Alice tends to repeat herself and forget things but the other swimmers don't seem to mind. A crack appears in the pool and also in the swimmers' lives. The book takes a sharp turn here. Lives change for all of the swimmers, but more so for Alice. Alice's daughter must make some hard decisions for Alice. This is not an uplifting book but a cold splash in the face about how the elderly end up spending their days in care facilities.
Tessa
Angel Falls by Kristin Hannah
Mom is in a coma, and the plot focuses on the difficulties the family has coping with their wife/ mother’s condition. Yada Yada Yada. This is one of Hannah's earlier books, and they all follow a predictable formula. She gets an extra star this time because it filled the hours I spent in a waiting room while my friend was having surgery. Her more recent books are MUCH better.
Janet
House of Shadows by Darcy Coates
What seems like a romance at the beginning turns into a nightmare at Northwood house. Typical Coates type of novel, but not as gruesome. Enjoyable.
Janet
House of Secrets by Darcy Coates
Conclusion to her book HOUSE OF SHADOWS. Finishes the tale of the Grimlock.
Melissa
The Silent Bride by Shalini Boland
Alice is so thrilled to be marrying Seth, but when she walks into the church all dressed up and excited, it’s not Seth standing at the altar. While everyone insists that it is her Seth, Alice doesn’t recognize this man and abruptly cancels the wedding. Believable? Not at all. Entertaining? Definitely! Loved the sly ending.
John
The Secret Hours by Mick Herron
This is a story about MI5 spies and cover-ups and something about Berlin. It is very gripping and exciting!
Katrina
How I'll Kill You by Ren DeStefano
I did not care for the writing style of this book. It was advertised as a thriller, but it was definitely more of a romance novel. If you are into romance and a little bit of suspense, then this book will be for you.
Beth
Freezing Order by Bill Browder
FREEZING ORDER is a book everyone should read. I cannot speak highly enough of it, and I am impressed with its author, Bill Browder. This is a continuation of Browder's description of his experiences with Russians, both good and bad, that began with his book RED NOTICE. In FREEZING ORDER, he works to do the right thing in countries around the world as he convinces more and more of them to enact the Magnitsky Act while Russians collude with Vladimir Putin to thwart him. Browder's efforts are ongoing.
Melissa
No More Secrets by Kerry Lonsdale
This is Book 3 and the perfect way in which to end the series! I thought it was a fun, intense, and heartwarming read that brought all the characters together. I highly recommend this trilogy!
Francisca
Angel With Two Faces by Nicola Upson
Book Two in the mystery series featuring Josephine Tey and Detective Inspector Archie Penrose. Tey was a real person, and Upson uses elements of her life as well as historical events of the mid-1930s as jumping off points for these mysteries. As mysteries go, this was somewhat slow to get started. The action picks up once the murder happens (on page 200). It is more of a psychological drama than anything else. I’m willing to continue the series, but I hope the action picks up.
Karan
Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng
Outstanding writing, very thought-provoking, loved the family dynamics.
Anne
The White Hare by Jane Johnson
Captivating and memorable novel which is filled with emotion, unforgettable characters and a beautiful story.
Rachel
Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn
Finding retirement involves termination, four longtime friends and assassins use their skills to retire on their own terms. Deanna Raybourn never disappoints.
Joan
The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson
I learned a lot reading this novel. The characters and the story are most memorable. I am telling friends in other states to read it.
Jean
Mistress of the Ritz by Melanie Benjamin
The book was structured in a way I find unappealing, jumping back and forth in time and having different narrators for each chapter. It is loosely based on a true story and includes many real famous people. The hotel is more of a character than many of the people. It is a sad story of a sad time.
Michele
Once Upon a Buggy by Shelley Shepard Gray
This is Shelley's best book to date! When Carl is burnt in a fire saving May, their love is thrown to the wind. Carl leaves the Amish and he has moved to be closer to the hospital for all his treatment while May stays behind but never moving forward. Families are bitter toward each other, blame is cast, while siblings fall in love on the sly. Carl comes back for a visit and a tornado hits, and May and Carl must decide if their love has withstood the test of time.
PJ
Blue Moon Haven by Janet Dailey
This is a wonderful novel about an abandoned drive-in movie theater, an unconventional family, a neighbor whose first meeting of the new residents of the theater doesn't go well at all and the owner of the theater, Mae Bell, who after a medical incident is in a nursing home. Mae Bell hires Kelly to "run" the theater and offers lodging at a mobile home on the lot. Kelly is out of options with her deceased friend's two young children. Will this drive-in be able to be brought back from the disrepair that seems evident? Fortunately, not all is what it seems and with help from her grumpy, grouchy neighbor who is not what he at first seems it all starts to come together when the rather odd group works together.
Barbara
Fault Lines by Emily Itami
Wit and wisdom combine for an in-depth look at modern marriage and motherhood.
Alice
Life on the Mississippi by Rinker Buck
Read it for book club but was not very interested in it. Too much history.
Shannon
The Little Shop of Found Things by Paula Brackston
I love time travel stories and Book 1 of this series is a wonderful read. The main character is a young woman with a lot going on in the present. Then learns she has the ability to slip through time to help someone in the past. I've read the entire series and each book is better than the one before.
Ivy
Gone Like Yesterday by Janelle M. Williams
A new voice that pulls you into family and the sagas that go along with it in a realistic way.
Susan
In Memoriam: A Novel by Alice Winn
This is an epic saga of WWI chronicling the lives of two London boarding school students, Henry Gaunt and Sidney Ellwood. Both enlist in the war effort and are sent to the front to fight. Each are fighting private battles over their longing for each other. Homosexuality is a crime and their love cannot be revealed. Henry and Sidney fight side by side until Henry is wounded and assumed dead. Sidney carries on fighting ferociously until he is not only wounded but maimed for life, losing part of his face and an eye. They reunite in England and resume their relationship and we hope, until death do them part! Pick it up. A beautiful love story!
Muriel
The Rose Code by Kate Quinn
Kate Quinn made me feel I was right there with the characters Mab, Osa, and Beth as they became friends and worked together in Bletchley Park as breakers of the Axis Power’s codes during WWII. With Ms. Quinn’s well-researched book, it’s easy for the reader to become immersed in that war time period and feel connected to the characters, many of whom were based on real people. There’s intrigue, romance, friendship, courage, and betrayal as main characters OSA, Mab, and Beth work together and sometimes against each other, knowing the work they are doing must be kept secret. This is a book that’s hard to put down.
NANCY
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
I’m late getting to this book. Long, long wait for reserves at the library. Hard to find something to say that hasn’t been said before. Loved, loved the story of a chemist turned cooking show celebrity. I know some people had trouble getting through the beginning, but I loved if from the first page. What I don’t love is that women today face some — most — of the same discrimination issues that Elizabeth, the lead character, faced in the 1960s. Great character studies, great story. Plus there’s a dog.
Susan
Blue Monday by Nicci French
A new author to me, but I will be reading more. Very well done.
Marilyn
Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan
The story of two incredible minds meeting and sharing an uncommon love.
Jackie
Heart Bones by Colleen Hoover
I just started reading Colleen Hoover’s novels and I love her style. You feel like you are there in the story. I didn’t want to put the book down, rich characters, great story.
Michelle
Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel
There were elements of this book I liked, especially the links between this book and THE GLASS CASTLE, but overall it was just too confusing to wrap my brain around. So much so that apparently I missed a full circle moment towards the end with two characters connecting. Maybe I was rush reading the end. The plot ideas were pretty ingenious in hindsight. It takes a really smart writer to create something like this this out of thin air and especially linking into other books. But the discrepancies between the books were too jarring for me overall. Had they aligned, I think I would have given this a higher review. I’m not one for time-traveling books but I actually liked that aspect SEA OF TRANQUILITY. It was just a little too confusing.
Jayme
A Flicker in the Dark by Stacy Willingham
This book had me reading through the night. I could not put it down. I had part of it figured out, but was surprised by the ending. Great book!
Jayme
A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers
Charming - simply charming. And as Mosscap would say, "It is enough to exist in the world and marvel in it." I will simply marvel and savor this beautiful book.
Debbie
Demon Cooperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
This is another Kingsolver winner. It is beautifully written and covers a variety of topics -- poverty, family, perseverance, the drug crisis, and hope. The protagonist, Demon Copperhead, tells his story from the time of his birth through his adolescence and into early adulthood. He overcomes and sometimes falls victim to poverty, abandonment, a drug-addicted mother, the cruelty of foster care, drug addiction, and more, while always holding on to hope.
Kristine
The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
Such a heartbreakingly beautiful novel! I fell in love with Leni - her kindness, loyalty and spirit! Alaska plays a huge part in this book and felt like a character of its own. Kristin Hannah weaves a difficult subject into an engaging and heartfelt book. Highly recommend!
Susan
The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah
Loved this book! This is a wonderful story about the "Dust Bowl" and the people who lived through this time in history, as seen through the eyes of one strong woman. It shows the sacrifice, courage and the strength to survive.
Tessa
A Single Thread by Tracy Chevalier
I have read and greatly enjoyed other works by Chevalier, so was looking forward to it. I really liked Violet, and several of the women she came to know and befriend. Her landlady was a peach, and Miss Pesel was a treasure. I thought Chevalier treated Violet’s relationship with Arthur fairly, and realistically. But I really wanted to know more about the cathedral, its history, and the work of the Broderers.
Anne
The Younger Wife by Sally Hepworth
Read this one for Suspense Book Club.
Janet
The Boys by Ron Howard and Clint Howard
I enjoyed this double memoir. Some chapters told by Ron and some by his brother, Clint.
Anne Marie
Criminal by Karin Slaughter
I had never read any of the books in the Will Trent series until I started watching the show and decided to check out the books it was based on. I'm hooked!!! The books bring me on a wild, thrilling ride, and I finish one and can't wait to pick up the next. What a read! I don't want to give away any of the story but highly recommend you check them out for yourself.
Betty
An Irish Hostage by Charles Todd
One of the Bess Crawford series set in Ireland after the first World War and the Irish rebellion. Bess goes to Ireland to be a bridesmaid to her Irish friend, Eileen. She gets in the middle of family disputes and Irish nationalism.
Lisa
The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
Delightful to the max! When someone mentioned this book to me, I thought that it sounded silly. Boy was I wrong. Residernts of a senior community in England form a group that solves murders. While the clues are being revealed, you learn the backgrounds of the group members and others in their community. Enough twists and turns to keep mystery readers engaged, coupled with charming characters. I was happy to see that this is the first book in a series.
Lori
The Secret Life of Groceries by Benjamin Lorr
Interesting exploration of all that goes into getting food to grocery store shelves and cases. Also a good history of Trader Joe's. A couple of the middle chapters got a little bogged down in minutiae but a good read overall.
Elizabeth
The Paris Maid by Ella Carey
Grandma Louise's daughter found a photo of her after the war with a swastika on her forehead and being paraded through the streets of France. Grandma could not have been a Nazi collaborator. Or maybe she was and that's why she would never talk about the war. Nicole had to find out the truth, but could she after all these years?
Janet
The Perfect Horse by Elizabeth Letts
Back when this book was first published I started to read and, frankly, got bored and never finished it. I recently found it on CD and listened to what turned out to be a very interesting WWII story of the rescue of valuable horses from Germany to the U.S.
Elizabeth
The Last Carolina Girl by Meagan Church
How much can a young girl take? Leah lost her mother and father and was sent to live with a family who treated her like a servant. She also was a victim of forced sterilization. THE LAST CAROLINA GIRL is very well written and well researched, but it was heartbreaking to see how Leah was treated when all she wanted was a family of her own. Fans of Southern fiction will devour this book. A beautiful, thoughtful read that requires tissues...it has been compared to WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING and NECESSARY LIES.
Elizabeth
Hang the Moon by Jeannette Walls
Duke Kincaid was someone you didn't want to cross. He always had to have his way. This book will be enjoyed by those who like books about prohibition, family, and Ms. Wall’s books.
Elizabeth
My Grandmother's Inn by Kristin Harper
Loved it!! MY GRANDMOTHER’S INN is another delightful, sweet read by Kristin Harper with characters you would want to meet and have in your life.
Elizabeth
The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth
How could he not have saved her from jumping? Surprise after surprise along with secrets kept awaits the reader. Mystery fans and fans of Sally Hepworth will enjoy her newest that you won’t be able to put down.
Marilyn
What She Knew by Gilly Macmillan
Our book club had a good discussion on this book but found that some things were not clearly developed or were a bit far-fetched. But we agreed we would read another book by this author.
Linda
The Long Way Home by Louise Penny
This murder mystery is number 10 in the Armand Gamache series. Penny's description of the landscape, which takes place in Baie-Saint-Paul in Quebec and other places along the St. Lawrence River, are so beautiful and evocative. Expect the unexpected when trying to solve her mysteries!
Beth
The Tour by Jean Grainger
This book is pretty outdated - not sure when it was written but it's set in 2000. A lot of cliches about gender and most of the unlikable people are women. I listened to it - it was read by someone with an Irish accent, which did give me a nice feel like I was in Ireland, but his voice for some of the women was cringe-worthy. I picked this audiobook up on sale at the beginning of the pandemic when I had to cancel a trip to Ireland - not sure I would bought it otherwise.
Maureen
The Maid by Nita Prose
Love her writing. Enjoyed the book.
Sheree
Maame by Jessica George
I always love stories about family dynamics. Without any help she was looking after her sick father. When her mother comes back to help Maddie she can finally start living. But then her father dies and she finds out family secrets. Makes for a very interesting read!
Debbie
Sparkling Cyanide by Agatha Christie
After DEATH COMES AS THE END, SPARKLING CYANIDE returns to the tried and true writing of Agatha Christie. The number of usual suspects contains six guests at a birthday party for Rosemary Barton. But as the guests toast Rosemary’s birthday, Rosemary grapples with choking on cyanide in her champagne. A year later, Rosemary’s husband, George attempts to trap Rosemary’s killer. Unfortunately, George succumbs to cyanide in his glass of champagne. Now, the remaining guests and Colonel Race must discover the diabolical murderer before another murder happens. As usual, Christie presents an interesting array of characters with a multitude of secrets. Along the way to uncovering the killer, Christie inserts many red herrings.
Wendy
Sankofa by Chibundu Onuzo
After her mother’s death, a mixed race British woman sorts through her mother's house and finds info about the father she never knew. After much self-reflection, she travels to West Africa on a journey to find her family and discovers her true self.
Rosemary
Helltown: The Untold Story of a Serial Killer on Cape Cod by Casey Sherman
In the late 1960s several young women have disappeared from the area of Cape Cod. It's the height of the hippy movement and drugs abound. What does the charismatic young man the girls call "Sire" have to do with it? Meanwhile, the world goes on with man landing on the moon, Norman Mailer & Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. competing for the bestseller list, the National Guard kills several students at Kent State University, and a scion of a famous family drives off a bridge with a young woman in the car. An intense and beguiling true-life story!
Lisa
The It Girl by Ruth Ware
I’m a huge fan of Ruth Ware and this thriller kept me intrigued. Hannah meets a new group of friends while attending Oxford. Her roommate is the popular, pretty April. The group of six spend most of their time together until one of them is killed.
Lisa
Lost in Paris by Elizabeth Thompson
This book is set in Paris and London. Hannah hasn’t had the greatest relationship with her mother. All that changes when she inherits an apartment in Paris from her great-grandmother. Marla owns half of the apartment as well. Love the beauty of Paris and the sparring between mother and daughter.
Becky
City of Women by David R. Gillham
Read twice. A story of trust, escape, lust, and betrayal. This book has it all! Mostly female characters with a strong supporting cast. Unique approach to the available WWII books.
Becky
Rise and Shine, Benedict Stone by Phaedra Patrick
How a 16-year-old who appears on a doorstep in the middle of the night will inspire a whole town. A book about second chances and how people can change. Liked the chapter titles and meanings of gemstones. Informative!
Becky
The Golden Spoon by Jessa Maxwell
4.5 stars. Six contestants compete in the Bake Week competition. Someone will try to sabotage the contest and someone will be murdered. A winning debut. I liked the cast and backstories of each. All have secrets!
Jeanne
Strangers in the Night by Heather Webb
STRANGERS IN THE NIGHT by Heather Webb is a combination of biographical and historical fiction at its best. It details the stormy, turbulent relationship of Ava Gardner and Frank Sinatra. You get a glimpse of other Hollywood A-list stars and all the glitz, glamor and drama of the movie industry during that era. It is well written with excellent dialogue, and the author has done an outstanding job of giving readers an inside glimpse into who both Ava and Frank really were as people. Despite their tempestuous relationship that was a constant turbulent roller-coaster she captured the essence of love they felt for one another. It reminded me of a love/hate relationship until it ended the same way it began - stormy, clamorous and passionate.
Linda
The Forgetting by Hannah Beckerman
I've read several books before with the theme of the woman who wakes up and remembers absolutely nothing about herself and her life, but this one is different. A new twist on the theme! I couldn't put it down.
Mindy
The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel
I have always liked books by Kristin Harmel and this is no exception. It is a story set during WWII and involves those in the resistance who tried to save children by giving them new identities as they helped to get them to Switzerland and potential freedom. The story and the characters were well written and kept me interested to the end.
Judy
Yours Cheerfully by A. J. Pearce
Delightful book for people wanting to see a different side of World War II.
Kay
The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion
Just how much turmoil can one person take in a year and can write about it with such emotional detail without getting lost in grief. She had a lot of support from friends and family to help her. I've had the experience of grief and sadness, which drained me of energy and perspective for an extended period. Didion found the words to express her grief and mourning.
Kay
The Good Widow by Jennifer Katz
Jennifer's training and background in psychology shows in how she relates her first year of grief following the death of her husband at a young age. It is a good resource book to help guide you through the process. There are three sections with questions to help you answer the many questions for finding your own way. I will keep this book on my bookshelves to refer to.
Kay
The Last Orchard in America by Michael Peck
Dashiell Hammett would be proud of this parody of the noir genre he embodied. I've often found this literary style hard to follow how the detective solves the mystery, but enjoy the feel of the characters and the sepia colored 1940s L.A. atmosphere.
Teresa
Someone Else’s Shoes by Jojo Moyes
Such a fun story. A pair of expensive shoes is taken by mistake. In the course of returning them to their rightful owner, life changes in every way for two women. A lovely read; definitely the antidote you need if you’ve been reading heavy, serious books.
Deby
The Lost Ticket by Freya Sampson
Delightful book, easy read!
Donna
Loyalty by Lisa Scottoline
This novel is about the rise of the mafia in Sicily which originated in the lemon groves. Wonderful story about family, love, greed and the desire for respect. You can tell she did a tremendous amount of research on this one.
Stefanie
What Lies in the Woods by Kate Alice Marshall
The story was decently written and the main protagonist was developed well enough to feel like you understand her perspective in the story. The end provided enough of a surprise twist to feel satisfying and the writing was simple but engaging enough to make sure you read until the very end.
Rose
The Many Daughters of Afong Moy by Jamie Ford
Jamie Ford has written another great book, told over many generations, in a unique way. Dorothy Moy is concerned that she has inherited trauma from past generations (Epigenics). She doesn't want to pass it to her daughter, so she goes for treatment and therapy to lessen the inherited trauma. Through this treatment, she connects with her ancestors. Afong Moy, 1st Chinese woman in U.S., was treated as a curiosity. Faye, a nurse, cares for wounded soldiers and finds a connection with one. Zoe, a student, falls in love with her teacher, a woman. Lai King, quarantined during an epidemic, while whites go free. Greta, in tech, invents a dating app, but is tricked by her investor, which leads to a failed relationship. Treatment allows change.
Rose
Time's Undoing by Cheryl A. Head
Beautifully-written book about a young woman reporter determined to find the truth about her family. Told in two timelines, 1929 and 2019. In 1929, a master carpenter, Robert, and his wife, along with their daughter, moved to AL from FL. Sadly, Robert is targeted by the police and the Klan, and tragedy happens. In 2019, Meghan, a journalist, wants to research about her great-grandfather (Robert) and his murder. She heads to Birmingham to write a story and to research the murder. She stumbles upon help in unlikely sources and also rips off the bandage hiding some tragic history. I loved this book, it kept me interested and engaged, and I enjoyed Meghan's drive for the truth.
Rose
The Revenge List by Hannah Mary McKinnon
Frankie Morgan has a lot of anger issues. Her dad tells her she must go to anger management courses run by his friend. While there, she writes a list of people she is supposed to forgive, but after the list goes missing and people on the list start getting harmed, she is desperate to try to protect the people on the list - especially one. Due to her past, there is someone she is desperate to protect, but as the story unfolds it becomes clear, that she doesn't know who is responsible for all the injuries. When the realization hits, Frankie must make a big decision.
Curious if this one will have a sequel.
Rose
For Her Consideration by Amy Spalding
Cute LGBTQ+ romance about a woman, Nina, who is working for a publicist, and who secretly wants to be a writer/screenwriter. After a breakup, she has sworn off dating. Then, she meets Ari Fox, an out actress for whom she handles emails. Ari and Nina become fast friends, and after clearing things up about Nina's dating stance, become lovers. But, Ari betrays Nina's trust, and vice-versa, and things get messy. Nina's friends and her aunt stand by Nina, encouraging her and helping her to manage her sadness. Will Ari and Nina be able to work things out?
Simonne
The Exiles by Jane Harper
Multi-level story has two related/unrelated mysteries going on. Aaron Falk is a godfather to his cop friend’s son and spends some time at the family vineyard. Simultaneously, a one-year anniversary/appeal is planned for a young missing mother. The community is small and everyone knows each other and has some history. A well-written read.
Simonne
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
Different and compelling. If you could go back and change life decisions - who would you end up being?
Anita
Straight Man by Richard Russo
William Henry Devereaux, better known as Hank teaches creative writing at a college in Pennsylvania. He has been appointed temporary department chair. Rumors are that there is not enough funding and therefore downsizing will occur. Hank is optimistic that money will be found somehow. At times this book had me laughing out loud as we learn of Hank's relationships with his fellow teachers and his family.
Janet
It's One of Us by J. T. Ellison
Got my attention right from the start.
Rose
Drowning by T. J. Newman
This book grips you from the first page and never lets up! Will and his daughter, Shannon, are on a flight from HI to CA for Shannon's camp trip when the plane crashes 6 minutes after takeoff. What follows is a desperate race for survival. Will, an engineer, bucks with tradition, and tells the passengers to stay on the plane as it sinks vs. getting off via the slides into the water. Only a few passengers and crew stay. On land, a team is assembled to try and rescue the passengers and crew, but realize the situation is more dangerous than expected. The plane is sitting on the edge of a cliff 200 feet below the surface in the ocean. Will's estranged wife, Chris, a diver, is begging the Navy and Coast Guard to let her try to save them. Tense!
Kathie
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
I enjoyed this story immensely. A cleverly-written story of friendship, resilience, and love. I loved the references to the late '90s and 2000s. Words can't describe this gem adequately. I loved it!
Liz
The Whisper Man by Alex North
After the sudden death of his wife, Tom Kennedy and his son, Jake, move to the town of Featherbank, where twenty years earlier a serial killer was caught after abducting and murdering young boys. The perpetrator is in prison but the crimes are starting all over again and Jake is taken. Before it’s too late Tom must save his son. This is a pretty good thriller, but a bit confusing at times.
Marcia
Big Lies in a Small Town by Diane Chamberlain
Very different storyline. A young art major is released from jail to restore a mural painted years ago in a southern town. It dealt with race, DUIs, art restoration, rape, single parents. Lots of stuff going on in this story.
Rose
A Death at the Party by Amy Stuart
I was instantly immersed in this book, but as it went along, I just wanted to know what happened - and what was going to happen! Ultimately, I was left dissatisfied. I don't like books that leave me in limbo. The book opens with a woman waiting for a man to die before she rejoins a party. Nadine, daughter of author Marilyn Millay, is hosting a 60th birthday party for her mother, which also happens to be the anniversary of her aunt Colleen's death. But, there are secrets about Colleen's death, and secrets about those at the party - what they know about the past and what they might reveal. The book takes place over 1 day, but does have flashbacks to 30 years earlier.
I was left wanting to know a bit more at the end.
Rita
The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson
Cussy Mary Carter lives in the hills of rural Kentucky. She is poor but that doesn't stop Cussy Mary from accomplishing things in her life. She becomes a Book Woman despite the fact she is shunned by many. This book is filled with historical facts, harsh, loving and caring moments and it was a pure joy to read. I don't want to give too much what happens in the story other than I think you will truly love this historical fiction story.
Becky
The Nazi Conspiracy by Brad Melter and Jssh Mensch
The plot to kill the three leaders of the United States, the United Kingdom and the Soviet Union at the Tehran Conference (World War II) was led by an untrained, unskilled and abandoned “spy” who had been sent to Tehran very early in the war. His only orders were to gather information and set up a “team” of Nazi sympathizers who might be called upon later. Then Russia entered the war on the Allied side and Franz Mayr was simply abandoned by his Nazi controllers until late in the war when Mayr was able to reestablish contact with the Nazi regime. THE NAZI CONSPIRACY was part history and part spy thriller.
Bonnie
The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell
Page-turner historical fiction about Lucrezia Borgia.
Bonnie
Unstoppable by Joshua M. Greene
Terrific nonfiction biography of a man with little education and no money who survived Aushwitz to become a bank president and head of a NYSE listed oil company. Give it to your children and grandchildren to read.
Bonnie
Outnumbered by Diane Gronkowski
Fun book by Rob Gronkowski's mother about raising a houseful of boys who turned out to be professional athletes. Quite a ride!
Bonnie
The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni
Wonderful novel about a young man who doesn't let being different stop him. A remarkable story.
Elizabeth
The Cuban Heiress by Chanel Cleeton
Two women with plans and two women who are not portraying who they really are as they board the infamous SS Morro Castle. It truly is one you won’t want to miss!!
Tessa
Rich People Problems by Kevin Kwan
Book Three in the story of the uber wealthy Singaporean Young family. There’s plenty of drama, what with divorces, engagements, sex video scandals, stepchildren misbehaving, mega efforts to one-up each other, extravagant parties, and even plastic surgery for a pet fish. Kwan writes these people so over-the-top that it’s hard to relate to any of them. They are shallower than the damp spot on the sidewalk where I splashed a few drops of water. Still, I found it mildly entertaining and it was a fast read.
Helen
The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson
A wonderful read based on the blue people of Kentucky. The story of a brave woman Cussy Mary Carter, a “Bluet” librarian that delivers books by mule through the hills of eastern Kentucky, is heartwarming and fascinating. Not to be missed!
Helen
Galatea by Madeline Miller
A fascinating short story by the author of the wonderful CIRCE, reimagining the myth of Galatea and Pygmalion. A must-read for mythology lovers.
Terry
My Father's House (Rome Escape Line Trilogy #1) by Joseph O'Connor
O'Connor brings us back to wartorn Rome and shows us the courage of this priest and his rag tag group of heroes. I can't wait to read his Trilogy #2.
Sean
1632 by Eric Flint
I thought this book had so much potential but it was so incredibly corny. "You're under protection of the United Mine Workers of America!" That's real dialogue. Every point of view readers are given is so bland and lame. After 100 pages in I wanted to be transported back in time before I had bought this. Overall, a terribly written attempt at fiction. Not for me.
Susan
Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng
A very powerful and timely story. We should all stand up and take notice!
Shirley
Loyalty by Lisa Scottoline
Historical fictional account of the origins of the Mafia in Palermo, Sicily. The characters are fully developed and realistic. The story had me hooked from the beginning and I realized that the Mafia was started to ensure the safety of citrus crops getting to the coat for the British ships. The author adds photos and videos from the areas in Sicily mentioned in the book. Well worth the time investment.
Rose
The Appeal by Janice Hallett
THE APPEAL is an extremely clever and unique way to tell the story of a crime. A small theater group, The Fairway Players, is run by Martin Hayward and his wife, Helen. However, the community is shocked when Martin explains why they have been out of touch. Their granddaughter, Poppy, has been diagnosed with cancer and needs expensive life-saving treatment. The money required is exorbitant and the drama group pulls together to appeal to the community to raise funds. However, there is some suspicion around the appeal and the various players. When someone is killed, young lawyers are asked to review all the correspondence, mainly emails, to discover the truth. This is a unique way of laying out the background, pulling the reader in.
Richard N B
Murder in Grub Street by Bruce Alexander
Book Two in the Sir John Fielding mystery series. This was much more complicated than the first book. There is religious fervor, multiple personalities, professional jealousy, antisemitism, dreadful conditions of tenement buildings, and a light-fingered imp of a thief to complicate the case. Still, I really enjoy the way that Alexander has taken bits and pieces of history and woven them into these mysteries.
Thomas
Desert Star by Michael Connelly
Excellent book to read.
Suzanne
I Will Find You by Harlan Coben
A father wakes up to find his son murdered in bed and he doesn't remember anything. He remembers putting him to bed while his wife was working at the hospital. He is found guilty and sent to prison. Enjoyed the characters and background.
Suzanne
Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
World War II story of Louis Zamperini, world class runner, who is captured by the Japanese during WWII.
Rose
The Measure by Nikki Erlick
If you had the opportunity to know when your life would end, would you want to know? When boxes arrive at the doorstep of adults around the world, people are intrigued. But, the only thing inside is a string. A long string signifies long life, a short string is a short life. Some struggle with whether or not to open the box. Those who do open the box make choices - to travel, to marry or not, and some use it against others. The novel follows several people whose lives intersect, Ben and Amie, Javier and Jack, Nina and Maura. Ultimately the book is about family, relationships, and the choices we make to live fully. Very interesting concept.
Pam
The Last Orphan by Gregg Hurwitz
Love this series about the Nowhere Man who helps those who are in need of protection from the bullies of society. This one shows his fallibility and humanity as well as his need for human connection despite his rocky past.
Becky
The Bullet That Missed by Richard Osman
This third outing of the Thursday Murder Club is just as much fun as the other two. Four pensioners living in a gated community get together every Thursday to discuss and try to solve a cold murder case. Each of the four is a wonderfully portrayed personality. They include a former spy, a psychiatrist, a doddering (maybe) busybody and a supporting cast of characters just as delightful. The murders are intriguing and come with additional characters to join the fun. This time around a former KGB hitman joins the four, and I hope he sticks around for more chapters in this series. Not quite a cozy (murders do happen!) but not a bloodthirsty thriller either.
Suzy
Enter Talking by Joan Rivers, with Richard Meryman
This is Ms. Rivers' first autobiography and the best I have ever read! If you are expecting a laugh fest, you will be surprised; it is a serious book by a funny woman with occasional clever and humorous "jokes" in it. Ms. Rivers took her work VERY seriously, and the effort is clear from her descriptions of how hard it is to break into show business. Meeting many fascinating people, both famous and not, along the way, step by step she learned the business and was ready for her turn when it finally came. Although this book was written many years ago, it is still an inspiring work from someone who is missed in our serious world of today. Clearly an intelligent and very well-read woman, Ms. Rivers has a lot to teach aspiring actors and comics.
